Tamara and Alex Turkai bring the “un-frog-ettable” custom t-shirt franchise to Albuquerque, marking the first Big Frog location in state.

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More, a leader in custom apparel franchising with over 75 locations across the U.S., is excited to announce the grand opening of its new store in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Owned and operated by Tamara and Alex Turkai, the new store is located at 6001 San Mateo Blvd. and is officially opening its doors on December 10, 2024.

“Tamara and Alex’s technical expertise and passion for creativity make them the perfect fit for our brand’s expansion in New Mexico,” said Tina Bacon-DeFrece, president and co-founder of Big Frog. “We’re excited to see them introduce Big Frog’s unique offerings to Albuquerque’s vibrant community and build lasting local connections.”

After decades of successful careers at the Ford Motor Company, the Turkais decided to transition from engineering and technology to a more creative venture that aligns with their passion for innovation and community involvement.

“We were drawn to Big Frog’s culture, their commitment to customer service and the opportunity to be part of our local Albuquerque community,” said Tamara. “The creativity and technology built into the business model appealed to us, and we loved its simplicity. When we met the founders — who are also a husband-and-wife team — and their leadership team, their care and compassion really put me over the top. It was a perfect fit.”

Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More specializes in a variety of custom decorating services, including Direct-to-Garment (DTG) printing, embroidery, screen printing, vinyl and Ultra Print (heat press). The franchise is known for offering free design help, no minimum order requirements, no art or setup fees, and quick turnaround times for every project. The Turkais are eager to bring the first location to Albuquerque, creating a trusted destination for custom apparel needs.

“Initially, I laughed at the idea of changing my whole career, but after talking to the team, I changed my mind,” said Alex. “The family feel and the fact that we’re catching a franchise system poised for growth, rather than one that’s already tapped out, made it an easy decision."