We Do Lines featured in Turf Magazine

We Do Lines appeared in the September 2012 issue of Turf Magazine. The article illuminates the transition of We Do Lines CEO Chris Couri from the world of professional landscaping to the parking lot striping industry and franchising. The parking lot business, an industry with an estimated value of $29 billion, is very fragmented.  However, it does offer growth potential for outdoor property management companies. The article talks about how the We Do Lines' management team seized on the untapped opportunity in parking lots, expanding their former landscaping company to include parking lot management and then eventually branching out into the successful, rapidly growing franchise it is today.

Earning Your Stripes

Is parking lot striping the hot new revenue opportunity for landscapers?
By Pamela Walton of Turf Magazine

(L. to R.) Thomas E. Darrow, COO; Daniel Rella, CFO; and C. J. Couri, CEO, of We Do Lines were in the landscape business and came up with We Do Lines and the parking lot striping idea during a "brainstorming" session.

As the song goes: "They paved paradise and put in a parking lot" - and a new parking lot striping franchise is promising outdoor property management companies a new revenue stream. New England-based franchisor We Do Lines says landscape companies are positioned to deliver these services for their commercial and industrial clients.

Some companies have already added the franchise to their operations.

As of this writing in mid-summer, We Do Lines (WDL) had 12 franchise units across the United States, and it's projecting 100 units over the next five years. With the parking lot striping industry being so fragmented, WDL also entertains the conversion of existing businesses.

After having taken over and operated Young's of Ridgefield, a commercial and residential landscape company, rental equipment and power equipment service center in Ridgefield, Conn., Chris Couri, CEO of We Do Lines, along with partners, Tom Darrow, company COO, and Dan Rella, CFO, sought an additional business opportunity to leverage their client databases, relationships and equipment.

Couri and Rella were partners in 65-year-old Young's of Ridgefield, with Darrow, who started Pennacle Landscaping in Ridgefield and operating Tedco Management Group LLC, Calabash, N.C., joining them to start and grow the We Do Lines business.

The idea for WDL sprang from intense brainstorming sessions with Darrow, coming up with parking lot striping. This eventually led to related parking lot services. The company's website (www.wedolines.com) lists curb painting and pavement stencils, handicapped spaces, wheel stops, traffic sign installations, warehouse floor striping and staging, and parking lot cleaning and light sweeping as services, as well.

Click here to read the entire article.

We Do Lines Partners with artist Jason Brockert

Recently We Do Lines was contacted by artist Jason Brockert about a parking lot painting series he had done. He came across our company and thought obviously this would be a good match, being the parking lot connoisseurs that we are, we absolutely agreed. So we decided to help share his art with the world! So for the next couple of months we will be periodically highlighting pieces from his parking lot series, and here is the first piece titled "Parking Lot #55 • Perfect Parking", enjoy.

Parking Lot #55 • Perfect Parking

Artist: Jason Brockert

Painting Size : 15×16
Medium : Watercolor and Gouache on paper
Series : American Landscape
Framed Size : 26×27
Frame Type : Black Stained Wood (1 ½ x ¾)
Matting : Cresent acid free museum board and acid free linen tape. Framed under glass.
Materials : Archival and lightfast Winsor Newton professional grade watercolor paints painted on Arches hot pressed watercolor paper.

Painting Intent : This piece is From the American Landscape series and plays with symbolic car shapes, seen from above and cascading across the canvas. They are lit with an almost divine light that begins to transform shape into divine icon.

Care : This piece is made with the highest quality archival materials but any paint is susceptible to fading and damage if exposed to direct sunlight. Do not expose artwork to direct sunlight or extreme humidity changes. With reasonable care this piece will remain vibrant and unchanged for generations to enjoy.

Click here to view the entire series.

We Do Lines featured in Bloomberg Businessweek

We Do Lines has been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek! The article discusses how unique the “We Do Lines” brand and the parking lot striping industry are. CEO Chris Couri details how he was able to launch and grow We Do Lines to 17 locations across the country, starting with major clients like Doral Golf Resort & Spa in southern Florida, which Donald Trump now owns. Chris notes the importance of parking lot striping, as almost 20 percent of car accidents occur in parking lots and that their employees must be very meticulous for each job. Chris also includes his dream parking lot job, The Mall of America. Click here to read the entire feature.

Odd Jobs: The Picasso of Parking Lots

By Eric Spitznagel

Chris Couri, 36, is well aware that at least part of the reason for his company’s success is its racy and admittedly juvenile name: We Do Lines. “People are always taking pictures of our vehicles and the trailers, posting them on Facebook (FB),” he says. The name is intended to call to mind a certain illegal narcotic that’s typically imported from Columbia and consumed through the nose. “What better way to grow a brand,” offers Couri, “than free publicity that’s generated from the name?”

The actual lines done by the Ridgefield, Conn., company are of the pavement variety: It paints lines in parking lots. This is a peculiarly small specialization that has grown from a three-person operation in 2008 to a nationwide enterprise, with 17 locations from New York to North Carolina to Ohio. It recently expanded to the West Coast, opening a franchise just outside Phoenix. “Dry and hot is the best weather for us,” says Couri. Most of the paint jobs can take up to 30 minutes to dry, but in Arizona’s triple-digit temperatures, “our paint dries within minutes.”

Click here to read the entire article.

Tire Safety TIps

Knowing how vital your tires are when driving it is important to keep them in tip top shape. They are a part of almost every major function of your vehicle and if compromised can cause major trouble for you. We found this great article by msn.com detailing some great tire safety tips any good driver or car enthusiast should always have in mind! Click here to read the entire article.

