"To me, Dave needs to bring in funding to expand the sales force. "
DAWG... you nailed it. This is exactly what he needs. I'm certain he has a plan and is trying to execute currently with the limitations he has to work with. It means he is busting his arse. Funding usually is an easier topic when you have shown you work with those limitations productively and funders can see the passion. They will be watching and when the time is right they will support Dave and then Dave can look beyond his next foot step and look to the bigger picture.
As for going nation wide..sounds a bit overwhelming or a zero to 100mph in one second but its not that daunting. This can be put in motion at a minimal cost in a very short period of time. It's all there for him.... I'm certain his passion will see this to greater opportunities and results. Great job Dave.. the DAWG knows and see's the next move as expansion without exposure to huge costs is the next needed step.
"Yes he will have to do a private placement of some kind for even 10M shares (restricted for 6 months to 1 year) but then he could bring in $100,000 to put nearly all into a sales force and give a real shot of hitting 1,000 stores. "
Bingo and that's as simple as one can make and it should be easily understood!