June franchising usa 5#8

Franchising usa The magazine for franchisees $5.95 www.franchisingusamagazine.com

VOL 05, ISSUE 8, june 2017

Successful Patch Boys offers Inspection Boys, a unique and lucrative opportunity

Franchise Buyers Beware special

sports & fitness FEATURE Movie Techniques to Take Your Presentation to the Next Level LATEST NEWS

FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM THE BANKS

TOP LAWYERS’ ADVICE

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.

Follow us

Share the tools and resources offered on AtOurFranchise.org/resources

Help us keep the momentum going

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.

You benefit by joining

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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This is just the beginning

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!

Franchising usa The magazine for franchisees

FRANCHISING USA VOLUME 5, ISSUE 8, 2017 president:

Comments

Colin Bradbury. colin@cgbpublishing.com

Publisher: Vikki Bradbury. vikki@cgbpublishing.com

advertising: Jane Jacob. advertising@cgbpublishing.com

Editorial Department: managing editor: Diana Cikes editor@cgbpublishing.com

Editorial team: Gina Gill Rob Swystun

Production: usaproduction@cgbpublishing.com

DESIGN: Jejak Graphics. jejak@bigpond.com

COVER IMAGE: The Inspection Boys

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Welcome to the June issue of Franchising USA. Are you ready to join us at this year’s International Franchising Expo taking place in New York from June 15-17?

With the franchise sector expected to grow by $36B in 2017, there’s never been a better time to connect face-toface with over 400 proven franchise opportunities and learn what investment level and industry type is right for you.

Registration is FREE so be sure to join in and connect with thousands of other entrepreneurs at this year’s exciting event.

On the Cover this month is The Inspection Boys, a Unique and Lucrative Opportunity from the already successful The Patch Boys. At the helm is Leo Goldberger, who launched the new business in May and already has three corporate locations operating in New York. Turn to page 10 to learn more about how this Entrepreneur Hopes New Home Inspection Franchise Will Follow Same Path of Success as Drywall Patching Franchise.

Our Special Feature this month is on Sports & Fitness Franchising, with UFC Gym on the Cover. Learn how this leader of MMA is poised for continued growth and is on the look-out for new franchise partners.

Our feature also looks at How Gary Brackett Went from Super Bowl Champion to Franchisor, and our Industry Experts offer some interesting insights into the thriving Sports & Fitness industry, including a Changing Environment and the Business of Youth Sports, as well as advice on how to Work Less and Grow More by putting your fitness business on autopilot So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What? Our Veterans Supplement this month includes advice on your next steps from retired Master Sergeant Willie Smith. Here you can also read how Mike Lozier went From Marine to Marketing Mogul, and learn how Home Care Franchise Opportunities Help Veterans Become Business Owners from Aarif Dahod.

It’s not too late to join us at this year’s IFE, so be sure to register and connect with us at booth #573.

Happy reading!

“Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience some-thing and some-one new. Seize the opportunity.

Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world.”

- Rodney Williams Jr.

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

june 2017

On the Cover 10 Cover Story: Successful Patch Boys Offers Inspection Boys, a Unique and Lucrative Opportunity

40 Franchise Buyers Beware

14

19 Special Sports & Fitness Franchising Feature 54 Movie Techniques to Take Your Presentation

to the Next Level

In Every Issue 6

What’s New!

16

Announcements from the industry

24 Sports & Fitness Franchising Feature Article 43 Veterans Supplement

News and Information for Veterans in Franchising

57 A-Z Directory

Focus

14

22

PIRTEK

Expert Advice 38 10 Feet Tall and Invincible

George Knauf, Senior Franchise Business Advisor, FranChoice

40 Franchise Buyers Beware

Dave Venneri, Chief Revenue Officer, Digital Air Strike

52 Lease Considerations for New Franchisees

24 Franchising USA

David Scott Levaton, Esq., Founder of Franchise Legal Support

54 Movie Techniques to Take Your Presentation

to the Next Level

Ted Frank, Principal Story Strategist, Backstories Studio

32 WOMEN IN FRANCHISING

16

Harriet Mills, CEO, Wine & Design

SPORTS & FITNESS FEATURE On the Cover

34

22 UFC Gym Revolutionizing The Fitness Industry 36 From Super Bowl Champion to Franchisor 28 Work Less, Grow More: Put Your Fitness Business

on Autopilot

In Every Issue 20 Feature News 24 Feature Article

38

Profile 36 Gary Brackett, The Stacked Pickle Expert Advice 28 Work Less, Grow More: Use Automation to Put Your Fitness Business on Autopilot Brittany Tinline, Head of Service Operations, Bench

40

30 Sports and Fitness Franchise Market has Something

for Everyone Christopher Conner, President, Franchise Marketing Systems

32 A Changing Environment and the Business of Youth Sports

Brian Sanders, President and CEO, i9 Sports

34 The Business of Fitness

Brandon Bean, CEO, Gold’s Gym

52 Franchising USA

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what’s new!

Franchise Experts Collaborate on

Franchise Management For Dummies The latest update in John Wiley & Sons’ popular For Dummies® series, Franchise Management For Dummies, is coauthored by two of the leading business and legal authorities in franchising, Michael Seid, CFE, managing director of MSA Worldwide, and Joyce Mazero, partner, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. Just released in bookstores and the Internet as of May 1, 2017, Franchise Management For Dummies provides franchisees and commercial and social franchisors with information on one of the world’s most important business expansion strategies.

Franchise Management For Dummies is “a powerful book that holds essential keys to running a successful franchise business,”

according to Robert Cresanti, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association, who wrote the forward. “I can’t think of anyone more qualified than Michael and Joyce to write this much needed book,” said Cresanti.

Franchise Management For Dummies provides prospective franchisees with the tools and information they need to make a good franchise investment. It serves as a guide for commercial and social franchisors in the design, development and expansion of their systems and provides guidance on how to support their franchisees and manage their franchise systems.

“In Franchise Management For Dummies, Joyce and I take a deep dive in addressing

many of the issues and challenges facing franchisors and franchisees today,” said Seid.

For more information or to order a copy, visit http://www.dummies.com/go/ franchisemanagementfd.

Fazoli’s on the Road to Expansion with Travel Centers of America like TravelCenters,” said Carl Howard, president and chief executive officer of Fazoli’s.

The first of the four restaurants will debut this summer in Milldale, Connecticut,

followed by two more opening early fall at TA and Petro locations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and San Antonio, Texas. The

fourth is slated for early 2018 in Monroe, Michigan.

“At TravelCenters, we focus on providing Fazoli’s, America’s largest fast casual Italian restaurant brand, has announced an agreement with the TA Restaurant Group, a division of TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters), operator of the TA® and Petro Stopping Centers travel ®

center brands, to open four new

Franchising USA

locations in Connecticut, Oklahoma, Texas and Michigan TA and Petro locations over the next year.

“Our mission is to serve America premium quality Italian food, fast, fresh and friendly. I can’t think of a better opportunity to do this than on America’s highways with a company

our customers with the variety they crave.

Fazoli’s provides us with quality Italian

cuisine that both interstate travellers and

local residents will find themselves coming back for,” said John Ponczoch, Senior Vice President of TA and the leader of the TA Restaurant Group.

www.ownafazolis.com

Dat Dog To Open 25 Restaurants in Houston, TX Creative sausage and hot dog purveyor Dat Dog of New Orleans, LA announced the opening of 25 restaurants in Houston, TX under its first wave of franchisees, B&G Food Enterprises, LLC, and three restaurants in Baton Rouge under Prime Dog, LLC. The restaurant is known for its unique, quirky combinations, with sausages made from crawfish, alligator, duck, in addition to the traditional beef wiener. Dat Dog features more than 30 toppings, including unconventional options like blackberry

sauce, guacamole, and crawfish etouffee.

The restaurant also offers vegetarian and vegan sausage options, in addition to the “Greenie Weenie”—a dog wrapped in lettuce instead of a toasted sourdough bun.

Under the leadership of Bill DiPaola, President and COO of Dat Dog Enterprises, philanthropic giving and social good are built into Dat Dog’s DNA. The company regularly hosts fundraising events for causes of all kinds, especially those related to animal welfare, at-risk youth, and education.

For franchisees, Dat Dog will offer flexible concepts for restaurants, including indoor/ outdoor dining, areas for live music,

biergartens or art markets, endcaps, freestanding buildings, universities, or other retail environments.

Dat Dog is looking to further expand

in the Gulf South region, focusing on

Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and the Florida panhandle. www.datdog.com

ApplePie Capital Announces Next Steps in Transforming Franchise Finance upon its speed, flexibility and efficiency with new product options, an expanded network of lending sources and a wealth of franchise finance expertise for its franchisor partners. Currently, ApplePie serves more than 40 franchisors including Orangetheory Fitness, Jimmy John’s and Jersey Mike’s.

ApplePie Capital, the first online lender solely dedicated to the franchise industry, has appointed franchise industry veteran Ronald Feldman as chief development officer and acquired Funding Solutions, LLC, an established national franchise lending consultancy that specializes in SBA, conventional and equipment finance loans.

Funding Solutions’ managing partner Randy Jones joins ApplePie’sleadership team as head of originations.

“These developments are a game changer for ApplePie and the brands we serve,” said Denise Thomas, CEO and co-founder of ApplePie. “In addition to accelerating new product innovation, we can now provide comprehensive lending programs to franchisors, eliminating the need for their franchisees to engage with multiple lenders. By combining the $500 million in committed capital we’ve raised for our core growth product with a diverse lender network, we can ensure that our franchisee clients have access to the right financial solutions, wherever they are in their development cycle.“

These additions position ApplePie’s financial platform to expand

www.applepiecapital.com

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what’s new!

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Announces Q1 Success

Hair Saloon Announces First Market Outside of St. Louis Metro Area 2017 marks the 20th year in business for Hair Saloon, and it’s a year of expansion for the brand founded in St.Louis. The company is proud to announce two new stores opening this year with its newest operation located outside of the St. Louis market in Louisville, Kentucky. An additional store will open in Des Peres, Missouri at the intersection of Dougherty Ferry and Big Bend.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe, the leading fast casual cafe concept known for its better-for-you food and smoothies with a tropical twist, announced that during the first quarter of 2017, it signed franchise agreements to open 30 restaurants.

These new openings will expand the brand’s presence in new and existing markets nationwide, including Idaho, South Carolina, Maryland, California and Arkansas.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe also opened 30 new locations throughout the country, resulting in a total of 570 open restaurants at the end of the first quarter. Additionally, on the heels of reporting comp sales exceeding 26 percent over the last three years at the end of 2016, the award-winning food and smoothie franchise closed out the first quarter with positive comp sales of 4 percent.

To raise the bar in its 20th anniversary year, Tropical Smoothie Cafe will continue to feature top performing limited time only food and smoothie items from the past as well as optimized versions of current fan favorites. This year, the food and smoothie franchise plans to open over 100 restaurants nationwide and currently has franchise opportunities across the U.S. For more information, please visit www.tropicalsmoothiefranchise.com.

Franchising USA

After opening 14 locations across the Greater St. Louis area, Hair Saloon is currently evaluating the awarding of additional franchise license in other markets. Founder and CEO, Tom Twellman Sr., has overseen the growth locally, and developed a sustainable business model for the company. “We saw a great deal of potential in the Louisville market to provide men with a premium haircut experience that has become the trademark of every Hair Saloon,” said Twellman. “As we’ve set forth on our vision to make Hair Saloon a national brand, we connected with a local entrepreneur who shared our vision and values, and who had the franchiseindustry background to be a successful Hair Saloon franchisee.”

The Louisville Hair Saloon franchise is owned by Chad and Kelly Wright of Prestige Worldwide. “Hair Saloon’s operating history, strong brand statement, and customer service passion made them a natural fit for us,” said Chad. “We look forward to bringing the Hair Saloon experience to Louisville.”

The Wrights signed a multi-unit franchise agreement and are planning to open at least three Hair Saloons over the next few years.

For more information, visit www.hairsaloon.com

Del Taco Signs Franchise Deal to Expand Presence in Georgia Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. recently announced a franchise deal with former NFL player and experienced multiunit franchisee Donnell Thompson.

Operating under DT Group Inc., Thompson plans to add five new locations throughout his hometown of East Atlanta, with openings slated to begin in 2018.

“One of the key points for us was that

Del Taco, unlike other quick service restaurants, actually prepares food fresh in its working kitchens,” said Thompson. “No other QSR in Atlanta offers this high level of freshness and quality with the value and speed of a drive-thru concept. It’s our goal to make Del Taco a household name in the region.”

With a focus on the southeastern regions of the United States, Del Taco is building a

stronger national presence by entering new territories while infilling existing markets.

Demonstrated by 13 consecutive quarters

of system-wide same store sales increases, Del Taco is a brand on the rise and

presents enormous growth potential for

experienced multi-unit operators looking to diversify their portfolios.

www.deltacofranchise.com

Regis Corporation Appoints Eric Bakken as New President of Franchise Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS), a leader in the haircare industry, announced today the appointment of Eric Bakken to the role of President of Franchise, effective immediately. In this role, Mr. Bakken will oversee development, support and operational performance of Regis’ franchise business.

“Eric’s promotion represents another step forward in our strategic commitment to the continued growth of our franchise operations. He is uniquely qualified to lead our franchise business and I am delighted that he has accepted this important new leadership role,” said Hugh Sawyer, President and CEO of Regis Corporation.

