Franchising USA May 2021

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The magazine for franchisees

VOL 09, ISSUE 6, may 2021

QC Kinetix

Regenerative Medicine Takes Franchising

by Storm special feature

multi-unit franchising

why franchising brands should invest in their talent pool why it’s important to

grow partnerships with your clients LATEST NEWS

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FRANCHISING USA VOLUME 9, ISSUE 6, 2021 president: Colin Bradbury. colin@cgbpublishing.com

Publisher: Vikki Bradbury. vikki@cgbpublishing.com

editorial:

Comments

f r o m t he p u bl i s he r & e d i t or Welcome to our May issue of Franchising USA.

editor@cgbpublishing.com

advertising: vikki@cgbpublishing.com jasonb@cgbpublishing.com

Editorial team: Hayley Drew Sinead Horan-Webb Rob Swystun

Production: usaproduction@cgbpublishing.com

DESIGN: Jejak Graphics. jejak@bigpond.com

COVER IMAGE: QC Kinetix

CGB PUBLISHING Canadian Office: Sidney B.C Canada U.S. Office: 800 5th Ave, #101 Seattle, WA 98104-3102 Editorial: 778 426 2446 www.franchisingusamagazine.com Proud member of the IFA:

In this issue we are pleased to welcome QC Kinetix to the cover. Turn to page 10 to learn more about franchising opportunities with this non-surgical regeneration company and why it’s the ideal next step for anyone wanting to shape the future of medicine.

Our special feature this month is on Multi-Unit franchises. If you’re considering expanding your franchising empire, turn to page 32 where we ask Are You Ready to Be a Multi-unit Franchisee? Our special feature also includes great advice from Rick Bisio from FranChoice on the advantages of multi-unit ownership and the managing director of a multi-unit restaurant chain gives his insight on the value of slow and steady growth.

As usual, our experts are here to offer their unique insights into the franchising industry. Turn to page 22 to read George Knauf’s take on why Pets Are Big Business.

Plus, read Adam Hannath of Buddy CRM on Optimizing Franchises through CRM Technology (12), Renae Gaudette of Winmark Corporation on 3 Factors to Consider When Opening a Franchise During a Recession (18), and Victor Hinojosa of AscendantFX Capital on Vendor Management Headaches: How to Handle That Mountain of Payees (16).

In our Veterans feature, we take a peek at family business, Bloomin’ Blinds. Read How Bloomin’ Blinds Grew from Garage Start-up to Multi-million-dollar Franchise in under a Decade on page 56. We also focus on Army Veterans discovering franchising success with Fastsigns and NerdsToGo franchises. Read their stories on page 58.

Plus, we have plenty more expert advice, industry news, and our regular franchise and services listings.

Enjoy the read!

Vikki Bradbury

Franchising USA

SUPPLIER FORUM International Franchise Association 1501 K Street, N.W., Suite 350 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 628-8000 Fax: (202) 628-0812 www.franchise.org

“When times are bad is when the real entrepreneurs emerge.” ~ Robert Kiyosaki

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

may 2021

On the Cover 10 Cover Story: QC Kinetix - Regenerative Medicine Takes Franchising by Storm

46 Why Franchising Brands Should Invest in Their Talent Pool

10

32 Special Feature: Are You Ready to Be a Multi-unit Franchisee?

42 Why it’s Important to Grow Partnerships with Your Clients

In Every Issue 6 Franchising News

Announcements from the Industry

25 Special Franchising Feature 51 Veterans Supplement

12

News and Information for Veterans in Franchising

63 A-Z Franchise and Services Directory

Expert Advice 12 Optimizing Franchises through CRM Technology

Adam Hannath, Buddy CRM

16 Vendor Management Headaches: How to Handle that

22

Mountain of Payees

Victor Hinojosa, AscendantFX Capital

18 3 Factors to Consider When Opening a Franchise during a Recession

Renae Gaudette, Winmark Corporation, The Resale Company

22 Pets Are Big Business

George Knauf, FranChoice

42 Why It’s Important to Build Partnerships with Your Customers

Bill McPherson, PostNet and Alphagraphics

44 The Difference between PR and Marketing for Home Service Franchises

30 Franchising USA

Heather Ripley, Ripley PR

46 Why Franchise Brands Should Invest in Their Talent Pool

Jason Patrick, Express Employment Professionals

Snapshot

36

20 Franchise Expo Nashville

Have Your Say 48 Improving Communities, One Franchise at a Time

David Hicks, Home Vestors

38

Feature: multi-unit Franchising in every issue 26 Franchising News

Announcements from the Industry 30 Cover Story: Sanondaf – World Leader in Disinfection Services

Launches US Franchise Network

42

Expert Advice 36 Multi-unit Ownership Presents Attractive Option for Franchisees Rick Bisio, FranChoice

Focus 34 Meet the Multi-unit Franchisors on a Mission to Grow Service-Based Brands

44

Have Your Say 38 Launching Franchise Restaurants in New Markets Farrellynn Wolf, Goodcents

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what’s new!

RUSH BOWLS POISED FOR GROWTH IN HEALTHY FAST-CASUAL SPACE

the healthy fruit and veggie bowls concept when Rush Bowls was first founded 16 years ago and now to be recognized on QSR’s 40/40 list is a huge achievement for the brand,” said Andrew Pudalov, founder and CEO of Rush Bowls. “In 2021, we aim to continue to be a leader and pioneer in our industry.”

Rush Bowls plans on opening 14 to 16 new locations across in Minnesota, Indiana, Texas, Connecticut, Washington, Florida, California and Idaho in 2021.

Rush Bowls—a fast-casual concept known for its fresh and healthy mealsin-a-bowl—is poised to continue its national expansion in 2021 and build off the continuing popularity of healthy food options.

Rush Bowls is meeting the increasing demand for all-natural, healthy, graband-go food with its blended fruit and

poised for growth.

Rush Bowls was launched in 2004 when Pudalov left a successful career in New York City’s financial sector to pursue his passion for healthy living. Today, Rush Bowls offers the perfect blend of all-natural fruits and veggies topped with delightfully crunchy, organic granola, a drizzle of honey, and your choice of fresh fruits and toppers. Rush Bowls are fully customizable and can be blended with protein, vitamins and other nutritious ingredients while remaining low in calories and fat content.

“People may not have been familiar with

www.rushbowls.com/franchise

veggie bowls and smoothies, opening eight locations across the U.S. in 2020.

Rush Bowls’ success also earned the

brand a spot on QSR’s 40/40 List for 2021: America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals, which recognized fast-casual concepts

FRANCONNECT ANNOUNCES CONSULTING ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

FranConnect, the leading provider of franchise management solutions for driving success in franchise sales, operations, and marketing, has established a new Consulting Alliance Partnership Program.

Franchises will now be able to tap into the expertise of industryleading consultants that have partnered with FranConnect to offer their guidance on implementing the technology in their business.

“As the franchising market continues to adopt technology more aggressively, we are committed to partnering with the best in the business to improve the user experience and help franchisors get the most out of these solutions,” said Keith Gerson, president of franchise operations for FranConnect.

“The Consulting Alliance Partnership is bringing together top

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franchise management platform experts with customers who will benefit from their expertise in adopting and engaging with our technology. Our customers gain access to the best practices and domain expertise of our partners, and our partners have an opportunity to develop tighter, ongoing relationships with leading franchisors.”

One of the first industry experts to join FranConnect’s program is Franchise Performance Group (FPG). FPG works with over 120 franchisors — including Marco’s Pizza, Sport Clips, Christian Brothers Automotive, and College Hunks Hauling Junk — to transform their franchisee recruitment by improving their lead generation and franchise sales process and providing outsourced franchisee recruitment services.

“FPG helps our clients close 200-400 deals annually. This new consulting alliance allows FranConnect customers to tap into our deep expertise — particularly how to use FranConnect to drive results for franchise development,” said FPG CEO Joe Matthews. www.franconnect.com

GODDARD SYSTEMS, INC. CEO DENNIS R. MAPLE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI), the franchisor of The Goddard School, announced Chief Executive Officer Dennis R. Maple has been appointed to the additional position of Chairman of the Board. Maple has been a member of the GSI Board and CEO since 2019.

“During a time of unprecedented change in the early childhood education industry, Dennis has demonstrated a steadfast ability to lead the Goddard System forward,” said Robert Strouse, President of Goddard’s parent, Wind River Holdings. “Combining the roles of Chairman and CEO will further enable Dennis to drive the efficient execution of our long-term strategic imperatives. Dennis’ leadership style, his vision and passion for early childhood education, and his focus on culture and process excellence uniquely positions him to serve as GSI’s new Chairman.”

Maple’s 39-year career includes executive leadership and general management experiences with well-known companies such as First Student, Aramark Education, The Quaker Oats Company, PepsiCo, Inc., Kraft General Foods, Inc., and Coors Brewing Company.

In January of this year, Maple was elected to the International Franchise Association’s Board of Directors. Maple is also on the Descartes Systems Group board of directors, where he serves as a member of the Compensation Committee and as chairman of the Nominating Committee. www.goddardschool.com

DUNKIN’ CELEBRATES 1000TH NEXT GENERATION RESTAURANT OPENING

Three years after the launch of the first Next Generation store model, Dunkin’ has hit their milestone 1000th location with the opening of a restaurant in Woodstock, GA. The March 26th opening was marked by

a small ribbon cutting ceremony attended

by Scott Murphy, Head of Inspire Brands Beverage-Snack Category and President

of Dunkin’, and Mathias Piercy, Regional

Vice President at Dunkin’, as well as a free coffee giveaway and multiple charitable

donations from the company to local organizations.

The Next Gen model is categorized by a modern, innovative design catered to the on-the-go lifestyle of the typical Dunkin’ customer, with features such as a dedicated mobile order pick-up area, a digital order status board, and a mobile order-exclusive drive thru lane at select stores. The Next Gen model also boasts sophisticated elements such as innovative tap systems that pour premium cold drinks and a front-facing bakery case that displays a full range of bakery options.

Dunkin’ specifically designs all Next Gen stores to meet the brand’s DD Green Achievement specifications which allow for increased energy efficiency. Like other DD Green Achievement stores, the new Woodstock location is equipped with LED lighting, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, and additional features that contribute to sustainability. https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en

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what’s new!

MY SALON SUITE NAMES 11 BEAUTY ENTREPRENEURS AS ITS 2021 SUITE ELITE FEATURED MEMBERS

Eleven beauty salon owners from across the nation have been selected as part of MY SALON Suite’s 2021 Suite Elite Featured Member program.

This program celebrates the winners’ accomplishments and unique styles with personalized rewards and promotions and positions them for continued success through once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to elevate their businesses.

The chosen stylists are members of MY SALON Suite, a co-working style space where salon professionals provide beauty services to their clients in private, fully equipped, custom suites. There are more than 200 franchised MY SALON Suite locations across the U.S. and Canada with more than 5,000 beauty professional members, collectively called the Suite Elite.

“Every year, we are amazed by the determination, enthusiasm, and sheer talent of our Featured Members but this year has made their accomplishments even more astounding as they worked day in and out to exceed their clients’ expectations in a safe, welcoming environment,” said Ken McAllister, MY SALON Suite’s CEO and President.

The 11 winners will enjoy luxury experiences and rewards, will be featured throughout the year in national marketing campaigns, and will secure opportunities for each Featured Member to promote their business locally and receive recognition for this honor in their communities.

Aligning with this year’s theme ‘Make It Yours: Next Level’, the Featured Members will participate in a virtual session with a team of national design consultants who

will offer expert advice and practical recommendations to make their visions for their suite and branding a reality. www.mysalonsuite.com

THE DRIPBAR DEBUTS FIRST COLORADO LOCATION THE DRIPBaR, a Rhode Island-based health center focused on administering preventative healthcare IV infusions, has opened its first location in Colorado, owned and operated by husband-andwife Joshua and Rebecca Fulenwider.

A Colorado native and an independent living director, Joshua is truly invested in helping others live better. The husbandand-wife duo was first introduced to the IV infusion concept after exploring recovery options for a close family member post brain cancer surgery. The business has since developed into a passion project as the couple strives to help their community live healthier lives, both mentally and physically.

“After trying the IV drips first hand, we truly became believers,” said Joshua. “I woke up the next morning with more energy than I’ve ever had, in a better

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mood and feeling physically and mentally refreshed. We knew we just had to bring this concept to our local community here in Fort Collins.”

