A down economy is fueling growth of a New York-based dental clinic chain, which plans to open three outlets in the Pittsburgh area this year and 36 clinics nationwide by year’s end.
In recent weeks, Aspen Dental opened a clinic in Cranberry Township, and other offices are planned in Homestead and Washington, Pa., said company spokesman Brian Healy. Aspen was founded in 1998 in Syracuse, N.Y., and has annual revenue of around $500 million, with annual revenue growth of 60 percent.
Joining Aspen was “too good of an opportunity to pass up” for Dr. Nathan Laughrey, who bought an Aspen office in the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills in 2006 in a 50-50 investment agreement with the company. All Aspen offices are independently operated. Laughrey always dreamed of having his own practice, but “it was kind of daunting to make the financial commitment.” In addition, Laughrey, who served as general practice residency director at Allegheny General Hospital, worried as the economy tanked and classmates in private practice struggled.
“Dental school really doesn’t teach you a lot about running your own business,” he said.