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VOL 07, ISSUE 11, sept 2019
Oelo
Lighting Up Business Year-Round
special
home services
feature
Five Things Every Franchisee Must Know About Cash Flow LATEST NEWS
FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM THE BANKS
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WORK SMART
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HARD!
IFG 50/50 - A Different Franchise Approach!
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f r o m t he p u bl i s he r & e d i t or Welcome to the September issue of Franchising USA. Although franchising in today’s market is still a safer way to start a business, as with any new business, there are still many things to consider when taking the leap to entrepreneurship. In this issue we have some great concepts for you to consider along with lots of practical advice from our Industry Experts to help you gain solid footing to power you through taking that leap. Have you ever wondered how to set your business apart from the competition? Our Cover Story this issue with Oelo on the Cover takes a look at a business that might be able to help you do just that. Turn to page 10 to learn how this commercial lighting franchise can help add a little jolt and a lot of glow to your business with its year-round lighting solutions. Our Special Feature this month is on Home Services Franchising, with PropertyGuys.com on the Cover. With a unique business model that’s working to transform the real estate industry, PropertyGuys.com offers a New and Better Way to Sell Real Estate. Be sure to check out their story to learn how you can jump in and help transform a stagnant industry. Our Feature this issue also offers some great advice on the home services industry, including how to make sure you’re hitting all of your marks; that is, your Marketing, your Reputation, and your Business Marks, along with insight into topics such as The Benefits of Being a Single-Unit Owner in the Home Service Industry. More Expert Advice is also standing by to offer you advice on common questions and challenges, including advice from Evan Hackel on Should You Buy Additional Franchise Locations or Improve Profits at the Locations You Already Own? George Knauf offers insight into Buying a Franchise in an Unpredictable Economy, and you can learn about the Five Things Every Franchisee Must Know About Cash Flow from David Banfield. Stay updated with the latest in industry news on pages 6-9 and don’t forget to scroll through the popular A-Z directory listed at the back of the magazine. I hope you enjoy this issue and that it helps you move forward on more solid footing and with informed insight. Happy reading!
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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.
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contents
sEPtember 2019
On the Cover 10 Cover Story: Oelo:
Lighting Up Business Year-Round
19 Special Feature: Home Services Franchising
10
40 Five Things Every Franchisee Must Know About Cash Flow
In Every Issue 6 Franchising News
14
Announcements from the Industry
19 Home Services Franchising Feature 43 Veterans Supplement
News and Information for Veterans in Franchising
51 A-Z Franchise and Services Directory
Expert Advice 14 Buying a Franchise in an Unpredictable Economy
16
George Knauf, Senior Franchise Business Advisor, FranChoice
16 Should You Buy Additional Franchise Locations or
Improve Profits at the Locations You Already Own? Evan Hackel, CEO, Tortal Training
40 Five Things Every Franchisee Must Know About Cash Flow David Banfield, President, The Interface Financial Group
24 Franchising USA
9 HOME SERVICES Franchising Feature
30
On the Cover 24 PropertyGuys.com: New and Better Way to
Buy and Sell Real Estate
26 Home Services Feature 38 On Your Marks: Trademark, Marketing, and Reputation
32
In Every Issue 20 Feature News 26 Feature Article
Expert Advice 30 Many Opportunities with Home Service Franchises
36
Rick Bisio, Franchise Coach, FranChoice
34 Home HealthCare Franchising: A Look at the Last 15 Years
Lenny Verkhoglaz, Founder and CEO, Executive Care
36 The Benefits of Being a Single-Unit Owner in the Home Service Industry Jeff Wall, CEO, Handyman Connection
38 On Your Marks: Trademark, Marketing, and Reputation
David Hicks, CEO, HomeVestors of America, Inc.
38
Women in Franchising 32 It’s the Era of Women: Why the Franchising World is a Great Industry for Women Dina Dwyer-Owens, Brand Ambassador of Neighborly
40 Franchising USA
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what’s new!
Curry Up Now Brings One-of-a-Kind Indian Street Food to East Coast Curry Up Now, the largest and fastest growing Indian fast-casual concept in the United States, recently opened doors at its first franchise location in Decatur, Georgia. The new storefront is the brand’s first East Coast location and is part of a multi-unit franchise deal with experienced local franchise group Curry Up Now Atlanta. As part of this deal, four additional franchise locations are expected to open in the greater Atlanta area by the end of 2021. In partnership with industry-leading franchise development company Fransmart, Curry Up Now has over 45 franchise locations currently in development, along with multiple market details in progress in more than five states nationwide. The new Decatur storefront joins Curry Up Now’s expanding roster of successful locations, as the brand currently operates three food trucks and six brickand-mortar corporate locations throughout
Northern California. The brand has also solidified multi-unit franchise deals in nearly every major region throughout the country, including Sacramento and Orange County, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; Newark, New Jersey; and Colorado. Founded in 2009 by husband and wife duo, Akash and Rana Kapoor, Curry Up Now has seen an increasing demand for its fresh, flavorful ingredients that offer an innovative spin on traditional Indian cuisine. With menu items including the iconic Tikka Masala Burrito, Deconstructed Samosa, Kathi Rolls, and Thali Platters, Curry Up Now differentiates itself in the marketplace by taking traditional Indian flavors and presenting them in a friendly, recognizable format that supports many different diets and uses locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. www.curryupnow.com
FASTSIGNS® Launches First Location in Queens, New York FASTSIGNS International, Inc. celebrated the opening of a new center location in Queens, New York under the support of franchising industry veteran Greg Carafello of Executive Franchise Group, LLC. Carafello is working to utilize his New York business relationships to bring this region’s centers through the process from opening to actively thriving business. As part of his Area Representative Agreement with FASTSIGNS®, Carafello agreed to develop new FASTSIGNS locations in all of the city’s five boroughs, as well as oversee franchise development and provide operational support for the market throughout its ongoing growth. FASTSIGNS currently has two existing locations in Manhattan and Staten Island, with plans to develop more than 20 additional centers in the coming years. With this plan in place, FASTSIGNS has the opportunity to penetrate the business market and increase the market share. FASTSIGNS of South Ozone Park in Queens is the first of its kind to open under the direction of Carafello. Franchisees, Candy and Graydon Grush have converted their current sign business to a
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FASTSIGNS center, and as a conversion, the center is well on its way to success with a ready-to-utilize book of business.
Expansion in the NYC metro area includes additional locations that are planned, already sold and under development such as White Plains, NY, New York City and the West Hempstead area of Long Island.
www.fsfastsigns.com
Cryotherapy Franchise to Expand in Arizona Experienced Orangetheory Fitness Franchisees Take on New Role as Cryoshift Cryotherapy Regional Developers Cryoshift Cryotherapy, a franchise concept positioned to transform the whole-body cryotherapy and wellness industry, is set to expand in Arizona under regional developers Kris Price and Billy Sunkenberg. Cryoshift Cryotherapy uniquely brings patented Impact Cryotherapy equipment as its core technology complemented by other popular wellness technologies, such as NormaTec® Compression systems as well as infrared saunas, into the franchise space. Whole body cryotherapy uses nitrogen vapor to produce cold temperatures that promote the natural healing of the body. Many whole body cryotherapy participants use Cryoshift technologies for pain management, workout recovery, mental well-being, and weight management. “Whether you’re a 16-year-old athlete, play adult competitive sports or you are an active baby boomer -- your health and fitness routine can really benefit from cryotherapy,” said Price.
first near Arcadia or Biltmore set to open in January of 2020. With the entire state under their development jurisdiction, Sunkenberg and Price are actively considering experienced franchisees and new locations in their growth plans in both the Metro Phoenix and Tucson markets.
Cryoshift will offer presale pricing later this year and offers national membership privileges.
“We’re so excited to be part of the first franchise to bring this service to the masses,” said Sunkenberg, “In Arizona specifically, it represents an amazing opportunity for business partners, and consumers alike.”
Price and Sunkenberg intend to open at least two locations of their own in the Phoenix metro area in the near future, with the
For more information on franchising opportunities in Arizona, please visit cryoshift.com/own-a-cryoshift
Blue Oxe Axe Throwing Announces Franchise Opportunities for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Blue Ox Axe Throwing is proud to announce that they are currently offering franchise opportunities to qualified candidates throughout the United States, effective today. Qualified applicants who are awarded the opportunity to own and operate a franchise will be provided with an exceptional business model, extensive training, and consistent, ongoing support from senior management. Blue Ox Axe Throwing is one of the newest axe-throwing companies to appear in the North East. Axe throwing originated as a competitive sport in Canada and has become popular in several major U.S. markets. “Blue Ox Axe Throwing’s first facility opened in Wallingford, Connecticut and
quickly became Connecticut’s highestrated axe-throwing venue,” says CEO/ Founder, Gerald Ferraro. “Now, due to booming growth and increased industry recognition, Blue Ox is offering a franchise opportunity to interested and qualified candidates along with expanding corporate operations throughout the United States.” Like other ax-throwing venues, Blue Ox allows customers to bring their own beer, wine, cider, seltzers and wine coolers but no hard liquor. Non-Throwers can join in on the fun as well. Potential franchise candidates can expect to receive a tested and perfected model, extensive training and on-going management support, materials and the benefit of the senior management team’s experience. During franchisee training, at the corporate headquarters, franchisees
will learn ‘all things BLUE OX,’ including the company’s unique and highly successful marketing strategies, which are essential ingredients to maximizing location performance. To learn more about becoming a Blue Ox Axe Throwing franchisee, please visit the BLUE OX Axe Throwing website, www.blueoxaxethrowing.com/ franchising
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what’s new!
The Camp Transformation Center Celebrates Major Milestones in the First Half of 2019 The Camp Transformation Center (The Camp), a national brand featuring fitness centers that focus on inspiring powerful physical and emotional transformations, is celebrating exceptional growth and significant recognition during the first six months of the year. So far in 2019, The Camp has opened nine new locations with both new and existing franchisees in California, Nevada and Texas. Nearly 15 more locations throughout the country are currently in development and will join the existing 110 centers across North America. The brand’s impressive Net Promoter Score, a globally recognized metric, of 82.7 percent demonstrates its “world class” experience and client satisfaction. Notably, the brand appeared on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2019 Franchise 500® and Fastest Growing Franchises lists. The Camp was also listed as a top-ten franchise brand on the Local Search Association and SOCi’s first-ever Localized Social Marketing Benchmark report, a testament to its social media reach and strategy.
As the fitness brand grows, The Camp is targeting new markets for expansion including metro areas across Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Utah and Northern California. As part of its growth initiative, The Camp is actively seeking qualified franchise partners to grow the brand into these prime markets. Ideal franchisees showcase an unwavering desire to help people with compassion and empathy. thecampfranchise.com
Mountain Mike’s Pizza Continues Inland Empire Expansion Mountain Mike’s Pizza, LLC is proud to announce the opening of its first restaurant in Menifee, California. The new Mountain Mike’s restaurant makes the brand’s signature experience of enjoying “Pizza the Way it Oughta Be®” accessible to even more guests in the Inland Empire. This new location is serving up the brand’s menu of mouthwatering pizzas served on dough that’s prepared in-house daily, bone-in wings available in four delicious flavors, garlic sticks, a robust all-you-can-eat salad bar, and a selection of both wine and beer. “Mountain Mike’s has been the go-to pizza spot for families, sports teams, groups and big game nights for more than 40 years, and we’re excited to take SoCal by storm as we continue our expansion throughout the Inland Empire and beyond,” said Robby Basati, Mountain Mike’s Southern California Area Development Agent.
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Offering the welcoming atmosphere
Mountain Mike’s is known for, the 2,400sq. ft. restaurant in Menifee features the
brand’s most updated restaurant design, a
beautiful patio, a kids’ activity room with arcade games, seated bar counter and big screen TVs throughout the dining room.
Whether it’s dine-in, carry-out or delivery, guests can always count on Mountain Mike’s to deliver on freshness, quality and value. For additional information on Mountain Mike’s Pizza, visit www.mountainmikespizza.com
Leading Flexible Workspace Provider Launches U.S. Franchise Program Regus Seeks Qualified Candidates Throughout the U.S. Regus, the leading global flexible workspace provider and an International Workplace Group (IWG) company, announced in July the launch of its new U.S. franchise program. The company is currently seeking committed franchise partners to capitalize on the significant demand for flexible, coworking spaces across the United States, specifically targeting California, Florida, Texas, Illinois and the Northeast including, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia and Washington D.C. for aggressive development. Regus created the flexible workspace concept and has been the industry’s global leader since its inception 30 years ago. The brand’s keen understanding of the market has enabled Regus to develop its business model through many economic cycles. Franchisees will benefit from IWG’s built-in network of 2.5 million customers. An excellent addition to a restaurant/retail/hospitality heavy portfolio, the Regus brand has a strong economic model with low employment costs. The brand has stood the test of time, even through up and down economies, and continued to grow over the years. The average revenue of the top two-thirds of locations is between $1 and $1.75 million with profitability or EBITDA of $190,000 to $265,000.