“Eric’s extensive knowledge of the

beauty industry, franchise operations and the capabilities required to deliver an exceptional guest experience will be essential as we thoughtfully expand our franchise footprint in the U.S. and beyond. I look forward to partnering with Eric in the years ahead as we also accelerate our focus on the growth and improvement of our company owned salons.”

“I am honored to assume this new role at such an exciting time in the evolution of our company,” said Bakken. “I look forward to building upon the exceptional work of our franchisees and the Regis franchise support team in order to maximize this opportunity for our stakeholders.” www.regiscorp.com

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Inspection B oys

a unique and lucrative opportunity Entrepreneur Hopes New Home Inspection Franchise Will Follow Same Path of Success as Drywall Patching Franchise Helmed by Leo Goldberger, Inspection Boys just launched in May. The franchise currently has three corporate locations in New York located in Long Island, Westchester and Queens. It’s already garnering attention from would-be entrepreneurs.

“We already have a lot of interest,” Goldberger said during a recent interview.

Leo Goldberger

With a low initial investment, low overhead costs and high profit margins, one new home inspection franchise looks to be a promising endeavor for the right people.

Franchising USA

For Inspection Boys, Goldberger partnered with Matthew Rivera, a well respected New York home inspector, who also teaches home inspection in the city.

Rivera brings his wealth of knowledge and abundant background in home inspection to the partnership while Goldberger brings his franchising expertise.

It is Goldberger’s goal to have Inspection Boys’ first 10 franchisees signed up by the end of this year.

Proven Track Record Goldberger is confident that he can grow Inspection Boys into a successful franchise

because he’s already done it once before with Patch Boys.

Based in East Brunswick, NJ, Patch Boys is a drywall patching franchise that just celebrated its two-year anniversary in May. It currently has 37 locations spread throughout the United States.

Whether a person needs a hole patched in their wall that was made by a plumber, electrician or exterminator or they want to fix settling cracks that are so common in older houses, Patch Boys will quickly do those small patch jobs that regular drywall contractors won’t bother with.

“We came up with a process where we come to your house and in approximately two to three hours, we fix all your holes.

We correct them, we sand them, we polish them, we paint them, we do everything that we need to do to make your wall look like new again,” Goldberger explained.

“We cover everything and when we’re done, it’s like you wouldn’t even know we were there.”

From Zero to Success Goldberger had been in the construction industry since the early ‘90s and by 2007 was running a highly successful construction company with over 400 employees. And then the housing bubble burst. He lost everything, plummeting from ultra-successful business owner to zero in a matter of months.

Once Goldberger hit bottom, he dusted himself off and got back to work. He tried his hand at a few different businesses, but his heart was always in construction. After much brainstorming, the light bulb finally turned on for him.

“One day I asked myself: ‘What was the

“We did a show in New York that first year in the convention center and we were one of the most popular booths. The one thing that everybody said to us was, ‘I could use you right now in my home.’” - Leo Goldberger one thing people used to call me for that I never wanted to do?’ and I thought about it and thought about it,” Goldberger said.

Goldberger knew he was onto something big when he attended his first trade show with the concept.

Eventually, he found the answer was drywall patching. But, it took several months to fine tune the business model to the point where it was successful. He ended up losing money in his first year while he worked out all the details.

“We did a show in New York that first year in the convention center and we were one of the most popular booths,” he recalled.

“The one thing that everybody said to us was: ‘I could use you right now in my home.’”

Starting his first location in New York in 2008, Goldberger began franchising the concept in 2015. People doubted whether the concept would work as a franchise and told him he might have five locations maximum, but two years later, he has almost 40 and the company has grown a minimum of 15 percent month over month since its inception.

Goldberger didn’t have any background in franchising and he knew his concept was brand new and people might have doubts.

So, when he traveled to Cherry Hill, NJ to visit a couple of guys he was trying to prove the concept to, he knew he had to make an impression.

It wasn’t always easy signing up new franchisees, though.

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Inspection B oys

Much to the surprise of the two men, Goldberger put his fist through their office wall. But, he had brought one of his Patch Boys employees with him and while Goldberger and the two shocked men left to talk about the concept as a franchise, his employee patched the hole and had it done by the time they all came back to the office.

“They were looking for the hole. They didn’t even know where I had put it,” Goldberger said. “It was a gutsy move on my part because I had to make a big impression, but they signed up with me right there and then.”

Whatever it Takes Patch Boys franchisees come from all walks of life, Goldberger pointed out, and, despite the name, the company actually has 25 percent female ownership. All he is looking for in franchisees for either Patch Boys or Inspection Boys is hard working people who want to make the business successful.

“If you work, there’s absolutely no way you’re not going to make money,” Goldberger proclaimed.

The Patch Boys concept has already been proven in a variety of markets across the country and with its tiny startup investment and zero overhead costs, he is confident Inspection Boys will prove to be just as successful.

The low startup cost and low overhead are important points for Goldberger.

Franchising USA

“I will do whatever it takes to make their business work. That’s the bottom line.” - Leo Goldberger The materials for patching drywall are inexpensive. With one sheet of sheetrock and one bucket of compound, and a few tools, a Patch Boys franchisee can perform about $2,000 worth of work and make a significant profit.

Inspection Boys has even larger profit margins because it uses no materials at all. As long as the franchisee either has home inspection certification or hires certified home inspectors, they have virtually no overhead except for the cost of getting certified or the cost of paying their inspectors.

For a startup cost of less than $30,000 (with a 20 percent discount for veterans), that translates to huge profit margins.

Both franchises can be run out of a home and both are in particularly high demand industries, too. Millions of homes are sold across the country every year and all of them have to be inspected, Goldberger noted. And Patch Boys franchisees are kept constantly busy.

Goldberger said he has franchisees who have made back their entire investment and were in profit mode in three to four months.

In Cleveland, for example, where the Patch Boys franchisee has only been operational

for a short time, that franchisee did $7,000 worth of business in his first month, $17,500 in his second month and even more than that in his third month.

Part of this quick escalation can be attributed to Goldberger’s dedication to support and training. Rather than have franchisees come to him, he will gladly hop on a plane and go to them.

“In 2016, I was in about 15 states just doing training and following up with people,” he said. “I will do whatever it takes to make their business work. That’s the bottom line.”

Franchisees are trained how to fix drywall like a professional. They are also put into the Patch Boys phone system where people can call a toll-free number and then punch in their area code and be connected directly to their local Patch Boys.

The franchise also offers constant support and is always advertising and promoting the business, something Goldberger plans to offer with Inspection Boys, as well.

For those looking for a business with low startup costs, low to no overhead and constant demand, both Patch Boys and Inspection Boys offer a unique and lucrative opportunity. www.ThePatchBoys.com

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The Only Franchise of its Kind PIRTEK is the only franchise of its kind, with over 400 Service & Supply Centers in 23 countries.

We’re the leader in hydraulic and industrial hose replacement. No one does what we do. PIRTEK Service & Supply Centers stock, customize and install high-pressure, industrial hoses and fittings of all kinds. When production stops due to a hose failure, one of our Mobile Service Vehicles is on the way to repair it on site.

Take charge of your destiny, consider a PIRTEK franchise.

Wherever businesses use fluidpowered equipment, there’s a market for PIRTEK. The business is well-matched to entrepreneurs who understand the value of relationship building and capitalizing on opportunities.

If that sounds like you, contact us today.

Enjoy the benefits of owning a Tier 1 PIRTEK franchise with three vehicles and a fully stocked Service & Supply Center.

Tier

1

Complete, comprehensive training The only franchise of its kind A nationwide network of 70 locations

Do you lack the resources to start a complete PIRTEK Service & Supply Center? If so, our new Tier 2 option was made for you.

Tier

2

A lower point of entry A mobile-only option Three years to work into a Tier 1 franchise

PIRTEK Serves a Wide Variety of Industries: • Construction • Defense • Manufacturing • Marine • Transportation • Waste & recycling

• Agriculture • Food & beverage • Forestry • Mining • Oil, gas & chemical • And more

1-888-774-7835 • www.ownapirtek.com Franchising USA

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Pir tek

Australia to Texas:

Husband and Wife Set Up Thriving PIRTEK Franchise Traveling 8,500 miles to set up a new business isn’t for the faint of heart.

That’s what John and Alison Abercrombie did in 2015 when they left Sydney, Australia, with their teenage sons to start a new life in Houston as PIRTEK franchisees.

“We wanted to have an adventure and come to the United States,” John said.

“We looked at some business models and options over here, and the PIRTEK model stood out as just a fantastic business idea.”

The Abercrombies own and operate PIRTEK Gulfgate, a 3,000 square-foot facility at 6205 Brookhill Drive in Houston. They started out in December 2015 with three Mobile Service Vehicles.

But business has been solid and they now have six vehicles crisscrossing the state’s largest metroplex.

The only franchise of its kind in the United States, PIRTEK provides hydraulic and industrial hose replacement sales and services. There are 67 PIRTEK franchises and a fleet of Mobile Service Vehicles throughout the United States. Globally,

Franchising USA

PIRTEK has more than 400 locations and 2,000 Mobile Service Vehicles in 23 countries.

Reducing downtime for Houston industry PIRTEK cuts downtime by making onsite repairs when a hose failure occurs on a piece of hydraulic or pneumatic equipment. In 2016, PIRTEK rolled out its Tier 2 franchising model, a mobile-only option that allows for PIRTEK ownership at a significantly lower point of entry than the traditional Tier 1 model.

The company’s Mobile Service Vehicles are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. PIRTEK’s technicians can customize hoses and fittings on location to get the equipment up and running again.

The Abercrombies found Houston to be a prime location for just such a business.

“Being a port city, Houston offers a lot of opportunities for us in marine industries, as well as in construction, recycling, waste and equipment rental,” John said. “So many industries use hydraulic hoses. In time, they’ll all need replacement. That’s what we do.”

The long journey to Texas John is no stranger to hydraulics, having worked many years in a family mining operation near Sydney. In fact, the company was itself a PIRTEK customer.

Despite being the managing director of the successful operation, John longed to become an entrepreneur. He was interested in setting up shop in the United States for a number of practical reasons. First, on

Being a port city, Houston offers a lot of opportunities for us in marine industries, as well as in construction, recycling, waste and equipment rental.”- John Abercrombie average, American homes are vastly more affordable. Second, the Abercrombies wanted more college options for their sons, one of whom wishes to pursue basketball during his scholastic path. Finally, they’re accustomed to both the climate and culture in Texas.

John said that the family is enjoying life in Houston, although there are times when the sheer scope of the metro area can be challenging. “The size and sprawl of Houston is staggering,” he said.

Honesty: the best policy After the Abercrombies settled into their new American home, they went to work launching the franchise and pursuing customers. John said he has found it most effective simply to be himself and present the business in the most transparent manner possible.

“We have tried to develop a culture of honesty throughout our organization that flows from the owners, through to the employees and on to our customers and suppliers,” he said. “I believe this has helped people to become comfortable in doing business with us.”

Alison added that customer relations is among her husband’s strengths. “John is great at meeting all the customers and making them feel important,” she said.

The approach appears to be working: The business has seen robust growth over the past year.

Working as a team One strong suit for the Abercrombies has been their approach to business as a spousal team. “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, so I can relax knowing John has certain things completely under control, and he has the comfort of knowing which things I have under control,” Alison said.

In addition to the division of labor, there’s also the advantage of being able to offer mutual support when it’s needed. “We both enjoy a good laugh, so when things get stressful at work we are able to dissolve the stress quickly with a joke or a hug,” she said.

John has a similar perspective. “We work fantastically well together, we have a lot of time together,” he said. “We’re a great team and we enjoy it a lot.”

And so, as they continue the growth of their business, the Abercrombies are settling into the Lone Star State, enjoying its culture and cuisine. “We’re loving the people in Texas,” Alison said, “and we’re growing from all the food.” www.pirtekusa.com

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wo m en in franchising

H a r r i et M ills, CEO & C o -Fo u n d e r of W i n e & D e s i g n

Lady

How Wome As a Franc I got in to franchising almost by accident. After being laid off from my job in the corporate world, I decided I wanted to start my own business. I was looking to break out of the 9 to 5 world and make money to help support my growing family on my own terms.

Being a mom and an entrepreneur is tough – nurturing both kids and a new business is a huge commitment of time, but being your own boss allows you work on your own terms and build enough flexibility into your schedule to be there for your family. Soon after opening my first Wine & Design, one of my first art instructors approached me about opening her own location. She fell in love with the concept just like I did and was inspired to become a business owner. Realizing I could not only run my own business, but also others do the same was a very exciting idea for me.

“Learn about the support network and the kind of access you’ll have to other women you can look to for advice on getting your business off the ground.”

Franchising USA

Bosses

en Can Succeed chise Owner We’re proud of the broad range of backgrounds and experience levels we see in our franchisees, but it’s especially exciting for me as a woman and as a mom to have the opportunity to empower other women by helping them become business owners. I’ve relished the opportunity in my role as a franchisor to advise and mentor fellow women and to see them succeed.

When I hear about other women looking to become franchise owners, there are a few pieces of advice I always come back to.

1

Get into a Business that Shares Your Values

Starting a business is hard work. There are long hours, nights you’ll bring work home with you and weekends where the workweek never truly ends. It’s import that you’re passionate about your business because that passion is what keeps you going. You need to believe in what you’re doing, and becoming part of a business that shares your values and focuses on the things that are important to you is a key to inspiring the kind of passion you’ll need. When you love what you’re doing, it doesn’t feel like work – it feels like you’re acting on your dreams, and that makes a world of difference. Women and mothers benefit from focusing on a fun, familyfriendly business because it feels like an extension of their family life at home, and when work and home life spill over into each other, it doesn’t create tension.

