This week's advice is for franchisees; http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayntguru/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Make one new connection in your franchisee community. Go to your franchisor's corporate website, and pick a franchisee to call that you've never talked with. Call them and introduce yourself. Ask a question about their business. Find out how they're getting through this rough patch in our economy. Share what you're doing too. You never know; Maybe you'll come up with an idea together, that can get both of your businesses to the next level. Write for Discussion Boards: $1200 per week... …
Franchising
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The Franchise King Blog
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My Franchise Business Advice For The Week Of February 8th, 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 4:15 am -
Constant Contact Announces The Recipients Of The Franchise Excellence In Email Awards
5 Feb 2010 | 6:20 pmIt was an honor to be asked by the great folks at Constant Contact to help judge the 1st Annual Franchise Excellence In Email Awards. We received some stellar entries, and the votes have been tallied... The Franchise Excellence in Email Awards attracted submissions from franchisors and franchisees across the country and spanned multiple industries. The winning entries were selected in the following three categories: Best in Show 2009: AbrakadoodleThis award-winning franchise impressed the judges with its high open rates and significant subscriber growth by using best practices and… -
Will More Franchise Businesses Start To Open In Small Town USA?
5 Feb 2010 | 3:43 amMost franchisors stay the course when it comes to searching for new franchisees, and even new franchise locations. They open new franchises in, or at least close to, major population centers. Personally, I've received inquiries from people who live in small tows, and even rural areas, who've wanted to explore franchise ownership ideas with me. (Not a lot of inquiries, but a few) Write for Discussion Boards: $1200 per week... Administer a Web Business from Home: $4000 per month... Transcribe Authors' Notes: $80 per hour... Find thousands of freelance jobs like these: Click here… -
Miss America And IHOP Team Up In Fundraising Effort
4 Feb 2010 | 4:05 am2010's Miss America, Caressa Cameron, is teaming up with IHOP this year for their National Pancake Day, which has helped raise millions of dollars for the Children's Miracle Network since 2006. "I am delighted that as Miss America 2010, I will have the opportunity to kick-off my reign as a national Goodwill Ambassador for Children's Miracle Network and its fundraising partnership with IHOP on National…
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The Franchise Blog 4 Vets
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Food Franchises Continue To Attract Military Veterans As Franchise Owners
1 Feb 2010 | 2:16 pmMilitary Veterans are an interesting bunch. They live a system. Some of them can translate this "systematized" thinking into franchise ownership. According to QSR Magazine; "Understanding how to work within an established system is one of many characteristics that make... -
Investing In A Franchise Is Not Like Investing In The Stock Market
31 Jan 2010 | 5:30 pmThere's certainly risk in both, but investing in a franchise has it's differences... For example, when you buy an individual stock, the more shares you purchase up front, the bigger the potential payoff. Of course, the more shares you buy,... -
Kitchen Tune-Up Ranked High Again
26 Jan 2010 | 5:53 amKitchen Tune-Up has been named one of the top 500 franchises in the United States, ranking #151 in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 . A home remodeling franchise concept offering a variety of cost-effective services to renew surfaces, add features, and... -
This Could Help You Secure A Franchise Loan
12 Jan 2010 | 8:04 pm"This" would be a stellar, rock-solid, strong as steel, business plan... Wouldn't it be nice to walk into your bank, full of unstoppable confidence? If you walk in with a strong business plan, there should be no stopping you! So,... -
Franchise Email Marketing Awards
10 Jan 2010 | 8:02 amThe Franchise Excellence in Email Awards will recognize outstanding achievements in email marketing in three categories as judged by Constant Contact’s Franchise team. If you are a franchisor, and you feel that your email marketing is really strong, here's more...
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DailyFranchiseNews.com
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IFA Convention Still Rocks After 50 Years!
8 Feb 2010 | 2:12 pmOk this one is going to be long. First of all I cannot say how wonderful it is to be one of the "old ones" in the IFA--some of the greatest people I have ever met are in franchising--yes this blogger had a life before entering the franchise community in 1982-but never have I met better people. So being treated like a rock star and getting lots of hugs in a year that I have been ill and things were not sunny-well that was just amazing. And VP of IFA Debbie Moss never ceases to amaze me with how she and her team get the job done! This place and event are massive yet everyone… -
IFA Convention Still Rocks After 50 Years!
