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FranchisingFeature spo rts & fi tnesss
children’s products & services
a ujguune st 2 0 1165
Q&A
with julie burleson
help shape future generations with
the goddard school feature article
children’s products & services Franchising USA
CH I L DRENS PRODUCTS & SERV ICES FE AT U RE
what’s new!
College Nannies, Sitters + Tutors Helping Build Stronger Families Building Stronger Families…that’s who we are. You could even call it our professional DNA. We build stronger families by providing much needed help from cradle to college. Whether it’s a full-time nanny, a professional babysitter or a qualified tutor, College Nannies, Sitters + Tutors is there every step of the way. While being a “manny” for children in the summer of 2000, our founder, Joe Keeley realized he was more than a babysitter. He was really a role model for the children in his care. He made daily life easier. And better… with a lasting impact that mattered. Thus began a dream to build stronger families. Keeley founded College Nannies and Tutors in 2001 and has grown the business to become the nation’s largest and most
complete full-service nanny, sitter and tutor resource, with employees and franchisees who share his dream of a better way of life—for families and for themselves. Building stronger families isn’t exclusive to our customers. It’s also our commitment to franchise owners. Our professional is personal. That’s why we take great care to help you reach your goals: professional, financial and personal. College Nannies and Tutors offers the best of both worlds: You get to build a financially profitable business while doing something that really matters. Even better? You get a company that truly cares about building stronger families: yours and those we serve. And it’s a promise we deliver on every day. www.collegenannies.com
i9 Sports Accelerates its Momentum from a Record-Breaking 2015 i9 Sports®, the nation’s first and largest youth sports league franchise, announced today it has accelerated its momentum from a record-breaking 2015 and reported exceptional growth in the first quarter of 2016, positioning the brand for tremendous success this year and beyond. This announcement comes on the heels of the strongest year in i9 Sports history, during which the company reported a 12 percent increase in network-wide revenue. Because of this, i9 Sports has propelled participation at leagues nationwide, with the Spring 2016 season producing the company’s highest registration numbers to date. i9 Sports has set itself apart as an industry pace-setter by creating a youth sports experience unlike any other, which has enabled the brand to operate more than 4,100 youth sports programs in 780 communities across the United States. The company has also established itself as a leader in concussion awareness in youth sports, offering programs in flag football as opposed to tackle, and reported a 12 percent increase in flag football participation in 2015.
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As a result of the company’s continual record-breaking numbers, its franchise network has continued expanding as well, with five new franchise agreements signed in Q1. www.i9sportsfranchise.com
A Painting Fiesta Offers Fun and Creativity A Painting Fiesta is a fun and creative space for all ages. We host art classes for children as young as 3 years old to adults. We are very proud to have an all-family friendly art studio where anyone at any age can pick up a brush and get creative. Our branding has allowed us to grow so much more across the board from hosting birthday parties to after-school art classes, fundraising events to help our local community and just about anything creative for any age group and gender! If you’re a passionate innovator and art lover with an entrepreneurial spirit, then A Painting Fiesta is the perfect blend in the art studio franchise industry! https://youtu.be/cBufZeXN054
One River School Announces Strategic Franchise Initiative One River School of Art + Design, pioneering the most successful new art school business concept in America, today announced a strategic franchise initiative which aims to add 100 new locations in major markets across America over the next five years. The brand is targeting franchise partners with a passion for visual arts and a desire to bring cool cultural programs to their community. The program has been built from the ground up with proprietary tools that drive great educational, operational and financial results. The One River School franchising program is conceived and piloted by Matt Ross, a proven innovator in the creative education space. As the founding CEO of School of Rock, Ross expanded a fledgling startup with a handful of schools into the largest network of music schools in the world. He is now poised to build the first national network of contemporary art schools in America with a groundbreaking new direction in art education for all ages.
“My mission is to create the next
generation of great artists and to flatten the misunderstanding of contemporary
art,” says Ross, an avid art collector and
supporter of emerging artists worldwide.
“We’re serving a variety of needs in our local community and really thriving. Now is the time to spread that success to communities across the country.” www.oneriverschool.com
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what’s new!
Children’s Lighthouse Continues to Accelerate its Franchise System Building upon the momentum the brand has achieved over the past two decades, Children’s Lighthouse continues to
accelerate its franchise system. With an
expanded team of franchise consultants on board, Children’s Lighthouse has
signed several new franchises in the past
quarter. On the horizon, there are centers opening this summer in Overland Park,
KS, Lewisville, Texas and Birmingham, Alabama.
Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers’
mission is to promote positive development of young children in all areas of growth Established in Ft. Worth, Texas in 1995, Children’s Lighthouse Learning Centers are among the leaders in providing value-based educational childcare. Currently, Children’s Lighthouse has 40 centers in operation and 25 additional
franchise locations in the development
pipeline. Children’s Lighthouse has been
including social, emotional, intellectual, physical and creative development. The
centers use and follow an award winning
named one of the “Best Places to Work”
and respected curriculum, which is built
received the “Franchise 500” designation
and character values training.
by the Dallas Business Journal, and has
on a foundation of academic excellence
by Entrepreneur magazine due to its
To learn more, please visit
stability, financial strength, and growth.
www.childrenslighthouse.com
Cookie Cutters Grows to Extraordinary Heights After being a franchisee for a decade, Neal Courtney acquired the Cookie Cutters brand. In October 2015, Cookie Cutters signed a 50-unit development deal across the Mid-Atlantic whilst opening other units across the United States. Today, Neal Courtney has taken the brand to extraordinary heights, with 11 signed multi-unit deals—totaling an additional 33 stores in various stages of development. Cookie Cutters is present in 10 states and Canada, with over 30 stores currently open and operating (not including the current in development). With that being said, there
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are currently over 100 units in various stages of development. Neal Courtney was also previously the CEO of Famous Brands International, the parent company of Mrs. Fields Cookies and TCBY. As one of the first childrenonly hair salons in the United States, Cookie Cutters offers an interactive haircut experience that both children and parents won’t soon forget. Upon entering the salons, neon lights lead children to the in-store playground where they can climb and slide. The salons are also outfitted with unique fantasy chairs at every station – from race cars to motorcycles, firetrucks
to airplanes – as well as televisions, so the children can watch movies or play video games while getting their haircut. www.haircutsarefun.com
Launch Franchising, LLC Announces Tenth Opening of Indoor Trampoline Parks Launch Franchising, LLC. is pleased to announce the opening of its tenth indoor trampoline park. The new and tenth park is located in Milford, Connecticut. Over the past four years Launch Franchising, LLC has rapidly expanded over the East Coast and plans to continue to expand nationwide with ten more openings scheduled by the end of the year. Launch Franchising, LLC. (Launch) was founded in 2012 in Warwick, Rhode Island. After taking a family vacation in Florida, Robert Arnold, co-owner and president of Launch, had a vision of bringing a fun alternative way for both kids and family to stay active to the east coast. Soon after, Robert Arnold paired up with co-owner and three- time Super Bowl champion, Ty Law to make his vision a reality. In just four years, Launch has brought family fun, and health and wellness to various locations spread across the east coast from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, North Carolina, Georgia and more. With Launch’s tenth opening right around the corner, the trampoline park co-owners have no plans on slowing down Launch’s expansion. “The past four years have been such a rewarding adventure and we are ecstatic to see the continued interest and growth in Launch franchises,” said Robert Arnold, president and co-owner of
Launch Franchising, LLC. “Though we are thrilled that Milford’s opening marks the monumental tenth opening for Launch, we are eager to continue building on our great success with Launch.” Pictured in the photo from left to right is Launch co-owner and three-time Super Bowl Champion Ty Law, co-owners of Launch Milford, Mike Carriero, Kristi Carriero, Bob Gebler, Chereyl Gebler, Stacey Maxwell and Brandon Maxwell, with Launch mascot “Joey” at Launch Milford’s grand opening. www.launchtrampolinepark.com
Kids ‘R’ Kids Announces Opening of Second Center in Shanghai Chinese education system. Approximately 80 percent of the curriculum is taught in English and the remaining 20 percent is communicated in Mandarin. The school currently has nearly 50 staff members, including 10 foreign instructors from the U.S. and around the world. Kids ‘R’ Kids International, Inc., an international early childhood education franchisor with three decades of experience, has announced its second center in China has opened in Shanghai.
