Tanworld’s Bob McQuillen: Overview of the Tanworld Franchise Opportunity

Bob McQuillen is the consummate franchise professional, with many years of experience both as a franchise development executive and as a tanning salon franchise owner.  So when FranBest recently learned that Bob had relocated from the East Coast to the tropics of Nebraska to join a fast-growing franchise company called Tanworld, we knew that something was cooking.

We caught up with Bob recently, and he agreed to give us the insider’s tour of the Tanworld franchise opportunity.  This is the first in a series of interviews exploring all aspects of the Tanworld franchise program, from branding to marketing, from the franchise owner requirements to the support programs that help them build their businesses.

FranBest:  Bob, thanks for taking the time to give us a glimpse into what must be the tanning industry’s best-kept secret.

McQuillan:  Thanks for the opportunity.  Tanworld really is a best-kept secret, but that’s about to change. I’ve been in the franchising and tanning industries for years, and know that truly innovative concepts don’t come along that often.  When I saw the bold approach that Tanworld was taking, saw the quality of the management team and their commitment to revolutionizing the industry, I knew I wanted to be part of it.

FranBest:  How do you describe the Tanworld franchise concept?

McQuillan:  The strategy that drives and defines the Tanworld concept is threefold. The first is to create a WOW factor at the consumer level… to provide our members with a superior and unique tanning environment and tanning experience that they can’t get anywhere else.

The second is to provide that exceptional experience at an affordable price… to create a spa-quality experience that’s affordable for middle class as well as upper class markets.   The third is to continually provide the systems, procedures and guidance our salon owners – who we call our franchise partners - need to build their businesses with increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

Tanworld has joined forces with the industry’s top manufacturers and industry leaders in order to position itself as the elite tanning concept, offered at a price point that provides a high-perceived value and fits most tanning consumer’s budgets.  That’s not an easy feat to accomplish, but Tanworld is doing it.

How did the Tanworld concept start?
Tanworld was started by Cheri and Frank Cosgrove in 1995.  They wanted to meet the need for an upscale tanning salon environment that offered a price point that was acceptable even in a blue-collar or middle income type of market.

The consumer response was so strong, and they had so many inquiries from customers expressing an interest to open their own Tanworld salons that Cheri & Frank launched the Tanworld franchise program in 1997.

Is the Tanworld chain growing?  Where are you looking to expand?
Definitely.  We have 53 Tanworld franchise salons up and running and another 65 under contract and in development.  In terms of demographics, our concept does well in a wide variety of area, ranging from low-middle income to high-income households. Our scope for expansion is North America.  We have a highly experienced, aggressive team, so we are capable of maintaining an energetic and ambitious growth development schedule.

NEXT:  The Tanworld Brand