Press Releases

Richard’s Foodporium™ is coming to Oldsmar.

Sarasota, Florida (June 16, 2010) – When the Krief family decided to leave France and call America home, they looked long and hard at dozens of business opportunities. After scrutinizing their options for nearly a year, the family determined that Richard’s Foodporium™ was the obvious choice.

The Kriefs recently became Richard’s second franchisee and will open their Richard’s Foodporium™ store in Oldsmar, Florida. Richards’ is known for selling natural and specialty foods, nutritional supplements and a large selection of bulk foods at affordable prices. Area residents will soon be able shop healthier right in the heart of Oldsmar.

Once The Kriefs signed on with Richard’s, they wrapped up loose ends in France and returned to their new homeland for good. Based on many years of business and retail experience, they are brimming with optimism and excitement about the future.

As Thomas explains, “We pay attention to a balanced life through a balanced diet (“A healthy mind in a healthy body” Juvenal). We also have the notion that food should be high quality, flavorful and natural. Our new Richard’s Foodporium™ will help us share those ideas and allow us to help our neighbors move toward a healthier lifestyle. One of the most important things to us is the concept of being able to offer the best products at value every day. These are the same beliefs that Richard’s is based on. Their philosophy and the strength of the organization made this an easy decision for us.”

John Rorer, Richard’s proprietor, said, “We are happy to be able to support the Kreifs and help them live their dream of running a successful business that benefits people in multiple ways. Their commitment will make them an asset to the Richard’s family and their community.”

The store, which is designed to offer a nostalgic and intimate shopping experience, is scheduled to open in August. It will be located in the Woodlands Shopping Center at the intersection of Tampa Road and Curlew Road.

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Richard’s Foodporium™, based in Sarasota FL, is the nation’s only natural and specialty foods franchisor. The chain meets mounting market demand as part of the growing $118 billion natural foods industry. Over the last 30 years, Richard’s has grown from a handful of stores to become the first and ONLY natural and specialty foods franchisor in the country.

Contact:
Diana Capirano, Director of Franchise Operations
Ph. 941-485-3972
Franchise@RichardsFranchising.com
A full media kit can also be downloaded at www.RichardsFranchising.com

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SARASOTA, Florida – (May 11, 2010) – Richard’s Foodporium™, the nation’s only natural and specialty foods franchisor, has appointed Diana Capirano as Director of Franchise Operations.
 
“We welcome Diana to the Richard’s family,” said John Rorer, proprietor of Richard’s Foodporium™. “Her diverse experience in business development and franchise operations expertise is sure to take our growth to the next level.”
 
Prior to joining Richard’s, Capirano handled start-up and expansion programs for Banana Republic, served as Regional Franchise Operations Manager then Director of National Sales Development for Nutri-System Weight Loss Centers and most recently was Director of Retail Liquidation and Outlet Division for QVC, Inc. Capirano is a graduate of Villanova University.
 
About Richard’s Foodporium:
Founded in SW Florida in 1979, Richard’s Foodporium™ has grown to become a leader in neighborhood natural foods and shopping convenience. Over the last 30 years, Richard’s has grown from a handful of stores to become the first and only natural and specialty foods franchisor in the country.
 
For more information, please call Richard’s Foodporium™ at 941-485-3972, or visit www.RichardsFranchising.com.

Contact:
Marketing Director
Marketing@OpportunityCentral.us
Ph: 941-377-6266, ext. 5
www.RichardsFranchising.com
www.RichardsFoodporium.com

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Sarasota, Florida (April 1, 2010) - This fall, residents in and around Dunedin will have the long overdue opportunity to shop healthier.

The newest Richard’s Foodporium™ is coming to Dunedin. Richards’ niche is affordable natural and specialty foods and a nostalgic, intimate shopping experience. Customers will have access to a unique mix of natural foods, vitamins and nutritional supplements and a large selection of bulk foods. Consumers and City planners alike had expressed interest in having Richard’s come to Dunedin for some time.

Richard’s Foodporium™, based in Sarasota FL, is the nation’s only natural and specialty foods franchisor. The chain meets mounting market demand as part of the growing $118 billion natural foods industry. Mike and Nadia Quill, along with Annmarie Normandin made history on March 17, 2010 when they signed on to open the chain’s 12th store and first franchise location.