2

Ask Questions and Do Your Research

Make sure you’re joining a business that sets you up to succeed.

Look for a franchise with a track record of success for people with backgrounds similar to yours. Talk to the franchisor’s leadership team and listen to how they talk about their business. You want to be a part of a system that emphasizes the products or service you’ll need to sell to consumers, not one that’s in the business of selling franchises. Ask about the flexibility franchisees enjoy and how many hours the average franchisee invests in their business. Find out about the potential for growth and how many franchisees go on to own multiple locations. Learn about the support network and the kind of access you’ll have to other women you can look to for advice on getting your business off the ground.

3

Find a Strong Mentors

Perhaps most important of all – look for people within the system who are willing and able to take you under their wing while you learn the ropes and get your business off the ground. Franchisors are your partners in business and only really succeed when their franchisees do, and the very best franchise systems nurture a culture where the franchisees also support each other and want to help each other succeed. Those other franchisees have seen and overcome the challenges of starting a business and should be eager to help others do the same. Look for a system that includes

“I’ve relished the opportunity in my role as a franchisor to advise and mentor fellow women and to see them succeed.” other female franchisees because they’ll understand the challenges you face both at work and at home, and they’ll be able to share their experiences and the lessons they learned.

When you invest in a franchise, you’re not just starting a business – you’re joining a system and tying your success to a network of other business owners. You want to find one that shares your values and your goals from top to bottom. Through your research, you should look for a system that boasts success stories from other entrepreneurs like you and one that fits your life. When you find one with a strong network that not only supports franchisees from the top but also boasts a strong community the supports each other, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

Harriet Mills is CEO and Co-Founder of Wine & Design. Starting her business after being laid off from her corporate job with a new four-month old, Harriet’s main inspiration to begin Wine & Design was to build a career that provided the flexibility needed to maintain a healthy work-life balance and fun, family-focused atmosphere that left plenty of room to be a successful entrepreneur and mom. Since creating her first Wine & Design studio in 2010, franchising came only so naturally as the artists hired at the studio, wanted to start their own. Today, Harriet prides 77 Wine & Design studios across 16 states in the nation. She has been awarded with the Triangle Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2016 and was seen on Season 8’s finale of Shark Tank. Harriet continues to lead the paint and sip industry with her unrelenting drive, market savvy personality and innate business instincts. www.wineanddesign.com

Franchising USA

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FranchisingFeature sports & fitness

Work Less, Grow More:

Put Your Fitness Business on Autopilot

UFC Gym Revolutionizing The Fitness Industry

june 2017

From Super Bowl Champion to Franchisor Franchising USA

spo rts & fi t n ess franchising fe at ur e

what’s new!

Hoop to Hoop Prepares to Launch its Franchising Program

PREMIERE YOUTH SPORTS Hi-Five Sports ENTERTAINMENT

Announces Franchise Growth Initiative Hi-Five Sports, providing the nation’s highest quality youth sports programming, recently announced a widespread franchise growth initiative. The strategy positions the brand for expansion into communities across the United States, where Hi-Five Sports intends to transform and enrich the lives of children.

Founded as a sports camp in 1990 in Northbrook, Illinois, Hi-Five Sports took Chicagoland by storm, quickly becoming the undisputed champion of premium youth sports in the area. Through its dynamic approach to sports, which it calls youth sports entertainment, making activities full of fun, yet challenging and inclusive of fundamentals, Hi-Five Sports became a household name throughout all of Northern Illinois. Now, the brand is beckoning to make the same impact nationwide.

Franchising began in late 2015, and Hi-Five Sports has already grown to a total of 12 locations across the country, where children learn from trained, professional staff in programs designed to promote the fun side of sports and teamwork. Now, Hi-Five Sports plans to increase its footprint by 10 new locations annually for the next five years, entering key markets throughout California, New York and Texas, where it will continue pioneering its youth sports entertainment platform. www.hifivefranchise.com

Franchising USA

Hoop To Hoop, a new innovative Mobile Basketball entity, is getting ready to launch its first initial franchises in 2017.

Hoop To Hoop offers a tremendous value to children and their parents, while stressing the fundamentals first with proven cutting edge techniques to build self confidence and self esteem. Hoop To Hoop features many different revenue streams including Clinics, Leagues, Camps, Tournaments, and Parties geared to children Pre-K through to High School.

The franchise creates a basketball opportunity that is very compelling, by offering a service with low overhead and low investment for a franchise to get started. This franchise does not require the brick & mortar that many sports franchises do require.

Pete was a successful business entrepreneur and commercial real-estate investor for 25 years before developing Hoop To Hoop.

Coach Pete first introduced his innovative basketball approach 15 years ago, which fostered the development of Hoop To Hoop Basketball in 2013. He played basketball at the college level, with experience in semi-pro and European basketball before coaching kids at all levels in the community for the past 15 years.

Hoop To Hoop offers basketball to all children from beginner to AAU levels, with individual enrolment for team play, as Peter saw the need for all kids to get a fair opportunity to learn and play basketball. Hoop To Hoop has many innovative techniques to engage kids from the outset, like “Catching Licenses” & “Shooting Certificates” for those hoopsters who put their best effort forward. Look for us coming soon to an area near you. www.HooptoHoop.com

Gold’s Gym Experiences Strong First Quarter with Domestic and International Growth Gold’s Gym, the world’s trusted authority on health and fitness, announced that during the first quarter of 2017, it signed franchise agreements to open nine gyms in the U.S., with 23 additional locations currently under development in 12 countries internationally.

These signings expand the brand’s presence in new and existing markets across the world, including Tennessee, New York, California, and in nations such as Egypt and Australia. Gold’s Gym also opened 17 new locations both domestically and internationally, resulting in a total of 737 open gyms at the end of the first quarter.

“2017 is off to a strong start as we continue to focus on expansion,

innovation and delivering a one-of-a-kind member experience across the globe,” said Brandon Bean, CEO of Gold’s Gym. “Franchisees continue to be attracted to our state-of-the art facilities, experienced support team and strong brand recognition around the world as the best fitness experience in the business.”

These signings and openings are a continuation of Gold’s Gym’s aggressive expansion plans, with the fitness brand on track to open over 45 new gyms by end of year. Most recently, Gold’s Gym opened its first location in Rabat, Morocco and debuted a flagship location in Amman, Jordan, which is the largest Gold’s Gym in the world at 140,000 square feet. franchising.goldsgym.com

Orangetheory Fitness Accelerates Growth in Connecticut Orangetheory Fitness multi-unit franchisee Mark Molina has acquired rights to the Shelton, Connecticut studio, which began operating under his leadership in May. This acquisition is part of the brand’s plan to accelerate growth throughout the state, with a goal of doubling its studio count by the end of this year.

Molina opened Connecticut’s first Orangetheory Fitness studio in Fairfield in 2014, which was named “Best Fitness Studio” by Connecticut’s Gold Coast just months after opening, a testament to his success as a business owner and the impact Orangetheory has on the community. Since then, Molina has continued to expand his portfolio with additional openings in Norwalk and Westport.

The Shelton studio marks the fourth location operating under his ownership in Connecticut. Today, Orangetheory has more than 650 studios in 45 states and 13 countries. The 60-minute, five zone heart-rate monitored interval training concept has helped

tens of thousands of members lose weight, get toned and meet

their overall fitness goals in a short amount of time. The fitness franchise is on track to have 900 open studios in 2017. www.orangetheoryfitness.com

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U FC Gy m

UFC Gym

is on the Look-Out for New Franchise Partners Franchising USA recently sat down with UFC GYM to talk about this exciting franchise. Learn more about this fast growing leader of mixed martials and fitness training in the below Q&A. Describe the organization. How long has it been in operation? When did you start franchising?

How many franchisees do you currently have?

In 2008 Lorenzo Fertitta, owner of the UFC, reached out to Mark Mastrov with an idea of developing a branded UFC Gym concept.

After spending a year in development Mastrov and his partners Jim Rowley and Mike Feeney launched the UFC GYM concept.

Built around the world of mixed martial arts and fitness it focuses on the experience of the training regimen of UFC athletes in a fun and energetic environment.

What is your main product/service? Why is there a need for this product/service?

Mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in the world, and UFC is the leader of MMA.

Franchising USA

UFC GYM allows everyone to train like MMA athletes. Members can get in incredible, shape in a UFC Gym. Each class offered is an experience. Being the brand extension of UFC®, UFC GYM is the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness together. UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® approach has developed a fun and energetic atmosphere where members can feel and see their fitness results. UFC GYM is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine.

What type of person would fit your franchisee profile?

Describe your ideal franchisee candidate?

We call our franchisees franchise partners for a reason, we’re in this together! Our ideal franchise partner has a hands-on approach to business management, a solid understanding of sales and a commitment to the community. Franchise industry experience and or a passion around fitness or mixed martial arts is certainly a plus.

What is the company’s franchising process?

Step 1 – THE PROCESS: Complete the contact form and a UFC GYM representative will contact you to discuss the opportunity and requirements.

Step 2 – APPLICATION AND DISCLOSURE: Complete a franchise application and we will provide you with the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

Step 3 – EXPERIENCE UFC GYM: Meet key team members from UFC GYM, and experience the brand and its offerings firsthand with an in-person meeting.

Step 4 – APPROVAL: After learning about the opportunity and meeting all the qualifications we will create and sign an agreement for your franchise area.

Step 5 – OPENING: After your agreement is completed, our team will work with you on site selection, facility planning, and staff training to get your first club launched.

How do you look after your franchisees?

As a franchise partner, we provide the best support possible by staying on top of the fitness industry through technology and education. Each franchise partner receives support from every department at our corporate office including accounting, IT, HR, operations, retail, and marketing along with access to a marketing portal to produce and customize all items to promote and drive the business. Weekly and monthly marketing, operations, and sales training calls are provided to keep our franchise partners aligned.

Every partner has access to our UFC GYM University for online education to understand all divisions of the UFC GYM business, as well as our management and coaching institutes taught in-person from our home office in Southern California.

Where are your current locations/territories? Where are locations/territories available?

What areas are you looking to expand to in future?

Since debuting in 2009, UFC GYM has opened more than 135 locations across the world in the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Oman, Philippines, South America, Taiwan, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates. The UFC GYM franchise division has continued to

grow at a rapid pace with more than 50 locations opening in the past two years and over 50 gyms expected to open in the next year. With global interest and many conversations occurring, now is the time to become a UFC GYM franchise partner while territories are still available.

What sets you apart from your competition?

The UFC brand sets us apart from our competition. Mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in the world, and UFC is the global leader of MMA. With the power of the UFC behind us, UFC GYM allows everyone to train like the best MMA athletes. When we enter into a market, there is already tremendous brand awareness and immediate recognition and credibility. We offer quality classes and a great fitness experience as a cool, fun brand for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level.

UFC GYM’s exclusive fitness training, which conditions internationallyacclaimed UFC® athletes, allow us to provide our members with a fun and energetic workout experience in a 60 minute class. We offer 3 distinct franchise packages that allow our partners to invest in their community and provide their members with an amazing new fitness experience that is full of energy and excitement. www.ufcgymfranchise.com

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Featu re

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SPORTS & FITNE

franchising feature “NASCAR is America’s number one spectator sport, in fact it has 75 million fans watching from the sidelines and completely dedicated.”

The world of franchising has opened the doors to a variety of passions and interests for many entrepreneurs.

Franchising allows people to engage in a lifelong dream with a safety net of tried and true practices that create successful outcomes.

platform for entrepreneurs to engage in their passions as a career options. For the artist who could not find financial success through their paintings or the kid who loved watching baseball alongside his father but could never play the game, franchising offers Americans the ability to partake in their pastimes as a career option.

Sports and fitness franchising has grown over the years and has developed a

Americans not only love engaging in sports, they love being in the stands as

Franchising USA

Sports franchising Maybe you can’t figure skate without losing your balance, but that doesn’t mean you can’t watch from the sidelines and offer the professionals an environment to succeed.

well. NASCAR is America’s number one spectator sport, in fact it has 75 million fans watching from the sidelines and completely dedicated.

The country is devoted to its sportsmanship, on all levels.

College Football ratings and attendance has been increasing for many decades, with viewership and attendance continuously on the rise.

The US offers a variety of sports, in professional franchises with exceptional media coverage for all ages. Everyone knows its America’s favorite pastime.

So how does one become a part of a sports franchise? There are many different avenues one could consider when it comes

TNESS

e

to choosing a career in sport franchise, but first they should consider a sport and move forward with research.

It’s hard to narrow down a specific franchise without being biased. Though your favorite team may be the obvious choice, its franchise may not be available and its business statistics may be terrible.

There are a lot of things to consider before investing in a sport and unfortunately your fandom should not be the main inspiration.

Consider the seats in the stadium, are they filled? Are they popular? How well has the team done over the years? Do they sell a lot of tickets and merchandise? Does the location host a lot of shows and venues?

What kind of services do they have on site and how to they profit?

Does the team have a salary cap? Does it spend a lot on travel and equipment?

There are a lot of questions to consider before investing in such a huge franchise.

The best bet is to speak with current sport team franchisors about what kind of questions to ask and what specifics things to look into, and talk to the actual team about what to research in the area.

Location can have a huge affect on your investment. Can fans get there, is there a big population and is it a sports town?

These small considerations may go to the wayside and be a huge hit on your business.

Specific teams and leagues have a criteria or law that franchisors must consider before investing, and a corporate contact

would best explain what red tape you might face that could make your dreams difficult to achieve.

