Press Releases


Franklin Covey Co. Announces Launch of New FranklinCovey China, Company’s Fourth International Direct Office
Hundreds Attend Kickoff Events, Learn More About Creating and Improving
Corporate Culture

SALT LAKE CITY – NOVEMBER 16, 2016 – Franklin Covey Co., (NYSE: FC) announced today the launch of FranklinCovey China, making China the fourth country outside the U.S. in which it operates direct offices. FranklinCovey China will consist of offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in the People’s Republic of China. These offices have been operating for the past 15 years under a license agreement.
“We are excited to welcome the 550 clients and 52 employees in the offices in the People’s Republic of China into the family of global FranklinCovey direct offices,” said Bob Whitman, FranklinCovey CEO. “We look forward to building on the tremendous foundation created over the years, deepening the results which our clients achieve, and accelerating our growth.”
Over 300 guests representing more than 200 companies attended kickoff events in Beijing and Shanghai to hear from members of the FranklinCovey executive team as they shared research and knowledge about what is required for organizations to create company cultures which are able to achieve sustained superior performance.
“It was a thrill to meet many of FranklinCovey’s top clients in China, to see the great things they are accomplishing, and understand some of the challenges which they believe FranklinCovey can help them address. FranklinCovey’s content and solutions have always been well received, and the presentations during our kickoff events provided our clients with an expanded vision of the breadth of FranklinCovey’s solutions and capabilities,” continued Whitman. “We are already seeing demand from those in attendance, with nearly 50 organizations having scheduled executive overviews with our China team to learn more about how our offerings provide them with the solutions which can help them accelerate change in their organizations.”
FranklinCovey has named Ronnie Tan as the new President of FranklinCovey China. Tan previously managed FranklinCovey’s licensee offices in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, where he was responsible for the significant growth which occurred, and also assisted in managing the transition process during and beyond the licensing period.
“It’s a privilege and honor to take the lead of FranklinCovey’s new China offices,” said Ronnie Tan, President, FranklinCovey China. “Our China team emulates the focus and dedication FranklinCovey has to its content and clients, which are at the core of our mission. With this transition, our valued clients will continue to enjoy a deep focus on their specific needs, through FranklinCovey team members with whom they are already familiar. And, supporting our clients directly through FranklinCovey will ensure that we respond most effectively to their emerging business needs over the coming years.”
The transition from licensing agreements in the region has spanned two years, with FranklinCovey and their licensee partners working closely to ensure a seamless transition and continued business success for everyone involved in the change.
“This agreement has been reached with the highest level of integrity and trust,” said Sean Covey, FranklinCovey’s Executive Vice President of Global Solutions and Partnerships. “The relationship between FranklinCovey and our international licensee partners remains strong and benefits FranklinCovey and the regions where our partners reside. We express appreciation to them for their great work. The new FranklinCovey China Direct offices will allow us to further the success already achieved in Asia and to provide current and future clients with added opportunities to employ our results-driven content and offerings in their organizations, to transform their culture, which is every organization’s ultimate competitive advantage.”
For more information on FranklinCovey’s global offices, please visit http://www.franklincovey.com/global-offices/
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About Franklin Covey Co.
Franklin Covey Co. (NYSE: FC) is a global, public company specializing in performance improvement. We help organizations and individuals achieve results that require a change in human behavior. Our expertise is in seven areas: leadership, execution, productivity, trust, sales performance, customer loyalty and education. Franklin Covey clients have included 90 percent of the Fortune 100, more than 75 percent of the Fortune 500, thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, as well as numerous government entities and educational institutions. Franklin Covey has more than 100 direct and partner offices providing professional services in over 150 countries and territories.

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Travis Rust, 801-817-5378
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Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen to Hold Meeting for Prospective Franchise Owners

Popeyes Makes Plans for Further Expansion into Greater Boston Area; In 2013, Popeyes Opened the Largest Number of Restaurants in 15 years

ATLANTA – October 10, 2014 – Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen (NASDAQ: PLKI) announced today the chain is hosting an Executive Roundtable on October 21, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. to discuss franchising opportunities in growing out the market. Popeyes is making Boston a priority growth market for an additional 15 to 20 restaurants over the next five years, with a long-term growth projection of approximately 30 total restaurants. 

Popeyes is seeking bold, passionate, multi-unit operators to join the growing brand. Local entrepreneurs are invited to attend and meet with members of the Popeyes development team.