The Quills and Normandin own the building at 662 Main Street in Dunedin where the store will be located. Already occupying the center is Nature Cafe, a gluten-free restaurant that will compliment Richard’s Foodporium™ in offering customers a healthy shopping experience.

“The three of us are avid natural and specialty food users ourselves. It’s our lifestyle,” said Mike Quill. “When we relocated here from Massachusetts we fell in love with the area and with Richard’s. This is where we belong and we couldn’t be happier about being able to meet our community’s needs with such a diverse selection. To round things out we also plan to offer classes, natural foods seminars and work with local municipalities to co-sponsor green events.”

John Rorer, Richard’s proprietor, said, “The Quills and Annmarie match the passion and dedication of the Richard’s team and will serve the community well. We are thrilled to welcome them aboard.”

The 2,400 square foot store is slated to open its doors to active, health-conscious community on September 1, 2010.

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Founded in SW Florida in 1979, Richard’s Foodporium™ has grown to become a leader in neighborhood natural foods and shopping convenience. Over the last 30 years, we’ve built the brand from a handful of stores to become the first and ONLY natural and specialty foods franchisor in the country.

Contact:
Diana Capirano, Franchise Director
Franchise@RichardsFranchising.com
Ph. 941-485-3972
You may also download a full media kit at www.RichardsFranchising.com

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Richard’s Offers First Natural Foods Store Franchises in the U.S.

Sarasota, FL — Richard’s Foodporium™, a 30-year-old chain of natural and specialty food stores in Southwest Florida is growing through a one-of-a-kind franchise opportunity.

The Sarasota-based company is the first in the country to offer retail franchises in the niche of natural and specialty foods. Known for value pricing and an intimate neighborhood shopping experience, Richard’s has grown steadily even through economically challenging times. Their success selling vitamins, supplements, bulk, natural, organic and specialty foods stems from a strong business model and loyal customer base.

The offering presents investors with a chance to operate their own business in a thriving $112 billion recession-resistant industry. Richard’s franchises ensure fast start up via an established brand, proven and efficient operational systems, intensive training, unique marketing, build out assistance and ongoing support from a management team with over 165 years of multi-faceted business experience.

After taking sole ownership in 2005, John Rorer set about revamping the company’s management and operational structure. Along the way he also reinvented Richard’s brand to be more memorable and nearly tripled revenue. His vision has now turned to helping entrepreneurs create their own independence as Richard’s franchisees.

“It’s exciting to be able to help others control their future in a industry with such tremendous potential,” says Rorer. “We’ve worked hard to put together a complete program that leverages our experience and success to help new owners hit the ground running more easily.”
Franchises are currently available in most markets throughout SW, Central and SE Florida. Interested parties may contact Diana Capirano, Franchise Director at 941-485-3972.

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For more information on Richard’s Foodporium™ please visit www.RichardsFoodporium.com and www.RichardsFranchising.com

Contact:
Cindy Ritchie
Marketing Director
Critchie@OpportunityCentral.us
Ph: 941-377-6266, ext. 5
www.RichardsFranchising.com
www.RichardsFoodporium.com

Richard’s Bans Paper Bags
Health food store will offer 100% degradable plastic bags

Sarasota, FL. — Richard’s Whole Foods, a Sarasota County Green Business Partner, takes another conscious step to reduce its carbon footprint. After researching and debating whether or not to follow the trend of banning plastic bags, Richard’s Whole Foods has decided to eliminate paper bags and provide biodegradable plastic bags to customers. Many cities and super markets across the nation are banning plastic bags; however, research indicates paper bags are just as, if not more, harmful than plastic bags to the environment.

According to the Institute for Lifecycle Environmental Assessment, the total energy used to produce and recycle a single paper bag is 13% greater than the energy used in the same lifecycle of two plastic bags. Airborne and waterborne pollution from toxic chemicals is much higher from paper bags. When considering the lifecycle energy analyses, plastic bags are actually the better choice given the question, “Paper or plastic?”

Banning paper bags saves trees, reduces waste, and cuts down on pollution. Richard’s recognizes regular plastic is harmful to the environment. Beginning on Earth Day Richard’s will offer a more eco-friendly solution—a 100% degradable plastic bag. The non-toxic additive in the degradable bags helps the plastic break down faster when the bag is disposed of. Studies prove the bag will degrade, disintegrate and biodegrade leaving no harmful residue. Depending on the environment and conditions, the bag may take only a few weeks to a couple years to degrade.