8 Feb 2010 | 1:51 pmOk this one is going to be long. First of all I cannot say how wonderful it is to be one of the "old ones" in the IFA--some of the greatest people I have ever met are in franchising--yes this blogger had a life before entering the franchise community in 1982-but never have I met better people. So being treated like a rock star and getting lots of hugs in a year that I have been ill and things were not sunny-well that was just amazing. And VP of IFA Debbie Moss never ceases to amaze me with how she and her team get the job done! This place and event are massive yet everyone… -
Hungry Howie’s Pizza Raises $100,000 For Breast Cancer Awareness
2 Feb 2010 | 9:59 amBreast cancer hits close to home here at DFN. According to the American Cancer Society, 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer were found in 2009. In an article on QSRMagazine.com, Hungry Howie’s Pizza joined the fight this past October and helped raise $100,000 to support the cause. The company featured bright pink pizza boxes emblazoned with breast cancer awareness ribbons instead of the original classic Howie yellow boxes. For every pizza purchased, Hungry Howie's made a donation to the cause. Through this campaign, Hungry Howie’s supported the National Breast Cancer… -
South Florida Residents Turn to Franchising in Down Economy
29 Jan 2010 | 11:04 amIn a time where jobs are scarce, the unemployed are reinventing themselves by turning to franchise ownership. In a story by The Miami Herald this week, four local residents have not let the economy stand in their way from achieving their goal of running a business. Robyn Vescovi is a month away from opening her Tasti D-Lite franchise and believes a troubled economy won't keep people from indulging in the healthy frozen dessert. Raj Patel and his partner Rudy Puig recently opened the first Panchero’s Mexican Grill in the region and Lisa Simpson left her career in banking and to invest… -
FES Still Rocks
22 Jan 2010 | 7:16 amDespite cold weather and a still shaky economy, the FES held at the Miami Convention Center last weekend was thick with people up and down the aisles. A few new "green" concepts caused some to stop and scratch their heads-but popular exhibits such as the Delightful Tasti D-Lite were surrounded with visitors who couldn't get enough of the tasty frozen treat for just about 80 calories a cup. Mr. Clean Car Wash returned and even though fairly new to the franchise scene, they worked it like veterans! Photos below.
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Rush on Business
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National Start a Business Month
5 Feb 2010 | 2:08 pmThis February is National Start a Business Month. To celebrate I am offering to form any Iowa incorporation or LLC for half the price during the month of February 2010. It's my small way to encourage business start-ups and help out start up entrepreneurs. -
Twitter Interview Today with Lance Godard
5 Feb 2010 | 4:00 amToday I am excited to get a chance to participate in 22 Tweets with Lance Godard. 22 Tweets is an opportunity for practicing lawyers that tweet to share their stories and tell a little bit about themselves in a 22 question format. Lance has a terrific site (an ABA Journal Blawg 100 recipient) that features many interesting and insightful lawyers. I encourage you to check it out. Be sure to follow us this afternoon @22twts and @rushnigut. -
Legal Guide to Starting a Business in Iowa
5 Jan 2010 | 4:00 amA couple of years ago I set out to write a Legal Guide to Starting a Business in Iowa. Unfortunately trying to work, write a blog, coach baseball and write the guidebook didn't quite work for me. I started the guidebook but never came close to finishing it. So this year I have decided to blog the guidebook. At the end of the project, I'll have my book and hopefully Iowa entrepreneurs will have something that is helpful and informative. The project may take several months so most of the information on the blog over this time will be very general in nature rather than… -
Wage and Hour Lawsuits: Your Business Could Be Next
17 Dec 2009 | 4:00 amA couple of years ago I touched on how wage and hour lawsuits were on the rise. Since then Iowa's own Casey's General Stores got tagged for $11.7 million in a settlement. But not even I could have predicted the potential $1,000,000,000 liability that AT&T allegedly faces for failure to pay overtime. Yep, that's a BILLION dollar claim! Naturally that kind of pie in the sky number might leave one to think, "It's never going to happen to me, my business is much smaller and I won't be a target." But when you look at the fact that experts believe approximately 70 percent of… -
Business Person's View on Lawyers
10 Dec 2009 | 8:40 amAn older post from Guy Kawasaki on the top lies from lawyers but worth reading. Kawasaki says at the end of the post that it wasn't his idea so lawyers shouldn't get upset with him. However, most lawyers could benefit from reading the post. An important take away is that if you say something, you had better follow through. Of course every business person could probably heed that advice, not just lawyers.
