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Petter Etholm, President of Cardsmart retail stores says, "Our financial start-up and continuing operations fees are among the best in all of franchising."

Pawtucket, RI (PRWEB) August 17, 2005 -- CardSmart®, the national card and gift store retail chain, said its franchisees enjoy low franchise start-up costs and continuing management and marketing support programs that help attract interest in the 170-store chain, where beautiful value-oriented stores offer greeting cards at everyday half prices.

Petter Etholm, President of Cardsmart Retail Corporation said, “Our financial start-up and continuing operations fees are among the best in all of franchising and clearly the most attractive in the card and gift category.”

Etholm added, “Cardsmart offers the value, product choices and shopping environment that today’s shoppers deserve. We’re proud that Entrepreneur Magazine recognized Cardsmart in its prestigious Franchise 500 and listed Cardsmart among the Top 10 New Franchisees in America.”

CardSmart, the franchisor and marketer of everyday 50%-off greeting cards, markets top quality cards at prices sharply lower than national or specialty card stores, but with the same high quality. Cardsmart also sells top brands in gifts at great prices.

Frank Crivello, Senior Vice President for Franchise Development said, “The Cardsmart experience is proving to be a phenomenal opportunity for new franchisees. Our entire Cardsmart team is devoted to helping our franchisees.”

Crivello, best known for having helped develop the 7-Eleven franchise network, added, “The Cardsmart start up costs are low but Cardsmart provides full support, including on-site training, operations support in person and through manuals, proprietary point-of-sale systems, site and market analysis, marketing programs, a Customer Loyalty Program and a Passport Vendor Program to assure top quality merchandise.”

Cardsmart’s initial franchise fee of $15,000 and 2.5% royalty payments are among the most competitive in the franchise industry. Cardsmart requires new franchisees to have a minimum net worth of $250,000.

Cardsmart stores are supported by a world-class array of 25,000 greeting cards, each selling at 50% off everyday. The Cardsmart Cares program also helps stores become active members of their communities. Cardsmart stores, with unsurpassed greeting cards selling at half the price printed on the back of each card, are typically located in strip shopping centers. Created to compete with the pricey card and gift chains, Cardsmart brings consumers everyday value in beautiful store settings.

Cardsmart Retail Corporation, headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is a national chain of franchised and company-owned stores that offer consumers 50% off every card, every day. Featuring a full-line of 25,000 beautifully designed greeting cards, CardSmart’s value-oriented strategy has developed an expanding base of loyal and appreciative consumers. More information about CardSmart is available at CardSmart’s website, www.cardsmart.com.

Contact:
Brian Dobson
203-894-9240
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Source :  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/8/prweb273261.htm