Polaroid Fotobar Ushers in a New Age in Digital Photography

BOCA RATON, Fla., June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Polaroid Fotobar announced today the introduction of its experiential retail concept as a national franchise opportunity. Launched in 2012, the company recently opened its flagship location at The LINQ in Las Vegas and operates four stores in Miami, Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Orlando, Florida. Polaroid Fotobar is a first-of-its-kind store that allows customers to "liberate" their photos by instantly printing their favorite pictures from their smartphones, Facebook, Instagram and other digital platforms, while transforming them into innovative and displayable works of art. 

Serial entrepreneurs and brothers Warren and Ted Struhl founded Fotobar.  In working with Polaroid, they were able to infuse the start-up with the product recognition that comes with the iconic, 75-year old brand. The Struhls, who previously revolutionized the paper and snack food industries, leveraged their experience in developing more than 30 companies to launch Polaroid Fotobar and change the paradigm of how people interact with their digital photography.

"More pictures were taken in the past year than in all of history combined," said Warren Struhl.  "We saw a tremendous opportunity to fill a void in the experiential side of digital photography and the estimated 1.5 billion digital images people take every day."

Each location offers customers the ability to instantly print pictures from wherever they may reside using the popular Polaroid classic border logo format in five different sizes. In addition, customers can display their favorite photos through an extensive selection of custom frames, displays and unique photo products crafted from a variety of materials including canvas, acrylic, metal, glass and bamboo. Polaroid Fotobar locations also offer an array of Polaroid branded products and "Fototenders" who can help customers every step of the way to instantly turn their photos into lasting memories. 

To expand its footprint, Polaroid Fotobar has embarked on an aggressive national growth plan by offering the concept as a franchise. The company is seeking single and multi-unit operators that possess a commitment to exceptional customer service and the resources to open their first unit within nine months.

Polaroid Fotobar includes a variety of design options for franchisees, including a traditional 1,400 square foot store and a micro-retail experience. Initial investments will range from $135,000 to $439,000, depending on the type of Polaroid Fotobar concept selected.

"Since opening the first Polaroid Fotobar, we have received incredible customer feedback and experienced impressive sales that are exceeding the company's expectations," said Warren Struhl. "After fine-tuning the idea, we are excited to leverage our collective franchise experience and create an innovative and immersive retail concept that is positioned for tremendous growth nationwide." 

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Polaroid Fotobar, visit www.ownapolaroidfotobar.com. Additionally, Polaroid Fotobar will be exhibiting at the International Franchise Expo, June 19-21, 2014 at the Javits Center in New York City. Members of the Polaroid Fotobar development and franchising teams will be on hand at booth 213 to answer questions and provide additional information about franchising.

About Polaroid Fotobar

Founded in 2012, Polaroid Fotobar is the first-of-its-kind, fun, and experiential retail destination that is changing the paradigm of how people "liberate" their photos and turn them into innovative and memorable products. Each location offers the ability to instantly print your pictures -- wherever they may reside -- utilizing the exclusive Polaroid Classic Border Logo picture format in five different sizes. In addition, customers can turn their favorite photos into an extensive selection of custom and unique photo products from a variety of materials including canvas, acrylic, metal, glass, bamboo and more. Polaroid Fotobar locations also offer an array of Polaroid branded products and feature "Fototenders," available to offer friendly, expert and hands-on support to assist customers as they instantly turn their best photos into lasting memories. Additionally, many Polaroid Fotobar products are available on the web at polaroidfotobar.com.

About Polaroid

Polaroid is one of the world's most trusted, well-respected and recognizable brands. It features a rich, 75-year history that began with Polaroid instant film. Our range of products include instant and digital still cameras, high-definition and mountable sports video cameras, tablets and flat-screen TVs that deliver the fun, instant gratification and value that the brand has long stood for. Today, the Polaroid Classic Border Logo, rooted in our beginnings of instant photo sharing, serves to designate genuine Polaroid-branded products. For more information, visit polaroid.com. Polaroid, Polaroid & Pixel, Polaroid Color Spectrum and Polaroid Classic Border Logo are trademarks of PLR IP Holdings, LLC, used under license.

Contact:
Becky Peterson
Polaroid Fotobar
770-367-0321
[email protected]

Melissa Hoistion
R&J Public Relations for Polaroid
908-722-5757
[email protected]

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SOURCE Polaroid Fotobar