A-Z Franchise & Services Directory

First started in 1963 by anthony Martino as a transmission repair shop, the company now has nearly 700 locations throughout north america and about 12 years ago expanded into total car care. aaMco franchisees benefit from joining a brand that has been in business for over 50 years. our iconic, Double a, Beep Beep, M-c-o mnemonic brings instant recognition and trust from the american consumer. in addition to automatic brand recognition, aaMco franchisees benefit from an Executive leadership team who established themselves by servicing the automotive aftermarket as franchisees. With this franchisee focus in mind, aaMco provides the brand, tools, guidance and education necessary for new franchisees. this includes financing support, real estate support and training through the entire opening process. http://www.aamcofranchises.com

Bloomin’ Blinds

Founded the morning of 9/11...our incorporation papers received their approval stamps within minutes of the towers being struck...Bloomin’ Blinds is a family company. Karen Mcguffin founded the company in Dallas and was joined by her three sons within a handful of years. together they created Bloomin’ Blinds over the next 16 years before the franchise was formed. now Karen is retired and the boys are still running the show. Bloomin’ Blinds has always been a “repair company that happens to sell a ton of blinds”. Early on we realized that retailers were primarily sales only and Bloomin’ Blinds had a significant differentiator in the addition of the repair concept. the business model has weathered the economic storms that followed 9/11 and the housing bubble pop in 2008. Bloomin’ Blinds is a technology based, fresh, new approach to an industry otherwise resisting modernization. For more information contact Kelsey stuart at: Ph: 1-214-995-1062 Email: kelsey.stuart@bloominblinds.com https://www.bloominblinds.com/

Business FinAnce dePot

Business Finance Depot specializes in packaging equipment leases and sBa Express Working capital loans for start-up and existing businesses. our main clients are franchisors seeking financing for their new franchisees and manufacturers seeking financing for their equipment purchases. 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. Website: www.businessfinancedepot.com Email: paul@businessfinancedepot.com Phone: (800) 788-3884 contact: Paul Bosley

cAring trAnsitions

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 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. Phone: 1-800-647-0766 Email: caringtransitionsFranchising@gmail.com Website: https://caringtransitionsfranchise.com

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. 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. 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. contact: Dan Broudy cFE, chief Executive officer Phone:412-798-7120 Email: dan@claytonkendall.com Website: www.claytonkendall.com

the owners of a family oriented business Dough & arrows aim to expand their business through nationwide franchising opportunities. Dough & arrows is well known for their famous Edible cookie Dough, gourmet ice cream, delicious homemade desserts, and family atmosphere. Based in hanover, Pa, Dough & arrows is currently looking for potential franchisees all across the United states. For potential franchisees who are family oriented and who wish to spread joy to the community while being at the forefront of a burgeoning food trend, Dough & arrows might just be the business family you are looking to join. Ph: 717-969-8481 E-mail: info@doughandarrows.com www.doughandarrows.com

FAstsigns®

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 20112015 • Franchise Research Institute #1 Rated Sign & Graphics

Franchise 2014-2015 • CFA Franchisees’ Choice Designation 2004-2015 • FASTSIGNS is one of only a handful of franchises approved for $21 million in sBa financing for approved franchise candidates Fastsigns has over 400 markets approved for development in the Us and canada and is also seeking Master or area Developer expansion in markets worldwide. For more information: Phone: 1-214-346-5679 Email: mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or visit our Website: www.fastsigns.com

Firstlight home cAre

Firstlight home care offers comprehensive, in-home, non-medical and personal care services to seniors, new mothers, disabled adults and others needing assistance. Firstlight’s team brings more than 170 years of collaborative experience in health care, franchising and senior services, creating Firstlight’s culture of care foundation. the last 10 years, we’ve received numerous awards, most recently including ranking among Entrepreneur top 500 Franchises, Forbes’ Best Franchises to Buy, & Franchise Business review’s top 200 Franchises for franchisee satisfaction. in the $80 billion home care, demand for our services already exceeds market supply in many areas. in 2015, the baby-boomers turning age 65 in the U.s. reached 10,000 per day! By 2025, it will grow to nearly 72 million. We’re looking for people who are passionate and strive to provide exceptional service. if you want to make a difference in people’s lives while building a powerful business, this is this franchise for you. Phone: 866-985-4031 Email: jdavis@firstlighthomecare.com Website: Firstlightfranchise.com

