WRCT Investments, LLC Opens Fifth Franchised Store with Company in North Carolina this June.
Buddy’s Home Furnishings, a retailer specializing in the sales and rental ownership of furniture, electronics, appliances and home accessories, opened its doors in Wilmington, North Carolina earlier this month, adding to the retailer’s nationwide footprint of nearly 300 stores.
The franchised location is the fifth store for WRCT Investments, LLC, a Buddy’s development group operating several locations across Georgia and North Carolina. The group has franchised with the company since 2016.
“We are excited to open a new store in Wilmington, a major cultural and economic center of coastal North Carolina,” said Tom Carico, co-owner of Buddy’s Wilmington.
“We chose to franchise with Buddy’s because of the company’s established, flexible business model and supportive franchise team that made it possible for two doctors to understand a completely new business and industry.”
Carico co-owns the new location with Ricky Wolfe, but this is not the first business venture for the two. Dr. Carico and Dr. Wolfe are surgical pathologists specializing in gastrointestinal and urological pathology, respectively. They have been in practice together since 1996.
“We’re proud to offer the Wilmington community an affordable way to attain home necessities,” said Kevin Bessette, Director of Operations of Buddy’s Wilmington.
“Buddy’s culture is centered around the community, so we look forward to growing relationships with our customers, establishing partnerships with local organizations and positively impacting the lives of Wilmington beyond our four walls.”
Buddy’s was founded in 1961 as Buddy’s Bi-Rite in Tampa, Fla. Since then, the company rebranded to Buddy’s Home Furnishings as it expanded its product line to include furniture, electronics, appliances and home accessories. The company’s business model allows customers to attain ownership of items through affordable payments without the constraints of traditional credit or financing.
“It is amazing to see how Buddy’s has continued to expand over the last 60 years, especially through franchising,” said Michael Bennett, CEO of Buddy’s.
“On behalf of our home office team, we warmly welcome the Wilmington location to the Buddy’s family.”
Buddy’s adopted the franchise model in 2009 and was acquired by Franchise Group, Inc. in 2020. This year, the company celebrates 60 years in business and has nearly 300 operating stores, 250 of which are franchised locations.
“The WRCT team continues to be a valuable franchise partner of Buddy’s,” said Mitchell Lee, Director of Franchise Development.
“They’ve equipped a strong local team to introduce Buddy’s to the Wilmington market and to serve the local community. I look forward to witnessing their success.”
Buddy’s Home Furnishings in Wilmington, N.C. is located at 1925 Oleander Dr., Ste. B and is open Monday through from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.