KENNETT SQUARE, PA - After spending a decade as a single office serving Chester County and the State of Delaware, IKOR USA (www.ikorusa.com) made 2010 its breakout year, opening its first four franchise units, signing agreements for additional units and introducing a host of system enhancements to support accelerated growth in the coming months. The healthcare advocacy and guardianship company today announced plans to sign 20 franchise agreements in 2011 and continue expanding across the United States.
IKOR works with those overseeing the welfare of seniors, the disabled and those with catastrophic special needs, helping them plan and implement programs to sustain the optimal quality of life for those in their care. Aided by a sophisticated system that facilitates real-time sharing and analysis of patient information, IKOR's Registered Nurse Patient Advocates handle medical responsibilities such as locating the best care facilities, monitoring those facilities, monitoring all aspects of treatment including prescriptions, evaluating medical care providers and the coordination and oversight of in-home care. Within the same office, IKOR's business professionals administer financial advocacy which includes, ensuring public program benefits and other responsibilities, such as the liquidation of physical assets to simple bill pay.
Husband and wife franchisees Dennis and Chris Mahoney opened the first IKOR franchise this past September in Chadds Ford, Pa., and are managing cases in the suburbs south and west of Philadelphia. In October, franchising veteran Cynthia Gartman opened a unit in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Grapevine, serving areas in and north of the metroplex. A second Texas site serving areas just south of that territory also was opened last year by a pharmaceutical sales veteran, while another site managed by corporate training and financial services expert Eric Maynard opened in Morristown, N.J., serving several counties in northern New Jersey. Next month, a franchisee will open Virginia's first IKOR office, based in Fairfax.
"Our expansion got off to a strong start last year," says CEO/Founder Patricia Maisano. "We're very encouraged by the interest we've seen in our concept so far and expect our growth to accelerate as more people realize we can help the disabled, especially the catastrophically disabled, and seniors manage short-term health crises and address long-term life issues."
To facilitate its anticipated growth, IKOR put substantial resources into its franchise system last year, starting with appointing Ms. Gartman president in addition to being one of its charter franchisees. Ms. Gartman holds an MBA from the University of Texas, is a certified franchise executive and serves on several International Franchise Association's boards, including the Institute of Certified Franchise Executives' board of governors, Minorities in Franchising committee and Membership Committee. She has been a consultant to developing franchise organizations, served as president/COO of an assisted senior living facility franchise and held several positions at leading hospitality franchisor Accor North America. She has earned an Assisted Living Director accreditation in 14 states, medical technician certification in Oklahoma, and is a member of the Estate Planning Councils of North Texas and Dallas, the Business and Estate Planning Section of the Tarrant County Bar Association and the American Bar Association.
"Bringing Cynthia on-board was critical to our expansion efforts," says Maisano. "Her vast expertise in franchising, business management and senior care has been an immeasurable asset to us as we have looked to attract qualified franchisees throughout the country and continued to refine the resources we're providing as their franchisor. Having her here also affords me the time to develop new and improved services for clients and to network within the professional communities from which we receive most of our cases."
IKOR also retained New York-based public relations agency GRiP Communications LLC to provide local marketing support to new franchisees and create greater awareness of its advocacy and guardianship services.
"We're delighted to be working with GRiP Communications," says Ms. Gartman. "In addition to helping large multi-national corporations as well as smaller organizations attract qualified franchisees, Managing Director Greg Pitkoff has helped companies reach their enduser audiences through traditional and online media, handled corporate positioning, crisis counseling and provided other strategic communications services to a number of organizations. We're confident he'll be a valuable resource."
Other 2010 enhancements to the IKOR system included the establishment of a nationwide procurement program for franchisees and their clients, granting access to everything from office and medical supplies and other products to discounted handicapped vehicles and more. IKOR also developed an online portal through which franchisees can access electronic copies of all documentation relevant to running their business, from operations manuals to power of attorney forms and other materials. In 2011, the company will begin offering remote training sessions for franchisees and their staff, among other new value-added services.
IKOR franchises are available throughout most of the eastern and central United States. For information on available opportunities, fill out the form below.