Neighborly Named Among The 50 Top Franchises For Minorities

WACO, Texas – (Nov. 29, 2010) – Neighborly, formerly Dwyer Group, has been named as one of the 50 Top Franchises for Minorities by the National Minority Franchising Initiative (NMFI), which recognizes companies with a commitment to recruit and advance minorities within their company.

More than 400 franchises submitted responses to NMFI’s annual survey that asked participants to list minority participation among their existing franchised and company-owned units, as well as the minority representation among senior management.

“We are extremely pleased to see that, in ten short years, minority representation has increased remarkably in the franchising industry,” said Rob Bond, the founder of the NMFI. “Whereas minorities may have accounted for only 5 or 6% of total franchisees in 2000, the consensus is that today they account for well in excess of 15%. This is quite a remarkable testament not only to the industry’s reaching out to minorities, but to the underlying values and entrepreneurial talents that minorities contribute.”

To be eligible for this honor, the franchisors had to have an excess of 50 operating units. Each participating franchisor was required to submit its most recent Franchise Disclosure Document and the marketing package that is sent to prospective franchisees, as well as a completed questionnaire.

“It’s an honor to be recognized on the ‘50 Top Franchises for Minorities’ list,” said Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman and CEO of Neighborly based in Waco. “This achievement reinforces our goal and commitment to diversity within our company.”

The results were featured in the Nov. 5th issue of USA TODAY in the Franchising Today section.

About Neighborly®:

Neighborly, based in Waco, Texas, is a holding company of seven franchise businesses, each selling and supporting a different franchise under the following service marks: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, The Grounds Guys™, Mr. Appliance®, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter® (Drain Doctor in the UK and Portugal), and Rainbow International®. Collectively, these independent franchise concepts offer customers world-wide a broad base of residential and commercial services. Neighborly is a portfolio company of The Riverside Company, a private equity firm with offices in New York, Cleveland, Dallas and San Francisco. For more information on The Neighborly, or its franchise concepts, visit the company’s web site at www.dwyergroup.com.