Hartland, WI—Green Bay, Wisconsin, famously known as the home of the first and most recent Super Bowl championship team, is also notable as the place where Batteries Plus, the nation's first, largest, and fastest-growing battery and light bulb franchise began. It was 1988, and the first Batteries Plus opened in response to the evolving needs of the replacement battery market. Since then, America continues to run on batteries more than ever—so the Batteries Plus vision quickly expanded.

Now, 23 years later, with over 500 Batteries Plus stores throughout the nation—Batteries Plus continues to add awards to its growing trophy case, most recently having been ranked in the 2011 Franchise Times^® Top 200 Franchise Systems.

The list compiled the top 200 franchise systems in the U.S based on their worldwide system sales. Batteries Plus was listed as the #5 Top Unit Growth Percentage Franchise in the U.S. based on year over year unit growth percentage from 2009-2010. Batteries Plus was also recognized as the #11 Top Retail Franchise in the U.S. based on 2010 worldwide system sales in the retail category.

In its 12th year of publishing the Top 200, Franchise Times^® gathered its information through a variety of sources—such as companies' self-reported data, Securities and Exchange Commission documents, the franchises' FDDs and other publicly available documents.

"We are thrilled to be ranked in Franchise Times^® Top 200 Franchise Systems," said Russ Reynolds, CEO of the award winning battery and light bulb franchise. Batteries Plus was recently ranked as one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies by Inc. 5000 for the fifth consecutive year, and received a #22 ranking by Franchise Business Review, which ranks franchises based on the satisfaction of their current franchisees using survey results.

Batteries Plus is experiencing record-setting growth having opened a record 60 stores in 2010 and is currently opening more than one store per week in 2011. In 2011, Batteries Plus has experienced record signings for franchise agreements and store growth is expected to continually increase to keep up with consumer demand, said Reynolds. "The strong demand drivers' in our business for more portable power in mobile devices, energy efficient lighting options, and the complexity of these products offers us a great opportunity to educate our growing customer base and to continue to increase our sales," he said.

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.

"Because of the consistent demand for battery products and services, the changing landscape of the light bulb market, outstanding levels of support and training, and national brand recognition, Batteries Plus is widely becoming recognized as one of the nation's top franchise opportunities," says Reynolds.

From the simple beginnings in Green Bay to now over 500 locations in 46 states, Batteries Plus—like that world-renown hometown football team—is a franchise that continues to be a champion, gaining a large fan base of satisfied customers nationwide.

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS
Batteries Plus is the nation's first, largest and fastest growing battery and light bulb franchise. Batteries Plus, designated by Franchise Times as the world's 5th fastest growing franchise in terms of unit growth, and ranked as the #1 Retail Battery Franchise by both Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 and Dun & Bradstreet's AllBusiness AllStar franchise listing, has over 495 locations in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Batteries Plus is owned by Roark Capital Group opens in new window, an Atlanta-based private equity firm. Roark's current franchise portfolio includes companies such as: Carvel Ice Cream opens in new window, Cinnabon opens in new window, Schlotzsky's opens in new window, Moe's Southwest Grill opens in new window, Seattle's Best Coffee International opens in new window, McAlister's Deli opens in new window, FastSigns opens in new window, Arby's opens in new window, Primrose Schools opens in new window, Wingstop opens in new window, Pet Valu opens in new window and Auntie Anne's opens in new window. With access to more than 40,000 types of batteries, light bulbs and related products, Batteries Plus offers the widest selection and unmatched service to consumers, businesses and government entities at the national and local levels. Batteries Plus stores also feature Tech Centers equipped to design, assemble, rebuild, and test custom battery packs. Batteries Plus continues its reign as the undisputed leader in the expanding $30.7 billion U.S. battery replacement market, estimated to reach $34.6 billion by 2014 and in the growing light bulb replacement market estimated to be at $14 billion. To learn more about our exciting franchise opportunities and joining the battery and light bulb franchise leader please visit www.BatteriesPlus.com/franchise for more information.

Media Contact: Ashley Moses, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300 amoses[at]fishmanpr.com