nine classrooms, full library, dedicated
The Shanghai academy is nearly 70,000 square feet – more than four times the size of its average center – with a total of
Mandarin program that further supports
STEAM classroom, art and music rooms, full indoor playground, an American
football field and more. The new center also offers Kids ‘R’ Kids’ standard
curriculum, including a supplemental
the concept’s longstanding philosophies while meeting the requirements of the
The news comes on the heels of the success of the brand’s first international franchise location, which opened in Beijing last year. The company is on track to open an additional 10 schools across China by the end of next year, including the opening of two schools in Nanjing and Tianjin this fall. kidsrkidsfranchise.com
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Godda rd School
Help Shape Future Generations
by Franchising with The Goddard School® Business-savvy entrepreneurs interested in improving the lives of children through education can find a new career thanks to Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School preschools. GSI is looking for the right people to help its growth in the United States. Goddard Schools provide year-round education programs for children aged six months old to six years and before- and after-school care for school-age children. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, the education-based franchise has been
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in operation since 1986; franchising began in 1988. Currently, there are 450 Goddard School locations. Due to strong demand for quality early education and the success of existing Schools, the company is planning further expansion across the country.
Education Director to lead implementation of the curriculum and to manage a faculty trained in early childhood education and/ or childhood development. Further, GSI provides comprehensive support for both the education and business sides of each franchise.
In a recent interview with Franchising USA magazine, CEO Joe Schumacher stated that Goddard’s overarching strategic goal is to be the best franchisor in the United States. To reach this goal, the franchisor has established a robust support system for each Goddard School Franchise.
CEO Joe Schumacher noted that, “Rarely do our franchisees have an education background.” He went on to say that “It’s really the business background we’re looking for, and we’re always looking for folks who want to be successful, who are willing to follow our system and always keep the integrity of the brand in mind. We also provide the support, training and expertise to empower the School director and faculty to execute the curriculum.”
The success of each franchise is based on two key pillars: providing an outstanding learning experience for children and enabling strong business performance at each School. To ensure the success of these interrelated pillars, Goddard Schools use a dual-management system led by an on-site franchisee and an expert
Franchisees don’t run their School alone. GSI supplies comprehensive education, marketing, sales, communications, and operational support. “We have one group of folks who work with the franchisee
on the business side and one group who work with the franchisee and the education director on the education side,” Schumacher explained. Support is provided by headquarters staff as well as employees based in the markets in which the Schools are located.
Strong Support to Enable an Excellent Early Childhood Educational Experience Schumacher stated that a key differentiator for GSI is its strong support to franchisees to develop each School’s educational excellence. GSI provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art educational program termed F.L.EX.® Learning Program, which stands for Fun Learning Experience. A play-based approach to learning, the F.L.EX. Learning Program is grounded in research that shows children learn better when they’re having fun. Each School is required to have an Education Director who has been approved by GSI and by the licensing authorities of the state in which the School operates. The Education Director leads the implementation of The Goddard School curriculum and manages the faculty. GSI also provides Education Support Specialists who work with the franchisee and the Education Director to address specific questions regarding the curriculum. The Goddard School has its own Educational Advisory Board comprising childhood education experts who provide valuable guidance and help to shape the curriculum. The Goddard School also enlists the help of a third-party assessment firm, Children’s Progress Academic Assessment (CPAA), to see how well its students perform. CPAA data demonstrates that children enrolled in Goddard Schools become better learners. Goddard has conducted its own studies of its students and found they continue to perform better through grades three and four than compared to non-Goddard School students. “If you look at what competitors say about their programs, it’s all very similar, but we actually have proof that we deliver,” Schumacher declared.
Comprehensive Business Support Enables Franchisee Success Schumacher stated that GSI’s support of the business side of the School is equally robust. GSI also offers comprehensive marketing, sales and public relations for franchisees, while its operations department has Franchise Business Consultants, each of whom typically reside in or near the market where they work so they completely understand that market and can pass their local expertise on to the franchisee. Each franchisee undergoes a twostage training program. Phase one is conducted approximately six months before a franchisee receives a certificate of occupancy for the School. It includes training in The Goddard School’s education philosophy and marketing to the business community. Phase two occurs approximately three months after phase one. This phase is a two-week program that focuses on operations, customer service, hiring, training and quality assurance. GSI also provides a week-long training program for education directors that all directors must successfully complete. Every spring and summer the franchisor holds regional market meetings to provide global insights and best practices, as well as to understand the unique features of each market. An annual four-day franchisee convention is held every fall,
“If you look at what competitors say about their programs, it’s all very similar, but we actually have proof that we deliver.” – Joe Schumacher
which Schumacher described as a highlevel business event.
