Pearle Vision Seeks Orlando Entrepreneurs To Own Neighborhood Eye Care Centers

- Leading Optical Brand Focuses on Conversion Opportunities to Drive Licensee Expansion -

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Nov 05, 2013, 09:00 ET

MASON, Ohio, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearle Vision, one of North America's largest and most trusted licensed optical brands, announced today plans to convert four of its neighborhood eye care centers in Orlando, Fla., from company-owned to licensees. Pearle Vision is currently seeking qualified candidates who are interested in owning and operating their very own Pearle Vision to purchase existing locations for sale in Orlando, Fla. This is part of the company's 2013 expansion plans to re-license 34 company-owned centers in 10 states.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130709/NY43871LOGO )

"To date, we have re-licensed 21 neighborhood eye care centers in markets across the country, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to own their own business," said Srinivas Kumar, senior vice president and general manager, Pearle Vision. "Pearle Vision has a 50-year legacy of providing genuine eye care to our patients. As we continue to grow, we're searching for qualified licensees in Orlando with a passion for their local communities to join the Pearle Vision family."

Opportunities are available for qualified licensees throughout Brevard, Lake, Orange and Osceola counties. The specific location of centers Pearle Vision is looking to convert to licensed ownership, include:

Leesburg Square Mall (Leesburg, Fla.)
Fashion Square Mall (Orlando, Fla.)
Viera Market Center (Viera, Fla.)
Loop West (Kissimmee, Fla.)

Pearle Vision has a significant legacy in the industry and has continued to outpace competitors by evolving to meet patients' changing needs and providing quality products and services they desire. With more than 610 centers located throughout North America, the company offers best-in-class eye care provided by neighborhood doctors who are skilled optometrists, a principle created by Dr. Stanley Pearle in 1961.

Pearle Vision is now seeking to grow its national footprint and has identified development opportunities in markets from coast-to-coast. In addition, corporate-owned locations in markets such as Florida, Michigan and Ohio also are available and have thriving operations with strong customer-bases.

To fuel its growth, the company is looking for optometrists interested in licensing opportunities. Ideal candidates for Pearle Vision ownership should possess a desire to join a trusted industry-leading brand and work within a proven system to provide exceptional eye care and superior patient service. Pearle Vision licensees can expect to pay an initial licensing fee of $30,000 and $20,000 for each subsequent eye care center.

Optometrists interested in exploring re-licensing or new development opportunities in Orlando, Fla. should contact Sherry Merriman at [email protected] or (630) 849-6119. For more information, please visit www.ownapearlevision.com.

About Pearle Vision
Pearle Vision was founded in 1961 by Dr. Stanley Pearle, who began the concept of one-stop, total eye care with the opening of the Pearle Vision Center in Savannah, Ga. Pearle combined complete eye exams with an extensive selection of eyewear. In 1981, Pearle Vision began offering licenses to select doctors and opticians. Today, with more than 610 eye care centers located throughout the United States, Pearle Vision is built around a doctor-centered business model with a primary focus to deliver genuine eye care to patients and become a trusted source for all their eye health needs. Pearle Vision is owned by Luxottica, a leader in premium fashion, luxury and sports eyewear. For more information, visit http://www.PearleVision.com.

Luxottica Group S.p.A.
Luxottica Group is a leader in premium, luxury and sports eyewear with approximately 7,000 optical and sun retail stores in North America, Asia-Pacific, China, South Africa, Latin America and Europe, and a strong, well-balanced brand portfolio. House brands include Ray-Ban, the world's most famous sun eyewear brand, Oakley, Vogue Eyewear, Persol, Oliver Peoples, Alain Mikli, Arnette and REVO, while licensed brands include Giorgio Armani, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Starck Eyes, Tiffany and Versace. In addition to a global wholesale network involving 130 different countries, the Group manages leading retail chains in major markets, including LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and ILORI in North America, OPSM and Laubman & Pank in Asia-Pacific, LensCrafters in China, GMO in Latin America and Sunglass Hut worldwide. The Group's products are designed and manufactured at its six manufacturing plants in Italy, two wholly owned plants in the People's Republic of China, one plant in Brazil and one plant in the United States devoted to the production of sports eyewear. In 2012, Luxottica Group posted net sales of more than €7.0 billion. Additional information on the Group is available at www.luxottica.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those which are anticipated. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability to manage the effects of the current uncertain international economic outlook, the ability to successfully acquire and integrate new businesses, the ability to predict future economic conditions and changes to consumer preferences, the ability to successfully introduce and market new products, the ability to maintain an efficient distribution system, the ability to achieve and manage growth, the ability to negotiate and maintain favorable license agreements, the availability of correction alternatives to prescription eyeglasses, fluctuations in exchange rates, changes in local conditions, the ability to protect intellectual property, the ability to maintain relations with those hosting our stores, computer system problems, inventory-related risks, credit and insurance risks, changes to tax regimes as well as other political, economic and technological factors and other risks and uncertainties referred to in Luxottica Group's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Luxottica Group does not assume any obligation to update them.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Elayne Sommers
954-893-9150
[email protected]

Emily Ryan
513-765-3358
[email protected]

SOURCE Pearle Vision