Regus is seeking qualified franchisees with the organizational and financial capabilities to open a minimum of five locations no smaller than 10,000 square feet over a two- to three-year period. Franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $1 million and a minimum of $350,000 in liquid assets per location. The initial investment ranges from $650,000 – $1.7 million per location with a $50,000 initial franchise fee. For more information, please call 833-IWG-FRAN or visit https://franchise.iwgplc.com
Tint World® Names Deja Holley as Social Media Manager and Creative Designer Tint World® Automotive Styling Centers™, a leading auto accessory and window tinting franchise, has named Deja Holley as social media manager and creative designer. Holley brings more than seven years of social media experience in the South Florida area to the Tint World® family and will provide an ever-increasing online presence to the company’s more than 70 global franchise locations with creative and social media support. “Deja is a social media whiz and brings the marketing, SEO, and other essential tools to boost the Tint World® brand not just
here in the U.S., but across the globe,” said Charles J. Bonfiglio, president and CEO of Tint World®. “We’ve always been proud of the fact that our Tint World® franchisees have the best marketing and social media support possible. Her wide range of experience will ensure that we continue leading the industry.” Graduating from Florida International University, Holley received a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration and management. She has also earned certificates in leadership/management from Florida Atlantic University and project management from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to joining Tint World®,
she served as a marketing assistant, graphic designer and creative director with various agencies in the South Florida area. www.tintworld.com/franchiseopportunities
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o elo L I G H T I N G SOLU T I O N S
Oelo
Lighting Up Business Year-Round Franchising USA
Under the pink glow of dancing lights, vehicles wrap around a Human Bean drive-thru in northern Colorado. The rising sun is doing its best to compete with the building’s brick façade, covered in pink chalk that matches the roof’s colors. A barista passes a cup of coffee through the window, signaling the line to inch forward. The pink (and all of the building’s dancing lights) means just one thing — it’s the biggest day of the year — Human Bean’s Coffee for a Cure event, a day when franchisee Frank Sherman pools together 100% of his sales from 10 northern Colorado Human Bean locations to benefit local breast cancer funds.
A patented system, Oelo’s energy-saving LEDs are spaced inside a flush, bump-free channel that blends seamlessly with commercial structures during the day. At night, the system is uniquely expressive thanks to a color app that offers 16 million hues and 10 movement settings for the ultimate in commercial lighting customization.
Oelo was installed on Human Bean’s newest northern Colorado location during the construction phase. The lights and channel were hung before the awning was installed. When you see the Human Bean locations in northern Colorado rocking their pink Oelo lights in October, you know these locations are pooling their Coffee for a Cure, sales to benefit local breast cancer funds.
THINK PINK, DRINK PINK is the day’s motto, but this isn’t a story about the impressive $58K these 10 stores raised on just one day nearly a year ago, and it isn’t about Human Bean’s 60 different flavors or the company’s 1998 start in Medford, Ore., although all of that would make for a good read some other time. Rather, this story is about a commercial lighting product that has become a favorite among franchisees — the very kind of lighting that Sherman proudly bathes his stores in night after night. Sometimes, the lights are pink. On Sundays, when the Broncos play, they’re blue and orange. Come the Fourth of July, the building rocks red, white and blue. And at Christmas, showing holiday spirit is easier than ever for “The Bean.” “Let me tell you about Oelo,” Sherman gushes. “This commercial lighting system is eye-catching. It’s just a fun addition. We love Oelo so much, we’ve been adding it to all of our locations since 2015.” And while Oelo is definitely eye-catching, these lights have a little incognito daytime factor that franchisees love. A patented
LIGHTING QUOTES AND DEALER OPPORTUNITIES Oelo can provide a free commercial lighting quote with just a snapshot of your business storefront. To learn more, visit oelo.com. Interested in joining Oelo’s dealer/installation, network? Contact Oelo General Manager Devin Rodarmel at 970-217-3670. Watch Frank Sherman’s full video testimonial at bit.ly/human-bean-testimonial. system, Oelo’s energy-saving LEDs are spaced inside a flush channel that blends seamlessly with commercial structures during the day. The channel is available in nine different colors. And while Oelo is practically invisible by day, the system is uniquely expressive by night thanks to a color app that offers 16 million hues and 10 movement settings for the ultimate in commercial lighting customization. The system can create the iconic warm, white bulb look that often accents the rooflines of shopping plazas, or store owners can customize each LED for a colorful sales event promotion. And when these lights aren’t driving attention (and business), Oelo doubles as permanent holiday lighting.
“During the holidays, it’s definitely a blessing having this system,” Sherman confirms. “We don’t have to hire contractors to climb up ladders and hang string lights around the building, and after Christmas, they don’t have to come back to take them down. I don’t really like roofs and ladders. The combination creates liability, and it also impacts drive-thru business. With Oelo, a professional team installs them once, and after that, we enjoy them year-round.” Sherman stumbled across Oelo when he was building a food truck for his coffee franchise. “I was working with SVI Trucks, an international world-class company, to build our custom food truck. During the process,
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“This commercial lighting system is eye-catching. It’s just a fun addition. We love Oelo so much, we’ve been adding it to all of our locations since 2015.” - Frank Sherman wash storefronts. The list includes roofing companies, insurance businesses, hot tub dealers and more restaurant facades. Even one of Yamaha’s most premier motorcycle dealerships beckons passing interstate drivers with its Oelo lights. Human Bean serves up smiles to match its exterior glow
we spent a lot of time at the SVI facility, and that’s when we learned about Oelo, one of SVI’s sister companies,” Sherman recalls. “We gave the lights a try, and now, every time we add a store, we’re adding Oelo lights, and a lot due to the fact that we know it’s a product backed by a very strong parent company.” The Oelo parent company, Super Vacuum Manufacturing, which was incorporated in 1954, has two other divisions that offer specialty lighting products in the emergency vehicle industry. “Oelo was sort of born from that industry,” explains Oelo COO Clay Horst. “While sourcing some great LED products for our other divisions, we thought, ‘Hey, it’d be kind of cool to hang these color-changing lights outside on buildings,’ and that’s how the idea of permanent holiday lighting was born. Since then, we’ve discovered just how
Franchising USA
versatile these lights can be for business owners.” The UL certified 5V lighting system comes with a five-year warranty and is IP68 rated, meaning the system’s LED components are housed in an impact-resistant, UV-stable channel for moisture resistance. The LEDs, themselves, are rated for 100,000 hours of use — the equivalent of 22 years of nightly 12-hour glow. Other commercial lighting systems only have a 10,000- to 40,000hour lifespan. The individual LEDs rarely have to be replaced, adding even more cost savings. And as Sherman mentioned, it doubles as holiday lighting that keeps on giving — without the yearly hassle and annual cost. Human Bean isn’t Oelo’s only commercial client. In fact, the list is long, spanning the U.S. and stretching into Canada. Oelo lights up lube service centers and car
“Business is all about differentiating yourself,” Sherman says. “With Human Bean, it all starts with coffee. We have every drink but alcohol. And of course, we like to serve up smiles because we love our customers. We get to know them, and we do everything we possibly can to support their causes, or simply celebrate the dayto-day. We even light up our building for them. I think the twinkling lights just shows how fun we can be, and next to our coffee, that’s what sets us apart. We add a little jolt and a lot of glow to a person’s day.” www.oelo.com
FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES To find out more about Human Bean franchise opportunities visit: humanbean.com/franchise
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Franchise Opportunities Available. Partner With A PROVEN Brand.
OWN YOUR TUFFY TODAY! Helping our franchisees to operate successfully and meet the challenges of today’s marketplace is the top priority for the Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Centers Franchise and Operations Team. We provide our franchisees with a proven operating system, and as a result, our franchisees have played a key role in the ongoing success of Tuffy. Our value proposition includes (but is not limited to) the following: • Over 45 Years in Business. • State of the Art Management, Sales & Technical Training. • Comprehensive Marketing & Advertising Programs. • National Vendor Partnerships. • National & Local Support. • Powerful Brand Proposition. • Strong Business Model. • On-going Research & Development.
AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE NOT REQUIRED! Tuffy is looking for customer focused, ethical business owners. Our franchisees come from many different walks of life. A background in auto repair is not needed to run a successful Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center, but can be helpful.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION:
800-228-8339 www.TuffyFranchising.com
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ex per t advice
George Knauf | Senior Franchise Business Advisor | FranChoice
Buying a Franchise in an Unpredictable Economy jobs to seek control over their income stream. The important note there is that franchising and opportunity do not come to a halt when the stock market drops; quite the opposite seems to be true. Some believe the opportunities even improve.
George Knauf
It is widely believed within the franchise industry that franchise brands often grow their franchisee footprint fastest in times when the economy is not performing well. That may be a trend that is similar to people selling stocks to buy bonds as they seek stability and comfort. In past years it may have also tracked along side downsizing trends. It is not uncommon for people that have lost their
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“We need a good recession�, a franchise executive talking about how proud commercial real estate owners are of their properties that are renting fast and for high prices recently as the economy was more stable and looked to be growing without end. He wanted to get his franchisees open faster and at better lease costs. His point was that in a recession, weaker businesses (he was focused on independent operations without the branding, experience, systems or support) sometimes have more trouble adapting to market changes and vacate their locations. The end result of this can be lower rents and more sites available for franchise brands to put franchisees into.
that much of their business is need based and would be called upon regardless of how the stock market is performing. Few homeowners or businesses would want to be without air conditioning in the Summer or heat in the winter. In those cases the property owner will prioritize those repairs over any disposable income expenses they might otherwise be drawn to. Those repairs are not often planned ahead, they are the result of a break down. Yes, some of their business would be from new builds or renovations but that seems to be the minority or revenue for many of these companies so do check that ratio if you are seeking consistent revenue. Typically the owner in these businesses manages a team or experienced managers and techs that they have hired.
Some businesses seem relatively unshaken by stock market declines. For those segments you would expect to have similar opportunities in up or down markets. Here are some examples:
B2B services for insurance companies: Disaster recovery, exterior repairs, electronics and art repairs. Again, these are not planned events and they are paid for by the insurance company you pay your monthly or quarterly bill to. When an event happens your insurance company works to get it resolved. A down stock market does not impact that process.
Home and business repair services: HVAC, plumbing and electrical. While there can be differences in how individual companies in these segments operate, the likelihood is
Owners role in these businesses can vary from being a hands on owner operator to an executive role managing the manager and team.
“Franchising and opportunity do not come to a halt when the stock market drops; quite the opposite seems to be true. Some believe the opportunities even improve.”
Value priced hair salons. Watching these brands for over 20 years they seem to suffer little impact from a down stock market, some stores even seem to thrive as customers leave more expensive options to get a quality haircut at a lower price. This is the first category here that may also benefit from real estate opening up and becoming less expensive. These are very stable and predictable businesses with professional licensed workers. They tend to be among the most stable businesses in franchising when you look across their franchise systems. Owners in these businesses manage the managers that run the operations, many of these owners keep their jobs and business this business as a second cash flow. There are some great lending programs in this category. Senior care: Home care, placement
services, home modification and other support services. We are aging, no way to get around that. Families often try to take care of loved ones themselves at home but there is not always the bandwidth to do that without assistance. We became two income family households and working single parent households ages ago. When a family member needs help we now have options. On the simple side it could be someone coming into your home and providing support services to your loved one. For more time or service intense needs there are services that help find the perfect place for your loved one to live and get the services that will serve their needs best. Owners have a wide range of roles, most are owner involved. Demand for these services is expected to grow as Baby Boomers continue to age.
These are just a handful of examples, I work with my candidates on these and more. The key takeaway is that with planning a high or low stock market may be less of an impact than you envision. What will your success story be? Let’s go find it! 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. Contact the Franchising USA Expert, George’s Hotline: 703-424-2980. www.MyPerfectFranchise.com
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ex per t advice
Evan Hackel | CEO | Tortal Training
Should You Buy Addition
or Improve Profits at the Lo
The title of this article is a question that arises in the life of every franchise owner. Franchise owners, like all business people, would like to increase profits and build the bottom line. To put it in the simplest terms, they would like to make more money. When franchise owners reach this juncture, they are faced with a fundamental choice. As one franchise owner in New Jersey said, “I don’t know whether I should buy additional franchise locations or make my current locations perform better.” Since there are many “moving parts” in any franchise – locations, staffs, customer base, to name only a few – this decision
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can be remarkably complex. Yet let’s simplify things by looking at some of the factors to consider. Granted, it’s logical to believe you will make more money running multiple units than you will by running just one. And many times, that will be the case. But it is not always the case. And there can be pitfalls. Here’s a short story that illustrates some of the risks. I once observed a franchise owner who acquired a second unit within his franchise. Because it was not making money, he started to give so much attention to it that his first unit started to suffer. And before he turned the situation around, he reached a point where his two units were actually generating less profit than his first one was when it was the only one he owned.
