A Cleveland-area franchise that’s part of Top 40 distributor Fully Promoted (asi/384000) has acquired Garment Specialties, a Twinsburg, OH-based retail apparel decorating shop with a 35-year history. Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Cristina and Fernando Bertero, who own the Fully Promoted franchise in the greater west Cleveland area, said the acquisition is expected to help double the firm’s sales. It will also enable the franchise to expand into a new geographic area – southeast Cleveland.

As part of its business, Garment Specialties has provided branded wearables and special niche offerings to police, firefighters and emergency personnel, including tactical and armored protective gear. For the Berteros, this will be a new niche from which to generate business. Garment Specialties’ in-house capabilities include embroidery, screen printing and uniform patches.

“We’re excited about serving an expanded geographic area, while offering enhanced services to a whole new customer base,” said Fernando Bertero.

Garment Specialties will keep its name while transitioning to Fully Promoted over the next year. Cristina Bertero will run the Cleveland West Fully Promoted franchise location. Fernando Bertero will oversee the new location and its expansion.

Fully Promoted executives noted that the acquisition benefits Garment Specialties too “by adding to its product portfolio: promotional items, trade show materials, signage and paper printing. Both locations will be able to lower costs through consolidation of production in one location.”

Transworld Business Advisors (TBA), a franchise company that, like Fully Promoted, is part of United Franchise Group (UFG), facilitated the acquisition. Mike Brugger, president of Fully Promoted, was involved in the transaction.

“We’re grateful to our colleagues at Transworld Business Advisors and the team at United Franchise Group, who offered us support and guidance in making this transaction happen,” said Fernando Bertero. “Our broker at TBA was extremely professional and knowledgeable, and Mike Brugger was an invaluable resource.”

Based on reported North American promo product revenue of $115 million, Fully Promoted ranked 20^th on Counselor’s most recent list of the largest distributors in the industry. The new rankings will debut in July.

Fully Promoted operates on a franchise model, with reportedly about 270 individually owned and operated locations around the world. Earlier in June, the company named a new marketing leader, with Kevin Davydov taking on the role of marketing manager.