The company, which had only nine locations in Michigan when national franchising began in late 2001, contracts leasing activities to local and national brokers. According to Richard Simtob, COO of Wireless Toyz Franchise, LLC, the two national firms they use most are Ludwig & Seeley Real Estate Inc. in Southfield, MI and Terra Nova Corp. based in Miami, FL. Local brokers are brought in as well, when needed.

"On average, we like to be in freestanding buildings or small outlet buildings less than 8,000 sf in size," he tells GlobeSt.com. "Because we like to stand out, it's easier in a smaller building."

The average size of a standard Wireless Toyz outlet is 2,000 sf, though "we've been in spaces as small as 1,400 sf and have located in spaces larger than 3,000 sf, if the rent makes sense," Simtob says. These spaces, he notes, should be in small-to-moderate strip centers, primarily in middle-class areas. "We like areas that might have auto parts stores, fast-food restaurants and even check-cashing places," he says. "We're not necessarily after the higher income areas."