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Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth since 1906

Volume 120 ~ No. 37

March 25, 2026

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  APPEARING ON "SHARK TANK" . . . will be Trevor and Heather Szafranski, founders and CEOs of R1SE, Inc., on behalf of their soon-to-be-built learning center in Frankenmuth. A watch party is planned at Horizons Conference Center March 25, with an expected 150-200 guests in attendance.

R1SE, Inc. couple to put Frankenmuth on the map on ABC's "Shark Tank"

  R1SE, Inc. will appear on the ABC television show “Shark Tank” at 10pm Wednesday, March 25.

  To celebrate this event, Horizons Conference Center will host 𠇊 Night in the Tank” for adults only that evening, with a VIP Red Carpet experience. The evening will begin at 8pm, and the show will air at 10pm with ABC television present, along with other news, radio and media sources.

  R1SE, Inc. has already been “in the tank” and R1SE Founder and CEO Trevor L. Szafranski, who cannot divulge what happed in the tank, he noted Frankenmuth was a big part of the pitch.

  Trevor and his wife Heather made the appearance on behalf of R1Se, as the couple’s company began in 2019 with the Freeland learning center. They will view the episode at the viewing party with friends, family company backers and community leaders.

  ABC television brass sent an email to the Szafranskis, alerting them of interest in having its ownership on the show. The couple did show interest two years ago, however, R1SE was not selected.

  The Szafranski’s intent is to make their company a national franchise, beginning with expansion in the state of Michigan, then the Midwest.

 Szafranski and R1SE had their groundbreaking ceremony back on December 10 on Keystone Way, in the Uptown North Main complex. Szafranski said plans are being made to build this learning center, a state-of-the-art student facility, this year. This will be the model for future R1SE developments, Trevor said.

  Designed for elementary and middle school students, the Frankenmuth R!SE will feature 7,500-square feet of innovation, featuring NxtGen learning spaces, a 𠇍unk House,” gym, video game lounge, movie theater, reading loft, bounce house, and more in this 1.5 stories structure......

  ..... To read this complete story and other featured articles in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving yourweekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.

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