The couple has plans to soon partner with local non-profit organizations and want to use their business to spark change in the community.

“This endeavor is not just business it’s personal,” said Rebecca. “We want to play an active role in our community behind the scenes, and with our location right across from the UC Health Campus, we want our DRIPBaR to serve as the model of successful preventative healthcare.”

As the first franchisees for THE DRIPBaR in Colorado, the couple is looking to set a new standard for IV drip therapy and increase awareness of THE DRIPBaR’s brand and mission throughout the state. www.thedripbar.com

ALPHAGRAPHICS REVEALS BRAND REFRESH AND NEW WEBSITE

while also helping it become a marketing execution partner. The website showcases the company’s full services offerings: print services, signs, marketing and technology.

“The website is a direct representation of our move toward the future and how AlphaGraphics continues to modernize and expand after so many years of service,” said Ryan Farris, COO and president of AlphaGraphics. “The website is a celebration of who we are as a franchise. It showcases how much we have grown over our 50 years of existence.”

AlphaGraphics, leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions, has recently undergone a full brand refresh.

The company, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, has made

several changes to reflect the brand’s overall growth as a company.

Along with the brand refresh, AlphaGraphics rolled out a new website geared toward telling the company’s story

With more than 285 locations in six countries, AlphaGraphics was the first U.S. printing franchise to expand internationally, as well as the first retailer in desktop publishing. In 2019, AlphaGraphics was named to the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 and the Franchise Times Top 200+. In 2020, AlphaGraphics was named one of the largest printing operations by Printing Impressions. www/alphagraphics.com

HIGH-END WOMEN’S CONSIGNMENT BOUTIQUE TO OPEN FIRST FRANCHISE The Closet Trading Company®, which operates four high-end women’s consignment boutiques in Southern California, today announced the grand opening of its first East Coast boutique in Plantation, Florida. The company began franchising in 2019, and the new South Florida store will be the company’s first franchise location to open.

The Closet Trading Company sells preloved contemporary designer clothing, shoes, and accessories for women, and specializes in current, on-trend styles from designer and premium labels. The company’s existing locations include Santa Monica, Agoura Hills, Santa Barbara, and Woodland Hills, California.

New owner Gabriela Hernandez will operate the Florida franchise location.

“I’m thrilled to be launching this new

business that combines my love of fashion with my drive to contribute positively to the environment, by giving pre-loved, high-end garments a new life. I’m looking forward to bringing my passion to the South Florida community and welcoming shoppers to my boutique for an exciting and potentially habit-forming shopping experience,” said Hernandez.

In the South Florida boutique, shoppers will find mainstream brands like Lululemon, Free People, and Rag & Bone, as well as an extensive selection of luxury pieces from Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and more. Items can be purchased for about 70% off retail prices.

Founded in 2003 and franchising since 2019, The Closet Trading Co. is a highend resale and consignment store that specializes in contemporary to luxury designer clothing, shoes, and accessories

for women. There are four boutiques open throughout Southern California and one franchise location in Plantation, Florida. www.theclosettradingco.com

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cov er sto ry

qc Kinetix

Regenerative Medicine Takes Franchising by Storm rapidly in the last 10 years and resulted in a new medical specialty that is transforming how people are treating musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, and degenerative conditions. Regenerative medicine treatments that elite athletes have been using for years are now available to anyone who is willing to pay for it, largely in orthopedic offices or other medical practices.

That’s where QC Kinetix President and cofounder Tyler Vail, PA-C, met and worked with his business partners, Justin Crowell, CEO, and Richard Schaffer, Jr., MD, Chief Medical Officer. Vail was the Regenerative Medicine Director at the North Carolina medical practice where they worked and saw firsthand the tremendous results patients were experiencing with cellular therapies that allowed them to bypass surgery and a lifetime of pain medications or immobility.

QC Kinetix meets consumer demand for pain relief with fast-growing medical franchise.

“My knees are older than my face,” laughs 32-year-old Casey Sietsema, a physician’s assistant and QC Kinetix franchisee in San Antonio, Texas. The Army veteran and former football player says he put a lot of wear and tear on his body in his hard-

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charging youth and came away with early arthritis and plenty of joint pain. That’s why he was willing to try regenerative medicine injections at QC Kinetix’s first clinic in Charleston, South Carolina, back in 2017.

“Within two weeks, my knees were feeling better. Then I went back and had my ankle and shoulder done, no surgery,” said Sietsema.

The practice of using natural biologic tissues and stem cells to repair or heal damaged tissues and joints has advanced

“All three of us really had a passion for this, and we believed there was an opportunity to create a practice that focused solely on regenerative medicine and offer it as a concierge type of service where patients pay cash and get a very high level of care and service,” said Vail. “We get to spend time with our patients, educate them, and walk with them through the treatments. In most doctor’s offices, you don’t get that kind of time.”

Testing the Water To test their business model, in 2017, they sub-leased space from a medical practice in Charleston for one Saturday per week and operated the first QC Kinetix, offering state-of-the-art treatments, including plasma-based therapies like PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) and A2M (alpha-2-

“Casey Sietsema was not only one of the first QC Kinetix patients, but he was also the first franchisee.”

Casey Sietsema

macroglobulin), and growth factor therapy with amniotic membrane tissue. Then, two years ago, they added stem cell therapy with BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate).

“It was amazing! We had patients coming in, getting better, referring family, friends, and co-workers,” exclaimed Vail. “The ability to avoid surgery when they had been told it was their only option was such a huge draw, and it was so rewarding for me to be able to tell someone that. It was pretty special, and we thought, ‘We can do something with this.’”

In three years, they opened 11 clinics in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas, all with the same great results, and the goal of rapidly bringing the concept to market took shape.

“This industry is exploding. New clinics are popping up every day. This is a space that needs to be franchised, and we are perfectly positioned to meet that need,” said Vail.

The global regenerative medicine market is currently estimated at more than $13 billion and is predicted to reach more than $172 billion by 2030, a growth rate of more than 26 percent.

The team hired a consulting franchise group out of Chicago to put together the

infrastructure, FDD, training and support materials, and brought on franchise industry veteran Scott Hoots as their Chief Operating Officer. They never looked back.

Tip of the Iceberg Even during COVID, business and sales were booming. More than 275 locations in 23 states have been sold since October 2020. Six franchises are up and running and 83 more clinics will be open by the end of 2021.

Casey Sietsema was not only one of the first QC Kinetix patients, but he was also the first franchisee. After receiving treatments, he was sold on the concept and took it back to Texas, where he operated two clinics in Austin for QC Kinetix before purchasing the first franchises. Earlier this year he opened two clinics of his own in San Antonio, with plans to keep growing.

“For me, it was a no-brainer. I am positively impacting people’s lives, which is very rewarding, personally,” explained Sietsema. “Each clinic is open one day a week and is so profitable. I’ll probably have 10 clinics open in the next year and a half. That’s where I am headed. I have purchased eight territories, and I have 10 clinics mapped out.”

Like many entrepreneurs, Sietsema was drawn to the freedom of being his own boss and not worrying whether his job was in jeopardy, especially after having his pay cut 38 percent over two years by a large physician’s staffing group. But

Hoots says the system QC Kinetix has built doesn’t require owners to have a medical background.

“Eighty percent of our franchisees don’t have medical backgrounds,” explained Hoots. “Anyone with business acumen, leadership skills, or experience in marketing and advertising would be well-suited. We have seasoned corporate executives looking to get out of the rat race and successful franchise owners who are looking to diversify their portfolio, especially since we were able to weather COVID so well.”

The outcry from patients who want an option other than the traditional steroid shot or pain meds was not dampened by COVID. Although Vail is quick to point out they will always tell patients if surgery is the best option, he can see how quickly regenerative medicine will become the norm, over pain meds, NSAIDs, and surgery.

“If we can improve the quality of life for someone — get them back to running or golf — without a knee replacement, they are tremendously excited about that, and that excitement is contagious.”

The excitement over getting in early with a fast-growing medical franchise that is the leader in its space is also contagious, but that is exactly how QC Kinetix plans to bring regenerative medicine to the masses and become a household name. https://qcfranchise.com/

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ex per t advice

Adam Hannath | Sales Director | Buddy CRM

Optimizing Franchises through CRM Technology The franchise industry continues to go from strength to strength with many franchisors seeing significant uptake of licenses from people looking for the opportunity to own a proven business model and hit the ground running.

According to the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) annual Economic Outlook Report for 2021, franchising is projected to open more than 26,000 locations, add nearly 800,000 new jobs, and contribute $477 billion to the US GDP. It is also expected to experience the highest upswing of franchise sales since the last recession, which in doing so, will negate much of the damage caused by COVID-19 in 2020.

missing their sales targets, which could be disastrous for the franchise as a whole. To mitigate this, there must be an emphasis on ensuring regular communication and adherence to systems and procedures. Yet the more the network grows, the greater the administration and oversight that is needed to manage it. This can test the organisation and efficiency of any business, which, more often than not, will have to evolve new ways of doing things.

Naturally, seeing so many franchises expanding, especially during a downturn, is fantastic news, but consideration must be given to the implications of such sudden growth. For example, a franchisor must be able to monitor how each unit in their network is performing, and also quickly identify when problems arise. Failure to do so will likely result in franchisees

The most effective solution to this is likely a technological one. It is no secret that tech has become a valuable asset to all manner of businesses. Across many industries “digital transformation” has become a commonly heard phrase, which at its most basic level is used to describe the adoption of new technologies by companies, in order to automate key areas like payroll or

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sales. Doing so is increasingly considered an essential business activity, helping to reduce operational costs, improve

productivity, increase profits, and generate

an overall better customer experience. It is

no wonder then that worldwide IT spending is projected to total $3.8 trillion in 2021,

an increase of 4% from 2020, according to the latest forecast by global research and advisory firm Gartner.

Yet achieving genuine digital

transformation is often beyond the means of most businesses, requiring huge

investment, fundamental organisational

change, and employee reskilling, with no

guarantee that it will be successful. Costs

can run into the thousands, if not millions, and even when achieved, savings not realised for many years.

“Digital transformation” has become a commonly heard phrase, which at its most basic level is used to describe the adoption of new technologies in order to automate key areas.”

CRM is the essential first step toward digital transformation The reality is that achieving digital transformation should be a long-term objective, but that does not mean franchises cannot immediately harness many of the very same technologies that are employed by the world’s most successful companies.

Yet with so many digital tools emerging at an increasingly rapid pace, the challenge for franchisors is working out which ones they should be investing in now to ensure sales growth and organisational cohesion.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a clear example of businesscritical software and is often the first step towards going digital, being able to automate numerous mundane tasks in order to improve business efficiency. A franchisor can use it to store, update and

analyse franchisee information, monitor contract renewal dates, build stronger relationships within their network, and manage sales data and enquiries.

For example, a CRM can weed out unsuitable licensee enquiries, while automatically collating potential leads, before storing the data safely in an easily accessible format. Immediately afterwards it can be passed over to a franchisor’s sales team to process. Time consuming administrative tasks are mitigated, allowing sales teams to focus on what they do best. It also helps build deeper and more effective relationships within franchise networks because interactions with them can be easily accessed in order to understand their financial value and forecast their future needs.

Analysing data to create meaningful

business insights is a primary function of CRM software, whether that be the individual performance of internal departments, franchises or leads.

Furthermore, a CRM will be able to create appropriately tailored communication materials using the very same information to proactively and appropriately engage with them. This could be anything from sending out celebratory messages when business is going well, or simple reminders to ensure pertinent activities are actioned.

It also should be noted that a good CRM stores your database securely in the cloud giving access only to who you want, when you want. Individual records can be locked down to specific team members, sales teams, or regions, or locked so they cannot be accessed or exported. All actions are recorded within the CRM so you can

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ex per t advice

Adam Hannath | Sales Director | Buddy CRM

“Analysing data to create meaningful business insights is a primary function of CRM software, whether that be the individual performance of internal departments, franchises or leads.”

see when items have been amended and by whom. The chances of losing data or it being inputted incorrectly are entirely minimised.

Therefore, through proper oversight and organisation, a CRM helps ensure shared standards and values, high performance, mutual trust, and effective communication, which are so critical for the success of franchise organisations.

Proving the value of CRM Over the last few years, CRM is something that franchises of all sizes are investing in. Industry leading sales and service analysts and training provider, 59club, is an example of a successful franchisor that has expanded rapidly using an effective franchising model since its creation in 2007. A market leader in the provision of bespoke performance management programs for the Golf, Leisure, Spa, Events, F&B and Hotel Industries, 59club has recently completed the roll out of a new CRM system to franchises across the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States.

