I’m going to teach you how. So, franchise success can be yours. Keep reading. Be Like A Machine Machines don’t have emotions. I don’t want you to either. Yet. I just want you to get the facts you need on the franchise (s) you’re looking into. So that when it comes time to make a decision on whether or not to buy that franchise-you’ll be able to do so with confidence. And, confidence can go a long way towards becoming a successful franchise owner. That’s what you want, right? Free Franchise Research Tips On Wednesday, May 22nd, I’m holding a Free Webinar. …
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Most Topular Stories
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Learn How To Become A Franchise Fact Gathering Machine
The Franchise King20 May 2013 | 6:42 am -
There’s A Rebel Mouse In The House
The Franchise King22 May 2013 | 1:39 pmIt wasn’t a question of if. It was a question of when. That’s because it involved the Berry’s. Tim Berry I’ve yet to meet the founder of Palo Alto Software. Yet. We’re both members of this Brain Trust. We have numerous mutual friends. We both write for SBA.Gov. We have similar philosophies. Tim Berry (the founder) and I have been interacting online and via phone for a few years now. I love the guy. He’s good people. He’s smart. He’s loyal. And, he’s very supportive of my mission. This one: “I’m focused on making franchising more transparent by… -
Business Loans For Veterans | SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative
The Franchise Blog 4 Vets21 May 2013 | 12:14 pm(Disclosure; I am the exclusive guest blogger on franchising for the Small Business Administration.) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has just announced the SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative, a commitment by its top national, regional and community lenders to collectively increase their lending activity to veterans by five percent per year for the next five years. This is good news from the SBA! The initiative also complements SBA’s existing partnership with the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) VetLoan Advantage strategic initiative that offers small… -
Spring Lawn Care Tips
Lawn Care Franchise Ownership Tips - Spring-Green15 May 2013 | 8:50 amSpring is the time when, after months of being confined to the interior of your home, your living space opens up to include your yard as well as amenities like patios and decks. Spring-Green Lawn Care has long been in the business of maximizing outdoor spaces, so we can share the following tips for springtime lawn care that will lay the foundation for a healthy, beautiful lawn throughout the spring and summer. Water your lawn according to weather. When it comes to watering your lawn, there is no one-size-fits-all answer in terms of how much or how often you should do so during the spring… -
Law Firm Social Media Strategy
Rush on Business8 May 2013 | 6:29 amI am speaking at the Iowa Bar Association's Bridge the Gap seminar on May 9, 2013 on The Lessons I've Learned From Seven Years of Legal Blogging. I am excited about the presentation as it is the first time I've spoken on legal blogging for a couple of years. I've given numerous presentations about social media and the law over the past several years but at the end of the day it's fun to discuss why lawyers should blog and how it can be done effectively. I'd also suggest watching this short video on Law Firm Social Media Strategy from the LXBN Network. The video has a couple of excellent tips…
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The Franchise King
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There’s A Rebel Mouse In The House
22 May 2013 | 1:39 pmIt wasn’t a question of if. It was a question of when. That’s because it involved the Berry’s. Tim Berry I’ve yet to meet the founder of Palo Alto Software. Yet. We’re both members of this Brain Trust. We have numerous mutual friends. We both write for SBA.Gov. We have similar philosophies. Tim Berry (the founder) and I have been interacting online and via phone for a few years now. I love the guy. He’s good people. He’s smart. He’s loyal. And, he’s very supportive of my mission. This one: “I’m focused on making franchising more transparent by… -
Learn How To Become A Franchise Fact Gathering Machine
20 May 2013 | 6:42 amI’m going to teach you how. So, franchise success can be yours. Keep reading. Be Like A Machine Machines don’t have emotions. I don’t want you to either. Yet. I just want you to get the facts you need on the franchise (s) you’re looking into. So that when it comes time to make a decision on whether or not to buy that franchise-you’ll be able to do so with confidence. And, confidence can go a long way towards becoming a successful franchise owner. That’s what you want, right? Free Franchise Research Tips On Wednesday, May 22nd, I’m holding a Free Webinar. … -
For Women Only
16 May 2013 | 8:12 am(Wholesome Tummies Franchise Owners) Sorry, guys. This one’s not for you. (He’ll get over it.) American Express Report According to a report commissioned by American Express Open, only 20.5 percent of franchise businesses are owned by women. Personally, I’d like to see that number rise. Today’s women have a plethora of resources available to them to help them learn about and investigate business opportunities-including franchise ownership options. And, if they become small business owners, they can check out some of the newer resources like Leanin.org,… -
Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities in College
13 May 2013 | 2:23 am(This is a Sponsored Post) Today’s college graduates don’t have it very easy. Years ago, graduating from college meant you were nearly guaranteed employment and some level of job security. That piece of paper automatically gave you an advantage that many of your peers did not have. But, times have changed and created a much different post-college experience for young people. Some of them are experiencing a perfect storm: Massive amounts of student loan debt Limited employment opportunities and intense competition for those few positions New corporate cultures that don’t reward longevity… -
You Are One Click Away From Choking The Life Out Of A Local Small Business
8 May 2013 | 2:24 pmThat’s right; one-click of your mouse. One tap of your Smartphone…that’s all it’s going to take. But you already know that. Do You Buy Local? My friend, Chris Brogan, consistently pisses me off. That’s because he’s always writing thought-provoking posts, and I’m not always in the mood to think. Thanks, Chris. Here’s a snippet from a post he wrote on local small business: “I went into a running store to pick up a windbreaker kind of thingy because evidently wearing a spring jacket means I will sweat like a prisoner. The guy who runs the shop remembered selling me my…
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The Franchise Blog 4 Vets
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Business Loans For Veterans | SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative
21 May 2013 | 12:14 pm(Disclosure; I am the exclusive guest blogger on franchising for the Small Business Administration.) The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has just announced the SBA Veteran Pledge Initiative, a commitment by its top national, regional and community lenders to collectively increase their lending activity to veterans by five percent per year for the next five years. This is good news from the SBA! The initiative also complements SBA’s existing partnership with the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) VetLoan Advantage strategic initiative that offers small… -
Franchise Owners: Take Advantage Of The Network
24 Mar 2013 | 5:16 pmIf you're the owner of a franchise business, you have a built-in network. I'm not referring to your computer network...I'm referring to your network of fellow franchisees. When you were doing your franchise research, were you able to befriend any of the franchisees that you called and/or visited? Were there one or two franchise owners that you felt would help you when you became a franchisee yourself? If so, have you called them? Or, are you being stubborn-and trying to figure everything out all by yourself? And, if you belong to a large franchise organization,… -
The Best Websites In Franchising Are...
