ZIPS Cleaners recently announced that Abisoye “Abi” Ajibade and Mikhel Adun have signed a development agreement to open five locations in southwestern Houston and its surrounding suburbs. Operating as Garment Care Partners LLC, the husband-and-wife team plan to bring the garment care franchise as well as its high-end sibling, Mulberrys Garment Care, to the area beginning later this year, and to have all five locations open within three years.
Both Ajibade and Adun bring histories of business leadership to their new venture. Adun, who holds a M.S. degree in Finance and Financial Management from University of Maryland Global Campus, is CEO and owner of Houston Technology Labs, a Houston-based digital business transformation. His background includes roles in cloud computing architecture with Red Hat, PTG America and IBM.
Ajibade, who earned her M.B.A. from the Devry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management, serves as Houston Technology Labs’ Director of Product Management and Agile Transformation and has held prior roles in product development and program management.
“ZIPS is a versatile brand that trades in time, a precious commodity,” said Adun. “The convenience, speed and dependability it delivers lets customers tend to more important or more enjoyable things than caring for their clothes. We enjoyed that benefit as ZIPS customers in Maryland, and we want to afford that same luxury to our new neighbors here. We are excited to open in Houston and confident our new stores will be very well-received.”
“With Mulberrys, we also have the ability to offer a more upscale service to areas populated by higher-income families willing to pay more for a premium experience,” added Ajibade. “This gives us the flexibility to match our offering to the demands of individual communities.”
Through its introduction to Houston, ZIPS Cleaners continues its growth beyond its Mid-Atlantic U.S. base and adds to its presence in the Lone Star State, which is already home to five franchise locations in Austin. The 70-unit company is currently seeking franchisees to open ZIPS Cleaners locations in Dallas, other major Texas cities and markets throughout the United States. Through its parent, Value Drycleaners of America (VDA), franchise opportunities with Mulberrys Garment Care are also available throughout Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.
