Parable® Franchising Opens for Business
Parable® franchisees take first step
San Luis Obispo, CA — Parable is pleased to announce its first 25 franchisees. Among the first to sign up are Kregel Bookstores, Shepherd's Voice Christian Bookstore and Son Shine Christian Bookstore.
Lou Muckenfuss, owner of Son Shine Christian Bookstore in Moorestown, New Jersey believes making the decision to franchise is essential for his store's survival. "We as retailers have been trying to reverse the trend of a downward spiral for several years with no success. We cannot continue this way, and if we don't make radical changes then we cannot expect any different results. The Parable® Franchise is an opportunity that offers us the best solutions to the complex issues we face," says Muckenfuss. Another Parable store owner put it simply, "I intend for my business to still be around 10 years from now. But, if it weren't for the Parable franchise option I'm not sure I would be able to say that," says Tim van Eijl from the Shepherd's Voice Christian Bookstore in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
Parable® founding franchisees agree they can't keep doing business the same way they've done it in the past with the ever-increasing competition for the Christian retail market. "Combining a strong national brand (Parable) with a strong local brand (Kregel) creates an exciting, winning combination that will nationally and locally represent a high standard for excellence in product, selection, value and service. Kregel Bookstores welcomes this bold and innovative step in the advancement of nationally-recognized, quality Christian retailing," says Jim Kregel, president of Kregel, Inc., and owner of three Kregel Bookstores in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.
Other founding franchisees include: The Bookery in Mansfield, Ohio; The Mustard Seed in Wayne, Pennsylvania; Sacred Melody Bookstore in Syracuse, New York; Evangel Family Bookstores in Medford, Oregon; Hage's Christian Supply in Muskegon, Michigan; Parable Christian Outlet in Springfield, Oregon; Parable Christian Supply Store in Corvallis, Oregon; Grapevine Books Inc in Houston, Texas; Parables in Omaha, Nebraska; The Potter's House Christian Bookstore in Valdosta, Georgia; Gifts of Joy in Lima, Ohio and The Parable in San Luis Obispo, California. Many of these stores represent multiple branches in their area, making the current franchise count 25 stores.
"We are so encouraged by these trailblazers who are linking arms to become founding members of the Parable franchise," says Parable® founder and CEO, Steve Potratz. "In every organization, there is a special group of people who help it grow and flourish and expand its mission. Watch for more stores to join the list of Parable franchisees as founding members in the upcoming weeks and months," says Potratz.
The Parable® franchise program helps stores succeed using the proven power of a national brand and is for both new and existing Christian bookstores. Franchising works by giving retailers an increased customer base through national advertising, stronger customer loyalty and by offering a consistent retail experience and the chance to stay ahead of the competition through staff training, professional in-store business coaching and working together with other independents. All current member stores have the option of choosing franchising or continuing as a Parable member store utilizing Parable's many marketing and database services. Parable fully and enthusiastically supports whichever option each store chooses. The company's mission statement remains the same: To resoundingly impact the Kingdom of God by equipping Christian retail ministries to be successful, sought after havens of Christ's love.
The Parable® family of companies includes: The Parable Group, providing catalogs and comprehensive marketing services to independent, locally-branded Parable Member Affiliates nationwide; Parable Franchise, offering a nationally-branded turnkey business plan for opening and operating new Christian retail stores; and Parable Interactive, serving as a ministry partner hosting hundreds of web sites. Parable, America's Leading Christian Retailers®, is based in San Luis Obispo, California.
