Batteries Plus: Thank goodness for power and light: Batteries Plus(R) franchise sees another year of robust growth

National Battery & Light Bulb Franchise Opens 46 New Stores
in 2012, With 59 More on the Way

HARTLAND, Wis., Jan. 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As long as batteries
are required for just about every item imaginable and light bulbs are
needed to illuminate rooms, Batteries Plus franchises will continue to
spread across America with rocket speed. Now with over 545 stores open
in 46 states and Puerto Rico, the nation’s first, largest and fastest
growing battery and light bulb franchise opened 46 new locations in
2012 alone, and signed agreements to open 59 new stores in the future.

More than half of the deals for new stores were signed by existing
owners, who, after realizing the growth of their current locations and
seeing the continued growth of the company as a whole, sought to add
additional units onto their current franchise agreements. Having
experienced a 45 percent increase in store count over the last three
years, and with same store net revenue increasing an average of 9.3
percent each year during that same span, Batteries Plus remains one of
the top franchise opportunities on the market in 2013. Company
executives say they plan to target the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic
regions of the country for franchise expansion growth this year,
including New York, New Jersey, Boston, Connecticut, Baltimore/DC, and
Philadelphia.

Batteries Plus, which began franchising in 1992, added light bulbs to
its product mix in 2010. After selling primarily automotive “SLI” type
batteries and accessories when opening its first store in Green Bay, WI
in 1988, Batteries Plus has now grown to offering a comprehensive
selection of over 40,000 batteries, light bulbs, related products and
technical support across its expanding franchise system to meet to the
energy replacement needs of consumers and businesses alike.

“The demand for battery powered portable electronic devices has rapidly
evolved over the last two decades and continues to grow at a steady
rate. And as a result of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act,
the energy saving light bulb replacement industry is also exploding,”
said John Twist, Vice President of Franchise and Business Development.
“We’ve established ourselves as the leading franchise serving the
rapidly growing demands of consumers and businesses in both the battery
and light bulb industries. It has resulted in exponential growth for
our brand at a time when many competitors have either struggled or
failed.”

Driving the growth of the light bulb category is the expanding U.S.
light bulb industry, which is already estimated to be at $17 billion in
sales (Freedonia Research Study). Batteries Plus also took a
significant step in establishing itself as a leader in the light bulb
replacement market by becoming the first retail partner of SWITCH
Lighting(TM), with an agreement to carry the award winning SWITCH LED
light bulbs–the first true LED replacements for the incandescent light
bulb–at more than 350 stores nationwide. Batteries Plus was chosen as
SWITCH’s partner mainly because of its highly-trained store owners and
staff who can best educate customers on all aspects of their innovative
light bulb.

“As the demand drivers in the battery and light bulb industries
continue growing, Batteries Plus will continue growing right along with
them. As we further our development efforts and open stores, we’ll
innovate and evolve through new partnerships, new products and
continued investments into the brand,” Twist added.

Batteries Plus stores carry light bulb products ranging from the common
recessed lighting, track lighting, incandescent and energy-efficient
options to extraordinary, highly-specialized light bulbs for
cars/trucks, healthcare equipment, aquariums, projectors, and more.
Specialized account programs also fulfill large volume and
energy-efficient lighting needs for businesses nationwide.

In addition to its impressive lighting offerings, Batteries Plus stores
have access to batteries for thousands of devices, ranging from common
items such as watches, cars/trucks, digital cameras, laptops and
cell/smartphones to those hard-to-find batteries for old toys and
novelty or obscure electronic devices. Stores also offer an on-site
tech center to assemble, test, condition and design custom battery
packs for rechargeable household and business-to-business products, as
well as battery installation services for many applications including
watches, cars/trucks, and keyless remotes, among others. Batteries Plus
stores offer an in-store recycling program using EPA-approved methods
for safely recycling batteries, light bulbs, and select portable
electronic devices.

Along with retail sales, business accounts and tech center services are
just some of the multiple revenue streams the Batteries Plus franchise
opportunity offers to prospective franchisees.

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS

Batteries Plus is the nation’s first, largest and fastest growing
battery and light bulb franchise with more than 545 locations in 46
states and Puerto Rico. Batteries Plus is owned by Roark Capital Group,
an Atlanta-based private equity firm. Roark’s current franchise
portfolio includes companies such as: Massage Envy, Carvel Ice Cream,
Cinnabon, Schlotzsky’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Seattle’s Best Coffee
International, McAlister’s Deli, FASTSIGNS, Arby’s, Primrose Schools,
Wingstop, Pet Valu and Auntie Anne’s. With access to more than 40,000
types of batteries, light bulbs and accessories, Batteries Plus has the
widest selection of battery and light bulb products available and
offers unmatched service to consumers, businesses and government
entities at the national and local levels. Batteries Plus continues its
reign as the undisputed leader in the expanding $30.7 billion U.S.
battery replacement industry and in the rapidly growing U.S. light bulb
replacement industry estimated at $17 billion*. To learn more about our
exciting franchise opportunities please visit
www.batteriesplus.com/franchising for more information. *Freedonia
Research Study

CONTACT: Media Contact: Debra Vilchis, Fishman Public Relations

847-945-1300 x227, dvilchis@fishmanpr.com