25 Feb 2013 | 5:25 amThe best franchise websites are great at a couple of things. Do you know what they are? If you're looking for a franchise, what are you hoping to find when you hit a franchise website? And, if you're a franchisor, what are you hoping that visitors to your site do? Great business websites do the following: 1. Entice the visitor to stay on the website to keep learning about the product, service, or in this case, the potential opportunity to go into business. 2. Get to the point (whatever that may be) so the visitor can make a decision on whether to "Learn More" or move on to…
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Lawn Care Franchise Ownership Tips - Spring-Green
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Spring Lawn Care Tips
15 May 2013 | 8:50 amSpring is the time when, after months of being confined to the interior of your home, your living space opens up to include your yard as well as amenities like patios and decks. Spring-Green Lawn Care has long been in the business of maximizing outdoor spaces, so we can share the following tips for springtime lawn care that will lay the foundation for a healthy, beautiful lawn throughout the spring and summer. Water your lawn according to weather. When it comes to watering your lawn, there is no one-size-fits-all answer in terms of how much or how often you should do so during the spring… -
A Mother’s Day Salute from Spring-Green
8 May 2013 | 1:59 pmMother’s Day is a time to celebrate the joy that mothers bring to our lives – and here at Spring-Green, we want to acknowledge the mothers on our team who add tremendous value not only to the work we do, but also to our daily lives. Gillian Hrycyk, Consumer Marketing Manager – print for Spring-Green, has been with the company since 2005. She came on board as a marketing coordinator and was promoted to her current role in 2008. Gillian was drawn to Spring-Green by the marketing initiatives and goals the company has in place to drive revenue for its franchisees. “I love helping to… -
Meet Our Team: Gwen Pothier-Ward
2 May 2013 | 1:39 pmThis week, we are excited to spotlight a member of our team whose drive and dedication fueled her rise to head of our national call center operations. Gwen Pothier-Ward, Marketing Support and Call Center Supervisor, first joined Spring-Green in 2009 as a seasonal employee, but due to her work ethic, professional background and the sales success she achieved for the company, Gwen was made a permanent part of the team. In July 2011, Gwen was promoted to her Marketing Support and Call Center Supervisor role. At one time, Gwen considered opening her own life coaching business, as people tend to… -
A Message From Our CEO, Ted Hofer
25 Apr 2013 | 6:50 pmArbor Day is this Friday, April 26, marking the beginning of spring and the return of the planting season. The holiday itself celebrates planting and caring for trees – but on a larger scale, it recognizes the importance of taking care of the environment and giving back to nature. Here at Spring-Green, we’re aware of the importance of a beautiful (and healthy!) natural environment and the role it plays in keeping us happy and healthy. That’s why Spring-Green is committing itself to going green, not just on Arbor Day but all year long. “The Green in Spring-Green” is our…
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Rush on Business
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Law Firm Social Media Strategy
8 May 2013 | 6:29 amI am speaking at the Iowa Bar Association's Bridge the Gap seminar on May 9, 2013 on The Lessons I've Learned From Seven Years of Legal Blogging. I am excited about the presentation as it is the first time I've spoken on legal blogging for a couple of years. I've given numerous presentations about social media and the law over the past several years but at the end of the day it's fun to discuss why lawyers should blog and how it can be done effectively. I'd also suggest watching this short video on Law Firm Social Media Strategy from the LXBN Network. The video has a couple of excellent tips… -
The Franchise King Reveals 20 Must-Do Things Before Buying a Franchise
25 Apr 2013 | 11:54 amJoel Libava (a/k/a "The Franchise King") has a list of 20 Must-Do Things Before You Buy a Franchise. It's a great list so I thought I'd share the article with you. The last item on his list is to "Lawyer Up". Joel explains that the franchisor has a lawyer so franchisees should too. He also says to find a franchise lawyer rather than just any business lawyer. Both are excellent pieces of advice. My experience is that often prospective franchisees are reluctant to hire a lawyer because they don't believe the franchise agreement can be negotiated. This isn't always the case. -
Due Diligence Training Through Plains Angels: Classes of Stock and Corporate Structure
23 Apr 2013 | 6:40 amThose interested in raising investment capital for their business, or those interested in making investments in businesses, may want to take advantage of the monthly due diligence/investor training provided by Plains Angels. Plains Angels is a group of Midwest angel investors that have now funded various projects here in the Midwest. The group is actively taking applications for companies seeking investment money and it appears the quality of the companies being considered is improving each month. This month's due diligence session covers Classes of Stock and Corporate Structure. The… -
Unique Look at Multi-Unit Franchisees: Empire Builders
22 Apr 2013 | 7:28 amI recommend prospective franchisees take a look at Empire Builders which is a series of videos highlighting successful multi-unit franchisees. Most of the prospective franchisees that come to see me are seeking to purchase a single franchise. Many of them dream of becoming a multi-unit owners but usually lack the capital (at least initially) to make that a reality. It's interesting to hear from multi-unit owners who have been able to harness the power of the franchising model and achieve great success. It is easier said than done. There are some great videos in the series covering… -
Is a Franchise a Safe Investment?