Problems like that can occur, but you can prevent them if you ask some questions . . . • Do you have the right skillsets to run multiple locations? If you are a micromanager who has a hard time delegating work and trusting employees, for example, you might not be suited to owning several locations. • Will you be able to recruit and hire the right workers to run additional locations? Do you have the skillset you need to recruit the right people? And are good workers available in the locations where you are thinking about expanding? • What do you want to do with your life? Many franchise owners fail to consider this question before adding additional units. Suddenly their workload increases dramatically, and they begin to question
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Locations You Already Own?
Evan Hackel
the decision to expand into new locations. Note that if the new units you add are located some distance from your current unit, questions like those become even more critical. And here’s another important question. Have you been overlooking obvious ways to increase profits in the locations you already own? Hiring better salespeople, starting to use your franchise company’s training programs and delivering better customer service are all simple solutions that can increase income more dramatically than some franchise owners realize. Even new signs and a fresh coat of paint can build profits more than you might realize. And improvements like those cost much less than buying additional franchises.
The Lifecycle of Franchise Ownership It is interesting to note that while adding just one more location can add significantly to an owner’s workload, there does come a point where things change. I have seen instances where owners actually have more free time when they own five units than they did when they owned only a few. They find that if they are running five or 10 units, they have enough size and scale – and can hire enough good people – to manage in a more hands-off way. Are you willing to work harder, and take on more supervisory and other duties, until you get to about five units?
In Summary . . . Should you improve or expand? That is a question that many franchise owners will
face on their road to success. I hope that the advice I have shared in this article makes the decision easier. And, more importantly, helps you increase profits and achieve success. Evan Hackel is a 35-year franchising veteran as both a franchisor and franchisee. He is CEO of Tortal Training, a leading training development company in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Principal and Founder of Ingage Consulting in Woburn, Massachusetts. Evan is the host of Training Unleashed and author of Ingaging Leadership. Evan speaks on Seeking Excellence, Better Together, Ingaging Leadership and Attitude is Everything. To hire Evan as a speaker, visit www.evanspeaksfranchising.com. Follow @ehackel.
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The public and policymakers need to understand franchising. Our purpose
@OurFranchise is an industry-wide campaign created to spread the word about the value of franchising and share the stories of men and women just like you, who are leading the way as franchisors, franchisees, and franchise employees. The franchise business model has been proven time and time again to work, but it’s threatened when the public and politicians don’t understand how it operates to benefit local, independent franchise establishment owners and their communities. Putting a spotlight on real leaders succeeding with the franchise model is how we’ll ensure franchising is stronger than ever before.
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Since our launch in June 2016, we’ve reached 1.7 million people through outreach efforts, including events in key cities and states, where we spoke directly with business owners, employees, policymakers, and the media. Additionally, we’ve reached people across America through our website and social media channels, digital advertisements, and the promotion of We the Franchisees on Politico – but there is much more work to do. As a franchisor, franchisee, or franchise vendor, you are a leader in your community – and we need your support, now more than ever.
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By joining @OurFranchise, you’ll get access to exclusive stories and resources that can help grow your franchise business, educate employees at all levels about the franchise business model, and share the economic importance of franchising with consumers. You will also have the opportunity to share your franchise success story with your peers. Visit AtOurFranchise.org Contact Erica Farage, Senior Director of Political Affairs and Grassroots Advocacy and Multi-Unit Franchisee Engagement International Franchise Association efarage@franchise.org (202) 662-0760
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Make sure you stay up to date with the campaign’s latest efforts through email updates and social media. Visit our website to read and share the latest stories of franchisors and franchisees making an impact in their communities. Become a franchise advocate to help ensure Americans, now and in the future, have the opportunity to start franchise businesses. Take the lead today!
FRANCHISINGFEATURE SEPTEMBER 2019
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what’s new!
Fibrenew Celebrates Sponsorship of Pioneering Female Pro FMX Rider Kassie Boone Kassie Boone is one of only two women in the world who jumps 75 feet on a bike and performs Superman feet grabs, heel clickers and switchblades. She is a pioneering freestyle motocross (FMX) rider, touring this world with Monster Jam. And since she’s been competing for the last decade and a half, the now-29-year-old has had a longstanding sponsor: Fibrenew, the leather, plastic and vinyl restoration repair franchise her father Blair Boone runs in her hometown of London, Ontario. “When Kassie was five, she turned to me and said she wanted to ride professionally when she grew up,” Blair Boone said. “I would take her older brother and her to events — it was a family thing. She just caught on and loved it.” Fibrenew, founded in 1985, prides itself on being a flexible model that provides franchise owners the tools they need to grow their territory while offering them a business opportunity that helps them build
a legacy and support their families. Blair Boone’s franchise has done just that. “We’re so impressed with Blair and the support he gives to his incredibly talented and amazing daughter Kassie,” said Michael Wilson, CEO of Fibrenew.
“Blair embodies all that makes our franchise family so great — our owners are dedicated people serving their communities and also the ones they love.” For more information about the Fibrenew franchise, visit fibrenew.com
Wayback Burgers Partners with Uber Eats Wayback Burgers, America’s Favorite Hometown Burger Joint and one of the nation’s fastest-growing burger franchises, has partnered with Uber Eats. “We are excited to be teamed up with Uber Eats,” says Patrick Conlin, President of Wayback Burgers. “In today’s increasingly technological world, we are proud to offer our guests the convenience of having Wayback Burgers delivered right to their home.” Wayback has been prioritizing delivery this year, as this partnership announcement comes on the heels of the debut of the brand’s new, revolutionary delivery vehicle. Recently, Wayback Burgers introduced a new electric delivery and on-site cooking vehicle that delivers food and brings the kitchen to the guest for on-site preparation. Wayback first tested the vehicle near its headquarters in Connecticut and will be rolling out the delivery vehicle to participating locations across the country in the next year. Wayback Burgers is known for gourmet, hand-dipped milkshakes,
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delicious side items, exciting limited-time-offer menu items and, of course, top-notch burgers. For franchising information about Wayback Burgers, please visit franchise.waybackburgers.com
Fish Window Cleaning Honors 2019 Award Winners Winners Were Announced at the Fish Window Cleaning Annual Convention
Franchisees of the Year, John & Laurie Reinagel
At the recent 2019 Fish Window Cleaning Annual Convention, the top franchisees were recognized for their commitment to growing the FISH brand and providing top-quality service. The awards recognize franchisees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in the last year.
John and Laurie Reinagel from New Orleans were named Franchisees of the Year. The Reinagels have demonstrated outstanding work ethic and have proven themselves to be ideal franchisees; as a result, they were this year’s big winners. This year’s Top Producers Award award winners were Paul Pierce of Boston, Massachusetts, Kevin Brown and Nick Brown from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Randy Cross of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rising Star Award winners were Trent Peneston from Porter, Texas, Tom Sandler of Corona, California, Edward Schafer from Matawan, New Jersey, and Bill and Josie Soots, hailing from Indianapolis, Indiana.
“Once again, our annual convention was a huge success,” says Mike Merrick, CEO of Fish Window Cleaning. “We always have a great time at our conferences. It’s great to see our franchisees from all over the country come together to learn, grow and connect. They work hard day-in and day-out to grow our brand and serve our customers. We feel their efforts deserve to be recognized.” Fish Window Cleaning is the world’s largest window cleaning company with over 275 franchise territories across 45 states. For more information on Fish Window Cleaning franchise opportunities, visit www.fwcfranchise.com
HomeVestors Purchases 100,000th House valuable HomeVestors® and We Buy Ugly Houses® national brands, and then supported with qualified leads. Priding themselves on improving neighborhoods one house at a time, HomeVestors franchisees live and buy on Main Street. Houses purchased are generally rehabbed, then sold or held as investment properties, helping raise real estate values and helping to drive community revitalization.
HomeVestors has purchased its 100,000th house, a landmark that further underscores the company’s position as America’s number one home buyer. As the largest professional house-buying franchise in the country with more than 1,100 independently owned and operated HomeVestors® franchises, the original “We Buy Ugly Houses®” company confirms that each of the 100,000 houses purchased since 1996 was done with a firm
cash offer and fast closing. The company has continued expanding using an approach that has yielded yearafter-year, even as thousands of other investors have entered and exited the market. Growing from only 177 franchises in 2009, HomeVestors welcomed its 1,000th franchise less than 10 years later. Franchisees are trained and supported by the company, mentored by seasoned Development Agents, backed by the
“We see as many as half of other investors’ and iBuyers’ offers falling through, which isn’t surprising given how many investors we’ve seen come and go in the last two decades,” added David Hicks, CEO of HomeVestors. “Being able to now claim 100,000 houses purchased reinforces the reliability of our national brand, proven model, and contributions, not just to neighborhood improvement, but also to maintaining an affordable housing supply in communities across the country.” www.homevestorsfranchise.com
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Assisted Living Locators Ranked One of Nation’s Fastestgrowing Private Companies
Senior Leadership Team (left to right: Assisted Living Locators COO Russell Morgan; CFO and Chief Strategy Officer Mark Alivero; and Founder/CEO Angela Olea)
Arizona company Assisted Living Locators, a nationwide senior care placement franchisor, was recently ranked No. 1817 with three-year revenue growth of 224% on the annual Inc. 5000 list, the ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino’s Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other wellknown names gained their first national exposure as honorees on the Inc. 5000. “Being included in this prestigious list of companies is an honor and testament to our growth and leadership in the senior placement industry,” said Angela Olea, Assisted Living Locators RN CEO. “We credit this success to the strength of our brand and our franchisees who help thousands of seniors and their families day in and day out.” As the first senior placement and referral franchise business in the U.S., Assisted Living Locators has pioneered its way to a national presence with 115 franchisees in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Assisted Living Locators offers a no cost, nationwide senior care placement and referral service for in-home companion care, independent retirement options, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing facilities. To learn more, visit www.assistedlivinglocators.com.
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Leon Williams Contractors Begins Work on New Cumberland Avenue Wings Over Knoxville
Maryville construction firm announces buildout of the first Tennessee location of the popular chicken wing restaurant Maryville-based commercial construction firm Leon Williams Contractors is building out a storefront near the University of Tennessee campus for the first Tennessee location of the popular fast casual Wings Over brand of restaurants. Wings Over Knoxville, located at 1834 Cumberland Avenue, is expected to open in late August. The new restaurant will be part of a mixed-use building developed after the city of Knoxville’s two-year, $25 million upgrade of Cumberland Avenue was completed in 2017. Wings Over specializes in fresh wings, boneless tenders, ribs, sandwiches, wraps, fries, and sides. They offer 25 different sauce flavors, including five styles of buffalo sauce and six dry rubs. Founded in 1999, Wings Over set out to serve the best chicken wings. Since then, Wings Over has grown to over 40 locations across 15 states throughout the South, Northeast, and Midwest. The fast-growing company plans to expand nationwide within the next decade. Wings Over takes pride in incorporating local elements in the design of each store. For more information about the Wings Over brand and Wings Over Knoxville, visit www.wingsover.com. For more information about Leon Williams Contractors, visit www.lwcontractorstn.com
Opportunity to Go: Serves Up Insights To Help Restaurants Capitalize In Delivery Economy People ages 36-51 are ordering restaurant delivery more frequently than other age groups, a new survey from Steritech, the leading provider of food safety and operational excellence assessment services in North America, has found. That statistic, and others like it, can be found in the company’s new OPPORTUNITY TO GO E-book, available today. To help restaurants refine their delivery experience, OPPORTUNITY TO GO includes exclusive insights from a survey of more than 1,000 diners about their delivery and carryout experiences, including more than two dozen graphs, statistics, and quotations on frequency of use, how orders are being placed, common delivery issues, unique consumer insights, and more. Other findings from the E-book, available along with others in a summary infographic, include:
• 57% of those who experienced an order problem called the
• More than 7 out of 10 survey takers used restaurant delivery services in the six months prior to the survey
In addition to the results from the survey, OPPORTUNITY TO
• 50.4% of delivery users are regular users, ordering delivery more than 4 times
leveraging the firm’s robust experience in more than 25 years
• The three most common problems experienced with delivery include: order accuracy, issues with packaging, and delivery driver issues
restaurant to get a resolution
GO includes Steritech’s takeaways and solution-oriented insights, providing assessments to the restaurant industry.