Targeted Growth Goddard Schools are present in thirtysix states. Given demographic trends, the current location of franchises, and the success of The Goddard School franchises, Schumacher estimates that there are an additional 550 available locations throughout the United States that are ideal for growth opportunities. Areas of particular interest include Boston, Florida, California, Texas (especially San Antonio) and Illinois. The CEO also pointed to Manhattan and Long Island in New York as places where GSI aims to put more Schools. The Goddard School has spread across the country, preparing tens of thousands of students for success in school and in life. Now the franchise needs more enthusiastic entrepreneurs to step up to carry on the mission of educating the next generation. www.goddardschoolfranchise.com
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Featu re
b y G i n a G i l l Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A
CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS & SERVICES
e r u t a Fe
There is a certain group of people who have a strong buying power in the American market. This specific portion of consumers has immediate and ever changing needs, they make up for a large percentage of the population and they are constantly in want. Their only downfall as an integral part of the economy is their lack of income. In fact for the most part, they do not have any money whatsoever, but they want and need a lot of stuff. Who are these powerful moneyless customers who have a strong influence on the products and services offered in America? They are children.
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Children are heavily influenced by the many marketing tactics facing them on a daily basis. Their needs are sporadic and constant; therefore the advertising market adheres to their wants. It’s an easy target, especially with so many screens facing them on a daily basis. Kids are surrounded by a variety of marketing and they are falling for it all. The children’s market used to be a small niche of necessity, consisting mainly of clothing and toys. Nowadays the baby market is a completely self-sufficient industry full of a variety of products and services made just for toddlers and infants. It’s a giant niche that is bringing in a large profit. The toy market alone was estimated to be at $20 billion in 2011 and that is only one portion of the giant industry that is child services and products.
Baby products and services From infant to toddler, babies have their own area of the market nowadays. There is a lot of stuff to come with a baby. They need car seats, strollers, carriers, cribs, onesies- the list is continuous. Parents want the best for their kids and they do not want to go without. The clothes are being grown out of every month and there are constantly new products that swear to make parent’s lives a little easier and children to learn faster.
Though the birth rates have declined,
parents have exercised more buying power
when it comes to their wee ones. Even with fewer babies being born, the global baby
care market is expected to increase its total sales to 66.8 billion US dollars by 2017. This type of franchise is great for those starting a business and who would like a decent work life balance. A lot of
the products sell themselves and have
high ticket prices. Marketing is usually provided and brand names create an
established consumer base. After proper
training and recruitment, it’s a franchise that can run itself in most facilities.
It offers a variety of products, including clothing, toys and personal care items, which are all profitable venues in themselves.
Day Care and After School Programs A lot of US households have both parents working fulltime, which means that a great portion of income is being dulled out to a form of childcare. This has become an established business throughout the States and with that comes franchising opportunity. Though the training may come easy and the industry may be well-recognized and established, a passion to work with kids should be a priority for those interested in this industry. Franchisees might find themselves involved in the daily processes, especially near the beginning. Recruitment would be specific and a well trained staff would need to be implemented for the business to run
“Though there are usually small businesses competing with toy franchises, it’s a stable industry that offers the top name brands and has created a well established reputation.”
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PRODUCTS
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Featu re
b y G i n a G i l l Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A
“With the many technological advances surrounding children today, they are constantly stimulated by numerous gadgets.”
Child care can be specific with soccer camps or tutoring sessions, a focus on something can really appeal to the passionate side for those interested in franchising a childcare business.
Toy Industry Though this may seem to be an area specific to children, a lot of toys are trickling into the hands of adults. Many parents become nostalgic when they are purchasing certain products for their kids and invest in the high quality collectables they could not afford when they were growing up. Of course working in the toy industry can be fun, and it turns a great profit. The global toy market was estimated at 84 billion US dollars in 2012 and it’s always increasing with new inventions and addictions. From video games to Shopkins, the classic Lego and Barbie, toys cover a giant market of products.
properly. Though there will competition
Demand in this industry would never
businesses, a franchise would cover a lot
parents make childcare their top priority.
with personal daycares and at home
of the red tape for government regulations. Plus, a well-established name with a
franchise would guarantee more customers because it carries more credibility.
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falter, there is never a shortage of kids and It varies as well from Summer Programs,
to Day Camps and After School Programs, allowing franchisees to consider different areas of interest.
