Corporate Overview

Empire Education Group Corporate Overview

Empire Education Group Chairman and CEO Frank Schoeneman continues to oversee the over 100 Empire schools his family has operated for over 75 years.

Empire Education Group has been operated under the same family for nearly three generations at the company's corporate headquarters, located in Pottsville, Pennsylvania. Over 75 years ago Empire began with the core purpose that still rings true today; to create opportunities for people to improve their lives.

It is this tradition of providing a high-quality education and training to future beauty professionals for successful, rewarding and in-demand careers in the beauty industry that propels us to support our students through every phase of their education, graduation and career placement. Providing opportunities for others and maintaining excellence in education is at the cornerstone of the company, and has been from the very beginning.

Mission Statement

CORE PURPOSE

• To create opportunities for people to improve their lives.

CORE VALUES

• Integrity
• Customer Dedication
• Co-Worker / Team Focus
• Continuous Improvement
• Passionate Commitment

STRATEGIC VISION

• To be the global leader in cosmetology education, focused on the success and satisfaction of students and co-workers throughout their careers.

The Beginning of Empire Beauty Schools

Empire schools began in Pennsylvania before spanning across 20 states into new areas.

The first Empire Beauty School opened in 1935 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. For the next 65 years, Empire focused on its home state of Pennsylvania, growing to more than 20 schools.

In 2000, Empire began to grow through acquisition, first in Atlanta, finding the market to be a good match with Empire's philosophies, the company now operates many schools in Georgia.

Between 2001 and 2003, Empire continued to expand its presence on the East Coast, adding schools in:

• Maryland
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Virginia

In 2004, Empire acquired five schools in New York City and Boston, followed shortly thereafter by one in Chicago. Several Greenfield locations subsequently opened in Chicago, with several others in the planning stage.

Regis Corporation Merger

Empire continues to maintain its industry partnership with the Regis Salons.

The School Division of Regis Corporation was merged with Empire Beauty Schools in 2007, forming Empire Education Group and adding 51 schools in the process, creating the largest provider of cosmetology education in North America.

Throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010, the former Regis schools transitioned to Empire's brand and curriculum, as Empire opened new locations in:

• Arizona
• Indiana
• Florida
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• And acquired additional schools in Tennessee, New York and Ohio

Empire continues to upgrade capabilities, curriculum, layout and design of newly acquired schools as the school adapt to Empire's standard of excellence. Empire Education Group is now looking to begin further geographic expansion, with a focus initially on greenfield schools in its current markets, followed by expansion to additional markets new to Empire.