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Its purpose is to ensure cohesiveness and efficiency throughout the company’s network, but also better support member franchises through technology and statistical data, by enhancing the services they offer their clients. Whether that be sales forecasting and managing prospective business opportunities, to improving productivity via the automation of client servicing and support meetings, to basic administrative tasks such as invoicing.

The right tech can be a game changer for franchises With the global economy facing a “slow and challenging economic recovery” according to the World Bank, businesses will have to make efficiency savings and informed, data led decisions to prosper in adverse markets. Given that industry leaders within the franchising industry understand and continually invest in their CRM, it should be clear that the technology has value. That does not mean you have to invest huge amounts of revenue to secure a strong performing CRM. There are a number of market options with a myriad of features and price tags. What is important

Adam Hannath

is that you find the one that is best for you.

Remember though, that training in the use of your CRM should always be part of your package, as well as implementation and support. Afterall, to get the most out of your CRM, everyone needs to be able to use it and understand how it will benefit them.

Adam Hannath, Sales Director for BuddyCRM, a CRM solution developed by salespeople for salespeople. http://buddycrm.com

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!

ex per t advice

Victor Hinojosa | Vice President of Digital Solutions and Partnerships | AscendantFX Capital

Vendor Management Headac

How to Handle th Mountain of Paye One of the biggest challenges of international payments may surprise you: it’s not rates, cost, or even speed of delivery.

each of your vendors to collect payment data and then re-enter that information into your ERP. Often times, the collection of that data is completed in multiple forms (email, fax, over the phone, etc.) and can be very laborious.

One of the biggest hurdles my franchise clients must overcome is managing vendors and their payment data. But why is managing vendors so difficult, and how can we make it easier and more secure?

Collecting international banking data is very complex. Every country requires different information to receive payments, in different formats and with different supporting documentation.

Sending a wire to China and sending a wire to Italy will require totally different data. Third-party providers are motivated to verify data accuracy and completeness to improve their return rates.

Banks, on the other hand, actually make money off mistakes and have little incentive to solve the problem on a large scale.

Collecting Data A challenge of managing multiple vendors is actually in the collection of the data. It can be a daunting task to reach out to

Franchising USA

Accuracy and Completeness of Banking Data

ches:

hat ees Costs can balloon when data is inaccurate or incomplete. If wire payments are sent with data issues, they will be returned or held, with fees charged to repair or resend.

Just a single error can impact delivery dates. Third-party payment providers have tools which can ensure that the relevant data is collected and even validate this data to reduce return rates.

For many businesses, the solution is often to use unaffordable methods such as paying in USD, paying with a credit card, or even using a service such as PayPal. However, these methods increase the cost of payments with inflated exchange rates, and service fees charged by domestic and international intermediaries. This cost is passed on either to your business, or your vendor, which can strain relationships and budgets.

Data Security and Fraud The average organization doesn’t have the resources to create their own customized solution to collect payee information, and therefore will use the most logical method we all have – email. With data leaks, security breaches, and email hacks dominating the news, many companies are growing increasingly concerned about their own vulnerabilities. It stands to reason that, given the sensitive nature of banking data, none of us want to house that data in our email inboxes.

Storing the vendor information on your accounting platforms also leaves you vulnerable. A simple hack of an employee email password could open the door to

mountains of vulnerable financial data for your vendors, clients, employees, and even yourself. Enhancing security can also represent a significant cost.

Relationship Management Maintaining strong relationships with your vendors and other external stakeholders is vital to your business, and payments should not be an impediment to those relationships. If your payment methods are not secure, efficient, or cost-effective, those issues are passed down to your vendor.

In the same vein, being able to clearly communicate payment status, protect your payee’s data, and save money on fees will pass those benefits downstream and strengthen your relationships.

Finding a Solution In my experience, I’ve found that thirdparty payment innovation from FinTechs (financial technologies) are often more effective and creative in solving these common pain points. FinTechs are much more agile when it comes to problem solving through tech, creating new solutions that don’t yet exist and deploying them quickly to the market. They are using automation and tested security protocols to not only speed up the collection of payee data, but improve it’s accuracy and security.

Finding a solution that is easy to implement is also important. FinTech’s offer turnkey, custom solutions that often integrate efficiently within your existing ecosystem, and therefore will fold into your existing processes much more smoothly than overhauling your entire infrastructure.

Implementation typically takes days, not weeks or months.

Outsourcing international payments to a third-party provider is not always something business leaders prioritize.

However, knowing what to look for in a provider can provide considerable benefits.

The first, and most important, task is to determine that the provider actually understands your business and what your needs are. Make sure they ask you the right questions – your payment volumes, most common countries and currencies, number of payees, current methods, and security

Victor Hinojosa

concerns. Often a company willing to tailor their solution to your needs will be a better choice; one-size-fits-all solutions are part of the problem.

Third-party providers are also required to adhere to strict compliance and data security regulations both federally and state-to-state. While you vet them, they should also be vetting you. If you come across a payment provider who cannot outline their compliance program to you in detail, or who doesn’t ask you questions about your own business practices, consider it a red flag. We all know that fraudsters are very tricky, and they will capitalize on any gaps in security procedures from less scrupulous companies.

Finally, it’s important when evaluating your payment processes to be open to changing how you do things. Sure, you may always pay internationally with USD, but is that really the best option? A payments expert can look at your payment ecosystem and provide cost-saving advice.

The trick, in the end, is to find a partner not a provider. Companies worth working with will endeavour to understand your business deeply and aim to save you money and time and view your success as their own.

With over 20 years of experience in foreign exchange (FX) markets, Victor Hinojosa’s previous employers include Thomas Cook, Western Union Business Solutions and JPMorgan. Currently, he lends his expertise to clients across North America at AscendantFX Capital as Vice President of Digital Solutions and Partnerships.

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Renae Gaudette | President of Franchising | Winmark Corporation, The Resale Company

The impact of the COVID19 pandemic was felt by all – business owners, consumers, and everyone in between.

This global crisis triggered a recession due to sudden state- and city-mandated shutdowns – restaurant dining, shopping, traveling, events, entertainment and more were put on hold. However, there are opportunities to be found amid a crisis, and for many furloughed or laid off professionals, business ownership was now an option to consider.

Considering Opening a Franchise During a Recession?

3 Key Factors to Consider

While many people wouldn’t immediately think to launch a business during a recession, the move can be quite strategic if done correctly. Perhaps there’s a clear marketplace gap, or the recession has created increased opportunity with less business competition. During a recession, institutions tend to reduce interest rates to help stimulate the economy and properties may be easier to come by as the demand for real estate shrinks.

If launching amid a recession, aspiring entrepreneurs would be wise to consider a franchise, as the business model has already been built for you and has likely had proven success.

While there are numerous benefits to starting a business during a recession, how do you choose the right one? Conducting research to find the right franchise is critical. It’s important to find a brand and company that will provide the support, trust and transparency needed to succeed.

Below are three key factors aspiring entrepreneurs should seek out when considering opening a franchise amid a recession.

1

Differentiation in the Marketplace

In every industry, there are competing brands that offer seemingly identical products or services. Think about the restaurant industry – how many burger places do consumers have to choose from?

Franchising USA

In a crowded marketplace during an economic recession, a business needs to clearly differentiate itself from others in the space in order to thrive.

For Winmark, that meant becoming a market leader in the resale sector of retail.

We distinguish our resale model from other secondhand and consignment shops by purchasing used items from our customers in exchange for cash on the spot. During the health and economic crisis in 2020, we saw an increased demand for secondhand products. Families were looking to stretch every dollar and find less expensive alternatives for items such as clothes, accessories, workout equipment and more.

In the current budget-conscious economy, consumers continue to seek out sensible prices for everything from clothes, to sporting goods, to musical instruments.

Our resale retail franchises have consistently delivered sales with growth margins not found in traditional retail.

We continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace – and we do this through differentiation via our business model.

2

A Brand that Prioritizes Innovation

Brands that continuously invest in innovation – even during a recession – tend to outperform those that choose to stick with a well-worn operating model.

Post-COVID, brands that pivoted or developed a multi-channel presence were at an advantage, which gave customers the option to shop online and in stores.

Among the Winmark resale brands, Music Go Round®, Play It Again Sports® and Style Encore® rolled out new platforms that allowed consumers to find and purchase products online for both in-store pickup and home delivery. During the height of the pandemic, Once Upon A Child® and Plato’s Closet® franchisees set up online shopping storefronts to drive customer sales.

Our franchisees continued to be creative with how to support their communities during the pandemic. Curbside pickup, delivery, bundling children’s items together in Spring Essential boxes and even virtual

“While there are numerous benefits to starting a business during a recession, how do you choose the right one? Conducting research to find the right franchise is critical.”

personal shopping options were just a few of the many adjustments franchisees made.

As a brand, we continue to empower our franchise network to remain creative and share innovative ideas. Our team is constantly inspired by the adaptability of our franchisees, which we make sure to share with the entire network to drive our innovative culture forward. This is a critical trait for aspiring entrepreneurs to look for as they research franchise investment options.

3

Resilient Franchise Support in the Face of Uncertainty

A franchise network is only as strong as its support team. These are the people that will remain focused and goaloriented to provide franchisees with the tools, resources and guidance needed to withstand a crisis or navigate a recession.

It’s these very systems and processes that allow the franchise to grow and refine operations, making business easier for owners.

As part of your research, ask to be shown the support provided to franchisees. Even better, reach out to existing franchise owners in different markets to gain candid insight on the level of support provided.

operations in most communities, our team continued to guide our franchisees on COVID-19 health and safety protocols to keep employees and customers safe. In fact, at Winmark, having strong support and leadership teams is even more important as we are a fully franchised system, meaning there are no corporate stores. We’ve chosen this model so that all of our time, effort and resources are focused on providing support to our franchisees to ensure they are in the best position to succeed.

The partnerships we have with our franchisees have been strengthened even more as we navigated the pandemic together. And, we were able to draw on our experience in operating through the 2008 economic crisis and recognize that the resale franchise opportunity, paired with our historical brand strength, proved to be attractive to budding entrepreneurs.

The Winmark model and support continues to bring in new franchise inquiries daily and we see that growth continuing postCOVID-19.

There are plenty of reasons why people decide to start a business during a recession, but the type of business you choose to open is equally important.

Franchising can provide a solid business model to build from, and when researching investment options, it’s critical to keep marketplace differentiation, prioritization of innovation, and the quality of leadership support in mind.

Going hand-in-hand with innovation, resilience is another key attribute of brands that can hold up well during a recession.

Franchises that are able to be flexible and adapt to difficult circumstances while maintaining operational standards have an advantage over those that remain rooted in a “that’s how we’ve always done it” attitude that can hinder growth. It’s critical that a franchise support team and leadership team don’t throw out operational procedures wholesale when disruptions occur, but rather have a clear plan of action in place that can weather a variety of crises.

Renae Gaudette is President of Franchising for Winmark Corporation.

Prior to that, Renae was Vice President, Franchising for Once Upon A Child®, Plato’s Closet®, Music Go Round®, Style Encore® and Play it Again Sports®.

Renae has been employed by Winmark in various positions since 1995, including Vice President of Franchise Operations, and Director of Plato’s Closet®.

Even as our stores re-opened to full

www.winmarkfranchises.com

Franchising USA

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snapshot

Nashville Franchise Expo

Franchise Expo Nashville

Explore Franchise Opportunities and Unlock Your Ultimate Business Self The Franchise Expo Nashville is set to debut May 7-8 at the Music City Center.

The Franchise Expo, sponsored by the International Franchise Association, will bring together franchisors and prospective franchisees eager to join the rapidly growing and successful $700+ billion franchise industry.

Maximize Your Expo Experience If you are a potential franchisee, conduct some initial research to get a feel for what franchising opportunities are out there prior to attending the event. Then use you Expo experience to narrow down specific franchise brands you are interested in and spend time visiting those booths.

Preparing questions for franchisors at the show is key to gaining a better understanding of the brand. Take the time to ask about information that cannot be found on the company website.

Questions about training, marketing, or ongoing support will help determine if a particular franchise brand or industry will be a good fit for you.

Before a franchise agreement is signed, a great deal of time and effort goes into making sure it’s a good fit for both parties. A franchisee, whether a single unit purchaser, a multi-unit investor, an area developer or especially a Master Licensee, must know they’re making the right decision. You need to know the franchise brand is one that will be around; support will be there, especially when its needed most; the product/industry is right for the marketplace; and the chances of success are high.

