Wireless Toyz doubled its retail store presence in 2005 and says it’s poised to repeat the feat this year.
During 2005, the chain — which currently has stores in 19 states — increased its store count to 124. By the end of 2006, it expects to operate 250 stores and will enter markets such as Denver, San Antonio, San Diego, Orange County Tampa and Toledo.
The stores offer cell phones, accessories and service plans.
The company already has signed franchise agreements for all of the 125 new locations scheduled to open in 2006, including the first outlets in Virginia, North Carolina and New Mexico. The firm is currently on track to have 1,000 stores open by 2011.
“Shopping for cell phones on a carrier-by-carrier basis has become too complex and too time-consuming for most consumers. Our growth is directly related to the fact that we have reduced the process to a single visit to a single store with a staff of wireless experts who are familiar with equipment and service plans from all the major brands,” said Joe Barbat, Wireless Toyz founder and CEO, in a statement. “We pioneered this business model and have dominated the market because of the systems we have put in place over the years to simplify the cell phone shopping experience.”
Wireless Toyz began franchising in 2001 when it had nine locations in Michigan. By the end of 2003, it had 27 locations. The company deals with Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA, Verizon Wireless and regional wireless providers depending on location.
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