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BLUEMAUMAU.ORG
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Renewal Provisions: What an Existing Franchisee Should Do
3 Feb 2010 | 1:56 pmIf you are an existing franchisee, re-read the renewal terms of your franchise agreement. If this typical provision is in there, it's still not too late to do something. -
Burger King Drama
3 Feb 2010 | 8:06 amWith Burger King (NYSE: BKC) announcing earnings Thursday, look for more drama as we go. -
Noteworthy Independent Hotel Chains
2 Feb 2010 | 5:14 pmTom Magnuson, founder and CEO of Spokane-based Magnuson Hotels says, “Magnuson Hotels was established as a low-cost alternative to the franchise model, which can be very expensive…. -
Battery World Seeks Third Line Forcing Approval
2 Feb 2010 | 2:47 amAustralias' Battery World Franchise lodges contentious Third Line Forcing Notification with the ACCC. -
In-Store Dilemma with Mobile Tech
1 Feb 2010 | 10:21 pmPop quiz, people. A customer walks into your store. She has her smartphone out, web browsing on, price-comparison apps and a whole world of online competitors ready and waiting. What do you do? What do you do?
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Franchise-chat Resource Articles
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Australia: more regulation from down under
2 Feb 2010 | 7:00 pmPhilip F. Zeidman, senior partner with DLA Piper's Franchise and Distribution division, comments on recent changes to Australian franchise regulations. -
Benchmarking Your Business
22 Jan 2010 | 2:06 pmDaniel Cloete, National Franchising Manager for Westpac bank in New Zealand, describes benchmarking as a tool for driving franchising performance (NZ benchmarking examples included). -
Wise Counsel
17 Jan 2010 | 12:22 amFranchise Advisory Councils are an effective way of harnessing franchisees' ideas and driving franchise systems forward, says Win Robinson, Managing Director of Franchize Consultants (NZ) Ltd. -
Franchise Development - Doing it Right
8 Jan 2010 | 1:04 pmIs my business franchiseable and what steps should be taken? Michael H. Seid, Managing Director of Michael H. Seid and Associates, a specialist franchise advisory organisation, provides a logical and comprehensive framework for newcomers considering franchising a business. -
Training Your Franchisees
18 Dec 2009 | 12:38 pmMark Siebert, CEO of iFranchise consulting, explains the importance of training, including headquarters training, onsite training, ongoing training and more training.
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Franchise News Wire by Franchising.com
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Einstein Bros.(R) Bagels Celebrates National Bagel Day With Free Bagel Offer
9 Feb 2010 | 8:28 amOn the heels of its successful Bagel Bonanza--the world's largest online bagel giveaway--Einstein Bros. Bagels is again offering a delicious deal to its Facebook Fans. To celebrate National Bagel Day, February 9, all fans of the Einstein Bros. -
Assist-2-Sell Founders Join Ben Bernanke On Inman List Of 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders
9 Feb 2010 | 8:25 amAssist-2-Sell co-founders Mary LaMeres-Pomin and Lyle Martin joined Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke on the Inman News list of the 100 Most Influential Real Estate Leaders for 2009. The prestigious annual list reflects the real estate's best and... -
Toys"R"Us, Inc. Expands Its Support Of Autism Speaks Throughout North America
9 Feb 2010 | 8:20 amToday, Toys"R"Us, Inc. and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund announced they have expanded their support of Autism Speaks to include a fundraising campaign in all of the company's stores in North America. This is the fourth consecutive year the company... -
Lions, Tigers And Shamu: Family Spring Break Adventure Escape Now At The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina
9 Feb 2010 | 8:16 amGrab the camera, floaties and flip flops and head for the ultimate family destination this spring break at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina (HR Mission Bay) in San Diego. -
Lions, Tigers And Shamu: Family Spring Break Adventure Escape Now At The Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa And Marina
9 Feb 2010 | 8:10 amGrab the camera, floaties and flip flops and head for the ultimate family destination this spring break at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina (HR Mission Bay) in San Diego.
