MIDDLETOWN, Conn., Jan. 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Wireless Zone(r), the largest independent, carrier-exclusive, wireless franchised retailer in the country, begins an unprecedented campaign this week to have 400 operating stores in 400 business days. The new initiative, called Focus400, projects that the company will reach its goal in July 2008, according to Kevin Sinclair, who was named Chief Executive Officer as part of the expansion plans by company founder Russ Weldon.
Wireless Zone currently has more than 270 locations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions as well as Florida. The company is the largest independent, carrier-exclusive, wireless retailer in the country, working exclusively with Verizon Wireless.
With the new Focus400 expansion, Wireless Zone plans to expand into the Midwest with an aggressive growth strategy in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, as well as continued growth in existing markets of Florida and the entire Northeast.
In addition to naming Sinclair CEO, Wireless Zone has also made additional management moves as a major part of the strategic growth plan, promoting Mark Asnes, Executive Vice President of Operations into the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer and hiring Sean Fitzgerald in the newly created position of National Vice President of Franchise Development to oversee this endeavor, as well as the addition of many new regional director roles.
"These moves are designed to achieve our maximum potential," stated Sinclair. "Our philosophy is that if you are not growing, your value to your partners and the Carrier is diminished, and you lose market share and opportunity. As a company we have grown significantly from where we started, and we know this new expansion push will raise our level of competitiveness as we look to grow nationwide."
"The growth of Wireless Zone is important to our franchisees for many reasons, as well," added Sinclair. "With a network of 400 stores all supporting each other, we will be looked at even more as the premium place to purchase all wireless needs, we will increase our buying power, and we will jointly be more important to the Carrier we sell. The bigger we get, the better our product will be."
As a testament to the company's strength, Wireless Zone was also just awarded enrollment in the Verizon Wireless Premium Retailer program. Every Wireless Zone store must qualify individually to participate in the program, based on sales and customer service, and that just makes us a better organization.
"Essentially, this means that we have to be the best of the best," added Sinclair. "I have no doubt that we are. This program just allows us to showcase that to our consumers."
More information on Wireless Zone can be found at www.wirelesszone.com.
About Wireless Zone
Wireless Zone(r) is the largest independent, carrier-exclusive, wireless retailer in the country, with more than 270 Wireless Zone stores throughout the Northeast and Mid Atlantic regions. In addition to all the latest cellular/wireless phones, Wireless Zone sells GPS navigation, wireless accessories, Verizon FIOS, High Speed Fiber Optic Network, Wireless Data Devises, pre-paid cellular services, and DIGO, Wireless Zone's exclusive VOIP network. In 2006, Wireless Zone was named one of the top 10 franchises based in New England by Franchise Times. Wireless Zone is a division of Automotive Technologies, Inc., which generated $127 million in revenue in 2005. The company is headquartered in Middletown, Conn. For more information about becoming a franchisee, visit www.wirelesszone.com.