Verizon Wireless Makes Move into Arkansas

Verizon Wireless apparently wants to hear Northwest Arkansas better, because it has asked retail franchiser Wireless Zone to establish a presence here.

Wireless Zone offers only Verizon products and services.

Sean Fitzgerald, vice president of franchise development for Wireless Zone, said the company plans to open four stores in the Fayetteville/Springdale area within the next two years. These will be its first stores in Arkansas.

The company is just beginning preliminary work in the area, Fitzgerald said, and its first step will be to line up franchisees.

Each of its stores is individually owned, and requires an investment of about $150,000 plus about three months of working capital. The company offers help financing the franchise fee and part of the buildout, Fitzgerald said.