Rebounding Consumer Spending And Small Business Lending Signal Growth For Firemans Contractors Franchises

FORT WORTH, Texas, Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Firemans Contractors, Inc. (OTCBB: FRCN) (OTCQB: FRCN); A rebound in consumer spending is spurring businesses and retailers to focus on parking lot and pavement maintenance, creating opportunities for Firemans Contractors franchise owners.

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Renee Gilmore, CEO of the Fort Worth-based company, which provides road and pavement improvement, maintenance, and repair services to commercial and government clients in Texas and across the country, says "the renewed interest in maintenance and repair, coupled with record lending to small businesses, are ideal conditions for new Firemans Contractors franchisees, veterans especially."

"Our first Firemans Contractors franchise opened only a little over three months ago and within just two months of operation had already generated revenues in excess of 75% of the franchise cost," Ms. Gilmore continued. "This is extremely encouraging for new franchise owners, especially when considering the relatively low cost of starting up a Firemans Contractors franchise."

Firemans Contractors, a publicly-traded company founded by a Texas firefighter, Mr. Aaron Gilmore. "Benefits from a respected brand and a reputation for high-quality service and reliability results in repeat business, significantly from large property-management companies and Fortune 500 clients, those increased from 67% to 89% between fiscal 2011 and 2012. More than 20% of Firemans Contractors revenues in fiscal 2012 came from Fortune 500 companies, including major retailers and other businesses that are now looking to bring their properties back to code," Mr. Gilmore says.

Franchise Business Rebounding and Growing with Increased Consumer Spending and Record Small Business Loans

Average consumer spending in August reached its highest level for August since 2008, according to a report from Gallup in September, a very positive sign for Firemans Contractors clients and franchisees, says Ms. Gilmore.  And on Oct. 9 the US Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that during fiscal 2012 its loan programs had reached its second-highest total ever for loan dollars in a fiscal year, supporting $30.25 billion in loans to small businesses.

A report by HS Global Insight projected that after three consecutive years of decline, the number of franchise establishments in the US would increase by 1.9% in 2012, with sales growth of 5.0%.

"Consumer spending picked up in late in 2011, and we expect additional gains in 2012," said the report, which noted that "franchises weather poor economies relatively well."

Franchise businesses account for 3% of US GDP, the report estimates.

About Firemans Contractors — "Contractors You Can Trust"

Founded in 2009 by firefighter Aaron Gilmore, currently COO and director of the company, Firemans Contractors is recognized for its integrity, strong customer relationships, and high-quality performance at competitive prices. The company, which recently began its franchise development, donates a percentage of its profits to local Firefighters' Associations.

Firemans Contractors' professional services include road improvements, pavement maintenance, seal coating, parking lot striping, pavement marking, asphalt maintenance and repair, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance services.

To learn more about the Firemans Contractors franchise program, visit Firemans Contractors Franchise Opportunities.

For more information or an interview contact:

Renee Gilmore
Chief Executive Officer
Firemans Contractors, Inc.
http://www.firemanscontractors.com/
1 (800) 475-1479
1 (888) 899-5957 Fax
[email protected]

SOURCE Firemans Contractors, Inc.