3 Apr 2013 | 6:26 amPotential franchisees should read this article from Robert Purvin on Franchising Myth One: Franchises are Safe Investments. In the article, Purvin discusses how franchises and independent businesses fail at roughly the same rate (something discussed at length in several of my blog posts). It's critical that prospective franchisees understand that buying a franchise will not automatically increase your chances of success. I hear time and time again from people about how franchises have a "system" and "they will help me with marketing and getting customers". It's not always…
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bluemaumau.org
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McDonald's Owner/Operators Temperature Check
22 May 2013 | 5:15 pmRecently I gained additional perspective on the issues and discontent in the McDonald's U.S. owner/operator community. read more -
An Audacious Business Goal that was as Big as a Buffalo
20 May 2013 | 11:05 amMore than 15 years ago I was struggling in the beef cattle industry because I was doing things exactly the way everyone else was doing them—raising cattle and then taking them to the feedlot. It’s a great business when things are good but when the market is down you are in the dumps as well. read more -
Franchising Myth Six: Many Franchises Means Critical Mass of Market Penetration
20 May 2013 | 10:44 amToo many prospective franchise buyers I know assume that a franchise is successful because it is “big enough” to sell franchises or because it already has hundreds of franchises in operation. read more -
Nobody Asked me, But... A Hotel Consultant's Eclectic Opinions
20 May 2013 | 9:58 amFor the past 25 years, I have written hundreds of articles, columns, essays, editorials and blogs. They have appeared in many different formats.read more -
Forty Six Million Reasons Why Restaurants Should Think Ahead
16 May 2013 | 11:04 amNote from John Gordon: Several 'fast casual' summits will be conducted this year, one this week before the NRA Show kicks off in Chicago. Steve Johnson, the Grocerant space expert, and I feel the future of food retail is not to look back and see what worked in the past, but to look forward, thinking carefully about the customer. read more
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Franchising Blog | Franchise Gator
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BookKeeping Express Opens First Ohio Franchise Location
16 May 2013 | 12:14 pmBookKeeping Express, a U.S. bookkeeping services franchisor, has announced the opening of their first Ohio office in the Loveland area. The new location will help serve the Loveland area, in addition to those in the Northeast Cincinnati. “We help business owners to achieve three key objectives: lower their taxes, optimize cash flow, and increase their profits,” said Chris Lee, BookKeeping Express Ohio franchisee. “I am excited about serving the northeast business community and this opportunity to help small business survive and grow. BookKeeping Express has more than 20 years of… -
Infographic: The Popularity of Preschool
29 Apr 2013 | 11:28 amPreschool Popularity Infographic by Kiddie Academy Click here to see a higher-res photo -
Franchise Gator Featured in Top 100 Entrepreneur Blogs
26 Apr 2013 | 8:44 amCouponAudit.com recently featured Franchise Gator in their top 100 entrepreneur blogs to follow in 2013. The Franchise Gator blog was named #24 out of 100 blogs featured, all in different industries. The infographic below lists all 100 blogs, their web address, Twitter followers, and Facebook fans. An infographic by the team at CouponAudit -
Franchising Industry Continues Growth
22 Apr 2013 | 11:51 amThe International Franchise has released March numbers for the Franchise Business Index. The new report shows an increase of .3 percent in March, with improvements in credit availability and labor market indicators. The .3 percent increase in March is the third consecutive month of increases in the economic health of the franchise industry. “Demand for franchise growth remains strong and with lending to franchise businesses reaching its highest level since the recession, the industry remains a driver of growth and job creation despite the uncertain economic and public policy environment,”… -
“Franchise Today” Kicks Off Fourth Annual Franchise Legal Series April 11
10 Apr 2013 | 10:40 amHouston, Texas –“Franchise Today” radio show begins its fourth annual “Franchise Legal” series this Thursday, April 11 and culminates with the IFA Symposium (May 5-7) recap on May 30. The eight-week series – double the content since its debut in 2010 – will deliver compelling insight from the perspective of leading legal minds within the franchising world. “Each year we continue to expand the ‘Legal’ series based on growing listenership and the enthusiastic response from the franchising community,” said “Franchise Today” host Paul Segreto. “We are thrilled to have…
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Franchise News Wire by Franchising.com
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Toys"R"Us Children's Fund Donates $100,000 To Save The Children To Support Children And Families Following Oklahoma Tornado
23 May 2013 | 12:20 pmThe Toys"R"Us Children's Fund today announced a $100,000 donation to Save the Children to provide immediate and longer-term recovery programs for communities in Moore, Oklahoma following this week's devastating tornado. -
Entrepreneurs Are Drawn To U.S. Lawns
23 May 2013 | 12:14 pmU.S. Lawns continues to grow, just like the grass that it cuts. Commercial landscape management is a beacon to entrepreneurs, and the backing of an industry-leading franchise is a strong draw. -
15 Emerging Technology Companies Selected For Realogy FWD Innovation Summit
23 May 2013 | 12:01 pmRealogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), today announced the selection of 15 emerging technology companies that will compete at the Realogy FWD Innovation Summit on Tuesday, June 18. -
Jersey Mike's Subs Opens 1st Location In Statesboro
23 May 2013 | 11:46 amJersey Mike's Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled East Coast-style subs, officially opened its doors in Statesboro on May 15. -
Crowne Plaza Hotels(R) & Resorts To Donate $50,000 Through "Charity Foursome" Program
23 May 2013 | 11:35 amPGA TOUR golfers at the 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial will once again be playing for more than the traditional tartan plaid jacket. This year's Crowne Plaza(R) Hotels & Resorts "Charity Foursome" program will benefit..