While Richard’s will offer biodegradable plastic bags to customers who need a bag, the store still encourages alternative choices and has given away thousands of reusable bags in the past year. Consumers can make optimal environmentally friendly choices by not using a bag at all or reusing plastic bags for pet waste and smaller trash receptacles at home. Customers can also purchase one of the Richard’s reusable bags that are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. The bags are produced in Florida, which cuts down on fuel emissions and costs.

We considered joining the ban on plastic bags, but many of our customers prefer plastic and reuse the plastic bags at home. Having biodegradable plastic bags also allows us to keep costs down because paper bags are much more expensive to stock. We still offer a convenience to our customers and at the same time drastically reduce our carbon footprint,” says John Rorer, proprietor of Richard’s Whole Foods.

Richard’s Whole Foods is a Sarasota County Green Business Partner and has been in business since 1979. The company’s mission is to offer natural and specialty products at affordable prices through a convenient and intimate shopping experience. Richard’s specializes in vitamins and supplements, bulk foods, and natural and organic groceries. For more information about the Richard’s Whole Foods, please visit our website at: www.richardswholefoods.com.

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Contact:
Cindy Ritchie, Marketing Director
Critchie@OpportunityCentral.us
Ph: 941-377-6266, ext. 5
www.RichardsFranchising.com
www.RichardsFoodporium.com

Richard’s Whole Foods announces new name as Richard’s Foodporium™

Sarasota, FL.— Richard’s Whole Foods has been known throughout Sarasota and Manatee Counties for 30 years. Since opening the doors in 1979, Richard’s has grown to maintain 11 locations throughout southwest Florida. Founder Richard Downey had a passion for nutrition and with the lack of health food stores in the area; he decided to start his own. Over an 18 year span, Richards Whole Foods grew to become a common household name.

In 1997, John Rorer and his former business partners bought Richards Whole Food chains from Downey’s wife. Over the next 8 years, they grew Richards Whole Foods to the 11 locations that it has today. In 2005 Rorer decided to buy the chain from his partners to venture into further markets and embrace the evolving Health Food genre.

Needing to set Richards Whole Foods aside from all other competition, Rorer began thinking of new names while still keeping the same mission. After long hours and sleepless nights, it came to Rorer, “Richard’s Foodporium™ ”. John Rorer encompassed the word food and emporium to brand the name Foodporium. Foodporium is defined as a uniquely nostalgic shopping experience that provides a wide variety of natural and specialty foods at affordable prices.

Richard’s Foodporium™ will continue to offer customers convenient, high quality products, and incomparable customer care and service. Richard’s will strive to remain a key player in the industry as the locally owned, neighborhood store with nostalgic branding.

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Contact:
Cindy Ritchie, Marketing Director
Critchie@OpportunityCentral.us
Ph: 941-377-6266, ext. 5
www.RichardsFranchising.com
www.RichardsFoodporium.com

Richard’s Whole Foods Voted #1 Independent Chain in Nation

Sarasota, FL.—Vitamin Retailer, a prominent industry magazine, voted Richard’s Whole Foods Best Independent Chain in a recent nationwide survey. The survey was conducted to portray excellent retail operations for vitamins and health foods in the United States.

“We have come very far in the last two years and have made many improvements including a recent remodel. Our customers will be seeing more remodels and continued excellence in service and quality products,” says owner John Rorer.

Richard’s has previously received a variety of awards including Sarasota Herald Tribune Reader’s Choice, Bradenton Herald Reader’s Preference, Best of Charlotte, Best of Venice and is also a Green Business Partner in Sarasota County. Richard’s Whole Food’s mission is to offer natural and specialty products at affordable prices through a convenient and intimate shopping experience. Richard’s specializes in vitamins and supplements, bulk foods, and natural and organic groceries. The company has 11 locations in the Florida Gulf Coast region and more than 75 employees.

For more information about the Richard’s Whole Foods, please visit our website at: www.richardswholefoods.com.

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Contact:
Marketing Director
Marketing@OpportunityCentral.us
Ph: 941-377-6266, ext. 5
www.RichardsFranchising.com
www.RichardsFoodporium.com