VOL 10, ISSUE 7, june 2022
COVER STORY
tUTOR DOCTOR
FROM ROCK BOTTOM TO GLOBAL MENTOr
make your success:
service excellence required special feature
HOME SERVICES franchising
franchising news announcements from the industry
Franchising MAGAZINE USA 1 The magazine for franchisees • W W W.FRANCHSINGMAGAZINEUSA.COM
Join the Leading Computer Service Franchise As a NerdsToGo franchisee, our entire team supports you and your business with the following: • Extensive business, marketing, and management training
“The military prepares you for this kind of transition in a civilian role,” said Turnbow. “For me, you have to be a good teammate and a good
• Our proven approach to sales and customer service
follower before being a great leader. I can be a great leader now because my service taught me what it means to be a good follower and how to play a role on a team.
• National conferences, training meetings, and information exchanges
“It can be difficult, especially if you start from
• Operational infrastructure tools, templates, and manuals
• Toll-free telephone support • NerdsToGo copyrighted marketing programs
NerdsToGo is honored to offer 50% Off our Franchise Fee for Veterans
scratch as I did,” he added. “But the best thing about being plugged into NerdsToGo is that a network of franchises and upper management are here to help. Everything about owning a business is learning, and I am learning every day.” Roger Turnbow | NerdsToGo - San Antonio NW, Texas
nerdstogo.com • 855-951-3840
VOL 10, ISSU
E 7, JUNE 2022
COV
TUTOR DOCTER STORY OR FROM ROC K BOTTOM TO GLOBAL MENTOR
VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7, 2022
On the cover: the tutor doctor president: Colin Bradbury. colin@cgbpublishing.com
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Welcome to our June issue of
Franchising Magazine USA.
Vikki Bradbury. vikki@cgbpublishing.com
We are delighted to have Tutor Doc as our Cover story and we find out How
editorial department:
One Tutoring Franchise Owner Went from Living in His Car to Growing His Local
editor@cgbpublishing.com
Empire.
advertising:
As always we have some great advice from some of the top experts in the industry.
vikki@cgbpublishing.com
George Knauf My perfect Franchise looks at Legacy Brands and how they still have
jasonb@cgbpublishing.com
opportunities, Lucas Frey Bella Vista Executive advisors offers advice on Service
Editorial team:
Success, Evan Hackel Founder Image Consulting and CEO of Tortal Training talks Look
Michelle Quinn
for your Cobwebs!
Rob Swystun
Our Feature Supplement for June is Home Services Franchising. We meet a range
Production:
of Franchises in this sector Griswald Home Care, Ultra Pool Care Squad, Homewatch
usaproduction@cgbpublishing.com
Caregivers, The Carpet Chemist and more.
DESIGN:
Also in this issue you will meet Buzz Franchise Brands who are on our Veterans Front
Jejak Graphics. jejak@bigpond.com
Cover and offer a unique opportunity for Veterans in the Exploding Home Services
CGB PUBLISHING Canadian Office: Sidney B.C Canada U.S. Office: 800 5th Ave, #101 Seattle, WA 98104-3102 Editorial: 778 426 2446 www.franchisingmagazineusa.com
Industry. We’ll be at The International FranchiseExpo with @MFVExpositions June 2-4! Come talk to us about franchising in booth 772 and receive your free subscription for 12 months. You can also Register FREE for IFE2022 get your ticket for FREE with code USA by clicking here. I hope you enjoy this edition and don’t forget to keep sending your stories and questions to the editor or myself. Happy Reading
Proud member of the IFA:
SUPPLIER FORUM International Franchise Association 1501 K Street, N.W., Suite 350 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 628-8000 Fax: (202) 628-0812 www.franchise.org
Vikki Bradbury | Publisher Franchising Magazine USA
The information and contents in this publication are believed by the publisher to be true, correct and accurate but no independent investigation has been undertaken. Accordingly the publisher does not represent or warrant that the information and contents are true, correct or accurate and recommends that each reader seek appropriate professional advice, guidance and direction before acting or relying on all information contained herein. Opinions expressed in the articles contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publication is sold subject to the terms and conditions that it shall not be copied in whole or part, resold, hired out, without the express permission of the publisher.
Franchising MAGAZINE USA 3
JOIN THE INDUSTRY DISRUPTOR IN GARMENT CARE.
ZIPS BY THE NUMBERS • 5 Businesses in One! Pressed Laundry,
ZIPS didn’t invent the consumer garment care business; we perfected it. Garment care is a $10.5 billion a year business in a highly fragmented market where 98% of the competitors are mom-and-pop shops. The industry is SULPHG IRU D QDWLRQDO EUDQG RHULQJ comprehensive services and a solid value proposition to consumers. ZIPS is here to deliver. If you’re looking to become part of $PHULFDȇV ȴUVW QDWLRQDO JDUPHQW FDUH brand, we want to talk to you.
Wash N Fold, Dry Cleaning, Alterations, Household Item Care • Nearly 70 units strong, with 100+ commitments in the pipeline • $1.1M AUV annually for mature fullservice and drop (satellite) locations* • 3-Store Minimum; markets available nationwide • 2:1 sales-to-capital ratio for drop/fullservice store • Over 20 million items cleaned last year
To inquire about opportunities contact: Abhi Parikh, Director of Business Development aparikh@321zips.com • 717.495.7995 www.321ZIPS.com/franchise
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contents
june 2022 Cover Story 10 Tutor Doc: From Rock Bottom to Global Mentor - How One Tutoring Franchise Owner went from Living in his Car to Growing his Local Empire
18
In evey issue 6
Franchising News Announcements from the Industry
23 Special Feature Supplement Home Services Franchising
47 Veterans Supplement News and Information for Veterans in Franchising
66 A-Z Franchise & Services Directory
Franchise in Focus 16 RNR Tire Express: Brand Expectations, What it Takes to Become a Part of RNR Tire Express
12 Franchisee in Action 20 Bo Concept: Franchisee Combines Passion for Interior Design with Business Development
16
42 Tide Cleaners: Multi Brand Franchisee Headed for 60 Tide Cleaner Locations
14 Women in Franchising 14 Lisa Williams: Women Empowered by Entrepreneurship
Expert Advice 12 Eric Danver: Why Franchisees Should Consider Growing their Portfolio with the same brand 18 Evan Hackell: Look for Your Cobwebs 40 Lucas Frey: Customer Loyalty Make Your Success
20
44 George Knauf: Legacy Brands Still have Opportunities Franchising MAGAZINE USA 5
Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list is an annual honor awarded to the brands leading the way in the fastcasual restaurant industry. This award recognizes not only the growth and sales accomplishments of brands named in the list, but also their efforts to enhance the overall guest experience and set new industry trends.
Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom Selected as a Top Brand in the Fast Casual 2022 Movers & Shakers List Fast-Casual Restaurant and Taproom Concept Receives Industry-Wide Recognition Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom – the fast-casual franchise famous for its oak wood-fired pizza creations and self-serve Taproom - is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2022 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list presented by Fast Casual.
The brand currently has five locations open and operating throughout the U.S. and is primed to shake up the fastcasual pizza industry by opening 95 new locations in the next 5 years. Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom was ranked 49 out of the 100 brands selected.
“Receiving this type of recognition is extremely exciting for our team and everyone who has been involved in shaping Smokin’ Oak to be the brand it is today,” said Matt Mongoven, CEO of Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom. Being named in Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list marks a significant milestone for Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom as it looks to take over the fast-casual pizza space. For more information, or if interested in a franchise opportunity, please visit www.smokinoakpizza.com.
AROMA JOE’S NOW OPEN IN BRISTOL, Connecticut Locally-owned and operated handcrafted beverage shop brings specialty coffee drinks, signature AJ’s RUSH energy drink, upbeat service and signature style Aroma Joe’s, one of the nation’s leading handcrafted beverage chains, announces their new location in Bristol, Connecticut, at 1235 Farmington Avenue. This 800 square foot drive-thru location features handcrafted coffee and espresso drinks, unique flavor infusions, signature AJ’s RUSH® Energy Drinks and all-day food options. This new location is owned and operated by Mark MacGregor, Henry Laughlin and Clayton Prugh. “I grew up in Rochester, N.H., and was a frequent visitor of the first Aroma Joe’s location there in 2001,” said Aroma Joe’s franchisee Mark MacGregor. “More than 20 years later, this is an incredible opportunity to help build the brand that I love, right in the city in which I reside, and in one of our busiest neighborhoods. We are excited for the future of Aroma Joe’s in Connecticut.” 6 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
This is Aroma Joe’s first location in Connecticut, and it has already been tremendously popular with record breaking first week sales. Building off this momentum, the local franchisees plan to continue to grow the coffee shop’s footprint throughout the state in the coming year. Learn more about Aroma Joe’s franchising at https://aromajoes.com/franchising/
Spherion Celebrates Monumental Growth at Annual Meeting National Leader in Staffing and Recruiting Honors Franchisees, Employees and Corporate Staff at 2022 Meeting in Las Vegas The Spherion Staffing and Recruiting (Spherion) franchise community had the sweet opportunity to gather and celebrate achievements experienced in 2021 during the company’s annual meeting at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas from March 24-26. Themed How Sweet It Is!, the 2022 national meeting was the first time in two years that franchisees, colleagues and corporate team members had the chance to meet face-to-face and reconnect while gaining insights about the status of the staffing industry as well as the brand. The three-day conference gave franchisees the opportunity to attend general sessions, keynote speeches and participate in breakout sessions. During the conference, attendees donated $17,300 to Spherion’sSandy Mazur Scholarship fund for a chance to win a neon Spherion sign. In total, $17,800 was raised for the scholarship fund and
franchisee Tom Pentenburg took home the sign to his offices in central and northeast Indiana. Aside from celebrating the company’s accomplishments, Spherion also recognized the dedicated franchisees who drive the company’s growth during its Glitz and Glam Gala. This tradition honors top-performing individuals and offices. A total of 32 franchisees won awards in several categories Each Spherion franchisee enriches their community by connecting and facilitating employment opportunities every day. When businesses and job seekers are successful together, their investments in each other flow back into the neighborhoods where they live and work. To learn more about Spherion’s services, visit https://www.spherion.com.
Dallas-Based Early Learning School Reflects on the Past and Looks Towards Future Growth Children’s Lighthouse Early Learning Schools™, the nation’s leading provider of high-quality early childhood education, has had a lot to celebrate this year, but most noteworthy is its silver anniversary. The premier early learning school was founded 25 years ago in 1997 by brothers Mike and Pat Brown. As fathers themselves, the Browns chose to start Children’s Lighthouse because they saw a need for a quality childcare provider that offered more than just playtime for kids. When Children’s Lighthouse first opened, it was one of the first early learning schools that made promoting character values like passion, integrity and excellence a cornerstone in its curriculum. 25 years later, these core values still guide the brand, helping it to remain one of the nation’s top childcare and early education providers. To honor the Browns’ legacy, Children’s Lighthouse also recently created and
presented the Founders Award at its annual conference. The Founders award, which was presented for the first time this year, recognizes a franchisee in the Children’s Lighthouse system who embody the same positive attitudes and values of the Children’s Lighthouse Founders. This franchisee follows systems, demonstrates the Browns’ values of integrity, passion and excellence, and
contributes positively to the Children’s Lighthouse franchise partnership. This year, the Founder’s Award was presented to Varun and Navi Sharma, owners of Children’s Lighthouse of Arlington-Viridian and Little Elm in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. To learn more about Children’s Lighthouse, visit https:// childrenslighthouse.com/ Franchising MAGAZINE USA 7
center, helps members reach their highest level of physical, cognitive and cellular performance through proprietary technologies. Each location offers services that help members become smarter, faster & stronger, resulting in a more rejuvenated & resilient version of themselves. The services offered help members spend less time exercising, decrease recovery times, and retain higher levels of concentration and tranquility. Equipped with cuttingedge technology and expert Biohacker
Upgrade Labs Set to Make Its Entrance into Boise
Technicians, Upgrade Labs helps its members live their lives to the fullest potential. Upgrade Labs is looking for single and
Upgrade Labs, the world’s first Human
exponential growth and disrupting the
multi-unit franchise partners that are
Upgrade™ Center and brainchild of
fitness and wellness space. Both Smith
passionate about upgrading humanity
Bulletproof Coffee founder Dave Asprey,
and Granden bring a wealth of knowledge
and want to introduce biohacking into
is continuing its expansion with its newly
in the finance and operations categories,
new communities. Including the franchise
announced plan to enter Boise, Idaho.
looking to utilize their experience to make
fee, the initial investment for an Upgrade
The brand, looking to upgrade humanity,
Upgrade Lab’s entry into Boise seamless.
Labs location ranges from $663,000 to
Both Idaho natives and fitness enthusiasts,
$1,070,000.
they are eager to bring the future of health
For more information about Upgrade
is excited to be partnering with Hailey Smith and Becky Granden to bring the franchise to Idaho for the first time. This
and wellness to their home state.
news comes as the brand is witnessing
Upgrade Labs, the premier biohacking
Labs franchise opportunity, please visit https://ownanupgradelabs.com/
1-800 WATER DAMAGE is Supporting the Twin Cities When Emergencies and Disasters Strike 1-800 WATER DAMAGE provides those who have been impacted by home and property damage with what they truly need: an experienced and certified restoration team they can rely on to safely restore not only their property, but their lives. The company’s services include water and flood damage mitigation, mold remediation, sewage, fire and smoke cleanup along with critical cleaning and sanitizing. The brand has opened its newest location in Burnsville and serves the entire Twin Cities metro area.
and outstanding customer care. We are proud to be able to help our neighbors through a very stressful time in their lives,” said Mark Herll.
Locally owned and operated by Mark and Patti Herll and son-inlaw Michael Matovich, 1-800 WATER DAMAGE of the Twin Cities provides home and business owners with top-quality work and unmatched customer care.
We have a phenomenal network of dedicated franchise owners and we’re proud of the work they do every day. We’re confident that Mark, Patti and Michael will serve an important role in the Twin Cities community in the days, months and years ahead.”
“We aim to be the local, family-owned property restoration experts who make a difficult situation better. Our goal is to match the needs of our customer with high quality, effective solutions
For more info about 1-800 WATER DAMAGE of Rogers and Bentonville, visit https://www.1800waterdamage.com/rogersbentonville/
8 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
ALWAYS BEST CARE Achieves Double-Digit Sales Growth Amid Launch Of Telehealth Capabilities
Leading Senior Care Franchise Continues Commitment to Caregiver Recruitment and Expansion with New Territories Across the Country Always Best Care Senior Services, one of the leading senior care franchise systems in the United States, achieved over 10% sales growth in 2021, launching 16 new territories throughout the country and welcoming nine new franchise owners. Most notably, the brand introduced a new telehealth tool with Remote Patient Monitoring and continued its aggressive nationwide caregiver recruitment campaign. “As we celebrated Always Best Care’s 25-year history last year, we also paved the way for the future by investing in caregiver recruitment and technological tools that answer the challenges of our growing senior population,” said Jake Brown, President & CEO of Always Best Care. “We are fortunate to have a best-inclass franchise opportunity and more room for development with many untapped markets available across the country. It’s an honor to share our success and potential with our dedicated team members and franchisees.” Always Best Care grew its brand presence in existing states like Texas, North Carolina, California and Georgia. New owners took over territories in Chicago, New Jersey and California, while established operators seized opportunities to expand or renew, serving as a true testament to the brand’s sustainable positioning and long-term viability in the rapidly evolving senior care landscape. Franchise opportunities are now available in many new territories for individuals interested in leveraging Always Best Care’s clear strategy and proven track record for delivering affordable, dependable service to seniors in their local areas. For more information on available territories and franchising with Always Best Care, visit home-care-franchise. alwaysbestcare.com.
Local Family to Open New Rush Bowls Location in DFW Rush Bowls Brings All-Natural and Healthy Blended Fruit Bowls to Southlake Rush Bowls – the Colorado-based fast-casual concept known for its fresh and healthy meals-in-a-bowl – is happy to announce the late-May opening of its newest location in the DFW area. This new restaurant will be opened by local husband-and-wife duo, Mike and April Fuchs, and will be located in Park Village at 1151 E. Southlake Blvd. This will be the fourth location the couple has opened in the area, adding to their growing family business. The new restaurant will feature both indoor and outdoor seating as well as delivery and carryout options. The Fuchs family is looking forward to using their new business to further involve themselves in the local community and is currently exploring partnerships with schools and other community organizations. “It’s been wonderful having a business that we can operate and grow together as a family,” said Mike Fuchs. “We have three children that work with us in support of our local Rush Bowls restaurants and are now aiming to make them standout businesses in the DFW area.” The opening of Rush Bowls’ fourth DFW location marks another milestone in the brand’s continued expansion throughout the Lone Star State. For more information, please visit www.rushbowls.com Franchising MAGAZINE USA 9
COVER STORY: Tutor Doctor
From Rock Bottom to Global Mentor
How One Tutoring Franchise Owner Went from Living in His Car to Growing His Local Empire
In 2015, Byron Zahm embarked on a journey of self-discovery to reclaim his life after losing everything and being forced to live out of his car. A true experience seeker and risk taker, Zahm traveled across the country to find his new purpose in life. From working as a guide in Alaska for a year and a half to leading zip-lining courses in Minnesota, Zahm sought to make a bigger impact. That is when he discovered Tutor Doctor, the leader in one-to-one private tutoring. In 2019, his life changed as his franchise journey began. Zahm has taken his ownership of Tutor Doctor by the horns. Earning companywide praises, he has been named a Global Mentor at the company, serving as a mentor for both prospective and current franchise partners of the brand from across the world. His specialty? Touching others with his inspiring road of rediscovery and perseverance. While starting over can be scary, whether that be in business or life in general, you are never alone in your journey. Zahm has some words of advice for others going through a similar situation as a reminder that everyone can overcome even the most difficult times.
Value Relationships Build bonds with quality people. Zahm puts a lot of trust into his employees, clients and corporate, all of whom he owes part of his success to. When you surround yourself with good people, your confidence begins to soar in every aspect of life. His equation to success is hiring 10 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
great people that turn into great tutors who then put forth great systems that result in great reviews and great success. The self-proclaimed “match maker for education” loves connecting families with tutors – it’s actually his forte. Zahm has been invited to speak on four Global Team Calls for the company, sharing his success in converting consultations into loyal clients. In fact, his first consult as a Tutor Doctor owner ended up being his first client and they still have a great relationship to this day.
Take the Leap Take the leap of faith – you never know what may come out of it. Zahm’s greatest challenge in starting over was the fear of past failures and risking it all once again not knowing the outcome. Never be afraid to branch out and try something new. Zahm had a background in sales, but made a few career jumps along the way before he decided on entrepreneurship. Now, it’s the thing that changed his life. “Faith without action, is merely hoping. Faith with action is, believing. And believing is everything!” said Zahm. Having the courage to start over is something not many people have. Believe in whatever it is you are doing – trust the process. Zahm is eternally grateful that Tutor Doctor gave him the opportunity to restart his life, and encourages others to trust and take that leap of faith as well.
Inspire Others Always appreciating the mentor mentality, Zahm loves inspiring people. He was given a unique opportunity by someone who believed in him, and he
or
follows suit, wanting to help others grow personally and find their purpose. As a mentor, he shares in the success he has been grateful to have. Zahm proudly serves his community of Albuquerque, New Mexico and surrounding areas. Now a local celebrity, he can’t go anywhere without families recognizing him and sharing the impact he’s made. In fact, he even drives around in a Tutor Doctor wrapped Jaguar – talk about dedication!
Embody Your Spirit and Values Identify your strengths and use them to excel. Zahm firmly believes that we all are doing the best we can with what we know. One of the values he most embodies is understanding and empathy. To Zahm, it is essential to extend grace to others in an empathetic and understanding way. Another is ownership. “We never have to doubt ourselves if we do the right thing. And if we do fail in trying, own it and add a little ingenuity in the next effort,” said Zahm. In the end, Zahm has been able to find his mission’s purpose – Tutor Doctor. Thanks to the franchise, he has been given a second chance and the opportunity to grow as a person and heal from his past, paving the way to a brighter future for not only himself, but students and families across Albuquerque. To everyone out there who may feel like they have hit rock bottom, remember that no matter your situation, you are starting over with more knowledge, strength and power than you had before. Any progress is still progress. SOURCE: Byron Zahm, owner of Tutor Doctor – Albuquerque, the leader in one-to-one private tutoring. Since joining the franchise system in 2019, Zahm has been named a Global Mentor at the company, inspiring others through his journey of re-discovery and perseverance.
Franchising MAGAZINE USA 11
EXPERT ADVICE: Eric Danver | Franchise Owner | Hand & Stone
Why Franchisees Should Consider
Growing Their Portfolio with the Same Brand
Multi-unit franchise ownership can be an incredibly lucrative career path. Whether you already own multiple units or are just beginning to look at adding more units after the success of your first, there are a variety of ways to go about growing your franchise portfolio. While a popular strategy is diversification in a different category or industry, sometimes the best path is deepening your investment with a brand you are already established with – if it is the right franchisor. 12 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Here is why you should consider growing your multi-unit portfolio with the same brand:
Connection to your ‘why’ For countless people, taking the leap into business ownership through franchising is a big, life-changing decision. You likely did your due diligence – conducted competitive analyses, got validation from other franchisees, so on and so forth. Simply put, there is a reason why you invested in the brand you did. Was it the freedom it would provide for you and your family? Strong unit-level economics? A concept you passionately believed in? If you’re considering growing your portfolio, check in on your ‘why’ and
discern if the reason(s) still hold true for you, and if the franchisor relationship has helped you fulfill the things you set out to do. Something to note is if you are in a position to grow your portfolio, that’s a pretty good indicator that you’ve been successful in your business which should be motivation enough for you to look at your existing brand as your next investment.
Growth opportunity Beyond your why, there could be tremendous growth opportunity within your existing brand. For some brands, that could be adding more units to highdemand zones in your trade area, widening your footprint into a new state, adding components to your business model, or expanding your offerings. A big reason why I decided to invest in Hand & Stone was its differentiated revenue model which presented a huge growth opportunity. At the foundation, Hand & Stone has two modalities – massage and skincare – yet both of those are very diversified because the brand offers a variety of enhancements such as hot stones, percussive therapy and CBD oil that customers can add on to their service. That, with a very compelling membership model, has helped not only strengthen the unit-level economics of my locations but also enabled me to add more units at a rapid rate. In just seven years, I’ve grown from a single unit to 30 across five states and have plans to add more before the end of the year with the long-term goal of having 100. Have you truly tapped into all the potential your brand has?
Operations and training There’s an adage that goes, “jack-of-alltrades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” That can be applied to many things, but I would argue not when it comes to operations and training. Even if you’re with the same brand for 10-20 years, you’re always learning and growing; figuring out what
works and what doesn’t. Sticking with your existing brand not only helps you refine and enhance these areas when scaling your portfolio, but also creates tremendous opportunities for your people, allowing them to rise through the ranks. For example, in keeping my focus on Hand & Stone, I’ve not only developed a deep and intimate understanding of the dynamics of the business – which sets my people up for greater success – but I’ve also recognized my own needs as the person at the helm of the ship. Over the past seven years, I’ve built a team around me that provides support in the areas I need most. Today, I have a chief operations officer, a vice president of operations and six regional managers, three of which are my youngest children who worked their way up to that title. The fact is, there’s a large learning curve when entering any new franchise system so eliminating that hurdle by deepening your investment in your existing brand can alleviate the burden on yourself and those you lean on day-to-day. As you get going, you’re making money and you’re confident in your team, it can make a lot of sense to stay with the same brand.
Final considerations Of course, all these points should only be considered if you’re satisfied with your franchisor, your business and the overall relationship. These are key, not only to the success of your business but your happiness. Below are some other things to consider when growing your portfolio – whether with the same brand or not: • Category leadership: I chose Hand & Stone because I felt strongly about the brand and the category, and because it was the obvious winner of its competitors. It was the same when I was a Papa John’s franchisee. Brands become leaders of their respective categories for a variety of reasons, and you should look into what got them there; what they’re doing better than their counterparts. • Core values: There are countless franchise concepts out there that can make you money, but are you proud to
Eric Danver is Hand & Stone’s largest multi-unit operator with 30 spas open across five states. Prior to joining Hand & Stone, Danver developed a large Papa John’s portfolio over the span of 25 years, owning and operating 53 locations at one time. To learn more about franchising with Hand & Stone, visit www.handandstonefranchise.com.
“
Beyond your why, there could be tremendous growth opportunity within your existing brand.
”
be a part of that brand? Whatever brand you choose to invest in, it’s important that it aligns with your core values. This not only helps keep you honest and accountable in your business but builds passion and morale among your people.
• Culture and leadership team: In many ways you’re reliant on your franchisor so you need to feel good about the company culture and the leadership team. Obviously, leaders can change but if the company has a strong culture, the right people will come in to uphold it. • Resilience: COVID-19 pulled the veil back in many ways and showed us which businesses could withstand extreme economic downturns and which had cracks in the foundation. In growing your portfolio, you should be looking at how concepts performed during the pandemic, what support the franchisor offered its franchisees, how the company has rebounded and what its future looks like. • Economics: At the end of the day, we’re in this business to make money so the economics must make sense. Do your due diligence in the concept you’re looking at and any competitors. Which has the best unit-level earnings? Which has the most opportunity for growth? Franchising MAGAZINE USA 13
women in franchising: Lisa Williams | Vice President of Retail & Innovation | PROSE Nails
Women Empowered by Entrepreneurship An entrepreneur’s journey in franchising often begins without capital, a team or market. But almost all start their ventures with an abundant supply of optimism. It’s what helps franchisees see well beyond their risks, providing them with the confidence and capacity to remain resilient. Entrepreneurship is ultimately the great economic equalizer, creating a pathway for mainstream economic participation.
F
rom geography and gender to race and ethnicity, diversity in its many forms drives innovation. Because of a woman’s different perspective, skills, and experiences, they solve problems in different and innovative ways. This should bode well for the U.S. economy, but women face more obstacles than other entrepreneurs in general when starting and growing a business. Eradicating barriers that thwart the success of women-owned businesses is an economic imperative that can spur innovation and improve productivity, which will ultimately create jobs, build wealth, and jumpstart the economy. In 2021, it was estimated that the US had 12.3 million women-owned businesses 14 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
generating $1.8 trillion a year. In fact, 40% of US businesses are now women owned. This number becomes even more astounding when you consider that there were only 402,000 women-owned businesses in 1972. The number of female entrepreneurs operating American businesses today marks a 114% increase over the same statistic a couple of decades ago, with many of them finding financial success and rewarding careers through opportunities in the franchise industry. Yet there is a significant size disparity between women owned businesses and others. Closing the gap benefits everyone, not just women. More goods and services bought and sold grows the economy. Thriving companies improve owners’ financial positions and boost employees’ incomes. Launching more companies to
solve business and consumer pain points makes our country and our economy more competitive. Realizing the economic potential of women-owned businesses requires changes in policies, business practices and attitudes. Making meaningful change also requires understanding that womenowned businesses are not monolithic. Influences such as gender, race, ethnicity, entrepreneurial motivation, generation, and geography are complex dynamics that also need to be factored in. In general, COVID was unkind to women far more than men when it comes to leaving the workplace and we’re still uncertain of how many women-owned businesses were created during the pandemic. With necessity being the mother of all invention, it’s safe to say that women-
themselves dissatisfied with corporate America (37.72%) and were ready to pursue their passion (29.82%). Roughly 21% of found themselves either bored or financially insecure, stating that they started their business because they weren’t ready to retire. While it seems clear that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Resignation are behind us, small business is still not easy. An essential part of creating a forward-thinking and women-focused franchise is fostering a collaborative and equal workplace. Being a majority woman-owned franchise brand does not mean that we inherently understand the entire female experience. One female owner does not encompass all women and that kind of assumption can often drive away prospective franchisees, employees, and customers through accidental displays of ignorance.
run businesses will continue to increase as new creative and inspirational companies continue to be formed. While many trends are positive, women still face more obstacles and barriers than other entrepreneurs when starting and growing their businesses. For decades now, one of the most widely acknowledged and turnkey paths to entrepreneurship has been franchising. After opening PROSE Nails to franchising just five years ago, the company has grown into a brand that consists of more than 50% female franchise owners. As an industry leader and disruptive force in the nail salon sector, PROSE recognizes that women are at the forefront of the health and beauty industry and that is one of the things that has made it so attractive as a vehicle for female entrepreneurship. To
ensure that women remain key figures in our business, PROSE Nails is committed to supporting women at every level of our business structure. In fact, even our retail space PROSE AT HOME, curates brands developed and owned by woman that features products that help you love your hands and feet with brands developed by women like SKIN POETRY, Pedi-Sox, and Spongelle, among others. There is no doubt that women-owned companies are performing better than they have at any other time in U.S. business history. But why do women start their own businesses? The reasons are the same as anyone else. According to a recent 2022 Guidant Financial report, women in business most often began their own business because they were ready to be their own boss (57.89%). They also found
So how do you ensure authenticity? First and foremost, make sure the changes within your organization are real and tangible, and not just marketing copy points. Furthermore, retention requires effort. Developing and retaining a diverse franchise system takes hard work and collaboration. Gender, cultural, ethnic, racial, and other types of identities shape how we experience the world and our interactions with the businesses within it. Diversity, in all its forms, is where you can find great insight, talent and skill. If captured and used properly, female entrepreneurship can bring a multi-dimensional perspective to a franchise organization’s overall approach and success. At PROSE Nails, female entrepreneurship and a majority women-owned franchisee network has created new pathways to small business success. Franchising remains one of the greatest drivers of the U.S. economy and possibly the most replicated and successful formats for business growth. No industry sector has made more millionaires than franchising. It’s our responsibility to help that story evolve. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 15
focus: RNR Tire Express
Brand Expectations:
What It Takes to Become a Part of RNR Tire Express
The RNR team looks for franchisees who “ possess a similar innate desire to give back to the community in their own right, under the RNR Tire Express name.
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Franchising offers an abundance of opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs. From reaping the benefits of joining an already established national brand to the obvious potential financial gains available, the decision to join a franchise seems simple, but the vetting process can vary by company. Although the typical vetting process to join a franchise can be lengthy and potentially misunderstood, each brand focuses on what is most important to them in new franchisees. Too few realize the vetting process can and should include other considerations aside from just the financial analysis. RNR Tire Express is a leader in the nation’s tire and wheel retail space, having grown to encompass over 160 locations in 26 states – and growing fast. With over 20 years of experience, RNR Tire Express has the proof of concept, profitability, scalability, and sustainability smart franchise investors look for. That level of success came as a result of the verifiable system that the company has instituted that puts each and every applicant through a unique vetting process to ensure they are a proper fit for the RNR family. 16 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
“That vetting process focuses on culture. It consists of examining a variety of unique personal qualities and characteristics that are core to the operation of any RNR location and that the corporate team hopes to see in franchise prospects interested in joining the brands’ nationwide system of franchisees. These vital extra measures are responsible for ensuring that the RNR Tire Express network of franchise locations are uniformly recognized as running a customerfocused approach to business, aimed at serving local communities.”
Community-Oriented Approach to Business RNR Tire Express was created for the benefit of communities throughout the country. More specifically, for segments of the general population that had gone largely underserved by the tire and wheel industry for far too long. Their unique lease-purchase model directly serves a vast consumer niche who may not have the credit or cash available to purchase tires. It’s this model that RNR adopted from its very inception that began to change that narrative - introducing the market to a truly customer-oriented brand. The RNR team looks for franchisees who possess a similar innate desire to give back to the community in their own right, under the RNR Tire Express name. Individuals who will play an
mission within all aspects of their business in order to build a positive reputation in their local communities.
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Our recipes highlight fresh seasonal produce and ingredients and allow for adjustments for dietary needs and preferences.
A Reflection of the Brands Founding Ethos
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Aside from serving local communities, RNR Tire Express was founded as a means to change the tire and wheel industry as a whole; to better it, even. That founding intent is seen in the brand’s unique lease-purchase model, but beyond that, it’s witnessed by the millions of men and women who step foot in their local RNR over the course of any given year. For them, the RNR difference is evident by the treatment they receive while there, a style of treatment best embodied by the company’s purpose, “to serve customers, not just provide them service.” Every franchise partner is encouraged to convey that purpose throughout the course of their daily operations, not simply as a means of appeasing a corporate body, but because they too believe there’s no better way to do business than to impart a lasting, unparalleled impression on every single customer that walks through their doors.
active role in their town’s/city’s Business Chamber, in local nonprofit organizations, as a donor to various public functions, as an active voice alongside and for fellow residents, and other such endeavors. In the eyes of the franchise team, these types of individuals truly embody what it means to be a team player, a pillar of society, and an RNR franchisee.
A People-First Mentality One of the most significant traits that the RNR team looks for in its potential franchisees is a people-first mentality. This, of course, applies to interactions with in-store customers and the surrounding public. However, of equal importance in
meeting their standard is how a franchisee can be expected to interact with his/her own team. Examining franchise prospects through this particular lens requires the brand’s franchise development team to feel confident that those prospects will treat every member of their team fairly and respectfully. What’s more, it requires that they feel confident a franchisee will provide the highest quality of life for all those working with them, financially and professionally. As the saying goes, kindness starts at home, and franchisees must lead by example. They must be committed to the
Prospective franchisees should be committed to putting in the work and going the extra mile for the customer, whether that be servicing them in-store, navigating a payment option that fits their individual budget, or traveling into the countryside after-hours to repair a flat tire for a person in need. It’s these small gestures that can make a huge impact on a customer’s life and ultimately change them for the better.