In most franchises a lot of background, experience or understanding is not necessary for ownership. However, in the world of sports it is preferred to have a very good grasp and understanding of the league, the sport and the teams involved.

Fitness franchising On the other end of sports there is fitness, which can lead to a completely different athletic franchise that helps fulfill a passion. For those who have always dreamed of fulfilling a career in health and fitness, there are a lot of opportunities to explore with franchising.

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an investment they require and if their policies and procedures reflect the type of healthy environment you were hoping to achieve as a franchisor.

Of course unlike sports, the enjoyment of the gym would not be dependent on a fan base, but rather marketing, location and advertisement, which head office can provide help with.

Although a lot of gym franchises have established a prevalent branding within the country, a lot of towns have local gyms that are secure and create unwanted competitions. Research these locations and figure out what issues would be a hindrance to your franchise. For example, are competitive gyms focused on training?

If so, does your franchise offer training?

A lot of gyms are not just gyms. Look at the services such as food, classes, training and what requirements are necessary for the staff at the gym and what is the turnaround of employees, all these things give you a leg up on that local competition.

“The gym and fitness industry rakes in over $3 billion in revenue annually and is on the rise.�

The gym and fitness industry rakes in over $3 billion in revenue annually and is on the rise. Americans are more health conscious and we are better educated about the importance of exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

That being said, there is an obesity epidemic that has to be considered, meaning this franchise is important to the overall population.

For those looking to help make their country and community healthy and happy, while turning a profit have so much opportunity in gym franchises. Towns and

Franchising USA

cities are filled with gyms, there is never just one, but that could be a downfall. Is there any more need for gym franchises?

Have memberships raised but locations peaked?

These are questions to ask locals, visits gyms and see how frequently they are being packed and how people feel about a certain franchises policy and regulations.

Do they think the gym is overrun? Not open late enough? Lacking in equipment and facilities?

Then you would have to research specific gyms franchises to see how much of

Both gym and sport franchises have a huge array of clients that would guarantee a profit, but a lot of research and consideration to the specific site of interest could lead to success. Sport teams in particular have a heavy upfront cost, but usually turn a very large profit and though there are a lot of franchises in the states, in comparison to restaurants for example, it’s few and far between. While gyms are popular and the upfront costs are not as hefty, the competition may make success harder to achieve.

For those interested in fitness and health, both venues are worth consideration.

Finding a passion in healthy living and creating a career in that field can be easily accessible through a franchise.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: After receiving an English Degree, followed by a Journalism Diploma, Gina

Gill became a freelance journalist in 2008. She has

worked as a reporter and in communications, focusing on social media. She currently works as a community information officer with Epilepsy Society, while pursuing her writing career at the same time.

Look out for our next special feature:

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spo rts & fi t n ess franchising fe at ur e

Brittany Tinline, Head of Service Operations, Bench

Work Less, Grow More: Use Automation to Put Your Fitness Business on Autopilot

Every entrepreneur wants to create a profitable business. But instead of working on their businesses, many end up working in it.

There’s no shortage of critical, timeconsuming back office tasks to be completed: payroll, bookkeeping, recordkeeping… the list goes on. But, these tasks aren’t producing income and, chances are, they’re not why you chose to go into business for yourself. Automation lets you put them on autopilot, getting you back to the clients and activities that will grow your business.

Here are six areas of your fitness business that you can start automating right now.

Day-to-Day Management Automation has given way to some great all-in-one business management tools in the fitness industry. MindBody is the leading online marketplace for fitness services, letting you pull up a client’s profile to update contact and payment information, renew passes, view all their visits and email receipts. MindBody streamlines administrative tasks and scheduling, while automating the areas of your business that keep you at the front desk.

Whether you’re running a gym, launching a dance studio, or starting out as a personal trainer, all-in-one platforms can

Franchising USA

“Automation has given way to some great all-inone business management tools in the fitness industry.” usually be tailored to suit the individual needs of your fitness business. But, they do come at a price. If your business isn’t quite big enough to justify the ongoing cost of an all-in-one platform, it may be more cost effective for you to pay for a handful of automation tools and services that automate certain areas of your business.

Attracting New Clients More clients can lead to greater revenue, but attracting them can be a full-time job.

If you or your sales team are struggling to track, maintain, and convert new leads, Gymsales could help. The gym-specific lead management tool features automatic follow-up prompts, the ability to send SMS gym incentives to potential customers, and reporting that tracks your sales team’s progress.

FitnessTexter is a fitness-specific referral tool that can be used to give members discount passes to easily share with nonmembers.

Payroll, Workers Compensation, and Health Benefits Payroll and HR related tasks are huge time thieves. Use Gusto to set up health benefits, and obtain worker’s compensation, in addition to automating your payroll.

Bookkeeping Bookkeeping is an inescapable, timeconsuming task that you need to do on a monthly basis in order to properly file your taxes and comply with the IRS in April.

But there’s an affordable middle ground between a DIY solution and a CPA: Online bookkeeping services.

Bench is the leading bookkeeping service for fitness retailers and now the largest online bookkeeping service for small

businesses in North America. Unlike other bookkeeping solutions, Bench is a do-it-for-you service, pairing simple software with a dedicated team of bookkeepers to get bookkeeping off your plate. Each month you’ll receive accurate financial reports, including a P&L and balance sheet, that give you an immediate overview of your business’s financial health without the hassle of reconciling your books yourself. Franchisees can share their financials with their franchisor through the online dashboard, opening up coaching opportunities on subjects like optimal labor and marketing spend.

check out Shoeboxed’s Magic Envelope.

On average, Bench saves entrepreneurs 8 hours, or one business day, per month.

you’ll be able to automate every single

Blogging and Social Media There’s no denying the fact that social media can have a huge impact on the visibility and success of your fitness business. The only drawback? Creating and posting quality content to each of your profiles on a regular basis is incredibly time consuming.

Batch and automate your social posting with Buffer, HootSuite, or Edgar. If you use WordPress for blogging, CoSchedule can help you stick to a publishing schedule, automate the distribution of your blog posts, and pre-load social content to your business’s social profiles.

Recordkeeping

Brittany Tinline

Stuff your receipts into the envelope, send it off, and Shoeboxed will scan, upload,

and store your records for you. The service turns your records into data, stores and

organizes receipts, files business cards, and can even track mileage.

Technology still has a ways to go before task in your gym or fitness business, but it’s getting close. Businesses face a lot

competition and a roller coaster ride on the path to success. But, it helps when a few

processes can pass through automatically,

letting you focus on other important things that will take your fitness business to the next level.

Brittany Tinline is the Head of Service Operations at Bench, the leading bookkeeping service for fitness retailers and the largest bookkeeping service in North America for small businesses.

There she leads a team of bookkeepers who specialize in preparing historical and monthly financial statements for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

If you’re tired of wading through paperwork and receipts whenever a tax deadline rolls around, it’s time to store your records in the cloud. Cloud storage providers Evernote, Dropbox, and Google Drive are easy to use. They also offer free, basic accounts, with the option to upgrade when you need more storage space.

Bench exists for fitness professionals and

If you’d rather outsource the process,

www.bench.co

entrepreneurs who know that investing time in their clients and business is more valuable than spending hours behind a desk. Thanks to Bench’s advancements in tech and automation, Bench bookkeepers are able to serve their clients 5x faster.

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Christopher Conner, President, Franchise Marketing Systems

Sports & Fitness Franchise Market has Something for Everyone Franchising USA

The sports and fitness market within franchising is always an area of innovation and market opportunity. The beauty of sports and fitness in general is that the market segment is timeless, gender-neutral and completely non-specific to a particular category of customer.

People from all age ranges, demographics and profiles have a sports and fitness brand or franchise that fits their needs and interests. Toddlers and young children have sports and intramural activity franchises which have grown significantly in recent years while adults have specialty studio fitness service franchises. The franchise market for Sports and Fitness has been in an extreme growth mode in the recent 5 years in a wide variety of categories. There are some key drivers to this paradigm, the first being that many Sports and Fitness businesses make money.

The Fitness market has gone through a pretty significant transition to more community based models that are tightknit and smaller in nature. They offer more personalized attention and a much closer relationship between members.

One fitness franchise owner mentioned to me how closely connected their members were and how much they all interacted both in and outside of the gym. I thought about my experience with gyms and how little interaction I ever had with anyone at the facility, everyone just seemed to walk around with headphones on and not say or look at anyone else. There are some compelling statistics out there about traditional gym and fitness businesses, one being that 95% of gym memberships don’t use their membership more than one time per month. This embodies what traditional gyms had become and possibly was at the

root of what caused the traditional gym business model to slow down in growth.

The community based model helps keep people engaged and accountable and feeling like they want to be there so to avoid disappointing their “colleagues in fitness”. Today’s fitness brands that are seeing significant growth are community oriented, smaller in nature and fit a much different business model. They also require a much lower initial investment and don’t need the same level of operating overhead to make the model work.

Sports franchises have come into the mainstream with attention being paid to how much professional sports teams have come to be worth in today’s marketplace.

It is not uncommon to see professional teams in Basketball, Football or Baseball exceed $1 Billion valuations on a regular basis. The power of a well-managed and structured franchise organization has never been more evident than that of the NFL where professional football franchises are valued at an absolute premium. More and more children-related sports franchises have also come to market and made headway in growing their networks. This trend was initially started with I-9 Sports offering an intramural league franchise concept that has grown exceedingly well and transitioned into a wide variety of other markets such as soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis and other sports categories. With today’s current scenario in youth sports where everyone is more and more competitive and needs every advantage offered to them for their particular sport, people are willing to spend to help their children advance in a sport. Hoop To Hoop is a new brand that offers basketball skills training and guidance and certainly fits this profile.

People enjoy sports and fitness, the idea of making a living while doing something that you love is at the core of what creates immediate excitement around the market segment. What makes today’s franchise models even more exciting is the good ones put forward impressive numbers and in some cases significant ROI’s for a franchise offering. What drives the good models vs. the poor sports and fitness franchises are similar to that of any

Chris Conner

other market segment; a good franchise marketing system and lead generation mechanism needs to be in place that finds customers and drives revenues. Solid operating structure with technology, documentation, manuals and franchise training platforms all need to be in place and well defined allowing new franchisees the ability to replicate a successful sports and fitness business model. The Franchisor needs to be focused, dedicated and committed to the success of the franchisees in their network. Many times, I have interacted with potential franchisees of given brands with interest the Sports and Fitness market and my guidance to them is to be diligent in reviewing the business aspects of the franchise and confirm that there is value in the system.

Particularly in Sports and Fitness, it might be easy to let emotions get in the way of good business decisions. Before making an investment in a franchise, it is imperative to affirm that you are getting a good business, not just a nice lifestyle.

Christopher Conner is the President of Franchise Marketing Systems and has spent the last decade in the franchise industry working with several hundred different franchise systems in management, franchise sales and franchise development work.

His experience ranges across all fields of franchise expertise with a focus in franchise marketing and franchise sales but includes work in franchise strategic planning, franchise research and franchise operations consulting. www.franchisemarketingsystems.com

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Brian Sanders, President & CEO, i9 Sports

A Changing Environment and the Business of Youth Sports

Little players, big business Summer’s here, and with the warm air come the exuberant screams of kids of all ages making their way down to the soccer field, basketball court, or a football sideline or two. Some are probably picking the dandelions of America’s outfields as well.

It should come as no surprise that youth sports involvement continues to be one of the most popular summertime activities, helping kids get together with their friends and their favorite coaches. In fact, 60 percent of kids play sports outside of school, and that number is expected to jump in the near future. The United States Census Bureau projects the number of children under age 17 will grow to record levels in the next 15 to 20 years. With that projection comes an increase in the potential for youth sports participation, an already staggering market that currently exceeds $9 billion by recent estimates, with nearly 42 million youth athletes across 14,000 different organizations.

Traditional youth sports may be flawed Unfortunately, with growth come hiccups for the typical town league. Anyone with a ball and a whistle can offer a sports league, and plenty of organizations offer mediocre programs because a lack of incentive to provide better. Often with these programs, families face disorganization, a lack of communication, and inconvenience, with over-scheduled young athletes required to attend multiple practices each week and parents serving as no more than a glorified shuttle service.

Perhaps a bigger issue is the destructively competitive, highly political culture that sometimes accompanies youth sports.

These behaviors turn sports into a negative experience for kids and erase the potential

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“Youth sports were created to serve the kids that play, but it’s up to the adults to change the game.”

positive life skills like self-discipline, determination and teamwork instilled by youth sports participation. Not to mention the pressure put on kids to specialize in one sport with the hopes of an athletic scholarship and a big payday. In fact, of the 42 million American kids who play sports each year, research suggests that more than half drop out by age 12 because it’s no longer fun or has become a negative experience.

The problem is not with the kids; it’s with the adults. Put simply, youth sports have evolved from a simple way for kids to have fun and build athletic skills into adult sports played by those kids that consume time and money while causing immense stress and frustration for children and parents alike.

Offering an alternative The time is ripe for the reinvention of local youth sports. This reinvention starts with a format that puts the athlete and his/her family at the center of a more service-oriented model. To successfully change the culture of youth sports leagues, organizations that operate as a business (versus a non-profit or association), have a distinct advantage because they survive and grow based completely on the degree to which they meet the needs of those they serve.

The key in this changing environment is to pair potential financial returns with a core purpose for the people operating the programs. The combination of

financial incentive with the ability to make a difference in the lives of others is incredibly powerful.

