MASON, Ohio (April 22, 2021) – Pearle Vision recently finalized a new five-location store development agreement (SDA) with current multi-unit franchisee, Bill Noble, CEO of West Point Optical Group. Noble has been a franchisee with Pearle Vision since 2014.
Four of the locations are existing independent optical practices in the Birmingham, Alabama market (Pinson, Pelham, Gardendale, Vestavia Hills) and will be converted through the brand’s Ignite program, which allows independent practice owners to retain ownership of their business while strengthening it with infrastructure improvements from Pearle Vision. The fifth location is a new Pearle Vision EyeCare Center in Boulder, Colorado. Noble continues to be Pearle Vision’s largest franchise owner with over 70 EyeCare Centers across the U.S. with locations in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
“As a multi-unit owner with Pearle Vision, I can speak to the value of the systems that the brand has put in place,” said Noble. “When you are looking to grow, particularly across multiple markets, the support and expertise that Pearle Vision provides to its franchise owners is critical. From brand recognition and a national marketing program to a product supply chain, these systems have enabled my team to be successful and allowed us to continue to grow.”
Pearle Vision continues to see the Ignite independent optometry practice conversion model gain momentum from both new and existing franchise owners. Ignite was launched with the intention of providing a strong alternative amid growing consolidation in the eye care industry. With cost and operational pressures mounting for independents, selling to private equity and regional ownership groups has become increasingly prevalent. Pearle Vision’s Ignite program is designed to allow optometry practice owners to remain independent as franchisees while strengthening their businesses.
“Pearle Vision provides investors the opportunity to grow through a variety of avenues,” said Alex Wilkes, General Manager of Pearle Vision “In the case of Bill Noble, he’s taken advantage of both new store development and our Ignite practice conversion offer to expand his portfolio. Now, more than ever, our concept has proven to be an attractive opportunity for franchise investors, like Bill and West Point Optical Group, looking to grow with an established brand in a sustainable-demand category.”
Two independent optometry practices were converted to Pearle Vision franchise locations through the brand’s Ignite program in the past year with 12 more conversions in process and expected to be completed in 2021.
About Pearle Vision
Pearle Vision was founded in 1961 by Dr. Stanley Pearle, who began the concept of one-stop, total eye care with the opening of the Pearle Vision Center in Savannah, Ga. Dr. Pearle combined complete eye exams with an extensive selection of eyewear. In 1981, Pearle Vision began offering franchise opportunities to select doctors and opticians. Today, with nearly 550 EyeCare Centers located throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, Pearle Vision is built around a doctor-centered business model with a primary focus to deliver genuine eye care to patients and become the neighborhood trusted source for all their eye care and eyewear needs. Pearle Vision is owned by Luxottica, a leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. For more information, visit PearleVision.com. To learn more about the Pearle Vision franchise opportunity, visit ownapearlevision.com or call 1-800-PEARLE-1.