Conclusion For RNR Tire Express, these vetting measures, in conjunction with a variety of other standards, have proven essential in ensuring the company aligns itself with the proper franchise partners. Their consistent usage has allowed the company to remain in line with the growth metrics they’ve outlined for themselves, while staying true to the principles that the company was founded upon. And for all of it, for any brand, it begins with aligning one’s self with the right people and the right systems to find and attract them. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 17
EXPERT ADVICE: Evan Hackel | Founder and CEO of Ingage Consulting, and CEO of Tortal Training
Look for Your Cobwebs Evan Hackel, a 35-year franchising veteran is a nationally recognized expert and speaker on franchising. Evan is founder and CEO of Ingage Consulting, and CEO of Tortal Training, a leading training development company. Evan is an active advisor in the C-Suite Network. He is also author of Ingaging Leadership, and host of “Training Unleashed,” a podcast covering training for business. Contact him here, follow him at @ehackel, or call 781-820-7609.
I went to visit a franchisee one day and when I got there, everyone was happy to see me. The store was Immaculate, and I mean immaculate. I could have eaten off the floors. I mean it was extraordinary. They knew that I, the CEO, was coming and they had obviously gone miles out of their way to prepare. It was perfect, except for one thing. There were spider webs on the awning over the front door. And I’m not talking about one or two. I’m talking about an accumulation of cobwebs that must have built up over years and years. It was unbelievable. How could everyone – the franchisee, the employees – have simply missed them? Again, the awning was over the entrance door of the business – the only way employees could come and go. How could everyone have missed the cobwebs? The answer to that question is that there are things we don’t see, maybe 18 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
because we just don’t expect to see them or because they have fallen off our radar. Maybe the problem is something we miss because it started small. Three years ago there was a little one-inch cobweb that we didn’t notice but then the next day there was a three-inch cobweb and then it grew into a six-inch cobweb. And although it became a very big cobweb, we just don’t see it now because it has become something are accustomed to overlook. This tendency to miss things that are right before our eyes is not limited to our businesses. Just the other day I was on a road that I have driven probably a million times and I suddenly noticed a business that I must have passed nearly every day, yet I never noticed it. It had become a cobweb, and I just never saw it.
Another Story . . . the Tree that Disappeared On a different occasion, I visited another franchise location. The owner had a beautiful store in a strong, well-trafficked location. But the business was down – I
mean way down - and the owner didn’t know why. He told me, “I just don’t know what is going on. I have a great reputation and up until recently business was good. But I have noticed that year after year, new customers are no longer coming in. All my business seems to be repeat and referral customers.” I remembered that when I drove there, I had a hard time finding his business. In fact, I had driven back and forth and back and forth looking for it, even though it was located on a highway that should have afforded great visibility. But after we talked, I went outside to take a fresh look and I saw right away that a big tree was blocking his sign. It must have started out as a pretty little tree but over years, it grew up and was now blocking his sign completely. And like those cobwebs, he just didn’t see it anymore, and neither did his employees. So he cut down the tree and new customers were able to see his sign and business climbed steadily upward again.
newcomers to engage in competitive bidding for your business?
Where Are Your Cobwebs? How can you see where your cobwebs are? By definition it is difficult, because the cobwebs I am writing about are things that you just cannot see anymore. But here are some ways I can suggest.
For Customer-Facing Issues You Are No Longer Seeing • What aren’t you seeing in your location? Invite a friend, or maybe another franchisee, to visit your location to take a fresh look at everything. You can also ask your employees to go through everything with the proverbial “fine tooth comb” and report back to you. • How do you handle the phones? Pretend you are a customer and call your business on the phone or have a friend call. Does anyone answer? If you have to leave a voicemail, does anyone call you back? How does your message sound? • Are you missing problems on your website? Put fresh eyes on it. Just like when you are reviewing your location, ask some people to look at your website.
• Do you have toxic employees? It’s easy for this to happen, but they can destroy culture and businesses. Who do you need to replace? Fill out the response forms and see what happens. Believe it or not, I noticed that on a franchisee’s website that they had provided the wrong highway exit number for their location. The exit numbers had changed three years ago, but they didn’t update their website
For Operational Cobwebs These can be even harder to perceive than cobwebs we can see. They too have grown up over time. They could be the things we have “always done” in our business, or more recent practices that have become habitual and routine. You no longer see them, but they could be . . . • Do you go on and on using the same vendors? Why not interview some
• Have you developed habitual, repetitive ways of selling, marketing, advertising, displaying products, and doing business? Even though there could be better ways? • Has it been a long time since you reviewed your franchise operations manual? Maybe you used it in the first month you were doing business, and then you put it down. Take it out, and review.
In Summary . . . I have cobwebs, and I am sure you do too. They are part of the human condition. But instead of living with the limitations they impose on us, we can invest the effort to examine everything we do and improve. So no more cobwebs and no more trees! Let’s move those things out of the way and get back on the path to success. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 19
FRANCHISee in action: Bo Concept
BoConcept
Franchisee combines Passion for Interior Design with Business Development
With a Goal of 1,000 US Locations by 2030, Paris Baguette Announces Brand Redesign to Attract Community-Focused Franchisees Nationwide
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A lawyer by trade, Carlos Salamonovitz was ready to combine his passion for interior design with his love of business development into his full-time job when he turned 40 years old. Salamonovitz was looking for a brand whose philosophies aligned with his own — one that gave him the opportunity to be creative while leading a proven and successful business. Throughout his search, Salamonovitz returned again and again to BoConcept, the contemporary Danish furniture franchise offering functional and stylish furniture with more than 300 franchise locations in 65 countries. In August 2017, Salamonovitz began a country-wide takeover of all the BoConcept locations in Mexico. Now, five years later, he has opened four locations in Florida, with the fifth planned for Miami Midtown during the fall of 2022.
BoConcept is a global brand, and Florida is a very “ international market. ”
“I was familiar with BoConcept after living in New York and California, so I contacted BoConcept and that’s how it all started,” Salamonovitz said. “Now, we’re now on track to be the biggest franchisee of BoConcept globally with four stores in Florida and I also own all BoConcept locations in Mexico.” Salamonovitz took over the rights for the country of Mexico for BoConcept in 2017. Before that, BoConcept stores in Mexico were owned by individual franchisees and after he expanded the brand’s presence in the market in Mexico, the opportunity to expand into Florida was introduced. As a true believer in the concept, Salamonovitz jumped at the opportunity. “BoConcept is a global brand, and Florida is a very international market. People know
us from their home countries, and they know that we offer superior products to just about any other option in the U.S. or abroad,” Salamonovitz said. “There is also a growing number of first- and secondtime home buyers in Florida, which means there is a huge demand for high-end but affordable furniture.” BoConcept reported 30% growth in its U.S. store network in 2021. The brand went from 13 to 17 stores and is expected to top 20-plus U.S. stores in 2022 when it will celebrate its 70th anniversary. On top of the expanded footprint in 2021, BoConcept also reported that sales hit an all-time high, increasing 50%. “I believe that both in Mexico and the U.S. interior design matters — these are areas where people really crave and seek out interior design, “Salamonovitz said. “Every day people are looking for 360-degree solutions that will adapt to their style and budget, and I believe that is where BoConcept comes in. We provide a 360-degree solution from the smallest accessory to the biggest piece of furniture; someone who comes into us can definitely
furnish a space 100% with BoConcept. BoConcept is avant-garde and forwardlooking. I think we’re well-positioned in a market where a lot of clients come to us. Obviously, BoConcept is an affordable, luxury brand, but I believe BoConcept offers solid strategies to continue targeting that market.” As BoConcept continues to grow, Steen Knigge, the franchise’s director of U.S. marketing, says franchisees like Salamonovitz are critical to the brand’s success. “We have always been keenly aware of the fact that BoConcept as a franchise is only as strong as its franchisees, so we are always looking for sophisticated, passionate entrepreneurs to help us expand into new markets, and that’s exactly what we have with Carlos,” Knigge said. “His stores throughout Mexico and Florida demonstrate exactly how successful this model is when run by someone who understands the system and knows how to execute. We know this is just the beginning for Carlos.” Franchising MAGAZINE USA 21
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Get the App COVER STORY: Tutor Doctor
FROM ROCK BOTTOM TO GLOBAL MENTOR
follows suit, wanting to help others grow personally and find their purpose. As a mentor, he shares in the success he has been grateful to have.
How One Tutoring Franchise Owner Went from Living in His Car to Growing His Local Empire
In 2015, Byron Zahm embarked on a journey of self-discovery to reclaim his life after losing everything and being forced to live out of his car. A true experience seeker and risk taker, Zahm traveled across the country to find his new purpose in life. From working as a guide in Alaska for a year and a half to leading zip-lining courses in Minnesota, Zahm sought to make a bigger impact. That is when he discovered Tutor Doctor, the leader in one-to-one private tutoring. In 2019, his life changed as his franchise journey began. Zahm has taken his ownership of Tutor Doctor by the horns. Earning companywide praises, he has been named a Global Mentor at the company, serving as a mentor for both prospective and current franchise partners of the brand from across the world. His specialty? Touching others with his inspiring road of rediscovery and perseverance. While starting over can be scary, whether that be in business or life in general, you are never alone in your journey. Zahm has some words of advice for others going through a similar situation as a reminder that everyone can overcome even the most difficult times.
Value Relationships Build bonds with quality people. Zahm puts a lot of trust into his employees, clients and corporate, all of whom he owes part of his success to. When you surround yourself with good people, your confidence begins to soar in every aspect of life. His equation to success is hiring
Zahm proudly serves his community of Albuquerque, New Mexico and surrounding areas. Now a local celebrity, he can’t go anywhere without families recognizing him and sharing the impact he’s made. In fact, he even drives around in a Tutor Doctor wrapped Jaguar – talk about dedication!
great people that turn into great tutors who then put forth great systems that result in great reviews and great success. The self-proclaimed “match maker for education” loves connecting families with tutors – it’s actually his forte. Zahm has been invited to speak on four Global Team Calls for the company, sharing his success in converting consultations into loyal clients. In fact, his first consult as a Tutor Doctor owner ended up being his first client and they still have a great relationship to this day.
Embody Your Spirit and Values Identify your strengths and use them to excel. Zahm firmly believes that we all are doing the best we can with what we know. One of the values he most embodies is understanding and empathy. To Zahm, it is essential to extend grace to others in an empathetic and understanding way. Another is ownership.
Take the Leap Take the leap of faith – you never know what may come out of it. Zahm’s greatest challenge in starting over was the fear of past failures and risking it all once again not knowing the outcome.
VOL 10, ISSUE 7, JUNE 2022
“We never have to doubt ourselves if we do the right thing. And if we do fail in trying, own it and add a little ingenuity in the next effort,” said Zahm.
COVER STORY
TUTOR DOCTOR
Never be afraid to branch out and try something new. Zahm had a background in sales, but made a few career jumps along the way before he decided on entrepreneurship. Now, it’s the thing that changed his life.
In the end, Zahm has been able toFROM ROCK BOTTOM find his mission’s purpose – Tutor TO GLOBAL MENTOR Doctor. Thanks to the franchise, he has been given a second chance and the opportunity to grow as a person and heal from his past, paving the way to a brighter future for not only himself, but students and families across Albuquerque.
“Faith without action, is merely hoping. Faith with action is, believing. And believing is everything!” said Zahm. Having the courage to start over is something not many people have. Believe in whatever it is you are doing – trust the process. Zahm is eternally grateful that Tutor Doctor gave him the opportunity to restart his life, and encourages others to trust and take that leap of faith as well.
To everyone out there who may feel like they have hit rock bottom, remember that no matter your situation, you are starting over with more knowledge, strength and power than you had before. Any progress is still progress.
Inspire Others Always appreciating the mentor mentality, Zahm loves inspiring people. He was given a unique opportunity by someone who believed in him, and he
SOURCE: Byron Zahm, owner of Tutor Doctor – Albuquerque, the leader in one-to-one private tutoring. Since joining the franchise system in 2019, Zahm has been named a Global Mentor at the company, inspiring others through his journey of re-discovery and perseverance.
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What’s New 26 Franchising News Announcements from the Industry
Feature Article 28 Home Services: Help Keep the Houshold Running Smoothly
Focus 34 HomeWatch Caregivers: Announces Collaborations with Chefs for Seniors
Franchisor In Depth
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30 Griswald Home Care: Celebrates 40th Birthday and Launches National Caregiver Scholarship Program
Franchisee in Action 32 Ultra Pool Care Squad: Signs First two Franchise Agreements in Texas 36 The Carpet Chemist: Signs First Franchisee and Targets Major Cities in 2022 38 TruBlue: Tamps First Trublue Total House Care
Franchising MAGAZINE USA 25
ho m e services F R A N C H I S I NG f eat u re
to assist with almost any home improvement or repair need. The brand currently operates in 60+ different service areas throughout North America and aims to open 20 new locations by the end of 2022. Since its founding in 1991, homeowners across North America have been calling on Handyman Connection for its professional craftsmanship and exemplary customer service. Each Handyman Connection franchise is locally owned, operated, and backed by the brand’s integrated operating platform that allows for seamless customer and employee management, routing, and scheduling.
Handyman Connection Seeks National Expansion Through Franchising Locally-Owned Home Improvement Franchise Meets Increasing Demand by Targeting New Territories Across North America Handyman Connection – North America’s premier business liaison connecting customers to local craftsmen in their home community– is announcing plans to continue its expansion through the offering of new franchising opportunities. Handyman Connection provides over 430+ different services staffed by a top-tier team of professional craftsmen who are eager
“If there is one thing for certain in our industry at this point in time, it’s that there’s no shortage of demand when it comes to home improvement job opportunities,” said President and CEO of Handyman Connection, Jeff Wall. “We look to meet this demand by adding on to Handyman Connection is now actively seeking driven individuals looking to start their own business in the multi-faceted home improvement and repair industries. Potential franchisees can benefit from Handyman Connection’s already-existing franchise network with an established reputation, image, proven management and work practices, access to national marketing and advertising, and ongoing business owner support. The initial investment to open a Handyman Connection location, which includes the first 3 months of start-up, typically ranges from $99,369 – $148,756. For more information about Handyman Connection or its franchising opportunity, please visit https:// franchiseopportunity.handymanconnection.com
Transblue® Names Brett Estok to Vice President of Business Development Accomplished Business Executive to Amplify National Growth Strategy for World Class General Contractors Transblue®, a premier World Class general contractor headquartered in Seattle, WA, has announced the appointment of Brett Estok to Vice President of Business Development. In this role, Estok will lead the brand’s expansion strategy to enhance Transblue’s national presence, opening new doors for its business and franchise owners. With a strong background in sales and business management, Estok brings nearly 10 years of experience to the team. He has cultivated professional relationships with thousands customers overseeing large 26 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
property portfolios, providing him with the right foundation to start his for the role with Transblue. Specifically, in his previous position, Estok added millions in annual contracts with several high-profile clients in the facility maintenance space. “I am really excited about starting this new position and elevating the Transblue brand on a national level,” said Estok. “The executive team is incredibly strong and it has been great learning from them. I am looking forward to supporting the brand as they kick off 2022 with new Capex projects and initiatives”.
In his new position, Estok is prioritizing national projects such as electrical vehicle charging, snow removal services, and property upgrades such as asphalt and roofing projects. For more information on Transblue and its exterior services, please visit transblue.com/
Former Miami Football Standout Opens College HUNKS Hauling Junk and Moving in Miami
The Driveway Company Expands Commercial Maintenance and Repair Operations The Driveway Company, a leading franchise for concrete driveway repair and maintenance, has hired Christina Sandy as Director of Corporate Real Estate for The Driveway Company Commercial, a division offering national and regional property owners and managers a single source for the maintenance and repair of concrete floors, exterior hardscaping and warehouse facilities. The Driveway Company Commercial provides best-in-class service and cost-effective solutions to protect and enhance hardscape commercial investments at the national level. “The Driveway Company Commercial’s goal is to help businesses protect, maintain and beautify concrete surfaces and hardscaping in an affordable yet attractive way,” said Sandy. “As a respected leader in driveway repair and maintenance for over 30 years, The Driveway Company is leveraging its experience with commercial property projects to build a national account program. Mrs. Sandy brings her 30+ years of experience on Wall Street delivering solution-based services to investment firms and her insights as an owner operator in Southern California. “Our approach resonates with commercial property owners and managers alike. They value that our owner/operators are directly involved in providing dependable maintenance and repair solutions,” adds Sandy.
Ahmmon Richards Partners with Father and Co-Founders to Break Ground in New Territory An award-winning franchise and industry leader in the junk removal and moving sectors, recently announced the expansion of the brand’s Florida footprint with the addition of their newest franchise location in Miami. The expansion officially positions the ‘Sunshine State’ as the most active territory in the country for the College HUNKS team. The new location is owned by the father-and-son duo of Ahmmon Richards, a former University of Miami football standout and his father, Mark Richards. Together, they will be responsible for the operations of this newest addition to the franchise – College HUNKS 305 – where their primary goal will be to build the business into a multi-million dollar enterprise capable of supporting continued growth for both themselves and the people of Miami. After an incredibly successful high school football career, Ahmmon had committed to play for the University of Miami in 2016. His collegiate experience was then cut short during the 2018 football season after he suffered a career-ending neck injury. A text from Murphy three years later on the opportunities that existed with the College HUNKS brand piqued his interest in the business and propelled both he and his father to become business owners of their own.
