By Budda Oliver

Purchasing a franchise business may be a good option to consider if you want to have your own business, but are not sure how to go about doing it. Purchasing and running a franchise is just like owning your own business, but it provides you with excellent tools, resources, and other advantages that do not come with starting a company from the ground up.

A franchise is basically a license to use an existing company's name, trademarks, products, services, and other resources in return for agreeing to use that company's existing business formats and provide a percentage of your franchise's income and earnings. For the parent company, or franchisor, selling privileges to a corporation provides a way to expand the market share quicker, and less expensively.

The most appealing aspect of purchasing a franchise is usually the fact that most of the pre-opening work is done for you. When you purchase a business format franchise, you gain the privilege of not only being able to sell the parent company's products or services, but also the right to use their established practices. These procedures may include training programs, marketing strategies, trade secrets, accounting systems, etc.

As opposed to starting your own enterprise from scratch, franchising allows you to take advantage of the parent company's already established reputation and recognizable assets. The main advantage of this is that you will be able to more easily be able to attract customers from the start, which is one of the biggest obstacles faced when starting a company from the ground up. For example, buying a McDonald's restaurant will no doubt provide you with a much larger instant customer base than you would have if you were to open an independent hamburger restaurant.

In addition, most of the financial aspects of running a venture will be more clear-cut. The franchisor will be able to provide you with details of both start-up costs and operational costs, taking most of the guess work out of running a corporation.

Besides name and product or service recognition, your franchisor will also be able to provide you with many other benefits, such as industry experience, group purchasing power, training programs, and ongoing support, just to name a few.

As with any business venture, there will be risks in opening a business. However, having a proven and reliable franchise system helps to minimize these risks. Good franchisors will be able to provide you with proven systems that are easily replicated in order to provide consistent results.

Purchasing a franchise business should be thought of as entering into a partnership. As long as you can be a good business partner to you franchisor, your franchisor should do everything possible to ensure that you have a successful, profitable venture. This kind of support is what makes running a franchise business so advantageous to aspiring entrepreneurs.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of FRANNET. The franchise buying expert provides consultation services to walk clients through the process of purchasing a franchised business. For more information on their Franchise Experts please visit their website.

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

One of the common questions prospective franchisees ask during the discovery phase of their franchise opportunity centers on the ability to sell the franchise. Generally, the franchisee is informed that it can be sold just like any other business. That is only partially true. Unfortunately, for the inexperienced franchisee, they will not find that out until many years down the road. While many businesses are sold based upon a multiple of the earnings of the business, this does not always hold true for franchises. You see, in the sale of a franchise, there is another party which must be dealt with, and that is the franchisor.

Just because you want to sell your business does not mean that it can even be sold. Remember, every potential buyer must meet the requirements of the franchisor and the landlord, just as you had to. The next hurdle is the price. This is where things get a little tricky. For basic illustrative purposes, assume the business nets $100,000 and you want to sell it for a multiple of five, or $500,000. Obviously, there are many factors that go into determining worth, so this is just an extremely basic example.

How realistic is it that you can command that price? Well, you will need to consider several factors. First, how many years are left on the current agreement and how many renewal options are left? Does the franchisor have the ability to decline the options? If you do not have enough years left on your term to enable the prospective buyer to get a proper return on the investment, your sale price will be reduced. An independent business does not have to deal with this concern.

A second variable that plays a part is the cost to transfer ownership. Many franchise agreements require the buyer to pay a transfer fee. However, that is not usually the biggest stumbling block. Generally, the franchisor will require that the unit be brought up to the current specifications and will invoke the mandatory remodeling costs to bring it current. In most cases, that amount, plus the transfer fee, will come off of the sale price. If a broker is involved, there is also that fee to deal with.

Finally, depending on the chain, your location and footprint of your building may not fit the current model or look the franchisor is using. Therefore, upon sale, the buyer may be approved however the location may not. The buyer may be required to relocate the business. If that is the case, you really have very little to sell.

All of these factors, plus many more, will play a huge part in determining what you will get for your business, IF you can sell it.

A current successful entrepreneur and multi-unit franchisee for over 16 years as the initial franchisee of a restaurant concept, David Kajganich has continually sought lucrative opportunities that are in the early stages of success. His goal and purpose is to help and mentor others to achieve the success of their dreams.

Check out his latest ventures at http://www.myspace.com/everlastingwealth

http://www.NoFranchiseNeeded.com

Nobody cares how much you know until you show them how much you care.

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

If you have been in an industry for 20 years and were at the top 5% level of productivity and knowledge and are now semi-retired perhaps you should be a consultant. Not everyone has what it takes to be a consultant, but if you do, you will find yourself in a nice place financially by taking advantage of your expertise and knowledge.

Today, I am a semi-retired consultant to industry and having been in the franchising industry for so long I find that those are the most rewarding coaching opportunities for me. Of course it is not all good. There are some real winners out there. Luckily you can choose who you wish to do business with. My advice is to be the best, work only for the best and expect the best; let's call it "all the best!"

Recently when discussing franchise consulting with a gentleman who wished to start a mobile franchise business making jewelry, we got to talking about past experiences and international business. No, not far off international business, just over the border in Mexico from Arizona and I mentioned the questionable ways business was done there and how some of Mexico ran like a third world country. He stated;

I was going from Phx to Mexican border town for scripts. I met this girl and found that her Father was Mayor (town w/300K), her Uncle was Chief of Police (I could do NO harm), and another Uncle,on her Mother's side was a State Rep. I married her after a long formal courtship and bought a strip club 5 blocks from the border.

