Creating Brand History: Just Between Friends Franchise Sold to New CEO Tracy Panase

Panase was first introduced to the world of franchising in 1999 when she and her husband became franchisees of Cookies by Design. She then discovered Just Between Friends in 2008, signing on as a franchisee in Reading, PA. Since she had experience in the franchise space and belief in the Just Between Friends concept, Panase quickly found success and soon bought three additional territories throughout the greater Philadelphia area.

With a longstanding history with Just Between Friends, Panase has already played an instrumental role in its success. Over the past 14 years, she and her husband have grown to be the largest revenue producer in the system. Panase’s husband has taken over as sole owner of their Just Between Friends local operations so she can focus solely on the role of CEO and franchisor.

“Stepping into the role of franchisor was a natural next step of this journey and one that I am extremely honored to take,” said Panase.

Former CEO and Co-Founder, Shannon Wilburn, will take on the role of Brand Ambassador where she will provide strategic advisement for the next three years.

“Seeing Just Between Friends grow from our first sale in a living room 25 years ago to a national franchise has been more than a dream come true,” said Shannon Wilburn, Co-Founder and Brand Ambassador of Just Between Friends. “Tracy is the right person to pass the torch to and I’m confident she will continue to enhance the legacy we’ve built while taking the business to new heights.”

At a Just Between Friends sale, parents and grandparents can shop rows and rows of baby and children’s shoes, toys, clothing, maternity, and baby equipment at 50 - 90% off retail prices, and as a consignor, they can sell items and earn from 60 - 70% on item sales. At the end of each Just Between Friends sale, items are donated to local organizations which help local women, children and families, serving groups that provide clothing closets, crisis centers, transitional emergency care, food banks and many other services.