Top Ten Tire Safety Tips

By Gerry Malloy of MSN Autos

1. Check tire pressures and adjust at least once a month.
According to studies conducted by the 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on tire-related crashes, the leading cause of tire failure is underinflation.

Underinflation can have many causes, including a gradual loss of pressure through membranes in the tire itself. It is typical for pressure to drop approximately 1 psi per month and 1 psi for each 8-degree loss in ambient temperature.

Underinflation has immediate effects on vehicle handling (as well as fuel consumption), but its potential impact on overall safety and tire life are even greater. It results in premature and uneven tread wear on the outer edges. Underinflation also increases stress on the carcass itself, through flexing and overheating, which can lead to structural failures such as tread separation.

That's why it is imperative to check and adjust tire pressure at least once a month and before every long trip (over 250 miles). Recommended pressures are printed on a label located on the driver's doorframe or in the glove box.

2. Inspect tires regularly for abnormal wear or damage.
To ensure maximum tire life and safety, give your tires a visual inspection at least once a month and before long trips. This is easily done at the same time you check pressures.

Look for:

Excessive or uneven tread wear, which may indicate improper inflation or steering and suspension misalignment;
Cracks or bulges on the sidewalls or tread;
Chunking of the tread or any indication of tread separation from the carcass;
Signs of puncture, or nails, screws, glass, pieces of stone or any foreign object imbedded in the tire.

If you detect any of these conditions, take the vehicle in for further diagnosis immediately. In most cases, punctures can be repaired if their size is not excessive.

In general, external "plugs" are not recommended. Repairs should be made from the inside, and a complete inspection made while the tire is off the rim. Sealing compounds and other emergency aids should be treated only as a means of moving the vehicle to a safe location for repair.

If abnormal tire pressure loss occurs, check the valve stems for leakage, as well as the tire itself.

3. Rotate tires every 6,000 miles or according to owner's manual.
Tire rotation is essential to achieve even tread wear and maximum tread life. On front-wheel-drive cars, for example, most of the braking, steering and driving forces are carried by the front tires, which inevitably wear much faster.

A "cross-rotation pattern"—that is, moving the left-front tire to the right-rear axle, the right-front tire to the left-rear axle, etc.—can best balance tread wear and maximize tire life. That sequence can be performed on any vehicle equipped with four non-unidirectional tires. Designated by an arrow on the sidewall, unidirectional tires must be rotated only front to rear and rear to front, on the same side of the vehicle, so their direction of revolution does not change.

All-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles are best suited to a lateral rotation—left to right and right to left—at the same end of the vehicle.

Click here to read the entire article.

What To Do When Your Car Gets Stolen

Car theft is something that few people ever want to consider the possibility of, but it is also a fact of life these days. As such, it's important to know what to do in case such an unfortunate thing happens. Luckily, automotive blog Jalopnik asked its readers and put together a step-by-step outline of what to do when your car goes AWOL. Click here for the full article.

What To Do When Your Car Gets Stolen
Thomas McIntyre, Jalopnik

One of the worst things that can happen to you is having your car stolen. To take the guessing out of such a horrible situation, Jalopnik readers have a to-do checklist for when it happens.

10.) Make sure your car is actually gone
Suggested By: Nate Mason
Why: Everybody has walked into a parking garage or out of the grocery store and not been able to find their car. Maybe you parked on a different level, or in a different row, but either way, your car isn't gone, you just can't find it. Don't confuse this with it being stolen.

9.) Ask yourself if it might have been towed
Suggested By: Nate Mason
Why: There's also a good chance your car was towed. Think if you have a ton of outstanding parking tickets, if there's a chance it could be repo'd, or if you parked in a terrible spot.

(Read More)

Lost Medieval Church Discovered

The hunt for King Richard III is on and archaeologists think they may have found his grave underneath a church parking lot. Read the full story here.

Lost Medieval Church Discovered Beneath Parking Lot

By: Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience Senior Writer

The hunt for King Richard III's grave is heating up, with archaeologists announcing today (Sept. 5) that they have located the church where the king was buried in 1485.

"The discoveries so far leave us in no doubt that we are on the site of Leicester's Franciscan Friary, meaning we have crossed the first significant hurdle of the investigation," Richard Buckley, the lead archaeologist on the dig, said in a statement.

Buckley and his colleagues have been excavating a parking lot in Leicester, England, since Aug. 25. They are searching for Greyfriars church, said to be the final resting place of Richard III, who died in battle during the War of the Roses, an English civil war. A century later, Shakespeare would immortalize Richard III in a play of the same name.

After his death in the Battle of Bosworth Field, Richard III was brought to Leicester and buried at Greyfriars. The location of the grave, and the church itself, was eventually lost to history, though University of Leicester archaeologists traced the likely location to beneath the parking lot for the Leicester City Council offices.

(Read More)

5 Kid Safety Suggestion for Kids Playing in Parking Lots

Offbeat Mama, an online blog about parenting against the grain, has a blog post about suggestions for kids to play safely when your "yard" is a parking lot. To read the full article click here. 

5 suggestions for playing safely when your "yard" is a parking lot
Guestpost By ASHLEY

It's April 2011: my two-year-old is snoring in the backseat. I follow the landlords into the apartment complex, noting the "Slow! Children at Play!" signs at both entrances. I spied the little nook where everyone's bikes and outdoor wheeled toys were jammed together. I ask if there are other families — yes — and are there any noise complaints — no, but the bar across the street can get riled up at peak times. After two years of being parents in college-oriented complexes, I was ready for a place that seemed more family-friendly. Except for the weird amount of grass between the ten buildings, it was perfect.

