Mattress Firm, Inc. announced that Harry and Charlie Roberts will return to the company after their departure almost a decade ago. Harry Roberts was one of the original founders of Mattress Firm, and his brother Charlie joined the company a short time later. Their vision and effort helped lay the foundation for what the company has become today – one of the nation’s leading specialty mattress retailers. In their new roles with the company, the Roberts brothers will once again help to set a foundation for future growth by helping manage the company’s new turnkey franchise program. The brothers also have announced plans to launch a new Mattress Firm franchise operation themselves.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Harry and Charlie back into the Mattress Firm fold,” said Gary Fazio, CEO of Mattress Firm. “The Roberts brothers are well known in the industry and have a tremendous amount of experience in driving growth through franchising. I am confident that their experience, combined with a unique understanding of the Mattress Firm brand, will make them extremely valuable assets to our franchise development team.”
The franchise development team at Mattress Firm also includes another early Mattress Firm partner who has recently returned. Philip Busker was one of Mattress Firm’s first franchisees. Later, Busker formed Mattress Pro, a 36-location mattress retailer that was acquired by Mattress Firm in 2007. After rejoining Mattress Firm following the acquisition, Busker was named as the company’s National Director of Franchise Development and he joined with Jason Goodman, Manager of Franchising for Mattress Firm, to begin the process of reviving the company’s franchise model which had been on a lower growth cycle for a number of years.
The result of the company’s efforts is a complete turnkey franchise package offering assistance with everything from operations to sales to store design to assist franchisees as they work to build market leadership. The franchise package also includes systems, distribution and proven marketing strategies to support franchise partners. While the opportunity to return to the company they helped create was appealing, is was the chance to help spearhead the accelerated re-launch of the franchise program that was truly exciting.
“When Charlie and I sat down to discuss what we wanted to do next, we had plenty of opportunities to consider,” explained Harry Roberts. “But Mattress Firm offered us something unique, the opportunity to help others become entrepreneurs through the franchise program, which is something that is a great passion for both of us, while also helping grow a company which is near and dear to our hearts; it was an opportunity that we just couldn’t pass up.”
“Franchisees are typically pretty much left to their own devices, with only minimal support from the corporate office, but with the Mattress Firm model, nothing could be further from the truth,” added Charlie Roberts. “In fact, Mattress Firm’s franchising program is one of the most comprehensive programs I have seen, offering an incredible amount of support for franchises. I am especially excited about the new satellite franchise model which offers potential franchisees an affordable option and even greater level of support as they set out to build their own business.”
Since Mattress Firm has renewed its focus on franchising as a growth opportunity and introduced the new franchise model, three new franchisees have signed on with the company, all of which are succeeding. The first, based in Hilton Head, SC, has recently announced plans to expand into the Savannah, Georgia market, the second started in Chattanooga, Tenn. and has since expanded into Knoxville, Tenn. and is currently exploring additional territories for future growth. The newest franchisee, Chuck Dawson, a former senior executive at Sealy, signed a deal to develop the Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. markets with plans to open multiple stores in 2010. Dawson’s first store is scheduled to open February 1, 2010.
The satellite franchise program is a new concept from Mattress Firm. Satellite franchisees will have the opportunity to open new stores within a close proximity of the current corporate-owned markets. These locations will be within 100 miles of a Mattress Firm core market, too far to be effectively managed by the corporate office, but still close enough to receive significant support from corporate marketing efforts and distribution.
For information on franchise opportunities, contact franchising@mattressfirm.com.
About Mattress Firm:
Houston-based Mattress Firm (www.mattressfirm.com) is the nation’s premier specialty bedding retailer, offering a broad selection of both traditional and specialty mattresses from leading manufacturers including Simmons, Sealy, Tempur-Pedic. Founded in 1986, Mattress Firm’s purpose is to Improve Lives One Night at a Time. With more than 500 stores in 38 markets, Mattress Firm offers consumers the benefit of highly-trained, knowledgeable sales professionals, a broad product offering and competitive prices in an attractive and comfortable store environment.