imAge one usA

image one Usa is a commercial cleaning services business. the image one franchising model was formed on the principles of transparency, training, and top-notch financial and customer service support. it is regularly recognized as a top franchise by third-party franchise and business publications, including cnBc.com, Entrepreneur. com and Franchise Business review. image one franchisees work for themselves in a unique relationship with the franchise company. image one provides them with customer support for their business, ongoing training, along with assistance with billing, equipment and sales training. image one provides necessary training, tools and support to help franchise affiliates build their business, including teaching franchisees the latest cleaning techniques and empowering them with insights on best-in-class equipment and technology. ongoing training is delivered both at image one’s corporate headquarters and onsite at existing client locations to ensure that franchisees continue to grow their own businesses. image one has commercial cleaning franchise locations covering chicago, cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, nashville and orlando. Franchise territories are available nationwide. For information on the franchise, visit http://imageoneUsa.com

Qc FrAnchise grouP (dBA Qc kinetix)

Qc Kinetix is a charlotte, north carolina-based franchise company leading the way in helping people maintain an active lifestyle using comprehensive regenerative medicine treatments to address musculoskeletal conditions and joint pain. Qc Kinetix is the place to go when you’ve been told invasive surgery is your best option, or after you’ve tried everything to eliminate the pain and immobility of your condition without success. We provide comprehensive regenerative medicine injection treatments, including stem cell therapy with BMac, regenerative cell therapy with amniotic membrane tissue, a2M therapy and PrP therapy. With such a wide array of regenerative medicine treatments available, we make sure to discuss all the therapeutic options with each of our patients. While not all patients may be candidates for all therapies, we will help guide you to make the most appropriate decisions for your particular condition. We treat everyone from weekend warriors and professional athletes to active aging patients who want to stay active. Qc Kinetix clinics are dedicated to maximizing the body’s ability to help heal and repair itself from the inside out for vastly improved function and overall quality of life. https://qcfranchise.com/

remedy spa & salon suites first opened its doors in atlanta, georgia in 2018. as an attempt to enter the highly profitable health and beauty industries, remedy spa & salon suites came equipped with 22 fully leased salon suites. to date, they have opened three locations through Metro-atlanta. amenities and perks to leasing include: 24/7 access, private upscale studios, spacious single/double suites, private parking, valet parking and premium fixtures, finishes and appliances. Franchisees will obtain access to the brand, tested and proven processes and support, purchasing power and distribution chains, cooperative marketing, new product research, development and roll-out, experienced training staff, and continuing training and education. Franchising opportunities are available to entrepreneurs and investors in all industries but will be particularly appealing to health and beauty enthusiasts. remedy spa & salon suites already has an established market presence and substantial market penetration in atlanta. From this successful platform, the company is looking to expand the brand in select key areas domestically. www.remedysalonsuites.com/franchise remedysalonsuites@gmail.com

the red chickz

We’ve Done the heavy lifting for You We know the restaurant business and have done our homework. From the homestyle kitchens of nashville to the red chickz restaurants that will be popping up everywhere, we’ve created something really special in an untapped, sizzling market. We make it simple. our team has worked our tails off to create a superior business model that is streamlined and simple to operate. We designed this with systems and growth in mind, so you can become the next proud owner of a the red chickz restaurant franchise with ease. an investment in a restaurant franchise like the red chickz is an excellent way to break into the foodservice business or expand your already existing restaurant portfolio. We seek qualified business owners who understand or appreciate the restaurant industry and are fired up about our brand. www.theredchickz.com

