Al & Ed’s Looks to Expand

share on:

Al & Ed’s Autosound, a chain of 18 franchised car stereo shops (soon to be 19) based in Van Nuys, CA,  is embarking on its first expansion campaign in many years, and is considering expanding beyond Southern California.

Al & Ed's storeNow that the economy is improving, the company is returning to growth mode and hopes to expand to 25 locations by years’ end and 40 locations in 5 years.

“We took a little marketing break during the recessionary period these last few years,” said Senior Product Manager John Haynes. Over the past few years, as much as 30 percent of the car audio shops in Southern California have closed, said Haynes, according to reports from local reps.   Now, there’s room for growth, he said.

The franchise program claims a simple way to open a car audio shop as the chain provides access to key product lines at preferred pricing.

Gabi Mashal, President of Al & Ed’s and a former franchise owner said, “In our program, we try to make things as easy as we can for the store operator.  We support our stores with computerized inventory and point-of-sale software, allow best pricing for single unit purchasing, have an EZ Return process in place and support them in online marketing as well as local advertising that the store owner wants to do.”

There is also a display/demo program and other benefits including medical and dental insurance.

Franchise owners may apply from states outside of the chain’s California base.

Al & Ed’s has been in business since 1954.  Mashal bought the chain in 2001, when it had 32 stores and almost all were corporate owned.  He converted it to a franchise operation which left the chain with about 22 stores by 2002/2003.

For information contact John Haynes via [email protected].

Source:  Al & Ed’s Autosound

Want to receive industry news? Sign up here
share on: