BrightStar CEO Shelly Sun Named IFA Entrepreneur of the Year

February 24, 2010

BrightStar Founder CEO Shelly Sun is definitely one of franchising’s rising stars.

Since she and her husband JD began franchising in 2005, the healthcare staffing company has grown from one company-owned store to over 160 locations in 31 states and plans to have 400 franchise locations sold by the end of 2011.

Through Sun’s leadership, BrightStar opens 7-12 territories each month and has experienced 811% system-wide revenue growth between 2006 and 2008. In August 2005, they launched BrightStar’s franchising efforts, becoming the first franchising company in the United States to specialize in both medical and non-medical care and healthcare staffing.

And now, Shelly Sun can add IFA Entrepreneur of the Year to her accomplishments. Here’s an excerpt from the company news release:

International Franchise Association Names Shelly Sun ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’

CHICAGO – BrightStar Co-Founder and CEO Shelly Sun received one of the franchising industry’s highest honors yesterday by the International Franchise Association as its Entrepreneur of the Year during its 50^th Annual Convention in San Antonio, TX….

“It is a tremendous honor to receive this recognition from my peers,” said Sun, addressing the more than 2,000 attendees at the convention. “This award is a result of our franchisees relentless daily efforts in providing our clients quality of life, and providing peace of mind to families across the country.”

Working as a CPA in 2001, Sun, along with her husband and co-founder of BrightStar, JD, found themselves looking for quality care for JD’s grandmother who was suffering from cancer in Florida. The experience inspired Sun, a 13 year veteran of corporate America, to develop a healthcare staffing business that would provide reliable care to those in need and who wanted to remain in the comfort of their own home.

Founded in 2002, BrightStar is a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides the full continuum of care, from homecare to supplemental staffing for corporate clients such as hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors offices. In August 2005, they launched BrightStar’s franchising efforts, becoming the first franchising company in the United States to specialize in both medical and non-medical care and healthcare staffing.

Today, BrightStar has grown from one company-owned store to over 160 locations in 31 states and will reach 400 franchise locations sold by the end of 2011. Through Sun’s leadership, BrightStar opens 7-12 territories each month and has experienced 811% system-wide revenue growth between 2006 and 2008.

“I am truly humbled to be receiving it after just a few short years franchising,” Sun added. Sun thanked her mentors, peers and staff and went on to say, “We are blessed to be in the business of providing peace of mind to our clients by providing the highest quality, compassionate care and service; and we look forward to entering new cities and new markets where we’ll be able to bring that service to families giving them dependability and comfort knowing their family is well cared for.”

Sun is a member of the IFA Finance, Audit and Budget, Membership and FranPAC committees. She was selected as the Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Women of Business Owners in 2006, was on the 50 fastest-growing woman-owned companies listed in Entrepreneur magazine in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and was honored as an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2008 and 2009.

Join us in congratulating Shelly Sun and the BrightStar franchise team.

Written by FranBest · Filed Under NEWS

Baker Bros Grants 5 Unit Franchise Agreement for Iowa

February 23, 2010

Congratulations to Baker Bros, Baker Bros Director of Franchising Ralph Kinder and the newest Baker Bros franchise owners who will be developing the first Baker Bros franchise locations in Iowa.

The newest franchisees of Baker Bros have secured the exclusive rights to develop a minimum of 5 Baker Bros restaurants in the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids & Dubuque, Iowa over the next 4 years.

Here’s the fresh, piping hot company news release:

BAKER BROS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION IN IOWA

New Franchisees to Develop 5 Baker Bros Restaurants

Dallas, Texas- January 22, 2010 – Baker Bros American Deli, a fast-casual concept headquartered in Dallas, has executed an exclusive Area Development Agreement with a new franchisee to open at least 5 Baker Bros American Deli restaurants combined in the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids & Dubuque, Iowa. The newest franchisees of Baker Bros have secured the exclusive rights to develop a minimum of 5 Baker Bros restaurants over 4 years.

This is the second Area Development Agreement in the Midwest that Baker Bros has signed. A different Area Developer is also actively searching for 3 locations in Indianapolis, Indiana. Current Baker Bros franchisees include multi-unit retailers and current or former multi-unit operators of McDonald’s, Popeye’s and Texas Roadhouse.

Founded in 1999 by Ken Reimer and Tom Dahl, two well-respected industry veterans, Baker Bros currently operates eight stores in Dallas, Texas with additional franchised locations open or in development in West Texas, East Texas, South Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana. “We think Iowa will be a terrific market for Baker Bros.” said Ken Reimer, Baker Bros’ CEO. “Baker Bros was created with the Midwest consumer in mind – hard-working Americans expect and deserve hearty portions, tremendous value and great flavor.”

Not to be confused with typical sandwich chains, Baker Bros American Deli (www.bakerbrosdeli.com) is an upscale, fast-casual deli featuring Specialty Sandwiches, Specialty Salads, Gourmet Pizzas and more. All entrees are prepared fresh to order using the freshest available breads, ingredients and produce. The restaurants typically operate in high visibility strip centers and occupy 2500-3500 SF with seating for 120-160.
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Written by FranBest · Filed Under NEWS, QSR, RESTAURANT