Orlando, Fla. – December 26, 2008 – Citizens of Orlando have spoken. The Orlando Business Journal recently held its Reader’s Choice Awards for 2008, and Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ was named as the preferred place for men to get pampered. Kennedy’s offers an old-fashioned barber shop experience with modern amenities. Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a membership-based barber shop club that is quickly becoming famous for its signature straight-razor shaves, as well as its luxurious accommodation for men who enjoy an exceptional grooming experience that is affordable.

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ CEO, Chris Hurn, said, “We have never doubted that once men experience what Kennedy’s can offer, it ‘s extremely difficult for them go back to the tedious and un-eventful haircuts they used to get. We are honored that the Orlando business community shares our excitement for Kennedy’s!”

Around the Orlando area, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ locations can be found in Downtown Orlando, Heathrow, Dr. Phillips, Baldwin Park and Winter Park.

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a reinvention of an old-world concept, the traditional barbershop business, with a new “affordable luxury” twist, offering services for discerning gentlemen. Kennedy’s uses a patent-pending, membership-based system to add recurring revenue opportunities for its franchisees and involves an exclusive grooming experience for discerning gentlemen of all ages. Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) as well as VetFran.

Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

About Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™:

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a Franchise Concept for discerning gentlemen who are looking for an experience that is the polar opposite of your everyday haircut from the “big chains.” Like most gentlemen, the founders felt out of place at the salons frequented by their wives and the local strip-mall walk-in “chop shops,” so they decided to create a place where they would ENJOY getting the grooming services they need . . . rather than dreading it. While most hair salons cater to women and children, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ caters to discerning gentlemen looking for a fine grooming experience with the old-world charm of your father’s barbershop. Offering the finest in haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection of grooming products, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is sure to be your favorite sanctuary to relax and enjoy The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free™! Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

Many successful establishments today are bringing back the classic feel of the best products and services from the past with the nostalgia that we all long for. Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ franchise is a perfect example of this growing trend. Kennedy’s™ offers a classic barbershop experience with an extra layer of modern comfort and amenitie. . Let’s face it, guys like the ambience and feel of a good old-fashioned straight razor shave and a haircut – at a place specifically designed for guys. So they try to get one as often as they can.
There are only so many times you can get a haircut at your favorite barbershop, however … but maybe you really, really just can’t get enough of that comforting barbershop vibe. Well, you’re in luck – all you need is your laptop or desktop and a pair of headphones for an amazing cyber-haircut experience.

Check out the website at http://ccgi.bluerabbit.plus.com/virtualbarbershop and visit the insanely-popular “Virtual Barbershop.” Although created only as a sound file, the YouTube version of the “Virtual Barbershop” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUDTlvagjJA has garnered over four million hits since it was posted. Not only that, people have recorded their own YouTube reactions to visiting the Virtual Barbershop – and even those have gotten tens of thousands of hits.
What’s so special about this audio clip?

It’s something called a Binaural Recording which creates an incredible sonic illusion – and tricks your brain into thinking it’s real. If you close your eyes and put the headphones on, you’ll actually “feel” the tickle when you hear the sound of Luigi, the virtual barber, using his scissors to clip your hair. You’ll also be a little confused when they put a bag over your head for no apparent reason, but apparently, they do things a little differently at the Virtual Barbershop (oh, and no need to cringe – there’s no surprise Sweeney Todd-type bloodletting!).

Binaural Recordings are recorded in such a way as to make your mind think you are where the sounds indicate. They’re made using a special microphone setup which factors in the natural crossfeed and sonic shaping of the head and ear. It’s what happens when we naturally hear a sound in everyday life – which is why Binaural Recordings are so realistic and immersive. But they’re only really effective if the listener is using stereo headphones.

By the way, this technology isn’t exactly cutting-edge – it’s been around since 1881! Special microphones were placed around an opera performance and the audio was fed through the telephone system. Subscribers at home were given special ear pieces to listen through. It’s doubtful it was THX quality, and the concept didn’t exactly catch on at the time, but it’s seen resurgence in recent years with usage in the popular Pixar Disney movies and by some rock bands.
So find out just how cool these realistic recordings are by taking a visit to the Virtual Barbershop. And when you’re ready for the real thing, visit a Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ - where they guarantee “The Best Haircut and Straight Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had or It’s Free”™. Visit their website at http://www.kennedysbarberclub.com to find the nearest Kennedy’s location near you -and also discover the great franchise opportunities still available.

