Colorado Springs Couple Drives Significant Growth as Minuteman Press Franchisees, Increasing Sales by Nearly 400%

Minuteman Press, the nearly 1,000-unit print service franchise, continues to grow as a brand thanks to its industry-leading services and its hard-working and determined team of franchise owners and operators.

One such example of the brand’s ambitious franchise partners can be seen through Alana and Ramon Alvarez, who took over the Minuteman Press franchise location at 6870 N. Academy Blvd., in Colorado Springs, Colorado in August 2019. This location has been serving the local community for about 15 years, but since the Alvarez couple has taken over, the franchise has achieved remarkable growth and saw sales increase by nearly 400%. Thanks to the couple’s decades of combined experience, the franchise has flourished and reached new heights.

The Alvarez’s journey to Minuteman Press ownership began when they first met at work over three decades ago. They had an instant connection and would eventually move all throughout the West Coast and South America. But, in 2019, the couple decided they wanted to embark on their own entrepreneurial venture, and that’s when they began looking at Minuteman Press. Despite having significant experience in the corporate world, Ramon says nothing could have prepared him for becoming a first-time business owner.

“Having led large teams with large budgets in the Americas, I felt that being a small business owner would be relatively easy. It’s actually the hardest role I’ve ever had, yet it’s the most rewarding by far,” Ramon said.

In just the four years since they’ve taken over the Colorado Springs location, Alana and Ramon have propelled their business to remarkable success. Ramon says that’s all thanks to Minuteman Press International RVP Jack Panzer. Ramon says Panzer was instrumental in helping the couple acquire their location, and assisted them through the purchasing and on-boarding process and continues to provide them with ongoing support to this day. 

“Minuteman Press has been supporting us in many ways, setting us up for success,” Ramon said. “In my career, I was previously an operations executive, so I wanted a proven brand, a proven system and a proven structure to allow us to succeed as small business owners. Minuteman Press International has given us all of that.”

As the couple continues to seek new ways to meet the demands of their clients and keep up with the ever-changing market, Ramon says they are consistently looking for new ways to expand their services.

“Our small business has evolved into a one-stop shop for our clients, providing design, print, promotional items, direct mail, and more. We are now providing vehicle and window graphics, along with building sign replacements. We won’t stop there, ensuring we continue to listen to our clients, and treating each of them like a VIP,” said Ramon.

Beyond their business achievements, the Alvarez couple is actively involved in their community and supports local businesses through volunteer efforts. Ramon holds positions on various boards such as the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC, the Southern Colorado Better Business Bureau and the Colorado Springs Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The couple’s dedication to boosting the local economy and helping neighboring businesses showcases their impact on the region.

“By helping our community of businesses prosper, opportunities for prosperity are available for all,” Ramon concluded.

To establish a Minuteman Press franchise, the initial investment can vary based on the location, size and equipment needs. However, the total initial investment generally ranges from approximately $100,000 to $150,000. Minuteman Press also offers financing options for qualified buyers, which may put the initial investment at approximately $45,000 to $55,000. To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/minuteman/info