MaggieMoo's Ice Cream to introduce super-premium ice cream

Entrepreneurs looking for a fresh start in the Pacific Northwest are invited to participate in the event, which will include a sampling of the product, which has an unprecedented track record: blue ribbons for four flavors from the National Ice Cream Retailers Association for seven straight years. And it is rumored that MaggieMoo, herself, will make an appearance.

For those who have not yet tasted MaggieMoo's ice cream, the brand is a burgeoning phenomenon, with 170 stores -- and counting -- in 41 states, including two stores in the Seattle area including Bellingham and Kennewick and a Portland, OR store under development. The super-premium ice cream is freshly made each day in each store, with innovative flavors and a wide variety of fresh and tasty mix-ins that allow customers to customize their cones, cakes, smoothies, shakes and malts to fit their personalities.

Plans call for nearly 50 new MaggieMoo's Treateries criss-crossing Washington and Oregon within two years, all owned and operated by entrepreneurial franchisees.

"Without a doubt, MaggieMoo's is the perfect franchise opportunity. On Nov. 3, we will discuss the opportunities for new MaggieMoo's franchisees in this region," explained Bill Wright, co-director of Maggie's Master Developers, the first master developer named by corporate management.

Wright and his co-director, attorney Bill Bowman, have been so impressed with their own experiences with MaggieMoo's that they decided to focus their attention on being Master Developers for the brand in the Pacific Northwest. Together, they have 15 years of franchise experience, including Blockbuster and Taco del Mar.

"We believe this is a tremendous opportunity for anyone interested in learning how to develop a successful ice cream franchise. They will get the best of both worlds through our master developer program with MaggieMoo's," said Bowman. "While corporate MaggieMoo's offers excellent support for their franchisees, all around the country, franchisees here in the Pacific Northwest additionally will benefit from on-site expertise from two local guys who have 'been there and done that.'"

Working with established local realtors, Wright and Bowman already have identified approximately 15 potentially strong retail sites for the first dozen-plus MaggieMoo's in Seattle and surrounding counties.

"While we will receive inquiries from numerous potential franchisees, we can accept only 15 or so candidates in this first group. While some franchise organizations allow anyone to open for business, MaggieMoo's carefully selects franchisees who can be successful," said Bowman. Experience is not mandatory, but entrepreneurs with past or current experience with other franchise concepts are particularly encouraged to find out more about MaggieMoo's.

Indeed, franchising is one of the hottest segments of the business world today. Some well-established quick service restaurants (QSRs) field as many as 100,000 queries each year from prospective franchisees.

Jon Jameson, CEO of MaggieMoo's International, explained what he believes is fueling this franchising "frenzy."

"We are seeing many people who are currently in Corporate America who have decided they want to run their own lives and own their own piece of the pie. Not surprisingly, many are Baby Boomers. And the success rate for these individuals is very high," Jameson noted.

Wright added that this franchising trend also has been sparked by new entrepreneurs who have recently amassed extensive equity in their homes and are using this equity to capitalize franchise investments. "Investing in a business for themselves is a logical decision for many and we are seeing an increasing number of people doing just that," Wright said.

MaggieMoo's International has set a goal of having 1,000 ice cream treateries by 2009. "We believe we can achieve this growth and are actively seeking quality franchisees to join our family," Jameson said. "We predict that the Pacific Northwest will become one of our strongest regions."

Those interested in attending the Nov. 3 seminar may contact (800) 949-8114, ext. 134 for information or to make a reservation. Information on MaggieMoo's International is available at www.maggiemoos.com.

Media contact: Emily Carlton, HKA, Inc. (714) 426-0444; Emily@hkamarcom.com

SOURCE MaggieMoos International

Emily Carlton of HKA, Inc., +1-714-426-0444, Emily@hkamarcom.com, for MaggieMoos International