Folding@home - PNT Employee Ranked #1 on the PS3!

Matt Ward from Play N Trade is currently ranked #1 out of 722,229 for the PS3!

For more info about Folding@home and how you can help, check out their website at http://folding.stanford.edu/

"Folding@Home is a distributed computing project -- people from through out the world download and run software to band together to make one of the largest supercomputers in the world. Every computer makes the project closer to our goals. "
"Our goal: to understand protein folding, misfolding, and related diseases"

Halo 3 Beta!

Play N Trade employees got together to download and play the much anticipated beta version of Halo 3

Be Part of One of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2007 “Top 50 New Franchises” at the National Franchise & Business Opportunities Show

Play N Trade Exhibiting in Booth #409

HOUSTON, May 16, 2007 – Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, will be exhibiting at the National Franchise & Business Opportunities show May 19-20. Play N Trade is now opening a store every other day and was recently named one of Entrepreneur magazine’s “Top 50 New Franchises” for 2007. Entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to stop by the Play N Trade booth #409 Hall A1 in the Reliant Center.

“Individual store owners are the foundation of the Play N Trade business model, and they receive a level of personal support that can’t be found from any other franchise,” said Bo Stewart, Texas area developer for Play N Trade. “Starting with affordable franchise fees and free training, and continuing with world-class sales and marketing programs and technical assistance, Play N Trade provides all of the resources and tools necessary to achieve success.”

Featuring multiple widescreen flat-panel TVs mounted on the walls, WiFi connectivity and an extensive selection of games and consoles ranging from retro to most current, Play N Trade stores offer disc and console repair services, in-store tournaments and a “try any game before you buy” policy.
“Play N Trade stores are not the traditional cash and carry retail experience. Our stores are a unique mix of retail with tournaments and contests that creates an engaging environment that is appealing to everyone from the casual gamer to the hard core enthusiast, making it their destination of choice for video games,” Stewart said.

Weekly Guitar Hero Video Winner!

This weeks Guitar Hero "Make Your Own Music Video" winner comes to us from Portland, Oregon!

Check out their video and the other entries on YouTube. We're picking a new winner every week up untl mid-June so enter you video for a chance at winning some cool prizes and becoming an onlive video roack star!

More Info: http://www.playntrade.com/contest

Technorati Profile

New Play N Trade Brings the Ultimate Video Gaming Experience to Town

Alameda Play N Trade is the Place Gamers Want to Be

ALAMEDA, Calif. May 11, 2007 – Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, announces the opening of the Alameda store, bringing the ultimate video gaming experience to town.

“Gamers will know as soon as they walk in the door, that Play N Trade is where they want to be,” said Stanley Fong, store co-owner. “Designed by gamers for gamers, our store atmosphere is inviting to everyone from the casual gamer to the hard core enthusiast, as well as parents wanting recommendations on what games to buy their kids. My wife Gwen and I are here to make sure that everyone feels welcome and has the best customer experience ever.”

Featuring multiple widescreen flat-panel TVs mounted on the walls, WiFi connectivity and a unique store design, Play N Trade offers a unique interactive environment that includes hosting local and national in-store tournaments, a “try before you buy” any game policy, and disc and console repair services. Customers can choose from a wide variety of products, ranging from retro gaming to the latest consoles and games from leading manufacturers.

“Our in-store tournaments are a great way for gamers to meet each other, show off their skills and compete to win great prizes,” said Gwen Fong, store co-owner. “We look forward to getting to know our local gamers and building a strong relationship with the community.”

Play N Trade is located at 2601B Blanding Avenue in Alameda, and the phone number is 510-523-4828. Store hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

New Caldwell Play N Trade is the Place Video Gamers Want to Be

Get in on the Only Game in Town

CALDWELL, Idaho, May 10, 2007 – Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, announces the opening of its newest video game store, located at 5103 Cleveland Boulevard, delivering the ultimate video gaming experience.

“When video gamers walk in the door, they know that Play N Trade is the place they want to be. As store owners, my wife Susie and I are making sure that everyone feels welcome, from the hard core gamers to the casual gamers to parents looking for advice, backed by exceptional customer service from our friendly, knowledgeable staff,” said Beau Robertson, store co-owner.

