(FranchisePick.Com) Other than Hugh Hefner, it’s tough to name successful business owners able to effectively operate multiple businesses in their pajamas.  But, according to an excellent report published today by the Wall Street Journal’s Raymund Flandez and Gwendolyn Bounds, technology is changing that.  Progressive franchise companies have harnessed new technologies to enable their franchisees to effectively operate multiple locations from almost anywhere (wearing almost anything).
The franchising world is letting loose. Gone are the days of one owner being chained behind the counter of a single store day in, day out. Today, there are absentee owners who oversee their operations from laptops and …read more

Fascinating interview of a multi-unit Hollywood Tans franchise owner by the Wall Street Journal’s Raymund Flandez. Reveals how progressive, tech-savvy franchise companies like Hollywood Tans are using a combination of high-tech and high-touch to dominate remote markets.

Hollywood Tans is a pretty amazing franchise company, especially when you consider that they do almost everything in-house. In fact, they manufacture their own tanning booths, and create all the store cabinetry and fixtures in the millwork shop at their 60,000 sf Home Office & production facility. So it’s a pretty big step when they admit that they’re better off with someone else’s spray-tan system.
Here’s the release from earlier this month:
Hollywood Tans Chooses Mystic Tan as Exclusive UV-Free Provider
Hollywood Tans to Convert 300 Booths to MyMyst Technology
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Hollywood Tans, one of the fastest growing tanning salon chains in …read more

The Hollywood Tans Hot Tan Hot Car Sweepstakes Shows the Benefit of Franchising.
One of the benefits of joining a franchise system is the benefit of systemwide promotions… advertising, marketing and public relations opportunities that would be cost-prohibitive for any “independent” business owner. Take, for example, the current Hollywood Tans promotion. Hollywood Tans is awarding a brand new 2007 Porsche Boxster EVERY MONTH through 2007.
While no purchase is necessary, Hollywood Tans customers are automatically enrolled every time they tan! It’s a great way to boost usage from current members… which will enhance loyalty, membership renewal and the opportunity …read more

One of the best ways to get a feel for a franchise opportunity and the organization behind it is to attend one of their hosted “Discovery Days.” Recently, Franchise Pick attended a Discovery Day presentation at the Mt. Laurel, N.J. headquarters of Hollywood Tans.
The Hollywood Tans Discovery Day is a relaxed and casual, but highly informative presentation designed to give – in a few short hours – prospective Hollywood Tans franchise owners an in-depth, behind the scenes look at what it’s like to be part of the growing Hollywood Tans franchise system.
There are no sales pitches or come-ons at …read more

When I toured the franchise headquarters of Hollywood Tans, I immediately awarded them two mental “hoorays!” The first “hooray!” for the unmatched turnkey nature of their franchise concept, and the second for having the good sense not to name their concept after their hometown. “Mt. Laurel Tans,” or even “New Jersey Tans” just doesn’t have the same ring, does it?Regular visits to the tanning salon are now routine for the 28 million who tan indoors each year. In the $5 billion tanning market, Hollywood Tans is recognized for their upscale image, state-of-the-art technology, spray or bake options and attractive, membership-based …read more