Mattress Firm Founder Returns to Bedding Retailer
January 29, 2010
Houston-based Mattress Firm has brought back its founder and one of the original owners to spearhead the retailer's new franchise program.
Harry Roberts, the founder, and his brother Charlie Roberts, who joined the company shortly after it was founded, left the company about 10 years ago. Now they are back and, in addition to managing the company's franchise program, plan to open a Mattress Firm franchise operation together.
“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 national director of franchise development, and he joined Jason Goodman, manager of franchising for Mattress Firm, to begin a revival of the company’s franchise model.
The result is a complete turnkey 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 marketing strategies to support partners. While the opportunity to return to the company they helped create was appealing, the Robertses said it 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,” Harry Roberts said. “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.”
Harry Roberts, the founder, and his brother Charlie Roberts, who joined the company shortly after it was founded, left the company about 10 years ago. Now they are back and, in addition to managing the company's franchise program, plan to open a Mattress Firm franchise operation together.
“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 national director of franchise development, and he joined Jason Goodman, manager of franchising for Mattress Firm, to begin a revival of the company’s franchise model.
The result is a complete turnkey 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 marketing strategies to support partners. While the opportunity to return to the company they helped create was appealing, the Robertses said it 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,” Harry Roberts said. “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.”
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