So, far as a business consultant, no real problem here, only a red flag on the strip-club thing, but still there are always reasons why people do things. I no longer wanted the job of consulting this gentleman after hearing this, but did not dismiss him as an entrepreneur by any means. But then he stated something like this;

The kids came in droves from U of A, ASU and I rolled in the bucks, even sold coke right in the club. I got a chance to buy a cantina that had a 21 room "Casa de Pu-ta". I got the kids all pumped up at the strip club then loaded them on my jittney for the 4 mi. cross town trip to my Cantina so they could get drunk and laid. I made 3M in 4.5 years. Long story short I left my wife, three kids, mistress, and two kids 2M in trusts and took off for Tonapah, AZ where I sold land home packages until I went into an 18 day coma and almost died.

Now as a consultant and a straight arrow, you can imagine my dismay at this gentleman's lack of personal character. Indeed, there was no way at this point I was going to help a man who left his wife and kids to set up a whore house in Mexico just over the border, with a strip-club and then sell drugs and assist American Kids in getting STDs. He then stated how he preceeded to lose all his wealth and how he got a terrible disease.

Well, being a one man show, not even capable of getting out of bed for 6 mo., I lost all but 75K. Then I came down w/Buerger's Disease and wound up on SSD, living in Escanaba, MI. Oh well, I'm still going to try to make it again if you'll hang w/me and coach me!

Indeed the answer is "No Way" would you? And am I suppose to feel sorry for this gentleman now and help him regain his ill-gotten riches in an industry that I care about? Well, you see there are success stories in consulting and there are horror stories. And the moral of the story is "Know Your Customer" because your reputation is based on it.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Is being first to market really that important? I believe that the amount of energy and time purporting this myth is somewhat unnerving in that being first to market is not always so great. Indeed, I have been first to market many times and yes, no one can deny that often that is a total advantage. But it is also somewhat costly to chase hunches and the cost to build a prototype that crashes and burns is not so funny, especially when the future of your company hangs in the balance.

As a veteran of the high stakes game of entrepreneurship, I completely concur with the comments that First to Market should not be the primary goal. You see it costs money, lots of it, or lots of grass-roots hard work to do a test market roll-out and introduce a new product or in my case "a new service" and after refining your techniques someone else can come into the market without having to pay for all the mistakes and hard-knocks and not have to worry too much about getting kicked in the teeth from having to straddle between non-existent regulations, while competing with the old guard (industry association status quo) with all their little political connections.

Now if you have your act together and have done it a few times, being first to market can be a good thing, but all eyes are on you and if you screw it up (Zap Mail - FedEx example), well they will never let it down.

In 1997 I was in Las Vegas for the International Franchise Association (elite club meeting) and everyone who is anyone in the Industry was there and yes many household names. But one thing that I got the most out of was the "mini-round table" seminar only 20 people in the room, all founders of franchise companies and up to bat was the International Marketing Team from Dominoes Pizza, Tom Monahan appeared to be quite proud of them in fact.

Well to make a long story short they discussed why they did not desire and preferred not to be "first to market" because if you went into a country and put in a few outlets, example; Nairobi, Kenya for instance. No one knew what a Pizza was. What is this thing with cheese on top and all these food items melted in place? See the point. They indicated they wanted to be second or even third to market.

Why? Well after the first company (ies) spent all the money offering discounts, advertising and free-sample marketing, they simply came in competed head to head in the "Enterprise Rent-a-Car" style and took massive market share, since people already knew what a Pizza was and they knew who to market better and followed time-tested efficiency strategies refined from over 10,000 previous outlets. Yah!

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Introduction

Business ventures need to be complemented with excellent consultation. The more sources of information a business person has, the more efficiently they can undergo the process. Being part of a franchise is a wise decision, but many hours of research are needed for the appropriate acquisition of knowledge. Even after the process has commenced, a good business-minded person will realize that they constantly need to learn more through experience and through the consultation of others.

Why they are needed

Getting a qualified franchise attorney is a suggested component of the franchise process. Look for an attorney that specializes in franchise law and has spent some time working with the franchise industry. Not only should they know franchising very well, but they also need to know your particular state’s franchising rules, laws, and regulations. It is also suggested that the selected attorney is not affiliated with the franchisee’s franchisor.

Good law consultation is needed at every level of the franchise process. Franchisors may have a team of legal advisors and franchisees usually have at least one source of legal counsel.

What they can help with

Franchise attorneys will aid a person with understanding legal issues and documents and guard them from making costly mistakes. Documents (especially in the beginning of the venture) are filled with technical terms and may not be easily understood by all, so having someone to serve as an interpreter is a wise decision.

Franchising is associated with a series of involved and complex laws. The system also involves many different players on varied levels. The enterprise is much easier handled along with the help of a specialized counselor.

A prospective franchisee will need to analyze particular franchises to theorize what will be the best fit for them. A franchise attorney will be able to research each franchise according to their business record and reputation within the industry.

Specifics

As aforementioned, a franchise attorney will help you through the entire franchise process. The following is a list of some of the components they will help you with:

- Review of the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular
- Negotiation with the franchisor
- Preparation of shareholder agreement
- Negotiation of leases
- Help with dispute resolution
- Review of renewal agreements
- Transactions

Franchise attorneys can be found by:

- Referral from other attorneys
- Referral from the American Bar Association
- Referral from the International Franchise Association

Franchise Fetch delivers franchise opportunities to the public. We have businesses offering franchises in many industries. Check out our Web site to see all of the occasions we have to offer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Oscar_Twain

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

I want to share an interesting ad I saw in the paper the other day: Wealthy fast food addict in search of an Austin business consultant to guide him in the purchase of a fast food franchise so he can save money on burgers and fries.