The youth sports experience itself must be radically transformed. The number one reason kids play sports is to have fun, so it’s not surprising they quit because they stop enjoying it. This requires a transformation of the adultification of youth athletics from programs that offer hyper-competitive, win-at-all-costs cultures to those offering better ageappropriate instruction that’s fun for kids and convenient for today’s busy families.

To do so, programs should be built around teaching skills, good sportsmanship, and healthy competition, instead of focusing solely on who plays what position and the final game score.

The experience should start and end with those core values, but it’s also important to understand that coaches and those operating the leagues must be provided resources to truly deliver a topnotch experience. For example, technology is an essential element in the new youth sports league model. Surprisingly, software is the underpinning of the reinvented youth sports model because of the efficiency it provides in roster building, scheduling, and league communication. When the headaches of league operations can be taken away with the touch of a button, everyone can focus on enjoying the experience with the kids and making memories that truly last a lifetime.

There’s no doubt the business of youth

sports is booming. But, with tremendous growth has come consequences. To leverage the opportunity while preserving the core values that youth sports are built on means walking away from the stale, outdated youth sports mindset and prioritizing instruction, fun, and safety over the “win-at-all cost” mentality that dominates many programs today. Youth sports were created to serve the kids that play, but it’s up to the adults to change the game. It’s time to reclaim youth sports for the kids. See a league parent that’s raucous and toxic? That’s old culture. Notice a lack of core values in a league? That’s bad management. It’s time for a change – there’s a better way. Commit to betterment for the sake of our children, and let’s play ball.

Brian Sanders is one of the original architects of the i9 Sports Experience, and is the president and CEO of i9 Sports. Brian is responsible for setting the company’s vision and strategic direction and working with the leadership team to translate the company’s vision into system-wide growth strategies that increase customer registrations and help make each franchise more successful and profitable. www.i9sportsfranchise.com

Brian Sanders

Franchising USA

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Brandon Bean, CEO, Gold’s Gym

The Business of Fitn

Thanks to the rise of national discourse on healthy eating and the positive impact of exercise on overall health, more consumers are joining health clubs and making fitness a central focus of their lives.

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According to a recent report from IBISWorld, the gym and fitness franchise industry is experiencing robust growth as consumers educate themselves and become more well informed. Due to this health-conscious climate, health club memberships have steadily been on the rise, benefiting gym franchises in particular as greater demand from a larger gym-going demographic is encouraging franchise expansion.

larger client bases and respond to the

Many franchisors, in an effort to develop

and expanding.

growing popularity of boutique gyms, have offered more franchise opportunities over the past five years.

As the business of fitness continues to grow and evolve, it is imperative that fitness franchises stay competitive

through a multitude of strategies, from

specialized service offerings to strategic

partnerships, in order to continue growing

ness

“At the end of the day, fitness is a member-focused business that should revolve around customer service.” the reputation of your brand.

While business acumen should always be at the top of the list of requirements for new franchisees, a passion for the fitness industry is an undeniable added benefit.

Operators that love the industry and are excited about growing your brand are in the best position to succeed.

Focus on Service: Process Whether your brand is a big box or boutique concept, service needs to remain the number one priority for your franchise in order to build a loyal customer base and sustain growth. At the end of the day, fitness is a member-focused business that should revolve around customer service. From the moment a member steps through the door, they should be treated respectfully by the front desk workers, personal trainers and whoever else comes in contact with them. There are too many health club options for customers to choose from today to be treated poorly at your business.

Specialized Offerings: Programming

Strategic Growth & Partnerships: People As you look to expand your brand, be diligent and selective about the franchisees that you bring on board. Ensure that they are people you will want to do business with for years to come, and focus on the quality of the franchise versus quantity.

A small number of franchisees that are the right fit for your brand will be more successful than a large number of unqualified operators who could tarnish

It is very important to understand how the fitness landscape is changing due to consumer tastes, and to be open to developing additional offerings in order to meet your members’ needs and demands.

Whether it’s adding new group fitness classes to the mix or changing up the types of classes offered at your gym, customers today are looking for new workout options that will help them most effectively achieve their fitness goals.

health of their employees, and are creating corporate wellness programs as a way to encourage employees to work out consistently. Workplace wellness programs are now used by more than two-thirds of U.S. businesses and it has become a $6 billion industry.

The health outcomes of corporate wellness programs are many, including smoking cessation, weight loss and obesity prevention, diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol management.

This, in turn, benefits businesses by lowering absenteeism, increasing job satisfaction and work productivity, improving employee retention, and lowering health care costs. Gyms and health clubs should be taking advantage of this rise in corporate wellness programs as an additional revenue stream beyond memberships.

If you are in the business of fitness, you must keep an open mind and be adaptable.

Our consumers are always changing, which means that we should be, too.

Gold’s Gym has built a winning strategy by offering a fitness product differentiated by our people, our process and our programming, and it’s imperative to have a strategy built around a core belief that drives your organization every day.

Brandon Bean is the CEO of Gold’s Gym, the world’s trusted fitness authority since 1965. From its humble beginnings as a small gym in Venice, California, Gold’s Gym has grown into a global icon with more than 700 locations serving 3 million people across six continents each day. www.goldsgym.com

Corporate Wellness Programs Businesses are also taking note of the benefits that regular exercise has on the

Brandon Bean

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T he S tacked Pick le

How Gary Brackett Went from Super Bowl Champion to Restaurant Entrepreneur and Franchisor Backed by his team of experienced restaurant operators, Brackett has expanded the restaurant into a nine-unit chain with each location thoughtfully placed in and around the Indianapolis market – and he is looking for aspiring franchisees to expand the operation on a national level.

Gary Lawrence Brackett rose to national fame when he was picked up as a free agent for the Indianapolis Colts in 2003. Since joining the Colts, Brackett went on to play for nine seasons.

During his tenure, he was most noted for winning Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears. During this season, he was named defensive captain of the Colts and had over 120 tackles. Throughout his career, he was twice named AFC Defensive Player-of-theWeek.

Most football players come to the end of their career asking, “what next?” This was not the case for Brackett, as he always thought about his post-NFL aspirations -even when he first entered the league. He took advantage of executive education and internships provided by the NFL, which provided a foundation for him to take

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advantage of after his career in football.

A large part of this mindset came while obtaining his undergraduate degree at Rutgers University, where he developed a business skill set that he knew would be of value during the next phase of his career.

After retirement from the NFL, Brackett went back to school, earning his Masters of Business Administration from George Washington University and ventured into restaurant management, in the city of Indianapolis.

Brackett is now the owner of The Stacked Pickle Restaurant franchise, and launched Brackett Restaurant Group. The Stacked Pickle has become Indianapolis’ favorite neighborhood restaurant and sports bar – as they proudly serve fresh and affordable food with legendary customer service.

The Stacked Pickle’s full bar offers over 15 draft flavors and daily drink specials.

This has become the go-to spot for lunch, happy hour, dinner, and late-night bites.

Throughout Indiana, The Stacked Pickle currently has locations in Carmel, Fishers, West Carmel, Westfield, Indianapolis, Greenwood, Southport and West Lafayette.

Aspiring franchisees/entrepreneurs will get the chance to take part in the following advantages if they join the Stacked Pickle team: (1) Training – franchisees will be provided with ongoing support and training before and after launching their own Stacked Pickle, (2) Site selection our team provides assistance with site selection, lease negotiation, and construction to ensure efficient opening and (3) Marketing programs – franchisees can grow their business in any particular location through the company’s overall branding and marketing strategy. Other advantages include: access to training manuals and programs, access to sales, marketing, and administrative materials, existing customer and supplier relationships, technical support, and exclusive territories.

The owner/operator for a Stacked Pickle franchise must be personable and have some experience in leadership and management. A franchisee must be a “people person” who is outgoing and can communicate effectively with the customer base to establish credibility and trust within their community. Other qualifications would include high personal standards, effective communication skills, willingness to operate with complete integrity and within the core values of the company.

Aspiring franchisees can get more information at buildthepickle.com.

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The Ultimate Professional Franchise Opportunity

www.interfacefinancial.com/franchise Franchising USA

Franchising USA

ex per t advice

George Knauf, Senior Franchise Business Advisor, FranChoice

10 Feet Tall and Invincibl That was the response of a close friend on a conference call 2o years ago when he was asked how he was doing. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I have thought of that phrase and how to achieve the mindset he outlined in so few words.

All these years later I have figured out how to start my day with that feeling, operate all day in it and how to use it to drive my business strategy. Today I will teach you what I do and you can modify it into what works for you.

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There are several online programs or coaches that proffer a systematic micromanagement of your day to reach financial success. They say to get up early and start with your to-do list then do paperwork, then make countless calls to anyone that will listen to you, then at the end of the day back to paperwork and admin duties and at some point along that timeline you can wave to your kids as they go to school.

Every time I see these programs it just seems like the plan is to work three times as hard to make twice the money. I don’t get it…

Why work that hard and miss life? Has your child or spouse ever looked and you and said “I wish you worked more”?

Time and time again I talk to people that have been successful in their work roles only to have as their biggest regret that

they have missed out on so many of the important times with their family, friends or the activities that they enjoy.

If a comet was headed towards earth and there was a clear picture of the time you had left, would you have any regrets?

What would you do in those final days?

Would you be working three times as hard to make twice the money?

I suspect your priorities would change and you would focus on family, friends and things you love to do.

Being wealthy is far better than being rich, and wealth comes from the joy you have in how you live. But yes, you need money to have freedom.

Here is my approach to work and life as of today (always subject to update): I get up early just like the online programs say, but it is not to do paperwork. I spend some time with our dogs, have a

l le

“The ultimate goal of my approach to business is not to work three times as hard to make twice as much, but rather to work half as hard and makes three times as much.” location. There is a time when the day begins in your work. Wherever you are that must be honored if you are in your work zone. You can no more be at work focused on play time than you can be at play time focused while working. My office opens officially at 9AM. Of course, I do work before that and after hours, but those are not planned or guaranteed that I will be at my desk.

During those hours book a little extra time on your most important money making conversations, you never want to rush the relationships that put food on your table.

If the call ends early you will have smaller tasks that you can back-fill with.

Your top work priorities should be those that bring in revenue; if you don’t have time for admin work then hire someone to do that.

cup of coffee and figure out my top few priorities for the day so I can fill in the less important activities around them. Then it is off to the gym for a workout but while I do a boot camp workout you could run, walk do yoga or meditate. Find your zone to get healthy and be able to fully participate in work and with family.

Whatever you do to start your day you are looking for these results before you begin your work: 1. A calm and quiet zone to determine your top priorities and find focus 2. A stress reliever to unwind before going into higher stress situations 3. Spend time with your family, dogs or whatever helps put you in a mindset of giving to others I have worked from a home office for years, but in the end that has the same rules as a regular office or retail/restaurant

Along with revenue calls you should find time every day for one peer, cheer leader or personal growth call. This should be something that you find value in, that makes you better for your clients or team and could be anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour depending on your schedule.

If you own a franchise at least one of those calls each week should be with someone at the corporate franchise office. If you don’t have specific questions for someone at corporate then call somebody you have never spoken to there and ask them to tell you about their role with the company.

The ultimate goal of my approach to business is not to work three times as hard to make twice as much, but rather to work half as hard and makes three times as much. I am a business owner, not an employee and have some very unfair advantages in that approach. I get to leverage money, time and resources to do more with less time. All franchise and business owners have access to at least some of these advantages.

George Knauf

To leverage into greater success I hire service providers that complete certain tasks, contractors that complete other tasks and when there is a long term role to play that is not currently covered we add an employee or two. Leveraging resources to get the lower tasks covered leaves me free to focus on making sure money is coming in the front door.

Last but not least, spend 80% or more of your working time on the projects, deals and people you really enjoy working with.

Now when I hop on a conference call and someone asks how I am doing… “ 10 feet tall and invincible!”

What will your success story be? Let’s go find it!

George Knauf is a highly sought after, trusted advisor to many companies; Public, Independent and Franchised, of all sizes and in many markets. His 20 plus years of experience in both startup and mature business operations makes him uniquely qualified to advise individuals that have dreamed of going into business for themselves in order to gain more control, independence, time flexibility and to be able to earn in proportion to their real contribution.

Contact the Franchising USA Expert George’s Hotline 703-424-2980. www.myperfectfranchise.com

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ex per t advice

Dave Venneri, Chief Revenue Officer, Digital Air Strike

Franchise Buyers

Don’t Let the Ghosts of Past Haunt Your A social following and positive online reputation can make or break relationships with potential new customers, especially in a regional franchise where social media and online reviews can be a key differentiator.

and included when determining a purchase

When a franchise is bought or sold social media channels and review site ratings are valuable assets that need to be considered

researching a business, surpassing all

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price. There is definitely value in a 5-star

online reputation and room for negotiation when it’s just a 1-star.

Consumers are increasingly relying on social media, including online review

sites, to select a brand. In fact, Digital Air Strike conducted a study on social media trends and this proprietary data showed that 79 percent of consumers say using

the internet, including social media and review sites, were MOST helpful when other mediums. 81 percent said online

review sites helped them select a business.

Many digital marketers believe that a positive online reputation can become your greatest, or worst, salesperson. If you consider the results of the Digital Air Strike study above, a poor reputation can deter more than 50 percent of potential buyers from even visiting your franchise.

So, when buying or selling a franchise, keep those numbers in mind and make sure you’re prepared to maintain or change an online reputation.

When buying a franchise, make sure all log-ins and passwords are included in the contract and the transaction. We work with clients every day who don’t have or can’t find the appropriate login and passwords

“A poor reputation can deter more than 50 percent of potential buyers from even visiting your franchise.”