“Boston is a prime market for further expansion of the Popeyes footprint,” said Greg Vojnovic, Popeyes Chief Development Officer. “With annual increases in profitability and same-store sales, the Popeyes brand is reaching new heights in terms of prestige and investment return. Our proven track record and commitment to strong franchisee relations make Popeyes a smart investment. The fact that approximately 90 percent of our new restaurants are being opened by existing franchisees is a testament to the power and success of the Popeyes brand.”

With the company’s share of chicken Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) sales at a 10-year high, Popeyes is poised to rapidly expand domestically. Popeyes has posted five consecutive years of positive same-store sales and new unit openings. In 2013, Popeyes opened 124 domestic restaurants and we are continuing our focus on quality openings in 2014 and beyond. New freestanding restaurants opened in 2012 had first full year sales of approximately $1.6 million. 

Popeyes rebranded its restaurants in 2008 from Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. This rebranding effort has driven traffic and sales growth. The chain has spent the last two years converting their restaurants to the new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen image. In Boston, all current restaurants are in the new Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen brand image.

Popeyes has received wide recognition throughout the franchise industry, including being ranked in Nation’s Restaurant News’ Top 100 franchise chains, QSR’s Top 50 franchises and Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 500, among others.

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About Popeyes® Louisiana Kitchen
Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Popeyes is a leader in the New Orleans segment of the foodservice industry and is the world's second largest quick-service chicken concept based on the number of units. As of July 13, 2014, Popeyes had 2,262 operating restaurants in the United States, three territories, and 26 foreign countries. For more information, visit the Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Web site at www.popeyes.com.

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Astrophysics Wins Contract with Brazilian TSA, Infraero; Deploys X-Ray Scanners to 11 Brazilian Airports

X-Ray System Help Brazil Prepare for Upcoming World Sporting Events

CITY OF INDUSTRY, Calif. – April 25, 2014 -- Astrophysics Inc., a leader in conventional and air cargo security X-ray inspection systems, today announced it has won a major contract from Brazilian airport operator Infraero to provide its superior X-ray screening systems for air cargo screening at 11 airports in Brazil.

“The Brazilian airport project is another example of Astrophysics’ ability to serve a global market, while maintaining our made-in-America principles,” said Astrophysics CEO François Zayek. “Because we manufacture our systems in California, we are able to deploy our systems quickly to airports in Brazil, allowing Brazilian officials to provide the highest level of security. This will be particularly important as Brazil prepares to host world-wide sporting events beginning this summer.”

Astrophysics won the Infraero contract in late 2013. The order called for 13 x-ray screening units to be installed at 11 Infraero managed airports. The product installation was handled by Astrophysics’ local partner and was completed by the required December 2013 timeline.

“This order further solidifies Astrophysics as a major player in the air cargo screening market,” said Zayek. “Our ability to quickly, efficiently and effectively deploy our products and services, along with our affordable price points has contributed greatly to
our increased market share. We are happy that Infraero has recognized this ability and we are prepared to provide them with the security equipment they need.”

For more information about Astrophysics, please visit us at www.astrophysicsinc.com.

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About Astrophysics Inc.:

Astrophysics offers advanced X-ray security screening systems that help operators detect and identify weapons and explosives in civil and military markets worldwide. Astrophysics exports to over 60 countries and builds all its own products domestically in Southern California. The corporate headquarters located in the City of Industry, California is the manufacturing facility for air cargo, conventional and mobile solutions. A second facility in Ontario, California is the primary location for research and development, and the high-energy cargo and portal systems.
The company employs over 140 employees in the U.S., and has affiliate companies globally. For more information about Astrophysics, visit www.astrophysicsinc.com.

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Independa Launches eCommerce Site

Consumers Now Able to Purchase Award-Winning IndependaTV

SAN DIEGO – June 26, 2015 – Independa, the leader in integrated community engagement and remote care technologies today announced the launch of its ecommerce website. The new site provides a portal by which consumers can purchase an IndependaTV, the quintessential platform for providing advanced remote engagement and care for the Greatest Generation.

“All of our work at Independa has led to this launch,” said Kian Saneii, Founder and CEO of Independa. “Our mission from day one has been to provide the most powerful engagement and care solution to the masses. The power of Independa is in its simplicity and now individual families and friends can go online to purchase an IndependaTV and support families, improving lives while reducing caregiving costs. ”

Up to this point, Independa was only available through enterprise outlets like care facilities and retirement communities. Independa’s television platform provides a broad range of services including photo sharing, video chats, message sharing, a call button, and appointment and medication reminders. These features are built directly into an LG constructed television monitor, allowing for plug and play capabilities by the end user.  LG is a strategic partner and Independa investor.