Orlando, Fla. – December 15, 2008 – Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ will host an exhibit at the Franchise Expo South (FES) taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center from January 9-11, 2009. FES brings together hundreds of the leading concepts in franchising and the Southeast’s most qualified entrepreneurial audience.

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ will be showcasing its reinvention of an old-world concept, the traditional barbershop business, with a new “affordable luxury” twist, offering services for discerning gentlemen. Kennedy’s uses a patent-pending, membership-based system to add recurring revenue opportunities for its franchisees and involves an exclusive grooming experience for discerning gentlemen of all ages. Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) as well as VetFran.

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ CEO, Chris Hurn, said, “We’re excited to participate in this year’s Expo to showcase our barber shop franchise, which caters to men looking for an exceptional grooming service and a phenomenal experience. We will be giving away straight razor shaves during the event, to show men what they’ve been missing and let them try the Kennedy’s Experience!”
Franchise Expo South serves the southeastern United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Sponsored by the International Franchise Association, FES is the fastest growing franchise event in the USA. The show location, dates and hours for this year’s expo are as follows:

• Friday, January 9, 2009 11am-6pm
• Saturday, January 10, 2009 11am-6pm
• Sunday, January 11, 2009 11am- 5pm

Miami Beach Convention Center
Hall C
1901 Convention Center Drive
Miami Beach, Florida 33139
Tel: (305) 673-7311

For more information about FES, visit http://www.FranchiseExpoSouth.com
Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

About Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™:

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a Franchise Concept for discerning gentlemen who are looking for an experience that is the polar opposite of your everyday haircut from the “big chains.” Like most gentlemen, the founders felt out of place at the salons frequented by their wives and the local strip-mall walk-in “chop shops,” so they decided to create a place where they would ENJOY getting the grooming services they need . . . rather than dreading it. While most hair salons cater to women and children, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ caters to discerning gentlemen looking for a fine grooming experience with the old-world charm of your father’s barbershop. Offering the finest in haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection of grooming products, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is sure to be your favorite sanctuary to relax and enjoy The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free™! Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

Let’s face it – most men don’t think about their skin care very often. Then again, it may just be a matter of the role models they grow up with. Do they ever see Rambo moisturize? James Bond exfoliate? Nope, men are taught that worrying about dry skin isn’t the most masculine of pursuits – it’s much more important to battle invading armies single-handedly or defeat super villains intent on world domination.

Which would be true if that were actually a modern man’s lifestyle. To be brutally honest, however, the most danger the vast majority of men face in their daily lives is eating three-week old leftovers in the fridge that have potentially turned lethal.

The fact is that men’s skin is more delicate – and more damaged - than women’s. But since men spend about a 3,000th of the time on their skin that women do, you’d think it was reversed.

Why are men’s faces so fragile? Well, shaving every day is actually very hard on the skin – as is the greater exposure to harsh outdoor weather men usually enjoy. Although men’s skin is thicker than women’s (except maybe when someone makes fun of what they’re wearing), it’s also oilier. In short, gents, your skin needs proper care – and even barber shops are recognizing that fact!

For example, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™, a booming new franchise that combines the best of the classic barber shop experience with modern grooming services and amenities, includes men’s facials as well as ear, nose and eyebrow waxing as part of their higher-level membership packages. When the barber is doing something with their clients’ faces other than shaving, you know men’s skin care has truly arrived.

So why should men bother with the barber, when it comes to optimizing their epidermis?
Well, sneaking some skin lotion from a wife or girlfriend just isn’t going to do the trick.
Men’s skin care requires different, specialized products than what women use – because their skin itself is a lot different. And a unisex salon or spa just might use the same stuff on everyone, if their clientele is mostly female.

Although facials are important, there are a lot of things men can do in their normal everyday lives to maintain healthy skin. Drinking plenty of water and watching their exposure to the sun are two very important elements. Also, believe it or not, taking multi-vitamins is a big help – particularly Vitamin E.

Exfoliating with the help of a facial, however, does the skin the most good. It gets rid of the dead skin cells on top, allows the pores to breathe, keeps the skin clean and prevents acne outbreaks. Guys may joke about getting a facial – but it can leave you looking and feeling good – and what’s so funny about that?