Okay! I didn’t really see that ad, but I know Texas business strategists and business coaches all around your area that could help that person, or you, find and purchase a franchise by guiding you through the process if that’s what you want to do.

Just so happens that, even though I’m awful with an opening joke, I know a few things about buying a franchise myself that I learned from Austin business consultants. This time I’ll be serious, so please keep reading.

As with anything, common questions arise that you want answered before you begin to even consider buying a franchise. Before you consult with a Texas business consultant or business strategist, you must read the answers to those questions and save yourself some time and maybe money.

How does a franchisor make his money?

They consult a Texas business coach like you will! Then, they charge a hefty fee for a franchise. After that, they collect a percentage of the sales and also sell supplies and services to the franchise. Consult an Austin business consultant to find out the standard fees and percentages for the industry in which you want to buy a franchise.

What’s more important? The initial fee or the charges down the road from sales, etc?

Assuming you’re buying into a successful franchise, definitely concern yourself more with the charges you’ll incur down the road. Those charges come directly from a percentage of your sales, not profits. Too high of a percentage can deflate your profits.

Beware of any hefty fees required up front. Make sure the franchise is successful. Most importantly, consult with a Texas business consultant or seek the help of a Texas business coach before signing any contracts.

Well, is it worth it to pay a percentage of my sales?

I can’t decide that for you. Austin business consultants say that if you possess industry experience then, yes, it could be worth it for you. However, if you’re new to the industry you want to buy into and just want to try your hand, you might be best to work for someone else first.

Texas business strategists point out that you pay a percentage of sales. That means what you pay doesn’t take into account operating expenses and the like. If you don’t know the industry, you can’t plan ahead so that you can pay those fees and still make the profit you need.

What other costs can exist?

You might have to pay a percentage of advertising costs and not just for your area. This might include local, regional, or even national costs. Again, consult with an Austin business consultant. Take advantage of the help that Texas business coaches can give to you to help you make the smart choice.

What else should I watch out for?

Talk to other franchise owners and a Texas business consultant before proceeding with buying any franchise. I can’t say that enough! However, you should know if you could sell the franchise easily, if the franchise fees can be increased for any reason, and how your industry skills stack up against others who bought into that franchise. Again, talk to a Texas business strategist and other franchise owners. The time you take to do your research will pay off in gains instead of losses.

Ben Jordan is x-Fortune 500 Austin Business Consultant, who has consulted small business owners, up to $30 Billion dollar companies around the country. For a short time you gain access to his now infamous, "The No BS Video Newsletter" FREE for life, a $447 value by visiting http://www.whoisbenjordan.com

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

So you fancy a franchise eh? You like the sound of the whole ‘in business for yourself, but not by yourself’ thing. You’ve done your research and you reckon you can see the way ahead. You reckon your future lies under the banner reading ‘Franchise’.

Then you come up against the $64,000 questions…

1) How much will it cost?

2) Can you afford it?

Now if you are at all human you will have done what every prospect on the path to making a purchase of any sort does. You will have pictured what it will be like to own that franchise. Which is perfectly understandable.

BUT

You are also laying yourself open to the biggest mistake that prospective franchisees can possibly make. You see you can be in danger of letting your judgement be affected by a fatal affliction that is the cause of huge misery in many walks of life, but especially in Franchising. That affliction is

OVEROPTIMISM

Even the most level-headed individual is prone to it from time to time. Most of the time you get away with it, but in franchising there are several things that make this a hugely dangerous problem. That’s because of the following points:

1) The prospective franchisee (You?) is often not experienced in the world of small business finance, so they are leaning heavily on others to provide that experience. The major supplier is frequently the franchisor. A person or company who has a different agenda to you. They want to grow their business and while they don’t want you to fail they are certainly more willing to risk your future they you might be.

2) You may not be experienced in finance and cannot pull together a cash flow forecast.

3) You may know exactly how much you’ve got to spend and believe that it ‘should be enough’.

4) Your optimistic assumptions are based on doing as well or better than others already in the field.

5) You haven’t factored in what you really need to live on. What will see you on the short road to bankruptcy is a failure to recognise that these problems have to be acknowledged and dealt with. Optimism will mask these unpalatable facts sometimes until it is too late.

So to avoid disaster:

1) Create several cash flow scenarios. Yes, be optimistic, but also be neutral and pessimistic too. Then look at the pessimistic forecast. Now be even more pessimistic. Can you afford to fund the franchise and yourself at that rate of profit?

2) When you think you’ve covered the options take your thoughts along to a friend or somebody who’s opinion you value and who you can trust to give you their real thoughts rather than what you want to hear. Tell them you need to check the reality of the deal.

3) Take your proposition along to a local accountant or book keeper. They will give you their advice for a fixed fee and it needn’t cost the earth. If you are worried about the cost, try to compare the cost with the amount of money you could lose. I suddenly looks a little better doesn’t it.

4) When you are lying in bed in the still of the night ask yourself if you are really sure that the numbers stack up. Are you really certain that you are being realistic rather than optimistic.

5) Take another look at the numbers that the franchisor is giving you as an example. Ask yourself exactly how you are going to replicate the numbers that they are quoting. If they are suggesting that you can make quarter of a million in the first year, ask yourself whether you can really make that money – where are the customers coming from in the real world rather than on paper.

6) Look again at the assumptions you are making and decide what would happen if the assumptions were slightly out? Would it be a disaster or would it be OK.

Finally make sure you do every bit of research you can think of, and get a really good guide to help you create the structure for your investigations. You may want to consider my book – www.realworldfranchising.com it covers all of these items in more depth and a lot more too.

Gareth Williams is an advisor on franchising from the franchise buyers perspective. A past franchise owner he has real experience of franchising 'from the trenches'. He has written what many consider to be the definitive guide to buying a franchise. This is available from http://www.realworldfranchising.com

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

That there are differences between men and women should not come as a surprise to anyone. That those differences would be a consideration and even a key method in determining whether or not a person would have greater success in the franchise world seems to be more than shocking it's downright politically incorrect. That is until understanding that the determination is that the franchising world needs more women franchise owners. According to recent studies, and also to age old observances of the many differences in the way men and women think and operate, women tend to have a different style and approach to business thinking that allows them a significant edge in the franchising market.

Women and men are both capable workers in the business world, but studies have shown that women are the gender with a tendency to multi-task several different operations, while at the same time not allowing minor hindrances and details to bog them down and detract from a long term overall picture. The more simple and direct approach of focusing on one task or job until it is accomplished, studies have shown, is a natural approach for the male brain, but the female brain is more naturally adept at processing many different tasks before any one particular job or task has been completed. This type of multiple task approach is the exact type of mindset that a successful small business franchise owner needs in order to get their new business off the ground and making profits.

The different types of franchise opportunities are virtually limitless, and the "shotgun" thought pattern naturally prevalent in the female brain allows women an easier path to initial success in the franchise business world. An encouragement for the many women out there that are looking for a business opportunity but have felt that the small business franchise world is more suited for the corporate male mind. Don't believe either that the only successful female franchises are those that employ only females or provide "womanly" products and services.

While there are a variety of franchises that seem to cater to the operation and sales of a female population such as LittleAngels Children's photography, which is a fast growing franchise that prefers their all female ownership for the simple reason that their main business is photographing children in pre-school groups and nurseries who have shown a preference to women photographers.

Other options also include Rosemary Conley Diet & fitness Clubs. These fitness clubs are all women clubs that allow women the opportunity to enjoy exercise and fitness activities in a much less self conscious environment than a typical bi-gender health club. Rosemary Conley Franchises are the first and only franchises in the UK to offer both health and fitness programs along with diet advice in the same class.

Also looking for women franchisers in the UK is Auntie Anne's Pretzel. This franchise is a basic, simple to understand business plan that provides a great treat whose smell serves as one of it's best advertising components. Auntie Anne's pretzel franchises are typically places in areas with high pedestrian traffic and are a great business to watch flourish quickly.

There are many other franchises that are specifically seeking women owners and investors that may surprise you such as: MatchPoint Professional Consultants, Expense Reduction Analysts Franchise Consultancy Group, and Busby Web Solutions franchise.

If you are a woman seeking a business opportunity, then take a look at the world of franchising, because franchise providers are looking for you.

Learn more about UK franchises and find the best business opportunity for you at Franchise Gator UK.

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

You're all the things a good entrepreneur should be: driven, disciplined, confident and focused. Business problems that send others running for cover are simply the fuel that feeds your ambition. You prepare and prioritize like a paratrooper and you're as independent and steadfast as a bull taunted by fluttering scarlet silk. If you opt to buy a franchise, prepare for a smackdown.

Buying a franchise requires many of the same characteristics starting a business from scratch demands, but tempered in a way that allows the franchisee to integrate into a network. A successful franchise owner should be a good leader, but one who can listen to and take advice from peers and colleagues - and a franchisor.

Learning the franchise system means going back to school - as the student. Good franchisors must have the patience and tolerance to learn, understand and implement an already established system, leaving little room to do things their own way. Are you prepared to accept the franchisor's way of doing things - whether you like them or not, whether you agree with them or not? Your franchise agreement will require it.

Die-hard entrepreneurs are willing to take risks few people can stomach. But buying a franchise involves much less risk than building a business from the ground up, which is the very thing that attracts many franchisees in the first place. They like the idea of being a part of something that's already established. If this idea excites you, you're franchisee material. If, instead, you hear the faint hiss of your spirit deflating, perhaps you should consider another option.

Be honest: do you work well with others? Are you the kid who just couldn't follow the teacher's directions for your science project because you were convinced you knew a better way? Do you merge with traffic or would you prefer to direct it? Being a successful franchisee will require you to work together with the franchisor as well as other franchisees for optimal results. Some people live for collaboration, some prefer to do things their own way and own the results, good or bad. There's no doubt you'll own the results of your franchise endeavor. But any chance of success requires that you be the type of leader who is willing to follow an established course.

Committing to a business venture is like committing to a relationship. It requires plenty of consideration, honest self-assessment and ownership of your actions and the resulting consequences. Choose well, and you can look forward to many challenging yet blissful years of contentment. Choose poorly, and you're in for a major smackdown.

Lisa Hoffmann is chief copywriter for PRstore, a full-service retail marketing franchise with 41 stores in 18 states. PRstore makes professional marketing accessible to small- to medium-sized businesses by offering affordable marketing solutions and eliminating the pricey retainers often required by traditional marketing agencies. For more information about becoming a part of this dynamic franchise, visit PRstoreFranchise.com.