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italian ice - Little Jimmy's Italian Ice
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ITALIAN ICE PREZI
21 May 2013 | 10:36 amOUR FIRST PREZI FOR LITTLE JIMMY’S ITALIAN ICES- Check it out!! No tags for this post. -
Summer Jobs – New Testimonial
14 May 2013 | 7:26 amsummer job Hi Dennis, I just want to let you know how our first adventure in the Italian Ices business went. Well, we were asked to shown up at a Relay for Life event in Lincolnton, NC on a Friday afternoon. The event started at 6p.m. with the expectation of the vendors setting up no later than 5p.m. Since this was our first event, we took more than we thought we would need (cups, spoons, napkins, Ice etc.). The setup went very smooth even though I was very nervous. I had purchased the ice cream bag Anthony displayed in his video and let me tell you, that thing kept my extra cans of ice cold… -
Summer Job: Italian Ice by The Pool
1 May 2013 | 10:41 amSummer Job Suggestion: Recently one of our customers from Indiana was interviewed by the Chronicle Tribune in Indiana. They also shot this great video of Bob poolside serving his customers while being interviewed by a reporter there. Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Great idea for summer jobs for teachers and students this summer. summer job serving Italian ice at the pool Get started by visiting us here What were you thinking of doing this summer? Why not a Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice pushcart to set up at pools and high traffic areas. Tremendous summer job idea-… -
Italian Ice Sightings and Quotes
30 Apr 2013 | 11:13 am1) Saw one of your carts Friday at food truck park in the ATL on Howell Mill italian ice at mall 2) I am doing a Fund Raising event for my credit union-walk for hunger- may 4th! My 1st! Wish me luck!!! Thanks again for all your help!!!! from Maine 3) Thank You Dennis, I have just booked 3 major events here in Atlanta. 1. Sweet Auburn Music Festival 2. Shaky Knees Music Festival and I also have booked the 28th Annual…Sweet Auburn Spring Festival. So Yes, I am on a roll. My goal is to have an event Every Weekend. I currently have a spot everyday at the Atlanta Food Truck Park! -
Baseball Helmets Special for Italian Ice
16 Apr 2013 | 11:00 amSpecial sale on Little Jimmy’s Italian Ice Baseball helmets! Major League baseball helmets Helmets are NOW $17 per pack of 20- Packed 20 per each Major League Baseball team Available Italian Ice flavors are: Lemon, Banana, Blueberry, (NEW) Cotton Candy, Bubble Gum, Strawberry, Cherry, Chocolate, Coconut, Fruit Punch, Grape, Green Apple, Iced Tea, Mango, Orange, Pina Colada, Pineapple, and Watermelon. You may order any quantity of these flavors. 2013 Top flavors so far: Lemon Cherry Watermelon Pina Colada Blueberry Rainbow is actually a flavor you make yourself with whatever 4…
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Franchise Blog
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Kiosk Culture & Franchising Unite
22 May 2013 | 7:46 amWhat makes technology so amazing for the franchise world is the variability it creates when customers and businesses unite. Custom ordering through a simple and neutral space continues to grow in popularity as consumers become more and more comfortable with smart phones, tablets, and computers for ordering products and services that come right to their front door. The appeal of kiosk ordering is hitting markets internationally as well as select parts of the U.S. which allows kiosk managers and the franchisees that monitor their use for their own location to closely observe customer… -
Franchising Appeal: Make your Lifelong Experience Count
20 May 2013 | 7:04 amThe benefits of franchising are becoming increasingly well known around the world as interest in the industry increases. Especially when financial stability is challenging to find, many research alternative ways to make a living with a kind of flexibility that is unique to franchising. Here are two simple though vital ways that franchising stands apart for franchise partners: Potential to Create Profits While Managing a Team Certain segments of franchising may more frequently allow for fewer on the job hours while business profits remain, particularly for franchisees operating from a… -
Spin on Global Franchising: Larger Franchisors Integrate Locally
17 May 2013 | 7:10 amWhere franchise companies enter countries around the globe to further profits and expand their brand into new territories, regulations may alter the pace of growth and the interaction with locals. Each country has its own legal regulations in terms of business management and expansion within its borders, and franchisors do well to consider how their business may progress in a new land as well as how it will be received locally. In some countries, larger franchise businesses entering the scene procure so much business and local customer loyalty that small business owners dispersed throughout… -
Research Tools for Potential & Existing Women Franchise Pros
15 May 2013 | 9:01 amWhy are women and franchising an excellent combination? Statistics continue to show that more and more women are turning to franchising for career prospects in various fields, and franchisors are seeking them out. Reasons for this include key ways that franchising suits women, flexibility and opportunities outside of a 9-5 career, and increased incentives for entrepreneurial minded individuals to invest in their future differently. The increase in information specifically available to women franchise professionals is much needed, and Franchise Direct offers the Franchise Information Center… -
Families in Franchising: United Beyond the Job Hunt
13 May 2013 | 9:17 amWhen the job hunt doesn’t meet expectations, either in terms of length of time left unemployed or lack of opportunities in any given area, many individuals opt to enter into franchise industry investments with family members, to begin a fresh career prospect outside the typical grind without having to start a brand new business. Across the U.S., many families are entering into profitable franchise agreements after thoroughly researching how their skills partner up with the overall franchise concept and system. Some key aspects of family franchise arrangements must be considered and…
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Can Cancer Be Contagious?
24 May 2013 | 3:35 amCan Cancer Be Contagious? AlamyNo, but it's not uncommon for people to think so. And it's not the only misconception out there that's being perpetuated. Three more cancer myths debunkedMore StoriesSkin Cancer Linked to Digestive Issue Fad Diet Could Help Psoriasis Sufferers Technology that Can Ruin Relationship -
Mom Couldn't Believe What She Had to Say
24 May 2013 | 3:35 amMom Couldn't Believe What She Had to Say AlamyMolly never thought the words would come out of her mouth, but eight-year-old Colton proved her wrong. 'No, Colton, you can't play with mommy's ...'More in Parenting Theme Park Highlights Bodily FunctionsIs New 'Star Trek' Game OK for Kids?Surprising Reason to Avoid Rihanna Movie -
Ex-Lakers Coach Weighs In On Controversy
24 May 2013 | 3:35 amEx-Lakers Coach Weighs In On Controversy Getty ImagesIt's no secret L.A. thought about bringing back Phil Jackson. Then they didn't hire him. But the details were largely a mystery ... until now. What coaching legend admitted during interviewCaught Our Attention Coach K Makes It Official Why Chiefs Star Wants to Punt Radio Legend Joins ESPN -
Co-Workers' Mind-Boggling Realization
24 May 2013 | 3:35 amCo-Workers' Mind-Boggling Realization'Steve Harvey' For years and years, Rich and Birdie never knew the truth -- until one day they realized they had a lot more than their job in common.Stunning discovery they made Let's Get LocalPopular Food Is No. 1 Cause of ChokingAthlete Pledges $250K to OklahomaCompany Makes Very Special Trip -
Bridge Collapse Sends Cars Plunging
24 May 2013 | 3:35 amBridge Collapse Sends Cars PlungingFrancisco RodriguezA major interstate bridge over a river north of Seattle collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water.Rescue teams search for survivorsMore News Film Festival Hit by Second HeistObama Heckler Makes Bold ClaimMcDonalds Rewards Ohio 'Hero'
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Small Biz Franchise Blog
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Franchise Success: “It’s Not About the Money”
20 May 2013 | 4:09 pmChris Jeffery is the founder and CEO of OrderUp, a fairly new franchise on the rise. At just barely over 30, Chris represents a new force in franchising. Energetic, fun-loving, positive, enthusiastic, passionate and humble – that’s the person I got to meet last week. No one could have been better to begin this study on franchise success. OrderUp started as a licensor in 2009 and was recently converted into a franchise. It is a cool concept based on a win-win-win proposition and founded on solid innovative technology that brings patrons to restaurants that otherwise would never find… -
Franchise Success Study
20 May 2013 | 3:59 pmI have always been attracted to the concept of success. My measuring stick for my own success has changed and shifted throughout my life, yet my interest on the subject has never diminished; on the contrary, the older I get and the more successful I feel and the greater my curiosity about how others define and seek success. I am a firm believer in what Shunryu Suzuki says in his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” So, embracing a beginner’s mind, I decided to find out how franchisors… -
THINK FRANCHISING IS EASY? THINK AGAIN!
