Atlanta, Ga - 1 March, 2001 -

Floor Coverings International (FCI), the oldest and largest mobile floor covering retailer, is riding the wave of demand for shop-at-home convenience, doubling its ranks of million-dollar earners in 2000. Four franchisees capitalized on FCI’s innovative programs and unique ability to satisfy intensifying consumer demand for at-home service, collectively posting more than $4.8 million in sales as the result of a more than 40 percent increase over their 1999 revenues. In 1998, Robert and Julie Peoples of Austin, Texas, were the first and only FCI franchisees in the history of the company to generate more than one million dollars in sales revenues in a single year. This year, they are joined by repeat performers Greg and Donna Meyers of Chambersberg, PA. And, new to the million-dollar ranks are FCI Franchise Partners of the Year, Tom and Beth Manion, of Austin, Texas, and Robert Rowland of Virginia Beach, VA. For the Peoples, who are nine-year veterans of the FCI ranks, this year marks their third time to exceed the million-dollar sales level. Reaching the million-dollar mark for the second time, the Meyers, who just purchased their FCI franchise in 1997, had the top-selling franchise in 2000. “We were proud and excited to see our first franchisees, Robert and Julie Peoples, hit the million-dollar mark in 1998, which was a significant accomplishment given the small investment required to become a FCI franchisee,” said FCI President Tom Gandee. “But, celebrating four franchisees hitting that mark in 2000 confirms the growing demand for the convenience of our shop-at-home services in what is historically a showroom-based industry.” “Seeing our franchisees launch home-based businesses with as little as a $35,000 investment go on to achieve such monumental growth serves as a testament to their hard work and the value of our company’s commitment to continually provide value-added services and programs,” said Gandee. “With exciting new flooring products and programs introduced this year, we remain dedicated to helping our franchise owners compete effectively against the giant retail chains that once owned this industry.” Launched in 1999, FCI’s innovative FIRST (Floor Installation and Replacement Services Team) program generated significant revenues for the million-dollar franchisees. This one-of-a-kind floor replacement service, which is directed at the insurance industry, was developed to provide FCI franchisees with a unique competitive advantage to generate significant revenue. FCI anticipates $8 million in FIRST sales in 2001 a 60 percent increase over 2000. Meet the New Million-Dollar Franchisees Tom and Beth Manion Newcomers to the ranks of FCI million-dollar earners, Tom and Beth Manion generated more than $1,001,700 in sales revenues from their home en-route to being named the FCI Franchise Partners for the Year. Not only did the Manions increase their annual revenue by more than $246,000 to earn the company’s Gold Level Award for growth, but they also led worldwide sales in the FIRST program with more than $457,000 in revenue. With a background in emergency flooring restoration, Tom Manion attributes some of their success to the development of valuable, long-standing relationships within the insurance industry. However, with 75 percent of the Manion’s business in 2000 coming directly from previous customers and referrals, Tom believes their most valuable resource is strict attention to customer service. “In the past, I’ve worked quite a bit with the insurance industry, performing fire- and water-damage restoration,” said Tom Manion. “So, when I started my FCI franchise in 1994, I was able to develop relationships immediately with local insurance adjusters, which helped me get off to a very quick start. But now, most importantly, we bend over backwards to make sure that every customer is so satisfied that they would recommend us to people they know.” Robert Rowland An FCI franchisee since 1994, Robert Rowland enjoyed a 30 percent increase in sales for the year, garnering revenues of more than $1,006,500, and earning FCI’s Platinum Level Award for an annual increase of more than $351,000. Before joining FCI, Rowland owned an assortment of businesses. However, according to Rowland, his FCI franchise has been the most successful, acknowledging the benefits of a national support structure and quality programs. “I’ve been an entrepreneur since 1974, but my FCI franchise has absolutely been the most successful,” said Rowland. “For years, working alone, I was able to generate $600,000 in revenue through word-of-mouth referrals, which is really the limit for one person. However, with the introduction of new products and the FIRST program, I’ve been able to branch out into new market areas to give sales a real boost. Through the FIRST program alone, I earned more than $400,000 in revenue last year. As a result, I’ve hired a staff to help manage the workload.” The Veterans on the FCI Difference Both Robert Peoples and Greg Meyers are quick to point out the benefits of belonging to a national franchise system and its contribution to their sales success. “FCI offers a good support system that not only provides reassurance, but also technical answers,” noted Meyers. “It’s important to have a lot of different programs and target markets so that one can pick up when another is down. “We offer something unique and that’s exciting,” said Meyers. “People can feel when you’re excited about your product and then they get excited, too.” “I really think the broad product assortment is a plus, especially with the private labeling which allows us to effectively compete against the local flooring retailers,” said Peoples. “Also, the six-month finance plan offered by FCI allows us to capture more Realtor business, since homeowners don’t want to pay for new floor coverings until after they have closed on the sale of their home.” Incorporated in 1988 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, FCI is one of the top 20 flooring retailers in the country, according to Floor Covering Weekly. The company currently boasts more than 100 franchisee operations in the U.S., 36 in the U.K. and 10 in Canada. Its fleet of unique CarpetVan showrooms house more than 3,000 colors and styles of the hottest floor covering options today. Carpeting. Vinyl. Tile. Hardwoods. Laminates. Area rugs. And even window treatments. FCI franchisees offer it all in the convenience of a consumer’s home or facility manager’s office. For more information about FCI’s unique services or franchise opportunities, call 1-800-DIAL-FCI or visit www.floorcoveringsintl.com

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