It is critical to assess your compatibility with franchising, if you’re a good fit for franchising in general, and for the specific type of franchise business. You may be a great fit for a service franchise, but a poor fit for a food & beverage one. Depending on your skills and experience, it is important to make the right connection with a brand and the people that stand behind it. Those connections are best made in person.

Last year, Covid caused a temporary slowdown of person-to-person interactions. Connections were made through emails, texts, and Zoom meetings, but nothing can compete with the ability to look people in the eye and have an authentic in person conversation to determine if there is going to be a business chemistry.

At a Franchise Expo, in addition to meeting franchisors and networking with other like-minded entrepreneurs, you can also see

Franchising USA

how receptive a market is to the product or service of a franchise brand you may be interested in. Quality franchise expos will also have a conference component that can provide answers and insight into the franchise industry.

At Franchise Expo Nashville, each session and workshop will be offered in a safely distanced environment where you can ask questions, network with others, get involved in discussions, participate in polls and surveys that will help you select the best franchise for your needs. Seminars are free and explore topics about financing your new business and how to franchise your existing business. Most of these seminars only take 1 hour and are free of charge. So, there is plenty of time to explore franchise brands and network on the show floor.

Workshops are more intensive than their seminar counterparts and provide a comprehensive and detailed learning experience.

These paid sessions are given by foremost experts in the franchise industry and will generally be 1.5 to 2 hours in duration.

Workshops will deal with the most up-to-date practical, legal, strategic and financial issues in the franchise industry.

Franchising touches nearly every industry with varying investment levels. Connecting with the right lenders, formulating a business plan, and understanding your financial strengths and weakness are the first steps in getting the funding you need. Many franchisors even offer their own internal programs to assist with financing, making franchise ownership a tangible reality.

Visiting Franchise Expo Nashville will be the most efficient way to start your journey to owning and operating a successful franchise business of your own.

Register free in advance by visiting www.franchiseexponashville.com.

Page 21

Start Writing Your Next Chapter Join us LIVE or ONLINE

There’s no better time than now

May 6 - 7, 2021

to take your future into your own hands. Join us in person or online to learn about being

September 23 - 25, 2021

your own boss. Learn about the leading franchise brands from industries including: Pet Care, Child Education, Automotive, Health Aids, Exercise & Sports,

October 29 - 30, 2021 Returning Spring 2022

Janitorial Services, Elder Care, Food & Beverage and MORE!

Returning Fall 2022

For more information, visit www.franchiseexpo.com USE PROMO CODE: 7D2@GE2

Franchising USA

ex per t advice

George Knauf | Senior Franchise Business Advisor | FranChoice

Pets are

s s e n i s u B g i B

As you drive through your community, look at the houses. More than two thirds of those households have a pet.

It is estimated that during Covid about a third of the professionals working from home added a pet to their household, most of them dogs.

Pet shelters and rescues have had demand hit historical levels; some had to institute wait lists. They all agree that this is a good problem to have.

Franchising USA

American families set an additional $2 trillion aside in savings over the past year – and they are not just spending it on themselves!

My house is at maximum capacity on dogs, but that is not new. My wife and I rescue giant breed dogs, Newfoundlands and Great Pyrenees. We currently have three dogs: Murphy, Fiona and Maggie and invest in the best veterinarian care, the best food and the best services for our adoptees.

It may have been less expensive to have kids!

We are not alone, pet parents get a lot of benefit from having their pets around.

Much of that is in companionship, engagement and activity. When owners are stressed, dogs and other pets have been shown to lower stress, anxiety and increase productivity.

So, what does that mean to you? Puppies and Money, as a good friend of mine, Andrew, once said.

The pet product and services industry is roughly $100 billion dollars, about $37 billion spent on food and treats. Billions more are spent on grooming services, daycare, boarding, walking and training.

As consumers, we have more focus on eating well for ourselves than we have in

“The pet product and services industry is roughly $100 billion dollars, about $37 billion spent on food and treats. Billions more are spent on grooming services, daycare, boarding, walking and training.”

experience, as that will drive growth when combined with the passion that new pet company founders have.

the past. Pet owners are going the same direction; the huge bags of dried kibble that they picked up at the grocery store are seeming less and less attractive. They don’t want to give their loyal companion something made months ago that doesn’t compare to what the rest of the family eats.

What my household spends on dog food has increased significantly over the years.

We feel that serving our dogs really good food saves us in vet bills and increases longevity. And what we feed varies a bit by dog due to age and health. We have adopted an older dog with arthritis, he gets one food. Our next oldest is a four-year-old and she gets a pretty normal diet. Our third is still in the puppy or young dog age range and she gets a puppy food. Then all of those bowls get topped with a fresh topping we buy from the pet store because we can’t help ourselves but to spoil them.

There is a lot of disruption happening in the dog food space, but with that disruption comes a need for information, education and service. If you don’t know the best food options for your particular dog, then sorting through websites and trying to figure it out can be daunting. I like being able to talk to well-trained experts to get advice and direction.

Additional services are often connected to shopping for supplies. Online retailers don’t offer grooming, nail clipping or vet services. And with online retailers you

have to plan well ahead when buying food, which often means then storing big bags of food in your house as opposed to dropping by a store when you need to restock.

There is another interesting new twist to the market: with all of the newly bought and adopted dogs, what happens when owners go back to work?

There has been great opportunity in the pet space in recent years, but now a perfect storm is presenting a previously unmatched ways to enter the space and turn your passion for your pet into part of your family empire.

I would also appreciate your patience as I voice my passion and encourage you to adopt, there are a lot of great pets looking for forever homes!

Opportunity happens!

Will we go back to work exactly as before?

Only time will answer that, but many companies are already pulling workers back to the office for some of their work schedule or planning to in the coming months.

So, with employees going back to work, travelling and having other demands on their time, how will families manage their pet obligations while at work?

That is where day care, boarding and pet walkers come in. Pet owners spend a good bit on these services. Day care and walking businesses often look more like a membership cash flow even if paid at time of service because of the regular use by clients.

George Knauf

There is great peace of mind that owners find in knowing the service provider in these services. We have seen these categories become very service oriented and supported by technology in brands that are the category standouts.

George Knauf is a highly sought after, trusted advisor to many of the top franchise ownership groups in the world.

With over 25 years of experience in both start-up and mature business franchise operations he is uniquely qualified to advise individuals that have dreamed of Building their own empires. Whether you have an existing portfolio or searching for your first franchise, he can help you to pursue your dreams. Contact the Franchising USA Expert, George’s Hotline: 703-424-2980.

Look for brands that have deep franchise

www.MyPerfectFranchise.com

Franchising USA

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our Next Feature:

Children's Products and Services

One of the most powerful consumer markets in America is Children’s Products and Services.

Next month our Special Feature provides the perfect opportunity to showcase your Franchise.

For advertising opportunities please contact Vikki Bradbury at: vikki@cgbpublishing.com

FranchisingFeature multi-unit

m ay 202 1

SANONDAF

World leader in disinfection services

launches US franchise network

Are you ready to be a multi-unit franchisee?

multi-unit ownership

presents attractive option for franchisees

slow and steady growth offers franchise success Franchising USA

fe at ure : mu T r en wo lt m en di i-ung ni ni tfr fr fraaanch nch nchises isi ising ng

what’s new!

THE WOODHOUSE DAY SPA SIGNS NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENT IN NC multi-unit franchisee with more than 17 years of franchise industry experience, previously operating six Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins locations for 10 years. Since 2014, she has owned and operated two JEI Learning Centers in Cary, North Carolina, where she currently resides. Esha is a global supply chain expert, food importer and investor who will be Sonal’s business partner in this new venture. The two entrepreneurs are very passionate about luxury spas and have traveled all over the world for the best experiences.

The Woodhouse Day Spa, a high-end day spa franchise, has inked a franchise agreement to develop a location in the Raleigh-Durham area of North Carolina. The new spa, which is slated to open in Winter 2022, will officially expand the brand’s footprint into its 22nd state.

Spearheading The Woodhouse Day Spa’s North Carolina

development are Sonal Patel and Esha Ray. Sonal is a distinguished

“Being a longtime franchise operator and somewhat of a highend luxury spa connoisseur, I was thrilled when I found The Woodhouse Day Spa because it felt like two of my worlds colliding,” said Sonal Patel. “Esha and I can’t wait to bring the first Woodhouse Day Spa to North Carolina and create a special place for local residents to practice their self-care, which has never been more important.”

Following The Woodhouse Day Spa’s acquisition by Radiance Holdings in July of last year, the brand is aggressively targeting key markets throughout the U.S. for franchise development, including North Carolina. www.ownawoodhouse.com

CLASSIC AMERICAN FOOD AND WHOLESOME ATMOSPHERE NOT A THING OF THE PAST As the hamburger market continues to grow and evolve, one fast-casual diner concept is staying true to the original burger shop feel, Corbett’s Burgers and Soda Bar. Corbett’s Burgers and Soda Bar will transport you back with a warm, family-friendly, old-fashioned touch, featuring fresh Hereford ground beef, hot dogs, homemade sauces and more than 250 varieties of bottled sodas.

“The core of our concept is based around bringing back good memories of times gone by. We wanted to create a wholesome place for friends and family to hang out and enjoy good food with a cold glass bottle of soda,” said Founder, Corbett Shope.

The success of this unique family-friendly concept has led to the launch of its national franchise opportunity.

“Corbett’s combines the quality and taste of an expensive burger franchise with the lower franchise costs and simplicity of a sandwich franchise,” said Michael Stadnicki, Chief Operating Officer and Partner of Franchise Edge.

Corbett’s has a streamlined system that pushes tremendous volumes during peak lunch and dinner periods. The order process with the

Franchising USA

point of sale is easy - the grill master continuously cooks burgers to keep up with the volume of customers and the sandwich stations prepare toppings based on customer requests.

Their proprietary system keeps things affordable while not sacrificing on quality. Their playful trademark, Sodalicious, sums up the food and beverage experience that customers love. https://corbettsburgers.com

CHICK N MAX SPREADS ITS WINGS WITH NEW FRANCHISE OFFERING Chick N Max – a next generation fast casual franchise specializing in almond wood smoked chicken and wings, chefcrafted sandwiches and golden fried tenders – has announced the launch of its franchise opportunity and plans to expand across the Central and Southeastern United States.

With three corporate-owned restaurants already serving throngs of customers throughout Wichita, Kansas, Chick N Max intends to double its footprint by the end of next year and open as many as five new restaurants each year thereafter.

The growth will be primarily achieved through multi-unit franchising and initially target select markets throughout Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and the Southeast United States.

“Our philosophy on food and communityfocused business practices that has caught the attention of our existing customers is sure to do the same with future franchisees alike,” says Chick N Max COO Bob Peterson. “The future looks bright for

Chick N Max and we have barely scratched

augment the company’s growth, Chick

Founded in 2017 and franchising since

looking to get in on the ground floor of

fast casual franchise in the nearly $40

chicken franchise industry.

the surface of our potential.”

N Max is seeking franchise partners

2021, Chick N Max is a next generation

an emerging brand in the ever-growing

billion chicken franchise industry. To

www.chicknmax.com

KOALA INSULATION EXPANDS FRANCHISE TO 200 TERRITORIES NATIONWIDE

Koala Insulation, a nationally established franchise business that seeks to save homeowners money on their energy bills by providing highquality spray-foam insulation services, has kicked off 2021 with substantial growth.

In April, Koala Insulation signed its 200th territory location, surpassing their original goal of expanding to over 150 territories in a year. They are continuing to gain a nationwide presence by adding locations in Washington, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Texas.

Koala Insulation seeks to provide

“My excitement continues to grow as we expand across the United States. We intend to build on last year’s sales momentum and continue to exceed expectations. There are many exciting things ahead for this brand.” said Scott Marr, the founder of Koala Insulation. “It’s been truly rewarding to experience growth during the pandemic, and we’ve had the pleasure to partner with some of the best franchise partners.”

for the year, they are on track for another

franchisees with all the tools they need to run a successful, recession-resistant

insulation business. And while they have successfully established franchises in

some of the hottest markets in the U.S.

and smashed through their growth goal

record year. Koala has also been scaling its corporate team alongside its new franchise partners. Over the past year, Koala has tripled the size of its corporate staff in

anticipation of the continued growth of their franchise system.

https://koalainsulation.com/franchise/ contact-us

Franchising USA

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fe at ure : mu T r en wo lt m en di i-ung ni ni tfr fr fraaanch nch nchises isi ising ng

what’s new!