sheenco trAVel

sheenco travel began trading in 2012 under the name shamrock vacations. nowadays sheenco is the leading name in luxury travel to ireland and the UK and has just launched a brand new travel Franchise in the Usa. our focus on luxury helps us to stand out as we only use 4* and 5* properties and have a special focus on the wonderful castle accommodations available throughout ireland and the UK. But more than anything it’s the level of service we offer, from the first point of contact until after your reluctant arrival home. our friendly and close knit team go beyond your expectations with ease. Despite the difficulties of the global Pandemic, genevieve continued with the companies plans (albeit on a delayed timescale) to expand their operation in the Us and the sheenco travel Franchise was launched in June 2021. When asked about the timing of the expansion genevieve laughingly asks “having started a business in a recession when else would you expand but in a Pandemic?!” thanks to a solid team and great communication with guests and team members alike, sheenco travel have come out the other side of the Pandemic relatively unscathed and the future looks bright for this progressive and innovative company. opportunities@sheencotravel.com www.sheencotravelfranchise.com

slim chickens

slim chickens, a leading fast casual franchise which features dine-in and drive-through in the better-chicken segment, opened in 2003 in Fayetteville, arkansas. offering high-quality food with a focus on fresh, delicious ingredients, the brand prides itself on its southern flair and commitment to hospitality, all in a fast-casual setting. Food is cooked to order, and the differentiated menu features chicken tenders, fresh salads, sandwiches, chicken and waffles, chicken wings and unique side items, alongside 17 house-made dipping sauces. today, there are more than 145 slim chickens locations open and 700 restaurants in development. the brand, which recently launched a strategic multi-unit franchise growth initiative to reach 700 units in 10 years, is targeting qualified and experienced multi-unit groups to develop in dynamic markets across the country. the brand prides itself on its cooked-to-order fresh food and strong devoted fanbase, also known as “slimthusiasts.” Fans also resonate with the southern contemporary look and feel and open and inviting layout of slim chickens restaurants, which speak to the hospitality mindset that anchors the brand. the slim chickens franchise opportunity differentiates itself with prime markets available for multi-unit development, a passionate leadership team and world-class franchisee support system. as slim chickens expands, it is awarding franchise opportunities to qualified, experienced and passionate multi-unit groups looking to add a dynamic segment to their portfolio. For more information on the slim chickens franchise opportunity, visit slimchickensfranchise.com

VFpnext

vFPnext - so much more than just a crM. vFPnext delivers complete marketing automation that provides a 360° view of prospects and members. speed to lead is the winning formula in 2021 and vFPnext connects staff to leads in less than 60 seconds with our innovative hot lead notification. increase speed to member conversion with a complete member tour. Enroll members faster with our seamless, branded digital enrollment, and provide a compelling member orientation to increase personal training sales - all on a single platform. the vFPnext platform collects more data on your prospects and members and is built “aPi first” for seamless data integration and leverage across your softwares. Join in the excitement of the fastest growing marketing automation system (crM) in the fitness industry and switch to an enterprise solution used by the best clubs. Email: info@vfp.us Website: getvfpnext.com

A-Z LISTINGS ARE A GREAT WAY TO PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS

Making an appearance every month in Franchising USA magazine. Each detailed, 4 color A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo. 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! To learn about the a-Z directory or any other products, please contact Vikki Bradbury: vikki@cgbpublishing.com

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COVER STORY: Sheenco Travel

MAKE A CELTIC CONNECTION WITH A SHEENCO TRAVEL FRANCHISE

International travel is starting up again after more than a year of pandemic lockdowns and people are spending more on travel than ever before. That means it’s the perfect time to invest in a luxury travel franchise, says the CEO of Sheenco Travel.

Genevieve Sheehan, who founded Sheenco Travel back in 2012, is currently looking for professionals across the United States to open a home-based travel franchise that focuses on bespoke luxury vacations in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

One of the biggest advantages to joining Sheenco, Sheehan explained, is that franchisees only need to customize and sell the trips. Sheenco’s team in Ireland takes care of everything after that, including the tour bookings, the logistics and any issues that may pop up while the guests are traveling.

“It’s a great opportunity for anyone who wants to get into the travel industry, but doesn’t know where to start,” Sheehan said during a recent interview from Sheenco’s Irish offices in County Cork. “We will be providing in depth and ongoing training and support and the booking of the trips is already taken care of.”

10 FRANCHISING MAGAZINE USA “One of the biggest advantages to joining Sheenco, Sheehan explained, is that franchisees only need to customize and sell the trips.”

Destination Management

In 2012, Sheehan, along with a friend and former colleague from the industry, set up an Irish company called Shamrock Vacations. Shamrock operated as an inbound tour operator providing luxury travel opportunities to Ireland.