Learn more about the men’s facial services at Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ - where they also guarantee “The Best Haircut and Straight Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had or It’s Free”™ - at their website at http://www.kennedysbarberclub.com. You’ll also be able to find the nearest Kennedy’s location near you and discover the great franchise opportunities they have to offer.

And, men, give your barber some serious face time in the near future. You’ll be glad you did.

But studies also show something else interesting about how women respond to men’s features. The fact is…chicks dig scars!

Seriously. English researchers at the Universities of Liverpool and Stirling showed women a series of pictures of men with and without facial scars. The women rated the scarred faces as being more attractive. And yes, they tried the experiment in reverse – men did not respond more favorably to scarred women (no word if Tina Fey was included in the test group!).

Believe it or not, the study gets more specific – and a little weirder. Men’s scars were only sexier when it seemed as though they were the result of violence or injury – not the result of acne or chickenpox. The researchers think that’s because a scar from violence of some sort indicates some kind of truly macho guy – whereas a scar from disease or pimples doesn’t quite carry the same cachet.

So what does this all mean? Well, we’re not saying taking a knife to your face is going to get you more dates or anything like that. But if you find yourself falling on a pile of rocks…maybe lead with your chin.

And when you’re ready to take care of the rest of your face, visit a Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ near you. Women may like a sexy little scar, but they don’t like the rest of your features to be a mess! Plus, we’ll give you “The Best Haircut and Straight Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had or It’s Free”™.

So look for the nearest Kennedy’s location near you – and find out about our terrific franchise opportunities - at http://www.kennedysbarberclub.com. And sorry, we do not provide scarring services!

Suzi and Stuart Fitton, former Heathrow, Fla. Kennedy’s location owners, have purchased the rights to build a brand new Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ location in downtown Orlando. Suzi and Stuart Fitton recently sold the Heathrow location to Kennedy’s CEO, Chris Hurn, and will now concentrate on an early December 2008 opening of their new Thornton Park area location. This location at 716 E. Washington Street, like all Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ locations, will involve an exclusive grooming experience for discerning gentlemen of all ages. Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a reinvention of an old-world concept, the traditional barber shop business, with a new “affordable luxury” twist.

Kennedy’s CEO Chris Hurn said, “We’re excited to see downtown Orlando getting one of the first Kennedy’s franchise locations. We know that Suzi and Stuart will be a great success in the area. We believe that men within the downtown business, and those living in the area, will be eager to take full advantage of our exclusive grooming experience, and enjoy it the way our fathers and grandfathers did.”

Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

About Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™:

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a Franchise Concept for discerning gentlemen who are looking for an experience that is the polar opposite of your everyday haircut from the “big chains.” Like most gentlemen, the founders felt out of place at the salons frequented by their wives and the local strip-mall walk-in “chop shops,” so they decided to create a place where they would ENJOY getting the grooming services they need . . . rather than dreading it. While most hair salons cater to women and children, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ caters to discerning gentlemen looking for a fine grooming experience with the old-world charm of your father’s barber shop. Offering the finest in haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection of grooming products, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is sure to be your favorite sanctuary to relax and enjoy The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free™! Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

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Kennedy Wins:
Barber polls franchisees after name change
By Jonathan Maze; appeared in the Franchise Times November/December 2008 issue

This is the second part in our occasional series following the story of Carrs Barber Club. In this update, Carrs goes through a name change, and has to convince franchisees it’s a good idea. It’s a pivotal moment, because franchisees have the option to leave the system.

Years ago, Ed Magnay told a friend who had been a groomsman at his wedding about his plans to move from Britain to the United States and start his own company. The groomsman’s response was “You’re crazy.”

When Magnay got to this country and started his business, he named it after that friend: Carrs Barber Club.

As the new owner of Carrs, Chris Hurn was impressed with the British-style barber club and its business model, but not with the name, or its origin. So when he finalized his purchase of the business, he changed the name. “It’s hard to build a corporate philosophy and turn a corporate image around when you’re sticking your thumb in your buddy’s eye,” Hurn said.

Changing the name, and the branding provided a fresh start after the chain’s financial problems under its previous owner. And while they were at it, the new owners gave it a more American feel. Despite its Florida address, the chain had British owners and a distinctively British bent.

After considering options like the decidedly American Truman’s, Hurn and his partners ultimately decided on Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club. But lest you think it was deliberately named after the Massachusetts clan of Jack, Ted and Bobby fame, think again.