FACE FOUNDRIÉ OPENS NEW LOCATIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE STATES

Minnesota-based skincare business Face Foundrié is expanding nationally.

The facial bar concept specializes in effective and efficient services for your face.

After opening its third location in Minnesota in just two years, it’s already expanding with new locations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Arizona and South Dakota.

“Our franchisees are a great group of super talented and intelligent people.

It is exciting to see so many different backgrounds come together to work on the same dream,” said Face Foundrié Founder and CEO Michele Henry.

“In a year of hard pivots, it’s been rewarding to see how we can continue to bring our services to the masses. We have disrupted both the service and training

sides of this industry despite the constant uncertainty. Our end goal remains the same, people deserve accessible and approachable skincare no matter where they are or who they are, and franchising has been an incredible vehicle to help us carry out this mission.”

commitments is hard, but during a pandemic is near impossible. People have really shown up for our mission and concept which is both inspiring and brings so much hope. People really do need this space and we can’t wait to bring it to them with our franchisees.”

“Selling 15 units and having 25 additional

https://www.facefoundrie.com

NINJA NATION ANNOUNCES NATIONAL EXPANSION PLANS FOR 2021 to play, train, and compete in world-class facilities while developing skills, strength, and confidence. The brand has four locations open and operating in Colorado and Texas. Their fifth location will be opening in Huntersville, North Carolina this spring.

Ninja Nation, the Colorado-based youth fitness concept, is announcing its plans for national franchise expansion as the demand for their obstacle course business has continued to increase into 2021.

The brand maintained its success following the COVID lockdown of 2020 and is continuing to expand across the country. They are excited to offer something for everyone from the first-timer to the seasoned athlete, including open gym time, classes for children and adults, competitions, birthday parties, special events, and mobile operations.

Due to a continuous inflow of interest and nationwide popularity, the brand is actively seeking multi-unit, area development, and semi absentee franchise opportunities in top markets throughout the nation.

“We are proud to offer kids this unique and engaging experience that provides them with both mental and physical confidencebuilding activities,” said Wayne Cavanaugh, Founder and CEO. “While our programs align with our mission of creating heroes and keeping kids active, it is also an exciting way to instill resilience into kids. We are thrilled to continue to create a positive impact in kids’ lives as we open locations across the country.”

Ninja Nation provides both adults and kids the exciting opportunity

www.ninjanationfranchise.com

Franchising USA

GERMINATOR REFRESHES BRANDING AND LAUNCHES SAFE ZONE CAMPAIGN

SALADWORKS AND FRUTTA BOWLS TEAM UP WITH COMBO KITCHEN Saladworks and Frutta Bowls have announced a partnership with Combo Kitchen, a franchise system that allows entrepreneurs to invest in a ghost kitchen and operate multiple food concepts listed in its network.

Operators benefit by generating additional revenue with the incorporation of a proven concept, while maintaining or even reducing their standard restaurant expenses. Combo Kitchen anticipates substantial growth nationwide with the WOWorks brands. In the first 60 days of the partnership, Combo Kitchen signed Saladworks for 14 initial locations. It foresees growing Saladworks and Frutta Bowls brands at a rate of 5-7 locations monthly throughout the remainder of 2021.

“What’s powerful about this partnership is its mutual benefit for all parties involved. Our unique ghost kitchen model calls for proven brands. Saladworks and Frutta Bowls can experience exponential growth while Combo Kitchen handles all franchise sales, royalty collections and other operational responsibilities,” said Combo Kitchen CEO Hossein Kasmai. “Restaurant operators boost their revenue with the incorporation of a recognized and established brand, while consumers can take advantage of new flavors being brought to their area.”

In the past year alone, Saladworks has grown by more than 40 restaurant locations, entering new markets such as Canada, California, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Ohio, Florida and Indiana.

Roughly 80% of these openings mark non-traditional presences, i.e. ghost kitchens, food trucks, grocery retail, hospitals and universities, as the brand continues to flex its muscles as an industry disruptor. Frutta Bowls is a fast-casual trend-setter centering on a unique menu that is made fresh-to-order with no sweeteners, no juices and no fillers added.

Germinator Mobile Sanitizing and Disinfecting has had a refresh, simplifying its branding to “Germinator” and launching a new creative campaign with an educative message.

The company’s first initiative is the launch of the Germinator Safe Zone campaign, which aims to better educate the market on the value proposition of 360-degree germ protection, 365 days a year for the spaces where we work, live, and play.

Launching in parallel with the new campaign, Germinator has embarked on a number of strategic channel partnerships, which includes the ability to offer new lines of sanitizing body products designed to provide protection up to four hours per use, air disinfection units designed to remove viruses, bacteria, allergens, and contaminants in the air, and innovative backpack and handheld mini electrostatic sprayers.

Germinator has also connected with SafeAccess, a risk management solution suite, which allows enterprises, schools/ academia, and event organizers to easily create and maintain health and safety policies and procedures, contact tracing, testing, digital health passports, AI-based cough signature detection, and more.

These new initiatives, when coupled with the company’s patentpending sanitizing and disinfecting service, create Germinator Safe Zones that provide advanced protection for surfaces, air and you.

Changes to the brand also include an updated logo and new website domain. www.thegerminator.com

Franchising USA

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Cover Story: SANONDAF

- SANONDAF -

World leader in disinfection services

launches US franchise network Sanondaf Franchising USA is currently seeking prospective great franchisees and Area Developers to bring this amazing concept to different markets around the country.

Franchising USA

Sanoserv International Franchising, owner of the Sanondaf Disinfection Services

Brand, was founded in Europe (Malta)

in November 2011 and currently has 60

franchisees across five continents around

the world. The company has been actively ramping up operations to enter the US

market, which it did in March 2021 by

setting up Sanondaf Franchising USA, an Arizona corporation offering franchises throughout the United States.

What makes Sanondaf the world leader in sanitation?

Sanondaf is a touchless sanitation and disinfection service system and the

world’s franchise leader in the provision

of disinfection services. The company has

not been born as an opportunistic COVID19 solution, but has been developing and optimizing its system since its inception in 2011. Its system is not only ideal, as a

solution, to fight COVID-19, but has been

“ All North American franchisees will receive local support, coaching, sales training and operational training to ensure their success.”

applications provide strong, financially viable propositions in the following sectors: senior care facilities, catering, day care centers, hospitals, physician offices, hotels and motels, office buildings, restaurants, grocery stores, retail stores, houses of worship, beauty and hair salons, transport vehicles, aviation, transport hubs/facilities, schools, universities, and any other facility where people tend to congregate in groups.

Sanondaf franchisees

proven effective against an endless list of viruses, bateria, fungi and other pathogens.

Sanondaf uses the latest technology and industry innovations for regular touchless disinfecting services and its products have been used effectively across various industries including aviation, transportation, medical, high tech manufacturing, offices, schools, care homes and many others. The system uses a patented formula which is ideal for both surface disinfection as well as air disinfection for airborne pathogens. The system is also ideal for water treatment. Sanondaf provides various effective disinfection solutions amongst which are the leading systems “SanoFog” a fogging device spraying a dry fog aerosol disinfection product centered around a heating and aerosolizing turbine and “SanoStatic” an electrostatic solution deployed via an electrostatic spray disinfection system for surfaces

disinfection. Solutions are FDA certified and kill 99.9999% of viruses (including Covid-19 and all known variants), harmful bacteria, fungi, yeast, and other microorganisms.

Why is there a need for this service?

An expectation of cleanliness and sanitization has become the new normal.

The world has spent the past year wearing masks and fearing an invisible killer in Covid-19, and we’re not done yet. Even once we’ve achieved the upper hand with this virus, there will still be new variations and other viruses to protect our family, friends and clients from.

Sanondaf is a tried and tested solution proven to be effective in disinfecting both enclosed and open spaces. Sanondaf’s products may be used for domestic and commercial purposes, across different industries. Sanondaf’s multi-channel

Our ideal franchisees will be entrepreneurial but value the systems, processes, and support that come with an established international franchise model.

They will be trailblazers – excited about the opportunity to help bring a new (but necessary) concept to the United States and the financial opportunity that it offers.

They will care about their communities and want to make community spaces safe and clean for their families, friends and neighbors.

Our new offices in Phoenix, AZ include our training facilities, training & support personnel. All North American franchisees will receive local support, coaching, sales training and operational training to ensure their success. We will make sure that we’re there for our franchisees at every step of the way.

Looking ahead Our aim is to focus on growing the US business and our efforts and investment are being channeled to achieve this aim.

Our plan is to add up to 600 franchisees over the next five years as we bring this successful business model to all corners of North America.

To learn about franchising opportunities, contact Aaron McMartin, VP of Development, at amcmartin@summafranchise.com.

Franchising USA

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Featu re

S i n e a d H o r a n -We b b | Fr a n c h i s i n g U S A

ARE YOU READY

TO BE A MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE? As confidence in franchising as a resilient and reliable business model grows, more and more growth-minded franchisees are thinking big and looking to expand their empire.

Multi-unit franchising offers a way for those with big business dreams to go from operating a single store or service to overseeing several units.

Some business investors want to focus on just one franchise; it’s their domain, their livelihood and their single focus.

The business may be a family operation or passion project for a retired couple, or maybe it’s the bread and butter of a firsttime business owner who is dedicated to putting all their effort into growing that individual store or service.

Is multi-unit franchising a smart choice for your future?

The more franchises you operate, the more profit and money you can generate. But dedicating oneself to more than one unit takes time and money. Patience is key.

prepared to multi-task the management of multiple units.

In addition to the tried-and-tested models of operating multiple units within the

one franchise brand, another, slightly less

common, option is for multi-unit investors

to own different types of franchise brands.

For other investors, franchising is a way of building something bigger. Maybe they are highly experienced franchise owners who are ready to expand their footprint, or a business-savvy investor who sees the potential profit in operating multiple locations.

It’s generally recommended for franchisees to become familiar with a franchise while waiting to turn a profit in order to gain back their initial investment. Then, once they have attained enough financial assets, they can feel confident in buying into another outlet of the same franchise.

Using this model, the entrepreneurial franchisee can slowly but steadily grow a solid network, replicating the process with each outlet. While this is the safest way for cautious franchise operators to expand their network, there are more direct paths to franchise growth for those willing to take a few risks.

Whatever your reason for franchising, it’s important to ask yourself:

Investing in multiple units at once can see quick results for opportunists who are

attribute of a successful multi-unit

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While single-brand, multi-unit franchising is still the standard method of operating a

franchise network, running multiple stores across multiple brands can, cautiously, be done. Traditionally, franchise investment used to come with protected territory

clauses, which prevented franchisees from investing in competitors within a certain

distance, but some franchisors are starting to loosen their rules around exclusivity

rights to adapt to this developing demand from entrepreneurial franchisees.

Which leads us to the most important franchisor:

only prepared to allow highly financed individuals to become multi-unit operators.

Spend some time researching the expectations and requirements of the franchise, attend networking events and franchise expos, and speak to existing multi-unit franchisees to learn more about their experiences and the pros and cons they have encountered, and what support and training is offered.

It’s important to be realistic about your goals, your abilities and your financial security. Success depends upon due diligence, so do your homework before committing to any big decisions. If you put the work in early, you will pave the best path – or multiple paths - forward.

To see what franchises are available, explore our Franchise Directory: https:// franchisingusamagazine.com/franchisedirectory

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MULTIUNIT FRANCHISING? Seeing the bigger picture Instead of running the day-to-day operations of a single unit where you can hone-in on the specific needs of that one store or service, multi-unit franchisors need to take a broad view of operations across multiple locations or service providers. For entrepreneurs who enjoy strategizing, financial forecasting and envisioning business trends, managing multiple locations can be highly rewarding and potentially very lucrative.

But these are skills and attributes that don’t come naturally to everyone, so be sure you have the right personality fit before making any key decisions. And, of course, you must be passionate about the brand as, in many ways, becoming a multi-unit franchisor makes you an ambassador for that brand. You must be highly focused on growing brand awareness and be invested in its success.

Multi-unit also means multi-tasking, so consider how you will juggle and prioritize the needs of each unit. How does one unit impact the other? How will you manage

the staffing needs of each unit and the personal relationships with management and other staff members? The dynamics of being a hands-on sole franchise operator is very different to being an infrequent presence among several different units across a large territory.