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Franchise Talk
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Franchise Owner Starts Earning From Day One
8 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amThe Franchise Magazine: Newly launched Safeclean franchise owner Ryan Dowling is hoping that running his own business will not only provide him with a good income but also with the independence he craves. “I previously worked in sales, however I began looking into franchising as I wanted to earn more money and to be in charge of my day to day life as well as in control of my future,” recalls Ryan. “When I came across Safeclean it immediately appealed to me because I would be able to earn an income from day one. Additionally, I would be able to work in almost all weather… -
ZeeWise Announces New Software To Provide System-Wide Insight Into Franchise Performance
8 Feb 2010 | 5:00 amPR Web: ZeeWise™ Inc., the leading provider of Franchise Business Intelligence (BI) software announced today the release of CARS Premier Edition (Collection And Reporting System) at the 50th Annual International Franchise Association (IFA) Convention in San Antonio, Texas. For the first time in franchising, the new ZeeWise software enables managers to gain operational insight similar to the reporting and BI capabilities available to the Fortune 500. CARS Premier Edition (CARS PE) is a Web-based software tool designed for use with Intuit Inc.’s QuickBooks® to provide franchisors with… -
MyMenu Announces Midwest Unit Franchise Opportunities
8 Feb 2010 | 4:00 amPR Newswire: MyMenu, a Chicago-based frozen grocery retailer that offers hundreds of delicious easy-to-prepare meal ideas in one easy-to-navigate aisle, announced today that it is offering single unit franchise opportunities throughout the Midwest. The company also announced a highly competitive pioneer plan, which reduces the investment requirements for the first MyMenu franchisees in Madison, WI, and Fort Wayne, IN, where MyMenu currently operates stores. MyMenu’s Madison, WI, and Fort Wayne, IN stores have welcomed shoppers since the summer of 2008. For a limited time, the company is… -
Brazil Is World’s Number 3 In Franchises With Revenues Of US$ 135 Bi In 2010
8 Feb 2010 | 3:06 amBrazzil Magazine: Last year alone, 14,365 new franchises were opened in Brazil, generating 144,000 new work posts. The country has the third main franchise market in the world. According to figures included in a Rizzo Franchise study, in 2010, the sector should continue growing and expectations are for the generation of revenues of US$ 135 billion by the end of the year. The food sector was the one that presented the greatest growth in 2009, with 33% more franchises than in 2008. In the second place came the garment sector, with growth of 18.4%. Then came the sectors of personal accessories,… -
Leading Photography Franchise Offers $10000 Recession Rebate
2 Feb 2010 | 6:00 amPR Web: Images 4 Kids, the nation’s top children’s photography franchise, is offering a limited-time Recession Rebate of $10,000 toward the franchise fee. The company specializes in providing child care centers, preschools and private schools with high-end, studio-quality portraits using unique props and sets. Images 4 Kids has more than 60 franchises throughout the country. Founder and CEO Marcia Altizer began her career in photography under adverse circumstances as a young single mother searching for a way to support a child and herself without sacrificing her duties as a mother. Her…
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First Prize Franchise.com
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Rooster’s Mens Grooming Center
30 Jan 2010 | 12:30 pmRoosters MGC is a leader in the emerging male segment of the $65 Billion hair care industry. We have created a unique business model that serves men between the ages of 20-65 (and their sons) by providing quality haircuts and men’s grooming services, in a relaxed, upscale, male oriented environment. Roosters MGC is uniquely positioned in the “sensible middle” between over priced independent salons that focus primarily on women and the discounters that provide a no-frills experience and compete on price. Rooster’s operates in the ultimate recession resistant industry… -
All-American Decorative Concrete
14 Dec 2009 | 7:50 amDecorative concrete specializing in concrete overlays. Also specializes in concrete staining, stamping, and stenciling; decorative concrete at a fraction of the cost of much more expensive stone, granite, and marble. Decorative concrete has both multiple interior and exterior applications. One does not need ANY experience in masonry. Background Year Established: 2008 Year First Franchised: 2008 Franchised Units: 9 Company Owned Units: 0 Projected New Units (12 months): 24 States/Countries Registered In: Pending in CA, HI, IL, MD, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA, and WI. Available in the rest… -