Oh, how I've wished for more grass! I grew up in military housing, where the houses are duplexes and everyone's yards are smushed together into these huge patches of grass. We ran around with bare feet and more than once ran into the wrong back door. But here? Two of the buildings have smushed patches behind them that could count as yards — one unit inexplicably has a back door, even — but it's not in a place where the kids can really play safely and supervised. What's the alternative? The parking lot? With cars?!

(Read More)

The World's 18 Strangest Parking Garages

The World's 18 Strangest Parking Garages

By: Popular Mechanics 

Parking garages are often architectural afterthoughts. Monolithic and utilitarian, they rarely offer more than the necessary housing of cars for other more aesthetic structures. "It's an expense a developer generally doesn't like, but it is a necessary evil to make his development successful," says Len Tsupros, president of Carl Walker Construction, a design firm that specializes in parking garages. However, as cities become larger and as transportation technology changes, the role and function of the parking garage has to be redefined. Here are some of the world's most interesting, innovative and just plain bizarre parking garages.

Car Silos at the Autostadt
Location: Wolfsburg, Germany
Background:
Volkswagen's Autostadt—an automotive-themed amusement park—includes a car museum, driving courses, car-factory tours and these 20-story car silos.

Why It's Unique:
European VW buyers can opt to pick up their cars from the robotic car silo instead of the dealership—the automation ensures they will receive a car with an odometer that reads zero. After spending a day enjoying the park, customers watch the central robotic arm travel up the tower and choose their vehicle from the beehive of cars.

(Read More)

Reinventing the Parking Garage

Departures.com has an interesting article on a Miami parking garage that has been reinvented and given a brand new look. You can read the entire article here.

Reinventing the Parking Garage

By: Departures.com

Zaha Hadid is the latest in a series of starchitects to design a garage in Miami Beach.

When a delegation from Miami Beach flew to Art Basel in Switzerland last June looking for architectural inspiration for new city projects, they ended up with a plan for a parking garage. But not just any garage: a floating figure eight designed by world-renowned starchitect Zaha Hadid. At the Art Basel design fair, Miami Beach mayor Matti Bower and city manager Jorge Gonzalez got a close look at some of Hadid’s recent work and were especially drawn to the public green spaces in her plans for Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza & Park. So when the commission for a $13 million garage at Miami Beach’s Collins Park came up soon after, they asked Hadid to enter the competition. It was no surprise that she won—her stunning form-based plan and presentation is legendary—but what was shocking was that she and a roster of world-renowned international architects, from Daniel Libeskind to Robert A.M. Stern, would compete head to head to build something as quotidian as a parking structure.

(Read More)

How to Make a Parking Garage Energy Efficient

RenewableEnergyWorld.com has an article about the how to make a parking garage energy efficient. You can read the entire article here.

How to Make a Parking Garage Energy Efficient
By Heather Lammers, NREL





WASHINGTON, D.C. -- It's no secret that researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) do cool things — including finding new ways to capture energy from the sun and wind. But there's nothing cooler than working on a parking garage, right?

"It doesn't sound glamorous, but it is a place for building energy savings," NREL Energy Efficiency Research Engineer Jennifer Scheib said. "A garage typically uses 15% of the energy that the building that it is designed to support uses. Many would say it's only 15% of the energy, but we'd say it's still 15% that can be improved on. For every watt you save in the building, that's $33 worth of photovoltaics you don't have to buy when you are targeting net-zero energy." A net-zero energy building produces as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.

NREL bid the parking garage and accompanying site entrance building for the lab's expanded campus using the same streamlined design-build process that was leveraged in the construction of the Research Support Facility (RSF). The team of RNL and Haselden Construction partnered with NREL to build these new energy-efficient facilities.

(Read More)

Envisioning the Future of Parking

Parking Matters has a great article about the future of parking and the role parking lots play in society, from encouraging economic activity to making neighborhoods more livable, specifically in Eugene. You can read the entire article here.

Envisioning the Future: Parking’s Role
By Jeff Perty

Parking Enforcement Officer: Duties Performed

Enhances neighborhood livability and encourages economic activity.
Provides assistance and general information to a diverse population.
Works independently and exercises flexibility, dependability, good judgment, and a positive attitude.

These are the first three duties of a parking enforcement officer with the City of Eugene, Ore. They are also the priorities we want our officers to focus on. Parking enforcement is about people, not license plates. By focusing on customers, we change the perception of enforcement officers from ticket-writing vultures to city ambassadors.

This year’s IPI Conference & Expo featured a continual thread of sessions that aligned with one of our key priorities: enhance neighborhood livability and encourage economic activity. I learned about Calgary’s willingness to allow taxis in their fire hydrant zones (read more about this in the upcoming September issue of The Parking Professional), UNC Greensboro’s 12-step intervention for parkaholics, and adapting the service industry’s blueprinting tool at Arizona State University and the University of Chicago. I could name more, but there is not enough room here!

(Read More)

We Do Lines Featured on CNBC.com

The article from the Huffington Post that We Do Lines was prominently featured in has also been picked up by CNBC.com! If you haven't already, be sure to read the story on how workers are coping with the high temperatures throughout the country.