So, before you begin down the path to multi-unit ownership, do your homework.

This means being highly focused on:

To Franchisees • Greater earning potential – the more franchises you own, the more money you can make • Lower operational costs – franchisor may provide discounts for running secondary units, like lower fees and royalties • Staffing flexibility – access to a larger pool of staff, making it easier to cover absences and manage leave requests

The importance of due diligence

To Franchisors

Before committing to an initial investment in multi-unit ownership, it is vital to dig deep into due diligence. Some franchises are more tailor-made for network growth than others. Some even offer discounts for secondary units and have operational systems purposely laid out for multi-unit franchising. So, if you have a long-term vision to operate more units, find out now if the franchise has growth potential. Even if there is a possibility to own multiple units, you need to know upfront what the franchisor’s financial expectations are.

Some multi-unit focused franchises are

• Less training required – only one initial training course required to manage several outlets • Lower franchisee risk – granting additional units to a tried and tested franchisee means less risk than selecting a new franchisee to operate a location • Faster growth – time-saved on recruitment and training allows business to get up-and-running faster leading to quicker growth and higher profits

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Focus : Horse Power Brands

Meet the Multi-Unit Franchisors

on a Mission to Grow Service-based Brands Horse Power Brands, a trio of “blue-collar millionaires”, have teamed up on a mission to responsibly grow servicebased franchise brands.

Beards, flannel shirts and baseball caps are a common look for this lively downto-earth trio of Josh Skolnick, Zachery Beutler and Erik Van Horn. They not only have the business smarts and experience to grow and sell multi-million-dollar companies, but know their way around a farm and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. A rare mix today, they’re a breath

Franchising USA

of fresh air to the usual button-down shirt business executives.

Their first acquisition after forming Horse Power Brands is Mighty Dog Roofing specializing in commercial and residential roofing, gutters, siding, windows, skylights and storm damage. Just six months into the investment, the company has awarded 40+ locations to its first 13 Mighty Dog Roofing franchisees across 10 states and is on track to sign a total of 80+ franchise locations by the end of the second quarter 2021 The Partners teamed up last year with a goal to improve the franchisor-franchisee experience and ROI in the service-based franchise sector.

The trio, who crossed paths over their years in franchising together, plan to become

the industry’s next major service-based conglomerate with a clear differentiator – active involvement in the operations and franchisee support of its portfolio brands.

Horse Power is laser-focused on ROI by delivering systems, service and support, so franchisees can focus on sales and production to maximize monetization.

“The standard practice in our industry has become a race to 100 units sold, often without sensible offerings nor a clear vision to actually open all 100 locations. That’s not success. We are focused on providing atypical efforts and services to ensure we not only sell franchises responsibly, but open them with the tools to ensure the franchisees’ growth and longevity,” Skolnick said. “This is what sets us apart

“The Partners teamed up last year with a goal to improve the franchisorfranchisee experience and ROI in the service-based franchise sector.”

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS WHO TEAMED UP TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY IN SERVICE-BASED FRANCHISING Josh Skolnick Josh Skolnick is a serial entrepreneur who began a successful landscaping business in his youth. In 2008, he founded Monster Tree Service and grew it into a multi-million-dollar franchise with over 200 territories across the U.S. before selling it to Authority Brands in 2020. In 2018, Skolnick took over Redbox+, a patented combination portable toilet and dumpster rental service turning it into a nationally recognized brand with over 240 territories, but his drive didn’t stop there. On his most recent endeavour, Skolnick joined with two other franchising leaders to create the service-based parent company Horse Power Brands, which acquired and operates Mighty Dog Roofing. Skolnick lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, three children and dog Onyx, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Zachery Beutler

s and why we’ll become a portfolio of service brands with $1 billion+ in annual revenue.”

Sharing a goal to see franchisees open and grow successful businesses, Skolnick, Beutler and Van Horn said the formation of Horse Power Brands is the high point of their respective franchising careers.

“After awarding franchises, we have the means and experience to actually get the locations open quickly,” Van Horn said.

“Seeing the franchisees open successful is extremely gratifying. Each of us have had years of experience as franchisees, franchisors, developers and consultants.

We are where private equity meets operational excellence.” https://horsepowerbrands.com/

Zachery Beutler began his career in franchising as a young, ambitious franchisee with Nebraska-based Complete Nutrition, later becoming a multi-unit franchisee of Color World Housepainting, Inc. He went on to take up a variety of roles in franchise development with 5 different brands and as Chief Development Officer of Redbox+. As one of the highest performers in franchise development, Beutler has gained a wealth of knowledge on building brands and businesses. He is also co-owner of Beutler Beef, a company that provides high quality beef, and most recently co-founded Horse Power Brands. Beutler and his wife make their home in Pender, Nebraska raising cattle on their family ranch alongside a beautiful daughter and two dogs, Winston and Jedi.

Erik Van Horn Erik Van Horn is a franchising and marketing mastermind who has experience franchising at every level including successful runs as a multiunit franchisee, Master franchisee, area developer, franchisee consultant and franchise industry podcaster. He worked with Liberty Tax Services, where he was a franchisee for six years and went on to be a Master franchisee for another four. Van Horn then opened Synergy HomeCare in 2011, Sola Salon Studios in 2012 and various other businesses garnering him more than 20 years of franchising experience. Most recently, Van Horn co-founded Horse Bower Brands. Van Horn and his wife live in Spearfish, South Dakota with their daughters and two dogs, Piper and Sparky.

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Expert Advice: Rick Bisio | Franchise Coach | FranChoice

Multi-Unit Ownership presents attractive Option for Franchisees is also a growing trend, as there was a 23 percent increase in entry-level multi-unit owners (2-5 units) during an eight-year span from 2010 to 2018.

The restaurant industry has the highest concentration of multi-unit franchise ownership. Almost every storefront franchise, whether it be a fitness concept, tax service, automotive or beauty-related business, has a large number of multiunit franchisees. Very few franchisors do not allow their franchisees to own several locations, while some, like major hair cutteries, expect their people to own multiple units.

Rick Bisio

One of the primary considerations for someone who is researching a franchise opportunity is whether to own a single location or multiple units.

Multi-unit operations are a common practice in franchising, have many benefits and should be a key part of an individual’s due diligence process when exploring franchise ownership.

According to a recent report by FRANdata, 54 percent of all franchises are multiunit operations, with 43,212 multi-unit operators controlling more than 223,213 franchised units in the United States. It

Franchising USA

A similar situation also applies for serviced-based franchises without a storefront location. Instead of operating multiple stores, service-based franchisees own several territories in which they have exclusive rights to operate within a given geographical area(s). This grants them additional growth opportunities and is a common practice within franchising.

Benefits of Multi-Unit Franchise Ownership There are many advantages to owning more than one franchised establishment, whether it be additional revenue streams, lower operating costs, time commitment or staff flexibility. Opening the first franchise location is often the most difficult. There can be a steep learning curve as the franchisee learns the new system. It also requires the owner to be more hands-on in running the business and spend more time on-site.

That process actually becomes easier

when a franchisee owns additional establishments. At that point, the franchisee can hire a manager and put a strong team in place to run all the locations while only needing to oversee operations from a big picture perspective. That can lead to fewer working hours, greater personal flexibility and a better work-life balance.

In addition to having another source of revenue, owning multiple franchised units provides franchisees with greater income diversification than managing just one location. It can sometimes mean a safer investment since they don’t need to depend on a single site to make all the revenue while also helping survive any difficult economic times.

There are also several operational benefits to owning multiple franchises. Whether someone owns two or five locations within a certain area, the marketing program will benefit every location and strategy becomes more efficient. If there is a situation in which a manager or employees are unable to work on a given day, other

support into a new franchisee as they teach them the system. This includes things such as helping them find the right location, negotiate their lease, hire and train staff, and market their business.

staff members from different locations can be brought in to fill their void. The person who handles the business’ accounting and finances can take care of that across multiple units. There are tremendous economies of scale when it comes to opening multiple locations.

To take advantage of many of these benefits that come from multi-unit ownership, it often makes the most sense to invest in multiple locations under a single brand. Franchisees are able to maximize their efficiencies while operating multiple units in the same system. Some owners chose to diversify their operations by owning franchises across several brands.

As a franchise coach, I would recommend first opening several with one brand before buying additional locations with another brand.

The Value of a Multi-Unit Franchisee Successful multi-unit operators are very attractive in the eyes of franchisors. The franchisors invest a lot of time, money and

When a franchisee learns the system, much of that assistance from the franchisor is no longer necessary. Once a franchisee is proven and successful, that person becomes a great candidate to open more locations.

There is less support needed from the franchisor and there is a higher potential for success.

Some franchisors actively seek candidates who have experience in owning multiple locations. In the restaurant industry, many franchisors will only accept franchisees with restaurant franchise experience who have operated a large number of units.

I recently spoke with a group wanting to open a restaurant franchise who were basically turned down by the franchisor who was looking for people who had a track record of owning multiple locations and the money to do so.

Deciding on Multi-Unit Franchise Ownership The desire and comfort level to own multiple franchise locations varies for each person. Some people prefer to open a single location and grow from there while others want to start by signing a multi-unit

deal. When I talk with people about this, I essentially ask them if owning one location will meet their needs.

People who do the proper due diligence should get a good idea of how much their earning potential will be from one location.

If that meets what they are looking for in their lives, they should only sign up for that location. However, if one location is not enough, they should probably sign up for multiple locations and do that at the outset of the process.

In some cases, the franchisor may discount the franchise fee for every additional unit or territory purchased by the franchisee. It also gives the franchisee exclusive access to a particular area and ensures they are not blocked by other owners if they wish to expand and grow their business.

Multi-unit ownership is a popular and growing trend within franchising. If operated correctly, it can be a very profitable and successful form of business ownership.

Rick Bisio is one of the countries most respected franchise coaches and author of the Amazon best seller, The Educated Franchise - 3rd Edition. Since becoming a franchise coach in 2002, Bisio has assisted thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs nationwide explore the dream of business ownership. https://afranchisecoach.com/

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“There are many advantages to owning more than one franchised establishment, whether it be additional revenue streams, lower operating costs, time commitment or staff flexibility.”

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Have Your Say: Farrellynn Wolf | CEO | Goodcents

Launching

Franchise Restaurants in New Markets

There are many obvious to-dos for launching in a new market, however, franchise restaurants must also have plans in place for three priorities that are easy to overlook: Having ‘boots on the ground’ to assist with training and ensuring brand standards, Farrellynn Wolf

Franchising USA

raising brand awareness, and assuring consistent supply chain services.

1

Boots on the Ground

Some franchises appoint area developers to serve as an extension of the franchisor in growing markets.

Goodcents, which is headquartered in De Soto, Kansas, just outside Kansas City, is currently expanding to new markets including St. Louis and Phoenix. We have ‘area representatives’ to develop those new markets, train new franchise owners, and serve as an ongoing resource for franchisees.

Area representatives are asked to invest in a defined geographic area that will be developed with a minimum of 10

“A restaurant franchise is only as good as its food, and food is only as good as its ingredients.

That’s why Goodcents partnered with Sysco, a global leader in distributing food products to restaurants. ”

2

Building up the Brand

Brand awareness is two-pronged for franchises. They must make sure consumers know about the business and its products or services, and they also have to make sure potential franchisees are aware of the opportunity that exists.

restaurants – at least one of which must be owned by the area representative. An area

representative receives half of the franchise fee for each location in their area. After a

restaurant opens in their area, they receive more than a third of the royalties - or 2

percent of gross sales - from each location, for developing the area and supporting brand standards.

In this model, the area representative has

a financial stake in the success of the new

market. They are local owners working to

develop a 10-store portfolio of which they can be proud.

In the Kansas City area, everybody knows Goodcents. The restaurant concept is part of the fabric of the community. It is where youth sports teams gather after a game, where office teams order lunch for meetings, and where you pick up a family meal for a busy weeknight dinner.

But outside of the greater Kansas City area, Goodcents isn’t as well-known as some of its competitors. In addition to raising consumer awareness about the quality of the food, Goodcents had to raise awareness among prospective franchisees about what makes Goodcents a strong investment. To do that, Goodcents stepped up PR efforts and launched “brand awareness-building” ad campaigns in both St. Louis and Phoenix about the brand and the areas in development.

Before you can begin to grant franchise licenses in a new market, you must make sure your potential candidates know who you are and what differentiates your brand from the competition.

