PLS Financial Services Opens Its 300th Store

Chicago-based PLS Financial Services (www.plsfinancial.com) celebrates a major milestone in 2007: the grand opening of its 300th locations. Brothers Bob and Dan Wolfberg founded PLS in 1997. Since 2002, PLS has grown more than 25% per year. PLS operates five business units: PLS Check Cashers, PLS Payday Loan Store, PLS Auto Title Loans, PLS Tax Service, and PLS Vehicle Registration.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) July 1, 2007 -- During 2007, Chicago-based PLS Financial Services (www.plsfinancial.com) celebrated a major milestone: the grand opening of its 300th location. Brothers Bob and Dan Wolfberg founded PLS in 1997, with a handful of currency exchanges in Chicago. Annual growth has been strong for PLS, which operates five business units: PLS Check Cashers, PLS Payday Loan Store, PLS Auto Title Loans, PLS Tax Service, and PLS Vehicle Registration. Since 2002, PLS has been growing more than 25% annually and expects this growth to continue. In just under 10 years, PLS has grown to more than 300 locations in nine states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, Texas and Wisconsin.

PLS is one of the fastest growing companies in the highly competitive financial services market, outpacing its competitors with double-digit growth. According to PLS Co-President Bob Wolfberg, one key to the company's success is its operations strength. "At the outset, we focused our attention on operations. We recognized that you can never over-invest in good people," notes Wolfberg.

PLS also stands out from the competition thanks to its strong branding. Whether in Chicago, Phoenix or Brooklyn, PLS stores have a similar look, from storefronts with bold green and yellow PLS signs, to the clean, bright interiors. All PLS teammates receive extensive customer service training, resulting in high marks for courteous, efficient service from PLS customers.

PLS growth is driven through acquisition, and the company is aggressively seeking new purchase opportunities in all markets. To close the deal, "We often pay a premium," says Bob Wolfberg. "We want a seller to come to us again and again."    After closing, PLS invests $1.5 million per store on average.

PLS invests heavily in building an elite leadership team, developed by only accepting the best, whether by promoting from within or hiring outside talent. "We promote talented leaders rapidly," observes Dan Wolfberg, Co-President of PLS Financial Services. "Our current Director of Operations for PLS Check Cashers/Illinois was hired as a part-time customer service representative in 2000. She's been promoted rapidly, and has succeeded at each new position. Today, she oversees operations for 30 stores in Illinois." PLS continually invests in developing talent with ongoing training, and uses its competitive salary, benefits, and advancement opportunities to retain its leaders.

The future for PLS is as promising as its recent past. PLS expects to continue double-digit growth rates, driven by both acquisition and same-store growth. "Our 300th location is just the beginning," states Dan Wolfberg. "At PLS, our motto is Raising Expectations. We want our customers to expect the best from us every day, and we will continue to invest in the best team to deliver."

ABOUT PLS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Chicago-based PLS Financial Services, Inc., operates more than 300 financial service centers in Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, New York, Texas and Wisconsin. It is one of the largest privately-held organizations in the check cashing industry and ranks among the top five Western Union networks in America. PLS is a member of the Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA). The PLS Financial Service brands include: PLS Payday Loan Store, which provides short-term consumer loans; PLS Check Cashers, which offers check cashing, money transfer services, money orders and utility bill payment; PLS Auto Title Loans; PLS Vehicle Registration; PLS Tax Service; and PLS superstores, which offer multiple services in one location.

More information about PLS is available from Barb Wolf at PLS Financial Services, 300 North Elizabeth St., Chicago, IL 60607, telephone 312-491-7888.

# # #