Heat Wave Takes Toll On Small Businesses
By Janean Chun, Huffington Post

With the latest heat wave alone having claimed 46 lives across the country, Chris Couri, co-founder, president and CEO of We Do Lines, said their workers take precautions, including wearing reflective clothing, hats and collared shirts; drinking plenty of water; and taking breaks to sit in their trucks and blast the air conditioning. "We have to listen to our bodies and, if we feel the effects of the heat, to sit down and take care of that immediately," Couri said.

Though Couri said working in record-breaking heat means slowing down the pace and "not trying to set any world records" to finish a job, he acknowledged that the heat is actually good for business. "We have to take advantage of the weather if it's hot and dry, which are the best conditions for what we do," he said.

(Read More)

We Do Lines Featured in Huffington Post

We Do Lines has been featured in the Huffington Post! The article discusses how small businesses are dealing with the heat wave, particularly how outdoor companies are coping physically and financially. Tyler Vickery, franchisee of We Do Lines in Nashville, discussed working during the hottest summer he can remember. CEO of We Do Lines, Chris Couri, discussed how his company protects employees and how the heat is actually positive for his business, as it’s the optimal time for striping. Click here to read the entire feature.

Heat Wave 2012 Taking Toll On Small Businesses, Physically And Financially

By Janean Chun

On a 100 degree workday, many people have the luxury of complaining about the heat while sitting in an air-conditioned shop or office, sipping iced coffee. Meanwhile, some small business owners and their employees are working outside all day, lightheaded, parched and drenched with sweat, without the benefit of even a little shade.

When Tyler Vickery got into his truck after working last Tuesday, the temperature read 111 degrees. The Nashville We Do Lines franchisee had just spent three to four hours pushing a line-striping machine loaded with paint across an asphalt lot. "The heat, when it comes off the asphalt, can take your breath away," Vickery said. "When I took off my hat, it was like I had put it underwater, and the same with my shirt. It was 100 percent soaked in sweat."

"I didn't feel like I was going to pass out, but several times I knew I needed to sit down right away and drink water," added Vickery, who doesn't recall another summer as hot as this one.

(Read More)

Electric Car Parking Spots Being Abused

As the electric car age is now well upon us, many retail locations and offices have parking spaces saved specifically for the vehicles that don’t use gas. The spots oftentimes also have electric chargers so a customer or employee can juice up while the car is parked.

However, Jim Motavalli, a New York Times contributor and author of an article for Mother Nature Network, points out that many people aren’t exactly following the rules for these spaces. Click here to read the entire article. Click here to read the entire article.

Caught on tape! Gas cars parking in electric vehicle spots.
Since EV charging spots are near the entrance, gas cars are hogging them. What can be done about that?

By Jim Motavalli

I was surprised, during a recent visit to my local Whole Foods, to see a non-electric car parked in front of, and blocking, one of the two chargers—right near the entrance—that the environmentally minded grocer provides for its customers. And it got me thinking.

Is there some kind of enforcement to ensure that this kind of thing doesn’t happen? Meaning fines and tow-aways...or worse? With a little research, I found a raging debate about proper EV etiquette, and some fairly tough local laws. The bottom line, though, is that people should learn to respect EV parking. The gas guzzlers can park somewhere else, even if it’s further away, but the electrics are counting on plugging in.

Since the beginning of the year in California, it’s not enough just to have an electric car in an EV space—you also have to be plugged in and actively charging. Any battery electric (the Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi i) or plug-in hybrid (Toyota Prius plug-in, Chevrolet Volt) may use a space, but if they’re not actively charging they can get towed.

(Read More)

We Do Lines Featured on CNBC.com

We Do Lines was recently featured as part of a CNBC feature on some of the top Unusual Franchise Opportunities. Click here to view the entire feature.

Unusual Franchise Opportunities
By: CNBC staff

At this year's International Franchise Expo in New York, you could sample several brands of frozen yogurt, check out a vast array of burger concepts and educate yourself in the various methods that can be used to teach young children. There is, it seems, a franchise for every interest and area of expertise.

Including some unusual ones. Tucked among the tried-and-true franchise opportunities -- think fast-food and cafes -- were some new and unique franchise concepts that entrepreneurs were looking grow.

“There were a lot of new concepts,” said Steve Caldeira, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “As folks decide they want to control their own destiny, they have creative ideas and they want to franchise them. It’s an exciting time.”

More than 14,000 people would agree – attendance at the expo this month was the highest since 2006. With 334 exhibitors on hand to talk to attendees, “there was a lot of excitement,” said Caldeira.

(Read More)

The Parking Professional June 2012

The June 2012 issue of The Parking Professional was recently released and is a must read for industry professionals. The issue covers technology and parking, sustainability, parking matters, and a slew of feature stories. A must have for industry professionals who are looking to stay up on current trends and get ahead of the curve. Click here to read the entire issue.

The Parking Professional - June 2012

And the winner is...

We recently concluded the We Do Lines "Tag That Fail Contest". It was definitely a success!  We had some great entries from the fans and it was a whole lot of fun. Gloria Picket was crowned winner for her creative submission.. She will be the receiving a customized We Do Lines license plate. Ty Holland, Chris Lamar, and Robin Horlman came in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place respectively. They will all receive We Do Lines gift packs featuring t-shirts and hats for their submissions. Thanks to everyone who participated for helping make this contest a success!

And now the winning submission...