10 May 2013 | 12:02 pmRunning a franchise company is not all that difficult, but it is not easy. When you franchise your business, you need to be prepared for a big change. If you tend to be a resilient kind of person, you will find it exhilarating and fun; however, if you are set in your ways, franchising can be challenging and scary. But, the truth is that resilience is a trait of most entrepreneurs, so you are probably going to enjoy the journey. There are many people who hold erroneous beliefs around this subject. These misconceptions include the following: Fallacy #1 If I franchise my business, I won’t need… -
WOULD YOU PAY ROYALTIES IF YOU DON’T RECEIVE VALUE?
30 Apr 2013 | 8:45 amMost likely the answer to this question is an unequivocal “No, you wouldn’t.” So the question that begs to be asked is “Why would anyone pay an ongoing fee if they don’t perceive they are getting value?” And, that answer also is: “They wouldn’t.” The issue of providing ongoing value is often overlooked by many business owners considering franchising. They tend to focus on all the knowledge and experience they convey to franchisees initially, and forget that they need to offer value on an regular basis if they expect franchisees to pay ongoing fees. Initially franchisees… -
THINKING ABOUT FRANCHISING OR EXPANDING? FIRST THINK SYSTEMS
31 Mar 2013 | 4:07 pmSystems are the backbone of any successful business whether or not expansion is in sight. But systems become vital when businesses decide to franchise or even just open an additional location. Success simply can’t be replicated without the existence and implementation of systems. Systems are methodologies and processes. They answer the questions: what, how, when, where, and by whom. In essence, they encompass the way things are done in a business and what is required to get it done over and over, producing the same result. Systems don’t need to be complex; in fact, the simpler they are,…
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Starting a New Business Advice Blog - FranNet Franchise Business Opportunity Consultant Blog
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What Did the Civil War Teach Us About Business?
30 Apr 2013 | 5:52 amIn the second year of the Civil War, Union troops were destined to learn a tragic and valuable lesson about the lack of a well thought out exit strategy from battle. It was December of 1862 and Federal troops had taken up positions in the town of Fredericksburg, Virginia—determined to cross the Rappahannock River and attack Confederate troops on their way to the Rebel capital of Richmond. In preparing for the Battle of Fredericksburg, they badly underestimated just how dug in and fortified the Confederate positions were. As company after company crossed the river in boats in preparation… -
From Coffee Table to Board Room: Two Great Books to Read
16 Apr 2013 | 8:50 amThroughout the course of the past few months, we at FranNet set out to provide some excellent topics for our blogs designed to speak directly to those considering a possible future as a small business or franchise owner. We’ve covered some vital subjects such as the three ways to own a business and touched upon significant details about which industries thrive in any type of economy. While these blog topics are designed to be informative and helpful, there are some other independent resources well worth checking out once you decide to get serious about taking over the reins of your own… -
Why an FDD Should Be Your Guiding Beacon
13 Mar 2013 | 7:22 amWith over 3,000 choices of franchise concepts in the marketplace today, your options for owning your own business are limitless. But not all franchises are created equally. So, how will you be able to gain the necessary piece of mind that the opportunity you intend to pursue is legitimate? Say hello to the Franchise Disclosure Document, or FDD for short. Quite simply, it’s a legal document mandated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) designed to assist the potential franchisee through the due diligence process. The FDD offers incredible access and insight into a franchise and its… -
Three Ways to Business Ownership Freedom
7 Mar 2013 | 8:33 amIt’s no secret that thousands of intelligent employees harbor a desire to eventually go into business for themselves. They do this for many personal reasons, not the least of which is the belief that they can be successful at the helm of their own organization. Perhaps you’ve been in a particular field long enough to know of a more efficient way to run a similar business model. It may stem from the famous thought that you can build a “better mousetrap,” as the saying goes. Generally speaking, there are three ways to go into business for yourself, including starting a business from… -
Flawed Thinking Keeping You Out of Business for Yourself?
