EMERYVILLE, CA--(Marketwire - May 2, 2011) - During the week of May 16th-20th business leaders and government officials will gather for National Small Business Week to celebrate the contributions of small businesses owners who provide stability to the US economy. As a leading partner to small businesses and with hundreds of locally-owned and operated stores nationwide, Cartridge World is a vital part of this community.

Small businesses are key to the economic well-being of this country. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), small businesses create 60-80 percent of all new jobs in the country. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. The entrepreneurial spirit behind the estimated 27.2 million small businesses in America continues to drive innovation and increases our country's competitiveness in the global economy while creating jobs.

Despite growth, the current economic climate has not been easy for small business owners. Tightened budgets have left many small companies feeling stretched. In a recent survey of small business office managers across the nation commissioned by Cartridge World, 34 percent of respondents said they are working with decreased budgets compared to two years ago and 79 percent of office managers told Cartridge World that in the past two years their job responsibilities have increased.

Cartridge World is dedicated to providing solutions to small businesses that need help the most. "Many small businesses are concerned about cost and value in these times, and we are committed to helping our small business customers," says Tom Fricke, Cartridge World's chief executive officer. "As members of small business communities nationwide and as leading providers of business supplies and services, our stores are able to provide both personal service and excellent value to their customers in a way that makes doing business with them both rewarding and cost-effective."

Cartridge World's national network of retailers provides high quality ink and toner printer cartridges to large and small businesses and institutions. Their focus on remanufactured and refilled cartridges helps small businesses keep their costs low, while being able to rely on a great product.

Franchise organizations like Cartridge World provide entrepreneurs with a compelling business opportunity, even in a difficult economy. While each Cartridge World store is individually owned and operated, franchisees benefit from the established marketing, financial and organizational guidelines and procedures provided by the parent corporation. This operational framework provides the security; experience and expertise that can help a small business thrive, even in a difficult economy.

"Our stores combine the quality, consistency and economies of a large corporation with a local focus," said Fricke. "They work with their local schools to help them implement conservation programs, they help local hospitals and other institutions continue to deliver their services in a time of shrinking budgets, and they help other small businesses in their communities cut costs and increase profits. We're proud of the contribution our stores make to local business communities nationwide, and grateful to our customers who understand the critical contribution that small businesses make to the overall economic health of America."

For more information about small business solutions, or for information on franchise opportunities from Cartridge World, please visit www.cartridgeworld.com.

About Cartridge World
Cartridge World is the leading resource for businesses and consumers who want to save money on their printer cartridges. Cartridge World uses state-of-the-art processes and high quality inks and toners, in addition to offering personalized service and a 100% product guarantee. Cartridge World offers consumers and businesses a more affordable option to buying new, provides a 100 percent satisfaction money-back guarantee and helps the environment by keeping cartridges out of landfills. Voted #1 in the category of toner replacement services by Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 for 2010, Cartridge World has over 650 Cartridge World stores in North America. For more information call (888) 99-REFILL or visit www.cartridgeworld.com.