This is another field that comes with a lot of name brands that are providing their own marketing, and sending people to your company’s selves, without any of the work. Though there are usually small businesses competing with toy franchises, it’s a stable industry that offers the top name brands and has created a well established reputation.
Recreational Facilities Kid have to be reminded to get outdoors, be social and get away from the screens. With the many technological advances surrounding children today, they are constantly stimulated by numerous gadgets. Recreational facilities offer sports, activities, classes or simply child minding. This can be a fitness facility that can offers options for adults as well, while covering a lot of activities for kids. It could be an arcade with door cover costs, as well as coin operated machines and play stations that bring in a lot of profit. There can be laser tag, glow bowling and a lot of popular fad activities that draws in groups of people or is great for parties. An investment in this franchise is great for a family oriented person who is young at heart and enjoys having fun. It can also appeal to the investor who is mindful of living a healthy lifestyle. A franchise in this field could be beneficial on a personal level to those who enjoy a lot of the services offered. Children’s services and products go well beyond toys and reach a lot of different venues. Most franchise options in this field are well recognized and carry a lot of brands, meaning most franchisees would not have to be concerned about marketing
“Children’s services and products go well beyond toys and reach a lot of different venues.” or worry about gaining a profit. It’s appealing for those young at heart, who are seeking a lot of support and training and about love to be a part of the community. It’s also an easy transition for those looking to start a franchise for the first time. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: After receiving an English Degree, followed by a Journalism Diploma, Gina Gill became a freelance journalist in 2008. She has worked as a reporter and in communications, focusing on
social media. She currently works as a community information officer with Epilepsy Society, while pursuing her writing career at the same time.
Look out for our next special feature:
HOME-BASED/ HOME SERVICES FRANCHISING Franchising USA
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K id to K id
Children’s Resale Model Just Makes Sense:
Kid to Kid Thrives in Any Economy A great business opportunity combines ample supply, strong consumer demand and ideal economic conditions with timetested systems and excellent execution. In this economy, a franchise that resells outgrown children’s clothing and toys, Kid to Kid, harnesses these key factors to create an opportunity that just makes sense.
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According to Fashonbi’s 2016 Kidswear Market Report, “the children’s wear market is one of the most lucrative segments in the global apparel industry. Estimated to hit a value of 173.6 billion dollars by 2017, the kids wear market was not even affected by the meltdown on the global economy. The market for infants and toddlers wear is the perfect text book case for a market pattern as well. Affected by neither economic dynamics nor new fashion trends, this fast growing market is expected to have a stable Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2 percentage through to 2017.” The Cascade Alliance found that “the retail thrift industry was a rare bright
“An expanding customer base, shifts in the culture and changes within the industry all paint a very positive picture for thrift store operators.” spot during the Great Recession, actually adding stores and jobs. But now that the economy is growing and unemployment is down, will the outlook for thrift stores maintain its upward trend? There is more than just anecdotal evidence suggesting that the retail thrift industry will continue to grow in the United States in coming years. An expanding customer base, shifts in the culture and changes within the industry all paint a very positive picture for thrift store operators.” The resale model is unique in that those who are the suppliers of great clothing items and outgrown toys and kids gear also feed the demand for more product. Many customers who come in to the store to sell their gently used items to Kid to Kid will actually buy other items with the cash or store credit they receive. This cycle continues for years as their children grow up. Kid to Kid Franchisees love the friendships they develop with their customers and the satisfaction they get from being part of the community. Kori Forney of the Kid to Kid in Medford, Oregon said: “Our store has exploded, but I’ll be honest, I rarely look at the numbers. I look at the excitement of new moms when they find just what they need, the appreciation of parents that can come in to sell their items and support their families. I feel how our community is coming together to put family first and serve others. That’s how I know my store is doing well. That’s how I know I’m on the right track.” The Kid to Kid story begins more than 24 years ago. An avid bargain hunter, founder Shauna Sloan loved the idea of selling the clothes her children had outgrown and purchasing other gently used clothes at discount prices. She researched the industry extensively and found that no one provided the advanced management systems and training necessary to
