Pearle Vision Seeks Puerto Rico Optometrists, Opticians And Entrepreneurs To Own Neighborhood Eye Care Centers

MASON, Ohio, May 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearle Vision, one of North America's largest and most trusted licensed optical brands, announced today plans to convert 11 of its neighborhood eye care centers in Puerto Rico from company-owned to licensee-owned. Locations are immediately available in Fajardo, Aguadilla, San Juan and Bayamon, as well as other markets located throughout the state.  

The company is currently seeking qualified candidates interested in owning and operating their very own Pearle Vision to purchase an existing location with a thriving customer base. This is part of Pearle Vision's 2014 expansion plans to re-license 40 to 45 additional company-owned centers.

"Pearle Vision is poised to continue growing this year and has aggressive plans to convert corporate-owned neighborhood eye care centers to licensees," said Tammy Reaves, vice president of licensing and development at Pearle Vision. "We are seeking optometrists and opticians across Puerto Rico who have a desire to serve their communities and provide the best possible eye care to their patients to join our growing network of licensed operators." 

Opportunities are available for qualified licensees throughout Puerto Rico. The specific location of centers Pearle Vision is looking to convert to licensed ownership, include:

• Fajardo (Fajardo, Puerto Rico)
• Aguadilla Mall (Aguadilla, Puerto Rico)
• Plaza Del Atlantico (Arecibo, Puerto Rico)
• Plaza Las Americas (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Santa Rosa Mall (Bayamon, Puerto Rico)
• Montehiedra Town Center (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
• Plaza Palma Real (Humacao, Puerto Rico)
• Plaza Del Caribe 2050 (Ponce, Puerto Rico)
• 154 Plaza Carolina (Carolina, Puerto Rico)
• Rexville Town Center (Bayamon, Puerto Rico)
• Plaza Atenas Shopping Center (Manati, Puerto Rico)

Pearle Vision has a significant legacy in the industry and has continued to outpace competitors by evolving to meet patients' changing needs by offering quality products and services they desire. With 600 centers located throughout North America, the company offers best-in-class eye care provided by neighborhood doctors who are skilled optometrists, a principle created by Dr. Stanley Pearle in 1961. Most recently, Pearle Vision ranked #112 in Entrepreneur's 2014 Franchise 500, making a 48-point increase from the 2013 ranking.

To fuel further growth, the company is looking for optometrists interested in licensing opportunities. Ideal candidates for Pearle Vision ownership should possess a desire to join a trusted industry-leading brand and work within a proven system to provide exceptional eye care and superior patient service. Pearle Vision licensees can expect their initial investment to build a new center to cost approximately $200,000, in addition to a licensing fee of $30,000.

Optometrists interested in exploring re-licensing or new development opportunities in Puerto Rico should contact Sherry Merriman, at [email protected] or (630) 849-6119. For more information, please visit http://licensing.ownapearlevision.com.

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. Pearle combined complete eye exams with an extensive selection of eyewear. In 1981, Pearle Vision began offering licenses to select doctors and opticians. Today, with 600 eye care centers throughout the United States, Pearle Vision is built around a doctor-centered business model with a primary focus to deliver genuine eye care to patients and become a trusted source for all their eye health needs. Pearle Vision is owned by Luxottica, a leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. For more information, visit http://www.PearleVision.com.

Luxottica Group S.p.A.

Luxottica Group is a leader in premium, luxury and sports eyewear with over 7,000 optical and sun retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa, Latin America and Europe, and a strong, well-balanced brand portfolio. Proprietary brands include Ray-Ban, the world's most famous sun eyewear brand, Oakley, Vogue Eyewear, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Alain Mikli and Arnette while licensed brands include Giorgio Armani, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Starck Eyes, Tiffany and Versace. In addition to a global wholesale network involving 130 different countries, the Group manages leading retail chains in major markets, including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and ILORI in North America, OPSM and Laubman & Pank in Asia-Pacific, LensCrafters in China, GMO in Latin America and Sunglass Hut worldwide. The Group's products are designed and manufactured at its six manufacturing plants in Italy, two wholly owned plants in the People's Republic of China, one plant in Brazil and one plant in the United States devoted to the production of sports eyewear. In 2013 Luxottica Group posted net sales of more than Euro 7.3 billion. Additional information on the Group is available at www.luxottica.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those which are anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability to manage the effects of the current uncertain international economic outlook, the ability to successfully acquire and integrate new businesses, the ability to predict future economic conditions and changes to consumer preferences, the ability to successfully introduce and market new products, the ability to maintain an efficient distribution system, the ability to achieve and manage growth, the ability to negotiate and maintain favorable license agreements, the availability of correction alternatives to prescription eyeglasses, fluctuations in exchange rates, changes in local conditions, the ability to protect intellectual property, the ability to maintain relations with those hosting our stores, computer system problems, inventory-related risks, credit and insurance risks, changes to tax regimes as well as other political, economic and technological factors and other risks and uncertainties referred to in Luxottica Group's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Luxottica Group does not assume any obligation to update them.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Amanda DelPrete
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Emily Ryan
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SOURCE Pearle Vision