To download the full E-book, visit: https://deliverystudy. steritech.com
Screenmobile Launches Consumer Confidence Video Consumer Confidence Video Highlighting the Value Screens Bring to Homes and Families Screenmobile, “America’s Neighborhood Screen Store” announced the launch of its consumer confidence video. With an overall theme of family time and how screens can create a space for families to create memories together, this video exemplifies the value screens can bring to homes and families. The new consumer confidence video demonstrates the world-class support Screenmobile provides to its franchisees. The video aims to increase brand awareness, and franchisees are encouraged to leverage the consumer confidence video in their markets to reach new customers. The video came about after the corporate team selected the production company, Corporate Filming, who have done similar feel-good projects, to handle the creation of the video to resonate with customers. The consumer confidence video used an actual franchisee’s (Evan Grissom’s) home and included a cameo
from another franchisee, Jamie Mejia during the film. The video features a family gathering to celebrate grandma’s birthday, further establishing the importance of having proper screening to enjoy both indoor and outdoor living spaces. Overall, the video further establishes the home office’s dedication to creating strong marketing campaigns that will resonate with customers in each market. Founded in Glendora, California in 1980, Screenmobile has successfully become the nation’s leading mobile screen service franchise, with 120 licenses across more than 25 states. Screenmobile specializes in window, door and patio porch screens, as well as solar shading products. For information about franchising with Screenmobile, visit franchise.screenmobile.com
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Cover Story: Propert yGuys.com
New and Better Way to Buy and Sell Real Estate
Once upon a time, in a land called North America, there were real estate agents who earned large commissions from people who were buying and selling properties.
It was a highly profitable (and
monopolistic) era in which these agents
lived. They earned billions of dollars in commissions every year.
One day, armed with a vision of something better and the power of technology, PropertyGuys.com swooped in and
designed a modern alternative to the
traditional agent - one that streamlined the process and empowered buyers and sellers
to connect directly. To make real estate transactions more efficient they cut out the expensive middleman - creating a flat fee no-commission approach that typically saved the customer 10 times more than if they used an agent. If you think the idea of transforming the real estate industry sounds like a fairy tale, then you’re probably still using a travel agent to book your flights, hailing a taxi, or only staying in hotel rooms when you travel. Meanwhile, PropertyGuys.com is growing rapidly thanks to its national franchise operators and the enthusiasm of tens of thousands of early adopters who have become raving fans. “We believe the traditional real estate agent model has become obsolete and way too expensive for the average person,” says Ken LeBlanc, President and CEO of PropertyGuys.com. “We know how hard people work for their money. That’s why we are transforming every single piece of the puzzle – putting the needs of buyers and sellers above everything else. We do this because we know that when our customers win – we win too.”
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“We are moving the real estate industry forward and giving buyers and sellers the freedom to successfully sell their property at a fraction of the cost of using an agent.” Walter Melanson
Instead of charging commission like traditional agents do (often 5-7 % of the final sale price), PropertyGuys.com franchisees collect a flat fee for their services. That much lower fee is based strictly on the types of services that the seller selects, not the price of their home. If imagining a world where the majority of real estate transactions happen without a full-service agent seems implausible to you, consider this… Less than ten years ago, there were still people waiting in line at Blockbuster on Saturday night with DVDs and an over-sized bag of popcorn in hand. Today, those iconic yellow and blue signs are only a memory. They gave up their market dominance to Netflix, because they were unable to see the vast potential of a new way before it was too late. PropertyGuys.com is taking advantage of the opportunity that has been opened up by technology and favorable regulatory real estate changes. This paradigm shift in real estate is simply a function of business model evolution. Much like how Apple reconfigured the music business by eliminating monolithic distribution channels that made record companies and artists rich, PropertyGuys.com has been quietly doing the same thing for real estate, making the customer (buyers and sellers) the hub as opposed to just another spoke in the wheel. “We’re on a mission to bring clarity to real estate through franchising and technology. We believe the transaction isn’t complicated when you break up each task and place it in the hands of the most capable professional,” said PropertyGuys. com Director of Partnerships, Walter Melanson. “PropertyGuys.com uses a team approach instead of the ‘jack of all trades’ traditional agent model. That means our
“We believe the traditional real estate agent model has become obsolete and way too expensive for the average person.” - Ken LeBlanc customers benefit from the best experts in the real estate field. From a franchisee perspective, that means we don’t have to be all things. We focus on our expertise and rely on a combination of people and technology for the rest.” In the new real estate model, online engagement and connectivity put the seller at the core and in control. In addition to connecting customers with its online private sale platform, PropertyGuys.com is thinking ahead to full platform integration, a move that may finally tilt the scales in favor of industry disruption. “When your product or service is built around the customer, you can’t lose,” says LeBlanc. PropertyGuys.com is currently looking for master franchisees throughout the USA with only a few single unit franchisees still available in Canada.
Join the Real Estate Revolution As one of the fastest-growing franchise systems in Canadian history, PropertyGuys.com is an exciting opportunity for investors south of the border looking to get involved at the forefront of the shift in the real estate industry. Their proven system and training programs ensure franchisees have all
the tools needed to operate a successful business. With a 20-year track record of growth and success, the company has established its staying power in the real estate industry, yet there is still work to be done to bring the brand across North America. The timing could not be better for new entrepreneurs to get involved with the brand as Master Franchisees or individual franchise owners from coast-to-coast in the US. If you believe that the real estate industry can be transformed through lower fees (no commission), specialized service and innovative technology, this opportunity is for you. Owners don’t need a real estate license, but they do need to believe in the power of innovation and the huge upside obtained by helping disrupt real estate forever. “We are moving the real estate industry forward and giving buyers and sellers the freedom to successfully sell their property at a fraction of the cost of using an agent,” explained Melanson. “Just like our fellow disruptors who have changed the way we watch TV, get around town, and book vacations - it’s not only what people want, it’s also what they deserve.” info.propertyguys.com/usa
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Home Services Feature Running a household is more work than it appears to be. A house cannot function without the help of outside services to keep it in its best condition.
Homeowners depend on the goods and services of others for the upkeep of their home - as time goes on, all portions of a home will need attention, repair and upgrades. In 2018, there were over 120 million homeowners in the States – that’s a lot of customers who need attention. Plus buildings and rentals also depend on outside services to keep them in the best condition.
It’s impossible to be trained in every skill and rather than selling their homes, more Americans are upgrading and creating a beautiful space for themselves with the help of experts. Whether it’s everyday upkeep, or emergency requests, there are a variety of franchises to choose from when it comes to home services.
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 a total of $46 billion annually, while residential services are expected to reach over 75 million by 2022. A lot of residential cleaning services are
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“Whether it’s everyday upkeep, or emergency requests, there are a variety of franchises to choose from when it comes to home services.” 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.
“A lot of residential cleaning services are mobile franchises, with smaller start up fees and investments, as well as a better work life balance.”
Speciality Cleaning 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. However, clients can be fickle and chasing customers for particular services could be risky. On the other hand some cleaning services are necessary and always in demand: chimney cleaning for example is a necessity to its function, while high window cleaning needs particular tools that are not carried by most homeowners. 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.
Repairs and Maintenance 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.
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“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.”
“Most homeowners and builders will tend to call a plumber for installation as well as emergency services to avoid making the situation worse by performing it themselves.”
Plumbing
Appliance Repair
Though this type of business would be dependent on incident, most people need assistance with emergency plumbing. Plumbing also includes installation the renovation and building of laundry facilities, as well as bathrooms and kitchens is dependent on knowledgeable plumpers to ensure that the job is done correctly and will not create any leaks or damages the future.
Houses come loaded with a lot of expensive appliances from stoves to washing machines, air conditioners and furnaces. Though most homeowners hope their purchases are long term investments, eventually they need maintenance to function properly as they age.
Most homeowners and builders will tend to call a plumber for installation as well as emergency services to avoid making the situation worse by performing it themselves. A plumbing franchise would be in direct competition with small business, as well as freelance workers. A franchise would have the reputation, guarantee, branding and marketing as leverage but a comparison of prices within your territory before investment would be helpful. Though some people may invest in the brand, others might choose a small business with cheaper prices. Have conversations with those in the area to get an understanding of customer loyalty and whether or not there is a strong competition.
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The consumer market has become a throw away industry; individuals are just tossing old appliances and opting to get new ones, rather than repair their current appliance. A smaller profit margin in comparison to other franchise, the appliance maintenance industry brought in $2.4 billion in 2017 and is grew an average of 2.8%.
House detailing 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 passion in such a franchise, while also
gaining a nice profit. While those with a background in carpentry and roofing could find a specific field that adheres to those talents. At the same time, some franchises offer a wide variety of house detailing and decorating services that allow customers to order all services in one shot. Depending on the service one would like to offer and the size of the business they 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:
FOOD FRANCHISING PART 1 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: After receiving an English Degree, followed by a Journalism Diploma, Gina Gill became a freelance journalist in 2008. She has worked as a reporter and in communications, focusing on social media. She currently works as a community information officer with Epilepsy Society, while pursuing her writing career at the same time.
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Expert Advice: Rick Bisio | Franchise Coach | FranChoice
Many Opportunities with Home Service Franchises Over the last decade, one of the biggest areas of growth in franchising has come in the number of home service franchises. These are businesses that bring their services directly to the customer and perform a unique Franchising USA
and valuable function that saves time and money for busy homeowners. There are a wide range of home service franchises that cater to a diverse set of needs for a homeowner. Some examples include maid services, lawn care, pool cleaning, pest control, air conditioning maintenance and garage door repair. Most homes will require regular maintenance in or around the house over the years and
this work is often too time consuming or requires specialized tools or training. It is a great market for home service franchises to capitalize on the demand for this work. With home service businesses, operators don’t need a retail storefront. Instead of spending $250,000 or $500,000 to secure a lease for a certain location, build it out and put the infrastructure into it, they can open the business either from their home or a small office. Initial expenses to start the business are much lower due to a lack of a brick-and-mortar location since these
“The technology platforms developed in recent years are quite extensive and give home service franchises a major strategic advantage in the marketplace.” owners are taking their services to the customer. While not having a storefront location and all the expenses that come with it is a nice financial benefit for many owners, it can also present some challenges. Businesses that have a store, which often includes a sign advertising the company in an area with potential customers, helps drive visitors into the location. That is not the case with home service franchises. Nobody is coming through the door and people do not know the company exists. For that reason, home service franchise owners need to be willing to proactively advertise their business and network in their community so that people know what the company can do for them. In order to grow the business, these owners will not need to add more locations. They will need to promote their services, hire employees and attract customers for their business to be successful. One of the most appealing aspects about home service franchises is their organic growth approach. By investing in marketing and hiring talented employees, franchise owners can scale their business upward. People can start out with a business with no customers on day one, but through continual reinvestment in things such as marketing, service vehicles, technology and retaining a good staff, they can grow the business to bring in millions of dollars per year. It sounds dramatic but I have seen it happen. Like most business owners, home service franchisees need to be well-organized and have good customer service skills. The goal is to attract customers and the right employees to the business and make sure they are satisfied with its services. However, I would say the top skill owners of home service companies need to possess is the ability to manage employees.
Finding good employees is important for any business, and even more so with home service franchises because the staff is often the ones going out and doing the work. For these franchise owners, it is crucial to be able to identify, motivate and retain productive employees. With a low-cost entry, large customer base and scalable business model, the number of home service franchises have grown exponentially over the last decade. Why have these concepts grown so quickly in recent years? I really believe a lot of it has to do with the evolution of technology. If you go back 20 years, there really wasn’t a lot of technological advantages a home service franchise had versus the mom and pop businesses. Everyone had the same kind of bookkeeping systems, advertising and other business methods. Today, the technology advantages a home service franchise can deliver are rather substantial. It is much easier for customers to find service-based businesses through internet searches and SEO techniques. Another powerful tool that has been created over the last two decades is a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. It is an expensive endeavor to build a comprehensive CRM system. Once it is in place, however, it allows business owners to manage scale in a very effective way. All home service franchises provide comprehensive CRM systems to help people run their business. The systems include portals for scheduling, routing technology and automatic billing for the customer. CRM systems are a tremendous resource for home service franchises in many ways. With a click of a button, owners can find out the exact location of their company vehicles. They can also run P&L’s based on service teams or service routes and can examine their profitability based on a variety of factors. With this technology,
Rick Bisio
franchise owners can also compare their sales, retention rates and efficiency versus others in the system to evaluate their relative performance. The technology platforms developed in recent years are quite extensive and give home service franchises a major strategic advantage in the marketplace. That is something that didn’t exist in the past and that is one reason we are seeing such and explosion of growth in this area. To that end, there are many franchisors currently building platforms that allow for them to run multiple home service franchises under one umbrella. I expect to see this trend continue. For those people who have a significant amount of money, opening a storefront business might be the right way to go. But if the individual is short on capital and willing to put a lot of sweat equity into the business, then a home service franchise could be a very attractive option. Rick Bisio is a leading franchise coach with FranChoice, the creator of the FDD Exchange and the Franchise Glossary and the co-host of Rick Bisio’s Franchise Focus. Since becoming a franchise coach in 2002, Bisio has assisted thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide explore the dream of business ownership. www.afranchisecoach.com/the-coach
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Women In Franchising: Dina Dwyer-Owens | Brand Ambassador | Neighborly
It’s the Era of Women
Why the Franchising World is a Great Industry for Women “The franchise concept has a unique appeal to female entrepreneurs because it offers a sense of security and flexibility that’s commonly challenging to achieve in the corporate business world. ”
Dina Dwyer-Owens
It’s no secret that the franchising world has seen a significant increase of female franchise business owners. In fact, the International Franchising Association (IFA) recently reported that 30.6% of franchise businesses are now women-owned, which has increased more than 50% over the past five years. More and more, women are choosing franchising as a viable option for them. So what is it about franchising that has stirred female interest? And why are more and more women finding a home in the franchise business world today? For many people, owning a franchise provides unique advantages for business ownership.