maximize profits. So she and her husband Brent decided to start their own upscale children’s resale store – applying business school principals and technology to a mom and pop industry. One of the first employees they hired was a computer programmer to develop a top-notch inventory management and pricing system - which became the basis for the system used throughout the Kid to Kid network today. The stunning response of local customers prompted the Sloans to begin franchising the concept just one year later. Their attention to detail, tireless energy and entrepreneurial vision have resulted in the finest systems and practices in the industry. New Kid to Kid franchisees benefit from processes developed and perfected over the last 24 years. The moment a new franchisee joins the Kid to Kid family they are swept up in a wave of support. Every detail of building a beautiful store is addressed – from site selection and build-out to racks and
hangers. Online training is followed by two weeks of classroom instruction and in store experience. The new franchisee then spends another week in a top store as an intern to hone their newfound skills. Support continues in the form of inventory buying and hands-on help at the grand opening. Field support reps provide ongoing operational support and visit stores regularly. Webinars, peer store visits and annual meetings provide continuous training and motivation. Over the years, Kid to Kid and their sister company Uptown Cheapskate, an upscale resale franchise focusing on the young adult demographic, have been growing steadily with nearly 170 locations in four countries. However, it’s never been their goal to be the largest or fastest growing company in the industry – but to have successful stores and satisfied franchisees. This year they will issue a limited number of licenses in order to ensure the levels of support they are committed to delivering. www.kidtokid.com/franchising
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Q & A w ith Julie B u r leson
with Julie B Our team at Franchising USA had a chance to sit down with Julie Burleson, founder and CEO of Young Chefs Academy, a national children’s cooking school franchise. As a fellow woman in franchising, we were excited to learn more about Julie’s journey to Young Chefs Academy and her advice to women looking to open their own franchises.
What is your professional background? Before Young Chefs Academy, I was running a small catering business. Before that, I was a scholarship program officer at Baylor University. My background is in business and personnel administration. I think every job you have can prepare you for running a business, as long as that job
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helps you develop the skills needed to build strong, healthy relationships through effective communication.
How did you start Young Chefs Academy? I’ve loved cooking since I was a little girl cooking with my mom. One day, in 2003, it all came around full-circle. I was in the kitchen preparing a meal when my son asked me if he could help. That’s when I had my “light bulb” moment. I’m an entrepreneur at heart, so I’m constantly on the lookout for new ideas, and decided at that moment that I could launch a children’s cooking school.
Did you have a partner/cofounder when you started? Why? How important was that in building your company? In the beginning, I brought on a close friend to be my partner and co-founder. It was nice to have somebody to take this big leap with. She has since moved on to
other things, but she played a key role in the beginning stages and we went through a lot together, a lot of challenges and good times.
How does Young Chefs Academy differentiate itself from other children’s cooking schools? We describe Young Chefs Academy as one part culinary adventure, one part culinary education. We strive to help children learn the invaluable life lessons that often occur through a cooking curriculum, kitchen safety lesson or fun cooking competition. We nourish personal discovery and creativity by empowering students through culinary education.
Where do you see Young Chefs Academy in the next five years? Today, Young Chefs Academy is spread across 35 locations internationally, including 20 in the United States, and we only see that number growing. I
“The best advice I ever got came from my dad, which is “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” You have to trust your gut when it comes to important decisions.”
Burleson would also like to see 100 percent of our franchisees meet their profitability goals.
How would you describe your leadership style? I try to make myself easily approachable. I like to be available to my staff and franchisees. I also know when to delegate tasks that are not the best fit for me. This way, I can let my team have a chance to shine and do what they’re good at. We’re a team, and nothing makes me happier than when my franchisees are succeeding and happy. My franchisees are savvy business owners – they understand the “power in numbers” mentality and their own accountability when it comes to keeping the YCA team solid. I grew up as a middle child in a family of five kids and supported all of my siblings. I decided one of my sisters should be on the gymnastics team, so I taught her how to do back handsprings. I didn’t know how to do them, but I made sure she did. Then I decided another sister needed to be student
council president and I was her campaign manager. Like my siblings, I’m here to make sure my franchisees (who I also look at as family) are successful.
What’s the best and worst advice you got when starting out? The best advice I ever got came from my dad, which is “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” You have to trust your gut when it comes to important decisions. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in all of the excitement and we are more prone to push that gut feeling aside.
Do you have any advice for our readers who are exploring franchise opportunities?
Surround yourself with as many mentors as you can. I can’t emphasize how important it is to get in front of people in the industry who will give you their time and share their experiences.