3

Distribution Centers

A restaurant franchise is only as good as its food, and food is only as good as its ingredients. That’s why Goodcents partnered with Sysco, a global leader in distributing food products to restaurants.

Working with Goodcents’ partner in Kansas City, the franchise recently added Goodcents proprietary items – food, paper goods, cleaning supplies – to Sysco’s distribution center in St. Louis. So, if a St. Louis location unexpectedly runs out of ingredients, they can be at a distribution center to restock in 20 minutes rather than the four hours it would take to get to Kansas City.

New Goodcents franchisees have many details to consider when opening their new locations, so sometimes it’s necessary to push some concerns to the back burner.

However, having a local area representative in the market to support site selection, open the restaurant and train crew, as well as oversee branding and partner with an established distribution center, is key to success in a new market.

Farrellynn Wolf is CEO of Goodcents https://ownagoodcents.com/

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Expert Advice: Tom O’Keefe | Managing Director | Southern Classic Chicken

Slow and Steady Growth Offers Franchise Success

Southern Classic Chicken, a family-owned fried chicken restaurant concept based in Shreveport, LA, recently launched a franchise program after 30 years in business.

The brand has learned many lessons, offering suggestions on the advantages of employing a slow and steady growth strategy utilizing the franchise model.

“Been There. Seen That” Often, we read about a unique, new concept that explodes on the scene and becomes a commodity in franchising. The idea seemingly sells out territory after territory with news of huge multiunit deals and promises of the arrival of hundreds of franchised units. But how many times do the same concepts see their development

Franchising USA

“Fledgling franchisors who move too hastily become susceptible to common mistakes including the fear of saying “no,” the failure of performing due diligence, and overselling large territories to unqualified developers.”

plans fulfilled? Rarely. The driving factor behind this tendency is a flawed growth strategy that focuses more on franchise sales rather than the opening and support of successful franchise units. The resulting failures of going too fast are not only brand-damaging to the rest of the system but can, in some markets or cases, become fatal to the brand. Said another way, the race is won by those who approach franchising with a “slow and steady” mentality rather than a quick blitz off the franchise sales blocks.

Some Common Mistakes Made

by Franchisors Who Move Hastily Moving quickly can come with a price.

Fledgling franchisors who move too hastily become susceptible to common mistakes including the fear of saying “no,” the failure of performing due diligence, and overselling large territories to unqualified developers.

It is crucial to understand that not every prospect is right for your concept, emphasizing the importance to be able to turn deals away. This can be for a variety of reasons from financial or operational qualifications to cultural fit. Failing to define and actively seek the characteristics desired in a franchisee candidate profile can lead to poor sales and tarnish a brand’s reputation. The majority of franchisees fail because they are either not properly capitalized or the franchise location should not have been accepted.

A disciplined franchisor needs to undertake the necessary diligence to confirm the financial status of the prospect and do a real estate analysis of any market before opening it up for franchising.

Steering the franchisee to profitable markets and sites that allow for optimal

chances of success is necessary homework.

Franchisors can often make the mistake of letting the excitement of selling territories consume them. Overselling large territories to unqualified developers, selling territories in “one-off” or distant markets where no brand name recognition exists, and failing to account for the time and expense of supporting these franchisees from afar can lead to failure. We encourage franchisors to employ a slow and steady growth strategy, beginning with entry into contiguous markets and then growing “inside-out.”

This model has proven its ability to allow franchisees to not only sustain but exceed their growth goals, in addition to creating brand recognition over time.

Slow and Steady Growth Can Improve Brand Name Recognition Franchisors desiring to be “best in class” will employ a growth strategy that makes such a desirable opportunity that only a limited number of applicants will be accepted. Generating this demand doesn’t happen overnight but, rather, through long periods of development. By creating a competitive franchise sales environment, the franchisor should attract better candidates. Reciprocally, sophisticated franchise prospects are typically more attracted to a franchise company that can showcase the value of its system through its long-established brand recognition, efficient unit-level operations, and compelling unit-level economics. All of these attributes are developed over time leading to a more attractive offering that draws in qualified applicants.

Pace Makes the Race There are many restaurant concepts that have come and gone; the operating

Tom O’Keefe

history of the franchisor illustrates how consumers perceive and react to a brand.

Longevity in the marketplace shows the ability to survive, thrive, and surpass any reasonable test of commercial viability, lending further credibility to the brand’s strength. Thus, the importance to deliver quality products at affordable prices in a safe and convenient environment is paramount. Adding to that is the ability to allow franchisees into the system and to provide them with the tools required for them to replicate the franchisor’s success. Southern Classic’s decadesold history of selling fried chicken and complimentary side offerings in its predominantly drive-thru model exemplifies how to achieve such success and do so in any economic environment.

The Slow and Steady Win the Race Ultimately, I implore you to demonstrate patient, focus, and discipline with your growth plans. Nurturing the confidence that you have in your concept will reflect your ability to succeed. While it may take time, and perhaps even more than originally thought, it’s the winning strategy. The side of the road is littered with those who moved too fast.

Tom O’Keefe is the Managing Director of Southern Classic Chicken, launching the 30-year-old family-owned brand to franchising. www.southernclassicchicken.com

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ex per t advice

Bill McPherson | Vice President of Franchise Development | PostNet and Alphagraphics

Why It’s Important to

Build Partnerships with Your Customers Franchising blends the best of both worlds. It partners local entrepreneurs with a national chain that provides a recognizable brand identity, back office and technology support, marketing services and more!

Franchising USA

As with any business venture, though, success for a franchise location also depends on support from the local community. The stronger that support, the greater the chances of thriving. This requires building partnerships with other businesses in the community. These relationships are critical to building repeat business and generating referrals.

Establishing Partnerships

awareness in the community as well as helping the individual location grow.

Partnerships like these strengthen the awareness of the local franchise location.

They build awareness of what the local franchisee is doing to help create jobs and promote other businesses in the area. All of these things help create a positive reflection of your brand. The partnerships also contribute to repeat and referral business for the franchise location.

Establishing strong business relationships with other companies has several advantages — helping build brand

It creates what we at PostNet call “client stickiness.” The franchisee is providing great service and solutions, so the client

Bill McPherson

has no reason to go elsewhere. If they are getting great service and solutions, as part of a strong and trusted relationship, why would they go elsewhere? These strong relationships provide a huge competitive advantage over the long run.

Investing in Client Success The owners of franchise locations need to be as invested in the success of their clients as they are their own. This means finding the right solutions for customers rather than just selling solutions. Writing in Forbes, Milo Shammas emphasizes the importance of investing in customer success to strengthen these vital relationships: When you’re selling a product or service and you wish to stand out from the competition, I believe education is part of the game. In my experience, some leaders can become frustrated due to the amount of time that goes into educating clients or customers. But instead, try to see this as an opportunity.

Your brand can benefit in many ways from this approach. For example, you have the chance to earn more dedicated customers and become synonymous with the learnings you provide. You can stay top of mind in conversations, well beyond your products.

Finding the Right Support Developing this partnership is made easier with support from the right franchise brand that can offer proper technology, training, and support systems. Offering services that can aid local businesses is a positive for any company, but franchisees can have the advantage through better technology, marketing and training support from their franchisor.

By networking through local events, a franchise owner can quickly be viewed as a trusted member of the community while also offering fast services along with convenient ordering. As the franchisee strengthens their business partnerships, they have the opportunity to upsell their services. For example, a regular client could be using the franchise location for pack-and-ship or a virtual mailbox but going somewhere else for basic printing services. As the relationship strengthens, the owner of that franchise location can discuss how they are better positioned to meet the client’s print needs as well.

Finding the Right Partners One key point to note before entering into a partnership with any company is the importance of having shared values and

“As with any business venture, though, success for a franchise location also depends on support from the local community. The stronger that support, the greater the chances of thriving.”

goals. In order for the franchise location to provide great service and solutions, there has to be clear goals and expectations on both sides.

This lays the foundation to being able to resolve issues when they occur, and it’s the basis for a long-term mutually beneficial relationship. Regardless of what your product or service is overall, success still comes down to maintaining strong relationships.

Bill McPherson is the vice president of franchise development for PostNet, a global leader in high-quality printing and shipping solutions, and AlphaGraphics, a leading franchisor of printing and marketing solutions. With over 29 years of franchise leadership, he has led franchise development and real estate for B2B, B2C, retail, and in-home senior care concepts.

For more information on PostNet, please visit: https://www.postnet.com/

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ex per t advice

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ex per t advice

Heather Ripley | CEO | Ripley PR

The Difference between PR and Marketing for Home Service Franchises

How public relations can help your franchise brand make the sale

True to their roots, home service franchise brands definitely know their marketing.

The same skills that keep the calls coming in can certainly be put to use for franchise development as well. But not everyone understands the usefulness of public relations for boosting a brand’s visibility and reputation.

Let’s start with the basics. People used to think about the difference between marketing and PR this way: marketing is sales, and advertising and PR is about developing the brand image and dealing with the media. However, the truth is that public relations is just as much about selling as marketing is. In this case, it’s about selling something less tangible but very powerful — your brand’s story.

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Selling Your Brand As a home service franchise, your

events or advertising, which will only take you so far.

company has a simple goal: sell more

Public relations is just as much about

contractors about the strength of your value

approach is different. While marketing

franchises. But to convince home service

proposition you have to reach them. Often,

this means pouring money into franchising

making the sale as marketing, but the

focuses on the hard ROI of dollars spent

vs. the number of leads generated, a public

“It’s about building awareness of your brand, story by story, because the more coverage your franchise brand gets, the more coverage it can earn.”

Heather Ripley

It’s important to keep an eye out for what people are saying about your franchise brand in reviews, online forums, and comment sections of online publications.

Only then can you respond, address concerns, and set the record straight if needed. relations strategy focuses on telling your brand’s corporate story or the story of an individual franchisee’s success in ways that attract media attention.

Getting a third-party to talk about your franchise brand is far more effective than paying for an advertisement. People can be skeptical about ads, but a third-party story about your franchise brand can seem more legitimate than a paid advertisement.

For example, what is going to make more of an impression on a potential franchisee?

A 30-second TV commercial? A quarter page ad in a magazine? Or how about an in-depth interview about your brand in a prominent franchise or business publication? Earned media opportunities, like features in respected outlets, carry much more weight. Helping your franchisees secure appearances as subject matter experts on TV news segments or being featured in the newspaper promotes their visibility (and your brand’s) in the marketplace.

To be most effective, though, public relations does require a long-term investment. It’s about building awareness of your brand, story by story, because the more coverage your franchise brand gets, the more coverage it can earn. Increased visibility generates even greater visibility.

But it’s not just journalists interested in your brand’s stories, though. PR is good for selling your value proposition to potential franchisees. So, what kind of stories do you need to tell them? Before investing in a franchise license, potential franchisees want to know stories about how your processes and support systems have made life easier for other business owners, how you’ve helped home service contractors ensure a great exit strategy, why other people decided to join your franchise brand. A solid public relations strategy works by pushing these stories out to the right trade and franchise publications, as well as local and regional newspapers and television stations, that will reach the audience you desire.

Word of Mouth These days, it’s not just media attention that matters. Word of mouth plays a very important role in determining the impression that people hold of your franchise brand. And, in 2021, word of mouth has gone digital. Don’t ever think that online reviews and commentary about your brand don’t matter.

Reputation management has to be part of any effective public relations strategy.

How people will see your business will be colored by its most recent reviews.

Finding a Partner These are some of the ways that public relations can benefit home service franchises. But when you’ve exclusively focused on marketing for years or decades, it’s not always easy to grow in-house public relations capacity. That’s why it can be useful to partner with an outside PR agency with experience in both the home service and franchising industries.

In the end, the most effective way to promote your home service franchise brand is by investing in both public relations and marketing. This requires close coordination and clear communication to make sure messaging is consistent and that strategies don’t conflict. But, working together, these two disciplines can take your brand to new heights.

Heather Ripley is founder and CEO of Ripley PR, an elite, global public relations agency specializing in franchise. Ripley PR has been recognized

by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top Franchise PR Agency three years in a row and was named to Forbes’ America’s Best PR Agencies for 2021. She is the author of “NEXT LEVEL NOW: PR Secrets to Drive Explosive Growth for your Home Service Business.”

For additional information, visit www.ripleypr.com

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Jason Patrick | CSP, SPHR | Express Employment Professionals Franchise Owner

Why Franchise Brands Should Invest in their Talent Pool It is known throughout the franchise industry that the most successful brands are built upon a triedand-true blueprint that has been followed since the respective franchisor began to scale their business.