Factoring Offers Chance for Struggling Businesses to Breathe
2 Nov 2009 | 11:11 amIn these tough economic times, cash flow has taken a hit for even the most successful businesses. One client’s inability to pay on time has the potential to sink a number of businesses on down the line. But even if companies aren’t struggling, factoring can launch a powerful ability to grow the business, or help start-ups survive the outlay of cash until revenues start coming in. So what is factoring, anyway? It’s a process by which a company sells its accounts receivables to receive the cash instantly. This can be critical when dealing with large companies or government municipalities… -
D’lish
30 Oct 2009 | 11:28 amD’lish is a one-of-a-kind food establishment built to make the most of high traffic areas in malls and other venues. With its unique menu, including hand-made sodas and lemonades, funnel cakes, shaved ice, candies and popcorn, D’lish offers a great low-cost business venture that boasts a rapid return on investment. A low start-up cost and low overhead, plus the fact that products appeal to all age groups makes D’lish an attractive venture. But because its products require minimal prep work, no restaurant experience is needed. Background Year Established: 2009 Year First… -
Factoring Helps Businesses Manage Cash Flow
21 Oct 2009 | 2:38 pmIn these tough economic times, cash flow has taken a hit for even the most successful businesses. One client’s inability to pay on time has the potential to sink a number of businesses on down the line. But even if companies aren’t struggling, factoring can launch a powerful ability to grow the business, or help start-ups survive the outlay of cash until revenues start coming in. So what is factoring, anyway? It’s a process by which a company sells its accounts receivables to receive the cash instantly. This can be critical when dealing with large companies or government municipalities…
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Little Jimmy's Italian Ice
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Statue of Liberty Concessions
12 Jan 2010 | 10:54 amOur company ran the concessions by the ferry going to the Statue of Liberty from the 100th Birthday of Lady Liberty in 1986 till shortly after 9/11 in 2001. We sold various Statue of Liberty Souvenirs, and fast food items. However, our number one item we sold to tourists going to the Statue of Liberty was Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice. We would outsell Haagen-Dazs 2 to 1 at the same price in our concession stand. People from all over the world would travel to see the Statue of Liberty in New York City and enjoy a Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice along the way. -
Austin Bats Congress Bridge
26 Dec 2009 | 6:04 amBat Fest 2008 Austin, Texas has one of the world’s largest bat colonies living in the heart of downtown – under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Every night during the summer months, millions of bats come out from under the bridge and fly off into the night. This spectacle is celebrated at the Austin Bat Festival, a two-day event held in the true spirit of south Austin. It features live music, bat viewing and education areas, good food and plenty of family-friendly fun. Check out the amazing video below. -
Special Olympics Airplane Pull
25 Dec 2009 | 8:46 pmContinental Airlines and the Port Authority of NJ held a Special Olympics Plane Pull last month. A good day was had by all with fun for the entire family with all proceeds going to the New Jersey Special Olympics. Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice donated some Italian Ice pushcarts and Italian ice to this fun Family Day at Newark Liberty Airport. Teams of 20 competed to pull a Boeing 737 weighing over 93,000 lbs. on the Continental Airlines tarmac at Newark Airport! NEW SLIDESHOW!! -
Little Jimmys Videos on YouTube
9 Dec 2009 | 9:02 amI was searching around YouTube the other night and found a bunch of videos that some of our customers had uploaded that I had never seen before. I thought I would put them up on our blog so you could take a look at these YouTube Videos also. Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice is a fun and easy business that nearly anyone can do. If you have not done so yet, sign up here to get more information on our Italian ices and pushcarts. Click here to check out these videos. Newly Discovered Little Jimmys You Tube Videos -
Texas Family Business
5 Dec 2009 | 11:36 amMarius and family are keeping their fellow Texans cool with Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice. He has a really nice push cart setup and does a great job selling his Major League baseball helmets filled with Little Jimmy’s Italian Ices. Marius works alongside his father and brother- a true family business.
