After seven months of dedicated work on behalf of everyone involved with the franchise program, I am pleased to report that today we have officially completed the daunting task of developing, organizing documenting and completing the Federal Disclosure Document (FDD), Franchise Agreement and the Operations Manual. Together, these items cover over four hundred and fifty pages of information to the prospective franchisees that we will be encountering in the months ahead. This has been a major undertaking for the entire organization and simply could not have happened without all of you participating and your involvement.

In December of 2009, Tony and myself flew to Dallas, TX to discuss the possibilities with some franchise industry consultants to explore the feasibility of the Nation’s first exterior restoration franchise. Having no vested interest in the program, they immediately marveled at the concept and encouraged us to move forward with development. December of 2010 marked our starting point with the franchise development and the hiring of Francorp, Inc. to develop the program. Francorp is the World’s leading franchise consulting firm with offices in sixteen international countries. They have developed some of the Nation’s largest franchises with a list of over three hundred strong including SERVPRO, ACE Hardware and Jimmy Johns Subs just to name a few. Over the last six months Francorp has developed a strategic marketing plan, franchise business plan, franchise web site, franchise marketing brochure and operation manuals (still under development). I would like to thank Don Borilian, Dave Wild, Sean Callaway and the entire Francorp staff for their services and support of this monumental program.

To our law partners in this venture I would like to introduce Gray Plant Mooty. John Fitzgerald and Kate Niland have been the appointed legal team to develop the FDD and Franchise agreement. Along with their staff of assistants and colleagues they have completed all the necessary documentation to submit to all the states that require franchise fillings. With the exception of four states Storm Guard will be a National Franchise. These documents are being filled today for state approvals. We anticipate approvals from the states to Beginning coming back by the end of May 2011. During this process we have had the pleasure of spending time with both John and Kate and have gotten to know them on a more personal level. I would consider them real friends of the entire Storm Guard family. John and Kate, my sincerest regards to you both.

Now that we have warmed up the real work begins. Over the next month we will be dissecting the operations manual, currently at 238 pages, to insure that our new franchisees have the most up to date information on how to run their Storm Guard location. Alex Sevren and I will be completing this project. A special thanks to Alex for his uncompromised dedication to the company and as my friend.

Beginning in June we will be running a full page, full color ad (attached) in the national insurance publication “Claims” Magazine. Claims is an industry magazine that has over forty thousand monthly readers in the insurance industry. These readers include primarily adjusters and insurance company executives/decision makers. This ad is designed to build credibility for the Storm Guard brand within the insurance industry as well as draw attention to our newly offered franchise program. With this new industry visibility, the company’s credibility will be paramount to any competitors in our field. Storm Guard is the only exterior restoration company in the magazine. We have committed to run 12 months of consecutive ads with Claims magazine. To further enhance building the company’s credibility within the insurance industry, Storm Guard is now a proud member of the PLRB, Property Loss Research Bureau.

Now that our season is in full swing I am happy to announce that our Colorado location is up and running. Fred Perello, Ed Brooks and Sue McGuire will be our key staff in Denver. Fred Perello has been with Storm Guard since June of 2010 and has done a great job with us in the field. Fred has extensive franchise experience and will be a great help in that area as well. Ed Brooks has been with Storm Guard since June 2010 as well and has shown great dedication to the company. Ed will be acting as the General Manager. Sue McGuire has been with us going on her second year. Sue has proven herself to the company on more than one occasion. I am proud that Sue is with us, she has much to offer anyone that needs help. Let’s show Colorado our support to make sure they have their best year ever.

I am also happy to announce that our office in Arizona that has been open since November 2010 has hit the 600 job mark and still trucking away. A special thanks to Brian Jovan and Reed Asher for all their help in Arizona this winter.

In closing, again I want to thanks all of you one more time. Here is to a prosperous and record breaking 2011.

Jim Linehan
President