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Device Pitstop Named to Entrepreneur’s 2018 Top New Franchises

Device Pitstop Named to Entrepreneur’s 2018 Top New Franchises

Resale and repair electronics franchise earns a Top 100 spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual ranking

(Minnetonka, Minn.) – Device Pitstop, a national resale and repair electronics franchise headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is celebrating their inclusion in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Top New Franchises List. It is the second major honor from Entrepreneur in 2018 for NTY Franchise Company, the parent firm for Device Pitstop. Earlier this year, NTY’s women’s resale clothing franchise, Clothes Mentor, was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Franchise 500 list.

“We’re always excited to see one of our signature brands recognized in a prestigious publication like Entrepreneur,” NTY Franchise Company COO Chad Olson said. “Device Pitstop is one of our most exciting emerging brands in a market where people continue to cycle through their technology at an ever-increasing rate.”

Originally launched as Laptop Exchange in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2003, NTY Franchise Company purchased the franchise in early 2015 and rebranded it Device Pitstop. The new name reflected the breadth of technology that Device Pitstop bought, sold, traded, repaired or recycled. Customers were encouraged to bring in their smartphones, tablets, laptops and other devices for cash on the spot or to trade in for an upgrade. Device Pitstop currently features 13 stores in seven states, with many more in development.

According to a 2018 report, media and electronics make up 20 percent of the booming $20 billion resale market, a figure that’s expected to grow to more than $41 billion by 2022. The movement to repair and recycle electronics has gotten stronger in recent years as the price of new technology continues to skyrocket, combined with increased concern over the safekeeping of personal data and importance of keeping toxic materials in electronics out of the ecosystem.

“Device Pitstop plays several important roles in their communities. They help the family budget by buying or repairing their customers’ current items, reselling technology for 50 percent – 70 percent cheaper than they’d pay at retail, carefully wiping their old devices of personal data and properly recycling or disposing of old tech,” said Vice President of Device Pitstop Brad Swenson.

The companies on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Top New Franchises List are ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 evaluation, which analyzes more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. For the complete list, click here.

To learn more about franchising opportunities for Device Pitstop, visit their website at ntyfranchise.com/device-pitstop.

About Device PitStop:

Device Pitstop is a tech resale franchise that buys, sells, trades, repairs and upgrades computers and mobile electronic devices. Their “gently-used,” refurbished, or repaired devices are sold at low prices for top quality gear. All devices have gone through a 21-point inspection and come with a 90-day warranty and theft check. Originally founded in Las Vegas in 2003 as Laptop Exchange, Device Pitstop was acquired by Minnetonka, MN-based NTY Franchise Company in January 2015. They currently have 13 locations open nationwide, with many others in development.

About NTY Franchise Company

Founded in 2006 by Ron Olson, NTY Franchise Company is the gold standard in resale franchising companies. NTY franchises five brands, all with a different focus: Clothes Mentor, Children’s Orchard, Device Pitstop, New Uses, and NTY Clothing Exchange. The brands are all resale-based and cover women’s designer fashions, children’s apparel and accessories, furniture and household goods, electronic sales and repair, and clothing for teens and young adults. All are great business opportunities with cutting-edge technology, unmatched support, and lucrative resale franchises. NTY Franchise Company has helped individuals to establish resale stores throughout the United States in many communities, and it has territories available to develop nationwide.

Brandon Yeager

Brandon Yeager

Software Engineer

Software Engineer
Leah Weisbecker

Leah Weisbecker

Franchise Business Consultant

Franchise Business Consultant
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Michelle Vaudrin

Senior Director of Operations

Michelle Vaudrin is the Senior Director of Operations for  Children’s Orchard and Clothes Mentor. Before joining Children’s Orchard in 2016, she worked in leadership roles for Burlington, American Eagle, and Macy’s.

Michelle attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a Retail Merchandising and Business Administration degree. She brings an extensive background in training in strategies, merchandising, customer service, and multi-unit store operations to the team.

NTYHeadshots_Jen.jpg

Jenny Mann

Vice President of Operations | Executive Director of IT

Jenny Mann is the Vice President of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. In January of 2020, Jenny also took on the role of Executive Director of IT, overseeing BST, our Point of Sale system, and the e-commerce platforms for both brands. Prior to this, Jenny was the Director of Marketing for NTY Franchise Company since January 2013. Jenny started with the NTY Franchise Company in 2008 with Clothes Mentor and has held many roles, including; Store Manager, New Store Opener, and Regional Operations Manager. Before joining NTY Franchise Company, Jenny worked for Old Navy (Gap, Inc.) and Target in management roles.

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Chad Olson

Chief Operations Officer

Chad Olson has been Chief Operations Officer of NTY Franchise Company since January 2007. From May 1994 to December 2006, he held various positions for Winmark Corporation (f/k/a Grow Biz International, Inc.), including Field Operations Manager for the Once Upon a Child concept from 1999 to 2002, and Regional Operations Manager for the Plato’s Closet concept from 2002 to 2006.

Sean Marrs

Sean Marrs

IT/Tech Administrator

IT/Tech Administrator
Marissa Stacy

Marissa Stacy

Jr. Graphic Designer

Jr. Graphic Designer

Ashlyn Aarness

Ashlyn Aarness

Social Media Specialist

Social Media Specialist
Ashley Huebner

Ashley Huebner

Director of Marketing

Ashley Huebner oversees Children’s Orchard’s marketing and advertising efforts to drive sales, build brand awareness, and lead the planning on how to market the brand effectively. She leads creative initiatives by driving the brands’ vision in aesthetics, tone, and trends to elevate our brand position as a leader in the resale category.

Ashley joined the Children’s Orchard team in 2015. Ashley has 10+ years of Graphic Design experience. Ashley holds a strong background in design, user experience, and a passion for creativity. She holds a BA degree in Advertising and Art.