As insurance, franchise buyers should also request that the previous owners not shut down any email addresses until they get the logins to these important accounts reset. Buyers should also ask for all information about Google Analytics and the logins that go with that account as well. These analytics go a long way in helping you determine the best strategy for your franchise’s digital presence moving forward under your ownership.

s Beware -

f Owners r Future! for their Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and many other sites important to their social media and online reputation.

We recently helped the new owners of a business in Indiana reset logins and passwords for all of their social and review sites because they didn’t get this information in the sale. It took our team about a month to get this information updated – which, because we have contacts at all the sites, is actually very fast compared to the time it would take an “average Joe” to get the information.

In that time, bad reviews came in and couldn’t be responded to and the business’s social sites went stale.

Before the sale is even final, the purchaser should request that a social media policy be put in place for current employees.

This will help ensure that any negative comments about a potential sale are kept offline. It’s an important practice that all franchises have a social media policy, whether it’s all stores under the franchise umbrella or just the individual owner/ manager, that provides guidelines of what can and can’t be shared online – even on an employee’s personal pages. This practice is even more important during the sale of a business.

If the franchise you’re buying has an especially bad social and online reputation, you may just want to start from scratch. That includes changing the physical address of your store. Many franchises are big enough to allow for a change from, for example, 100 E. Main Street to 102 E. Main Street. Google doesn’t care about new ownership, it pays attention to the business address. So, if you need to leave bad reviews behind, move a little.

Sometimes no reviews look worse than bad ones, so if you’re starting from scratch, implement a plan to get new reviews. The best way to do this is to survey clients and customers nightly and make it easy for the happy ones to share their positive feedback publicly. Additionally, there are tools that can help you ask customers to leave a review in real-time. Sending a survey via text or email to a happy customer who is in your store or has just left is a great way

Dave Venneri

to encourage new reviews. We’ve found this practice can garner hundreds of good reviews in just a few months.

This is also a time to get legitimate likes and followers on your social sites. You shouldn’t buy them, but you can use targeted ads to reach consumers that are interested in your franchise business, the goods and services you sell and even the charities you support.

Most companies today spend time and money on their social media and online reputation and shouldn’t think of these things as “throwaways”. In this digital era, consumers are always online and social media channels have immense value to a business.

Over his 25-year career, Dave Venneri has helped grow revenue at numerous technology startups and brings a wealth of sales leadership to the Digital Air Strike team. Prior to joining Digital Air Strike as Chief Revenue Officer, Dave was most recently Vice President of Inside Sales at G/O Digital (online division of publicly traded Gannett Co., Inc.) and held senior sales leadership positions at multiple technology companies. In addition to years of SMB technology experience, Dave also served in sales and marketing roles at the Seattle Mariners, Cutter & Buck and Cutters Gloves. digitalairstrike.com

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Veterans in Franchising june 2017

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

Home Care Franchise Opportunities

Help Veterans Become Business Owners

So, You’re Retiring From the Military‌ Now What? from Marine to Marketing Mogul Franchising USA

SAME DRIVE. DIFFERENT BATTLEFIELD. TAKE THE NEXT STEP > VETFRAN.COM OFFERING FINANCIAL SUPPORT, TRAINING & MENTORSHIP Veterans interested in franchising can take their skills learned in the military to successfully own and develop small businesses. Learn more and support veterans in franchising at www.vetfran.com.

• 650 franchise companies participating • 151,000 veterans and their spouses found careers in the franchise industry • 5,100 veteran franchise owners

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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 Suppl e m e n t june 2017 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 50 Home Care Franchise Opportunities Help

Veterans Become Business Owners 46 So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What?

48 From Marine to Marketing Mogul

News and Expert Advice 46 So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What?

Willie Smith, Juice it Up!

50 Home Care Franchise Opportunities Help

Veterans Become Business Owners Aarif Dahod, CEO and COO of Accessible Home

Health Care

Veterans Profile 48 Valpak

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V e t erans in Franchising

Willie Smith, Juice It Up! Franchisee

So, You’re Retiring From the Military…

Now What?

After 27 years in the Marine Corps, I retired in 2010 as a Master Sergeant, to embark on my next (and hopefully final) career as an adult.

As a new civilian and budding entrepreneur, it was important that I set myself up for success. It was a daunting task determining what my next major life choice would be, and I didn’t want to start this chapter behind the curve, so I enlisted the help of a financial broker to discuss my options.

As a leader in the military, I knew from the moment I retired that I wanted to be a business owner. I’ve always thrived within leadership roles and my passion lies in leading and helping others grow. When I began speaking with my broker, we drafted a thorough business plan outlining the type of company I’d be interested in partnering with. There are many existing

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options for business ownership and I knew from the beginning that I did not want to start a business from scratch, and through the initial strategy session with my broker, we determined that franchising would be the best route.

I know it’s important to have resources and experts available to guide me, as well as having a good franchise model set up.

I’ve thrived in many roles while under leadership from those above me, and by following guidelines put into place by those who’ve paved the way. Truthfully, I believe a company is only as good as its leadership team and the tried-and-true regulations that have been implemented to ensure success.

How do you pick the best franchise for you?

It was important to me to be part of a company that promotes a healthy, active lifestyle and provides better-for-you options. In the military, I spent a lot of my time working out and eating well, and it was essential that I pick a franchise brand that’s culture aligned with my lifestyle.

That’s when I found Juice It Up! A brand that’s been around for over two decades, Juice It Up! was, and still is, the ideal franchise opportunity for me. They offer products that are a step above the competition, including fresh-squeezed raw juices, blended-to-order real fruit and veggie smoothies and nutrient-rich bowls.

It was the company’s passion for working with veterans and their Vetfran Program which sealed the deal, though, giving me 60% off on the initial franchise fee.

What lessons have you learned since becoming a business owner?

Since I opened my first store in Temecula, California, I’ve learned (as most business owners do) that it’s hard work. We first opened our doors in 2010, a difficult economical time in our country. But, with the support of Juice It Up!’s CEO, Frank Easterbrook, I was able to keep

“In the Marines, the people I led had to be there . . . so I pushed them as hard as I could to get the results I needed. When I opened my store, I found that my employees don’t have to be there; they choose to be there.” my business afloat and weather the rough financial times during the recession. I was fortunate to have a solid corporate team in place to help me succeed; if I hadn’t chosen the path of a franchisee, I wouldn’t have had that support system available to me.

I also learned that leading people as a business owner is a completely different beast compared to that of the military. In the Marines, the people I led had to be there; they didn’t have the option to quit so I pushed them as hard as I could to get the results I needed. When I opened my store, I found that my employees don’t have to be there… they choose to be there.

Changing my teaching technique style was difficult but not impossible since I learned quickly that my methods could make or break my business. My employees are a necessity for my business to function and succeed, so I changed the way I led to fit my new environment and be more compassionate. I’m the decision maker regarding who works with me and I’ve learned to be more patient, kind and to value my employee relationships.

What advice do you have for any current and future veteran franchisees?

Choose a company that aligns with your values and lifestyle. I knew as soon as I came across Juice It Up! that it was the best option for me. It’s a brand I could be passionate about. Additionally, utilize your corporate team and the resources they provide. Juice It Up! has been around since 1995 and they’re successful because they

Willie Smith

have a tried and true business model in place that is effective.

Not only is it imperative you find a brand that you can stand by 100%, you have to be willing to grow each and every day. What you think you know is best, may not be the case. As long as you’re open to taking advice, trusting the system and asking for help, you will succeed in the franchise industry.

In 2010, Willie Smith retired a Master Sergeant after 27 years in the Marines, a career that took him across the country and around the world, including two tours in Okinawa, Japan, and one in Afghanistan. In the Marines, he oversaw operations, managed supplies, learned sales skills, marketing and communications through recruitment and was able to hone his leadership skills as an officer. Smith opened his first Juice It Up! location in Temecula, California in 2010 and recently open his second store earlier this year. www.juiceitupfranchise.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

Valpa k

From Marine to Marketing Mogul For Mike Lozier, the transition from Officer of the United States Marine Corps to Valpak franchise owner was not one without much consideration.

Now, even after 10 years as a business owner, he still shares the same sentiment as all former Marines: “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” Here’s how he used his military experience to build two successful businesses, all while continuing to support his fellow servicemen and women.

Mike Lozier, 45, is a native New Yorker, born and raised in North Babylon on Long Island. In 1990, Lozier was a freshman

studying Equine studies at the State University of Cobleskill in New York while three of his cousins were serving in the first Gulf War. Their service, coupled with the love and sense of duty Lozier felt for his country, motivated him to enlist.

In 1992, Lozier began a military career that would span over 15 years. He enlisted with the United States Marine Corps and completed basic training at Parris Island as a platoon honor graduate. Following graduation, Lozier received orders to Pensacola, Florida for intelligence training where he would qualify as a 2621 Morse code operator. Upon completion of training, Lozier received orders to Japan at Misawa Air Base where he was stationed for two years.

Over the next 12 years, Lozier relocated several times throughout the U.S. as well as completed two real world operations in Zaire and Sierra Leone, Africa while part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22 MEU). During this time frame, he completed extensive education and training that propelled him further in his career. While stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland from 1999-2002, Lozier worked with the National Security Agency as an

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intelligence analyst and was selected to become an officer in the Marine Corps’ Marine Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECEP), giving him the opportunity to attend the University of Maryland.

It was in Washington D.C. while attending the University of Maryland that Lozier met a woman named Robyn Cohen who would later become his wife. After earning his bachelor’s degree in history, Lozier received orders to Officer Candidate School and The Basic School at Base Quantico in Virginia where he graduated top of his class and became a financial management officer.

“It was a big change in career for me, but I was setting myself up for life after the Corps. It was important that I think of a future beyond the military because this life can wear you down,” said Lozier.

Lozier was ordered to stay at Base Quantico and became the lead budget analyst for OPTARSS (Operations, Planning, Training and Resource Support Services) at Training and Education Command (TECOM). After three and a half years at TECOM, Mike made the decision to retire in 2007 to focus on his personal life and future family.

“When I met my wife, she became my top priority, and while I could’ve completed another five years in the Corps before retirement, I didn’t want that lifestyle for my wife nor my future family. She changed my entire world and I felt that once you can no longer give 110 percent, it’s not fair to you, it’s not fair to the Marine Corps nor the people you’re supposed to be protecting,” said Lozier.

It was Robyn who introduced Mike to Valpak, helping to pave the way to business ownership and a career after the Marines. Robyn’s parents, Jeff and Marsha Cohen, were among the original franchise owners with Valpak when the company first began franchising in 1972.

After 40 years in business, the Cohens sold a portion of their New Jersey territory, including Essex and Union counties to Mike and Robyn.

“My wife and I wanted to do something together since we spent so much time

“My wife and I wanted to do something together since we spent so much time apart during my years of service. Valpak was a natural fit for us and offered us an opportunity to continue Robyn’s family’s legacy.” apart during my years of service. Valpak was a natural fit for us and offered us an opportunity to continue Robyn’s family’s legacy,” said Lozier.

As a first-time business owner, Lozier discovered that his military skills and experience translated to his newfound career.

“The military teaches you to roll with the punches and work with people from all walks of life. Each individual acts and reacts differently, very much like our Valpak clients,” said Lozier. “As Valpak franchisees, we’ve received unparalleled ongoing support and training to help us develop our business and implement successful strategies.”

As part of its commitment to expanding veteran franchise ownership, Valpak is a proud supporter of VetFRAN, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative. For all honorably discharged veterans, Valpak offers a 20 percent discount on the initial franchise fee.

While Mike Lozier’s career trajectory took an unexpected direction, he hasn’t forgotten his roots as a Marine. In 2007, Lozier launched a holiday care package program that ships greeting cards and gifts to units of service members deployed overseas. Other Valpak franchise owners began to join in the effort, and eventually the entire Valpak franchise network joined.

Today, the Loziers own and operate Valpak of Garden State East. In addition, in 2016, the entrepreneur started a gutter cleaning business, Gutter Plumbers, geared towards veteran franchise owners, which he plans to franchise in the future.

“My intent with Gutter Plumbers is to create a franchise-based business that can offer qualified veterans a franchise of their own for a very nominal cost. My goal is to give back to the veterans who are transitioning from their military careers to civilian life, and get them started on their own.” www.valpak.com

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V e t erans in Franchising

Aarif Dahod, CEO & COO, Accessible Home Health Care

Home Care Franchise Opportunities

Help Veterans Become Business Owners

Aarif Dahod

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One of the most difficult aspects of transitioning from active duty to civilian life can be finding employment for a postmilitary career. Yet some former service members are discovering civilian career success with their leadership skills through the ownership of home care franchises.

Veterans Javon and Nathan Russell and their mother Joyce, who recently acquired a home care franchise, certainly are.

Javon and Nathan, both United States Army and Marine Corps veterans, became determined to change the face of veteran care in their community in honor of their late father. The brothers set out to accomplish this goal by providing quality home care services to seniors and vets in their local area. Their desire to help others was born after the brothers experienced difficulty finding quality home care for their father, an honorably discharged U.S. Navy veteran.

Now as home care franchise owners with firsthand experience as caregivers, Javon and Nathan are on a mission to offer

quality home care services. Who better to provide care for veterans than veterans?

The qualities necessary to be a successful owner in the home care franchising industry are an ability to lead a business, a dedicated work ethic, and a willingness to follow a set business plan as a franchisee.

Veterans excel at all of the above.

