Local Entrepreneurs Add New Territories in Greater Hartford and the Connecticut Shoreline
Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, announced today that partners Mark McWhirter and Patrick Blois have expanded their existing Valpak business, which they've owned since 2008, to include brand new territories in Hartford and the Connecticut Shoreline. McWhirter and Blois currently mail Valpak's signature blue envelope to residents in Hartford, Wyndham, Tolland and Middlesex, and recently added New London and the coastal portion of New Haven Country. With this new expanded territory, they will eventually mail to 60,000 additional homes.
"Expanding our territory was always something we aimed for," said Blois, Valpak of Hartford and Connecticut Shoreline franchisee, who partnered with McWhirter in 2005. "Given our background in sales, and the resources made available by Valpak to grow our business, we are excited to bring savings to residents throughout the region."
McWhirter is no stranger to the Valpak family, joining as a sales representative more than two decades ago. Throughout the years, he's made his way to sales manager and general manager, before purchasing his own Valpak franchise in Southern New York and Maryland, which he still owns today. Prior to Valpak, McWhirter worked in sales and marketing for a group of health clubs in the Washington, D.C., market. Blois, a former executive sales recruiter, has also been with Valpak for more than 24 years. He spent the first 13 years as a sales rep for The Southern Connecticut Franchise. He earned Chairman's Circle honors six times. He joined McWhirter in 2005 and managed the Southern New York Sales team until 2010. He and Mark purchased Valpak of Greater Hartford in 2008.
"Mark and Patrick know the ins and outs of Valpak, and with more than 30 years combined experience within the company, we are confident they will continue to grow their business," said Greg Courchane, Valpak's director of franchise sales. "We are thrilled with the expansion of their territory and anticipate continued success in Hartford and the Connecticut Shoreline."
A leader in cooperative direct mail, Valpak mails over 20 billion coupons to nearly 40 million demographically-targeted households per month in more than 100 markets in 45 states and four Canadian provinces. Today, in addition to its flagship blue envelope, the brand offers its business customers an impressive portfolio of digital advertising products including Smartphone apps, which are also integrated into the Samsung Wallet, iOS Passbook, Google Wallet and Windows Phone Wallet, as well as QR codes and online coupons to reach consumers at home, and on-the-go.
Ideal candidates for Valpak franchise ownership should possess a desire to join a trusted, industry-leading brand, work within a proven franchise system, develop relationships with local businesses and have a comfort level with selling new, digital technologies. Franchisees should also possess a minimum liquidity of $75,000, and a minimum net worth of $150,000.
Since its launch in 1968, Valpak has been broadly recognized and trusted, which has contributed significantly to its current success. Valpak's state-of-the-art, 470,000-square-foot manufacturing center in St. Petersburg, Fla., makes it possible for the company to mail to more than 500 million homes in North America. Valpak is also backed by experienced leadership with Cox Enterprises, one of the largest media companies in North America, which acquired the brand in 1991. Cox Target Media also owns Savings.com, a leading online source for savings and personalized deals. Working together, Valpak and Savings.com will offer consumers a more extensive selection of offers and rewarding shopping experience as content is shared across platforms.