Independa has been blazing the trail in the new age of elder care, guiding the industry into the 21st century. Independa has software inside LG commercial TVs, creating the world’s first and only TV with embedded remote engagement and care services.  This has garnered Independa a 2015 CES Innovation Award and recognition from Entrepreneur Magazine as a Brilliant 100 Company.

To learn more about IndependaTV and how to purchase, please visit http://independa.com/product-page/

To learn more about Independa, please visit www.independa.com

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About Independa, Inc.
Independa, Inc., the leader in integrated community engagement and remote care technologies, offers senior care providers cloud-based software solutions that add value to each member within the circle of care, from the organization and professional care providers to the care recipient, and their family members and friends. In strategic partnership with LG Electronics, care recipients enjoy social and community content and important appointment and medication reminders, all through the world’s first and only TV with embedded remote care services. Independa improves remote care services, creating staff efficiencies for senior living communities, CCRCs, nursing homes (rehab and long-term care), and homecare organizations.

Independa, its name and mark, and Angela are registered trademarks of Independa, Inc.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc. (NYSE: LPL), based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $56 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. LG Electronics, a proud 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more news and information on LG Electronics, please visit www.LG.com.





Independa Closes Extended $6 Million Series B, Bringing Total Funding to More Than $10 Million

 Funds to accelerate expansion in consumer markets and strategic global opportunities

SAN DIEGO – March 10, 2015 -- Independa, the leader in integrated community engagement and remote care technologies, today announced it has closed its Series B funding round, raising $6 million. The Series B funding immediately accelerates Independa’s market expansion, while also funding new product development and advancing innovative solutions.

“Barriers are crashing down for consumer-focused use of remote care products and services with seniors,” said Frost & Sullivan Healthcare Research Director Daniel Ruppar. “Growth is really heating up in the marketplace for technology solutions and services which can enable independence, and serve needs ranging from wellness, to social interaction, emergency response, and disease management for the elderly.” 

“This significant infusion of capital will further propel Independa as the industry leader in technology for healthy, engaged aging, uniquely using the one technology everyone is familiar with – the television,” said Kian Saneii, Founder and CEO of Independa. “Independa investors understand our vision of developing game-changing solutions for remote engagement, transforming remote engagement and care paradigms and costs via the TV. This latest investment is integral to growing our operations and further developing life enhancing, award-winning solutions.”

Independa is blazing the trail in remote care and engagement technologies for older adults. The state of the art technology solutions are delivered through one of the most familiar platforms to seniors, the TV. The TV-screen based offering provides a simple engagement solution for the care recipient to maintain and sustain their independence.

“As demonstrated by its remarkable growth and innovation, Independa clearly leads the market in the development and delivery of its remote engagement platform,” says Jonathan Lim, M.D., Managing Partner and Founder of City Hill Ventures. “City Hill’s investment enables Independa to capitalize on the global demand for its solutions, and accelerate the company’s pace of innovation.”

Recently, Forbes.com published industry research from the Freedonia Group that projected the elder care market to reach $319 billion by 2016 in the US alone. This research suggests massive growth potential for Independa’s cloud-based integrated senior-facing platform.

Independa solutions were honored at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show® in Las Vegas, Nevada, receiving a CES Innovation Award in the “Tech for a Better World” category. Previously, Independa was named as the #1 Technology in Senior Care at CES 2014 by the leading industry publication, Senior Housing News.

For more information, please visit www.independa.com

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About Independa, Inc.
Independa, Inc., the global leader in remote engagement technologies, offers the Independa TV™, the world’s first and only TV with embedded engagement services for the viewer.  Friends and family of loved ones can now remain actively engaged from a distance – so they can care, even when they can’t be there.  Through a strategic partnership with LG Electronics, worldwide leaders in commercial TVs, picture sharing, messaging, video chat, and important calendar reminders can be delivered right on the viewer’s TV - no computers or tablets required, no passwords or virus scans. By staying socially engaged, the Independa TV™ viewer effortlessly remains independent longer, safer and more comfortably, reducing costs, complexities and anguish for themselves and their loved ones.  LG TVs with Independa embedded inside are available for consumer purchase, or available within top senior living communities – with many added key enterprise capabilities and benefits, to organizations and their residents. To purchase for a loved one, or to request more information for sales to a senior living community or homecare organization, visit www.independa.com or please contact info@independa.com.


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