The Driveway Company Commercial provides stringent employee training and ongoing upgrades to the newest methodologies used in the industry. The company utilizes innovative and cuttingedge techniques such as crack and joint sealing, surface cleaning and concrete staining. Each service provides increased curb appeal, increased safety, preventative maintenance for longevity and improved cleanliness.
“This industry reminds me a lot of being in a football atmosphere, and the core values of the company reason resonated with me,” said Ahmmon. “It was really a no-brainer at that point. I get to run a business with my dad and start a new chapter of my life in the city I love.”
To learn more about The Driveway Company Commercial, visit https://thedrivewaycompany.com/national-account-vendor/
For more information, please visit collegehunkshaulingjunk.com Franchising MAGAZINE USA 27
ho m e services F R A N C H I S I NG f eat u re
FEATURE ARTICLE: Franchising USA
home services help keep the household running smoothLy
A house cannot generally function without the help of outside services to keep things looking good and running smoothly. For this reason alone, whether it’s everyday upkeep or emergency services there are a number of franchises in this category to choose from.
Cleaning and Maintenance When one thinks of the everyday chores of a household, the thought of all the necessary duties needed to keep a house in shape can be daunting. More and more homeowners are opting to pay for the convenience of outsourced assistance.
Maid services Franchises can now partake in the ongoing cleanliness of homes and gain a profit. With more families on the road and locking more hours outside of the home, their free time is precious and can’t be wasted on chores and cleaning. The cleaning service industry brings in over $46 billion annually, while residential 28 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
services are expected to reach over 75 million by the end of 2022. A lot of residential cleaning services are mobile franchises, with smaller start up fees and investments, as well as a better work life balance. Franchisees can allow their teams of employees to run the business and submit reports, while sitting back and gaining a profit.
Lawncare and landscape Dependent on the territory, a landscaping franchise can be a successful home service investment. When people are staging their home, they invest in lawn care services to bring the give their homes the best curb appeal, while other homeowners depend on landscaping services for monthly maintenance, including gardening, raking, weeding, and more. A state that has high temperatures year round would likely garner more profit and customers as a lawn care and landscaping franchise. Though this type of franchise provides residential services, some have good partnerships with buildings and offices to gain more profit.
passion in such a franchise, while also
Speciality Cleaning
Repairs and Maintenance
While a maid services adheres to the to do list of every household, there are also specialty services that are not used as frequently, but eventually need attention. Such as deep carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning, or air and duct cleaning, for example. These services are franchise options, but usually come with a long list of industrial customers as well. If one is willing to take on both residential and business clients, it’s a lucrative business that doesn’t expect much time investment.
Small repairs may come easy to most homeowners; unfortunately, the big jobs cost money and outsourced expertise, which in turn, creates a lot of business opportunities and franchise options.
gaining a nice profit. While those with a
House detailing
to offer and the size of the business they
Some franchises have partnerships with retail stores to connect clients after a product is sold that may need cleaning, or even connections with real estate agencies to share clientele.
With all the home renovation and design tv shows nowadays, homeowners also want to make their homes Pinterest and Instagram ready. The aesthetic upkeep of a home requires an expert’s hand to insure a clean and professional look. There are plenty of choices for franchises within the field: painting, staging, home design, roofing, windows and much. Those with a flare for design and a keen interest in home renovations could find
background in carpentry and roofing could find a specific field that adheres to those talents.
Depending on the service one would like would like to run, there are numerous
options to consider. A brief understanding of expectations, possible profit margins,
one’s franchising goals and passions could help narrow down the options.
Look out for our next special feature in the July issue of Franchising Magazine USA : Trending Franchises. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 29
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franchisor in depth: Griswald Home Care
griswald home care
Celebrates 40th Birthday and Launches National Caregiver Scholarship Program
The in-home senior-care brand celebrates turning 40 in 2022 by paying it forward, offering up to $2,000 to qualified caregivers who intend to further their education in a care-related field. Meeting critical homecare needs for seniors has been at the heart of Griswold Home Care since its founding 40 years ago, which is why it’s no surprise that the Jean Griswold Foundation is continuing that mission by launching a National Caregiver Scholarship Program. At least five scholarships will be awarded to qualified caregivers throughout the year. “We’re so grateful to the caregivers and excited about being able to support them in their careers,” says Maryanne Murray, chairperson of the Jean Griswold Foundation. “It’s our way of supporting passionate individuals who can help carry on Dr. Jean’s legacy of care.” Dr. Jean Griswold, affectionately known as “Dr. Jean,” began Griswold Home Care in 1982 after being confined to a wheelchair due to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis. She understood all too well the desire for adults with disabilities, illness and injuries to remain comfortably at home while receiving care. Today, the brand has since grown to more than 170 independent franchise units in 30 states. 30 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
In 2010, Dr. Jean took her mission to give back further and started the foundation as a private nonprofit to support caregiving organizations in times of hardship. Until this year, funds raised through private donors, corporations, franchisees and employees had been primarily awarded to individuals and programs dedicated to senior care – such as Meals on Wheels, Lutheran Social Services and other nonprofits that “supported our mission of aging with dignity,” Murray says – but
passionate individuals who can “ It’s our way of supporting help carry on Dr. Jean’s legacy of care. ”
will set us apart from other homecare “ The scholarships agencies, and will helpus recruit caregivers, too. ”
the intention was always to offer a way for caregivers to improve their ability
to pursue care-related work. It took the
foundation more than a year to navigate
the legal process of changing to a public charity so that it could award individual grants.
Murray, who has been with Griswold
Home Care for more than 20 years, says she learned home care from “the master herself.” After working for Dr. Jean at
the Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, office in the early 2000s, Murray longed to be an owner for the brand. She eventually bought the Delaware territory, and soon after won Franchise of the Year from the International Franchise Association, as well as the SBA Delaware’s Person of the Year award in 2005. Maryanne is currently supporting her daughter, Erin Pickrell, as she develops the Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland, territory for Griswold. To expand on the foundation’s goals for caregivers, which include raising additional funding to increase the number and dollar amount of scholarships offered, Murray says they are actively searching for a full time executive director who will help to advance the cause. “The scholarships will set us apart from other
homecare agencies, and will help us recruit caregivers, too,” she adds. “It’s also a good way to distinguish ourselves during a time of caregiver shortages and so much competition.” Scholarship applicants don’t have to be associated with Griswold Home Care in order to be considered; they simply need to start the application process. Once awarded, funds will be paid directly to the institution where the caregiver will be receiving education. Murray says she hopes that more people will decide to pursue the rewarding career of in-home care for seniors and the differently abled. “I changed my life for the better when I started working with Griswold, and I want everyone to feel that way about their jobs,” she says. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 31
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franchisee in action: Ultra Pool Care Squad
Ultra Pool Care Squad
Signs First Two Franchise Agreements in Texas Growing Pool Care Franchise Expanding into San Angelo and New Braunfels with the Help of Local Entrepreneurs Seeing the Growth Opportunity in the Pool Industry. Ultra Pool Care Squad, a new pool and spa service franchise founded in 2021 by Explore Industries, a worldwide fiberglass pool and pool cover manufacturer, has announced the signing of its first two franchise agreements. The new franchise locations are set to open in San Angelo, TX and New Braunfels, TX in Summer of 2022. Newly signed franchisees include Slater Chapa, an owner of a contracting, plumbing and pool business in San Angelo, 32 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
TX, who plans to offer more services to his customers and more opportunities for employees, and Angel Rocha, a pool services operations manager now turned entrepreneur, who aims to leverage his experience in the field and make a positive impact on the New Braunfels, TX community.
gives me the chance to make my mark and bring my own experiences to the table to help drive growth and build this brand. Plus, this service offering lets me provide more value to customers and employees of my existing business without having to expand geographically – a huge plus as a business owner.”
“The opportunity to become an Ultra Pool Care Squad franchise owner was something I couldn’t pass up, as pool ownership has grown substantially over the last few years, resulting in a demand for ongoing pool care and maintenance,” said Slater Chapa, the franchise owner of the San Angelo, TX location. “As the first Ultra Pool Care Squad franchisee, it also
Ultra Pool Care Squad provides pool owners with the highest quality care for swimming pools and spas with professional pool experts going above and beyond to make sure the swimming pools and spas they service are clean, healthy, balanced, and inviting. Ultra Pool Care Squad eliminates any doubts that the pool is safe to enjoy by thoroughly and
“
Having a superior product gives you the basic foundation you need to scale.
”
Slater Chapa
ABOUT ULTRA POOL CARE SQUAD: Founded in 2020 as a company under the Explore Industries umbrella, Ultra Pool Care Squad’s mission is to provide pool owners with the highest quality care for their swimming pools & spas. The franchise owners are professional pool experts who go above and beyond to make sure the swimming pools & spas they service are clean, healthy, balanced, and inviting so families can enjoy worry-free backyard recreation. The Ultra Pool Care Squad cares for pools and their people
“
With a low initial investment, no brick-andmortar store and minimal employees, the franchise is attracting existing and aspiring business owners.
”
expertly servicing each pool on a weekly basis, and providing over-the-top customer communication to elevate the brand experience and meet the needs of new and long-time pool owners. “We are happy to welcome these new franchise owners with different professional backgrounds and experience to Ultra Pool Care Squad, as it is a testament to how this franchise opportunity is a perfect fit for many types of entrepreneurs,” said Amy Lawhorne, Chief Operating Offer of Ultra Pool Care Squad. “We expect Slater and Angel will leverage their strengths to provide the highest quality care, going above and beyond, to meet the needs of new and longtime pool owners in the San Angelo and New Braunfels communities.” With a low initial investment, no brickand-mortar store and minimal employees, the franchise is attracting existing and aspiring business owners who resonate with its eye-catching brand, monthly recurring revenue model, and turnkey pathway into the pool and spa service industry.
Angel Rocha Ultra Pool Care Squad provides franchise owners with top-notch, thorough education and time-tested processes to successfully operate their franchise business. In addition to an extensive, turnkey marketing strategy and discounted pricing through approved vendors, all franchise owners will attend the 11-day Ultra Pool Care Squad University, featuring an interactive classroom and scenario-based, immersive training. Due to Ultra Pool Care Squad’s industry relationships, franchise owners also have access to other channels of revenue they can choose to add to their business in addition to pool servicing, including the
Ultra Pool Care Squad “ provides franchise owners with top-notch, thorough education and time-tested processes to successfully operate their franchise business.
”
installation and maintenance of pool covers and replacement of liners. Pool equipment, branded chemicals and delivery/spa setup
will be added optional channels over time. For more information about Ultra Pool Care Squad’s franchise opportunities, visit https://upcsfranchise.com/ Franchising MAGAZINE USA 33
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focus: HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS
HOMEWATCH CAREGIVERS
ANNOUNCES COLLABORATIONS WITH CHEFS FOR SENIORS, HEALTHALIGN, VIVENTIUM AND PARADIGM SENIOR SERVICES
Strategic Alliances to Expand Company-Wide Services Across the Country for Homewatch CareGivers’ Business Owners
34 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Homewatch CareGivers, a premier provider of full-service home care, is furthering its mission to provide tailored services to communities around the country with the announcement of its collaborations with Chefs For Seniors, healthAlign acquired by The Helper Bees, Viventium and Paradigm Senior Services. With a mission to further expand services across the platform, these alliances provide forward-thinking enhancements to benefit Homewatch CareGivers’ franchisees and the communities they serve.
after a family relative could no longer cook for herself and ultimately had to receive support at an assisted living facility. Since 2013, Chefs For Seniors has prepared over 590,000 meals for seniors. Each menu is customized to not only fit the client’s dietary needs, but also excite their palate with fresh flavors and ingredients. This alliance further expands Homewatch CareGivers mission to provide the care and tools to franchisees that enrich seniors’ lives with supportive independence.
enhanced services in our industry as it continues to evolve. - Jennifer Tucker.
”
The Helper Bees via healthAlign
The collaborations include:
Through its acquisition of healthAlign, The Helper Bees is an industry leader, managing over one-third of all in-home support Medicare Advantage benefits offered including home modification, transportation, meal delivery and in-home care. The company’s platform enables a network of fully credentialed in-home care service providers to be connected to beneficiaries at no cost to the client or provider and is funded by the insurers. Through this collaboration, Homewatch CareGivers offices can be offered as a solution to people seeking to utilize their in-home support benefits.
Chef’s For Seniors
Viventium
Founded by a father and son team in Madison, Wisconsin, Chef’s For Seniors’ highly skilled personal chefs prepare delicious, home-cooked meals from the comfort of their client’s kitchen. This culinary-focused company was created
The company provides flexible software and expert guidance through its payroll services to Home Care Agencies and Nursing Facilities. With over one third of Homewatch CareGivers franchise owners enrolled with Viventium, the company
“Homewatch CareGivers is dedicated to offering enhanced services in our industry as it continues to evolve,” said Jennifer Tucker, COO at Homewatch CareGivers. “Our alliances with Chefs For Seniors, healthAlign, Viventium and Paradigm Senior Services were created so that we can provide more well-rounded services on a company-wide level to not only clients, but also our franchisees.”
CareGivers “ Homewatch is dedicated to offering
provides support with the nuances of payroll and HR in the home care arena, which varies from state to state. Having a payroll processing partner that understands the industry with features to support the needs of the workforce helps retain caregivers.
Paradigm Senior Services As local offices are focused on delivering the highest quality in-home care, including veteran care, Paradigm Senior Services assists providers with tapping into increased reimbursement rates and veterans with accessing more services through the Veterans Administration Community Care Network, Working closely with VA’s thirdparty administrators (TPAs), Optum and TriWest. Paradigm Senior Services helps home care agencies become credentialed providers, effectively bill, manage authorizations, and efficiently receive payment on new and outstanding unpaid claims, minimizing denials and delays. For more information on Homewatch CareGivers, please visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com Franchising MAGAZINE USA 35
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franchisee in action: The Carpet Chemist
Louisville-Based, The Carpet Chemist Signs First Franchisee and Targets Major Cities for Growth in 2022
There’s no other brand out “ there like The Carpet Chemist — one that does it all, from the repair process to dyeing and from carpet to hardwood floors, - Hettiger said.
”
Dave join us,” said Eric Anderson, President of The Carpet Chemist. “Dave will play a key role in our brand’s history as our first franchisee and we are looking forward to his growth and continued expansion with us.”
Forging ahead as a leading carpet cleaning and repair company, Louisville, Kentuckybased The Carpet Chemist continues its path of expansion this year by looking to grow in its home state. The brand, with a goal to reach 10 or more locations by the end of 2022, is now focusing franchise growth efforts and just signed its first franchisee, Dave Hettiger. Hettiger will expand the brand to Illinois and bring providing The Carpet Chemist’s niche services to LaGrange, Riverside, Brookfield and Oakbrook.
“There’s no other brand out there like The Carpet Chemist — one that does it all, from the repair process to dyeing and from carpet to hardwood floors,” Hettiger said. “Nobody is really doing the whole broad range of things we offer, and they’re not offering the same level of expertise. These days, people want one contractor for basically everything. They don’t want to call three different companies.” Hettiger, an Oak Lawn resident, decided to look into potential franchise opportunities in the Chicago area last summer. After his college football career, Hettiger spent time working in almost every industry, from hospitality to construction. His first foray into entrepreneurship started in 2015 when he opened the Broadview protein shake store, The Flex Bar. Now, he’s found the perfect opportunity to grow his portfolio with The Carpet Chemist, the emerging home-service franchise, and provide a much-needed service in his community. This will be Hettiger’s as well as the brand’s first franchise agreement. “We could not be more excited to have
36 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
The Carpet Chemist is a comprehensive resource for carpet cleaning, repair, restoration, dyeing, and stretching. Trained to meet the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, Restoration, and Certification standards for water damage remediation and restoration, The Carpet Chemist can clean and repair rugs and upholstery, setting the brand apart from its competitors by making it a one-stop-shop for all carpet concerns. “There is no direct competition for the services we offer at The Carpet Chemist, and we continue to see incredible growth because of that,” said Brandon Cerrito, founder of The Carpet Chemist. “We take traditional notions of carpet cleaning and amplify the services we offer to include not only incredible cleaning but dyeing and stretching services as well. We even offer air duct cleaning to ensure carpets stay in great condition long after being serviced.” The Carpet Chemist is a unique low-cost alternative, with startup costs ranging from just $79,000 to $109,000, which includes everything the franchise owner needs to successfully run and scale their
business. The brand’s low startup costs and overhead allow franchise owners to quickly turn a profit and expand their business, making it an easily accessible franchise option for those with or without cleaning industry experience. Cerrito and Anderson have also helped refine The Carpet Chemist’s operational model to get new owners up and running quickly, and the range of consumer services it offers makes the business viable in virtually any market. “We want franchisees who are
passionate and determined about life in general,” said Cerrito. “They want to create something for themselves, have the determination to make it happen and want to build a lasting business with us” The new Chicagoland location is part of The Carpet Chemist’s plan to award 10 units to franchisees in 2022 and open 5 new locations. The Carpet Chemist is looking to target both new and existing markets including additional territories in their home state of Kentucky but also, Illinois, Ohio and Indiana
We take traditional notions “ of carpet cleaning and amplify the services we offer to include not only incredible cleaning but dyeing and stretching services as well.
