To continue Proforma’s rapid growth, Muzzillo looked to alternate routes, and in 1986, he developed the Proforma franchise model—a network of independent distributors working together to build marketing clout and strong supplier relationships, while still running their own independent businesses. This model proved successful, as Proforma, now in its fourth decade, has grown to a $250 million dollar organization!
1978 |
Proforma founded |
1980 |
Sales exceed $1 million dollars |
1983-85 |
Named to Inc. magazines top 500 an unprecedented 3 years in a row |
1985 |
Proforma wins 1985 Small Business Administration National “Business of the Year Award” |
1986 |
Proforma goes National |
1987 |
Proforma makes Venture Magazine list of top 50 |
1988 |
Advisory Council formed |
1988 |
Proforma’s first annual convention |
1991 |
Proforma expands to Canada |
1991-93 |
Proforma makes Weatherhead 100 (by school of Management of Case Western Reserve
University for Outstanding growth company) |
1994 |
Proforma named to “21 for the 21st Century – Companies of Tomorrow” by COSE and Corporate
Cleveland Magazine |
1994 |
Proforma expands products and services to include promotional products |
1995 |
Introduction of ProSource “on line” catalog |
1996 |
Proforma moves into its state-of-the-art World Support Center in Cleveland, Ohio |
1996 |
Fred DeLuca, Founder & CEO of Subway invests in Proforma |
1999 |
Proforma.com web site is launched along with the Company Store program |
1999 |
Proforma grows to over 400 offices |
2000 |
Proforma grows to over 500 offices |
2001 |
Vera Muzzillo joins Proforma as co-CEO |
2002 |
The Proforma network exceeds $200 million dollars in sales |
2002 |
Proforma is named Distributor of the Year by Business Forms, Labels & Systems (BFL&S)
Magazine |
2003 |
Proforma celebrates its 25th anniversary and introduction of the proprietary WIN Success System |
2003 |
#1 in Business Services—5 consecutive years - Entrepreneur Magazine |
2003 |
Top 100 Franchisor, Entrepreneur Magazine |
2004 |
Proforma grows to over 650 offices |
2004 |
#3 Top Distributor - BFL&S Magazine |
2004 |
Proforma Ranked #148 in Top 200 Franchised Businesses - Franchise Times |
2004 |
Proforma Ranked #7 Top Distributor - Counselor Magazine |
2004 |
Proforma Ranked Second Fastest Growing Promotional Products Distributor - Promotional Marketing magazine |
2005 |
#1 Best Business-to-Business Franchise - Entrepreneur Magazine |
2005 |
#76 in Top 500 Franchised Businesses - Entrepreneur Magazine |
2005 |
#4 Distributor in the Promotional Products Industry - Promotional Marketing magazine |
2005 |
More and Better Appointments Program wins ASI Spirit Award – Top Distributor Self Promotion |
2005 |
Greg and Vera Muzzillo Win Innovation in Business Visionary Award, Smart Business Cleveland Magazine |
2005 |
#1 Print Distributor in North America - Print Solutions Magazine |
2005 |
Proforma Ranked #7 Top Distributor - Counselor Magazine |
2005 |
Proforma Named to Advertising Specialty Institute’s Multi-Million Dollar Round Table – Gold Level Distributor |
2005 |
Proforma Ranked #168 in Top 200 Franchised Businesses – Franchise Times |
2005 |
#2 Top Distributor – BFL&S Magazine |
2005 |
#1 in Miscellaneous Business Services Category - Entrepreneur |
2005 |
#105 Overall in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® |
2006 |
#3 Distributor in the Promotional Products Industry - Promotional Marketing magazine |
By providing new technologies to their member network and business support groups, Proforma has managed to create the right amount of business savvy to maintain a profitable distributorship.