Designed by gamers for gamers, Play N Trade stores feature multiple flat screens on the walls, WiFi connectivity, a compelling design, and a unique interactive environment that includes hosting local and national in-store tournaments, a “try before you buy” any game policy, and disc and console repair services. Customers can choose from a wide variety of products, ranging from retro gaming to the latest consoles and games from leading manufacturers.

“We look forward to supporting the community in any way we can, including sponsoring events at local schools, youth group activities and other community events,” Beau said.

Store hours are from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. The telephone number is 208-445-4232.

Guitar Hereo Video Contest!

Make your own video, upload it to YouTube and every week we'll pick a winner!

Play N Trade Launches Guitar Hero II™ Video Contest And Live In-Store National Tournament

Make Your Own Guitar Hero Rock Video and Upload to YouTube

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 2, 2007 – Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, today announced the launch of its first National Guitar Hero II™ video contest and live-in store national tournament.

From now until June 16, consumers are invited to submit their Guitar Hero rock videos to YouTube at www.youtube.com/pntgame for a chance to win an Xbox 360 Guitar Hero bundle or a $50 Play N Trade in-store gift card, and have their video posted to the Play N Trade Web site.

“User-generated online content continues to grow in popularity, and the Play N Trade video contest is a great opportunity for Guitar Hero fans to show off their playing prowess and creativity and win cool prizes,” said Yuvi Shmul, CEO of Play N Trade.

Local rounds of the Guitar Hero II tournament will be held on June 16 at participating Play N Trade stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. On June 23, local winners will compete for the title of Play N Trade National Guitar Hero II Champion by playing “Free Bird” at the “expert” level on an Xbox 360. Local winners will be determined by single elimination in the best two out of three matches, and the national champion will be determined by points.

“Guitar Hero has a huge fan base and is one of the best-selling games in the country because it is as much fun to watch as it is to play,” Shmul said. “Contestants in the Play N Trade Guitar Hero II tournament can live out their rock star fantasy in front of their friends, fans and family for the chance to be crowned national champion.”

Local winners will receive a $100 in-store gift card and a “Guitar Hero Champion” T-shirt. The Play N Trade National Guitar Hero II winner will receive a multiplayer Xbox 360 Guitar Hero bundle and a $500 in-store gift card.

User-generated videos must be less than four minutes long and feature someone playing a Guitar Hero guitar. For more details on video submission rules, please visit www.pntgame.com/contest/pnthero.

Registration for the Guitar Hero II tournament is now open. The entry fee is $10 until June 16, when it will be $15. Contestants who come to play in full costume will receive a $5 in-store gift card for merchandise only.

The registration form and contest details are available online at www.playntrade.com/contest or at any participating Play N Trade video game store.

CEO Yuvi Shmul Delivers Keynote Speech on Small Town Business Success

Play N Trade Franchisees Experience Small Town Business Success Rivaling That of the Big City

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 1, 2007 – Yuvi Shmul, CEO of Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, shared his insights with new franchisees on how to build a successful business in their hometown at the company’s recent training conference.

“Most people think that business success can only be achieved in large cities or urban areas, and Play N Trade video game stores are proving that success is possible anywhere,” Shmul said. “From Kitty Hawk, North Carolina to Chubbuck, Idaho and from Forked River, New Jersey to Lodi, California, Play N Trade stores are profitable, fun places to work and valued members of their community.”

The North American video game market recorded its strongest year ever in 2006 at $12.5 billion in sales of hardware, software and accessories. The first quarter of 2007 in the U.S. was very robust, with total sales skyrocketing 54 percent over the prior year quarter to $3.3 billion, according to the latest report from consumer and retail market research firm The NPD Group.

“Video games are unique in that the appeal transcends age and geography. As video game consoles have evolved from toys to sophisticated technologies, the video game consumer demographic has expanded beyond its original base of kids and teenagers to include adults as well,” Shmul said. “Video games are a major draw for discretionary income, along with sports and movies, and Play N Trade is the only video game franchise opportunity available, offering entrepreneurs and small business owners an ideal opportunity to be part of this exciting industry.”

The Play N Trade business model does not include any corporate stores, but is built solely on the success of its franchisees. Franchisee support includes extensive sales, marketing and business management training, site location assistance, in-store digital advertising, and a locally-branded Web site, and the Play N Trade proprietary POS (Point of Sale) system provides all of the tools necessary to operate every aspect of inventory control in a retail setting.