Media Contact: Kelly Hammond, Fishman Public Relations, KHammond@fishmanpr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Streamline Brands Names Chris Harkness President
Veteran Retail Executive to Lead Nation’s Fastest-GrowingSwim School Operator and Franchisor into Next Era of Growth
DENVER, Colorado –StreamlineBrands, the industry's largest franchisor andoperator of swim schools, widely known for SafeSplash Swim School, announcesveteran retail executive Chris Harkness will serve as thecompany’s new president, effective immediately.
Harkness’ career spans more than two decades in franchisemanagement and store operations at companies such as GameStop, 7-ELEVEN, andHome Depot. He most recently served as president of Aire Serv, a Neighborlycompany that operates heating and air conditioning franchises across the U.S.and Canada. Prior to his career in business, he served as a lieutenant in theUnited States Navy in the submarine service.
“I am excited to join the dynamic team at StreamlineBrands,” Harkness said. “They have built an amazing culture by focusing ontheir customers and providing them with life skills from an early age. I amhumbled by what this team has achieved, and I look forward to serving them inthe next stages of growth.”
Streamline Brands boasts a portfolio of over 250 swim schoolsacross the country, and continues to experience a surge in franchise expansion inmultiple markets across the United States. Company leadership is prioritizinginvestments in enhancing the franchise development program, streamliningoperations, and growing the corporate support team – all with an eye onmaximizing franchisee profits while meeting the needs of today’s moderncustomer.
Paul Gerrard, COO and co-founder of Streamline Brandsstated, “We look forward to welcoming Chris to the Streamline Brands family.His experience in leading both franchising and company owned organizations willbe of tremendous value as we continue to drive strategies and deliverables thatmaximize our ability to enable a lifetime of water safety and opportunity byteaching the joy and skill of swimming.”
Harkness will report to Justin Hoeveler, the CEO of YouthEnrichment Brands (YEB), the nation’s leading youth activities platform. YEBruns a network of companies that delivers best-in-class camps, classes andleagues defined by elite instruction and operation.
“Chris is a strong, culturally-driven leader with a proventrack record of challenging convention with new perspectives in franchisebusinesses – and then working collaboratively with his teammates to convertthese perspectives into meaningful business outcomes,” Hoeveler said. “We’re thrilledto add Chris to the YEB team and believe he’s the right person to leadStreamline Brands into its next era of growth and performance.”
There are several brands that offer learn-to-swim programming, butthere is only one brand family that couples learn-to-swim with competitivelesson analysis for kids and adults – insert Streamline Brands, home to SafeSplash Swim School, Saf-T-Swim, Swimtastic SwimSchool, SwimLabs Swim School, Miller Swim School, AquaSafe, AquaKids andRipples Swim School. SafeSplash is the largest swim school in the portfolio, spanningnearly 150 locations across the country. Programs areavailable for all ages – 6 months to adults – and all skill levels – rangingfrom the fundamentals of water safety to competitive instruction – with thegoal of developing confident, efficient swimmers.
For more information on Streamline Brands, its portfolio of swimschools, and franchise opportunities, please visit www.streamlinebrands.com or emailfranchise@streamlinebrands.com.
About Streamline Brands®
Streamline Brands is theindustry's largest franchisor and operator of swim schools. Streamline Brandsand its franchisees operate schools in 34 states today under multiple brands:SafeSplash Swim School, Saf-T-Swim, Swimtastic Swim School, SwimLabs Swim School,Miller Swim School, AquaKids Swim School, AquaSafe Swim School and Ripples SwimSchool. The company was formed in 2005 and has been growing ever since throughorganic growth and acquisitions. Today, there are more than 250 schools open orscheduled to be open across the country. Streamline, a portfolio company ofYouth Enrichment Brands, is majority owned by Roark Capital, a private equityfirm headquartered in Atlanta. For more information about Streamline Brands orto learn about franchising opportunities with the company, please visit www.streamlinebrands.com.
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