Business History
In 1988, the Company opened four company-owned stores in four different markets to test the viability of their candy concept.
One store was located in an upscale regional mall, another in a middle market mall, one in a discount mall, and the fourth store in a tourist area. The consistency in sales and profitability demonstrated the concept had mass appeal and cut across gender, age, and socioeconomic groups.
Customer reaction to these first stores was phenomenal and has fueled expansion of Candy Express® stores across the country.
In 1991 the Company began selling franchises throughout the U.S. In 1992, in a survey conducted by Success Magazine, of 2000 franchises in the U.S., the Company was ranked 4th. Also in 1992, the Company was honored by being presented with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award given by Ernst & Young and Merrill Lynch (co-sponsors).
In 1994, the Company completed its first international license agreement with Saudi Arabia. During the next three years, the Company secured license agreements in 10 countries worldwide. Almost all of these contracts have a twenty-year term and a development schedule requiring each licensee to open a specified number of stores each year.
In 1998 the Company commissioned the internationally renown design firm Fitch, Inc. to reposition the Candy Express® concept through a dramatic and exciting new upscale store design including new logo, new graphics, and new product offerings.
The Company’s strategy for future growth will capitalize on the dynamism of this new concept in order to take advantage of the many various opportunities for growth in a variety of emerging new markets, including lifestyle centers, airports and travel plazas.
The Company continues to expect strong growth in international markets. American concepts and products are in high demand abroad and the Company has developed a reputation and strategy to take advantage of this demand. The Company continues to utilize its relationships with the U.S. Embassies and U. S. Commerce Department in its efforts to expand worldwide.
Management Team
Michael Rosenberg Training & Support
Mr. Rosenberg has over 45 years experience in the retail industry, with comprehensive expertise in all areas of specialty store concept development, marketing, store operations management and franchise training. In addition to his responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Candy Express® Franchising, Inc., Mr. Rosenberg has owned and operated Candy Express® company stores. Prior to Candy Express®, he was Secretary and Treasurer of Cedar Post, a retail fashion clothing chain in the Baltimore Washington metropolitan area which he owned and operated from 1975 until 1988. Mr. Rosenberg has been involved in and familiar with the retail industry since he was twelve years old, having worked in a variety of capacities at his father’s department store chain, The Hub, Inc. for 10 years.
Ken Garagiola Real Estate/Site Selection
Mr. Garagiola has over 39 years experience in the retail industry, with comprehensive expertise in real estate in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico, as well as store operations for specialty retail stores. He has also served with Spencer Gifts LLC as Vice President of Operations, Real Estate, and Construction. Prior to Spencer Gifts, Mr. Garagiola was employed by Tom McAn Shoe Company for over 13 years serving in various management positions including store operations, hiring, staffing and development, product presentation and merchandising functions for the company.
Nancy Lanard P.C.
Nancy Lanard has extensive experience representing potential tenants in the review and negotiation of retail leases all over the country. From Nancy’s in-house experience at Nutri/System, Inc., and more recently representing franchisees, including Rita’s Ice Cream, Saladworks, Sylvan Learning Center, Hollywood Tans, and Cottman Transmission, she has handled negotiations on behalf of franchisees for hundreds of retail leases. Nancy can help Candy Express® franchisees evaluate their intended leases so that they can be in the best possible legal position with their proposed Landlord thereby allowing them to become successful franchisees. All landlord/tenant legal issues, such as ensuring compliance by the Landlord on warranties and representations, indemnification from the Landlord, and fair calculation of common area maintenance (CAM) expenses paid by the tenant, are negotiated on the franchisee’s behalf. Nancy knows landlord/tenant issues and business terms that the less experienced lawyer and real estate broker won’t know to negotiate. Use of her services in negotiating favorable lease agreements has reduced risks for franchisees and provided substantial savings in tenant occupancy costs over the length of their lease.
Donald Lehrian Architect/Store Design
Mr. Lehrian has specialized in retail store design for the past 25 years and has headed the architectural design firm Associated Store Design. He has been the exclusive architect for Candy Express® stores for over 9 years. His expertise in the process of bringing Candy Express®’ store design concept to reality, handling franchisees’ needs, local building department regulations, and store construction coordination has ensured smooth store launch build-outs and quality store design enhancements over time.
Donald Johnson Franchise Financing Counselor
Don Johnson is currently the President of Diamond Financial Service which specializes in franchise business financing nationally. Mr. Johnson has been instrumental in providing financial advice to Candy Express® franchisees and assisting them in obtaining financing for their stores. He is also the President of Franchise Buyer Direct as well as GoFranchise.com- a franchise industry website. He has over 10 years of industry experience and currently is co-host of a national internet radio show called “Franchise Interviews.” He also has over 17 years business ownership experience and has sold two prior successful businesses. Don and his family currently reside in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Chris Haven Advertising/Promotions/Creative
Mr. Haven has over 15 years experience in advertising, with comprehensive expertise in graphic design. He has worked as Senior Creative Director for the Design Source advertising agency and Transcolor, a screen printer design company providing retail clothing to major chain stores worldwide. A graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Graphic Design, Mr. Haven provides full service creative design for store promotions geared toward increasing sales and product awareness. Mr. Haven’s work has received national attention and numerous awards including recognition from Ford Motor Company.
Teri Saunier Promotions/Production
Mrs. Saunier has always had a passion for design and printing, and has over 12 years of experience in her field. She earned design scholarships from the Advertising Association of Baltimore and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland in 2003. After being the Assistant Manager of Technology at Kinko’s Columbia MD location for several years, Mrs. Saunier launched her own design/printing firm, Material Graphics. She is an invaluable member of Candy Express®’ team, having been responsible for production of Candy Express® franchisees' promotional artwork and materials for the past 9 years.
Susan Nissel Accounting
Mrs. Nissel is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, with over 20 years experience specializing in office operations, bookkeeping, QuickBooks and Quicken software. She is available for training and advising franchise business owners in the use of all areas of bookkeeping procedures needed to properly and effectively manage their business. Her experience covers office operations, purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivables, human resource management, payroll and general office management. |