”
Franchising MAGAZINE USA 37
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franchisee in action: TruBlue
Tampa’s First TruBlue
Total House Care
After Seeing Parents’ Health Decline at Home, Accountant Opens Tampa’s First TruBlue Total House Care to Help Local Residents Age Safely at Home. Diane Crowthers has been in the accounting industry for over 25 years, working as an IRS agent before opening her own payroll business. All of this experience, though, did not prepare her for when her mother, a relatively active and healthy 72-year-old, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in both her brain and lungs. Crowthers and her husband moved her parents into their home and saw firsthand the modifications they would need to make in order for her parents to safely live in their home. Sadly, both of Crowthers’ parents passed away within 11 days of each other, but through her grief came a passion for helping aging adults safely stay at 38 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
home, even if their relatives are thousands of miles away. After speaking with a client at her payroll company, Crowthers began exploring franchise opportunities and soon discovered TruBlue Total House Care, a handyman service brand focused on providing an affordable, worry-free living for seniors and hassle-free home maintenance for busy adults by providing full-service, trustworthy house care services. “It’s exciting knowing that I have this incredible opportunity for growth with a brand whose values align with mine,” said Crowthers. “I love being able to help people locally that may not have family
“
TruBlue not only offers needed services for seniors but also for busy adults, and provides a helping hand around the house – inside and out.
”
Having a superior product “ gives you the basic foundation you need to scale. ”
or who don’t know what direction to go as they get older. TruBlue serves as that backbone for them — the support they need to access the services that they may not know about so that they can live and age comfortably at home.”
Crowthers has signed to open three TruBlue locations across Tampa with the goal of owning all territories in the market. “The senior services industry in Tampa is booming due to its increasing population, and that handyman services are in particularly high demand,” said Crowthers. “But with TruBlue, my niche will be providing a one-stop-shop for home maintenance services for seniors. TruBlue not only offers needed services for seniors but also for busy adults, and provides a helping hand around the house – inside and out. Services include to-do list chores, handyman services, house cleaning, maintenance, yard work, seasonal work, and preventive maintenance. Over the course of 2021, the brand’s footprint saw 63% growth in new franchise locations across the country, many of whom set record sales numbers within the first few months of their opening. Additionally, TruBlue saw a systemwide sales increase of 73% from 2019-2020 and a continued 68% increase in sales from 2020-2021. Crowthers’ in-depth accounting experience has helped in her new venture as a TrueBlue franchisee, giving her a solid financial foundation, allowing her to focus on other components of the business. “I can now focus on responding to prospective clients, scheduling estimates, marketing efforts — all the new things that come with opening a business,” said Crowthers. “Because I’m not in the trenches learning the numbers of the business, I am not bogged down and able to respond quickly to people, whether
“
Services include to-do list chores, handyman services, house cleaning, maintenance, yard work, seasonal work, and preventive maintenance.
”
they’re potential employees applying for
positions or customers inquiring about our services.”
With an ultimate goal to own all remaining Tampa Bay territories, including the popular retirement destination of
Clearwater, Crowthers is motivated to
get the word out about TruBlue and the services it provides.
“Diane’s TruBlue locations are filling a void for the home maintenance and support services for seniors in the Tampa Bay area,” said Sean Fitzgerald, president of TruBlue. “We look forward to seeing more and more community members realize the value of the one-stop-shop platform our brand offers for quality at-home senior services, and we expect her to see massive growth in the coming years.” Franchising MAGAZINE USA 39
EXPERT ADVICE: Lucas Frey | CEO | Bella Vista Executive Advisors
Make Your Success: Service Excellence Required What IT is Service excellence, the IT factor, is a positive by-product of a High-Performance Team and a company’s overall culture. The Zappos’ customer service story is famous and bears repeating. “Mrs. Smith” placed a special order for her husband; however, her husband passed before the gift arrived. Mrs. Smith called to cancel but the order had shipped. After finding out why, not only was the shipment stopped, the Zappos’ agent sent flowers to Mr. Smith’s memorial. This behavior doesn’t happen by chance. Service excellence is embedded in the habits of a company from the CEO down. IT is made part of a company’s DNA. 40 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Conversely, my wife and I recently had an experience with a well-known appliance manufacturer known for having compressor design defects (class action lawsuit settled). The refrigerator was less than 3 years old and one Sunday we noticed everything in the freezer wasn’t frozen. I called the manufacturer’s customer service and was told an authorized service technician would be available 6 days out simply to diagnose the problem. The refrigerator was stocked so that was a negative option but the only option the representative was allowed to offer. I had a reputable, though not manufacturer authorized, service company verify and document my suspicion the next
day (Monday) that the compressor failed. The technician told me, “This is common. The particular manufacturer had settled a class-action lawsuit the previous year for defective compressors.” The cost of repair (replaced with another defectively designed compressor) was 85% of the cost of a new unit. We opted for door “B.” We packed all of the food in coolers and by Wednesday a new (albeit different brand) was delivered and installed, 3 full days before a manufacturer’s authorized tech could even diagnose. The submitted invoice was rejected because “an authorized tech” did not diagnose the issue. The poor experience could have been stopped at any number of levels. This company made a
Luke Frey improves franchise owners’ businesses where corporate support alone fails. He brings 26+ years of varied professional experiences including 20 years as a franchise owner of ImageFIRST Cincinnati, 6 years as an industrial engineer for a Fortune 250 company and 19 years as a volunteer firefighter. All of these experiences, in addition to his drive to learn, have brought him to be a positive driving force for other franchise owners’ successes. To learn more about Luke and how Bella Vista Executive Advisors can help, please click HERE www.bellavistaexecutiveadvisors.com
conscious decision to continue to produce defective units AND created roadblocks to a positive customer experience. Service excellence is measured every day when we complete satisfaction surveys. Quantifiable numbers are important to measure past performance but the feeling a particular client experiences for both excellent (endorphins kick in) and poor service is long-lasting and likely to determine the level that customer will go to praise or criticize or worst of all, dismiss the company altogether (apathy). Too many customers feeling apathetic will spread like a wildfire. Conversely, excellent service provides an airbag to soften the blow when a company doesn’t deliver up to normal standards. Remember though, airbags are one-use tools and hurt when activated. Establish your Service Excellence Plan from the moment you sign the franchise agreement.
The Why’s Two powerful selling tools for your franchise are customer loyalty (repeat sales without extra selling time) and testimonials. The most efficient selling tool is a customer referring you to someone they know in need of what you offer. Customers like to help those companies that help them feel good and provide what they need. But, give a customer a bad feeling about your company and they are quick to shout it from the social media mountain top. Excellent customer service increases the internal efficiencies of your franchise. Without adding extra resources fixing, apologizing and agonizing over bad experiences, your franchise can focus on how to add more value to your company and its customers’ experiences. Now, let’s
say your franchise consistently performs in the excellent to phenomenal range but Mr. Jones is not happy with your customer service representative (who just lost their pet that week). This anomaly will stick out. You have the opportunity to not only win back Mr. Jones as a customer, but also, increase his loyalty depending on how your franchise handles the after-effects of poor service. Working for your Service Excellence Striving Franchise is also rewarding for your employees and will aid with employee retention. Most people like to feel good about what they do for a living. A company that is always scrambling to “make things right” is bound to have finger pointing, chaos and dissension with its employees. Consistency in the Service Excellence realm sets expectations for the customer service experience on every level internally and externally. This allows for outliers to be recognized and corrected quickly and efficiently.
How to Move Service Excellence Forward 1. Dig deep with the following questions: a. What do customers really expect (not what we think they expect)? b. How will we set up systems to exceed customer expectations? c. What is the most efficient way to find relevant information? d. What systems are needed to periodically challenge and review these expectations? 2. Establish systems to measure internal and external performance against expectations. Transparency and an action plan for constant improvement are crucial.
3. Constantly review all processes in place for relevance and accuracy. Six Sigma teaches pure perfection is not possible and near-perfection is prohibitively costly; however, Successful Franchise Owners can implement cost-effective systems to move closer. a. Look for results outside the norm (positive and negative) daily and address immediately. Heaping praise for the positive interactions and correcting the interactions that fall short. b. Incorporate Service Excellence in periodic strategic planning sessions. Embed IT in your franchise’s daily life. c. Find out if customer expectations change and never assume what works today is going to work next week. d. Each expectation should be reviewed with an associated cost/benefit analysis. 4. For each external customer, map all interaction points and have the systems in place to exceed expectations. The volunteer ushers at every Cincinnati Reds game are taught from the start that after showing a fan to their seat, wipe the seat for them. This happens in the nose bleed seats as well as the Diamond seats. A small but powerful message that makes a single fan feel important 21,000 times per game. 5. Do what’s right especially when no one is looking. 6. Be kind to everyone. There is no extra effort required to smile and be kind to anyone you meet. Service Excellence is a process that few companies deliver consistently. Your franchise operations manual is a start. But expectations of customers in Mid-Town Manhattan may be different than those in Tulsa. Know YOUR customers and their expectations. Work smart and hard and exceed those on a regular basis. Call me and we can discuss even more, 513.615.6750. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 41
FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Tide Cleaners
Multi-brand franchisee headed for 60 Tide Cleaners locations Experienced is an Understatement
Justin Sharbutt is the ultimate multi-unit franchisee. With a slew of accomplishments already under his belt, Sharbutt is always looking to expand his footprint within the franchising world. Currently, he owns and operates Dunkin’, BurgerFi, Baskin Robbins, and 54 – yes, 54 – Tide Cleaners with plans to reach 60 locations by the end of the year. After graduating from Texas Tech University with a degree in Business Management, Sharbutt began working for his father, who eventually became one of his business partners. Together, they would begin searching for the perfect franchise for achieving their ambitious business goals. “We were always looking for franchising opportunities because we understood and trusted the concept,” says Sharbutt. “When you become a franchisee, the franchisor provides a tried-and-true playbook that maps out your steps from beginning to end. If you follow the guidelines, you should have a designated route to achieve your goals as a business owner.” 42 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Turning the Tide Sharbutt opened his first franchise location with Dunkin’ in 2014. Once he established himself in the restaurant industry, Sharbutt and his business partner Brandt Stravlo decided to broaden their horizons. “Brandt and I were reading a magazine when we turned to a page that quickly piqued our interest. The title: ‘Now Franchising Tide Cleaners’,” said Sharbutt. “We called that day, and by the very next week, we were in Cincinnati for Discovery Day.” Sharbutt was initially attracted to Tide Cleaners because of the brand’s familiarity and its reputation. He was also impressed
InXpress has been “ assisting small to medium size enterprises in a variety of industries to find shipping solutions.
”
niche, acquiring older dry cleaners and transforming them into Tide Cleaners. Sharbutt landed an incredible deal just six months ago that was years in the making. For three years, Sharbutt and his team worked tirelessly to expand their Denver footprint by acquiring three Impressive Cleaners stores and converting them into Tide Cleaners locations. with Tide Cleaners’ environmentally friendly initiatives. Tide Cleaners uses GreenEarth® Cleaning solvents, which replaces petrochemical solvents used in traditional dry cleaning. This innovative product is an odorless, colorless solution that is ideal for fabric care and is better for the environment. The GreenEarth® Cleaning solvent provides a safer alternative for employee use as well. With zero dry cleaning experience, Sharbutt and his business partner received detailed training to ensure their confidence as they prepared to open their first store in 2015. Since then, he’s built a Tide Cleaners empire with locations across Texas and Colorado. Sharbutt hopes to reach 100 storefront locations within the next 10 years. “It’s very comforting to know that Tide Cleaners, as a franchise, is thinking ahead, thinking of other revenue streams, and thinking of more opportunities to add on to our business,” said Sharbutt. “In addition to that, there is comfort in knowing Tide Cleaners isn’t going anywhere. I bet every single household has a Tide symbol in their house right now.”
Embracing a Market Strategy Now, Sharbutt and his partner are pouring their efforts into an exceptional
Sharbutt recognizes the privilege of having a huge company like Proctor & Gamble supporting his endeavors. His approach to taking on existing businesses and utilizing the space with an already established customer base is proving to be beneficial to Tide Cleaners, the mom-and-pop shops, and surrounding communities. “This was a family owned and operated business. Not only are we helping ourselves, but also helping those who don’t want to take over the family dry cleaning business, all while making it a priority to still serve the community,” said Sharbutt.
Finding Balance Aside from his career, Sharbutt’s biggest accomplishment is being a father. He’s the proud dad of five children ranging in age from 7-18. Juggling his familial duties as well as his business endeavors takes a lot of work. “Finding the right balance can be challenging,” said Sharbutt. “We have a lot of stores, a lot of employees, and I have a lot of kids, but I’m grateful to be surrounded by supportive family, friends, and employees that allow me to do it all.” Juggling multiple units with four different franchises takes a huge team and a lot of support. For each brand, Sharbutt and his business partners have directors that help delegate tasks for those out in the
field. He also recognizes Stravlo, who is the COO of their company and spends his time in and out of the stores. For Sharbutt, his average day includes real estate, reviewing contracts, and finding available acquisitions to close on. When he isn’t in the office, Sharbutt can be found outside. His favorite way to spend time is being outdoors camping, hunting, fishing, playing golf, skiing, snowboarding… if there’s an activity outdoors, he’s there. While he has a passion for nature and all it has to offer, he also finds immense joy in working with businesses. “I love the business aspect of franchising; it’s not just a job to me,” said Sharbutt. “I sincerely love what I do. I encourage others to find and stick with whatever lights a fire in their soul.”
Advice from the Ultimate Multi-Unit Franchisee Sharbutt encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to explore franchising opportunities with ambitious goals. From his own experience, he’s found owning multiple locations to be easier than simply owning one. “I know you have to start out with that one store, but the saying rings true that ‘If you want a job, buy one store; if you want a career, buy multiple’,” said Sharbutt. “If you only have one store, you’ll get lost in the weeds of daily operations for that one location, but if you have multiple coupled with the right team, it becomes easier to manage.” Tide Cleaners has 228 locations across the nation. All outlets are designed and equipped to provide a wide variety of services for their customers. In addition to dry cleaning, Tide offers outerwear cleaning, shirt laundry, wash-and-fold, household item cleaning, and wedding dress cleaning. Tide Cleaners also offers alterations and shoe cleaning and repair. If you’re looking for a franchise to kickstart your dreams of becoming your own boss, Sharbutt suggests starting your search with Tide Cleaners. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 43
EXPERT ADVICE: George Knauf | Senior Franchise Business Advisor | FranChoice
Legacy Brands Still Have Opportunities
You may be wondering if brands established years or even decades ago have growth opportunities for you to take advantage of. Let me answer that clearly: Yes! While I am often a big fan of emerging franchise brands with great leadership teams, much of that is about control and empire building. Those newer brands have a lot of low hanging fruit, territory, open and available for buyers that want to build multi-unit empires. That said, if you are not looking for a geographically dense multi-unit package, then those more established brands can be outstanding places to look for gems. As a franchisor sells most of their territory, the remaining bits of open territory are often not heavily marketed and they may have scaled down their Franchise Development efforts to focus on supporting the existing franchisees. I do appreciate franchisors that focus first on their existing franchisees whether it is 3 or 1,000. When they have scaled down their development efforts, those open bits of territory are in inventory for their own franchisees that want to grow as well as for new candidates that inquire or get introduced by someone like me. These open territories with established brands may require patience and flexibility. Let’s say you wanted three territories or units. Maybe one is in your preferred geographic area, but the other two are a moderate drive away. The scenario still gets you to your desired territory 44 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
George Knauf is a highly sought after, trusted advisor to many of the top franchise ownership groups in the world. With over 25 years of experience in both start-up and mature business franchise operations he is uniquely qualified to advise individuals that have dreamed of Building their own empires. Whether you have an existing portfolio or searching for your first franchise, he can help you to pursue your dreams. www.MyPerfectFranchise.com
or unit count, it will just take a little more investigation and planning. The development process is often a little longer, but you have the benefit of a larger pool of franchisees to find relevant validation calls with. At this point in their lifespan, the franchisor is often very clear on who their best candidate would be and they are not shy about turning down a candidate that doesn’t fit that mold. You may also find that legacy franchisors have resales in their systems. These come in three categories as I see them: “Smart long term portfolio additions” successful units or territory for an empire builder that is probably already operating in the space, “fixer uppers with potential” for a capable operator that rolls up their sleeves then works the business and ”Nope”. A lot of buyers want the peace of mind of category one, with an immediate return. That won’t be common, if at all. Successful business sell for enough money that if you buy them it will be a while before any proceeds of that business pay for the purchase. There are other pitfalls and strategies for resales, but that is another column. Here is your big consideration for resales within an established system. If the resale is so good,
I do appreciate franchisors “ that focus first on their existing franchisees whether it is 3 or 1,000.
