Batteries Plus Announces Hiring of Joe Malmuth as Managing Director of Franchise Development


Batteries Plus, the leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services, is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Malmuth as Director of Franchise Development. Malmuth joined the Batteries Plus team on May 11th.

In his new role, Malmuth will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of franchise development. In addition to working with new owners and franchise consultants to expand the system, he will also be managing programs focused on helping current owners develop territory and facilitate transactions. Malmuth will report directly to Chief Strategy Officer Jon Sica.

“We are thrilled to welcome Joe Malmuth into the Batteries Plus family,” said Sica. “With his extensive experience in franchise development and growth strategy, he is well-positioned to help lead Batteries Plus as we aggressively pursue our expansion goals. We have major franchise development plans in store for 2020 and beyond, and having Joe on the team will be fundamental to our success.”

Malmuth joins Batteries Plus at a crucial time in the company’s history. With more than 720 stores across the U.S., Batteries Plus is set for major growth as an essential retailer in 2020. The brand opened 14 new franchise stores and four new corporate-owned stores in 2019 and plans to open an additional 12 units in 2020. Despite COVID-19, Batteries Plus already signed two new deals in March for three units, one of which for the brand’s first location in Vermont.

Batteries Plus businesses across the country remain open for both consumer and commercial customers in an effort to help individuals, communities, and organizations keep their devices and electronic equipment (including medical devices like EKG machines, respirators and ventilators) running as smoothly as possible. By providing essential products that customers will always want to have on hand and by offering franchisee support and communication during the coronavirus pandemic, Batteries Plus ensures that it remains a profitable opportunity for franchisees.

“Throughout COVID-19, Batteries Plus has done a world-class job in providing ongoing support, resources and assistance in every way,” said Malmuth. “In a post COVID-19 world, business is going to change, and candidates are going to look for the brands that have shown the ability to not just survive tough times, but thrive. Batteries Plus has pivoted and met the customer where they are in order to continue to provide an invaluable service to communities in need. I was a volunteer firefighter for a long time, and I know the importance of having those live-saving tools charged and ready to go.”

Prior to joining Batteries Plus, Malmuth most recently served as Vice President of Franchise Relations at My Eyelab, the fastest-growing optical retail franchise in the country. Malmuth’s responsibilities included strategic development of lead generation, franchise development, content development, branding, strategic positioning, FDD curation, Operations Manual curation, training program development and budgeting. He led advancements across many areas and reconstructed the entire franchise network with an emphasis on growth, creating and implementing franchise development strategies that increased the number of executed franchise agreements by 186% and the number of operating units by 125%.

Before My Eyelab, Malmuth worked for six years at United Franchise Group, which consists of a number of award-winning business-to-business brands and franchise development services, including some of the world’s largest industry-leading names. At United Franchise Group, Malmuth served as the Regional Vice President of the Carolinas, where he developed tours throughout the region, increasing the number of new units by 21%.

Now, Malmuth is thrilled to join the Batteries Plus brand and bring his industry expertise to help grow the franchise system, create jobs, and provide batteries for life-saving equipment in the communities that the brand serves.

“Batteries Plus is a legacy brand with a proven model that’s been around for more than 30 years,” said Malmuth. “I’m excited to help grow the system with new franchisees, existing owners expanding their portfolio and equity groups looking for sound investments. Some franchise candidates tend to overlook culture, but a franchisor’s culture is what produces results. Batteries Plus has seen continued success and economic growth through a winning culture, proven support infrastructure and mission to keep the brand moving in the right direction — I’m proud to join the team.”

ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:

Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. To learn more about one of Forbes®’ Best Franchises to Buy in America, visit https://www.batteriesplusfranchise.com.

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