“Kennedy” means “the ultimate gentleman,” which fits with the company’s overall goal: to attract affluent men looking for high-end grooming. “With Kennedy’s, it’s more upscale, it’s more sophisticated,” Hurn said. “Brother Ted is not what immediately comes to mind. And the concept is a throwback to the JFK era, anyway.”

The concept will be largely the same. Men pay a monthly fee for a club membership that provides, among other things, shaves and haircuts. Yet it will be fully Americanized, down to the names of the membership levels - “Life,” “Liberty” and “Pursuit of Happiness.” It also includes a donation of 5 percent of company profits to veterans’ charities.

A name change might seem risky, especially for a young franchise system that spent its first few years establishing a strong brand in central Florida, where most of its units are located. But Nick Bibby, a franchise consultant, said it’s better to do it now.

“If they had 100 units spread around the country and now they need to change their name and they had a Kennedy’s and a Carrs within 50 miles of one another, that would be horrible,” Bibby said. “Doing it when you’ve got a half-dozen units, there’s no risk. And those half-dozen can support one another.”

Still, Hurn had to sell the franchisees on the branding change, plus the new ownership.

Hurn bought the business this summer from its original owners, Magnay and Geoff Robinson - who had taken control of the company from George Kalivretenos, who had owned the company since 2006. Hurn originally planned to buy the entire Carrs system, but entanglements made it easier for him to buy the intellectual property, then convince franchisees to come along.

With the sale, franchisees were released, with the option to go out on their own or go with the new system. After finalizing the purchase, Kennedy’s president Stuart Fenton talked with franchisees. Then company officials discussed the changes, and they held a franchise-wide conference call and more visits.

Not all decided to switch. One franchise in Altamonte, Florida, renamed its barber club Capps - its co-owner refused comment.

Most stayed, giving the company seven units and six franchisees. Sandra and Paul Norris are “99.9 percent sure” they’re going to go along with the change. “I think the guys are going to do well for us,” Sandra Norris said. “It’s in our best interest to go with the new gentlemen.”

The new name doesn’t bother the Norrises, who bought their first Carrs three years ago after relocating to Florida from England - they now have two, with more than 500 members. “From our point of view, we’re offering the same services,” Norris said. “At the end of the day, it’s just a name.”

The big question is whether a Kennedy’s can bring in customers and propel the franchise into nationwide growth.

That may be a challenge: Credit markets are tight. While some analysts say this isn’t the best time to get into franchising, Bibby said it’s fine, especially for a franchise that targets such a basic service need as hair care.

Perhaps the biggest question is whether customers will flock to the business. Kennedy’s is targeting men in the “mass affluent” category. The question is whether people will be willing to pay for high-end grooming.

Yet Hurn said his customers are still willing to pay that monthly fee, not only for haircuts, but also to have a club to which they can belong. Sandra Norris said the monthly membership tends to steady a unit’s ship in the midst of economic turmoil. “We have a very loyal clientele and people do need haircuts,” Norris said. “Businessmen like the idea of paying a membership.”

Take the tradition of Barber Shop jokes – please! Something you could always count on getting from your favorite barber was hearing the latest funny story making the rounds – and watching everybody else in the place either laugh or groan, depending on how hilarious – or corny – the joke was.

With that in mind, imagine you’re in one of our luxurious barber chairs and getting hot lather delicately put on your face in preparation for a close straight-razor shave, while one of our licensed barber pros relates a few industry-related jokes - all of which begin with the key phrase, “Guy comes into a barber shop…”

Guy comes into a barber shop with a little boy. Guy sits down and gets the full treatment - haircut and straight razor shave. After he’s done, he motions for the boy to take his place in the chair, then turns to the barber and says, “Be right back, I have to pick up something at the drugstore.” The barber finishes the boy’s haircut and waits – but the guy doesn’t come back. He finally turns to the boy and says, “Did your dad forget about you?” The kid answers, “Oh, he’s not my dad. He just walked up to me on the street, said, ‘come on, we’re gonna get free haircuts,’ and brought me in here.”

Guy comes into a barber shop, sits down in the chair and the barber begins prepping him for a shave. A hot, sexy, blonde woman bends down at the guy’s feet and starts giving him a shoe shine. The guy starts remarking on how hot she is, and how he’d like to spend some time in a hotel room with her. The blonde says, “I don’t think my husband would like that.” Guy says, “Who cares?” The blonde replies, “You should, he’s the one who’s shaving you.”

