January 05, 2026 // Franchising.com // LANSING, Mich. – Minuteman Press in Lansing, MI has officially transitioned to new ownership as longtime owners Cary and Lyle Ritter retire after 13 years of dedicated service to their community. The business has been purchased by local entrepreneur Val Orlando and his brothers Anthony, Greg, and Paul, continuing the center’s proud tradition as a family-owned operation invested in supporting Lansing-area businesses. The Ritters leave behind a legacy of community involvement, strong customer relationships, and steady growth, while the Orlando family brings fresh energy and a deep commitment to carrying that legacy forward.
A Personal Reflection: Our 13-Year Journey with Minuteman Press
By Cary & Lyle Ritter, Retiring Owners
We opened our Minuteman Press franchise in July of 2012 after researching several franchise opportunities. Minuteman stood out as the perfect fit, offering not only a strong business model but a supportive network that helped us thrive from day one. With Minuteman Press, we felt we were joining a family, not just buying a franchise. As a result, we stepped into the world of business ownership with energy, optimism, and a commitment to becoming part of our community.
Community Engagement & Growth
During our first six months, we threw ourselves into local involvement, joining as many organizations and groups as possible to get our name out and build relationships. Each group contributed uniquely to our growth:
- Rotary Club connected us with larger, long-term customers.
- BNI delivered immediate referrals and steady opportunities.
- Women’s Realtor Group introduced us to realtors, title companies, and bankers—an exceptional group that drove meaningful business.
- “Old Folks Meeting” (as we lovingly called it) brought us two lawyers who remain loyal customers to this day.
- Local Chambers of Commerce—we joined five—opened doors in every nearby community.
- Bowling alley advertising helped us stay visible in a fun and unexpected way.
- Joining churches, choirs, and bands at customers’ invitations strengthened our ties and reinforced our reputation as a business that cares.
Ultimately, our growth came largely through word of mouth, fueled by genuine relationships and a passion for helping customers bring their projects to life. We truly loved the people we worked with, and that connection made every day rewarding.
Support from the Minuteman Press Family
Our success didn’t happen alone. The ongoing franchise support we received from Minuteman Press International played a major role in our journey. Looking back, we believe our success was directly tied to the support we received from Minuteman Press:
- The Internet Marketing Program was one of the strongest tools we used, driving real growth year after year.
- New product updates ensured we always knew what was trending and could offer customers the latest solutions.
- Direct mail guidance was a huge part of our success, and Minuteman provided the training we needed to excel.
- FLEX software made managing the business easier; we appreciated the constant updates and improvements.
“The combination of strong franchise support and our deep community involvement created a foundation for lasting success. Whenever we faced a challenge, the Minuteman Press Team was ready to help. That support made all the difference.” -Cary Ritter
Retirement & Passing the Torch
After 13 wonderful years, we decided to retire so we could spend more time with our children, grandchildren, parents, and extended family. It was bittersweet—our customers and staff made every day enjoyable, and we will always cherish the projects and people that filled our shop with energy and purpose. These relationships made going to work fun, meaningful, and rewarding.
As we pass the torch, we want to extend our warmest wishes to Val, the new owner, and his brothers Anthony, Greg, and Paul. We are confident in Val’s ability to continue serving our community with dedication and passion. This business has been a worthwhile and exciting adventure, and we know Val and his brothers will carry our legacy forward…