Two-Space Trouble

We've all been frustrated by greedy people taking up two spots, it's nothing less irritating when the parking lot is full and you are forced to drive around aimlessly.  Not being able to find a parking spot can delay your day, make you late for a meeting, or simply but a damper on an otherwise great day. In an article titled "Two-Space Parking Creates Parking Lot Culture Clash" Mark Lungariella discusses parking lot etiquette and culture. He discusses what message you're sending when you occupy two spots, and some ways to deal with this frustrating situation. Click here to read the entire article. 

Two-Space Parking Creates Parking Lot Culture Clash
By: Mark Lungariello

Kristin Marachi would like to have a word with those people who hog two parking spaces instead of just using one. She would use the same stern tone she uses when dealing with her two young sons when they misbehave, or the kindergartners she teaches as a special education assistant.

“You have to tell them that’s why there’s lines there,” said the 28-year-old from Bridgeport, Conn. “If you have two cars, you can use two spots but you don’t, you only have one.” Taking up more is rude, Marachi said, and may be part of a childish “mine-mine-mine” mentality. “I’d blame the parents,” she added. “Maybe they take up two parking spots too.”

Few things can cause as much disdain as a greedy parker. Facebook has several groups dedicated to venting about those whose cars cross the line. A website with a vulgar name features pictures and videos of badly parked cars and encourages readers to leave “notices” under the windshield wiper of the offending vehicles. “Sick of a car taking up two spaces on the street?” the site says under its “About Us” section. “Now you can do something about it.”

Greedy parkers, like this one in
Harrison, N.Y., have many seeing red.
(Photo by Mark Lungariello/CNS)

Greedy parkers, like this one in Harrison, N.Y., have many seeing red. (Photo by Mark Lungariello/CNS)Notes from those who did something about it, according to a Huffington Post feature, ranged from the political insult (“Your vehicle occupies two parking spaces. You must be special … Or Republican.” ) to the kind that uses language that can’t be printed here. There are even Citizen Parking Violations, which say, in part, “The reason for giving you this is so that in future you may think of someone other than yourself.”

Says book editor Rob Kirkpatrick, 43, who hates greedy parkers more than he hates missed deadlines, “They’re basically telling the world, ‘I’m more important than you are.’” He added, “If people were still tarred and feathered, these are the ones who’d deserve it the most.”

Taking up more than one spot isn’t illegal, per se. Local parking enforcement officers can issue tickets for improperly parked vehicles at parking meters or in municipal lots. But the offense often takes place in corporate or private lots, where enforcement depends on what, if anything, the lot’s owner is willing to do about it.

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We Do Lines featured on lawnandlandscape.com

We Do Lines was recently featured on lawnandlandscape.com in an article titled, "The Franchise 5: Chris Couri". The article focuses on the We Do Lines inception story and their franchise opportunities. Chris talks about the franchise in general, provides franchise costs and fees, and offers expertise about the franchise industry. Click here to read the entire article.

The Franchise 5: Chris Couri
By: Brian Horn

When landscapers Chris Couri and his partners Tom Darrow and Dan Rella started We Do Lines in 2008 in Ridgefield, Conn., the trio knew they were onto something good. They wanted to gain a first-to-market advantage in an industry in order to be the nation’s premier provider of that service. As far as they were concerned, there wasn’t a standout parking lot striping company, which is where the company and eventual franchise idea was born.

“We knew we could do better and improve upon that,” Couri says, adding it costs $25,000 for the franchise fee and an overall investment of $75,000-$113,000 to start a We Do Lines franchise.

“We also noticed there was no brand, so it felt like a company with brand recognition could really stand out in this industry.”

While serving as both a franchisor and franchisee for the company and still operating their landscaping company, Young’s Landscaping, the group has 11 We Do Lines franchises in operation as of February.

(Read More)

We Do Lines featured in 1851 Online

We Do Lines was recently featured in 1851 Online in an article titled, "1851 List: Young Ones To Watch".  The column “Young Ones” features franchisees and franchisors under 40 years of age who are taking the franchising industry by storm. The article gives a brief overview of why, and how, these people are making such an impact on the franchising industry. 1851 is also releasing profiles on each individual, giving further details into their success. Click here for the entire list. C.J. Couri's individual spotlight will launch in 1851 on May 30th.

1851 List: Young Ones To Watch

By: Nick Powills

 

Name: C. J. Couri
Rank: 15
Age: 36
Company: We Do Lines USA, Inc.

Chris (C.J) Couri is obvious. And he’s OK with it. In fact, when creating his parking lot striping franchise, his marketing genius embraces obvious so much it created a buzz-worthy brand name: We Do Lines. It’s OK to laugh. He laughs too. In fact, if he added snow blowing to his services, you could guess what that business would be called. Obvious isn’t the only characteristic he needs in business—he requires edge. Edge, he says, helps his franchisees get in the door. Professionalism mixed with edge, that’s how Couri rolls.

(Read More)

When did the road get repaved!

Here's a hilarious submission to our Tag That Fail competition from Ty Holland!

If you think you can come up with a better tagline than Ty, make sure to enter the contest and get in on all the fun. You could win some great prizes courtesy of WE DO LINES, and make some very funny photos in the meantime. All you have to do is come up with the best tagline for any of the “Parking Lot Fail” pictures we've provided and submit your entry. Then tell everyone you know to go vote for it, the submission with the most votes wins! It's just our little way of celebrating playoff season.

It's Time to Tag That Fail!

