Neighborly Selects Connecticut Law Enforcement Veteran As Public Protectors Franchise Advantage Winner, Waiving Initial Franchise Fee

WACO, TX – Neighborly, formerly Dwyer Group, a franchisor of seven service-based franchise brands, is pleased to announce that it has selected Joseph LoSchiavo as the recipient of the company’s Public Protectors Franchise Advantage (PPFA) Award, created to celebrate the launch of the PPFA program by waiving the base franchisee fee for a franchise under the company’s umbrella of service brands. LoSchiavo was selected from a competitive pool of firefighters and law enforcement professionals nominated by the company’s national franchise network and social media fans.

“To be selected by Neighborly as someone who deserves the honor of the PPFA Award is a truly humbling experience,” said LoSchiavo, who had the initial franchise fee waived for his Mr. Appliance® franchise located in New Haven and Fairfield County, Conn. “Having the franchise fee waived is just the icing on the cake of being selected for this honor.”

LoSchiavo has over 33 years of public service experience, starting his public service career with the City of Bridgeport Police Department, where he was a Patrol Officer and the Assistant Director of the Police Youth Relation Program. From there, LoSchiavo became the Patrol Officer for the Town of Stratford, Conn., working his way up throughout the years to become the Deputy Chief of Police. Along with his many years of public service, LoSchiavo has also served as Chairman of the Mothers Against Drunk Driving National Board of Directors and is Co-Founder and President of the American Society for Scleroderma Research.

LoSchiavo saw a need for professional appliance repair in his local market, and will focus on delivering superior customer service to residential and commercial clients. LoSchiavo’s family, including two sons who have also served in the police force, plan to work in the franchise business, scheduled to open in February 2013.
Neighborly launched the PPFA program in 2012 to recognize the contributions law enforcement and fire rescue members have made to society. After careers serving in challenging and life-threatening situations, many firefighters and law enforcement officers have opted to retire early or choose to leave the service for personal lifestyle reasons. However, many choose to continue using their leadership expertise through a second career as franchise owners.
The PPFA program awards a 20 percent discount on the initial franchise fee for a base territory (100,000 population) for qualified future franchisees looking to open a franchise within Neighborly’s family of brands: Aire Serv®, Glass Doctor®, Mr. Appliance, Mr. Electric®, Mr. Rooter®, Rainbow International®, and The Grounds Guys®.
“With so many incredible heroes in everyday life and their friends and families sharing all of their stories with us, it was hard to select just one winner,” said Dina Dwyer-Owens, CEO and Chairwoman of The Neighborly. “LoSchiavo truly exemplifies being a hero in all of his actions throughout his life, and we are so happy to award him this special recognition. We hope to continue to spread the benefits of our PPFA program to help even more of our everyday heroes realize the dream of owning their own business.”

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. In addition, Dwyer operates glass shops in New England under the Portland Glass brand name. Neighborly is a portfolio company of TZP Group LLC, a private equity firm based in New York that focuses on control investments in business and consumer services companies with enterprise values generally up to $200 million. More information on The Neighborly, or its franchise concepts, is available at www.dwyergroup.com.