Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc. Hits Milestone with its 150th Franchise

Celebrating150_VF_Collage_Aug15North America’s Leading Children’s & Maternity Consignment Event Has Helped Millions of Families Save & Earn Money Just Between Friends of Marysville/Mt. Vernon, Washington is Franchise #150 Tulsa, Okla. – Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc., North America’s leading children’s and maternity consignment event, is excited to announce another big milestone for the company with its 150 th franchise. Just Between Friends of Marysville/Mt. Vernon, Washington is franchise #150 and will launch its first event October 16- 18. “Our goal has always been to bring Just Between Friends to families in all 50 states in the U.S. and now Canada. To reach this milestone means so much to me because it means we are helping even more families make ends meet and giving back to more local charities,” explains Shannon Wilburn, CEO and Co-Founder of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc. Wilburn has led the company’s growth from its humble beginnings in her living room to becoming a multi-million dollar company. FRANCHISE 150: Sheila and Bryan Palaruan have been fans of JBF since their daughter was born three years ago when a friend invited Sheila to go to this “awesome event”. It turned out to be a JBF event in Everett, Wash. They saved a lot of money and were hooked. They got to know the owners and learned more about the franchise opportunity, which was a great fit for this young couple who are thrilled to be part of this milestone. “When we think about being the 150th Just Between Friends franchise, we feel a deep sense of gratitude for being a part of something so meaningful and far-reaching. Families within 150 communities across the US and Canada are able to stretch their hard-earned money while also earning extra cash selling their children’s unneeded, outgrown items.  Can you imagine the ripple effects of that?  It’s immeasurable,” added Sheila Palaruan. Palaruan says the community is really embracing JBF and its concept and she and her husband are looking forward to their first event next month. HOW IT BEGAN: Shannon Wilburn began Just Between Friends with co-founder Daven Tackett in 1997 as a small sale in her living room with 17 consignors and $2000 in gross sales. It grew each season and in 2003 they decided to franchise the concept. Fast forward 18 years and that “little living room sale” has turned into a national franchise with 150 franchises in the U.S. and Canada. They are on target to top $27 million in system-wide sales this year. Each year, Just Between Friends helps close to 700,000 moms (and dads) save money on items they need for their family while providing a way for them to “turn clutter into cash”. Over the years they have helped millions of families. HOW IT WORKS: At the JBF consignment events, local families sell new and gently used items at deeply discounted prices. Shoppers save 50 to 90 percent on thousands of items, including children’s and maternity clothing, baby equipment, furniture, toys and much more. The events help thousands of families save money on high-quality clothing and other items every year, while providing consignors an opportunity to create extra income selling their new and gently used items. GIVING BACK: In addition to helping families save and make money, JBF also gives back to charities across the country. Since 2004, JBF franchisees have collectively donated $15 million in in-kind and cash donations to more than 250 charities throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information about Just Between Friends and its milestone, visit their website at www.jbfsale.com, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JBFSale or on Twitter at @JBFFranchise. They have launched a special social media campaign with photos from all of the franchisees and the hashtag #JBFOneof150. About Just Between Friends In 1997, Just Between Friends was created in a living room in Tulsa, Oklahoma when Shannon Wilburn, a mother of two young children, and her friend Daven Tackett hosted a sale with 17 friends as consignors and had gross sales of $2000.  In 2014, that same sale hosted two events and grossed close to 1 million. The sales caught on with families and grew, so in 2003, they formed Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc.  Wilburn is now sole owner and CEO of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc., which has 150 franchises in 28 states and one in Canada.  They expect to top 27 million in system-wide sales in 2015. In June 2014, Forbes Magazine named Just Between Friends one of the top five franchises in the United States with and investment of under $150,000. JBF was also named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500 Franchises in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Just Between Friends Franchise Systems Inc. also received a “Franchisee Satisfaction Award” and was named in the Top 50 franchises by “Franchise Business Review” from 2009-2014. Wilburn was also named on of Oklahoma’s “50 Women Making a Difference” by Journal Record Newspapers, was awarded the Small Business Administration’s “Women in Business Champion” for Tulsa,  and was part of the Tulsa Business Journal’s 40 under 40.   JBF has been featured on numerous national television shows including  The Today Show, Good Morning America, Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis, Fox News , CBS Early Show, ABC News , CNN , Headline News, Inside Edition, CNBC’s  The Big Idea, Huffington Post and Inc.com. They have also been featured in many top markets including Seattle, Denver, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco and Philadelphia as well popular websites  www.yahoo.comwww.sheknows.com and Disney website  www.family.com.

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