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why haven’t existing franchisees bought it? Whatever the answer is to that, will tell you a lot. So, what legacy segments are showing recent growth? Hair care, seemingly long dormant and recently being highlighted by the salon suite segment, this category has some interesting activity. The largest brand in the space took thousands of corporate units and put them in the hands of franchise operators in recent years, I suspect they have a growth plan for new units that will start in the near future. Another top 5 hair industry operator has a new CEO and investor backing. They will be launching a new development program. There are still younger brands growing in the space and the salon suite folks have only taken a small bite out of the hair care industry. Hair grows daily, regardless of what the stock market is doing.
There are still very proven “ brands with opportunities for you if you have the patience to find them and do a proper investigation.
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Auto repair is interesting. We have seen both consolidation and growth as the dealer landscape changes, cars become more reliable and electric vehicles are on the horizon. Current vehicles will be with us for years to come and there will be a need to service and repair them. Choose carefully, though, there will be more consolidation. Senior care is growing again. The home care market is getting more attention from consumers than ever before. Baby Boomers are looking for solutions to age in place. The category covers both skilled and companion services. These businesses require a lot of people, so as you investigate the category, be sure you are clear on what staffing will require. Home and Commercial services are hotter than they have ever been, that is part consumer demand and part due to the focus investment funds are putting into the space. The growth with legacy brands is a little different here that you may be looking at the new brand offered by a 10, 20 or 30 year old operator. This may be the best combination of open territory and established systems for many candidates. Home services remain very fragmented and inefficient in most categories and that serves franchise brand growth well. And old school Master Franchises can also still be found for bigger players. There are still very proven brands with opportunities for you if you have the patience to find them and do a proper investigation. What is your success story? Let’s go find it! Franchising MAGAZINE USA 45
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june 2022
cover story
Buzz
Franchise Brands offers a unique opportunity to military Veterans
latest news in
veteran franchising
Franchising Tips to Surviving in a PostPandemic World Franchising MAGAZINE USA 47
Leadership. Teamwork. Executing SOPs. Connecting veterans with education, resources and opportunities at vetfran.org
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contents
veterans supplement 58
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Cover Story
Franchisee in Action
52 Buzz Franchise Brands: Offers a Unique Opportunity to Military Veterans
54 Pinch A Penny: Marine Corps Veteran Applies Military Knowledge
What’s New
60 D1 Training: Dan Murphy, How this COO Learned to Scale his Business
50 Franchising News Latest News from Veterans in Franchising
Snapshots 56 DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen: Celebrates 30 Year Dedication to Helping Veterans
Expert Advice
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58 Bill McPherson: Franchising Tips to Surviving in a Post-Pandemic World
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62 Wetzels Pretzels: Tyler Dutton, from Member of the Marine Corps to My Greater Ambition 64 810 Billards and Bowling: United States Navy Veteran and Multi-Brand Franchisee to Open First 810 Billiards & Bowling in Greenville
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Las Vegas Hits the Jackpot for Health: New DRIPBaR Now Open IV Therapy Concept Opens First Nevada Location THE DRIPBaR - a health spa focused on administering IV vitamin therapy, announced the opening of its first Las Vegas location on May 23. The new business opened by Nathan Atkins and is located at Cameron Corner – 4579 W. Flamingo Rd. The DRIPBaR’s IV therapy infusions strive to enable its clients to live more vital, energized lives and help make them more resilient to disease. To celebrate the Las Vegas opening, all first-time guests will receive 25% off their first IV Vitamin Drip appointment. This location proudly serves veterans/military personnel with a 10% discount off all services. Atkins has spent a great deal of his life working to provide for others. From serving in the military for eight years, to formally owning and operating franchise gyms, his continued service to his community shines through. Now embarking on a journey running for mayor of North Las Vegas, his investment to bring a new health and wellness concept to the area truly shows his passion and commitment to the betterment of the community and the residents here. “The DRIPBaR is a health and wellness spa, designed to help
people meet their health and lifestyle goals,” said Atkins. “Whether you are a Las Vegas resident or visiting for the weekend, The DRIPBaR is conveniently located and a great way to aid your health. I am a true supporter and investor in the Las Vegas community, I want to see everyone here thriving and in their best state of health. That truly means a lot to me.” To learn more about The DRIPBaR in Las Vegas, please visit thedripbar.com
Tire Kingdom and NTB Honor Military and Family Every Day active military, and first responders not just on select holidays, but every day. “We strive to implement programs to give back to our communities and leave a lasting impression,” said Brian Maciak, EVP, General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer of TBC Corporation, the parent company of Tire Kingdom, who oversees social responsibility. “It’s through these programs we have the opportunity to thank those who give so much to us and our country every day.” In celebration of May being Military Appreciation Month and in honor of Memorial Day, NTB Tire & Service Centers® and Tire Kingdom® Service Centers, two automotive and tire service center chains and members of the TBC Corporation family of brands, is pleased to share special discounts and service options for active duty, reserve, veterans and first responders. Military families can purchase a conventional oil change for $18.99, receive free service on flat repair, 10% off tires, and 20% off services. These discounted services are available to veterans, 50 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Discounts are extended to all active duty and reserve members, and their spouses, of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard, and Coast Guard year-round and include offers on products and services including, but not limited, to oil changes, tires, wheels, and other services. To activate the discount, visit your local Tire Kingdom or NTB and present a valid U.S. military identification at the time of purchase. For more information, visit TireKingdom.com.
Central Bark Appoints Robert W. Crawford as Chief Executive Officer Central BarkÆ, the doggy day care industry pioneer, recently announced that Robert W. “Bob” Crawford has been appointed as chief executive officer. This announcement comes as Central Bark is experiencing record setting growth, continuous double digit revenue gains, the opening of multiple new locations, and a new strategic investment partnership with NewSpring Franchise. “I am thrilled to take on this new role with Central Bark as the company has made tremendous strides in truly creating the very best in enrichment day care where dogs can get all the love, attention, and activity they need to be healthy, happy, and well-rounded members of the family,” said Crawford. “From the moment I first stepped foot inside a Central Bark, I knew right away why we are different, special, and better than anything else out there. We are poised for explosive growth in the years ahead.” “Bob brings a wealth of experience to Central Bark, from his background in managing large national corporations to scaling a regional service business, working alongside franchisees on behalf of Coca-Cola, and his tenure in the pet food and treats space,” said Chris Gaba, Central Bark co-founder and board member About Central Bark: The Central Bark franchise system and Barkley Ventures, Inc. was founded by Jackie Jordan and Chris Gaba in 2003. For 20 years, the brand has grown to nearly 35 locations across more than a dozen states. The company has hosted over two million dog visits
and has led the industry in critical training, safety and “whole dog care” initiatives. Central Bark is a VetFran participant, the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) veteran program, and offers a franchise fee discount to qualifying veterans. Central Bark is also an IFA MinorityFran participant. For more information about franchising with Central Bark, visit centralbarkusa.com/franchising
WATERS EDGE WINERIES® INTRODUCES UNIQUE MICRO-WINERY CONCEPT TO THE STATE OF VIRGINIA WITH SIGNING OF NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENT Waters Edge Winery & Bistro of Norfolk is planned to open fall 2022, bringing unique and enjoyable experiences to wine lovers in the Old Dominion State.
This East Coast port city location will join 15 others currently open and operating throughout California, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. The new location will be owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team – Jason and Dyan Witt.
“We are so excited to continue our expansion throughout Virginia, working with this dedicated and passionate couple, who are enthusiastic about providing a unique wine tasting experience to their community,” said Ken Lineberger, president and CEO of Waters Edge Wineries. “With Jason’s experience as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Navy and Dyan being so closely connected to their community, we are confident
they will provide local wine connoisseurs the perfect setting to laugh, relax and unwind.” The new winery spans over 6,800 sq. ft. with a private dining room seating up to 64 guests. With coastal and upscale decor, the couple will also pay homage to their Navy roots in the overall design. This location will serve as a haven for guests to unwind with one another and will welcome families with kids of all ages, friend groups, couples going on date nights and parties of all kinds. For more information visit WatersEdgeWineries.com
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cover story: Buzz Franchise Brands
Buzz Franchise Brands
offers a unique opportunity to military Veterans
in the exploding home services industry
In 2012, things were a lot different at Buzz Franchise Brands than they are today. At the time, there were five employees, an emerging franchise opportunity and a lot of passion. Over the next ten years, the team at Buzz Franchise Brands embodied its values of leading integrity, acting with purpose and being curious and innovative to grow into the multi-brand franchisor they are today. Now, the company has 57 full-time employees and three franchise concepts: residential home cleaning brand Home Clean Heroes, pool cleaning and maintenance brand Pool Scouts, and British Swim School, a learn-to-swim brand as the name implies. Buzz Franchise Brands began its journey by franchising the outdoor pest control concept Mosquito Joe in 2013, eventually selling it in 2018. Since then, the company has sought to diversify its franchise development efforts in unique areas of the booming home services market, an industry currently generating over $500 billion in revenue annually and forecast to increase over 35% by 2026. Focusing on attracting and retaining top talent at both the corporate and franchisee level is one of the reasons that Buzz has been so successful. But company leadership will also tell you that one of the common factors among some of their strongest team members is that they are Veterans or military family members. President & COO Brian Garrison served in the Navy for 22 years in a variety of leadership roles, including command of an F18 squadron, before retiring in 2012. Prior to joining Buzz Franchise Brands, Garrison also worked as a consultant with McKinsey & Company, where he focused on operations and strategy in a variety of industries, including aerospace and defense, energy, financial services and government. Now, Garrison draws on his military experience to help direct operations for the companies under the Buzz Franchise Brands umbrella. When it comes to why franchising is such an attractive opportunity for Veterans and a natural fit for their abilities, Garrison says, “Veterans more than most anyone else understand the importance of following standard operating procedures and training programs in order to be successful. They also know the importance of teamwork and being able to problem solve while working within the guardrails of a system. Since a good franchise consists of a 52 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
strong brand, a proven system of processes and a well-functioning team, the military background is a natural fit.”
Home Clean Heroes Home Clean Heroes, Buzz Franchise Brands’ newest franchise concept, wrapped up the first quarter of 2022 with a 102% increase in year-over-year sales. Notably, the brand also closed out its “Charter League” of initial owners by signing its 10th franchisee. The brand’s charter league consists of multiple Veteran franchisees. Ewart and Lyndonna Strain, active duty and reserve U.S. Navy members, respectively, and owners of the Jacksonville, Florida location, are accustomed to following a proven system. During their research process, the Strains knew they wanted to work with an innovative company that offered an established business model, strong support infrastructure and excellent reputation. When the Strains discovered Home Clean Heroes, it aligned perfectly with what they were looking for in a post-military career. “My wife and I are from the Caribbean, and we have both always wanted to start a business, but the military takes up a lot of our
Veterans more than most anyone else “ understand the importance of following standard operating procedures and training programs in order to be successful.
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“Essentially, you don’t have to do everything by yourself. I looked at many different brands and looked at the pros and cons of each business. I wanted a business that would be sustainable and reliable and would allow me to provide a valuable service to my community.”
British Swim School time,” said Ewart. “We have always looked at franchising as an opportunity, but we never knew which brand we wanted to work with. Our key goal is to create financial freedom and generational wealth so our children can continue our legacy. Franchising provides us with the flexibility of running our business and allows us to spend more time with our family.”
British Swim School has been dedicated to teaching water survival skills for over four decades. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the brand has rebounded to be stronger than ever, now operating over 215 schools across the US and Canada. The brand tripled its revenue in 2021 as it emerged from the worst of the pandemic in 2020, and is up over 100% year over year so far in 2022.
Pool Scouts Pool Scouts, a 100-plus location pool maintenance and cleaning franchise brand, enjoyed its strongest year ever in 2021, and the brand has already seen a 61% increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2022 compared to last year. Several of its nationwide franchisees are Veterans who enjoy the combination of the franchise system and pool service industry. Ron Hicks, for example, served in the Army for 24 years before deciding to transition into small business ownership. “When I left the Army, I worked for the Red Zone test center,” said Hicks. “I ran the logistics of the company. From there, I started a photography company with my wife and after attending some classes, I realized that I wanted to own a small business after my retirement.” As opposed to starting a business from scratch, Hicks says he quickly realized he would be better suited to follow a proven model — similar to how he thrived in the military. “With franchising, there is already a path of how to run your business, and you have people working with you,” Hicks said.
“All of our brands but especially British Swim School offer Veterans an opportunity to get out from behind a desk and break from the typical 9 to 5 corporate schedule,” said Garrison, who ran British Swim School for more than two years. “Plus, there’s the added bonus of connecting with their local communities and really making a difference. To a Veteran, there’s not much more you can ask for in a post military job,” he added.
Conclusion Buzz Franchise Brands offers a unique opportunity to military Veterans in the exploding home services industry. Across all their brands, the company has seen a 92% increase in systemwide revenue year-over-year, while welcoming more than 15 new franchisees. Plus, with a leadership team filled with retired military service members as well as spouses and children of active duty and retired military members, Buzz franchisees can trust they have support from people who truly understand them. “Buzz is eager to welcome more Veterans to our brands,” said Garrison. “We value the skills and experience our military Veterans bring, which is why all of our brands are part of the IFA’s VetFran program and offer a 20% discount of the franchise fee. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 53
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FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Shawn Sharratt | Pinch-A-Penny
Marine Corps Veteran Applies Military Knowledge For Thriving Pool Franchise
“Franchise ownership is great for veterans, because there’s comfort in the structure of franchising as it parallels the military by operating on a checklist-type system,” said Sharratt. “Many veterans also need to find a mission once they retire, and franchising can offer that mission. You get to run a business, but also serve others in their areas of need.” Sharratt, who comes from a family of servicepeople, was born in England and lived in 12 different cities throughout the United States growing up. He now resides in McKinney, Texas with his wife, Sara. During his time with the Marines, he worked on helicopters, performed maintenance on hydraulic systems, and completed body repairs on the framework of airplanes and helicopters.
Marine Corps veteran Shawn Sharratt uses the skills he acquired during his five-year tenure in the military to successfully operate his Pinch-A-Penny pool retail and service franchise in McKinney, Texas.
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“My family history drove my desire to be in the military,” said Sharratt. “With my father serving in the Air Force for 26 years, I grew up on base and I remember being so impressed with how Marines carried themselves, and the respect the other branches of the military had for them.” During his career as a Marine, Sharratt also served for nine months in Iraq. While he was not in any direct combat, he vividly remembers a scud missile attack and
several restless nights. Then, after retiring from the Marines, Sharratt knew it was time for his next mission. He searched for some time – trying one career to the next. At one point, he worked in the nutritional supplement and health food industry. At another, he dabbled as a financial advisor before returning to natural foods. Then in 2016, when Sharratt heard that Pinch-A-Penny was looking to expand in Texas due to the boom in demand for quality pool retail and service, he decided to shift goals. Plus, he was already very familiar with the brand and business model. In fact, while in college, he worked for nearly five years at a Pinch-A-Penny franchise in Pensacola, Florida. From
ensuring customers had what they need to maintain their pools to helping them create their complete backyard oasis, it was a business model and experience he hoped to emulate in his neighborhood of McKinney. “When I learned that Pinch-A-Penny was expanding in Texas, I was immediately interested,” said Sharratt. “Based on my experience with the Pensacola franchise, I knew how successful we could be. Then, after meeting with the Pinch-A-Penny corporate team, they were able to help me locate real estate and take all necessary steps to get our business up and running by November of 2018.” Now, three and a half years later, Sharratt
When I learned that Pinch-A-Penny was expanding in Texas, “ I was immediately interested. Based on my experience with the Pensacola franchise, I knew how successful we could be. ”
Sharratt finds comfort in “ knowing that Pinch-A-Penny has spent more than 45 years proving and perfecting their business model.
”
already feels like he is fulfilling his mission as a franchisee. Just like his time with the Marines, Sharratt has enjoyed the structure and support that franchising offers. Instead of having to create a business model from scratch, franchising provides a blueprint for success. Sharratt finds comfort in knowing that Pinch-A-Penny has spent more than 45 years proving and perfecting their business model. For veterans and aspiring business owners like him, it’s the opportunity to use the tools he learned in the military and make a splash with America’s largest pool retail and service franchise. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 55
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SNAPSHOT: DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen
dreammaker bath & kitchen
Celebrates 30-Year Dedication to Helping Veterans Thirty years ago, Don Dwyer Sr., the father of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen founder, Doug Dwyer, launched VetFran, a program that educates veterans about how their unique skill sets make them ideal individuals to own and operate franchises as small business owners. “While VetFran has been around since 1991, the program continues to grow and innovate, and in the run up to its 30th anniversary, this growth and innovation is picking up pace,” says Dreamaker owner Doug Dwyer. “Today, more than 500 franchisors participate in the program, and more than 6,300 veterans have acquired a franchise business through VetFran.”