Finally, here’s what we consider the all-time classic barber joke. Guy comes into a barber shop. Barber asks “What’ll it be?” Guy says, “I’d like one sideburn two inches longer than the other, the hair in the back really jagged and uneven, and make sure I have a really weird wave on top that won’t go away.” Barber says, “Why in the world would you want that?” Guy turns to him and says, “Hey, that’s how you cut it last time.”

Rest assured, that’s NOT how we’re going to cut your hair at our Kennedy’s Barber Clubs – because we guarantee “The Best Haircut and Straight Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had – Or It’s Free!” We can’t guarantee the funniest jokes – but we’ll sure give it a good try!

Find out more about Kennedy’s locations and franchise opportunities at www.KennedysBarberClub.com.

Lake Mary, Fla. – November 17, 2008 – Chris Hurn, CEO of Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™, a new barber shop franchise concept that uses a patent-pending membership-based system to add recurring revenue opportunities for its franchisees, recently purchased his own individual franchise location in Heathrow, Fla. This location, like all Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ locations, involves an exclusive grooming experience for discerning gentlemen of all ages. Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a reinvention of an old-world concept, the traditional barber shop business, with a new “affordable luxury” twist.

Kennedy’s CEO Chris Hurn said, “I always believe it’s best to ‘put your money where your mouth is’ so I am excited to announce my purchase of the Heathrow location of Kennedy’s. I am completely confident in our concept, that of the old-fashioned barber shop with modern amenities, and I wanted to be a part of the franchise from the ‘ground level’ as well as helping to oversee the growth of Kennedy’s clubs across the country.”

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) as well as VetFran. Along with offering franchises to the general public, VetFran allows Kennedy’s to give special franchising opportunities to American Veterans who have been honorably discharged.
The Heathrow location of Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is located at 1120 Townpark Ave.
Lake Mary, FL 32746. You can contact this location at (407) 333-9411 or at the website below.

Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

About Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™:

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is a Franchise Concept for discerning gentlemen who are looking for an experience that is the polar opposite of your everyday haircut from the “big chains.” Like most gentlemen, we felt out of place at the salons frequented by our wives and the local strip-mall walk-in “chop shops,” so we decided to create a place where we would ENJOY getting the grooming services we need . . . rather than dreading it. While most hair salons cater to women and children, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ caters to discerning gentlemen looking for a fine grooming experience with the old-world charm of your father’s barber shop. Offering the finest in haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection of grooming products, Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ is sure to be your favorite sanctuary to relax and enjoy The Best Haircut and Straight-Razor Shave You’ve Ever Had, or it’s Free™! Learn more about Kennedy’s by visiting www.KennedysBarberClub.com

Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™ thought it was in our best interests to do a little research and find out what the ladies like when it comes to a man’s hair style.

Yes, both Kid Rock and Tommy Lee got Pamela Anderson and neither of them is known for having a buzz cut. But it turns out, for the most part, the girls like it short or very short, not long.

Dr. Kelley Kline, a researcher at Florida State University, did a study a while back analyzing how hairstyles affect sexual attractiveness. And it turned out to be bad news for everyone from Tarzan to Fabio – women overall preferred short hair on a man and saw it as a sign of virility.

(By the way - since baldness wasn’t an option on the survey, all of you in the hair-challenged community shouldn’t assume you can take those results an extra step and pretend that no hair is the sexiest look of all! No offense, Joe the Plumber!)

The study also switched it up and looked into which female hairstyles men thought were the most attractive. This time, it’s Pam Anderson’s turn to cry – because most men preferred thick long brunette hair. So blondes may have more fun, but brunettes apparently get more dates. We’re not sure how that works, but who are we to argue with scientists?

What is clear is that both sexes seem to lock on to familiar stereotypes – men traditionally have short hair, women traditionally have long hair. And that’s apparently comforting when you’re looking for love.
So guys, scientifically-speaking, regular visits to the barber seem to be a good idea when it comes to the business of romance. May we humbly suggest a nearby Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club™? We offer the classic barber shop experience - with a lot of awesome modern amenities, such as free beverage service and the best in men’s grooming products.

Find out more about Kennedy’s Barber Club locations and franchise opportunities at www.kennedysbarberclub.com. And keep cutting it close, guys – because length does matter after all!