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Franchise Blog
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The Franchisee And The Entrepreneur
9 Feb 2010 | 5:32 amWe often describe franchisees as entrepreneurs. This is true to an extent. Franchisees are people seeking to work for themselves and run their own business. But the presence of the franchisor network means that a franchisee does not enjoy the same independence of the entrepreneur who’s out on his own. It’s rare to get the experience of a businessman who has experienced both sides of the small business world – an entrepreneur and a franchisee. The Wall Street-Journal recently conducted an interviewwith Tom Simonian, who ran a business that provided corporate-incentive programs in Chicago… -
IFA Convention Going Down a Storm in Texas!
8 Feb 2010 | 3:29 amToday is the last day of the 50th International Franchise Association’s annual convention. This year, the convention takes place in San Antonio, Texas and plays host to a number of speakers from across the franchising and entrepreneurship world, along with key speaker, former US President – George W. Bush. The convention also features an awards ceremony, honoring those who are deemed to have contributed significantly to the international franchise community, along with a tribute to the lifelong contribution of Russell J. Frith, former member, treasurer and chairman of the IFA . The… -
Good idea. . . or not? Vending companies pay businesses to place machines on site
8 Feb 2010 | 1:13 amToday we’re very excited to publish a guest post by Joe Nichols, second-generation owner of A & M Vending Machine Sales. Before we can effectively discuss compensation for account placement, we need to discuss the qualities of the account market. Have you determined the type of company you will be selling to? What type of people are the decision-makers in these accounts, what are their purchasing habits, when do they buy? Create a sales strategy and implement that strategy in a sales program that targets the decision-maker’s habits. Remember the law of cause and effect. For… -
The Value Of Listening To Your Franchisees
4 Feb 2010 | 6:14 amI don’t like to think of franchising as being governed by a top-down hierarchy. For a franchise system to really function, there must be an even give-and-take between the people at HQ and the franchisees working on the ground. It saddens one to scour the internet and read about some of the tensions between franchisors and franchisees that have emerged in certain operations. Many of these differences are avoidable. There is certainly an impetus (with a financial benefit) upon the franchisor to keep abreast of how the franchisees are faring. Linda Burzynski, CFE with the Franchise CEO, has… -
Veterans Thriving In the Kitchen
3 Feb 2010 | 6:34 amThe more we think of it, the more we see the surprising structural similarities between franchising and the military. On the battlefield, you work individually with a mission in mind. But you exist within a hierarchy with expertise in handling similar situations. You are also surrounded by a strong support network. We’ve been supporting veterans in franchising for nearly as long as we’ve been blogging, and the new issue of QSR magazine expresses its own enthusiasm with the trend. It profiles the veteran franchise programs at restaurants like Little Caesars, Steak-Out and Figaro’s Pizza.
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franchisEssentials
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Franchise Professionals Share Objectives for Attending IFA Convention
2 Feb 2010 | 6:52 pmA few weeks ago, I posted a discussion on various LinkedIn Franchise Groups about the upcoming 50th IFA Convention. I asked who was attending the event and what they were hoping to bring back to their organization. The response was great as many people not only shared what they were hoping to achieve, but also [...] -
Real-Time Search Results: Another Compelling Reason for Franchise Companies to Embrace Social Media
2 Feb 2010 | 7:43 amSocial Media Blueprint - Making the Most of Social Search (as posted on SmartBrief on Social Media) If social media was not on your company’s marketing radar three months ago, recent developments in search have most likely changed that. Social media is now intertwined with search like never before, providing a uniquely tangible business case to [...] -
“Franchise Today” Returns With New Focus!
2 Feb 2010 | 12:04 amFranchise Today (Airing LIVE Thursdays at 12 PM CST / 1 PM EST – podcasts available within one hour of original broadcast) Franchise Today is hosted by franchisEssentials President, CEO and Founder, Paul Segreto. Dedicated to franchise success at all levels, Paul brings unique perspective, entrepreneurial spirit and extensive industry experience to franchise marketing and development, the [...] -
Social Media Etiquette
1 Feb 2010 | 5:52 pmActing and behaving correctly within social media networks is key to effective interaction and building mutually beneficial relationships. Treat others as you would at in-person events. Maintain a high level of ethics, as well as your dignity. Blend into the discussion, earning the right to be noticed. Share, share, share, your thoughts, information, videos and [...] -
Discussion About IFA’s 50th Anniversary Exemplifies What Franchising is Really About!