In April, the program unveiled a brand-new website (www.vetfran.org) which will feature interactive member areas for franchisors and their veteran franchisees alike, putting veteran small business owners at the forefront of the program for the first time, he says. The organization, part of the International Franchise Association (IFA), has a dual mission: 1) to educate military veterans and franchisors about how well the abilities of veterans match up with the skill set required for being a successful franchisee/entrepreneur, and 2) to ease veterans’ transition into franchising by encouraging franchisors to offer financial incentives to veterans – plus assembling resources, tools and a database of franchising opportunities for those who served their country. An example of how the program helps is illustrated by recent franchise owners and U.S. Army Veterans, Jeff and Ruth Vargo, who opened a DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen franchise to meet that demand in The Woodlands, TX, and surrounding areas. They just celebrated the grand opening of their remodeling design center located off of Woodlands Parkway. “At DreamMaker, the bottom line is people and integrity,” says Jeff. “From its beginning in 1978, franchise owners adhere to a faith-based Code of Values™, and that means we don’t cut corners. Respecting and valuing every customer is a founding principal.” Adds Ruth: “We firmly believe in Enhancing Lives and Improving Homes; it’s what brought us to the DreamMaker family. We both grew up involved in home remodeling projects and have always enjoyed project management and improving homes.” Jeff adds: “Helping people realize their personal remodeling dream is our goal; it makes us happy. We feel led and inspired to serve all people in our community and do whatever we can to bring them joy,”
U.S. Army Veterans, Jeff and Ruth Vargo, DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, The Woodlands, TX 56 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
The demand for professional home kitchen and bath design and remodeling services has never been greater, and DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen, a service-focused remodeling company, is one of the most respected, award-winning companies in the business. Over the last two decades, the franchise has won numerous national awards and gained a reputation in the remodeling sector of serving clients with honesty, respect, and superior craftsmanship. This has earned the company a 97 percent recommendation rate from customers across the country.
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expert advice: Bill McPherson | Vice President of Franchise Development | AlphaGraphics
Franchising Tips
to Surviving in a Post-Pandemic World We are over two years removed from a global event that changed the business environment forever. The COVID-19 pandemic took the world by storm in 2020. Due to stay-at-home orders and the inability to interact face-to-face, revenue dropped for many companies while others were forced to shut down altogether. Those who survived were forced to pivot in unforeseen ways to find success during the apex of the pandemic.
Bill McPherson is the Vice president of franchise development for AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions. With more than 285 locations in 6 countries, AlphaGraphics is one of the largest U.S.-based networks of locally-owned and operated Business Centers offering a complete range of print, visual communications, and marketing products. For more information, visit www.alphagraphics.com
Two years later, the social effects of the pandemic have relaxed. Most schools are back in session, concerts and other public events have resumed and social interaction has inched closer to pre-pandemic levels. With that said, franchises and other businesses will feel the effects of the pandemic for years to come. Consumer and employee demands have changed as a direct result of the pandemic. Regarding the consumer, their expectations for the purchase and delivery of services have changed. Customers have grown accustomed to being able to access products and services quickly. While the pandemic has relaxed, those expectations have not with consumers making these demands commonplace. For businesses, flexibility is the new norm. People became used to working from home, so it changed the way companies shared information, held meetings, marketed products, trained employees, onboarded new employees and many other business decisions. This has affected how companies hire new talent and retain current employees. It is important for franchisors to find ways to solve these new problems facing franchisees and offer tools to make their lives easier. 58 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Assisting the Franchisees At both the franchisee and consumer levels, it is paramount for franchisors to make decisions and develop strategies that help address changing needs. With many resignations taking place because of the pandemic, franchisees are faced with trying to hire new talent and maintain current employees. If the franchisor can provide guidance on hiring, retention, and marketing, it will help attract and keep talent. Additional benefits can help keep staff on board as well. For example, at AlphaGraphics, we began providing
and employee “ Consumer demands have changed as a direct result of the pandemic.
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3rd party health insurance options and alliances for franchisees and their staff. This not only shows our dedication to the franchisee, but it also shows we are committed to keeping their staff happy as well.
As far as retaining employees in a post-pandemic world, it’s “about franchisors and franchisees adapting to the desire for flexibility. ”
When it comes to “ supporting services, assisting franchisees with technology solutions is paramount in today’s business climate.
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made. This is an example of both utilizing technology and embracing the pivot. As franchisors, we can’t relax even if the effects of the pandemic have relaxed. We have to be constantly open to change, and that is one thing I would encourage all franchises to do moving forward.
Succeeding in the PostPandemic World
When it comes to supporting services, assisting franchisees with technology solutions is paramount in today’s business climate. Remember, customers want services on demand. They want to be able to purchase or access services with the simple click of a button. More and more people are demanding that for getting their products and services today. As franchisors, we must adapt and provide solutions that help our franchise owners attract this new type of customer. Online ordering or e-commerce solutions allow customers to purchase products or services right from their phone or smart device. The more franchise owners utilize technology, the easier they are making it for customers to do business and repeat business with their company.
Embrace the Pivot One word that was heard often in the business community during the apex of the pandemic was pivot. Many businesses had to alter their way of doing business to
stay relevant during a time when people couldn’t make face-to-face business transactions. For businesses to succeed moving forward, I believe that word is still going to be an essential part of life. Showcasing how important it is for companies to think outside the box is one of the few positives that came out of the pandemic. It forced businesses and franchisors to constantly be open to new ways of doing business, and that is a lesson that will be vital moving forward. What’s static today may be completely different tomorrow. Even as the pandemic has slowed, businesses are continuing to find new ways to enhance their success. Using AlphaGraphics as an example, we are on the verge of releasing a product that will enable franchisees to show customers the costs and images of what their rebranding decisions will look like in real time. This eliminates the guesswork and shows a customer what the finished product will look like before actual changes are
In March 2020, the business environment was changed forever. From changes in customer demand to ways of handling employee preferences and remote work, franchisors must address these issues and provide franchise owners with the necessary tools to succeed. Embracing technology and new ways of doing business can help set up owners and place them in a position to attract new customers while retaining loyal ones. In today’s fast-paced world, the ability for customers to quickly access and purchase services will go a long way in creating repeat and referral business. As far as retaining employees in a postpandemic world, it’s about franchisors and franchisees adapting to the desire for flexibility. Employees grew used to working remotely over the past two years, and flexibility has become a demand for many. Franchises that combat that desire or refuse to adapt will likely miss out on many employees moving forward. Franchisors must create solutions to solve this change or run the risk of high turnover. That’s what it will take to succeed in the Franchising MAGAZINE USA 59
vetera n s s u pple m e n t
franchisee in action: Dan Murphy | D1 Training
How This COO Learned to Scale His Business
from serving in the U.S. army
“ Whether in the Army or in bus
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Vanderbilt University. After leaving the Army, he realized he missed the sense of accountability and team training it gave him. While in Nashville, Murphy came across D1 and quickly became friends with owner Will Bartholomew, and soon became the COO in 2005, helping to grow the business. As COO, he oversees company partnerships and monitors operational and strategic priorities for the franchise management team.
siness, you must understand the value of your people - your team.
”
Dan Murphy comes from a military family and naturally followed the footsteps of his father to become an Army Captain. A graduate of West Point, Murphy is an Army Veteran and a former NCAA athlete. Eventually leaving his military career behind him, certain elements stuck with him as he became Chief Operating Officer of the gym franchise D1 Training, growing the company from its founding to a 60-plus unit franchise with over 200 facilities in development. The lesson is simple - your business is only as strong as its weakest link. Dan Murphy credits the military’s command control structure in helping him successfully scale D1 Training, a leading fitness concept utilizing the five core tenets of athletic-based training to help people of all ages, from youth athletes to fitness-minded adults, achieve their sport and fitness goals. Murphy served in the Army from 1996 to 2001 before he moved to Nashville to attend graduate school at
Murphy has played an integral part of the company’s expansion, helping turn D1 into a multi-million-dollar franchise company. Attributing the military to his ongoing success, Murphy shares his greatest lessons learned and how they have transitioned to business growth and development.
Your Team is Your Greatest Asset Whether in the Army or in business, you must understand the value of your people - your team. With a strong, accountable team all aligned on the same mission, you become an unstoppable force. Understand this and commit to investing in your team. Amid the pandemic, Murphy invested in team coaching via a partnership with Novus Global, and immediately saw a direct correlation with bottom-line results. Additionally, you should set a routine process and system in place for your team. Murphy says every solider gets the same training so that if something breaks down, you can easily identify it at the highest level. It’s all about keeping those systems dialed in - from how you identify sites, to hiring staff, to getting members in the door. Without this and a strong team, you will not be able to scale successfully. Murphy understands that he does not have all the answers, and frequently seeks feedback from his employees and franchisees. He utilizes a hand-off approach and trusts his team to show up every day and do well.
Eliminate Failure as an Option Whether you’re a military captain or C-suite exec, you must accept that not everything goes your way.
Sometimes, our first reaction to a new challenge or obstacle is fear – fear that failure is looming in our future. That’s natural, but don’t fear the challenge itself. The true test becomes perseverance – mental toughness matters. Murphy said learning perseverance taught him to stick to the mission no matter what the jobs is. Having discipline is one of his biggest assets. Change your perspective and look at challenges as an opportunity to test your ability, grow your resiliency, and even learn something new. Eliminating failure and keeping a positive outlook will go a long way toward making the challenge less daunting.
See the Vision Identify and communicate your vision with your team. What do you hope to achieve? This will allow you and your team to redirect your energies to a higher purpose and know the work you do each day is making a positive difference toward that vision. Your employees serve as brand ambassadors and are often the initial point of contact for your members - new and existing. We are always striving to inspire each of our employees to remember the impact they are making. At D1, Murphy says the company espouses the aspirational qualities that Division 1 athletes represent – it’s a lifestyle of character and commitment. Everyone is there to achieve their own goal within that framework and that is not something every company, or gym, has. The early lessons he learned from his military days still hold true: there is strength in numbers. With 60-plus units open and over 200 in development, Murphy encourages other veterans to use their experience to their advantage by joining the D1 franchise system, as they offer financial discounts on the franchise opportunity. Having the opportunity to serve others in more ways than one is what Murphy loves most about his career – it is truly a part of who he is as a person. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 61
vetera n s s u pple m e n t
FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Tyler Dutton | Wetzel’s Pretzels
from member of the Marine Corps to
my greater ambition
Wetzel’s Pretzels (Wetzel’s) has been a part of my life for over 15 years. Living in California as a teenager, I knew the brand well and began working at a local store in Rancho Cucamonga. It was a fun, vibrant place to work with a familyoriented atmosphere, so I naturally fell in love with Wetzel’s. Even as a 16-year-old, I always had the greater ambition of owning and managing my own Wetzel’s location one day, and seeing how the franchisee at the Rancho Cucamonga store operated only further enhanced my entrepreneurial spirit.
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military background, I knew I was well prepared for ownership and made the decision to take over in March of 2022. The state of Washington has huge retail growth potential with many individuals and families relocating there, and I have my sights set on a second store in the near future.
In 2010, my path drew me to enlisting in the Marine Corps and I packed my bags for Washington D.C. My time in the Marine Corps allowed me to fulfill dreams of travelling all over the world while honoring our country, and I ultimately reenlisted for an additional four years to serve in a scout sniper platoon. Through my service, I was promoted to platoon Sergeant, giving me the responsibility of overseeing the training and operations of 40 marines. My time as a member of the Marine Corps taught me essential skills such as discipline, how to effectively delegate a team and created a certain drive unique to the military, and these skills have further progressed my career as an entrepreneur. The military helped me find a distinctive, strong sense of purpose that is reflected in everything I do, providing a guideline for my future. I credit everything I have today to the lessons I learned in the Marine Corps and was able to seamlessly transition them into the intricate and lucrative world of business management. When returned from my service in 2018, my first priority was to figure out my education. I knew I wanted to pursue higher education, but needed the financial means to do so. While I didn’t intend on rejoining Wetzel’s right away, an assistant management position opened up at Riverside and I seized the opportunity to reach new heights in my career. This rekindled my love for the Wetzel’s brand and solidified my ambition to work towards owning a location myself. At the same time, I enrolled in community college to learn more about the ins-and-outs of
business management from an educational perspective, rounding out the skills I would need to be an effective entrepreneur. After four months, I transferred to a corporate location in Ontario Mills, California, seeing the massive market potential there and the ability to stand out and grow quickly within the company. Four months later I was promoted to General Manager after elevating the store’s performance and driving sales, ultimately leading to the store being the highesttraffic location with the exception of Disneyland. While managing this location, I began to explore ownership options to attain the goal I’d set as a teenager and transferred to the University of Southern California, and I accredit this transfer as a big part of where I am today. In 2019, I became the General Manager for three corporate locations including Ontario Mills and built-up strong relationships with the Wetzel’s corporate team through leadership and initiative. Across the three locations, we were able to significantly increase sales volume and overall efficiency to better serve the market. Behind the success was the experience I gained leading a team of 40 in the Marine Corps, giving us the ability to expand our staff to over 50 talented individuals as the traffic at these locations increased. Fast forward to 2021, an opportunity to acquire a store at Alderwood Mall in Washington arose and it was the perfect time to make my dream into a reality in a market with untapped potential. Between expanding my skills through managing the corporate stores and my
A significant influence in taking the leap into franchising was Wetzel’s program for veterans and first responders. It was such an honor to serve my country, but the transition back home was certainly challenging to navigate at first. I knew I wanted to own a Wetzel’s, so when I learned about its VetFran initiative that really sealed the deal. Their dedication to service members and understanding that military skills are highly transferrable to business ownership meant that I could feel confident in their franchisee support. The lower initial franchising cost also provided a massive benefit, allowing me to get my feet back on the ground much quicker and solidifying the knowledge that Wetzel’s was a brand I wanted to be a part of. While I credit the Marine Corps for so much of who I am today, I invested in Wetzel’s due to their ease of operations, ongoing corporate support for franchisees, and the world of opportunity the brand offers. I’ve seen them progress immensely throughout the years, always growing to further support franchisees in generating new revenue streams and strengthening their skills. These ongoing developments create a brand that will withstand the test of time, which is the ultimate challenge for all retail concepts. Looking ahead, I cannot wait to continue expanding both my corporate and franchisee roles within Wetzel’s alongside such a hands-on, passionate team. Their guidance and family-oriented approach that celebrates franchisees’ successes motivates me to instill the same drive in the employees I manage. My mission is to be an approachable leader like those who inspired me to become an entrepreneur myself, hopefully empowering them to grow as I have. Wetzel’s felt like home to me when I returned from my service, and that still rings true to this day. It’s such a privilege to be a part of. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 63
vetera n s s u pple m e n t
FRANCHISEE IN ACTION: Ryan Miller | 810 Billiards & Bowling
United States Navy Veteran and Multi-Brand Franchisee to Open First 810 Billiards & Bowling in Greenville Rylan Miller built an impressive career for himself in the military, serving first in the Navy where he took on the roles of mission commander and UAV pitlot before taking a job in defense contracting. He always had an entrepreneurial drive and during his time as a defense contractor, he was introduced to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. 64 Franchising MAGAZINE USA
Miller found that Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which was his first introduction into the franchising industry, was aligned with his goals and vision. He now owns 29 locations throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Virginia. “Franchising provides veterans with the best model for success. Veterans makeup 14% of all franchisees and see a great deal of success due to their skills learned in the military,” Miller said. “You’re able to get up and running with less capital than
starting your own business and are set up in a proven growth vehicle.”
Miller’s good fortune with Tropical
Smoothie cade inspired him to branch
out into other franchise concepts, which eventually led him to 810 Billiards &
Bowling, the fast-growing restaurant and
entertainment franchise launched just over five years ago in Myrtle Beach.
“I first became interested in 810 Billiards & Bowling as a consumer. My family
provides veterans with the best model for success. “ Franchising Veterans makeup 14% of all franchisees and see a great deal of success due to their skills learned in the military, Miller said ”
and I were looking for things to do in our hometown of Myrtle Beach, which is where the brand was founded and has three locations. I thought it was such a fun concept,” Miller said. “I was impressed. It was wholesome fun where the local community would gather, and parents don’t have to worry about it being an inappropriate environment for their children. We got to experience live music, bowling and arcade games in addition to a full-service restaurant and bar.” 810 Billiards & Bowling is the emerging “eatertainment” franchise out of South Carolina that started out with the goal of creating a fun and casual atmosphere where anyone can feel welcomed and relaxed. What sets the concept apart from similar brands is the combination of a fullservice dining-and-bar model with a range of entertainment options that appeal to all demographics. Miller’s interaction with the 810 Billiards & Bowling team started before the COVID-19 pandemic. He believes as
the world embraces a regained sense of normalcy, the interest in the 810 brand will grow with resounding success. “810 Billiards & Bowling is completely different from anything I’ve ever done, which excites me,” Miller said. “I’m looking forward to bringing a new concept to Greenville as people are getting more comfortable with getting back out there after COVID. I feel like this is a renewed sense of entertainment.” “We think it is a huge advantage to have someone like Rylan on our team who has so much franchising experience,” said Michael Siniscalchi, the president of 810 Billiards & Bowling.He’s a great ambassador for our brand, he has built his organization through a focus on putting his people first, a philosophy shared by 810, and we’re thrilled to have someone on our team equipped to speak to how 810 differentiates ourselves from the rest of the franchise world.” In 2021, the ‘eatertainment’ franchise had its biggest growth year to date, welcoming
“
810 Billiards & Bowling is the emerging “eatertainment” franchise out of South Carolina that started out with the goal of creating a fun and casual atmosphere where anyone can feel welcomed and relaxed.