According to the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Franchising for Veterans Industry Analysis 2017 - Cost & Trends report, 1 in 7 U.S. franchises are veteran owned. In addition, 9% of all business owners in the U.S. are veterans.

That’s a big number!

Veterans are prepared for franchise ownership because of the training and people skills they learn in the military.

Being a franchisee and running a home care business is all about using teamwork and leadership skills to achieve predetermined results through a proven system. As a home care franchisee, an owner can rely on a network of support from the franchisor and other franchisees while simultaneously helping local seniors in their community. Alternatively, as an entrepreneur, they would be out on their own.

According to the Home and Senior Care Franchise Industry Report 2016, 6.5 million seniors need help in their homes, and this number is anticipated to double by 2020. Home care franchises can fulfill that growing need with quality, 24/7 non-medical home care services for aging adults and individuals of all ages who require care.

An AARP Aging in Place survey reports that 89% of seniors would like to age in their own homes as long as they can.

Home care companies arrange for visiting home health aides to provide services such as medical reminders housekeeping, laundry, bathing, transportation, meal preparation, grooming, and dressing.

For veterans embarking on the transition from military to civilian life, incentives like financial and support training offered by franchisors are great avenues for veterans to get started as business owners in any industry. Franchisors like Accessible Home Health Care and organizations like the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative (VetFran)

“Veterans are prepared for franchise ownership because of the training and people skills they learn in the military.” offer benefits or cost saving programs as incentives to become franchisees.

To support veteran franchise owners, Accessible Home Health Care offers the Milton M. Rager Veterans’ Franchise Opportunity Program. The program waives the initial $50,000 startup fee, provides entrepreneurial training, and offers assistance in locating and accessing capital to qualifying veterans. The entire Accessible team is excited to offer this franchise opportunity to the Russell family as good corporate citizenship.

The Russell family was selected for this home care business opportunity program because of their past military service and combined healthcare and business experience. It was always a dream of the Russells to own a business and use their career strengths together as a family to help people obtain compassionate home care for their loved ones.

With their combined expertise and family legacy of military service to the country, the Russells will provide compassionate care to seniors and veterans in their hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Nathan served 16 years in the United States Army and Marine Corps and has human resources experience and a bachelor’s degree in accounting. His brother and business partner Javon is also a United States Army veteran working in business

management. Their mother Joyce Russell has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, a master’s degree in nursing, and will complete her Doctor of Nursing Practice in fall 2017.

Getting involved in the home health care franchising industry is a great next step for United States military veterans interested in creating a rewarding career path by owning a business and caring for seniors and fellow veterans. With an increasing demand for in home care for seniors throughout the country, the home care market is set for solid growth in years to come with opportunities for caring and compassionate franchisees who have the determination to succeed.

Aarif Dahod is the CEO and COO of Accessible Home Health Care. Founded in 2001, Accessible Home Health Care provides “Compassionate Care from the Heart” to help assist and support families during times of need when seniors and elders begin to change physically and mentally. Accessible Home Health Care offers customizable in home care services that include Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s care to help seniors maintain their independence, in-home safety, and enhance their quality of life. www.accessiblehomehealthcare.com/ veteran-owned-franchise-opportunity

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ex per t advice

David Scott Levaton, Esq., Founder of Franchise Legal Support

Lease Considerations for New Franchisees It’s an exciting day when your Franchise Agreement is finally signed and you start looking for a location to lease.

the lease reviewed by an attorney familiar with franchising. Your attorney will point out those provisions that can be altered or deleted to ensure you attain the most beneficial agreement. Here are some of the key negotiating points to consider when evaluating leases in a franchised business:

Whether you are negotiating using the franchisor’s guidelines, or working with a real estate broker, there are several key considerations unique to franchising that are important to factor in when drafting the terms of the lease.

Managing the Term

Leases can be long and complicated documents. As with all long-term obligations and contracts, you should have

The term of your lease should, with options, match the franchise agreement term. Matching terms provides continuity

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The term of the lease is often overlooked as a key factor, but there are two things to watch for: 1) Matching the lease to the franchise term, and 2) Establishing a limited time-frame exit strategy.

and a clean separation or renewal when the franchise agreement expires or is renewed.

This ensures that you won’t have to renegotiate a lease for a franchise that has only a year or so left, or be stuck in a lease for a franchise that since expired.

You should also consider breaking the term into manageable time frames, such as a 10-year term, drafted as 5 years with a 5-year option. The reality is that not all franchises succeed. While your franchisor may have the option to assume the lease if the unit is underperforming, they may not exercise that right. Therefore, it’s a practical consideration to limit the length of time you may be exposed to rental payments if you have to close your doors.

A shorter term lease with options allows you to better manage your liability.

“Matching terms provides continuity and a clean separation or renewal when the franchise agreement expires or is renewed.” protections and use. These include: Co-Tenancy Provisions: In bigger, anchored shopping centers, this clause allows your rent to drop if a major anchor tenant vacates its space and is not replaced in a set period of time.

Permitted Transfer Provisions: Allow you to transfer the lease to another franchisee or your franchisor without a fee or qualification by the landlord, no approval necessary.

Personal Guaranty Limits: Confines personal assets needed for security for payment of the lease obligations. Best practice is to limit the time frame to the first year or two, after which they expire.

Exclusive Uses Exclusive uses allow you to be the sole provider of your franchised goods and services in the real estate center you lease from. These provisions keep predatory businesses away from your operation, and protect you from having to compete with a business just doors away. To accomplish this: 1 Keep the language in the exclusivity provision focused on what you do and sell; 1 Include language specifying what percentage of another tenant’s business is considered competitive (i.e., if you sell milkshakes, no other business in the center can sell more then 10% of their gross revenue in milkshakes).

1 Craft the provision with remedies, so if there is a breach by any tenant, your rent is reduced by a certain percentage until the offender ceases action (this incentivizes the landlord to act).

Additionally, there are provisions that you may be able to negotiate into the lease, which add enhancements to your

Tailored Provisions: Provisions you craft which allow you to cancel the lease if you terminate the franchise agreement for any reason, limiting your losses to several months (buy-out provision) rather then years if you need to close an underperforming franchise.

Franchisor Requirements Your franchisor may require a Franchisor Addendum be included in the lease providing the franchisor certain rights. This may include the right to receive default notices or any proposed amendments to the lease after signing, or conditional assignment of the lease, allowing them to take over the location.

The conditional assignment allows a franchisor to step into the lease under a certain set of circumstances, usually your default. It is advisable to limit those rights as much as possible; many are drafted allowing the franchisor to take over if you are in default, as opposed to termination.

This provision should only provide rights in the most extreme instances, such as an uncontested termination.

David Scott Levaton, Esq.

Protecting Yourself by Limiting Liability Lastly, remember that assignments of a lease - and most contracts for that

matter - do not release you from liability

without specific language confirming your release. If this language is not present, an assignment stacks potential responsible

parties but does not replace them (you will remain liable as will the new tenant). You don’t want to get a call from the landlord

two years after closing a franchise asking you to cover the new tenant’s past-due rent. When you assign an agreement,

always negotiate a release of your personal guaranty.

This article is intended as an overview of

some areas of consideration, but there are many other nuances that can and should

be factored in when negotiating your lease.

The professionals you retain to guide you should spend the time to address

your concerns and the unique nature of franchising.

David Scott Levaton, Esq., founder of Franchise Legal Support, has been representing franchisees and franchisee associations for nearly 30 years.

David’s family has been in franchising since 1968, and he personally owned and operated a multi-unit franchise operation for 12 years, all while maintaining his law practice.

He can be reached at david@franchiselegalsupport.com.

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Ted Frank, Principal Story Strategist, Backstories Studio

Movie Technique to Take Your Presen to the Next Leve Find the key points

Ted Frank

In a corporate world where every presentation starts to feel like “been there, done that,” where attention spans are vanishing, you have to be more engaging than ever. Why not turn to the experts who know how to engage an audience?

Hollywood craftsmen have developed the tools for you, with a medium you already know and love: movies. Movie-style storytelling is a great fit for corporate communication because it’s built on the principles execs are seeking from presentations: being simple, quick, and visual. And you can tap into that power without using a camera. Here’s how:

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Screenwriters are concise because they start with three key scenes and then build the rest of the movie around them.

You can do the same thing with your presentations: decide what three things are most important and emphasize those.

You’ll find that it makes it easier to write your presentation, while you choose what people remember. Below is a “before” example of a typical chart you probably see every day. It’s from one of those large realty companies, given to realtors, to help them sell houses. If you can’t make sense of it, don’t feel bad. In my workshops, no one can, because it’s too complicated.

Let’s start by looking at what data points matter most. In this case, it’s holidays (96%) and dogs (88%). Focusing on those will increase our chances of realtors remembering them. If you’re having trouble following what “holidays and dogs” mean here, you’re not alone. Most

charts rely on a presenter to explain them, which doesn’t work when a deck is passed around. So for our next tip, let’s take another cue from movies and help this chart explain itself.

Create a scene Every data point, chart or slide can be described as a scene, with characters, settings and action. Describing it in these terms makes it easier for your stakeholders to grasp because it gives them something to relate to. One good way to find the scene in your slide is with a common phrase: “for example…” Looking at your data point and then saying “for example…” will immediately evoke characters, setting and action. In this chart, the components are already there. Setting: an open house.

Characters: buyers. Action: buyers become more emotionally invested in the house when the realtor mentions holidays and dogs.

es ntation el Make it relevant The point “when the realtor mentions…” is, again, difficult to ascertain because most charts leave out the key takeaway for stakeholders. They’ll pinpoint the data, but not the implication. So right after we set our scene with “for example...” let’s add another concept: “So...” That helps you include the key implication so your stakeholders know what to do. With that in mind, let’s re-frame our headline with what’s most relevant to realtors. Also, let’s use a few more movie-storytelling techniques to make it even more simple, visual and powerful.

Create meaningful moments Movies are about creating moments, which can be done in many ways, but here we’ll do it by phrasing our headline as a question: What are the best topics realtors can mention to get buyers attached to their open house? This question helps realtors know what to do, but also lures them in using anticipation, so we can set up a memorable moment. That means hesitating while they absorb the question and are waiting with anticipation. This lets us roll out the experience with another movie principle.

“Movie-style storytelling is a great fit for corporate communication because it’s built on the principles execs are seeking from presentations: being simple, quick, and visual.”

First click: Question that sets up anticipation

Second click: Holidays – 96%

Third click: Dogs – 88%

Final click: make it visual With our final click, let’s cement this slide to memory by using the movie technique of being visual. Since realtors love all things cheesy, let’s ham it up with something they’ll remember. Below is our chart’s “after” version.

How much easier is this? And you don’t need further explanation; it explains itself. That’s the power of movie-style storytelling: simple, linear, visual, and powerful.

One last super-powered trick Anticipation is part of a larger movie principle: tension. Movies cultivate tension in many ways, utilizing music, lighting,

or anticipation. Another way is with a shot called “the dolly push.” When the filmmakers want you to emotionally bond with a character, they move the camera slowly toward them, so the character gets bigger onscreen. When it’s time for your big point, emulate this method by walking slowly toward your stakeholders.

To their eyes, you’ll grow larger, and each step creates tension that heightens their engagement. Once you’ve made your key point, step back and release the tension so they soak it in.

Try these techniques in your presentations.

Employ these tools in a conference room full of people and you’ll really feel the power of movie storytelling.

Ted Frank is the principal story strategist at Backstories Studio.

His book, Get to the Heart, shows professionals how moviestyle storytelling can make their presentations clear, compelling, and c-suite ready. www.gettotheheartbook.com

Make it linear One of the reasons movie are memorable is because information is given to us in pieces. It’s never a brain dump. So instead of just presenting the slide as is, let’s create anticipation and make it easier to absorb by building our message as a series of slide-clicks.

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Your Golden Opportunity Midas is a globally recognized leader in the tire and automotive service industry for nearly 60 years. We are looking for motivated people to become part of our Midas franchise family! Build your long-term success with a brand name customers know and trust.

• Powerful local and national marketing $FFHVV WR QDWLRQDO µHHW DFFRXQWV WR KHOS \RXU EXVLQHVV JURZ • Ongoing training and support • Excellent point of sale and shop management systems

This advertisement does not constitute an offer of a franchise. A franchise offering can be made by us only in a state if we are first registered, excluded, exempted or otherwise qualified to offer franchises in that state, and only if we provide you with an appropriate franchise disclosure document. Franchises may not be available in all states.

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midasfranchise.com 800-365-0007

7-Eleven Franchising with the world’s #1 convenience store is easier than you think.

Been looking for. Your earning potential is as big as you want to make it. We offer a gross profit split, which means your success is as important to us as it is to you.

It also might be the smartest business move you’ve ever made.

It’s turnkey – we provide the store, land and equipment.

Start-up is fast (3-6 months). You get extensive training and support from 7-Eleven pros.

As a 7-Eleven Franchisee, you’ll be partnering with a brand known and loved around the world. We’re consistently ranked as a top-five franchisor with more than 54,200 stores worldwide.

Our field consultants and operations teams offer a wealth of support and information. Leveraged vendor relationships mean national buying power.

World-famous brand. World-class opportunity.

Take a second and learn why franchising with 7-Eleven could be the career changer you’ve

Clayton Kendall Clayton Kendall provides comprehensive branded merchandise programs for more than sixty 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 franchisees the ability to purchase their advertising and marketing tools in one easy-to use program.

We provide marketing collateral, signage, POP

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 2011-2015

Foot Solutions Are You Passionate About Helping People Look Good and Feel Great?