29 Jan 2010 | 6:33 pmRecently, on the International Franchise Association group on LinkedIn, I posted the following discussion, “The 50th Annual IFA Convention in San Antonio is less than three weeks away. Will you be attending? If so, what do you hope to bring back to your organization? If not, is there a specific reason?” Many franchise professionals responded and [...]
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brandEXPANSION Hot Press
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ProIce Seeking Master, Area, Sales Reps, Dealers
2 Feb 2010 | 3:02 pmThe hottest new product is actually quite cold. ProIce, the leading cold therapy solution, has long been considered the optimal icing solution for athletes. But the benefits of icing extend well beyond the sports arena. Research shows icing is: Great for acute injuries. Icing has proven to reduce swelling, which not only numbs the pain, but also shortens the recovery time. No family first aid kit is complete without an ice wrap. Outstanding in prophylactic uses. Those whose daily lives include repetitive motion—and isn’t that just about everyone?—can prevent long-term damage by icing… -
Dlish Offers Tasty Franchise Opportunity
2 Nov 2009 | 11:05 amD’lish is a tasty treat, and not just for the tastebuds. This hot new franchise opportunity is serving up a delectable business venture for someone who wants to seize an opportunity without taking the major risks and cost involved in launching a food franchise. D’lish opened its first store last week, in the Fashion Place mall, in Murray, Utah. It is the first of nine stores expected to open in the next eight months. With locations already secured, however, these nine are just the beginning. But there are more than 47,000 malls in the United States. While a mall kiosk delivers the kind of… -
Auto Franchises Make Sense for Former Car Dealers
23 Oct 2009 | 8:08 amThe shaking in the U.S. auto industry may have caused earthquakes from the manufacturers down to the suppliers. But there’s one aspect of autos that is actually thriving these days – auto franchises. Consider the reasons why: * The downward economy has put the brakes on new car sales (except during a stunt like Cash for Clunkers, which saw a brief upswing). According to the Wall Street Journal, car sales are down every month in 2009 compared to 2008, except for during the Cash for Clunkers period. In all, car sales are down more than 25 percent in 2009 – and 2008 wasn’t that great of… -
Struggling Businesses Get Relief With Factoring
21 Oct 2009 | 2:43 pmIn these tough economic times, cash flow has taken a hit for even the most successful businesses. One client’s inability to pay on time has the potential to sink a number of businesses on down the line. But even if companies aren’t struggling, factoring can launch a powerful ability to grow the business, or help start-ups survive the outlay of cash until revenues start coming in. So what is factoring, anyway? It’s a process by which a company sells its accounts receivables to receive the cash instantly. This can be critical when dealing with large companies or government municipalities… -
5 Reasons Franchises Are Better than Stand-Alone Businesses
19 Oct 2009 | 11:44 amWhen planning new ventures, you need to decide whether this new business should be a franchise or not. Well, major entrepreneurs have analysed the franchise opportunity and have recognised the following excellent characteristics of any franchise opportunity: 1.Firstly, with a franchise, a lot of the headaches have been worked out for you. This includes the menu, kitchen, equipment, the approach, employee attire, design and layout as well as how the franchise business is run. All you have to do is run the franchise and make sure things run smoothly in order for it to succeed. According to the…
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Comfort Keepers Franchise Development
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Winter Reads to Give Your Business a Boost
22 Jan 2010 | 9:53 amThe winter season is a great time to catch up on some reading. Whether you plan to bring a few books on your Florida vacation – or you’re snowed in at home – I’ve compiled a few great titles that will help you keep your business sense sharp. So What? How To Communicate What Really Matters by Mark Magnacca In this book, sales consultant Mark Magnacca answers the “So What?” questions and shows you how to answer them. Use it to help you refine your communication skills and accomplish what you’d like to achieve. If you can’t answer the “so what” questions in business… -
Wise Resolutions: A look in the mirror of 2009 and forward to 2010
4 Jan 2010 | 1:13 pmIt’s 2010 and it’s time to set your goals for the next year, both professionally and personally. We came up with a few for entrepreneurs and franchisees, and also found a great list from Entreprenuer.com worth sharing. Please comment and tell us what YOU plan to do to kick off a new decade of business success! Great 2010 Goals for Franchise Business Owners NETWORK. Devote 30-45 min a day to networking and marketing your business. This can just be updating your profiles on social networks, attending luncheons or setting up coffee meetings with other potential business leaders. MAKE… -
Your Year in Review