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Additionally, many people are attracted to franchising due to the flexibility of being your own boss and the security of working with a proven business model. With women having general skill sets of organization, quick thinking, communication, and financial awareness, franchising tends to be a great fit. The era of women is here and it’s rising - here are some reasons why franchising is a great world for women.
trades, Neighborly established a Women in the Trades program, which provides scholarships to women every semester to fund their skilled trade school educations. To date, Neighborly has awarded scholarships to nearly 50 deserving women. Many companies today offer programs similar to this, offering women unique benefits to help increase leadership opportunities in their respective industries.
Franchises in industries that are less driven by women often give women a leg up to invest.
The opportunities are endless, and the knowledge provided is invaluable.
Historically, industries like beauty and wellness excel under female leadership, while others like service brands and food chains tend to be predominantly run by men. Because of this, many companies provide specific advantages for women to help break the company out of the maledominated mold. For example, let’s take a look at Neighborly, franchisor of home service brands focused on repairing, maintaining and enhancing consumers’ homes and properties. Recent research has shown that 4% of Neighborly brands’ frontline service professionals are women, which provides a huge opportunity for savvy female entrepreneurs to make their marks on the industry. In fact, in an effort to encourage women to pursue careers in the
From food service to home service and everything in between, the franchise world has a presence in every industry, making it widely appealing for all entrepreneurs. What’s more, the franchising business model has a proven track record of success. Not only will franchisors provide indepth, ready-to-use information on how to successfully run and maintain the business, but they’ll also offer extensive blueprints with training, setup, and support plans to give the franchisee a clear outline for success. Many female entrepreneurs report that one of the biggest benefits of joining a franchise is gaining access to an endless amount of opportunities and intimate knowledge to be able to do something they are passionate about, all while being successful in the meantime.
“Many female entrepreneurs report that one of the biggest benefits of joining a franchise is gaining access to an endless amount of opportunities and intimate knowledge to be able to do something they are passionate about, all while being successful in the meantime.”
It’s an opportunity to be a part of an established and well-known brand. To piggyback off the point above, because franchisors have such an established and well-developed model, female entrepreneurs will be buying into a business that has already produced success with consumers who respect the brand - making their chances for success even greater. For example, Molly Maid, a Neighborly company and the nation’s leading residential cleaning franchise, continues to see growth in success under the Neighborly company umbrella. The 35-year-old brand has an estimated 60% of its franchises owned by females.
The franchising world is a powerful network. One of the many traits that women entrepreneurs share is their willingness and readiness to collaborate with others. Numerous women-specific networking programs, such as the Women’s Franchise Network (WFN), are designed to strengthen the success of women in the franchise industry by fostering connections and relationships with women in franchising in markets across North America. Other organizations, like the Association of Women Business Centers, even offer established workshops, seminars, mentoring programs, and funding opportunities for women interested in operating a franchise.
Security and overall flexibility boost when owning a franchise. The franchise concept has a unique appeal to female entrepreneurs because it offers a sense of security and flexibility that’s commonly challenging to achieve in the corporate business world. To add, female business owners tend
to look at their goals from various angles and perspectives instead of being completely driven by their financial status. Because of this, it often results in them seeking businesses that accommodate their lifestyle. Franchising allows the opportunity to pursue other priorities while running and maintaining a business, whether it’s raising a family, traveling the world, or performing as an athlete.
Boss.” Dina is a certified franchise
Dina Dwyer-Owens is the Brand Ambassador of Neighborly (formerly Dwyer Group). America also knows her for participating in CBS’s Emmywinning hit reality show “Undercover
with a proven code of values. Books are
executive with more than 35 years of industry experience, including 15 years as CEO of Dwyer Group, known now as Neighborly, the world’s largest franchisor of home service brands. Dina is the author of two books: Live R.I.C.H. and Values, Inc. that both share her global message for living and leading available for purchase at Values-INC. com. www.neighborlybrands.com
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Expert Advice: Lenny Verkhoglaz | Founder and CEO | Executive Care
Home HealthCar A Look at the
Mila and I both knew that home care was steadily increasing, but we didn’t understand just how influential the industry would become. Statistics show that nowadays, three percent of seniors reside in a nursing home. That means 97 percent opt to stay at home, surrounded by their cherished memories and treasured items.
Lenny Verkhoglaz
When Executive Care launched in April of 2004, we had no idea just how big the industry would grow to be. My wife, Mila, and I first recognized the need for in-home care when we cared for an elderly neighbor in 2004 while her daughter was out of town. Working in the insurance and healthcare industries,
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As the industry has continued to grow, the space for franchising has opened up. A viable opportunity outside of the glamour of food and fitness concepts, here is all you need to know about home healthcare franchising.
A Rich Opportunity We are in what experts call a ‘silver tsunami,’ which refers to the steadily aging population. Today, there are thousands of individuals turning 65 years of age and requiring more medical attention than normal. Nearly 70 percent of Americans aged 65 or over are unable to care for themselves. As shown, many individuals prefer to stay at home than enter into an assistance residence, and in-home care provides a logical solution for many families. On average, elderly adults aged
60 or older live 280 or more miles from their nearest child. As shown, there is an ever-growing demand for home healthcare assistance. Home healthcare can come in many forms. Professionally trained caregivers, including doctors and nurses, can provide a greater scope of health care services for seniors in the comfort of their homes, while non-medical caregivers can provide personal care, companionship and mental stimulation when families are not nearby. As the population continues to increase, the home healthcare industry is expected to grow and has a bright future for operators. It is important to note that home healthcare does not just include elderly care and companionship. Often times, there are individuals living with disabilities or suffering short-term care that require assistance, as well. This provides even more demand for home healthcare services and provides a diversified client base for operators looking to expand their business offerings. Home healthcare is, and will continue to be a lucrative investment and rewarding venture.
re Franchising: Last 15 Years Collaboration When Executive Care was founded 15 years ago, there were few competitors in the space. Today, with lower barriers to entry, awareness of services and focus on the demand for home healthcare, we have seen an increase in home healthcare brands. More brands operating in the same space can provide a bit of competition, but we’ve noticed it is friendly competition among the home healthcare industry. Greater competition has led to further regulation of the industry, thus building credibility for the home healthcare industry. Through competition also comes collaboration, as we all seek to evolve within technology and find the best ways to serve our aging populations. There are also instances of home healthcare agencies banding together to increase knowledge bases, advocate for beneficial policies and fight for causes affecting our business. As shown, with the rise of competition in the space, we’ve learned the best way to combat the competition has been to embrace it - to find the collaborative points within the industry, all while finding points
of differentiation for your own brand. It requires us to be focused always.
Outside Industry Forces Have Effects As home healthcare has boomed, the more political and economic factors start to weigh on the industry. For example, the minimum wage debate and the growing crisis due to short staffs; an effect from immigration polices limiting the workforce pool. Home healthcare agencies work together to support policies that will allow us to better serve the community, while protesting those that will provide negative consequences. Neither positive nor negative, political debates do play a role in home healthcare business operations over time. Another important issue at debate in the country is healthcare costs. A growing point for the industry is the costeffectiveness for patients, families and the larger community. Home healthcare has become a great option for families. In-home care can run roughly $21,000 per year while semi-private nursing home rooming costs $86,000 annually.
Additionally, elderly Americans receiving in-home care generally need fewer trips to the doctor or hospital, resulting in reduced costs and healthcare spending. In fact, in 2008, the United States saved as much as $25 billion in hospital costs because of the rising private duty industry. As the healthcare debate continues, home healthcare has an opportunity to showcase its benefit financially and the impact on the economy as the ‘silver tsunami’ continues.
Conclusion The home healthcare industry has evolved over the past decade, yet it stands the test of time as a valuable, and important, franchise opportunity. While there are challenges and things to consider, the industry is primed to continue growing among the ‘silver tsunami’ with no signs of dying out. Lenny Verkhoglaz is the founder and CEO of Executive Care, based in New Jersey. Since launching the brand in 2004, Executive Care has 22 offices across 11 states. www.executivehomecare.com
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Expert Advice: Jeff Wall | CEO | Handyman Connection
The Benefits of Being a SingleUnit Owner
in the Home Service Industry align with a franchisor that is committed to all aspects of their business, which should include everything from the initial investment to the grand opening, and so on. As a leader among the service-based sector of franchising for the past decade, I’ve assisted many individuals in their franchising journey and have provided insight to lead them to their perfect match.
Jeff Wall
Franchising is a universal model that can be applied to a variety of industries to help scale a concept quickly and efficiently. Whether it’s foodservice, retail, fitness or service-based, the overarching purpose of franchising is to identify a need and fulfill a void, while simultaneously giving entrepreneurs a proven business model that will set them up for long-term financial success and personal satisfaction. In order for franchisees to build a successful business, it’s essential that they identify a franchise that aligns with their individual interests and business goals. In addition, it’s vital that they
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My experience in this industry has allowed me to identify several ways that individuals who are drawn to the homeservice industry can thrive as a single-unit operator. If you currently find yourself contemplating if you’d perform better as a single-unit operator versus a multi-unit operator, keep in mind the benefits and opportunities outlined below.
imperative to the growth of the brand to own multiple units that are spread out strategically in a target market. This is because it’s very uncommon for a customer to travel a long distance - while oftentimes passing competing brands - to reach your location as their final destination. In these instances, owning multiple units is almost required to meet the needs of a community.
1. Single-unit Businesses Can Be Profitable
A common question I receive from prospective franchisees is whether or not their single-unit can be profitable enough to earn them a quality living. I’ll often hear that some of the most successful franchisees in the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) or retail industries are multi-unit operators. An important thing to understand, is that the varying industries cannot be properly compared against one another. For QSR and retail operators, it can be extremely beneficial and even
On the contrary, a home-service concept allows franchise owners to operate throughout a territory and bring their services direct to the customer. The convenience of the services provided opens a new opportunity and differs from the brick-andmortar business approach. Once this definitive perspective is understood, the possibilities of flourishing in a market as a single-unit operator are limitless due to the ability to reach a large number of potential customers.
2. Build Quality Relationships With Your Target Audience
There is an unmatched opportunity for a home-service brand to create meaningful relationships with property owners, local residents in need of services, industry stand-outs and key players across the home improvement and renovations industries. Beyond a company’s promise to deliver a positive
“By keeping external costs low and concentrating efforts on building your business from within, maintaining consistent growth as a single-unit operator becomes very realistic.”
customer experience and outstanding service, building strong relationships within the community can often bring the business to the next level.
At Handyman Connection, we’ve recognized the need to hone-in on market penetration, and have executed a variety of tactics to ensure that each craftsman approaches a project with the highest level of quality and compassion. No matter the franchisor, each customer interaction can go a long way, and in turn, result in more business from neighbors or friends. As your company grows, so does your network. Having a single-unit territory allows a franchise owner to focus on hiring a team of passionate employees who can carry out the mission of their business. In addition, recruiting and retaining talent from neighboring communities is a unique way to scale growth within your existing territory. There is no limit to the quantity of services you can provide that will contribute to returning customers or referrals.
3. Low Overhead Costs
Operating a single-unit franchised location in the service industry allows you to lower the chances of accruing costs that could result in ghastly overhead expenses. With such low overhead, franchisees will have the opportunity to focus more of their time on widening their book of business, so employees have more jobs to complete. With very little physical space needed, your leadership team can better utilize their resources to help build upon internal processes, as opposed to spending too much time on tasks that won’t contribute to business growth. The home-service industry is unique and bringing our services to the customer allows for us to reach a greater number of people at a lower expense. By keeping external costs low and concentrating efforts on building your business from within, maintaining consistent growth as a single-unit operator becomes very realistic.
Overall, single-unit ownership in the home-
“Operating a single-unit franchised location in the service industry allows you to lower the chances of accruing costs that could result in ghastly overhead expenses.” service industry can be rewarding. If you possess a driven mindset for probability, create meaningful relationships with your customers and lower your overhead costs, then the growth possibilities are endless. Find that ideal market, align with a brand that matches your passion and personality and you’ll be on the path towards entrepreneurial success. Jeff Wall is the CEO of Handyman Connection. After graduating from the School of Business, Jeff joined College Pro full-time in 1992 as a General Manager and moved up through the organization to become President of the US West. In January of 2010, Jeff became the President of Handyman Connection. After spending 23 years working in the First Service Brands family, Jeff purchased Handyman Connection from First Service Brands in 2013. www.franchiseopportunity. handymanconnection.com
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Expert Advice: David Hicks | CEO | HomeVestors of America, Inc.
