9. Emerging Vision
Garden City, N.Y.
U.S. Optical Sales: $89M
U.S. Optical Sites: 155
Optical Retail Trade Names: Sterling Vision, Site For Sore Eyes, Singer Specs

With 10 company-owned stores and 147 franchised locations--two of them in Canada--in its roster at the end of 2005, Sterling Optical parent Emerging Vision put considerable emphasis last year on streamlining its operations and improving efficiency, according to Christopher Payan, chief executive officer.
The company also worked during 2005 to improve the productivity of its franchised locations while at the same time putting more emphasis on ensuring enforcement of its franchise agreements. At the end of last year Emerging Vision had also reshaped its management team, naming Myles Lewis as sole chief operating officer, reporting to Payan.
This year the company expects its store growth to come primarily through signing additional strong franchisees, both in new markets and through further penetration of its existing markets.