As Seen on TV headed for a rerun

SANDSTRÖN ONTV COMPANY

A new franchising operation has launched, with a heavy concentration in the home space and roots in TV-land. Sandström OnTV Co. has just opened its worldwide corporate headquarters in Scottsdale, Ariz., and has two corporately owned properties up and running in Phoenix in preparation for a nationwide retail franchise launch.

A subsidiary of TradeShow Marketing Co. and founded by entrepreneurs including Ginsu knife creator Ed Valenti, Sandström OnTV is developing retail outlet franchises that offer a “stylish” take on “As Seen on TV” products, the company stated.

In addition to the Phoenix locations, a Sandström OnTV unit is operating in Honolulu, said Tim McCarthy, vp of franchise development, who added, “We anticipate having 150 franchises awarded in the next three years.”

Plans call for stores ranging between 900 square feet and 1,500 square feet. In the start-up period, Sandström franchisees will order directly from 20 to 25 vendors designated by the company, which will drop its proprietary product directly to them. Franchisees will have the option of setting up distributorships for the locations within their territories.