MANDEVILLE, La., Oct. 24, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After only four years of franchising, Painting with a Twist has passed the 100th location "mile-marker" and is showing no signs of fatigue.
As the largest paint-and-sip franchise in the U.S., Painting with a Twist expects to open a total of 40 studios in 2013 which more than doubles the amount of stores opened in 2012, bringing its total to 115 locations in 20 states. In addition to growing its network of studios, the company has experienced 23 percent same-studio sales growth year over year. As the paint-and-sip trend continues to grow, the brand plans to expand into new states, including Arizona, California and Massachusetts. Painting with a Twist studios are opening at a total investment level of approximately $100,000.
"Opening 100 studios in just four years in a challenging economy speaks volumes to the strength and sustainability of the Painting with a Twist business model," said Cathy Deano, co-founder of Painting with a Twist. "Moreover, it validates the viability of the category as a whole. A couple years ago the paint-and-sip concept was relatively unknown and misunderstood. Today, more and more people have discovered how fun a Painting with a Twist experience can be and now they are continuing to come back as repeat customers. Being the pioneer of our category has been a challenge that our entire system has risen to and met with much success. Our future goals include keeping our offering fresh to our customers and fueling our momentum with innovation, passionate franchise partners, and a consistently unique and satisfying experience."
At Painting with a Twist, people come together to experience a unique 'getaway' that includes friends, paint and the option to BYOB. Led by local art instructors, guests paint on bare 16" by 20" canvases using paint and brushes provided by the studio. There are more than 3,500 original pieces of copyrighted artwork, ranging from landscapes, abstracts and cityscapes, to creative renderings of animals, iconic buildings and florals, that has been conceptualized and produced by Painting with a Twist art instructors. Friends gather for an evening of laughs, creativity and camaraderie as they create one-of-a-kind pieces of art to take home and, often, discover a newfound talent. In addition to the scheduled classes, Painting with a Twist also offers private parties for corporate outings, bridal showers, sorority functions, baby showers and special events.
As Painting with a Twist continues to expand, the franchise system continues to maintain a strong focus on giving back to the community. Each month, franchisees across the U.S. hold monthly fundraisers through its Painting with a Purpose program to help raise funds for local charities and meaningful organizations through painting parties. To date, the company has raised more than $675,000 in four years, $245,000 in 2012 alone.
For more information about Painting with a Twist, visit www.paintingwithatwist.com.
About Painting with a Twist
Painting with a Twist, based in Mandeville, Louisiana is the leading Paint and Sip franchise with more than 100 locations throughout the United States. Founded in 2007 by Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, Painting with a Twist began franchising in 2009 and provides customers with paint, a canvas and brushes that lead to a fun evening with friends and a finished piece of art.