4 Mar 2013 | 9:17 amThe very idea of owning a franchise or starting a new business of your own is a popular dream. The next time you’re in a crowded setting—perhaps a park packed with people on a sunny day–try to imagine how many of those present actually harbor a secret desire to take charge of their own destiny. Maybe some of these individuals have a burning desire to start a business of their own—particularly in a field in which they possess superior knowledge and experience. There is no doubt a precious few of these folks will have a drive deep within themselves telling them to “go for it” or…
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Franchise Money Maker
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Top 5 ways to get clear about what you want and bring it to you faster
19 May 2013 | 12:24 pmTop 5 ways to get clear about what you want and bring it to you faster. You undoubtedly think that it's easy to be clear about what you want. Heck, what you want is what you want. No big surprise, right? It just shows up with a little effort. Well, you're special! Most people get mixed results or don't get what they want at all. Why? Because they aren't truly clear about what they want. -
TRISTATE FOOD EXPO
14 May 2013 | 7:38 amTRISTATE FOOD EXPO The TriState Food Expo, a new trade show for the burgeoning New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state food service and retail food industry, will debut at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus, New Jersey October 1 – 2, 2013. -
7 Bits Of Critical Information You Can’t Afford NOT To Know About Your Customers
9 May 2013 | 7:35 pm7 Bits Of Critical Information You Can’t Afford NOT To Know About Your Customers This article is written and owned by Lora J Adrianse If you think customer relationship management is just a piece of software, you’re dead wrong. Customer relationship management is about understanding your customers. It’s about really knowing them as individuals, knowing [...] -
Ritter’s Frozen Custard franchise – Creating new ways to attract customers
28 Apr 2013 | 4:17 amRitter's Frozen Custard franchise - Creating new ways to attract customers foodies,flavors, ice cream, frozen custard, trufoods, ritters, occhiogrosso, kirvan, best -
There is NO Magic Bullet – Building your team takes time, patience and a clear understanding of getting to the goal
23 Apr 2013 | 6:15 pmFollowing these few simple steps will greatly increase you success ratio on the labor side and reduce the level of frustration and aggravation that often comes with the territory of employing young people. It takes work, consistency and the commitment to building a great team.
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franchisehelp.com
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New York Franchise Expo Update
3 May 2013 | 2:14 pmA message from our friends at the International Franchise Expo… Subway Founder Fred DeLuca to Deliver Opening Remarks at International Franchise Expo Founder of the Fastest-Growing Franchise to Attend New York City Franchise Event Paramus, NJ – The International Franchise Expo (IFE) will welcome the founder of Subway restaurant, Fred DeLuca, to kick off the industry’s premier annual event. DeLuca will share personal remarks during the IFE’s opening ceremony that begins at 9:50 a.m. June 20 at the Javits Center in NYC. “We are elated to have Fred Deluca as part of the IFE this… -
10 Marketing Terms Your Audience Hates
17 Apr 2013 | 7:51 amFor B2C brands, the words in Web copy and other marketing materials must be chosen more carefully than they are for B2B operations. It’s tempting to believe that hyper-manufactured marketing speak impresses the average consumer, but the exact opposite is true: He doesn’t understand it, nor does he care. In order to spare your audience a collective migraine while attempting to sell them your services, avoid using these torturous marketing terms: 1. Best Practices This just means you follow the best methods in your industry. But in some industries, those methods are not even defined. -
Best Frozen Yogurt Franchise Opportunities in the USA
26 Mar 2013 | 11:30 amFun, creative, and delightfully healthy, frozen yogurt franchises are always an exciting option to consider. Frozen yogurt franchise opportunities represent one of the fastest-growing and most popular categories in the entire dessert industry — bar none. To get you started, we’ve listed some of the best frozen yogurt franchises below, so you can start comparing your options today. Find more info about frozen yogurt franchises for sale in your area. Frozen Yogurt Franchise Opportunities in the USA As the frozen yogurt industry has matured, the leading frozen yogurt franchises have… -
Look Out, Overhead: The Advantages of Buying an Online Franchise
4 Mar 2013 | 2:30 pmWhen most people think of a franchise business, they automatically think of giant global franchises such as Subway or McDonald’s. These are “brick and mortar” franchises, meaning that the franchisee buys an actual shop or restaurant. But there are also online and home-based franchises such as Blue Coast Savings Consultants (a cost-savings consulting franchise run entirely online) and Cruise Planners / American Express Travel (a home-based cruise / vacation planning business). Internet-based franchises have distinct challenges, but also a range of advantages, which explains why… -
A ‘Brite’ New Franchise Opportunity Could Be on Horizon in Hair-Removal Sector
13 Feb 2013 | 4:00 amPerhaps hair-removal franchises have suffered from investor reluctance in the past; maybe it has failed to inspire confidence in some franchisees due to inherent risk of accidents or harm to the consumer. Today, however, there are many different safe treatments and procedures in the hair loss treatment and removal industry that could be pointing to a turnaround. According to IBISWorld, a leading independent source of industry and market research, revenues were expected to grow 0.4 percent annually from 2007 to 2012 to $551.1 million. “This focus has transitioned industry services from…
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Franchising.com
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Zero Tolerance: The Ramifications Of Harassment On Your Business
22 May 2013 | 3:00 pmThe role of the leader is to create a smooth operating and empowered organization that frees employees from obstacles and barriers to their personal productivity. -
HR Headaches?: A Professional Employer Organization (PEO) Can Offer Relief
22 May 2013 | 2:00 pmThe primary concern most fast food business and franchise owners encounter is the balance of front of the house demands and back of the house operations. -
Rapid Growth: Tony Lutfi Goes From 52 To 134 Units In Three Years
22 May 2013 | 1:00 pmWhen Tony Lutfi was asked back in 2009 where he'd like to be in five years, he said 100 units. -
Veterans Turn To Franchising: Record Number Of Veterans And Military Spouses Have Joined Franchising Ranks Since 2011
22 May 2013 | 12:00 pmThe White House and IFA recently announced that 290,000 veterans and military spouses have been hired or trained in the franchise business since the launch of the White House Joining Forces initiative in 2011. -
Avoid These Common Hiring Mistakes: 10 Ways To Hire The Wrong Person Every Time--guaranteed!
15 May 2013 | 8:00 amIn my 20-plus years of teaching and consulting with business owners and hiring managers about how to "hire tough so they can manage easy," I've discovered there are 10 commonplace mistakes almost everyone makes that are guaranteed to result in bad hiring decisions and waste untold time, money, and effort.