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchising research is a dangerous business for potential Franchisees. The Franchisor can hold all the cards….unless you see the relationship for what it is!

I’ve set out below 4 rules that I go into in more depth in my book. Ignore these at your peril, but take them into account and you and the Franchisor can have discussions with the deck not stacked against you.

1) The Franchisor is wishing to enter into a contract with you that will enable him to grow his business. The relationship that you develop is based around MUTUAL benefit. In the light of this, there is no need to feel that you have to impress the Franchisor or that when you meet with them you are applying for a job.

2) The purchase price of the Franchise should be in proportion to the rewards that are realistically on offer. Don’t forget, every penny spent in the purchase of the Franchise is one less going into the development of the Franchise after purchase.

3) Remind yourself that the person who is taking the biggest risk in this relationship is you. It’s true that the Franchisor wants to grow their Franchise with the right people. However don’t forget that if they don’t sell Franchises they don’t grow their business at all!

4) The Franchisor’s representative is well motivated to sell you a franchise. Remember, if this was a job interview you would be the salesman in the relationship. In fact you are the buyer and the Franchisor is the salesman. Tailor your approach in the light of this.

Don’t forget these rules when interviewing Franchisors.

NOTE YOU are interviewing THEM -- NOT vice versa!

Gareth Williams is an advisor on franchising from the franchise buyers perspective. A past franchise owner he has real experience of franchising 'from the trenches'. He has written what many consider to be the definitive guide to buying a franchise. This is available from http://www.realworldfranchising.com

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Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Wondering what franchises provide the best business opportunities? The results are in for 2006’s best franchise businesses. Check here to see if your favorite franchise made the list!

International. This company provides graphic design for signs large and small, as well as trade show displays, banners, electrical signs, and graphics for vehicles. The company has a great track record, with over twenty years of experience under its belt and consistently strong sales.

HomeVesters of America, Inc. You’ve probably seen those ads that say “we buy ugly houses!” Meet the company behind the ads: real estate experts who operate in a special niche market—undervalued property. Those who’ve bought into the franchise love the fact that the business provides group rates on vacant property insurance and strong support of its franchise owners through conventions, personal consultations, a detailed website, and more.

Haagen-Dazs Who doesn’t love ice cream? Franchise-owners find this company as hard to resist as its product. They’re a company with strong franchisor support, including a two-week onsite training course at their headquarters in Minneapolis, onsite training until your opening day, site selection assistance, and continued support for your marketing, business planning, and operations.

Jazzercise, Inc. A fitness phenomenon in the eighties, jazzercise is still going strong, and it’s easy to see why—it’s a fun, challenging fitness program that incorporates blood-pumping dance moves, upbeat music, and a solid cardio workout. Today, Jazzercise, Inc. is an international franchisor. It has over 5,000 instructors in over thirty countries, and teaches almost half a million students each year.

Budget Blinds, Inc. Budget Blinds is a company that invests heavily in its advertising—which is good news for the franchisee. The company runs a multi-million-dollar national ad campaign, and has a business model that’s proven to work. Franchisees love this company because of its financial growth, strong support from the franchisor, and its established brand name.

Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning 106 franchisees gave their opinion about this franchise—and the results were resoundingly positive. The franchise was consistently rated excellent for great franchisor relationships, strong training and support programs, and a great financial opportunity. It’s also a franchise with a low start-up cost: your total investment for this business is estimated at only between $24,000 and $60,000.

Hair Cuttery This business is a fast-growing, highly profitable chain that works hard to keep its employees satisfied. In fact, it has one of the highest employee retention rates in the industry. It also provides products to sell, site selection, décor advice, and thorough training—the company claims that even people with no salon experience can become successful franchise owners through their training program.

RE/MAX This real estate franchise was voted Inman News’ Innovator of the Year for 2006. It was also voted #8 in survey. It’s been in business for over thirty years, with a strong national ad campaign, a good sales record, and plenty of support for its franchisees.

Business is booming for many American franchise companies nowadays—in all industries. If you’re considering going into business for yourself, a franchise may be just the opportunity you’re looking for—and you can’t go wrong with any one of these successful brands.

FranchiseFetch.com brings you tremendous business opportunities. Buying into a franchise means that you can be your own boss, yet still have the experience and insight of an already successful business behind you. There are many different businesses to choose from on our site along with resourceful information and tips in reference to franchising.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sage_Dean

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Buying a franchise is often a good way for people to own a business, who might not have as much experience or confidence in running a business. Franchises offers a safer alternative, with less risk & more support than building a business from scratch.

The success of franchises' comes down to the fact you have a proven and working business model, with many other franchisees having already taken the (hopefully successful) step into owning the same franchise.

Benefits of owning a franchise:

- Established brand.

- Established marketing campaigns.

- Cumulative purchasing power.

- Proven successful business model.

- Support, assistance and training.

- Risk avoidance.

Before jumping headfirst into a franchise, you should tread carefully. It is likely you will be sinking a lot of money into non-recoverable costs - for example, franchise fees, legal costs and brand new equipment/store setups.

You should also be weary of new franchises promoting the 'best new thing' - no matter what the flashy brochures say. Be certain to speak to existing franchise holders to see if they are successful, and if not, why not.

With the added support of the franchise, they usually have a vested interest in you succeeding which has helped it to become a very popular way for less experienced people to become self employed. However it shouldn't stop you from going alone. The success of your business is only going to be as good as the franchise operator, if the marketing falls short - it could hit you badly as well.