Our Tag That Fail competition is officially underway! It's our way of celebrating playoff season, bringing awareness to the parking lot industry, and having fun.   All you have to do is come up with the best tagline for any of the “Parking Lot Fail” pictures we've provided and submit your entry. Once we get all the submissions, we will open up voting to the public! The submission with the most “votes” will get a complimentary We Do Lines customized license plate! The second, third, and fourth place winners will receive gift packs including a We Do Lines T-Shirt and hat! Also, one lucky winner a week will be randomly selected to receive a beverage coozy. So let's make the submissions exceptional…the funnier the better! Submissions will be accepted until May 24th. You can find the contest on Facebook here:  http://www.facebook.com/WeDoLinesFans/app_291484454265730

Fun Facts about Valet Parking

Take a look inside a part of the parking industry that is often overlooked, valet parking. Valet parking is here to stay and can make an experience at any establishment better. Parkinc.com has provided us with some thoughts and opinions from the valets that make this portion of the industry possible. Click here to view the entire article.

Fun Facts about Valet Parking
By: parkinc.com

Most people recognize a valet when they see one. Valet parking attendants are common fixtures at the entrances to busy restaurants, clubs, airports, hotels, and more. Sometimes valet parking attendants are employees of the business establishment. In other instances, valets are actually employees of parking management companies such as Park Inc. We offer valet parking service to a wide range of businesses from small family owned restaurants to large clients such as Charlotte Douglas International Airport and the University of Tennessee Medical Center. These locations include standard valet, business valet, shuttle buses, traffic controllers, parking garage management, and much more. 

Employees at Park Inc go through weeks of training in preparation for their assignments. Our professional parking attendants are extensions of your business; the first and last impressions guests associate with your facility and employees. Although most of our clients recognize the value valet parking service adds to their guest experience, here are some additional fun facts about valet service:

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Green Parking

In an effort to be more environmentally conscious, and encourage electric car use, Boston will be opening an eco-friendly charge and park facility. Certainly, everyone is becoming more aware of the steps that can be taken to be more environmentally friendly; this facility will provide those people who already use eco-friendly vehicles with a place to park and charge. Furthermore, it will also give those considering purchasing an eco-friendly car assurance that they will have this privilege as well. Finally, if successful it will undoubtedly encourage the creation of similar facilities elsewhere. Click here to read the full article.

Boston to get eco-friendly park and charge facility

By: Patricia Resende

Electric vehicle owners will have a new place to charge and park their cars in Boston.

Boston real estate developer Dinosaur Capital Partners LLC said Wednesday it will revamp an old gas station in Boston’s Bulfinch Triangle and turn it into Green Park & Charge.

Green Park & Charge, slated to open on August 1, will be located between the Financial District, TD Garden, Fanueil Hall and the North End and directly across from the Edward Brooke Courthouse, an area where more than nine million cars and pedestrians pass a year and 35,000 cars and pedestrians pass daily, according to Scott Oran, a founding partner at Dinosaur Capital.

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CTA Introduces Easier Way to Pay at Park & Ride Locations

In what seems to be another step toward keeping their customers happy the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) is taking measures to make parking easier. Teaming with Parkmobile USA they are aiming to make the pay for parking system easier. The goal seems to be to cut out as much time as possible from parking allowing the consumer to focus on other more important tasks. To read the full article click here.

CTA Introduces Easier Way to Pay at Park & Ride Locations using Parkmobile Mobile Payment Solution

By: Tina Dyer

Parkmobile USA, Inc., a leading provider of mobile payment solutions to transit authorities, municipalities and parking providers around the world, has partnered with The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Central Parking System (CPS) to offer mobile payment services to CTA parking customers at various Park & Ride locations throughout the city. The CTA bears no cost to implement these services because Parkmobile is a subcontractor of CPS which was publicly awarded the bid to manage various CTA Park & Ride lots.

With the Parkmobile solution, patrons running to an appointment or catching a train can bypass the parking pay station and complete their parking transactions by mobile phone. Parkmobile is pleased to have teamed up with CTA and CPS to provide its customers an option to make both a simple and easy way to pay for parking.

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A look at the cost of parking in Canada

 The Victoria Transport Policy Institute recently released an in depth look at the cost of parking in Canada, and it is a great resource to have. As industry specialists it is essential to be aware of what the market is like everywhere. This is a great source of information for anyone looking at expansion possibilities or for comparison. Click here to read the full report.

Transportation Cost and Benefit Analysis II – Parking Costs
Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Parking costs include parking facility land, construction and operating costs, plus indirect costs such as stormwater management costs. 

There are various types of parking facilities:
• On-street parking consists of parking lanes provided within public road rights-of-way.
• Off-street parking are parking facilities on their own land, not on road rights-of-way.
• Surface parking refers to parking lots directly on land.
• Structured parking (also called parkades or ramps) are parking facilities in or under multistory buildings. 

National Parking Association releases parking in America report 2012

The National Parking Association recently released their comprehensive report on parking in America, titled "Parking in Perspective: The Size and Scope of Parking in America". The report which analyzes date from public and private research on the parking industry analyzes the entire state of parking in America. It goes into details on the number of facilities, market size, population projections, as well as numerous other things crucial to anyone in the parking industry. It is definitely essential for all parking professionals, to help you gain information on the state of the industry, what your potential is in the market, and how you can maximize the opportunities that are out there. Click here to download the report. 

Your full service parking lot striping company

We do lines does more than just parking lot striping, we are your full service parking lot striping company. We also do curb paint and stencils, handicapped spaces, wheel stops, traffic sign installation, warehouse floor striping and staging, pavement stencils, and parking lot cleaning. We cover the whole gamut as well as doing some specialty jobs. We love what we do, and we're good at it. Visit our website to find out more!

View our gallery to see more great pics of work we've done!