On Your Marks
Trademark, Marketing, and Reputation
Career success will hinge daily on you choosing to do something that you’re passionate about. Like the adage says, “Do what makes your soul happy.” The last thing you want after making the monumental decision to become a franchisee is to realize that you simply bought a job.
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But, passion alone does not a successful franchise make. That will also hinge daily on hard work and how much attention you are paying to your marks – your trademark, your marketing, and your reputation, or your business marks.
TradeMARK The brand you represent, the franchise trademark(s), should match the investment you’re willing to make. If you’re looking for a franchise, be sure to ask how well protected its brand is against infringers.
How well protected is it in terms of
representation by other franchises? For
example, our legal department spends quite a bit of time dealing with “We Buy Ugly
Houses®” imitators that don’t reflect our same business practices and standards. We are the only company that can say
“We Buy Ugly Houses”, which we use in our marketing campaigns to distinguish ourselves from the rest.
Your trademark also further strengthens your ability to do business. For our
“If you’re looking for a franchise, be sure to ask how well protected its brand is against infringers. How well protected is it in terms of representation by other franchises?”
franchisees, national brand recognition helps to support their capitalization. To build a business buying, renovating, and selling property, you’ve got to have money. From your first deal to your fiftieth, your ability to find funds fast so you can realize any returns at all is critical to succeeding as a potential real estate investor. The best option is to get a hard money loan secured by the property itself and most often provided by other investors or private lenders and companies. Our franchises find that with a trusted name like HomeVestors behind them, hard money lenders actually compete to finance their deals.
MARKeting To be in a position to be closing deals, you also need to market your brand. For real estate investors, there are a few options. You can attend auctions, but the homes usually need a lot of work. You can typically get them pretty cheaply and build sweat equity to gain a solid market advantage when you sell. But—and it’s a big one—there’s a lot of unknowns when you bid to win at an auction house. You can also advertise online, which is an easy way to find motivated sellers in your targeted areas using pop-up or payper-click ads via Google or other major websites. Social media platforms can also provide leverage in attracting attention to your business. However, you may spend a lot of time just weeding out the useless leads. Some investors still pound the pavement, knocking on doors to connect with homeowners, and find they need to try many just to find a single homeowner who’s even willing to talk. And then,
there are lead lists that compile the names of homeowners who may be in financial trouble and, as a result, may be interested in selling their homes, which are often outdated and in need of repairs. The difficulty with marketing is exactly why your trademark should be a strength. If you have a strong national franchise brand, you gain the benefit of being able to couple that brand recognition with the efficiency of coordinated media buys. The right marketing will generate qualified leads, so you’re not having to cold call.
Reputational MARKS And that brings me to the final mark that makes a difference, and that is the customer service marks your customers give you. Would they work with you again? Are they leaving the experience with a positive impression of your brand? Brand recognition can have lasting positive and negative impacts – be sure you align yourself with one that is going to make people think of trust, integrity and fair treatment. Never before has the connection between how a customer feels about a brand been so easily and broadly shared. One second your cashier is videoed being rude to a customer, and the next second it’s racked up thousands of views with your sign in the background. Even with the best trademark protection and most sophisticated marketing, a search for your business that returns negative reviews will highly risk that precious lead. The truth is, customers and employees are happier in a business environment where kindness and fair treatment thrive, and that can be as valuable to your brand
David Hicks
as anything. If you’re already doing something you’re passionate about in the first place, creating that environment should come easily through operating your business with best practices in the business. David Hicks is CEO of Dallas-based HomeVestors of America, Inc., the largest professional house buying franchise in the U.S. with more than 100,000 houses bought since 1996. Upon joining HomeVestors in 2005 as director of franchise systems, Hicks quickly developed a process for coaching franchisees, and subsequently coordinated franchisee support for the company as VP of operations. In January 2009, he became co-president, and has since helped lead record-setting growth from 165 franchises at the time to more than 1,100 franchises today. www.homevestors.com
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ex per t advice
David Banfield, President, The Interface Financial Group
Five Things Every Franchisee Must Know About Cash Flow You have seen the headlines “How I built my six-figure business in five easy steps”. This article is not going to take you down that road because that statement is usually just a myth. What is a six-figure business? Often people assume that it means a six-figure profit number – whereas, of course, in most cases it means a six-figure sales or topline number which may or may not have any positive bearing on the bottom line. The old adage still rings true that ‘sales is for vanity; profit is for sanity, but cash is king!’
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If you’re new to business, or contemplating taking a leap into self-employment and entrepreneurship, the commercial secrets of a get-rich-quick entrepreneur are far less important than the financial advice that can be accessed by talking to trusted colleagues, accountants, advisors and the owners of established successful businesses. Every business owner and franchisee should be fully acquainted with all the elements of their potential cash flow and have a good strong contingency plan should any of those elements fail.
1
Cash is King!
Good cash flow stems from proper budgeting and understanding that cash is the lifeblood of your business. It oils the cogs, if you like. If one area of
your business requires more cash than anticipated, then you probably need to pull that cash from another area – it’s all about active cash management. Having cash flow held up because of unpaid invoices or siphoning capital out of the business before it can do its job will soon result in everything grinding to a halt. Becoming a franchisee often alleviates some of these issues as quite often a franchise will come with a ‘tailor-made’ cash flow template and much of the planning will have been done by the franchisor.
2
Timely paperwork sets a standard
It’s natural to reflect the behaviour of those around you. Just as employees learn from their leaders, customers share the behaviour of their suppliers. If you neglect to send out invoices to your customers,
David Banfield
then your customers will be negligent in their payment attitudes. It’s essential that you invoice in a timely and regular fashion because not only will your customers come to appreciate the invoice, but they will respect the clear boundaries that you are setting and, needless to say, replicate that behaviour by paying you in a timely manner.
3
Be diligent with collections
We have yet to find any business owner or franchisee that really likes collecting money, however, it is an essential part of your day-to-day credit control, and if you do not have an appropriate collections policy that you diligently follow you are heading towards a cash flow headache. Cash flow is so vital that without a proper policy to ensure its success you’re often risking the livelihood and future success of the business.
4
Always remember whose money it is
You are the business owner, so it is your money. An unpaid invoice, for example, is money that is due to you for goods or services that you have sold and delivered and, as such, it is your money and you have a right to it. You should not in any way be intimidated or uncomfortable in asking for that money – it is your money.
“Every business owner and franchisee should be fully acquainted with all the elements of their potential cash flow and have a good strong contingency plan should any of those elements fail.” Many business owners and franchise owners struggle with this when they begin their operations. It’s often easier to ask for money for someone else than it is for yourself and your business. In this area another adage comes to light, and that is that ‘practice makes perfect’. The more that you do this - the more that you perfect the system - the easier it becomes, and a poor cash flow can be turned into a vibrant situation with just the application of an appropriate and timely reminder call.
5
Always have a backup plan
Starting a business or franchise requires a plan – nobody sets off on a journey without an appropriate roadmap and an understanding of where they are going and how they are going to get there. Starting a business, even if it is a franchise, is no different from that trip. You need to know where you’re going and how you will get there, and sometimes there will be a wrong turn in the journey. In a business, that wrong turn can often translate into a cash flow problem which, if unattended, turns into a cash flow nightmare and
maybe even worse. It is essential to start with a plan, and to always have a ‘plan B’. This alternative plan and approach should be well-defined so that if the initial program does not work out, you can immediately implement ‘plan B’ to keep things moving and to avoid any untimely cash flow issues. Business ownership and entrepreneurship need not be just a dream – with proper planning they can easily become reality, and with that reality goes the understanding that cash is king and cash flow is your business lifeline. David Banfield is the President of The Interface Financial Group, a position that he has held for over 20 years. He has been instrumental in starting Interface as a franchise opportunity and building it to its current international status. Prior to his involvement with Interface, he worked extensively in the banking, credit and factoring financial service areas. www.interfacefinancial.com/franchise
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Veterans in Franchising september 2019
www.franchisingusamagazine.com
lenny siers
how lessons learned in the military opened doors for this veteran’s future
the problem and solution to recruiting entrepreneurial franchisees Franchising USA
Leadership. Teamwork. Executing SOPs. Connecting veterans with education, resources and opportunities at vetfran.org
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V e t e r a n s i n F r a n c h i s i n g S u ppl e m e n t SE P T EM B ER 2 0 1 9 Our Veterans in Franchising special supplement has become a regular feature of Franchising USA. To share your story in the next issue, please contact Vikki Bradbury, Publisher Phone: 778 426 2446 Email: vikki@cgbpublishing.com
Contents On the Cover
Veteran Expert Advice
46 Lenny Siers: How Lessons Learned in the Military Opened Doors For This Veteran’s Future
56 The Problem and Solution to Recruiting Entrepreneurial Franchisees Dr. Miles Zachary, Assistant Professor of Management, Auburn University
48 The Problem and Solution to Recruiting Entrepreneurial Franchisees
Veterans Profile 46 Lenny Siers: How Lessons Learned in the Military Opened Doors For This Veteran’s Future
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Ve t er ans in Fr anchising
profile: Authority Brands
“I’m forever proud to be a veteran and forever thankful for the lessons I learned that opened so many doors for my future.”
How Lessons Learned in the Military Opened Doors for This Veteran’s Future As I reflect on my time in the military, I’m overcome with a sense of pride. Making the ultimate commitment to serve in the armed forces was no small decision, but one that has had an incredible impact on my life. Franchising USA
As veterans, we recognize the importance of our responsibilities and have carried the weight of our duty with honor, which has united and cultivated a special bond between us that others might not understand. The military taught us the true meaning of integrity and persistence, traits that have aided in my personal growth and shaped my future in countless ways. I joined the U.S. Air Force in 1987, working with the avionics team to enhance the electronic systems on the military’s aircrafts. After seven years, I transitioned into the HVAC sector and worked in that
field for the remainder of my term. It was during this time that I realized I had a strong passion for the profession and started my own contracting company. Trading in my title of Technical Sergeant for small business owner was a nervewracking change, but I was thrilled to have the opportunity to utilize the skills I learned in the military to better the future for myself and more importantly, my family. However, as time passed, I was struggling to make that business a success. As an individual contactor, finding ways to recruit and retain top talent
“The military taught us the true meaning of integrity and persistence, traits that have aided in my personal growth and shaped my future in countless ways.”
while improving customer relations and strengthening service methods was a major challenge. Not ready to give up, I decided to look into franchising and was introduced to One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. I opened my first location with the brand in 2005 and was instantly impressed with the franchise model, so much so that I grew my business portfolio by franchising with One Hour’s sister companies, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Mister Sparky. These franchises have proven solutions and resources that pave the way for franchisees to be successful and as I quickly learned, the companies are whole heartedly invested in my continued achievements. In addition to the endless support and guidance provided by the franchisor, the contractors across all of the brands prioritize team growth. Regardless of how many years an owner has been a part of the system, the brands’ network of contractors are always willing to share advice and lessons learned, which has fueled my growth immensely. I am proud to be a multi-unit franchisee and part of the small business community in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as Niceville, Orlando and Pensacola, Florida. It’s a close network that’s reminiscent of my time in the Air Force and it’s been fulfilling to learn and grow with other entrepreneurs who are just as eager to make an impact in their community.
“Do your research, find a franchise that fits your passion and utilize the skills and expertise you learned during your time in the military to make that new business endeavor a success.” When it comes to recruiting talent for my businesses, I often come across employee candidates with military experience and usually find myself inclined to schedule an interview straightaway. The skills we acquired during our time in the military are perfectly suited for the structure and stability that franchises provide. Veterans excel in environments that promote teamwork and collaboration, as we are used to working with large teams to accomplish a common goal. That’s exactly the type of structure needed to succeed in franchising and the trade industries specifically, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution for homeowners. Each service call presents a problem unique to the individual in need of help, so veterans’ ability to quickly identify problems and brainstorm innovative solutions is a valued skill. I recommend franchising to any veteran that is looking for a new career path. Do your research, find a franchise that fits
your passion and utilize the skills and expertise you learned during your time in the military to make that new business endeavor a success. Being your own boss is an empowering and rewarding journey and growth is truly limitless. Across all of my businesses, I have more than 150 trucks and 165 employees and that’s due in part to the strength of the franchise model and the work ethic of my teams. If you asked me 15 years ago what life would look like post-military, I would have never dreamed it would look like this. I’m forever proud to be a veteran and forever thankful for the lessons I learned that opened so many doors for my future. Lenny Siers is a former Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and currently a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, Mister Sparky and One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Multi-Unit Franchisee. www.theauthoritybrands.com
“I recommend franchising to any veteran that is looking for a new career path.”
