ARLINGTON, VA (BRAIN) —Freshbikes Franchising, LLC, a new company formed by two Conte’s Bicycle and Fitness franchise owners, will take over the entire Conte’s franchise system, the company announced on Monday.
Freshbikes Franchising, LLC has acquired all the assets of P&K Ventures, the previous franchise operator, and is the new operator effective immediately, according to a press release issued by Freshbikes.
P&K Ventures and Conte’s Bike Shop parted ways in late July after a trademark infringement lawsuit between the two settled.
Freshbikes Franchising will be operated by Scott McAhren and Jody Bennett, who currently own Conte’s franchises located in Arlington, Virginia, and Bethesda, Maryland.
Bennett and McAhren bring a combined 35-plus years experience in retail and marketing to the new venture that provides a solid base to support their efforts in building the franchise.
Freshbikes Franchising will be the franchisor for the eight franchises currently operating under the Conte’s Bicycle and Fitness name, including stores in Bel Air, Maryland; Chesapeake, Virginia; Conyers, Georgia; Newport News, Virginia; Norfolk, Virginia and Williamsburg, Virginia.
All Conte’s Bicycles and Fitness stores are individually owned and operated by independent franchisees.
Freshbikes Franchising will continue to add franchise locations in strategic markets throughout the United States and will strive to provide excellence, service and a commitment to do everything possible to make each franchise location successful, Freshbikes said in the release.
The owners of Conte’s Bike Shop, brothers David and Charles Jr., filed suit against P&K Ventures, alleging that Penny Jo Pagona, president of P&K, registered two trademarks using the Conte’s name without proper authorization.
The case settled out of court the day it was scheduled to go to trial, and the terms of the settlement were confidential.
For more details on the new Conte’s franchise arrangement, read the November issue of Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.
—Nicole Formosa