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Franchise Clique Blog
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Restaurants React to New BAC Recommendation
20 May 2013 | 2:00 amRestaurants and restaurant franchises feel the new suggested blood alcohol content level will negatively impact sales and end profits without significantly improving road safety ... -
Franchise Profile: The Grout Medic
14 May 2013 | 8:59 amThe Grout Medic, in response to exploding customer demand, was founded under the commitment that their company could provide customers a viable, long term, ... -
Women and Franchises: how to pick the best one for you
9 May 2013 | 6:47 amEvery woman is unique. If you have made the decision to be self-employed, but are still mulling your choices, consider opening a franchise. The ... -
Franchise Profile: French Fry Heaven
6 May 2013 | 2:47 pmThe world is a better place with French fries– in fact, they might be the best fried foods ever created. At least that’s what ... -
TapSnap, the digital photo booth franchise
30 Apr 2013 | 1:00 amMost often, candid photographs become the favorite images from an event. From corporate parties to weddings and birthday bashes, unposed pictures always possess the ...
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VetFran
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On Memorial Day, Wounded Warrior Shilo Harris, moving on with his life successfully through franchising
23 May 2013 | 8:11 amRetired Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris is no stranger to the IFA, having spoken at IFA’s Public Affairs Conference in 2011 and featured as a personality at the 2012 IFA Convention. He’s a Wounded Warrior, veteran of the U.S. Army, motivational speaker and now, WIN Home Inspection’s newest Strategic-Partner. Working alongside his son and wife in San Antonio, Harris has embarked on his recent role as a franchise business owner and has not looked back. While serving in Iraq in 2007, his patrol vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (I.E.D). Harris was in a coma for 48 days, had… -
Interim HealthCare to Waive Franchise Fee for One Veteran
22 May 2013 | 1:11 pmVetFran member, Interim HealthCare, a national home care, hospice and healthcare staffing franchise, will waive the franchise fee for the first qualifying military veteran joining the franchise network this year. The total savings a veteran can realize is $40,000. “Home healthcare is an intense 24/7 business and our network of franchisees embrace that work ethic daily,” Kathleen Gilmartin, President and CEO of Interim HealthCare said. “Veterans of the military are dependable, tenacious and conscientious, all characteristics that fit perfectly with our culture of caring and excellence. -
CruiseOne to launch franchise giveaway contest for military veterans on Memorial Day
22 May 2013 | 9:28 amCruiseOne, the nation’s largest home-based franchise travel agent network as part of World Travel Holdings, is calling up from the reserves and into action former members of the U.S. military to join its ranks as a travel business owner. Military veterans are invited to participate in the Operation Vetrepreneur: Become Your Own General contest, with five deserving veterans each receiving a CruiseOne travel franchise. The contest begins on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013 and continues until Friday, Sept. 13, 2013. -
VetFran Joins SBA Administrator Mills to Announce Veteran Lending Initiative
22 May 2013 | 9:03 amThe Small Business Administration (SBA) announced Tuesday the Veteran Pledge Initiative. The initiative is a commitment by top SBA national, regional and community lenders to collectively increase their lending activity to veterans by five percent per year for the next five years VetFran Committee Chair Joe Lindenmayer of TSS Photography and VetFran Committee member Rich Bradshaw of TD Bank joined the SBA’s Administrator Karen Mills and representatives of the SBA lending community, the U.S. Army, and transitioning service members interested in small business ownership at Ft. Bragg. VetFran… -
Ice House America Extends Franchise Giveaway for Veterans to June 30th
20 May 2013 | 1:17 pmIce House America, the automated ice vending technology franchise, has extended the “IceBorn Franchise Giveaway for Veterans” contest – where one deserving veteran will win an IceBorn House franchise valued at $118,000, plus 12 months of free royalty and marketing fees. The IceBorn House is a freestanding, 24/7, automated retail ice destination offering water and ice that is filtered, clean and made on demand. Veterans can enter the “IceBorn Franchise Giveaway for Veterans” by June 30, 2013 by creating a two minute video, uploading it to YouTube, and submitting a short application.
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Service Industry Articles | Morning Huddle
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Mind the Gap: Skills Gap Becomes Opportunity for Savvy Business Owners
23 May 2013 | 12:00 amAs more experienced employees possessing trade and technical expertise enter into retirement at increasingly rapid rates, there is a growing concern surrounding the lack of experienced people with technical skills and expertise. However, this high demand for skilled trade workers presents an interesting opportunity for both employers and employees in the trade industry if they are willing to invest the resources. There are two main ways that employers can help to ensure that their businesses will flourish in spite of the grim predictions for talented employee prospects in the trades market. -
How To Survive the Cooling Season
22 May 2013 | 2:53 pmThe heat is on and summer is here, and managing the flood of service calls for air condition repair can be as extreme as the heat. To make the most of the cooling season, follow these tips from Aire Serv® Franchise Consultant Tommy Dutton to help keep your business running smoothly, your customers happy and your technicians productive and safe. “It seems like [the customers] all call on the same day or in the same week, and if an owner hasn’t done their job… it’s a real challenge from day one,” Tommy said. Recruitment Tommy recommends recruiting technicians year-round. This ensures… -
Systems for Success
21 May 2013 | 7:23 amWould your business fail if you didn’t go to work today? For many hardworking entrepreneurs, the thought of playing hooky at work is almost unimaginable. Their businesses rely on their presence, leadership, and direction on a daily basis, but one of the main reasons that many people choose to become an entrepreneur is to run a business, not for a business to run them, and yet, first time business owners tend to spend more time on their businesses than they originally anticipated. While in the beginning, it is natural and normal for a start-up to take a significant amount of time, new… -
CEO Dina Dwyer-Owens Appears on “Undercover Boss” Finale
20 May 2013 | 6:34 amAfter more than a year since her original debut on the CBS Emmy-winning show “Undercover Boss”, Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman and CEO of The Dwyer Group®, graced TV screens once again. Deemed an “epic boss”, Dina was invited to update viewers on Friday during the hit reality show’s season finale, “Undercover Boss: Epic Bosses.” “Being on the show the first time in January of 2012 changed my life forever. And I’m not the only boss who can say that. ‘Undercover Boss’ decided to revisit some of the bosses from the past four seasons for a look at how profound the experience… -