Where can we keep up with Young Chefs Academy on social media? Website: http://youngchefsacademy.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ youngchefscorp/ Twitter: @YoungChefsIntl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ young-chefs-academy
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C ook ie Cu t ter s
Franchise Takes Trauma Out of Haircuts for Kids With a simple to run model that relies on repeat customers, a Salt Lake City franchise is creating success by taking the fear out of an experience many children find difficult. Cookie Cutters Haircuts for Kids is a
niche hair salon focused on children under the age of 12 that provides an interactive experience that is stress free for parents and fun for kids.
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“We really try to take the fear out of the haircut experience for children and make it a lot of fun,” Cookie Cutters CEO Neal Courtney said during a recent interview. “Kids get to sit in a thematic chair. They get their hair cut by a stylist that really understands the dynamics of children and what it takes to entertain them and also provide a great haircut.” Those thematic chairs can be in the shape of a car, a plane or even a child’s favorite super hero. Cookie Cutters also has televisions for kids to watch or play video games on, plus an indoor playground for them. In business for over 24 years, Cookie Cutters started in Indianapolis, IN before
being purchased by Courtney and his wife Alexis in 2014. The company is now headquartered in Utah. It started franchising in 1995 and has expanded steadily throughout the midwest. This year is set to be a great one for the company, as Cookie Cutters has signed on 17 new franchisees, who will account for another 50 salons opening over the next three years. Currently, the company has 30 franchise locations in operation and will open another 15 locations by year’s end in 14 new states. “We’re a model that really caters to the multi-unit operator,” Courtney stated. “Just with the low cost of investment and
the ongoing profitability, it makes a lot of business sense to own more than one.” With the simplicity of the model and how easy it is to operate a Cookie Cutters, franchisees really only have to worry about managing people, the CEO noted. With minimal inventory to keep track of. Franchise owners mainly concentrate on getting people through the door and making sure their employees are doing a good job. The franchise has several salons in the mid-west and Utah and has recently signed agreements in Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Texas, Arizona, North Carolina, Maryland and Pennsylvania. There is significant opportunity across the country to continue to expand the brand, Courtney noted.
Seeking Relationship Builders Courtney said he is looking for people who like children and who have good business savvy. Potential franchisees should be passionate about the brand, have strong personalities and enjoy getting out into the community and making connections. “We want franchisees who have the ability to get out from behind their four walls and build relationships with schools, pediatricians, , and other children focused businesses as well as joining the local chamber of commerce to build relationships within their small business community,” Courtney explained.
Always a Need One of the best things about the Cookie Cutters model, the CEO said, is there will always be a need for the service it provides and it’s not something that can be automated or made irrelevant by the internet. With the growing number of disabilities our children face we continually find Cookie Cutters is the only option for both parents and children with special needs.
“The great thing about Cookie Cutters is we know how to create an environment that is stress free for parents and a lot of fun for children.” – Neal Courtney we know how to create an environment that is stress free for parents and a lot of fun for children. Each child is unique and we work hard to provide an experience that fits their needs” he said.
Training Most of Cookie Cutter’s training is done in the top producing location in Salt Lake City, Utah. Courtney said it has been his observation that new franchisees learn best by being on site and dealing with customers directly. The company has a robust training system that focuses on the technical aspects of running a Cookie Cutters franchise, plus training that covers hiring, customer retention and operations.
trainer to any franchisee’s salon to provide extra training on an as-needed basis.
There are millions of kids in the United States, Courtney pointed out, and they all need haircuts and Cookie Cutters gives them a place where they can get a haircut in an environment built specifically for them.
They also train their franchisees to train their own employees, utilizing YouTube and other online tools for the task. All Cookie Cutters stylists are certified hairdressers, so the training they receive from the company is mainly on how to give a haircut the Cookie Cutters way and how to deal with customers, Courtney said, as well as keeping them up to date on the latest hairstyles for children.
In addition to making sure franchisees and their employees are trained well, the company also takes an active role in helping franchisees select a site and get started.
“The great thing about Cookie Cutters is
If necessary, the company can send a
www.kidscuts.com
For savvy business people who like working with children and who like being a multi-unit owner, Cookie Cutters offers a superb opportunity catered specifically for them.
