WINESTYLES CUSTOMERS
SO IMPRESSED WITH
FRANCHISE, THEY DECIDED
TO RECOME FRANCHISEES
When one Iowa couple
was looking for the
perfect franchise to join,
they didn't need to hire
a broker because they
were already fans of the
WineStyles concept long
before they joined the
company.
Allan and Gina Graham bought their
franchise in 2009 and opened their first
store in Johnston, Iowa in January 2010.
The husband-and-wife team were longtime
Wine Club members of the WineStyles
location in West Des Moines and loved the
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concept. They loved it so much, in fact,
that they were eager to see it expand in
Iowa.
In addition to running their own business,
the Grahams serve as area developers for
the concept and support other WineStyles
Tasting Station franchisees looking to
A t e * '<
"We're really looking at quality versus quantity.
Slow and steady wins the race is our mantra
here. We're not looking to open a hundred stores
a year, we're looking at a slow, steady open rate."
- Bryan McGinness
expand in territories across Iowa and
Illinois.
Allan came to WineStyles Tasting Station
The couple also receives assistance from
with more than 25 years of corporate I T
the WineStyles Tasting Station coiporate
The right team
experience. In 2012, he decided to leave
team with in-store marketing, as well as
Now that the couple's store is a bona fide
the corporate world and begin working
choosing and promoting products for their
success, they've been able to enjoy a good
full-time in the couple's store. Gina
various Monthly Club selections. Allan
work-life balance. Gina attributes this in
has an accounting background and still
said the company has a comprehensive
large part to the people they've hired.
works with a financial services company,
training program and gives its franchisees
"We have built a strong team to help run
in addition to her responsibilities as a
the necessary tools to successfully execute
the store and support us," she said. "We're
franchise owner and area developer.
monthly educational classes, winery
still very hands-on, especially when it
The couple always had an interest in
tastings and other instore events.
opening a business, Allan said, and
WineStyles Tasting Station also offers
store events."
WineStyles Tasting Station provided that
its franchisees real estate site selection
For those thinking about joining the
opportunity for them.
support, in-house marketing, advertising,
WineStyles Tasting Station team, Allan
What also appealed to Allan about the
PR and social media experts and online
said it's worth it because the company
concept was wine and its tie to agriculture,
asset management tools, in addition to
offers its franchisees ongoing support with
having grown up on a farm, he viewed
access to customizable, system-wide
the concept as a way to connect to his
marketing materials.
agricultural upbringing.
A field support team is assigned to each
Superb support
franchisee to assist with business start-up
After the couple signed their franchise
training programs are designed to create a
agreement, they worked closely with a
standardized operating system across the
local real estate agent, their regional area
brand. Customized management software
developer at the time, and the corporate
and financial administration tools top off
In addition to these two states, the
team to find the best site for their location,
the ongoing support the franchise provides
franchise is currently seeking expansion
and design the buildout of their store.
to its franchisees.
in targeted regions of Colorado, Florida,
and growth while corporate and on-site
comes to coordinating and executing in-
the ability to maintain an entrepreneurial
spirit that prompts many people to start
their own business.
In their role as area developers for the
franchise, the couple is looking forward to
WineStyles Tasting Station opening more
stores in Iowa and Illinois.
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jj WineStyles
>
Nebraska, North Carolina, Texas and
Virginia.
WineStyles Tasting Station owners
Andrea and Bryan McGinness say this
strategic approach to expansion is because
logistically, they want to be able to easily
access their franchisees and expand
further i n areas where they already have
area developers in place. Area developers,
like Allan and Gina, act as mentors to
new franchisees, in addition to selling
territories.
a-kind, clubhouse experience. This unique
recommendations for pairing the different
experience is offered in a store with an
wines and beers with other gourmet foods
ambiance that is reminiscent of an Old
sold in the stores.
World wine cellar.
On top of that, WineStyles Tasting Station
"Wine can be an intimidating buying
aims to keep the wine buying experience
"We're really looking at quality versus
quantity," Bryan said. "Slow and steady
experience when you go into a grocery
as affordable as possible for people. The
store or a very large big box store," Bryan
majority of wines in the store retail for
said. "We try to demystify that whole wine
under S30.
buying experience by setting our stores up
With dedicated ownership and valuable
by style."
mentors like Allan and Gina, WineStyles
Each WineStyles Tasting Station offers
Tasting Station is turning more fans of the
three different styles of white and three
concept into franchisees to continue its
customers. The concept is a retail store
different styles of red. They also group
strategic expansion.
and wine bar hybrid that also serves up
craft beer and small plates with a one-of-
their craft beer together by styles and offer
www.winefranchise.com
wins the race is our mantra here. We're not
looking to open a hundred stores a year,
we're looking at a slow, steady open rate."
The WineStyles way
WineStyles doesn't just offer wine for
Franchising USA