AR Workshop Pinpoints Grand Rapids for Development; Seeks to Grow Statewide Presence Alongside Eight Existing Shops

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – AR Workshop, the leading DIY workshop franchise, recently announced its aggressive expansion plans slated for Grand Rapids. Complete with in-person workshops, a retail shop, online shop and its newest offering of DIY-To-Go Kits, AR Workshop plans to bring at least four new locations to the state over the next two years. The brand is specifically targeting expansion in Grand Rapids and more broadly in Northern Michigan through strategic franchise partnerships.

Even amid the pandemic, AR Workshop continues to grow, having opened 13 locations this year alone. The brand’s strong 2020 performance has primed it to forge ahead confidently into Q4 as the demand for DIY projects has skyrocketed due to the novel Coronavirus forcing people to spend more time at home. Building off that momentum, AR Workshop already has new shops opening in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Lynchburg, Virginia; Palmdale, California; and Las Vegas, Nevada before the end of the year.

“Our Michigan communities have fully embraced the DIY lifestyle,” explained Kasey Wright, Vice President of Franchise Development. “Grand Rapids really checks all the boxes for us and is an ideal spot for AR Workshop’s expansion. Several of our top performing shops are in comparable markets, which is why we’re moving so swiftly to find community-centric and passionate candidates to help grow our brand here.”

AR Workshop is known for delivering a DIY experience unlike any other, one that is tailored to each and every customer. Workshop goers will immediately feel energized by the beautifully decorated interior. Lounge and retail spaces are available to explore, while the workshop area is filled with large tables displaying raw supplies for accompanying projects. Workshops are thorough and never rushed, allowing customers to socialize with friends or family, all while creating something they can take home at the end of the day, and are proud to display in their own home.

“I wanted to create a space where our customers could feel empowered by their own creativity,” said Maureen Anders, co-founder and brand CEO. “Here, everyone’s sense of style is honored – we’ve been able to build this inclusive, imaginative culture with the help of our franchise network. AR Workshop locations naturally become this gathering spot for communities, so we’re looking for people with both a passion for DIY and an entrepreneurial spirit to help us bring this unique experience to more communities – our support team will help with the rest.”

The DIY industry has been on a steady incline for years as more people have taken an interest to tackling more projects themselves. Prospective franchisees looking to get in on the multi-billion-dollar a year industry can expect a total investment range between $70,000 – 125,000 with discounts available for military veterans. With nearly 150 franchises open across the U.S., the brand is on track for continued strategic franchise expansion, with a goal of operating more than 300 locations by 2025. The concept has rolled multiple revenue streams into one – workshops, online shop and B&M retail – setting franchisees up for success all year round.

About AR Workshop

Designers Maureen Anders and Adria Ruff first launched an all-encompassing design company called Anders Ruff, which specialized in graphic design, party styling, featured a DIY blog and an online shop. It wasn’t long before loyal fans and followers of the brand were asking for DIY workshops hosted at a brick and mortar storefront. So, in 2016 Maureen and Adria introduced AR Workshop – a boutique DIY studio that now has nearly 150 franchises across the country and is growing through strategic franchise partnerships in states like MI, IL, TX, CA and more.

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