Franchising USA
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Pr im rose Schools
Primrose School of Brookhaven Franchise Owner Olivia Vaughn
Early Childhood Education Franchise Eyes Expansion with the Right Place and the Right People One educational franchise is looking to expand in just the right places, but wants to do so with people who are motivated by more than just profit. Primrose Schools, which has been serving infants to kindergarten aged children since 1982, has been continually seeing its work pay off and is seeing demand for its brand of learning grow exponentially. Primrose School of Burlington
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“Our approach to early education is timetested. While we continue to innovate,
“Owning a Primrose school is incredibly rewarding, so we look for individuals who are passionate about making a true difference for children and families.” - Chris Goethe the foundational values that the Primrose approach was built on remain the same today as they were 30 years ago, and we know it works,” Chris Goethe, Vice President of Franchising for Primrose said during a recent interview at the International Franchising Expo in New York. “As a result, demand is climbing and currently today we have more than 320 schools with several more planned to open this year. There is so much work to be done to fill this need for high-quality early education and care, and finding the right people and location is key for us.”
“The little fish can pack a major punch against their competition when solid systems are in place and executed properly.”
The Right Place Primrose is particular about where it places schools, the company requires unique locations and real estate needs to deliver the nurturing child care environment it’s known for. When deciding where to place a school, the vice-president of franchising said, Primrose will look at the demographics within a seven mile radius of a potential site. The demographics must meet the criteria of having at least 2,000 children under the age of four and with middle to upper household income. The educational franchise prefers relatively out-of-the-way or unique places to maintain privacy and security for its students and families Parents appreciate that Primrose Schools aren’t in high traffic areas with big storefronts that just anyone can stumble upon. Being in more hidden areas doesn’t impact enrollment he added, because while the schools may not be in obvious areas, parents typically hear about Primrose through word-of-mouth thanks to the strong Primrose network of parents, teachers, staff and Franchise Owners. Typically, a suburban Primrose School will need one to two acres for a 12,000 to 14,000 square ft. building.
Primrose School of Burlington Franchise Owner Curt Van Emon and his wife Rachel
The Right People To find Franchise Owners who will own schools in these sometimes inconspicuous locations, Primrose seeks the right people who are motivated by a higher calling that’s more than just making money. “We know owning a franchise is a big investment and profitability is essential, but we offer more than that at Primrose,” he said. “Owning a Primrose school is incredibly rewarding, so we look for individuals who are passionate about making a true difference for children and families. When I talk to prospects, I ask ‘Why are you here? What are you on the planet for?’ and try to see if their values align with ours at Primrose.”
Because Primrose is in the business of children’s education, there has to be a certain trust factor with franchisees. The process of becoming a Primrose franchisee lasts for about eight months and involves a lot of interviews and background checks to ensure potential franchisees are not only in it for the right reasons, but also don’t raise any red flags for the company. “Parents are entrusting us with the responsibility of educating and caring for their children and we take that very seriously,” he said. “We only recruit reputable people who share our commitment to delivering the best and most trusted early education and care to children and families across America.”
Franchising USA
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Pr im rose Schools
Primrose School of Center City Philadelphia
“Our approach to early education is time-tested. While we continue to innovate, the foundational values that the Primrose approach was built on remain the same today as they were 30 years ago, and we know it works.” - Chris Goethe
Primrose Schools VP of Franchising Chris Goethe
Primrose has about 60,000 children in its system today and its total occupancy is around 80 percent for mature schools that have been open for more than two years around the country.
The Right Lessons Goethe describes Primrose’s Balanced Learning® curriculum as a nice balance between child-initiated and teacherdirected theme-based learning.
Franchising USA
“For example, the theme one week might be living things. When the children go outside to play they will observe the grass, trees, insects and birds. Then they may explore the different stages of a plant’s life cycle at the Science Center, read a book about living things, or write a story or paint a picture based on living things,” Goethe explained. “There is this comprehensive and connected delivery of our approach that makes learning fun and natural for children and it’s pretty awesome to see.” “The Primrose Balanced Learning approach is created from the best early education wisdom. Primrose has an Education Team that consults with the Primrose Early Learning Council, a panel made up of nationally-recognized early childhood experts, to regularly assess
and continuously innovate its approach. This ensures Primrose is continuously improving to provide the best early learning experience possible for children.” “At Primrose schools, children learn and practice concepts in language and literacy; science, technology, engineering, creative arts and math (STEAM); social studies; music; physical development; health; and compassion, kindness and life skills continuously throughout each day.” In addition to the satisfaction of helping children get a great start on their education, Primrose Franchisees enjoy the benefit of stellar support from the early childhood education center. It’s a great opportunity for anyone who has a calling for working with children. franchise.primroseschools.com
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