CaribPR Wire

CaribPR Newswire, MIAMI, FL, Mon. Feb. 5, 2007: On a day when African-American head coach Tony Dungy made history by leading his Indianapolis Colts to a 29-17 victory over the Chicago Bears, a Caribbean immigrant was making a Super Bowl debut of his own off the field.    As the historic match-up unfolded on the field, Guyanese national Kemp Johnson was making his own unique mark in a 42 billion dollar vending industry that has few minority franchisees.   Johnson recently acquired a 24Seven franchise and with it the lucrative rights to operate the vending machines at Dolphin Stadium in Miami ahead of the Super Bowl. A graduate of the University of Rochester and Clark-Atlanta University’s MBA program, Johnson is an entrepreneur and owner of a successful Miami based real estate firm who responded to a diversity outreach initiative which 24Seven launched in October.   Attracted to the consistent cash flow and schedule flexibility, which the 24Seven’s franchising program offered, Johnson leapt at the opportunity.  
24Seven ( www.24seven.com ) offers franchisees territories with pre-sited snack and soda vending machines with known sales histories.     In addition, 24seven also provides franchisees with a patented wireless technology and software system that enables them to monitor vending sales, restocking requirements, profitability, and machine operating diagnostics via the laptop.   A typical franchise includes 60-90 vending machines at 12-20 locations with an historical revenue stream of approximately $6,730 per week in gross revenues ($350,000 per annum). One goal of the 24Seven initiative is to improve minority representation within an industry plagued by high industry barriers to entry.   Gregory Moore, a transactional attorney coordinating this effort stated, “”There are several barriers to entry which have historically inhibited diversity.   First, the average vending machine costs about $4,000, so a 100-machine route requires a significant capital investment (about 400k).   Secondly and most significantly, people of color encounter a difficult time securing top locations for machines.”" Moore further explained, “”And like the restaurant and real estate business, in vending, location is key.   The great thing about 24seven’s franchising program is that lowers these traditional barriers by leasing the equipment at top locations to franchisees.   Coupled with the technology and ongoing training and support of a 200 million dollar company, folks like Kemp are taking over valuable real estate like Pro Player Stadium which they otherwise might not have been able to secure”"   24Seven Franchises are currently available in 19 states including New York, New Jersey, Florida, California, Florida, Georgia, and Washington, DC.   Sales of the Franchises have been brisk with over 100 sold in less than two years. 24Seven expects to double that number next year and there is an 18-person wait list in Los Angeles. Persons interested in following in Johnson’s footsteps or learning how they too can become the owner of a lucrative 24Seven franchise can contact Felicia Persaud at 718-476-3616 or via email at: [email protected]. – CaribPR.com   PHOTO: Kemp Johnson, r., seals the 24Seven franchise deal late last year. (Greg Moore Photo)