7 Valleys Custom Blends Announces First Franchise Unit
Posted on: 02/08/2006
7 Valleys Custom Blends, a York, PA based retailer of all natural bulk tobacco, has announced the scheduled opening of its first franchise unit.
According to company president, Mark Tucci, August 4 is the scheduled date for the grand opening of the store in Camp Hill, PA, a suburb of Harrisburg. “After 13 years serving a loyal and growing customer base in York and the surrounding area we’re thrilled to make 7 Valleys Custom Blends products available in a new market,” said Tucci.
7 Valleys Custom Blends is the first bulk tobacco concept to franchise. Mark Tucci thinks that the timing is just right to launch an aggressive expansion program. “Smokers are already paying extravagant amounts for cigarettes,” states the company founder. “Now gasoline is going through the roof. When smokers see how much they can save by buying tobacco at 7 Valleys, we’re confident that many of them will become our customers.
7 Valleys Custom Blends stores provide patrons with everything they need to make their own cigarettes. Known as RYO (roll-your-own) or MYO (make-your-own) the do-it-yourself approach to cigarettes is made possible by using a small table-top machine that injects loose tobacco into pre-made paper tubes with filters attached. The process takes just a few seconds per cigarette and many customers roll a large supply of cigarettes at one sitting. By investing a little bit of time 7 Valleys patrons create cigarettes to their own taste while saving up to 80% over commercially manufactured cigarettes.
With an estimated 48 million adult smokers in the United States, the market for less expensive cigarettes is enormous. And while the health issues related to cigarette smoking are well documented, Mark Tucci believes that 7 Valleys Custom Blends offers smokers a much better option with premium quality tobacco products that contain none of the chemical additives found in commercially-produced cigarettes. “Our motto is, ‘If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, smoke smart, ’” says Tucci.
“7 Valleys Custom Blends has done an excellent job of defining a niche market and developing products and category knowledge customers sincerely appreciate,” states Sean Kelly, president of IdeaFarm, a leading franchise marketing and brand development firm. “This is the type of franchise that allows owners to develop a truly unique bond with their clients.”
Franchisee partners Sean Concannon and Richard Agolia are strong believers in the
7 Valleys Custom Blends concept and products. “We were both customers of the York store,” says Concannon. “Rich and I have experienced the huge savings and the superior tobacco products at 7 Valleys. As soon as we heard they were franchising the business we knew we wanted to be part of it.”
Saving money is very attractive but what has earned 7 Valleys such a devoted following is the uncompromising dedication to providing a more satisfying smoking experience. That is achieved by presenting 49 custom blends of chemical-additive-free, farm-fresh tobacco. Each blend has its own unique flavour based on the combination of tobaccos from premium growers in the United States and abroad.
7 Valleys will take advantage of the opening of the first franchise unit in Camp Hill by introducing a new format. Designed in collaboration with F.C. Dadson, the store will feature contemporary styling and a layout that is intended to be quite shopper friendly. The design is the prototype for future 7 Valleys Custom Blends stores. The York store has incorporated new shelves, cabinets and display cases to reflect the new scheme.
In addition to the 49 custom blends visitors will find pipe tobacco, cigars, rolling papers, machines, and other supplies. The store will also offer the new line of 7 Valleys Custom Blends coffee. Associates can help shoppers to match coffee blends with their favourite tobacco blends.
Mark Tucci takes obvious pride in the level of service and quality he and his team provide their customers. With a second franchised unit scheduled to open in Lancaster, PA in October he is confident that the time is just right for 7 Valleys to franchise and gain exposure to a larger share of the smoking public. “We know that we have great products and a great savings story to tell,” says Tucci. “As we are joined by more franchise partners the awareness of 7 Valleys Custom Blends will build and the benefits of the roll-your-own approach to cigarettes will become more apparent. I really like the way we’re positioned right now.”
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