Foot Solutions is the world’s largest specialty wellness franchise focused exclusively on helping people feel good from the feet up. We offer an individualized Holistic Foot Analysis, top-quality customized orthotics and expertly-fitted stylish shoes that are comfortable and supportive.

If you want a business that gives back to your community and improves the lives of people with foot

Generation NEXT Franchise Brands At Generation NEXT we are focused on changing the landscape of the vending industry and continually strive to redefine the purchase experience between machine and consumer.

Across all of our franchise concepts, innovation, technology and evolution are at the core of our business approach.

From our revolutionary and groundbreaking Reis

Phone: 1-800-782-0711 Fax: 972-828-5017 Website: Franchise.7-Eleven.com Email: Franchise.Inquiries@7-11.com

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 user-friendly. Customer service is our forte’.

Contact: Dan Broudy, Chief Executive Officer Phone: 412-798-7120 Email: dan@claytonkendall.com Website: www.claytonkendall.com

• 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

and alignment conditions including diabetes, arthritis and more, Foot Solutions might be the perfect fit for you: Reasonable Hours | High Margins | Low Labor Requirements | High Consumer Retention | Not Impacted by Economy | Not Seasonal | Fastestgrowing Market Age 40+ | Opportunities from $85,000 - $240,000 Single and Multi-unit For more information: Call 770.955.0099 Email fscorp@footsolutions.com Visit www.footsolutionsfranchise.com.

& Irvy’s Robotic FroYo machine, the world’s first ever frozen yogurt served by robotic technology, to our concept that pioneered the movement of healthy options; Fresh Healthy Vending which introduced healthy options to a sugar-filled industry, we are innovators and developers of the future of the vending industry.

Contact: Paul Schmidt Phone: (888) 902-7558 Email: marketing@gennextbrands.com Website: www.gennextbrands.com

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International Franchise Professionals Group 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

continue to receive support, expert analysis and consultation from corporate as their business grows.

Little Caesars offers strong franchisee candidates opportunities in select locations across the country. As America’s fastest growing pizza chain, Little Caesars provides candidates an opportunity for independence with a proven system, a simple operating model and strong national brand recognition.

Little Caesars’ requires candidates desiring to open one store to have a net worth of $150,000 with a minimum of $50,000 in liquid, unencumbered assets (such as cash).

Franchisees must also be able to obtain financing to cover the total costs of opening a franchised location.

Franchisees benefit from a comprehensive training program that focuses on all aspects of the business, including training, architectural and construction services to help with design, preferred lenders to assist with financing, the ongoing research and development of new products, and effective marketing programs. Franchisees

Midas Midas, a recognized brand throughout the world and highly renowned name in complete car care, is proud to be one of North America’s original franchise opportunities – and one of its best.

With Midas, you experience the best of both worlds - the support of an experienced franchise organization and the satisfaction of operating your very own auto service enterprise. As a Midas franchisee, you become a trusted name the day you open your doors for business. Building consumer trust is at the heart of our brand. We work every day to earn that trust by providing expertise, responsiveness, and the best value to every customer every time.

Benefit from nearly 60 years of “The Midas Touch”

Our Town America For 45+ years, Our Town America has been providing new movers with traditional hospitality by mailing warm housewarming gifts from local businesses in a premium welcome package.

It is Our Town America’s mission to welcome new movers into their community, to help local businesses gain new loyal and long-term customers, and to provide franchisees with an excellent business opportunity.

Thousands of satisfied business owners throughout the United States attest to the success and effectiveness of the Our Town America program, while dozens of locally-owned franchises validate the Our Town America concept as a viable business opportunity. Franchisees are neighborhood

pinot’s palette Pinot’s Palette is a pioneer of the paint and sip experience – a revolutionary way to enjoy art and wine, meet new people and bond with friends. #1 paint and sip for franchisee satisfaction – Pinot’s Palette is a unique, art-inspired entertainment concept catering to adults, corporations and kids.

By combining art and wine into a single concept, Pinot’s Palette now offers an inclusive, social activity for guests to enjoy with friends, family or work team members.

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IFPG to power their business. All of these individuals understand the value of being associated with IFPG.

For the sixth year in a row, Little Caesars was named “Best Value in America”* of all quick-serve restaurant chains.

Phone: 800-553-5776 Email: USdevelopment@LCEcorp.com Website: www.LittleCaesars.com

Midas has built a stellar reputation in the automotive service and repair industry nearly six decades. We want to help you succeed. Before you open a location and as you continue to operate your shop, Midas will help you with the following: • Business management system for your shop • New franchisee orientation • Ongoing training and training resources • Operational support.

• Development support • Optimizing and marketing your business: Join Midas today by calling 1-800-365-0007 or visiting www.midasfranchise.com!

This website and any request for information or forms are not a franchise offering or an offer to sell a franchise.

marketing consultants, showing local business owners how to target their best prospects with enticing offers via direct mail.

Since beginning to franchise in 2005, Our Town America has been consistently ranked a Top 50 Franchise by the Franchise Business Review, making them the only Advertising brand to land a spot in the 10-year Hall of Fame and the sole company to be crowned the Franchise Business Review’s All-time Top Company.

Website: http://ourtownamerica.com Email: franchising@ourtownamerica.com

Pinot’s Palette’s entertaining environment, expert guidance from trained local artists and exceptional customer experience creates strong word of mouth, community recognition and a loyal customer base.

Pinot’s Palette looks for franchisee partners who love to entertain and values that fit comfortably within the Team Pinot culture. Not art experience required!

Franchising since 2010 with more than 130 locations in 33 states, Pinot’s Palette is an established, awardwinning concept leading the paint and sip industry.

Website: www.PinotsPalette.com/Franchise or Email: Franchise@pinotspalette.com

PIRTEK USA PIRTEK is the fluid transfer solutions leader in sales and service and the only franchise of its kind in the United States. With more than 30 years of experience in this field, PIRTEK boasts more than 400 Service & Supply Centers and a fleet of Mobile Service Vehicles in 23 countries.

Powered by an industry-leading approach to sales and service and backed by a corporate center passionate about its franchisees and customers, PIRTEK offers unmatched service and logistics.

This is a sales-driven, service-based business that

Remedy Intelligent Staffing Remedy Intelligent Staffing is a nationwide staffing organization with over 50 years of recruiting and selection expertise to match qualified candidates with employment opportunities where they will succeed.

Our franchise brands, Remedy Intelligent Staffing and Westaff, place candidates in a variety of positions, primarily light industrial with a secondary niche of administrative/clerical. Our three core offerings include temporary, direct hire and temporary-to-hire staffing services.

Restoration1® Restoration1® is the fastest growing restoration franchise in the emergency restoration industry for mold, water, fire and smoke damage, handling jobs of all sizes across the nation for residential and commercial property’s.

Our business is based on local and regional relationships with insurance adjusters, building inspectors, subcontractors and policy holders.

It is always in high demand and not affected by economic trends because it is based on necessity, not discretionary spending.

Our model is a powerful opportunity for the right

Sports Clips Established in 1993 and franchised in 1995, Sport Clips is one of the nation’s leading franchises with more than 1,500 stores nationwide. Founder and CEO Gordon Logan is a pioneer of the unique sports-themed haircutting franchise, including the development of the Sport Clips All-Star haircutting systems, operating procedures, and marketing programs. It’s a great recession-resistant business that’s all cash, no receivables, and no haircare industry experience is necessary.

focuses on repairing and maintaining hydraulic- and pneumatic-powered machines. Although the brand might sound like an opportunity better suited for someone who can work a wrench, it’s a business well-matched for entrepreneurs who understand the value of building relationships and are prepared to capitalize on the opportunity to thrive wherever industrial equipment is used—and it is used virtually everywhere.

For more information contact: Lu-Ann Senia, Executive Assistant Phone: 321.504.4422 Email: lsenia@pirtekusa.com Website: www.pirtekusa.com

The parent company, EmployBridge, with corporate headquarters in Atlanta, GA, operates more than 490 offices nationwide and is the 10th largest provider of staffing and workforce solutions in the world. With annual sales over $3.2 Billion, we employed over 460,000 associates on assignment at more than 19,900 companies throughout the USA. Contact: Chad Wright, Franchise Development Director Phone: 877-478-4033 Email: franchise@employbridge.com Website: www.remedyfranchise.com

candidates, as it involves no inventory, no brickand-mortar location and high-volume growth that continues through almost any economic climate.

Our ethics, professionalism, quality and availability are carried out at each of our franchise locations.

Our team is committed to giving franchisees the support system they need to succeed in these same areas. Restoration 1 Franchisees can reach full potential with our superior training, technical support and in-territory support.

Contact: Gina Roberson Phone: 800-993-0803 Email: gina@restoration1.com Website: www.restoration1.com

FORBES as a “Top Ten Best Franchise” to buy for its investment category.

Qualified veterans who are interested in owning a Sport Clips are eligible for a 20 percent discount off of Sport Clips’ franchise fee of $59,500 through participation in the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, also known as VetFran, which was created in 1991 during the Gulf War. At Sport Clips, it’s good to be a guy but it’s great to be an owner! Visit sportclipsfranchise.com to learn more.

For more information, contact Karen Young:

Sport Clips is ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the top 20 “Fastest-Growing Franchises” and in the top 20 in the “Franchise 500.” It is also ranked by

Email: franchise.recruitment@sportclips.com Phone: (800) 872-4247 x. 1 Website: www.sportclipsfranchise.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.

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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franchise & serv ices dir ecto ry

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.

Each detailed, full colour A-Z listing comes with a 150 word write up and your logo.

Sprout Financial Sprout specifically created this financial program to help new & existing Franchise owners.

We strive to ensure you have the working capital needed to promote a thriving business.

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

as we work from STATED information and your good personal credit history.

Contact: Russell Hibbert Phone: 800.358.1052 Email: contact@sproutfin.com

NO collateral required, NO financials submitted

Website: www.sproutfin.com

SUBWAY®

way they want - using freshly baked breads, select sauces and a variety of delicious toppings.

When you own a SUBWAY® restaurant, you’re part of the world’s largest restaurant chain and one of its most recognized brands, and you’ll get the support and experience that comes with it.

When you join the SUBWAY® family, you’ll get world-class support before you even make your first sandwich and well beyond. Our franchise support system features: Training, product development, advertising, purchasing cooperative, field support and much more.

Be part of a winning brand that keeps customers coming back for delicious meals made just the way they want.

Contact: Ralph Piselli, Franchise Sales Manager

SUBWAY® is the undisputed leader in fast, healthy food. Our easy-to-prepare sandwiches are made to order right in front of the customer, precisely the

Phone: 203 877 4281 Email: Franchise@subway.com Website: www.subway.com

Sunny Days In-Home Care

marketing, operation practices, market analysis, plus ongoing training.

Sunny Days In-Home Care is a leading provider of nonmedical, in-home personal care service for seniors and disabled adults.

Founded in 2011, the Pittsburgh-based franchise company is focused on providing high-quality assistance to those who aren’t able to care for themselves so they can continue to live a dignified and independent life.

In addition, Sunny Days also offers franchisees a contribution of $10,000 of their initial franchise fee toward grand-opening marketing efforts. As part of the rapidly growing senior care industry, Sunny Days stands apart from its competitors by offering one of the lowest startup costs and highest care fulfillment rates in the industry.

With an experienced development team that has nurtured and grown multiple locations over the years, Sunny Days extends that same high-quality assistance to its franchisees by offering assistance with startup,

Contact: John Bennett Phone: 724-260-5186 Email: info@sunnydaysinhomecare.com Website: http://sunnydaysfranchise.com

sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt

and even birthday parties. At sweetFrog, we take pride in being a part of our community and we treat our guests like family.

sweetFrog Premium Frozen Yogurt is not only one of the most rapidly-expanding frozen yogurt concepts; we are one of the fastest growing franchises of any category in the nation!

In addition to offering the best in quality service to our communities, sweetFrog has a proprietary line of our very own yogurt which ranks well above the rest in taste tests across the globe. As the industry leader, our Research and Development team is constantly searching out and testing for the next great and most delicious flavor!

Voted the #1 frozen yogurt shop in the US in 2016 by The Daily Meal, sweetFrog continues to offer amazing franchise opportunities for all entrepreneurs.

Our stores have become pillars in each community, hosting little league celebrations, school fundraisers,

Franchising USA

Excellent for branding and recognition.

Phone: 804-835-6761 Website: www.sweetfrog.com/franchise Email: shemar.pucel@sweetfrog.net Contact: Shemar Pucel

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.

UFC GYM Mixed martial arts is the fastest growing sport in the world, and UFC is the leader of MMA. UFC GYM allows everyone to train like MMA athletes. Members can get in incredible, shape in a UFC Gym. Each class offered is an experience. Being the brand extension of UFC®, UFC GYM is the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness

Veterans Business Services 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.

• 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

together. UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® approach has developed a fun and energetic atmosphere where members can feel and see their fitness results.

UFC GYM is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine.

Contact: Jason Losco, Director of Franchise Development Phone: 714.668.0911 Email: Jason.Losco@ufcgym.com Website: www.ufcgymfranchise.com

campaigns, news press releases, and online franchising e-magazine articles, VBS gets the message to qualified Veterans who are invested in starting a franchise.

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.

VBS offers multiple marketing methods that have proven effective with helping franchise organizations with their expansion plans. Utilizing custom email marketing

Contact: James Mingey Phone: 202-349-0860 Email: info@veteransbusinessservices.us Website: www.veteransbusinessservices.us

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.

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

Franchising USA

franchise & serv ices dir ecto ry

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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

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

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