A lot of people buy into franchises purely as a job, and it doesn't always live up to people's expectations. You should make sure you do the proper research and be realistic about the goals the business can achieve, before you hand over your cash.

Andy is a writer for CanadaBizMart - home to hundreds of business for sale and franchise listings in Canada.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_D

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

If you are like most franchisors, you continually face the same challenge: how to grow your business in a competitive marketplace. The primary leverage points franchisors have to grow their companies are twofold: add more franchisees to their networks and ensure the ongoing success of those franchisees once they have been added. One key to achieving both is to plan and execute optimal promotions and direct mail campaigns.

In order for a given franchise network's promotions and direct mail campaign to be optimal, the campaign must meet four conditions: 1. must be cost-effective, 2. must accurately communicate the value proposition of the company, 3. must be easy for franchisees to participate in, and 4. must target the right customers and prospects.

With these conditions in mind, here are 5 marketing tips for franchises for designing and executing integrated campaigns:

Tip #1: Standardize your marketing materials:

One of the cornerstones of good branding is the ability to present an integrated brand image - the look-and-feel of your materials, the messaging you use to reach out to prospective customers, and your value proposition - at every point of customer contact. Regardless of which advertising media you leverage or which members of your organization are in daily contact with your customer base, it is important to present a "unified front" in terms of what your organization is all about. This is particularly important for franchise organizations. If you leave it up to individual franchisees to develop marketing and advertising materials, it is highly likely that your customers and prospects will be exposed to conflicting brand images about your organization. This should be avoided at all costs because it can damage the brand you are working so hard to build.

Tip #2: Allow for just the right degree of customization:

Franchisors need to set forth strict guidelines for the use of company-branded promotional materials. Franchisees are faced with a dilemma: they want to promote the company brand, but they also need to communicate to customers the relevant information about their specific locations. As a guideline, about 80% to 90% of each piece of direct mail, poster, door hanger, and promotional good your organization sends to customers should remain consistent from location to location. At the same time, it is important to give franchisees the freedom to add address, store locator and customized coupon or promotion-related information as per their local campaigns. Striking the right balance between standardization and customization is paramount.

Tip #3: Give franchisees the flexibility to place orders online, anytime:

Franchisees are busy running their businesses day-to-day. They need to be able to place orders for corporate-approved promotions and direct mail campaigns on their own terms - even if that means doing so in their pajamas at 10:00 p.m. on a Saturday night over a hot cup of coffee. Franchise networks that implement password-protected, secure online ordering systems benefit from the flexibility that comes from "at-anytime, from-anywhere" style ordering. Online ordering means that franchisors can avoid the hassle of receiving or fulfilling mail and promo goods orders from franchisees. And, franchisees gain the flexibility to place orders anytime they choose - on their own terms.

Tip #4: Allow for targeted mail campaigns by offering only the most relevant list filters:

Franchisees are interested in the day-to-day tactics and strategies of running a cost-effective operation - they are in most cases not marketing experts. On the other hand, franchisees do understand that targeting the prospects that are most likely to respond to their direct mail campaigns makes good financial sense. The trouble is, there are literally thousands of available ways to filter any given mailing list today; income, age, and gender are just the tip of the iceberg. The best way around this dilemma of simplicity-of-ordering vs. offering multiple list filtering options is to set up an ordering system that gives franchisees access to just a handful of the most important list filters (e.g., demographic selects). This allows your franchisees the freedom to select their own list filtering criteria but at the same time does not overwhelm them with hundreds of confusing options.

Tip #5: Set up pre-arranged fulfillment agreements on behalf of your franchisees:

Franchisees often work 12 to 16 hour days building their businesses, especially when they are opening new locations. They know that marketing and advertising are important, but they do not have the time to call vendors, compile mail lists, check drafts, negotiate pricing and place orders - let alone get corporate approvals. The solution: the franchisor can help franchisees by pre-selecting the right goods and mail items and then setting up business agreements with geographically-appropriate vendors to fulfill them. That way, the franchisee just needs to pick up the phone or go online and place the order after choosing from a list of pre-approved items. Thinking through these considerations ahead of time can free up franchisors to focus on growing their business rather than managing the day-to-day selection, approval and fulfillment of promotional items.

Finding intelligent, cost-effective ways to integrate promotions and direct mail campaigns across your franchise network can pay off huge dividends down the road. These dividends include fewer franchisor headaches, higher participation rates among franchisees, a more integrated brand image across all points of customer contact, and more cost-effective, targeted campaigns.

Visit http://www.VentureManagerSolution.com for a free demo video on how to implement an custom online ordering system for your franchise network that features real-time mailing list counts, five-minute order processing and pre-arranged mail and promo goods fulfillment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gene_Adelson

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

About Us

PrideStaff is a national staffing franchise organization consistently delivering innovative solutions to the staffing challenges employers face. We do this through a network of high caliber franchisees that have developed significant businesses by embracing the PrideStaff system. Over our 25 plus year history, our franchise model has been highly successful. PrideStaff has consistently outpaced the growth of the staffing industry year after year.

Industry Growth

For the third decade in a row, the staffing industry has been one of the fastest growing industries. Following a decade of double-digit growth, the industry continues to be strong and the timing is good to open a franchise . According to the latest analysis by the Bureau of Statistics, the Staffing Industry will generate more new jobs over the next decade than any other industry.


