MIDDLETOWN, Conn., March 6, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked Wireless Zone(r), the largest independent, carrier exclusive, wireless retailer in the United States, as number one in wireless stores and number 214 overall in its 28th annual Franchise 500 Edition. This is also the third consecutive year that Wireless Zone(r) has been named number one in the wireless stores category.
Entrepreneur Magazine selects its Franchise 500 by reviewing each company's strength and stability, franchise growth, franchise size, and other related factors involving the strength of the franchise. The franchise ranking within a category depends on the ranking in the overall Franchise 500.
"Being part of Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 and being named number one in the wireless stores category places Wireless Zone(r) among some very major industry players and we couldn't be more excited," said Kevin Sinclair, CEO. "The recognition comes at a perfect time for us, because we just launched an unprecedented campaign called Focus400 to have 400 operating stores in 400 business days. With this new initiative, which centers around an aggressive Midwest expansion, we're projecting that the company will reach its goal in July 2008.
"Our philosophy is that if you are not growing, your value to your franchisees and the wireless carrier is diminished, and you lose market share and opportunity. As a company, we have grown significantly from where we started, and we know that our new expansion push, coupled with our recognition by Entrepreneur Magazine, will definitely raise our level of competitiveness as we look to grow nationwide."
About Wireless Zone
Wireless Zone(r) is the largest independent, carrier exclusive, wireless retailer in the United States, working exclusively with Verizon Wireless. With more than 270 stores throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, Wireless Zone sells all the latest cellular/wireless phones, GPS navigation, wireless accessories, Verizon FIOS High Speed Fiber Optic Network, Wireless Data Devices, pre-paid cellular services and DIGO, which is Wireless Zone's(r) exclusive VOIP network. In 2006, the company was named one of the top 10 franchises based in New England by Franchise Times magazine. 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.