California’s Energy Efficiency Efforts Fuel Franchise Growth For Batteries Plus Bulbs

California has led the nation in energy efficiency since the 1970s, and as a result, the state's energy usage has remained flat, while the rest of the United States has increased its usage by about 33 percent. Since 2007, the Golden State has been following a federal law that raised light bulb energy efficiency standards, and on January 1, 2018, California completely banned the sale of light bulbs that do not meet a minimum efficiency standard of 45 lumens per watt.

Batteries Plus Bulbs Vice President of Franchise Development John Twist attributes the brand's growth partly to its ability to meet changing consumer demands as well as changes in federal law, like California's energy efficiency standards. Currently, the specialty battery, light bulb and phone repair franchise has more than 40 locations in California and plans to add 10 new franchise locations within the next 18 months.

• “California is a progressive state that is always a front runner when it comes to new technology, development and consumer trends,” said Twist.
• “That is why California is a great fit for Batteries Plus Bulbs -- because we are a leader in energy-saving solutions. People walk in and hand us their problem and we fix that problem. As our customers’ problems have evolved, we’ve evolved the business right along with them.”

Energy efficiency efforts

In the last decade, Batteries Plus Bulbs has shifted its business offerings to recognize a growing need for specialty products and additional services due to shifts in technology and the rise in popularity of mobile phones. The brand added energy-saving LED and other energy-efficient light bulbs to its service offerings, and launched the We Fix It Repair Center and began providing in-store maintenance for customer’s phones, tablets and other devices.

• “Having a repair center in our location is so helpful for our clients. No one wants to drive across town, in Los Angeles traffic, just to get a cracked screen fixed. Our customers come to us with a problem, and walk out with that problem solved,” said Batteries Plus Bulbs franchise owner Miles Sanchez, who owns one store in San Diego and has a second location in Santee in development.

Another recent initiative that showed Batteries Plus Bulbs continued commitment to supporting new customer trends is by adding key cutting and key fob programming to its line of service offerings.

Franchise owner support

• “People were always blown away by our repair service center,” said franchise owner David Harshfield.
• “But now we can help them skip a long wait at a dealership, reprogram a key for their vehicle, and get them back to their busy lives. We have more than 725 locations with longer hours and a smaller price tag, which makes the process much easier for our customers than going to a dealership.”

Harshfield currently owns two Batteries Plus Bulbs locations in Temecula and Palm Desert, and points to the brand’s support of its franchise owners as a reason he has stayed energized and grown with the brand. “I have been with the company for five years. It is a national chain, but they want the local guy to win,” said Harshfield.

Rancho Cucamonga franchise owners Mike and Joann Branz thought long and hard before deciding to invest in their Batteries Plus Bulbs location three years ago, but their decision became easy once the couple experienced the sophistication of the Batteries Plus Bulbs location development process. The Branzes’ store location has become a major asset to many commercial and retail businesses in the Rancho Cucamonga area by helping them save time and money with conveniences like bulk orders and providing easy access to energy efficient products that are now required by the state of California.

• “Since we opened our store in Rancho Cucamonga we have consistently heard from our community how much easier we are making their lives. Our location is near a major freeway intersection and has help us support many local warehouse businesses in the area in addition to individual customers,” said Mike Branz.
• “Adding key fob programming to our services will continue to solidify our position as a convenient, one-stop-shop for customers.”

Batteries Plus Bulbs is looking for franchise owners in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The cost to open a Batteries Plus Bulbs store typically ranges from $225,00 to $250,000.