Skip to content

Device Pitstop Named to Entrepreneur’s 2018 Top New Franchises

Device Pitstop Named to Entrepreneur’s 2018 Top New Franchises

Resale and repair electronics franchise earns a Top 100 spot on Entrepreneur Magazine’s annual ranking

(Minnetonka, Minn.) – Device Pitstop, a national resale and repair electronics franchise headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, is celebrating their inclusion in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Top New Franchises List. It is the second major honor from Entrepreneur in 2018 for NTY Franchise Company, the parent firm for Device Pitstop. Earlier this year, NTY’s women’s resale clothing franchise, Clothes Mentor, was named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Franchise 500 list.

“We’re always excited to see one of our signature brands recognized in a prestigious publication like Entrepreneur,” NTY Franchise Company COO Chad Olson said. “Device Pitstop is one of our most exciting emerging brands in a market where people continue to cycle through their technology at an ever-increasing rate.”

Originally launched as Laptop Exchange in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2003, NTY Franchise Company purchased the franchise in early 2015 and rebranded it Device Pitstop. The new name reflected the breadth of technology that Device Pitstop bought, sold, traded, repaired or recycled. Customers were encouraged to bring in their smartphones, tablets, laptops and other devices for cash on the spot or to trade in for an upgrade. Device Pitstop currently features 13 stores in seven states, with many more in development.

According to a 2018 report, media and electronics make up 20 percent of the booming $20 billion resale market, a figure that’s expected to grow to more than $41 billion by 2022. The movement to repair and recycle electronics has gotten stronger in recent years as the price of new technology continues to skyrocket, combined with increased concern over the safekeeping of personal data and importance of keeping toxic materials in electronics out of the ecosystem.

“Device Pitstop plays several important roles in their communities. They help the family budget by buying or repairing their customers’ current items, reselling technology for 50 percent – 70 percent cheaper than they’d pay at retail, carefully wiping their old devices of personal data and properly recycling or disposing of old tech,” said Vice President of Device Pitstop Brad Swenson.

The companies on Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2018 Top New Franchises List are ranked based on the scores they received in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 evaluation, which analyzes more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. For the complete list, click here.

To learn more about franchising opportunities for Device Pitstop, visit their website at ntyfranchise.com/device-pitstop.

About Device PitStop:

Device Pitstop is a tech resale franchise that buys, sells, trades, repairs and upgrades computers and mobile electronic devices. Their “gently-used,” refurbished, or repaired devices are sold at low prices for top quality gear. All devices have gone through a 21-point inspection and come with a 90-day warranty and theft check. Originally founded in Las Vegas in 2003 as Laptop Exchange, Device Pitstop was acquired by Minnetonka, MN-based NTY Franchise Company in January 2015. They currently have 13 locations open nationwide, with many others in development.

About NTY Franchise Company

Founded in 2006 by Ron Olson, NTY Franchise Company is the gold standard in resale franchising companies. NTY franchises five brands, all with a different focus: Clothes Mentor, Children’s Orchard, Device Pitstop, New Uses, and NTY Clothing Exchange. The brands are all resale-based and cover women’s designer fashions, children’s apparel and accessories, furniture and household goods, electronic sales and repair, and clothing for teens and young adults. All are great business opportunities with cutting-edge technology, unmatched support, and lucrative resale franchises. NTY Franchise Company has helped individuals to establish resale stores throughout the United States in many communities, and it has territories available to develop nationwide.

Ronald G. Olson

President

Ron Olson has been President and a Director of NTY Franchise Company since October 2006. Ron’s background included starting his career at Dayton’s Department Store, where he held many management positions. In 1977 he opened his own furniture store in Minnesota, which was a Drexel Heritage prototype store. In 1988 he co-founded Grow Biz International, now called Winmark. The first franchise rights that Olson purchased and started marketing was Play It Again Sports. Olson continued buying the Franchise rights for Once Upon A Child, Plato’s Closet, and Music Go Round. Today there over 1,000 Franchise locations.

Under NTY Franchise Company, the franchise rights were bought for Clothes Mentor and New Uses. In 2013 Olson bought Laptop Exchange and changed the name to Device Pitstop. In 2014 the company opened NTY Clothing Exchange and NTY Kids, now Children’s Orchard. There are currently 204 stores sold and 133 stores opened under the NTY Franchise umbrella.

Chad Olson

Chief Operations Officer

Chad Olson has been Chief Operations Officer of NTY Franchise Company since January 2007. From May 1994 to December 2006, he held various positions for Winmark Corporation (f/k/a Grow Biz International, Inc.), including Field Operations Manager for the Once Upon a Child concept from 1999 to 2002, and Regional Operations Manager for the Plato’s Closet concept from 2002 to 2006.

Sarah Primmer

Vice President of Finance & Human Resources

Sarah Primmer is the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources for NTY Franchise Company. She joined the company in January 2014. Prior to joining NTY, Sarah spent over 25 years as the controller and business manager of a local sales and marketing firm calling on Target stores.

Michael D. Smith

Vice President of Strategic Planning

Michael D. Smith has held numerous roles with NTY Franchise since 2010. He is currently the Vice President of Franchise Development and Strategic Planning. From December 2000 to July 2010, Michael held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the franchise company Laptop Xchange. From June 1994 to December 2000, Michael held numerous roles within the Grow Biz International brands of Play It Again Sports and Computer Renaissance. These roles included Corporate Store Management, Field Operation Specialist, and Franchisee.

Jenny Mann

Vice President of Operations | Executive Director of IT

Jenny Mann is the Senior Vice President Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. In February of 2024, Jenny took on her current role overseeing IT, Marketing and the e-commerce platforms for both brands. Prior to this, Jenny was the Director of Marketing for NTY Franchise Company since January 2013. Jenny started with the NTY Franchise Company in 2008 with Clothes Mentor and has held many roles, including; Store Manager, New Store Opener, and Regional Operations Manager. Before joining NTY Franchise Company, Jenny worked for Old Navy (Gap, Inc.) and Target in management roles.

Michelle Vaudrin

Senior Director of Operations

Michelle Vaudrin is the Senior Director of Operations for Clothes Mentor and Children’s Orchard. Prior to joining NTY Franchise Company in March 2016, she worked in leadership roles for Burlington, American Eagle and Macy’s. Michelle attended University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Retail Merchandising and Business Administration. She brings extensive background in training of strategies, merchandising, customer service and multi-unit store operations to the team.

Ashley Huebner

Director of Marketing

Ashley Huebner oversees NTY Franchise Company’s marketing and advertising efforts to drive sales, build brand awareness and lead the planning on how to effectively market both brands. She leads creative initiatives for NTY Franchise Company, driving the brands’ vision in aesthetics, tone, and trends to elevate our brand position as a leader in the resale category. Ashley joined the Clothes Mentor team in March of 2015. Ashley has 8+ years of Graphic Design experience. Ashley holds a strong background in design, user experience, and a passion for creativity. She holds a BA degree in Advertising and Art.

Jessica Fix

Franchise Contract and Office Administrator

Jessica Fix is the Franchise Contracts and Office Administrator for NTY Franchise Company. She started with the company in January of 2018. Jessica works alongside the Franchise Development Team and provides office support to the headquarter office. She has 20 years in the franchise industry, previously working for Carlson Leisure Group/Travel Leaders Franchise Group in a variety of roles, such as Database Coordinator, Legal Contract Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the Franchise Sales Team.