The new Blimpie restaurant is the result of a special partnership between Blimpie management and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This partnership—called the Blimpie Urban Initiative for Leadership Development (BUILD) program—is the first of its kind in franchising history and is specifically aimed at Empowerment Zones in urban areas where the chain had no significant presence. Under the terms of this program, normal franchise fees for new owners are waived and training is provided by One Stop Capital Shop to help ensure success. One Stop Capital Shops are funded by Empowerment Zones and the U.S. Small Business Administration to develop prospective entrepreneurs and foster business development.
The goal of BUILD is to award 200 Blimpie Subs & Salads franchises in empowerment zones throughout the country. "This is the kind of collaboration that results in a win-win situation for everyone involved: residents, businesses and neighborhoods,'' said Larry Givens, interim executive director of the Empowerment Zone. "We welcome Blimpie and appreciate their efforts in fostering economic development and opportunity for local entrepreneurs and community residents.''
Harrien Clark is among the first of four initial candidates who were awarded Blimpie franchise licenses in Detroit. Out of nearly 400 candidates, he was awarded the license, passing stringent reviews and training. "We (he and his wife) were very ecstatic about (being selected)," said Mr. Clark. According to Lance Moore, regional director for Blimpie International, this franchise, which opened last month, has experienced high sales. "It's a very healthy store and will serve as the model for all other Empowerment Zone Blimpie locations,'' he noted.
Empowerment Zones were designated by the federal government for revitalization in urban and rural areas throughout the United States. Detroit's Empowerment Zone covers an 18.35 square mile area, which traverses the city, and is home to about 100,000 Detroiters. The Zone is unique in that the $100 million in federal funds that have been committed to it, have attracted a $7 billion commitment from the private sector. Detroit's Empowerment Zone empowers residents by providing them with services that equip and prepare them for success, such as employability skills training and independent living skills.
For more information about the BUILD project, call Harold Hill, executive director of One Stop Capital Shop at 313-965-1100 and Lance Moore of Blimpie at 678-438-4048 or 770-984-2707. For more information about the Empowerment Zone, call 313-872-8050, ext. 15.