By 2015, they were being asked to arrange combined trips to Ireland and Scotland, as well as to other parts of the UK. The little tour operator was getting a lot of repeat business and decided to expand.

First, though, they needed a name change. As the shamrock is a national symbol of Ireland, the company could not trademark that, so they rebranded to Sheenco Travel in 2016, a name that is now federally trademarked in the USA, Canada, Australia and of course Ireland.

In 2019, Sheehan bought out her cofounder and is now the sole owner of the

company.

Deciding that franchising was the best option for expansion, Sheehan set up two US corporations headquartered in Plano, Texas. Sheenco Travel Inc. operates as an outbound tour operator and Sheenco Travel Franchise Inc. is the Franchisor. Meanwhile the Irish company has transitioned into a destination management operation, meaning once the trip is sold by the franchisee, the team in Ireland manage everything after that.

Eventually, Sheenco does want to expand its destination offerings, but it will likely do that at a relatively slow pace. This is because the company puts a strong emphasis on customer service and wants to retain its current 4.9-star ranking on Google and Trustpilot, so their focus right now is finding and supporting passionate individuals who are keen to start their own travel business via franchising.

Eventual product expansion will likely be via acquisitions of other destination management companies who specialize in a given region, utilizing their unique systems and processes to ensure the Sheenco standards are maintained throughout all operations.

While Sheenco currently provides a niche product by only offering luxury travel opportunities to Ireland and the UK, these happen to be extremely popular products with US residents, as there is a strong “ With so many people in the USA being able to trace their genealogy back to these countries, it should be easy to find franchisees with that unique Celtic connection.”

connection with those specific countries for many Americans.

“It means you can become a specialist for those countries instead of trying to sell everywhere in the world, as so many travel agents do,” Sheehan noted.

Celtic Connection

Sheehan said there are three main things she looks for in a potential franchisee. They have to be passionate about traveling, they have to be passionate about providing stellar customer service and they should have a strong connection to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and/or England.

With so many people in the USA being able to trace their genealogy back to these countries, it should be easy to find franchisees with that unique Celtic connection. “Obviously, the more passionate you are about something, the easier it is to sell it and create a business around that product.”

“Obviously, the more passionate you are about something, the easier it is to sell it and create a business around that product,” the CEO explained.

Keeping Motivated

Being Supportive

Hoping to scale quickly, Sheehan wants to have 20 franchisees within three years and 50 within five years as they also expand their list of destinations. MAGAZINE USA VOL 10, ISSUE 1, DEC 2021 While Sheenco is brand new to franchising, they are off to a running start. Already a member of the International Franchising Association, they are poised to start COVER STORY signing up franchisees from across the USA. MAKE A CELTIC Once franchisees do sign up, they can look CONNECTION WITH A forward to robust training that includes online manuals and videos. The destination SHEENCO management team in Ireland will also be there to provide input on the various TRAVEL products Sheenco sells to help train the franchisees, who will be known as Luxury FRANCHISE Travel Specialists.

Sheenco also has its own customized software to help put together the luxury tour bookings for guests. ACTIONABLE While the majority of the training will be TRENDS IN online, there will also be “familiarization trips” on an annual basis where FRANCHISING franchisees will actually be able to visit ENTERING 2022 the destinations they are selling and go through the same type of pampering their customers will enjoy. “The best way to know a product is to CRITICAL QUESTIONS experience it,” Sheehan noted. TO ASK ABOUT

YOUR BUSINESS

To keep their franchisees motivated during this whirlwind expansion, Sheehan plans to have business development managers work directly with the franchisees. She also aims to foster a sense of community within the business through online communication platforms where franchisees will be able to share their wins, along with regular inperson networking events

Getting a home-based franchise off the ground, especially during that first year when you’re just getting your footing, can be a bit lonely, Sheehan noted. That’s why Sheenco really wants to let their franchisees know they’re part of a family.

“We’re very keen to build up that sense of community,” she said.

With pandemic travel restrictions lifting and the luxury travel industry roaring back to life, now is an ideal time to make a Celtic connection and join the Sheenco Travel franchise community. The familiarization trips alone make it sound like an amazing opportunity.

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