”
three new locations and securing several other franchise agreements.
Siniscalchi says the brand’s growth is due largely to the franchise’s “innovative model. “We want to bring our premium entertainment experience, traditionally only available in large metro markets, and make it available nationwide. 810 has a broad demographic appeal offering a strong value proposition for guests by providing myriad of entertainment options and competitive pricing,” he said. 810 Billiards and Bowling has locations in South Carolina, Arizona and Texas. Franchising MAGAZINE USA 65
FR A N C H I S E & S E R V I C E S D I R E C TO R Y
AAMCO First started in 1963 by Anthony Martino as a transmission repair shop, the company now has nearly 700 locations throughout North America and about 12 years ago expanded into total car care. AAMCO franchisees benefit from joining a brand that has been in business for over 50 years. Our iconic, Double A, Beep Beep, M-C-O mnemonic brings instant recognition and trust from the American consumer.
Business Finance Depot
With this franchisee focus in mind, AAMCO provides the brand, tools, guidance and education necessary for new franchisees. This includes financing support, real estate support and training through the entire opening process. http://www.aamcofranchises.com
Business Finance Depot specializes in packaging equipment leases and SBA Express Working Capital loans for start-up and existing businesses.
Our company also works with SBA 7(a) lenders, alternate financing sources, crowd funding financing sources and companies that specialize in using retirement funds to capitalize a new business. Please visit our website for more information.
Our main clients are franchisors seeking financing for their new franchisees and manufacturers seeking financing for their equipment purchases.
Website: www.businessfinancedepot.com Email: paul@businessfinancedepot.com Phone: (800) 788-3884 Contact: Paul Bosley
caring transitions
with the hassles or laws that involve elderly medical care, though you might want to invest in knowing the companies that do supply such services in your area. Many times our services are needed in order to fulfill the lifestyle changes recommended by healthcare professionals, so putting your leads into contact with upstanding medical professionals can create a favorable impression that causes them to return to you for help with non-medical side of their changing circumstances.
Caring Transitions is a solution-oriented company, and we accomplish this by bringing three services under one roof that are normally all accomplished by separate companies. The three services we combine to provide unique solutions for our customers are: • Senior Relocation • Estate Sales • Downsizing & Decluttering One final thing – we are NOT a medical service company. As a franchisee, you will not be dealing
Clayton Kendall Clayton Kendall provides a simple, easy to use e-store platform that connects your franchisees to our integrated front-to-back inventory management system.
Phone: 1-800-647-0766 Email: CaringTransitionsFranchising@gmail.com Website: https://caringtransitionsfranchise.com
materials including uniforms, signage, branded merchandise and print collateral. Clayton Kendal is the single source marketing solution for dozens of national franchises.
Our system controls the creation, production, fulfillment, distribution and shipping of all your marketing and sales
Contact: Dan Broudy, CEO Email: dan@claytonkendall.com Phone: 412-798-7120 (1-888-799-4757) Website: claytonkendall.com
franchising usa
Excellent for branding and recognition.
A-Z Listings are a great way to promote your business, giving you a presence within our publication and also the Franchising USA website.
Choose a 12 or 6 month package or simply add the A-Z directory onto your Focus, Profile or Ad!
Each detailed, full colour A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo.
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In addition to automatic brand recognition, AAMCO franchisees benefit from an Executive Leadership Team who established themselves by servicing the automotive aftermarket as franchisees.
To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products please contact Vikki Bradbury: advertising@cgbpublishing.com or 778-426-2446
Now more than ever, businesses look to FASTSIGNS for innovative ways to connect with customers in a highly competitive marketplace. Our high standards for quality and customer service have made FASTSIGNS the most recognized brand in the industry, driving significantly more traffic to the web than any other sign company. We also lead in these important areas: • #1 Ranked Sign Franchise in Entrepreneur Magazine Franchise 500 three years in a row • Franchise Business Review FBR50 Franchisee Satisfaction Award 2006-2015 ®
girlkin lashes The GIRLKIN Lashes experience provides an eyelash extension franchise opportunity like no other. You will offer lash extension and lash lift services, with expansion possibilities for even more beauty services. Empower yourself and your future with GIRLKIN Lashes! We pride ourselves on comprehensive lash artistry training. We don’t “sell” lash extensions, we provide the highest quality of lash extension services within the eyelash artistry industry. The GIRLKIN Lashes franchise was built on a premium experience paired with the highest quality lash services – and a little sparkle! Plus, GIRLKIN Lashes Franchise
• Franchise Research Institute World Class Franchise 20112015 • Franchise Research Institute #1 Rated Sign & Graphics Franchise 2014-2015 • CFA Franchisees’ Choice Designation 2004-2015 • FASTSIGNS is one of only a handful of franchises approved for $21 million in SBA financing for approved franchise candidates FASTSIGNS has over 400 markets approved for development in the US and Canada and is also seeking Master or Area Developer expansion in markets worldwide. For more information: Phone: 1-214-346-5679 Email: mark.jameson@fastsigns.com Or visit our Website: www.fastsigns.com
offers an exciting way to empower other women and entrepreneurs in your community. GIRLKIN Lashes provides an initial training program for franchisees and one manager. We then provide an onsite representative before you open to help train your stylists, as well as ongoing support and training. In addition, we present you with a copy of our confidential operations manual to help you start a lash extensions business and run it properly on a day-to-day basis. We seek like-minded franchise owners who share our vision of empowering women through business ownership and community outreach Website: https://www.girlkinfranchise.com/
franchising usa
Excellent for branding and recognition.
A-Z Listings are a great way to promote your business, giving you a presence within our publication and also the Franchising USA website.
Choose a 12 or 6 month package or simply add the A-Z directory onto your Focus, Profile or Ad!
Each detailed, full colour A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo.
Image One USA Image One USA is a commercial cleaning services business. The Image One franchising model was formed on the principles of transparency, training, and top-notch financial and customer service support. It is regularly recognized as a top franchise by third-party franchise and business publications, including CNBC.com, Entrepreneur. com and Franchise Business Review. Image One franchisees work for themselves in a unique relationship with the franchise company. Image One provides them with customer support for their business, ongoing training, along with assistance with billing, equipment and sales training. Image One
Kumon North America Inc. High school math teacher Toru Kumon developed the Kumon Method of learning more than 60 years ago in Japan, when his son was struggling with second-grade arithmetic. Realizing that a strong foundation in the basics-addition, subtraction, multiplication and division-was essential for higher-level math, Kumon created a series of math worksheets for his son to work on after school.
FR A N C H I S E & S E R V I C E S D I R E C TO R Y
Fastsigns®
To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products please contact Vikki Bradbury: advertising@cgbpublishing.com or 778-426-2446
provides necessary training, tools and support to help franchise affiliates build their business, including teaching franchisees the latest cleaning techniques and empowering them with insights on best-in-class equipment and technology. Ongoing training is delivered both at Image One’s corporate headquarters and onsite at existing client locations to ensure that franchisees continue to grow their own businesses. Image One has commercial cleaning franchise locations covering Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Nashville and Orlando. Franchise territories are available nationwide. For information on the franchise, visit http://ImageOneUSA.com
With daily practice, Kumon’s son gradually expanded his mastery of mathematical skills and by sixth grade was able to solve differential equations and integral calculus problems. Today, at locations throughout North America, Kumon franchisees apply this method of daily practice and self-paced advancement to children’s math and reading skills. Phone: 201-928-0444 Website: Kumonfranchise.com
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FR A N C H I S E & S E R V I C E S D I R E C TO R Y
NerdsToGo Build a future with the computer service industry pioneers and accomplish your business dreams with NerdsToGo! Computers, handheld devices, tablets, and mobile phones are all things that only continue to grow and change the landscape of the technology industry in the 21st century. That is why NerdsToGo is such a lucrative concept. With businesses, homeowners, and individuals continuing to rely
Remedy Spa & Salon Suites Remedy Spa & Salon Suites first opened its doors in Atlanta, Georgia in 2018. As an attempt to enter the highly profitable health and beauty industries, Remedy Spa & Salon Suites came equipped with 22 fully leased salon suites. To date, they have opened three locations through Metro-Atlanta. Amenities and perks to leasing include: 24/7 access, private upscale studios, spacious single/double suites, private parking, valet parking and premium fixtures, finishes and appliances.
Contact us today to learn why NerdsToGo is one of the fastest growing computer service and technology franchises in the United States!
chains, cooperative marketing, new product research, development and roll-out, experienced training staff, and continuing training and education. Franchising opportunities are available to entrepreneurs and investors in all industries but will be particularly appealing to health and beauty enthusiasts. Remedy Spa & Salon Suites already has an established market presence and substantial market penetration in Atlanta. From this successful platform, the company is looking to expand the brand in select key areas domestically.
Franchisees will obtain access to the brand, tested and proven processes and support, purchasing power and distribution
www.remedysalonsuites.com/franchise
franchising usa
Excellent for branding and recognition.
A-Z Listings are a great way to promote your business, giving you a presence within our publication and also the Franchising USA website.
Choose a 12 or 6 month package or simply add the A-Z directory onto your Focus, Profile or Ad!
Each detailed, full colour A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo.
Sheenco Travel Sheenco Travel began trading in 2012 under the name Shamrock Vacations. Nowadays Sheenco is the leading name in luxury travel to Ireland and the UK and has just launched a brand new Travel Franchise in the USA. Our focus on luxury helps us to stand out as we only use 4* and 5* properties and have a special focus on the wonderful Castle accommodations available throughout Ireland and the UK. But more than anything it’s the level of service we offer, from the first point of contact until after your reluctant arrival home. Our friendly and close knit team go beyond your expectations with ease. Despite the difficulties of
remedysalonsuites@gmail.com
To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products please contact Vikki Bradbury: advertising@cgbpublishing.com or 778-426-2446
the Global Pandemic, Genevieve continued with the companies plans (albeit on a delayed timescale) to expand their operation in the US and the Sheenco Travel Franchise was launched in June 2021. When asked about the timing of the expansion Genevieve laughingly asks “having started a business in a recession when else would you expand but in a Pandemic?!” Thanks to a solid team and great communication with guests and team members alike, Sheenco Travel have come out the other side of the Pandemic relatively unscathed and the future looks bright for this progressive and innovative company. Opportunities@sheencotravel.com www.sheencotravelfranchise.com
Slim Chickens
10 years, is targeting qualified and experienced multi-unit groups to develop in dynamic markets across the country.
Slim Chickens, a leading fast casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-through in the better-chicken segment, opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The brand prides itself on its cooked-to-order fresh food and strong devoted fanbase, also known as “Slimthusiasts.” Fans also resonate with the southern contemporary look and feel and open and inviting layout of Slim Chickens restaurants, which speak to the hospitality mindset that anchors the brand.
Offering high-quality food with a focus on fresh, delicious ingredients, the brand prides itself on its southern flair and commitment to hospitality, all in a fast-casual setting. Food is cooked to order, and the differentiated menu features chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings and unique side items, alongside 17 house-made dipping sauces. Today, there are more than 145 Slim Chickens locations open and 700 restaurants in development. The brand, which recently launched a strategic multi-unit franchise growth initiative to reach 700 units in
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on technology, handling the repairs, computer service and support, and other computer services that can accompany a technologically based society seems like second nature. This means franchise owners can tend to the high demands of a reliable customer base and reap the financial benefits by taking advantage of a constantly innovative, inventive, and lucrative industry.
The Slim Chickens franchise opportunity differentiates itself with prime markets available for multi-unit development, a passionate leadership team and world-class franchisee support system. As Slim Chickens expands, it is awarding franchise opportunities to qualified, experienced and passionate multi-unit groups looking to add a dynamic segment to their portfolio. For more information on the Slim Chickens franchise opportunity, visit slimchickensfranchise.com
Founded by Alejandra Font, Luis Font and Sam Bakhtiar in 2010, The Camp Transformation Center (The Camp) was born out of the realization that despite universal knowledge of how to lose weight — eat healthier and work out regularly — millions of people still struggle to get results. During an era of skyrocketing obesity, The Camp created a proven system to help this massively underserved audience achieve their goals. Home of the free “20-Pound Weight Loss Challenge,” The Camp Transformation Center’s flagship program consists of group training with dynamic interval workouts, nutrition and supplement plans, highly qualified trainers, and a ton of positive emotional support.
The red Chickz We’ve Done the Heavy Lifting for You We know the restaurant business and have done our homework. From the homestyle kitchens of Nashville to The Red Chickz restaurants that will be popping up everywhere, we’ve created something really special in an untapped, sizzling market. We make it simple. Our team has worked our tails off to create a superior business model that is streamlined and simple to operate. We designed
Veteran Service Brands Veteran Service Brands (VSB) is the umbrella organization for four distinct, but affiliated service brands - all of which are exclusive to military veterans. Capitalizing on our success with G-FORCE (the first franchise brand exclusive to veterans), we are adding MACH ONE Epoxy Floors, FIELD OPS Athletic Field Markings, and PAINT CORPS (like Marine “Corps”) franchise systems to the VSB family of veteran-only franchises. Initial Investment starts as low as $20,000 for FIELD OPS (assuming possession of a suitable pickup truck) and runs as high as $150,000 depending upon which brand, size of territory, truck choice, and equipment package. Franchise Fees are deeply discounted for the first five franchise partners of our new brands (some are already spoken for).
zips ZIPS is the leading low-cost player in a $10.5 billion laundry and drycleaning industry, caring for items our customers use every day, and others they reserve for special occasions. We offer five concepts in one, in a compact footprint, including: pressed laundry, dry cleaning, Wash N Fold laundry, alterations and caring for household items. Our business was founded when eight of the Baltimore -Washington, D.C. area’s premier dry cleaners banded together to pool their expertise and resources to create a powerhouse brand. They established an “in by 9, out by 5,” one-low-price-to-dry-clean-anygarment approach that is affordable and convenient for customers to use and easy for operators to sell. We have nearly 70 locations open across the United States, commitments to open more than 100 more, and many territories available immediately for multi-unit development. We’re ready to help you get set up with full-service processing locations, satellite “drop” stores, sophisticated locker systems and processing of items for commercial organizations and
The Camp is a community of people who treat fellow members like family. The Camp Transformation Center is an industry leader in the weight loss and wellness niche. The franchise currently has nearly 150 locations in more than a dozen states. The fitness brand’s goal is to provide its outstanding services to people who wish to lose weight and improve their health in 500 communities by 2030. Each Camp employs the company’s signature Challenge, a six-week initial entry point for members, that aims to be a transformative moment in the lives of those who join and a launching pad for long-term membership. The Camp Transformation Center is known for its enthusiastic staff members, a clean environment, an open, spacious, and colorful design, supplement plans, and fitness training that is motivating and affordable. To learn more about the Camp Transformation Center, visit www.thecamptc.com.
this with systems and growth in mind, so you can become the next proud owner of a The Red Chickz restaurant franchise with ease. An investment in a restaurant franchise like The Red Chickz is an excellent way to break into the foodservice business or expand your already existing restaurant portfolio. We seek qualified business owners who understand or appreciate the restaurant industry and are fired up about our brand. www.theredchickz.com
MACH ONE and PAINT CORPS normally have a $25,000 Franchise Fee (some of the lowest in their industries), but offer the first five a steep $15,000 discount. FIELD OPS, already a low $10,000 Fee, offers a 50% discount for the first five takers. Veterans joining the Veteran Service Brands family enjoy instant camaraderie, proven systems in high demand businesses, group discounts, and more. VSB is actively recruiting qualified veterans across the country to join our team. VSB is already the largest veteran-only franchise system and expects to triple its size in the next 12-18 months. For more information, visit www.VeteranServiceBrands.com
even other garment care businesses. And we’ll support you every step of the way, from getting up and running to keeping things going strong for years to come. At ZIPS we’re committed to being an environmentally responsible organization: Every location accepts hangers for recycling, is illuminated by energy-efficient LED lights, uses 100% biodegradable plastic bags and an odor-free hydrocarbon solvent, and captures by-product in clay filters that are disposed of through a third-party government compliance specialist. We also avoid individually wrapping using each garment or adding tissue paper in the sleeves, which cuts down not only on waste but on cost as well. Independent garment care operators and growth-minded, entrepreneurial investors alike can capitalize on our systems, buying power, investment in innovation and improvement, and our brand. Contact our Director of Business Development, Abhi Parikh, at aparikh@321zips.com or (717) 495-7995 today to learn how you can look your best with a ZIPS franchise opportunity.
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