Franchisee Profile: Rob Schlosser

Name: Rob Schlosser
Development Date: January 1, 2011
Brand: We Do Lines
Territory: Nassau/Suffolk, NY.
Phone Number: 631-445-3779
Email: robs@wedolines.com

Rob Schlosser grew up in East Islip, New York, where he became a New York City fireman for 10 years. During his time in the fire department, Rob started an asphalt maintenance business that he currently owns called All County Asphalt Maintenance. They do full service parking lot maintenance including sealcoating, crack filling, pothole repair, and snow removal.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: I was working on a job for my business, and I needed a parking lot striped. After searching and searching I couldn’t find anyone reliable until I stumbled upon We Do Lines. I called We Do Lines and talked with Skip Barrett, my current business partner and Director of Franchise Development at We Do Lines. Skip convinced me to take a trip to Connecticut to learn more about the company and becoming a possible franchise owner. At the time, I wasn’t ready to take on another business by myself so I declined the offer. A month later, Skip contacted me and asked me if I wanted to go into business as partners. Skip was so passionate about the growth opportunities and successes of We Do Lines that I couldn’t decline his offer. We Do Lines is a great compliment to my current business.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining We Do Lines?
A: First and foremost, the name. It is catchy, turns heads and makes people pay attention which is important for any business. I constantly have people admiring my truck and trailer, and sometimes people take pictures. I don’t think I would have bought the franchise if it wasn’t for the name.

The other reason is that my other business was primarily working asphalt repair and resurfacing on residential properties. We Do Lines offered me the opportunity to break into the commercial asphalt industry and work on large scale projects.

Q: What makes your business different?
A: The thing that separates We Do Lines from our competitors is professionalism. Aside from We Do Lines, the industry is underdeveloped which allows us to expand into more markets. Most other people in this line of work are untrained or just trying to make a few dollars quickly. Our employees are fully trained, have clean trucks, and uniforms. The We Do Lines standard of excellence is incomparable.

Q: What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?
A: Finding passionate and reliable employees is the biggest challenge in any industry. Our employees are fully trained in house as well as on the job. We also send our employees to school given by the leading manufacturer of the machines we use daily. Our business is around the clock so we need people who can be flexible and work efficiently. We only hire excellent workers.

Q: Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
A: I’m an outdoorsy guy. I love boating, horseback riding, sky diving vacationing and staying in shape.

Franchisee Profile: Skip Barrett

Name: Skip Barrett
Development Date: January 1, 2011 

Brand: We Do Lines
Territory: Nassau/Suffolk, NY.
Phone Number: 516-320-4750
Email: sbarrett@wedolines.com

Skip Barrett is a Huntington, New York native with a background as a franchisor. His first company was Garage Tek, a franchise he started with a partner that focuses on garage storage systems. Skip was previously the Director of Franchise Development for We Do Lines. His belief in the company and the We Do Lines system was so strong that he evolved into a franchise owner in Long Island.

Q: How did you learn about the brand?
A: When the housing market turned down I found myself not being able to keep working for Garage Tek in the capacity that I wanted. I decided that I wanted to be a part of a company that was a necessity in these hard times rather than a luxury. I began doing research and attending forums on different franchises, and I found out about We Do Lines. I contacted Chris Couri, CEO of We Do Lines, and we began building a relationship. I felt We Do Lines was a perfect fit with my background.

Q: What was appealing to you about joining We Do Lines?
A: We Do Lines offers a service that is a necessity for other businesses. Currently the market for parking lot striping is fractured. It’s exciting to be working for a company that is quickly growing and expanding as a leader in the industry. The centerpiece of the We Do Lines success is a strong set of corporate ethics coupled with a vision of social responsibility that ensures continued growth, brand development, and loyalty.

Q: What makes your business different?
A: We Do Lines offer its clients a higher class of focused operators. Our processes are standardized, and our employees are trained professionals. Most of our competition is unskilled and unreliable private contractors looking for one time work opportunities. This allows us the opportunity to build greater relationships in the communities that we service in order to become the transcending brand within the industry.

Q: What are your business development plans?
A: As a continually growing company, our goal is to be the leading national brand for parking lot striping solutions.

Q: Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?
A: Aside from being a tri-athlete, I am currently learning to be a pilot. Flying allows for an incredible experience that focuses your senses, and lets you escape the stresses of everyday life. I primarily fly single engine planes. My son also flies, and trains me directly sometimes. It’s a great way for us to spend some unique father-son time together.

ABOUT WE DO LINES, USA Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA, a full-service parking lot striping franchise provides quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result. For more information, please visit www.wedolines.com.

Franchisee Profile: Tim Janasek

Name: Tim Janasek
Development Date: Spring, 2010
Territory: Cleveland (Cuyahoga County), OH
Phone Number: 440-829-0224
Email: tjanasek@wedolines.com

Tim Janasek is from the Cleveland, Ohio area. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University and has a business background of over 25 years in sales and marketing management. We Do Lines of Cleveland, Ohio is family owned and operated. 
 
How did you learn about the brand? 
A family member who lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where We Do Lines is based, read some of the local press for We Do Lines and told me about them. We were immediately intrigued by the concept and I began doing market research regarding the viability of the business model within the Northeast Ohio area. We   decided that a We Do Lines franchise would be a perfect fit for developing a new brand and business within the pavement marking industry.                                                                         
                                                                                                    

What was appealing to you about joining We Do Lines? 
The We Do Lines franchise has provided us with the opportunity to own, manage and operate a family business. We couldn’t be happier with the national branding and support system that We Do Lines offers. Their intranet management system really streamlines the administrative tasks associated with running a small business allowing us to focus on sales, marketing, networking, building and maintaining client relationships and of course spraying paint on the ground.