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expert advice: Miles Zachary | Assistant Professor of Management | Auburn University
The Problem and Solution to Recruiting Entrepreneurial Franchisees
Recruiting entrepreneurial franchisees seems intuitive, but comes with challenges that may undermine a franchise and hurt the bottom line It seems logical. A great way to recruit hardworking, dedicated franchisees is to appeal to their “inner entrepreneur.”
wisdom, recruiting more entrepreneurial franchisees may invite trouble. According to our research, franchises that attempt to brand their franchise opportunities to attract more entrepreneurial franchisees generally perform worse than those that do not.
That is, better potential franchisees will be attracted to franchises that explain the franchising opportunity using entrepreneurial language, like “be your own boss”, “opportunity to grow a business” and “gain your independence.” Indeed, many franchises use precisely these phrases in recruitment materials. After all, franchisees are entrepreneurs, right?
But why?
The frustrating answer to this question, like many in business, is ‘it depends’. Primarily, it depends on the person. Some franchisees possess traits we typically associate with entrepreneurs – i.e., they are innovative, proactive and willing to take risks. Other franchisees are more akin to managers – i.e., they are organized and willing to lead, but not necessarily looking to “shake things up.” But for franchises, is it better to recruit an entrepreneur or a manager? Somewhat surprisingly given the conventional
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Consider the franchising business model. The basic idea is to recruit individuals with industry experience and the financial resources to open a business offering the franchise’s products and services to customers. Franchisees benefit from a proven business strategy and established brand awareness and franchisors are able to rapidly expand their business with minimal capital investment. Win-win. The problem with recruiting entrepreneurial franchisees is they may not be satisfied with simply following the proven recipe laid out by the franchisor. Instead, they may decide to develop and offer new products and services, create unconventional advertisements and promotions, or stray away from routines outlined in the operations guide. While there are a few examples of rogue franchisees developing the next big thing, such as the Egg McMuffin or the Big Mac
Miles Zachary
at McDonald’s, many changes introduced by a franchisee are more likely to undermine the brand than elevate it. That’s because customers of franchises tend to favor consistency over novelty. For instance, while McDonald’s and Burger King are unlikely to win any awards for the quality of their food, customers gravitate toward them because it tastes good enough and is consistent with their expectations. So, when franchisees begin tinkering with franchise products and operations, they may change the predictability of its
offerings and hurt customer experience, which is likely to adversely affect the performance of both the franchisee and franchise overall. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Some potential franchisees may be capable of balancing their entrepreneurial tendencies with strict operational guidelines. But who? Given the critical importance of franchisee recruitment to franchise success, we investigated whether targeting entrepreneurial recruitment efforts toward certain groups is more or less beneficial. In a study recently published in the Journal of Business Venturing Insights, we used data on Franchise 500 franchises from 2008 to 2012 to examine the consequences of targeting military veterans with entrepreneurially oriented recruitment materials. We found that military veteran recruitment flips the influence of entrepreneurial language in franchise recruitment materials on franchise success from negative to positive. That is, franchises seem to benefit from entrepreneurial rhetoric in
franchise recruitment material, but only for those franchises that also target military veterans. We argue that this is because many military veterans possess a unique configuration of innate traits and learned skills that allow them to act entrepreneurially, but within predefined guidelines. For franchises, our results suggest that they should be careful what they wish for. It is folly to desire entrepreneurial franchisees, then be disappointed when their ambitious and innovative nature leads them to make changes that undermine the franchise system. Remember that the rhetoric used in recruitment materials will influence the types of individuals that apply for a franchise. Our findings also highlight the importance of fit in franchisee selection. Military veterans appear to be generally capable of operating autonomously, but with the confines of the franchise agreement. This is a particularly exciting finding given that so many veterans have a difficult time re-assimilating into civilian life. Indeed,
“Many military veterans possess a unique configuration of innate traits and learned skills that allow them to act entrepreneurially, but within predefined guidelines.� it may be that military veterans are ideal franchisees.
That said, there might be other types of individuals capable of reconciling the
entrepreneur and manager roles within
franchising. Franchisee recruiters should be cognizant of this issue and place
considerable emphasis on both recruitment and selection of franchisees accordingly. Dr. Zachary is an assistant professor of management at Auburn University. Also contributing to this article: Dr. Jeremy Short, the Michael F. Price Chair in Entrepreneurship and professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma, and Dr. Dave Ketchen, Harbert Eminent Scholar and professor of management at Auburn University. Any inquires can be submitted to mazachary@auburn.edu.
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®
Franchising USA
Assisted Living Locators Assisted Living Locators provides the vital function to seniors and their families of identifying their ideal alternative living solutions and other related services – all at no cost to them. Our proprietary evaluation system results in free residential referrals that enable our clients to make the best possible decisions for their loved ones. Our elder care advisors are trained to find solutions that meet our clients’ needs and to personally accompany them on guided tours of facilities that match their individual preferences. Ours is a truly turn-key program that puts our owners on the path to success through a proven executive business model with high profit margins, low overhead, minimum employees,
Business Finance Depot
repeat referrals, and residual income. Even more importantly, many of the industry’s most desired areas of the country remain available for new development. If you’re aware of the unsurpassed value of the assisted living market, if you’ve always dreamed about the freedom and independence that business ownership could bring you, and if you’ve been waiting for the perfect, local, affordable opportunity to carve out your piece of the industry, Assisted Living Locators may be just the match you’ve been seeking. For more information please contact Mary Ann Russo or Tom Ingle at: Phone: 800-267-7816 Email: franchise@assistedlivinglocators.com Website: http://www.assistedlivinglocators.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 comprehensive branded merchandise programs for franchise communities nationwide, resulting in greater brand exposure, cost-savings, streamlined operations and brand compliance.
Phone: 1-800-647-0766 Email: CaringTransitionsFranchising@gmail.com Website: https://caringtransitionsfranchise.com
We provide marketing collateral, signage, POP displays, printed materials, promotional products and apparel. Our services include graphic design, merchandising, sourcing, warehousing and fulfillment, kitting and proprietary technology with advanced management reports. All programs are scalable and can be customized to the unique needs of your community. Customer service is our forte.
With a customized online store as the organizing principle, our websites give users the ability to purchase their advertising and marketing tools in one easy to use program.
Contact: Dan Broudy CFE, Chief Executive Officer Phone:412-798-7120 Email: dan@claytonkendall.com Website: www.claytonkendall.com
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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. Each detailed, full colour A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo.
Choose a 12 or 6 month package or simply add the A-Z directory onto your Focus, Profile or Ad! To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products please contact Vikki Bradbury: advertising@cgbpublishing.com or 778-426-2446
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Everything Hemp Store (EHS Franchise LLC)
foods including hemp seeds and hemp seed oil, dietary and health supplements.
Everything Hemp Store is a consultative marketplace for naturally sourced health, beauty and nutritional products. Our product suite consists of a variety of industrial hemp-derived products such as hemp textiles, floral derivatives, lotions, pain creams, salves, hemp extract tinctures containing Canabidiol (CBD), nutritional
Everything Hemp Store is truly your One Stop Hemp Shop™ focused on delivering top quality products to our consumers with full trace-ability from farm to family.
Fastsigns®
• Franchise Research Institute #1 Rated Sign & Graphics Franchise 2014-2015
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 • Franchise Research Institute World Class Franchise 2011-2015 ®
FranFund, Inc. A top IFA supplier and recognized as a top franchise funding supplier by Entrepreneur, FranFund, Inc. designs smart all-inone funding plans that grow with your franchise business. Whether you are considering leaving your current job to start a new venture or if you are looking to expand your existing operation – we are here to help. Based on your specific financial picture, we will work with you to design a funding plan that will set your business up for long-term success. We provide a free funding consultation and make sure you understand all of our program and service costs before you commit to anything. Our most popular funding programs are SBA loans and 401(k) business financing, which allows you to use qualified retirement savings tax-free and penalty-free. We also offer
Fresh Coat The average Fresh Coat on average earns 41.22% gross profit and $507,883.18 in revenue!* (*See Item 19 of our April 1, 2018 Franchise Disclosure Document for details. Based on data reported by franchisees that were open and operating full-time for at least 1 year for the period ending December 31, 2017 and that reported Gross Revenues and income statements. A new franchise owner’s results may differ. Our owners continually testify about the amazing amount of help they receive from our company. From coaching and onboarding, to marketing and operational support, we guide you every step of the way. Marketing Support & Operation Support – At Fresh Coat, our franchisees are constantly surrounded by support from both
Funtopia Funtopia business philosophy capitalizes on a growing trend towards healthier, active lifestyles. More than just a place for kids to play, Funtopia is an adventure park where family and friends come to entertain and challenge themselves. Our mix of sports and fun, coupled with an amazing brand experience, has enabled our locations to enjoy the benefits of customer loyalty. The concept was created out of desire to provide a new type of entertainment that would be an alternative to today’s prevalence of physically-
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Contact: Gary Norris Phone: 888-334-4367 Ext. 21 9 Email: EHSFranchise@gmail.com Web: www.EverythingHempStore.com
• 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
conventional loans and other non-traditional solutions including unsecured loans, securities-backed loans, equipment leasing, and refinancing programs. By utilizing our franchise-specific pre-approval tool and cultivating an extensive network of lenders who are comfortable with the franchise model, FranFund’s loan approval rate is 99%. We believe delivering an exceptional customer experience is just as important as providing high-quality products and services and are proud of our high level of customer satisfaction. Contact: Tim Seiber, CFE Phone: 817-730-4500 Email: info@franfund.com Website: www.franfund.com
our Marketing Department and our Operations Team. We have national and local marketing initiatives and resources to drive customers to your place of business, and experts to guide and coach you for as long as you own your Fresh Coat franchise. Fresh Coat is committed to leading the painting industry by driving platinum level customer service delivered by a team of professionals and painting experts. To do this, our franchisees only hire the most skilled and experienced painters, allowing their franchise businesses to offer 6 unique services. Your painters provide positive experiences from the initial quote to final touch-ups. Phone: (513) 605-4877 Email: freshcoatpaintersfranchise@gmail.com Website: www.freshcoatfranchise.com
passive screen display entertainment. Believing that being active, both mentally and physically is the essence of healthy lifestyle, we decided to make it as fun as possible. Our culture, our customers, and the Funtopia brand experience is the “icing on the cake” to a solid business model that allows you to grow your income and reach long-term wealth goals. Contact: Yasen Nikolov Phone: 1.833.386.8674 Email: yassen@adventurefacilities.com Website: funtopiaworld.com/franchise
International Franchise Professionals Group
IFPG to power their business. All of these individuals understand the value of being associated with IFPG.
The International Franchise Professionals Group (also known as IFPG) is a membership based organization that has over 700 members. Our members consist of Franchisors, Franchisor Brokers, Lenders, and other Franchise Professionals that help potential candidates in the process of buying a franchise.
The IFPG is a strictly membership based organization that does not participate in any referral fees from our franchisor members or our brokers, thereby allowing all of our members to work freely together. Our long-term success is predicated on retaining our members and providing all the tools needed to help you sell more franchises, and close more deals.
Hundreds of nationally recognized franchise companies have chosen the IFPG and its members to represent their brand; hundreds of experienced franchise consultants and brokers have chosen the
If you’re a franchisor, franchisor broker, or another profession that serves the franchising industry call us today at (888) 977-IFPG to learn about membership opportunities.
Little Caesars
nationwide. The company also offers opportunities in non-traditional franchise venues, including convenience stores, college campuses and military bases. Little Caesars works closely with franchisees to develop locations with customized architectural and build-out plans.