Complimentary Strengths

The most successful staffing franchise owners are passionate self-starting business people who cherish their independence and success, and who wish to control their future. PrideStaff's franchising package has been developed specifically for this motivated, successful group. We have simplified the business management side of One of the Best Gross Margin Splits in the Industry - We offer one of the best splits in the staffing industry. You receive more. Find out how this is different.

1. Affordable Franchise Fee - With a low cost franchise fee, we have devised a plan that helps to conserve your working capital.

2. Inclusive Office Package - We require a high image, highly efficient office operation. A complete package of office furnishings, equipment and computer hardware and software has been designed to provide this strong physical presence with tremendous efficiency starting Day One.

3. Leadership Team for Regional and National Support - We have built the PrideStaff leadership team to offer franchise owners training and support at our Home Office resource center, in the field, regionally, and at the PrideStaff annual convention Our franchise owners and staff participate in both classroom and on the job training. We operate on a system for continuous improvement in the support arena - always looking for ways to improve.

4. Maximizing Productivity through Technology - We have an extensive Intranet system and are training and upgrading our web based skills testing on a regular basis. Our mission is to enable our franchise owners to work efficiently and productively with some of the latest technology.

5. Provides Full Back Office Support of Payroll/Billing - We also provide the funding of the weekly temporary payroll, thereby drastically reducing the investment required to fund a fast growing business and enabling you to expand your business more rapidly

Franchise opportunities are available in most major markets


Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $24,500
Required Cash liquidity: $135,000 to $170,000
Total Investment Range: $135,000 to $170,000

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

Spherion is a leading staffing and recruitment company with a nation wide network offices and $2 billion in annual revenues. As one of the nation's largest employers, we've placed millions of workers in temporary, temp-to-hire and full-time jobs. Our more than 8,000 clients include 85% of the Fortune 100 companies.

A high-growth industry
Over the next decade, the U.S. staffing industry will add more jobs than just about any other industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, spending on staffing is expected to reach $100 billion in 2007, according to Staffing Industry Analysts.

Align yourself with experience
Spherion, with 60 years of experience, understands the trends and nuances of staffing and is able to guide our franchise offices because we have been in the industry from its inception. Our company - and our industry - has stood the test of time.

We were awarded the prestigious World-Class FranchiseTM designation based on a thorough survey of our franchise community. Click Here: Check-out the results!

Franchise Training and Support

Spherion provides turn-key support for franchisees every step of the way, from pre-opening to ongoing operations. We bill clients, pay employees and provide access to cutting edge technology and software applications. As a result, the franchise owner eliminates many operating costs associated with running a business - reducing cash flow needs and letting our franchisees focus on growing their business.

Spherion empowers entrepreneurs to achieve their business potential.



Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $25,000
Required Cash liquidity: $97,700 to $163,200
Total Investment Range: $97,700 to $163,200

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

Personalized Management Associates, founded in 1985, has pioneered an executive search system for management staffing in our niche markets of retail, restaurant and hospitality management. We have become one of the largest recruiting chains specializing in these niches in the United States. Few companies have the reputation of Personalized Management Associates in finding innovative employment solutions for both companies and candidates in today's workplace.

PMA Franchise Systems, Inc. began in 1999 to franchise our system of search and placement. A PMA Franchise allows you to be in business for yourself but not by yourself!

Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked PMA Franchise Systems, Inc. in the "Top 200 Low-Cost Franchise Opportunities." A USA Today article listed PMA Franchise Systems, Inc. as one of the top recruiting franchise opportunities in the United States.

Franchise Training and Support

PMA training, guidance and support is led by "Certified Personnel Consultants." Certified Personnel Consultants (CPC) is the highest professional designation in the recruiting industry. Approximately 4% of all recruiters in the USA are Certified Personnel Consultants. With PMA's CPC's, you have access to the continuous guidance and support from Certified Personnel Consultants and other company trainers to not just maintain, but to grow your business for the future. Their #1 priority is your success!

Operating Margins 40%-65%. Niche Markets are "Recession Resistant", Lowest Total Investment in Staffing Industry (Under $50,000), Prime "Real" Protected Territories, Multiple Revenue Streams, Fast Staff Up, Cash Flow in as soon as 60 days, "Live Action" Training Program, Proven Easy to Follow Efficient System, Continuous Support, Guidance and Mentoring by Certified Personnel Consultants, Office Set-up, equipment purchase, field visits, employee hiring, strategic planning, accounting, newsletters, Internet Links, conferences, inter-office networking.



Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $30,000
Required Cash liquidity: $250,000 to $350,000
Total Investment Range: $50,000 to $75,000

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

The Lloyd companies have been fine-tuning our unique approach to staffing and employment since our inception in 1971. During this time frame, we have successfully served thousands of employers, job seekers and temporary employees. Our blended service concept truly embodies the entire spectrum of staffing, including temporary personnel, consultant referrals, contingency placement and executive search. And, because we recognize that the field of human resources has significantly changed its structure and focus over the years, we have also added several complimentary and compatible staffing components to our service line to enhance the support we provide to the business community.

Franchise Training and Support

Permanent and temporary operations for total synergy and maximum profit opportunities. Although we recommend that your franchise offer both disciplines, you may choose to enter each area one at time, with the ultimate goal of becoming a totally blended staffing service. An exclusive geographic territory. And, whenever possible, you'll have the opportunity to expand your ownership regionally with multiple offices. High splits on gross profits for temporary help business. Lucrative royalty arrangement for permanent placements. National client and candidate exchange program. In-depth training for you and your staff-in a variety of key areas.


Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $20,000
Required Cash liquidity: $350,000 to $500,000
Total Investment Range: $100,000 to $150,000

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

Sanford Rose Associates' mission is to be the preferred provider of custom recruiting services to clients worldwide. We serve clients who are looking to fill middle- or upper-management positions in a variety of industries. SRA's focus on exclusive relationships with companies enables us to identify and carefully court the top people for each position.SRA's proprietary methodology, Dimensional Search(r), creates a unique three-dimensional profile that matches a candidate's personal skill level to job requirements, past experience to futur expectations and management style to corporate culture. Second is our history of excellence. The first SRA office opened in 1959 and began franchising in 1970, awarding a limited number of franchies each year to help ensure a high level of profesisonalism, performance and service that can best meet our clients' expectations. And, specializing in a particular industry or occupation, the profesionals in each office are experts in that field.

Franchise Training and Support

Initial mandatory training consists of a minimum of 12 days in the SRAI training center in Akron, Ohio, followed by a minimum of 3 days of on-the-job training at your office site. Training covers the Executive Search Process, Business Planning and Profit Goals, and Operations Training.


Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $41,000
Required Cash liquidity: $50,000
Total Investment Range: $75,000

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

One of the most important aspects of the @WORK network is the relationship between the franchisee and the franchisor. We believe that maintaining a good relationship with our franchise owners is critical to their success. That belief is why we place such high emphasis on the standard of quality for the services, facilities, and personnel in each franchise operation. All of these elements combine to present a professional image to our clients and employees. Our open communication and meaningful relationships are what keep the system alive and vibrant. We must all be aware that through constant interchange of ideas and creative concepts we remain fresh and continue to grow. We maintain that the relationship between us is the essence of greatness. For this reason, we stress the significance of good franchise relations. We continuously strive to provide you with the assistance and support you need to make your @WORK franchise reflect the very best it can be. @WORK Personnel Services @WORK Personnel Services represents the most traditional niche in today's staffing marketplace. Through the placement of temporary and temp-to-hire employees predominantly in clerical and light industrial fields, the personnel market represents the largest and most developed of all staffing niches. As a form of outsourcing, the use of personnel services has become a preferred method of cutting costs and focusing on core business functions. According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey, 98% of all companies use some form of personnel staffing. Overall, the temporary staffing industry has become the ultimate outsourcing service in America today. More than one-half of businesses say they use temporary employees for assistance during unexpected increases in demand for their products or services while many companies also rely on temporary employees to fill in for absent regular employees who are sick, on vacation, or on family and medical leave. The ability to cover staff vacancies with temporary employees until a regular employee is hired is also an important driving force for @WORK Personnel Services franchises. @WORK Medical Services With the shortage of nurses and healthcare professionals on the rise, companies are paying considerable fees to secure these employees.

Franchise Training and Support

As an @WORK franchise, you are an integral part of the company's future. @WORK gives each franchise a personal commitment to excellence. From helping make the franchise location decision to pre-opening and operating the office, @WORK provides a complete support system. Each franchisee receives a 5-10 day training session at our corporate office in Knoxville, Tennessee. This one-on-one training includes materials and courses to acquire a CSP (Certified Staffing Professional) designation from the American Staffing Association, sales and business development training, systems training, workers compensation training/certification, recruiting/employment training, and financial management training. In addition you will receive: On-going training programs, Field support personnel, State of the art front and back office system, Technical support center, Proprietary business planner, Comprehensive business operations manuals, Payroll funding for temporary personnel, Complete payroll and invoice processing, Internet based employee testing and screening software, Complete disaster recovery protection Regardless of the specific niche that interests you the most, by franchising through @WORK you receive the reputation, notoriety, and branding of a national franchise system along with the affiliation needed to secure those clients who would otherwise turn you away. Overall, @WORK provides an all in one, turn key operation with a proven method and manner of operation, complete with procedures, guidelines, methods, and most importantly, a track record of success.


Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $17,000
Required Cash liquidity: $20,000 to $75,000
Total Investment Range: $50,000 to $100,000

Labels: Franchise Opportunity

Franchise Description

We offer franchises to qualified individuals and entities to operate one or more personnel service businesses providing career placement, employee leasing, temporary, and Temp-To-Hire services. The franchised businesses are established and operated by franchisees under a combination of training, knowledge, methods and techniques for operating such a business.ith more frequent career changes and new types of job opportunities, the demand for staffing services has never been greater. As a matter of fact, The Bureau of Labor Statistics, a U.S. agency charged with tracking labor markets, says there will be 10 million more jobs than employees by 2010. By then the economy will support 167 million jobs and there will only be 157 million workers. These changing dynamics provide tremendous opportunity for you as a Snelling franchisee. Virtually everyone you come into contact with is a potential customer.When you join the Snelling team you are joining a business that has a proven track record. Over the years, Snelling has developed an operating system that provides franchise owners with the tools they need to be successful. Our signature SnellingSelect Customer Care Process insures an outstanding service experience that has clients returning to us again and again.

Franchise Training and Support

To assist you in marketing your business, Snelling has developed award-winning marketing programs which include print advertising, sales brochures, direct mail campaigns, power point sales presentations and public relations press kits. Our proven marketing programs are designed to represent Snelling as an industry leader and in turn support your local sales efforts.


Investment Requirements

Franchise Fee: $25,000
Required Cash liquidity: $50,000
Total Investment Range: $150,000

Labels: Franchise Opportunity