What makes your business different? 
Professionalism, dependability and customer service are what separates, We Do Lines from our competitors. We Do Lines is not a “weekend warrior” striping company. Our project range has included private jet centers, churches, school districts, manufacturing facilities, office buildings, parking garages and retail plazas. We also have the support and power of a national brand behind us that allows for increased market exposure and continued growth.

What are your business development plans? 
Currently, our focus is on pavement markings and line striping projects that require either re-striping, striping over sealcoating or new layouts. However, the ability to provide additional services within the pavement marking and maintenance category is a growth opportunity. We will continue to develop business relationships with respected and quality focused Seal Coaters, Paving and Construction Companies in the Northeast Ohio area.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions? 
I enjoy playing golf whenever I get the chance. However, growing and expanding the business is my passion at the moment.

ABOUT WE DO LINES, USA 
Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA, a full-service parking lot striping franchise provides quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result. For more information, please visit 

www.wedolines.com.

We Do Lines in Parking today

We Do Lines was recently featured in Parking Today in an article titled, “A Franchise – He Does Lines.” The article features WDL franchisee Tom Cox and discusses Cox’s professional background, how he learned about the industry and why he chose this type of business. Cox also discusses the ease of expansion opportunity with We Do Lines , and how he plans to grow the business in Arizona. Click here to view the entire article.

A Franchise - He Does Lines

By John Van Horn

Tom Cox spent 26 years in the hospitality industry. Retirement bored him. Now what? Painting lines on parking lots? Really!

Parking Today caught up with the Arizonan at a franchisor company meeting in Minnesota at which he and other “We Do Lines” parking lot striping franchisees were receiving in-depth training on equipment and service.

“I researched the company and liked the service standards, the code of ethics and the customer focus,” Cox said. “That was important to me in my last career, and I know it’s important to my customers.

“The franchise model was right on, providing proper uniforms, equipment, training, logos. We are all part of a team.

“Mine is a small company now,” he said of We Do Lines of Arizona, “but I’m able to come in from a different industry and use my experience to grow and make a profit. Like any company, branding is important, plus we have a synergy you don’t see if you start from scratch.”

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Franchisee Profile: Bob Russo

Name: Bob Russo

Territories: State of CT, South West FL (Port Charlotte to Sarasota), Greater Orlando Area

Phone Number: 860-227-2934

Email: rrusso@wedolines.com

Where are you from?

I am originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut which is the same place where We Do Lines corporate headquarters is located.

What is your background?

Before franchising with We Do Lines, I worked in the construction equipment industry. I was the sales and marketing manager and part owner of the company. We conducted business in seven states and had five offices between Connecticut and Virginia.

How did you learn about the brand?

An old school friend of mine introduced me to the business through an article in the newspaper. He happened to be friends with one of the founding members of the company and we decided to call to learn more about the opportunity. Due to my construction background, I immediately thought We Do Lines would be a valuable career move for me and offered me the chance to open my own business.

What was appealing to you about joining a franchise system?

Owning a We Do Lines franchise is great because of the support systems put in place. The ability to network and leverage other franchises makes it easy for me to successfully pursue national and large footprint accounts. Through creating solid business relationships, I can gain access to other clients throughout my territories. These business relationships are vital to connecting the dots in our territories and growth targets.

What makes your business different?

I feel that my background of twenty years in the construction industry has helped us to get off to the fast growth start we have experienced. As with my former company, customer service and professionalism are paramount to the We Do Lines philosophy. We have introduced our services from a contracting perspective. Some examples are: We are extremely safety conscious. All personnel are OSHA 10 certified. We are always looking for more efficient ways to do our jobs. We use the best and most updated equipment and products.

To us, customer satisfaction is the number one key to success.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

Many of our projects are done at night and on weekends so we don’t interfere with our clients operations. These projects need to be completed on schedule because we are often working on multiple projects and can’t afford return trips. Training personnel on how to use the equipment safely and is also very important. In addition, we make our people very aware that we work in areas that are not always well lit, have moving vehicles and sometimes people traffic.

What are your expansion or development plans?

Currently we are looking to complement our current business model with more expansive services such as interior warehouse and industrial striping and marking. Eventually, we hope to work more directly with contractors and construction companies on new parking lot projects.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I enjoy the outdoors. I played sports my entire life, but my current passion is scuba diving. I’ve traveled to many unique locations including the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and Belize. One of my favorite and most memorable dives was a drift dive in Cozumel, where we were able to explore a large coral reef. I traveled down almost 80 feet without even noticing, and just let the current take me away. When you are diving, you are exploring a completely different world. There’s no feeling quite like going down 60 feet in clear blue water, and being able to experience something most people only dream about. It’s humbling.

ABOUT WE DO LINES, USA

Based in Ridgefield, Conn., and founded in 2008 by three friends looking to revolutionize a $1 billion segment of a $29 billion industry, We Do Lines, USA , a full-service parking lot striping franchise provides quality, professional, and reliable line striping services in a timely and cost efficient manner. Its services make parking lots everywhere safer, cleaner and more functional, while enhancing the overall aesthetics of the property. We Do Lines, USA accomplishes this mission by utilizing a combination of state-of-the-art technology and trained professionals to ensure a top-quality end result. For more information, please visit www.wedolines.com.