18 Dec 2009 | 8:31 amIf you are one of the millions of Americans who call themselves pessimists – then you probably look on the coming 2010 marker as one more milestone by which to measure all the things you didn’t accomplish in 2009. While it’s tempting to accept defeat by the to-do list and bunker down next to your space heater for the winter – take a moment to ask yourself a few quick questions as the clock ticks away the last seconds of the year. What 3 major things did you accomplish this year? Have you learned any new skills this year that have helped you improve in your business or… -
Getting to Where the Business is
8 Dec 2009 | 12:08 pmI recently tweeted a video released by popular business, marketing guru, Chris Brogan. He used this :49 second clip to bring home one simple message: in order to make your business or franchise successful – you’ve got to go where the business is. The concept seems simple – but tapping into new business can be a daunting and time-consuming task. There are a few reasons, however, why being proactive and going to where the business is will yield rewards. Keeping in contact with your network and touching base frequently may yield future referrals. Word of mouth is a powerful force in… -
Holiday Marketing Ideas: It’s about relationships
25 Nov 2009 | 7:08 amBursting out of everyone’s mailboxes come sparkly snowflakes, prancing deer, jolly elves and silver bells – it’s the holiday season, and everyone wants your money. Though the holidays are a marketer’s heyday, it’s important to remember some cardinal rules for relationship-based marketing that works better than pushy solicitations topped with a santa hat. Keep it family-focused. Many Comfort Keepers are intimately involved with their clients’ lives – so much so that they are considered not just a caregiver, but part of the family. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle…
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Small Biz Franchise Blog
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Are Your Franchisees’ Families Getting In The Way Of Their Success?
5 Feb 2010 | 8:11 amThe families of your franchisees are an important factor in their success. Too many franchisors unfortunately underestimate the influence of families. Concentrating only on the franchisee is a mistake you need to avoid and here is why. When people invest in a franchise their lives change drastically. They go through tremendous emotional upheaval which has a direct effect on their family. The family normally does not make the investment choice for the franchisee. They may be involved in the decision making process but the final decision is usually made by one or two people. Yet, the… -
Are Your Franchisees Able to Absorb the Information They Need?
18 Jan 2010 | 5:02 amWorking from the premise that franchisees are smart people who have already been successful at previous careers, we charge ahead to download mega gigs of information into their heads as soon as they join the system. We rarely contemplate the fact that they may not be able to absorb the information we have to offer. Once I heard a Zen story about a university professor and a Zen master. This story changed my perspective about franchisee training and started me on my path to learn more about the psychology of franchising and franchisee success. The story is as follows: “A university… -
What Gifts do Early Adopters Franchisees Offer?
14 Jan 2010 | 7:15 amThe term ‘Early Adopters’ is commonly used in technology and it also has been applied in franchising for many years. It defines those people who join a new franchising company: one that has few or no franchisees. Early Adopters are the key to the success of any franchise company because without them there is no potential for growth. Someone has to invest in your franchise opportunity first and thus prove that your concept works for others. This is the initial gift Early Adopters offer to new franchisors. However, their gifts don’t stop at just their decision to invest in the newly… -
Are your Franchise Prospects Thieves?
12 Jan 2010 | 8:06 amYou have waited for a long time and invested a great deal of money in the process of franchising your business. It is only natural that you are excited when you talk with people who are interested in your opportunity. But, be careful that your enthusiasm does not lead you to reveal too much about your business. Although it does not happen often, it is a sad reality that there are some people who want to steal your idea and have no intention to join your system. Selling franchises, especially for a new franchisor, can be tricky. You need to find the balance between providing too much and not… -
When are franchisees ready to produce results?
5 Jan 2010 | 5:11 pmThis is a loaded question and one that needs to be carefully considered by both franchisees and franchisors. Although we all understand that it takes time for franchisees to learn the business and be able to implement the system successfully, we often overlook the many learning barriers that franchisees face. Franchisees, and sometimes franchisors, get frustrated when (in their view) it takes “too” long for the former to produce the desired results. They think that attending training and implementing the steps and tasks required “should” produce results at their…
