The Franchise Company Acquires Handyman Connection

Handyman Services Good Fit with Home Service Network

Ontario (PRWEB) October 1, 2006 -- The Franchise Company, the franchising division of FirstService Corporation (NASDAQ: FSRV; TSX:FSV) recently expanded its property improvement services platform with the acquisition of North America's leading home repair and remodeling service franchiser, Handyman Connection. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1990 and based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Handyman Connection, operates more than 100 franchises in the United States and Canada, providing small to medium-sized home improvements, repairs and remodeling services to residential customers. With more than $75 million in system wide sales in 2005, Handyman Connection has consistently been ranked as the top handyman services provider within the North American home improvement sector, which generates more than $200 billion in annual revenues. Handyman Connection delivers its services through licensed and insured professional craftsman, which handle a variety of home projects including bath, basement and kitchen remodeling, garage finishing, carpentry, ceramic tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing and more.

"Handyman Connection's experienced craftsman provide a full range of services to homeowners who lack the time, tools or talent to tackle home repairs and adds to our full suite of services to consumers," said Steven Rogers, President and CEO of The Franchise Company. "Handyman Connection's strong reputation and industry leading business model is an excellent addition to our growing family of property service franchise systems and 1,800 franchise partners generating more than $1 billion in customer level revenues each year."
                                            
About The Franchise Company
The Franchise Company (TFC) is the franchise arm of FirstService Corp. (NASDAQ: FSRV). FirstService Corporation is a leader in the rapidly growing service sector, providing a variety of specialized property and business services to corporate, government and residential customers throughout North America, including community association management, security, franchising, business outsourcing and specialized trade material fulfillment.

The Franchise Company operates in all 50 states in the United States, 10 Canadian provinces and 12 countries around the world. Systemwide sales will exceed $1 billion USD in 2006.

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