As the largest carryout-only pizza chain in the world, Little Caesars is doing something right. Little Caesars is an international brand and household name. It’s come a long way since starting as a single store in metro Detroit in 1959. The Little Caesars brand and distinction of being named “Best Value in America”* for the last ten years is proof of its commitment to satisfying customers by providing one of America’s favorite meals at an affordable cost. Today, Little Caesars is looking for franchisees to bring HOT-N-READY® pizza to a wide range of communities
MONKEE’S FRANCHISING Monkee’s Franchising, LLC is a franchisor of upscale ladies’ boutiques specializing in shoes, clothing and accessories. Headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, Monkee’s was founded in 1995 and has become one of the most successful organizations of independently owned boutiques in the Southeast. Our boutiques can now be found in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky,
Moran Family of Brands Moran Family of Brands is one of the nation’s leading franchisors of general automotive repair, transmission repair and automotive accessory centers. Based in Midlothian, Illinois, Moran Family of Brands provides specialty products and services in virtually every aspect of the automotive aftermarket through four individual brands and a total of more than 120 franchise locations nationwide including:
Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services is one of the most respected full-service commercial cleaning franchise companies in the nation. Office Pride’s business was built on a strong set of core values that ensures business is conducted with integrity and that every customer receives the highest level of commercial cleaning and janitorial services. Our Values Make Us Different.® Office Pride was founded in 1992 by Todd Hopkins, who created the concept as an independent research project while working on his MBA at Butler University. He asked leaders of large cleaning companies what they would
*“Highest Rated Chain-Value for the Money” based on a nationwide survey of quick service restaurant consumers conducted by Sandelman & Associates, 2007-2015. Phone: 800-553-5776 Email: USdevelopment@LCEcorp.com Website: www.LittleCaesars.com
North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and we are excited as our growth continues nationally. Monkee’s is recognized throughout this region as a leader in providing the finest fashions from the world’s top designers. Contact: Troy Taylor Phone: 336-529-5200 Email: troy@shopmonkees.com Website: www.ownamonkees.com
Mr. Transmission, “The Professionals”; Alta Mere “The Automotive Outfitters”; Milex Complete Auto Care centers and SmartView Window Solutions. For more information on Moran Family of Brands visit www.moranfamilyofbrands.com. Contact: Ben Reist Phone: 800-377-9247 Fax: 708-389-9882 Email: breist@moranindustries.com Website: www.moranfamilyofbrands.com
do differently, and he repeatedly heard how they would deliver “total customer satisfaction.” Using his research, HopkinsRichHelm@OfficePride.com started Office Pride, an industry leader whose spotless reputation earns rave reviews from franchisees, clients and competitors. Today, Office Pride has 137 franchises around the nation and is listed in Franchise Business Review’s Hall of Fame for its exceptional franchisee satisfaction ratings and is ranked among Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. Office Pride provides a wide range of commercial cleaning services, including carpet cleaning, floor stripping and waxing, to offices and commercial facilities. Contact: Rich Helm, Director of Franchise Development Phone: 727.754.5990 Website: www.OfficePride.com; OfficePrideFranchise.com
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OELO LIGHTING SOLUTIONS
P
pet wants Pet Wants creates fresh and all-natural pet food and delivers it to our customers on a monthly, subscription basis...that ensures the food is fresh for the pets and that you generate consistent and ongoing revenue streams. As a franchise owner, you will need to share this love of pets and their well-being. But no experience is needed. No matter if you start in your home, a small office or store, we teach you everything you need to know about operating and growing a successful pet food business.
franchising usa A-Z Listings are a great way to promote your business, giving you a presence within our publication and also the Franchising USA website.
In return, you will be rewarded with the great benefits of being a business owner. Bottom line, this is a fulfilling, financially rewarding and enjoyable “people and pets” business. Contact: Beth Boecker Phone: 513-331-3647 Email: bbboecker@strategicfranchising.com Website: www.petwantsfranchise.com
Excellent for branding and recognition. 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.
To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products please contact Vikki Bradbury: advertising@cgbpublishing.com or 778-426-2446
pool scouts
• Recurring revenue business
Backed by multi brand franchisor, Buzz Franchise Brands – winner of Inc. 500, Pool Scouts helps franchisees hit the ground running.
A Pool Scouts franchise is a business opportunity that can be run from virtually any home or office. We are talking to motivated people to operate Pool Scouts businesses across the United States. Individual territories or area development opportunities are available. Pool Scouts…Perfect Pools, Scouts Honor!
Pool Scouts is the franchise opportunity poised to make a splash in the industry. Here are some compelling attributes: • Fragmented market in a $3 Billion industry • Fast growing franchise opportunity • Low franchise fee and fast start up
PropertyGuys.com INC. PropertyGuys.com has created a marketing system that is transparent and includes a community of real estate professionals who are empowered through technology – providing the customer with a true endto-end experience. We have reconstructed how real estate is bought and sold. We’re NOT real estate agents or brokers, we’re something very different, something we believe is much better. We provide sellers with all the tools required to successfully and confidently sell their property on
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You just need a passion for pets, the drive for success and the ability to follow our proven operating system.
Phone: 1-844-407-2688 Email: franchising@poolscouts.com Website: poolscoutsfranchise.com
their own at a fixed rate, not a percentage of the value of the home. Ultimately, we help buyers and sellers avoid the high cost of commission by connecting directly. We have experience two decades of franchise success and along the way, have been honored with many awards and acclamations. Franchisees benefit from the knowledge and skill of our award-winning franchise system. Contact: Franchising Team Phone: 844-333-7017 Email: opportunities@propertyguys.com Website: www.propertyguys.com
Re-Bath In an industry of independent home remodeling contractors, Re-Bath stands out as a unified, trusted national brand. Re-Bath is known for providing expert, affordable and effortless bathroom remodeling solutions that transform homeowners’ bathrooms in days, not weeks. We offer a spirit of innovation and an alternative to cover-up or overpriced remodeling. We handle both the design and the installation – it’s a branded, one-stop customer experience that the industry sorely needs. We are the go-to resource for bathroom remodeling in the markets our franchisees currently serve, and our national reputation strengthens as we continue to connect the dots across the country.
scooter’s coffee
Of course, it helps to have the trust of renowned companies like Home Depot. Re-Bath is the nation’s largest complete bathroom remodeling franchise with presence in more than 150 cities and 43 states. The ideal candidate for Re-Bath should have sales, marketing, and/or management experience and be extremely results oriented. Construction knowledge is not required. You must have a minimum of $100,000 in liquid capital, and be ready to make a full-time commitment. Contact: Samantha Wilson Phone: 866-721-7761 Email: swilson@sfdpros.com Website: www.rebathfranchise.com
Founded in 1998, Scooter’s Coffee roasts the finest coffee beans in the world at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. In two decades of business, Scooter’s Coffee’s success is simple: stay committed to the original business principles and company core values.
employees is: “Amazing People, Amazing Drinks... Amazingly Fast!”™ It reflects a commitment to providing an unforgettable experience to loyal and new customers. Scooter’s Coffee is quickly approaching 200 locations in 16 states and has 135 franchise commitments to build new stores. Franchise opportunities are available.
A partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to source shade-grown coffee to protect the rainforests reaffirms its commitment to contribute to a “chain of good”. The company’s Brand Promise, recited to franchisees, customers and
Phone: (402) 934-7284 Website: https://franchising.scooterscoffee.com Email: Kelly.crummer@scooterscoffee.com Contact: Kelly Crummer- Franchise Development Manager
The Growth Coach
and professional goals. With 28 million businesses in the United States, the demand for business coaching has grown to a tremendous $11 billion industry.
The Growth Coach is an industry-leading business coaching franchise, established in over 150 markets in the United States and abroad. Since our founding in 1992, our coaches have helped thousands of small business owners achieve their personal ®
The Interface Financial Group – IFG 50/50 The Interface Financial Group – IFG 50/50 is an affordable home-based franchise that provides short-term working capital to small and medium-sized businesses by purchasing current, quality invoices at a discount, thus accelerating the client’s cash flow and growth. All transactions are syndicated 50/50 with the franchisee and the franchisor, and that means less working capital required to fund transaction: IFG does the bulk of the due diligence and the ‘paperwork’ for the transactions, and IFG 50/50 franchisees will concentrate their efforts on building the referral relationships – they do the ‘people work’. Key advantages of being an IFG 50/50 franchisee include: • No staff to hire, fire, or manage
TopFire Media TopFire Media is an integrated digital marketing and public relations agency, specializing in the franchise industry. Our clients benefit from our years of experience in franchise SEO service, public relations, media relations, content writing and management, social media marketing, and web design. We work to bring all of these elements together to achieve a common goal – our clients’ success.
P: (877) 498-3626
R
W: https://growthcoachfranchise.com E: GrowthCoachFranchiseOpps@gmail.com
• No storefront to own, lease, or maintain • No Inventory or stock to purchase • No extensive travel because IFG franchisees do business locally • Business-to-Business, professional environment with regular business hours of operation • Flexibility to relocate for part of the year or permanently and continue doing business Our franchisees are excellent communicators, relationship builders with decision-making and problem-solving skills, and much more sales & marketing oriented. IFG has been in the ‘invoice discounting’ business since 1972, and employs its franchise network in the US, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, the UK, Ireland, Australia, Mexico and South Africa. www.interfacefinancial.com
Our integrated approach combines our public relations and franchise SEO service prowess and is designed to generate brand awareness, drive consumer engagement, and build credibility for your company. Phone: (708) 249-1090 Fax: (708) 957-2395 Website: www.topfiremedia.com Email: info@topfiremedia.com Contact: Matthew Jonas
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TruBlue Total House Care There are thousands of Senior Care companies taking care of the person, but NO ONE is taking care of their homes. Sadly, Seniors are forced to leave their beloved home and memories too soon because the home becomes too hard to maintain. Regrettably, they end up in nursing homes and retirement facilities. All of that has changed and created a business opportunity of a lifetime. TruBlue is the ONLY national provider that specializes in Total House Care for Seniors, so they can stay in their homes longer… “age in place” with confidence, comfort, safety and independence. We provide complete and on-going house care, both inside and outside the home: • Repairs • Cleaning
Tuffy Tire and Auto In 1970, the first Tuffy Muffler shop opened in Detroit, Michigan. To keep up with changing times, we’ve changed and evolved too, from just a Muffler shop to an auto service center. Our service line up currently includes brakes, shocks, struts, springs, alignment, front-end, oil change, mufflers, tires, air conditioning, batteries, starting and charging, flush and fill, and C.V. joints. We take care of all your auto repair needs.
• Special projects (such as wheelchair access, safety audits, and fall prevention, to name a few) • Home Watch TruBlue Total House Care services busy families, as well. They’re constantly running from school activity to sporting event most evenings and weekends. While they have disposable income, they have little free time or desire to handle the endless chores around the house. They gladly turn to TruBlue for complete and affordable house care, inside and out, where we act as their Total House Care Manager and provide them with a convenient and hassle-free lifestyle. Phone: 866-498-3218 Website: www.trubluefranchise.com
our franchisees have played a key role in the success of Tuffy. Tuffy, is looking for customer focused, ethical business owners. With over 45 years in business, franchisees are provided a value proposition that includes a state-of-the-art management, sales and Technical Training, comprehensive marketing and advertising programs, national vendor partnerships, national and local support, a powerful brand proposition, a strong business model and on-going research and development.
Helping our franchisees to operate successfully and meet the challenges of today’s marketplace is the top priority for the Tuffy® Tire & Auto Service Centers. We provide our franchisees with a proven operating system, and as a result,
Contact: Travis Mulligan Phone: 800-228-8339 Email: Travis@tuffy.com Website: Tuffyfranchising.com
Veterans Business Services
campaigns, news press releases, and online franchising e-magazine articles, VBS gets the message to qualified Veterans who are invested in starting a franchise.
Veterans Business Services provides the most advantageous franchise acquisition terms for Veterans and provides innovative entrepreneurial training for qualified Veterans seeking grants under the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Veterans Business Services (“VBS”) specializes in entrepreneurial opportunities for Veterans and has an extensive reach into the Veterans community and can generate significant interest from qualified Veterans who wish to start a franchise or small business. VBS offers multiple marketing methods that have proven effective with helping franchise organizations with their expansion plans. Utilizing custom email marketing
Window World Window World®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 200 locally owned offices nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors and other exterior products, with over 16 million windows sold to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® partner and its windows, vinyl siding and Therma-Tru doors have all earned the Good Housekeeping Seal.
VBS supports service disabled Veterans who are enrolled in the self-employment track within the Veterans Administration and provides outreach efforts to transitioning military through TAP and ACAP programs. As a graduate business of the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans (“EBV”), we also assist other graduates of EBV and provide coaching support through mentoring programs. VBS is where Veterans turn to make their franchise dreams a reality. Contact: James Mingey Phone: 202-349-0860 Email: info@veteransbusinessservices.us Website: www.veteransbusinessservices.us
Research Hospital®, which honored the foundation with its Organizational Support Award in 2017. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $9 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports the Veterans Airlift Command, a nonprofit organization that facilitates free air transportation to wounded veterans and their families. Window World has flown over 100 missions and surpassed $1 million in flights and in-kind donations since it began its partnership with the VAC in 2008. For more information, visit WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 NEXTWINDOW.
In 2018, it was ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Window and Patio Door Retailers” by J.D. Power. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares®, the Window World family provides funding for St. Jude Children’s
Contact: Zach Luffman, Director of Franchising Phone: (336) 667-2100 Email: franchising@windowworld.com Website: www.windowworldfranchise.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. Each detailed, full colour A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo.
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• Yard work
Choose a 12 or 6 month package or simply add the A-Z directory onto your Focus, Profile or Ad! To learn about the A-Z directory or any other products please contact Vikki Bradbury: advertising@cgbpublishing.com or 778-426-2446
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ALL ROADS LEAD TO
Sept. 13-14, 2019 • Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Meet face-to-face with 125 proven franchise opportunities and take the next step toward business ownership with one-on-one meetings and educational seminars presented by the foremost experts in franchising.
Visit FranchiseExpoChicago.com for more information. SPONSORED BY
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