7 Keys to Recruiting the Best Employees: Words of Wisdom from Robert Tunmire
16 May 2013 | 1:00 amIn small businesses and franchises, recruiting and hiring employees can be an overwhelming process, and sadly, many employers believe that good people are hard to find. However, the best people are everywhere working for dozens of other businesses; the hard part is recruiting them to work for you. After 37 years working in the franchise industry, Robert Tunmire, the executive vice president at The Dwyer Group®, has decades of first-hand experience recruiting the best employees for your business. In this article, Robert will share the importance of recruiting and the 7 keys recruiting the…
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Franchise Focus Blog
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Spring 2013 Spring Franchise News Update
18 May 2013 | 6:54 pmSpring 2013 Spring Franchise News UpdateBy Michael E. Sheehan, Esq.Fine ChinaLegend has it that the infamous career criminal Willie Sutton said that he robbed banks "because that's where the money is." Franchise companies that have established operations in or that are entering the Chinese market could make the same simple but pithy observation: China is the second largest economy in the world and, indeed, that's where the money is. And that's also where the population as well as the most promising growth prospects are. Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM)(KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell) discovered this… -
Public Franchise Companies: First Quarter 2013 Earnings Review
3 May 2013 | 8:45 amPublic Franchise Companies: First Quarter 2013 Earnings ReviewBy Michael E. Sheehan, Esq.For the most part, publicly traded franchise companies reported respectable results in the first quarter of 2013, beating earnings and top line estimates but posting generally underwhelming results in the Holy Grail retail metric and leading indicator for franchise unit economics: same-store sales. The earnings season was bright for many companies, cloudy for some and pretty stormy for others. Economic headwinds continue to temper or diminish financial results but some public franchise companies… -
Domino's Pizza Delivers on First Quarter 2013 Results
30 Apr 2013 | 7:27 pmDomino's Pizza Delivers on First Quarter 2013 ResultsBy Michael E. Sheehan, Esq.Domino's Pizza, Inc. (NYSE: DPZ), the world leader in pizza delivery, today announced impressive results for the first quarter of 21013, marked by solid earnings and very strong same store sales growth. First quarter adjusted earnings per share were $0.59, up 25.5% over the prior year quarter, and domestic and international same store sales increased 6.2% and 6.5%, respectively, compared to the year-ago period.For the first quarter, domestic franchise same store sales were up 6.3% while company-owned same… -
Franchise Focus Figures - April 2013
26 Apr 2013 | 8:52 pmFranchise Focus Figures - April 2013By Michael E. Sheehan, Esq.The Franchise Focus Figures column provides a very brief, by the numbers description of the month's franchise news and is published on the final Friday of each month.$23.9 BillionThe amount of bank funding available for franchise businesses in 2013, according to a report prepared for the International Franchise Association (IFA). Even though the $23.9 billion represents a 10 percent increase in franchise-business lending, it falls short of the $26.5 billion needed to support the needs of current and existing franchisees, the… -
Franchise Agreements: Understanding the Franchisor’s Bargaining Position
24 Apr 2013 | 8:04 pmFranchise Agreements: Understanding the Franchisor’s Bargaining PositionBy Michael E. Sheehan, Esq.Recently, a franchisor’s legal representative told me that she was legally prohibited from changing hersystem’s franchise agreement. As stated, this is an unabashed – or maybe uninformed – deceit, not at all uncommon among new or unsophisticated franchisors, according to some state franchise authorities. A more accurate statement would be that negotiating the franchise agreement may be fraught with challenging issues and can be fairly burdensome. And, ironically, that burden may be…
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Franchise Biz Directory
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Free Burgers For Life! | Charles Ramsey
23 May 2013 | 8:20 amSo far, McDonald’s, a fast-food chain with quite a lot of power, hasn’t decided what to do with a Cleveland hero. But, 16 other local Cleveland restaurants have. Charles Ramsey is The Guy. He saw a woman crying out for help-a woman that it turns out, had been missing for 10 years; he helped break a portion of the front door of the house that she was in down, and called the police. In his own words: Charles Ramsey And, Charles just so happened to be eating a McDonald’s Big Mac when he saw and heard Amanda Berry screaming for help. Well, the online world-the… -
Military Franchise Website Names Top Military-Friendly Franchises
20 May 2013 | 12:58 pmA popular franchise website for US military veterans that are interested in exploring franchise business ownership opportunities has just named their top picks. The franchise business opportunities named “military-friendly, are a pretty diverse group. The franchises named are listed by category which makes them easy to read. For example, here’s the building and construction franchise category: Bin There Dump That Closet & Storage Concepts Concrete Raising Of America, Inc. G.J. Gardner Homes Glass Guru, The Granite Transformations House Doctors Handyman Service … -
Reasons To Buy A Franchise
15 May 2013 | 9:17 amWhy do people buy franchises? Why do you want to buy a franchise? Are there some good reasons for you to consider doing it now? Growth Franchising as an industry is growing. That may be a good reason in itself. According to Inc.com, “Starting at $675 billion in sales in 2007, franchises have seen their sales grow to $769 billion by the end of 2012. According to an IHS Global Insight report, sales are likely to increase by 4.3 percent during 2013 to a projected $802 billion. That’s huge. Buying a franchise when the industry is growing may be a good move. Just make sure that… -
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is About To Rock And Roll In Cleveland
7 May 2013 | 1:01 pm(Memphis Sky Zone Franchise. Image courtesy of ilovememphis on Flickr.) Rock And Roll Capital Getting a Sky Zone Franchise. From 24/7 Press Release.com: Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park, creator of the world’s first all-trampoline, walled playing court, is getting ready to open its newest franchise in Westlake, OH in June, 2013. The brand new 29,000 square foot facility will include three 3-D Dodgeball courts, a SkySlam Basketball court, Foam Zone and huge Open Jump court. Sky Zone will hire 70 employees over the coming months in preparation for the opening. What Is Sky Zone? The… -
How To Prepare For A Franchise Tradeshow
2 May 2013 | 11:12 amIn the world of business, promotion is absolutely vital as it can directly lead to an increase in sales. With that being said, one of the most effective promotional tools a business can utilize is trade shows. Those that have attended trade shows though, know all too well how quickly a franchise tradeshow or franchise expo can go from a complete success to a total failure. You can drop as much money into the event as you want, but if you are not prepared adequately ahead of time, a tradeshow could become a total drain on your finances. However, there are a few things you…