Whether it is regional, national or international expansion, brands need to put talent investment, and retention, at the top of their priority lists in order to maintain the proven system and position their companies for long-term and sustainable success.

Investing in professional development initiatives or programs can allow franchisors to start growing budding leaders within their system earlier in their careers. Additionally, having these curriculums in place for individuals that possess the inherent qualities that would make them exemplary future franchisees, provides franchisors with the opportunity to teach them how to effectively grow a business while simultaneously eliminating waste and inefficiency caused by variances to the overall system. Not to mention,

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trained and advanced people are more likely to give a higher quality of input and feedback that can truly improve the business. Trust is also built from the top down as staff can predict the actions of their leader, and direct reports feel safe in exceeding expectations because of the clarity that the leader provides.

Here at Express Employment Professionals, a couple of ways we empower exceptional talent within our system is through our “Bridge to Ownership” (BTO) program and new Emerging Entrepreneur Program.

We established BTO in 2003 as a resource for trained and credible employees who were interested in becoming Express franchise owners, and are proud to have had 15 employees seamlessly transition into successful franchise ownership since 2019. The success of that program inspired us to invest even more into our people, and we recently launched the Emerging Entrepreneur Program as a way to provide potential leaders with the tools, expertise and strategies needed to be an effective worker while working as a salaried employee through our international headquarters in Oklahoma City.

To invest in talent and achieve efficient growth, franchisors should consider the following to reap the benefits of the professionalism and expertise already existing in their system:

Jason Patrick

Identify Successful Peer Franchise Owners Establishing a group of successful franchise owners that have the authority to be advisors and mentors can lead to the formation of peer networks. Those who are in the process of becoming a franchisee within the system can learn from what has brought other locations success, and lessons learned from previous failures.

Networking is known to improve entrepreneurial performance as it opens doors to a wealth of resources. Instituting a common network of successful peers creates a trustworthy community that both employees and franchisees can turn to when in search of knowledge and

“Investing in professional development initiatives or programs can allow franchisors to start growing budding leaders within their system earlier in their careers.”

onboarded into the system, it could lead to incorrect methods scaling throughout the network of franchisees.

Increase Investment in Training information as they continue to grow as professionals and business owners.

Hire, Retain, Promote and Reward Those Deserving Promoting employees from within comes with many benefits, but to witness maximum potential, it is critical to stick to a standard so that the promotion is well deserved. When executed correctly, it shows the entire team that reliable work and loyalty is rewarded. Long term this also improves retention rates, providing a clear career path for strong performers.

On the other hand, it’s important to stop investing dollars, time and resources on employees and franchisees who choose to go against the grain, and do not operate under the proven system. If prospective business owners see this as they are

For a system that is a well-oiled machine, there is no need to make any additional changes. What should be the primary focus is the construction of a training regimen around learning the process. If attention is aimed at going around the system, the franchise will be pursuing results that are not sustainable.

As employees and business leaders go through professional development training like the BTO and Emerging Entrepreneur programs we have at Express, they gain confidence in the system which can lead to quicker buy-in. The domino effect then sets in as this confidence results in leadership qualities and expertise that attracts A-players excited to work beneath them and maybe one day follow the same structured path to becoming a business owner of their own.

It’s essential to retain and grow system-

oriented people who value the system over the charisma of the talent – charisma is

icing on the cake, not the cake. Setting up

staff members and rising business owners

leads to trained and credible professionals who have a higher value because they

have the ability to achieve buy-in to the same proven system they invested in.

It will ultimately become engrained in

the franchise’s culture and is influential

on prospective franchisees interested in joining the network.

Jason Patrick is the owner of an Express Employment Professionals franchised office in Nashville, Tenn. and the director of Express’ new Emerging Entrepreneur Program. Before joining Express, Jason was the vice president of supermarket sales for Coca-Cola Enterprises in Dallas, Texas for 15 years.

To learn more about Express, visit www.expressfranchising.com.

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have your say

David Hicks | Home Vestors

Improving Communities, One Franchise at a Time The dramatic events of the last year have highlighted some of the major issues facing us in the 2020s.

A pandemic brought a laser focus on our social interactions and healthcare system, while also creating an increase in our awareness of our environmental impacts.

The drama of an election year raised our greater understanding of social media and how we overcome our differences. And the explosion of social unrest begged us to all ask the questions about equality and opportunity in our communities.

In the ensuing conversation, thousands of voices have decried solutions, and many of us have felt helpless to affect change in the face of what seem like insurmountable

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odds. Throughout these discussions, I’ve had the unique perspective of sitting at the center of more than 1,100 American small business owners, our independently owned and operated HomeVestors® franchises in 176 markets nationwide, and I’m left in awe of the work they are doing to make things better.

Just over a year ago, we had plans to expand our franchise system into a new international market. Then COVID hit, and we, like the rest of the world, were forced to change tack. The months that followed proved to be reaffirming as our franchise network was forced to rely on itself to adjust to the ever-changing conditions 2020 presented, which it did with great confidence. The experience reminded me of how extremely important fellow franchises are to one another when it comes to not only being successful, but

also to being inspiring and empowering to each other.

It can be difficult in a franchise organization to balance ambition and competition with camaraderie and cooperation. Rivalry has the potential of cannibalizing market opportunities, while collaboration can improve business and build fulfilling careers. The brand fellow franchises share should provide a level of security that gives comfort to both franchises and consumers alike. A good trademark strengthens your ability to do business. For our franchisees, national brand recognition also helps to support their capitalization. They find that with a trusted name like ours, hard money lenders actually compete to finance deals. Having this kind of shared assurance minimizes potential for negative feelings that could compromise the franchise network, and

Before their learning across the company. By the time San Francisco entered lockdown, its local franchises were ready. Another phenomenon we saw last year was that as franchises saw market trends or behaviors become the slightest bit predictable, they shared that learning to help other franchises, allowing them to react quickly and confidently.

when franchises feel well supported, they can focus their efforts on the communities they serve.

Additionally, a predictable franchise structure contributes to a healthy franchise ecosystem. This starts with your unique model and how you implement it with your franchise network. We onboard our new franchises with extensive mentoring and training, introducing them to our national brand, our conscientious business practices, and our proprietary tools. Each of our franchises also has the support of fellow franchises in their market, which they can tap into as much or as little as they want to. Having market-specific coops that make joint decisions about how to build the brand and drive local motivated leads gives them a sense of accountability and ownership. It’s easy to place blame on an anonymous corporate behemoth’s decisions, but when franchises are empowered to cooperatively advertise the brand, they connect in healthy ways.

This collaboration also makes the network work for the franchises. Last year, as the first markets to face lockdowns in spring, like Boston, adjusted to keep buying houses, those franchises shared

In not having to fight for resources, franchises can then aspire to do the work they do best, improve communities by creating business opportunities and promoting development. More than 80 percent of the over 110,000 houses we’ve purchased are less than 1,400-square feet and were built before 1980. Often, these are homes that have fallen into disrepair and are no longer viable assets for the local real estate market. Instead, our franchises buy and improve them, reintroducing them as valuable housing for many firsttime buyers and renters. We find that this mission of bringing about change in their own communities, making blight brilliant, is a key motivating factor for these entrepreneurs.

Recently, one of our franchises actually made over an entire 44-unit apartment complex that had been a public health hazard shut down by the local city. So far beyond code that apartments were left with no running water, windows or electricity, the city had forced the mostly absentee previous owner to surrender the property.

Two of our franchisees purchased it and completely renovated it to not only meet code, but also to reach the highest level of quality in local rentals. The experience reminded me that it takes small business

David Hicks

investors to help meet the challenges many of our communities face. Law enforcement, the city and the courts can’t bear the full burden, but local entrepreneurs can invest their attention and capital, treat the neighborhood with respect, and give them what they need, which in this case was 44 quality homes for local residents that were previously not available.

In our case, we say we’re improving neighborhoods one house at a time, or even 44 at a time. But, the truth is, that we all have the opportunity to improve our communities one franchise at a time with the life small businesses bring. With the safe assurance of a proven model, the protection of a trusted national brand, the warm fellowship and support of a network, and a vested interest in our own backyard, we can help build the change we want to see.

Marking its 25th year, Dallas-based HomeVestors of America, Inc. is the largest professional house buying franchise in the U.S. with more than 110,000 houses bought since 1996. HomeVestors recruits, trains and supports its more than 1,150 independently owned and operated HomeVestors® franchisees that specialize in building businesses based on buying, rehabbing, selling, and holding residential properties. Most commonly known as the “We Buy Ugly Houses®” company, HomeVestors strives to make a positive impact in each of its 176 markets. www.HomeVestors.com.

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have your say

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GLOBAL

EXPANSION

G L O B A L E X PA N S I O N

Our GLOBAL CONNECTIONS are trusted operators in their markets and will enable a smooth entry into NEW TERRITORIES.

We can help to put your franchise

system in an operational position to attract successful franchisees.

We are members of the IFA and other respected organisations.

The transition process can be

daunting, but we know the trusted

business and legal players who can take you through the first minefield.

Constant changes within the codes of conduct can create a massive challenge to franchise systems

wanting to move outside of their established markets.

With direct experience of the North American, UK and Australian/ New Zealand Franchise markets we have been in the business

of selling franchise systems direct to franchisees for over 35 years.

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For an initial discussion, please contact

globalpublishers@icloud.com

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Veterans in Franchising may 2021

www.franchisingusamagazine.com

bloomin’ blinds

Grows from Garage Start-Up to Multi-MillionDollar Franchise

the business model your successful franchise needs

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Leadership.

Teamwork.

Executing SOPs. Connecting veterans with education, resources and opportunities at vetfran.org

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V e t e r a n s i n F r a n c h i s i n g S u ppl e m e n t m ay 2 0 2 1 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

Focus

56 Bloomin’ Blinds Grows from Garage Start-up to Multi-million Dollar Franchise

58 Propelled Brands Prioritizing Support to

Those Who Have Protected Our Country

60 The Business Model Your Successful Franchise Needs

Veterans News

Expert Advice 60 The Business Model Your Successful Franchise Needs Rick Porter, Cinch I.T.

54 Edible 55 Little Caesars Pizza

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veteran news

Edible’s First Manage-To-Own Candidate Becomes Store Owner

Edible®, the world’s leader in gifts and treats, announced that its store in Melbourne, Florida has a new owner. Tony Herlong took over operations in March after joining the brand through its Manage-To-Own (MTO) program. As the program’s first candidate, Herlong went through a 90-day training program to get acclimated to Edible® and ready himself for business ownership.

“I’ve always had a passion for the restaurant industry and having worked at almost every level, that experience has uniquely prepared me for my ownership with Edible®,” said Herlong. “When I came across the MTO opportunity, it imminently sparked my interest as I’ve admired the brand for so long. My time in training solidified that as I saw first-hand the understanding the brand has for guest satisfaction which is equally important to me as a longtime restauranteur. Becoming the owner of the Melbourne store is an honor as the location is already established in the community. Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue expanding with Edible® and put the tools I learned to use.”

Herlong has long been ready to take the leap into entrepreneurship.

With 35-plus years of experience in the restaurant industry and a decorated army veteran, his understanding for business and determination to create a memorable guest experience helped

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establish him for Edible’s® MTO program. After successfully taking over operations at the Melbourne store, Herlong looks ahead to a bright future with Edible® with the potential to become the owner of the Palm Bay and Cape Canaveral locations. Herlong also has a long-term goal to own 10 Edible® stores.

“Our MTO program is an exciting opportunity for longtime managers and operators to become entrepreneurs,” said Patricia Perry, vice president of franchise development. “Qualified candidates that are passionate about business ownership make an initial investment of $30,000 and after participating in our training program, they are awarded an Edible® franchise. Tony was the perfect person to kickstart this initiative. With his entrepreneurial spirit, established background in operations and overall commitment to success, I am more than confident in his ability to run the Melbourne store and am excited to see what his future with Edible® holds.”

Those interested in opening an Edible® franchise should have food service or retail experience with a proven track record of success within the franchise industry, have deep ties to their community and available liquidity to invest in a new store. Investments start at $173,600. ediblefranchise.com

Little Caesars Pizza Names Glen McIntosh Chief Supply Chain Officer Little Caesars, the global family-owned pizza chain, announced that Glen McIntosh has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer.

In this newly created role, McIntosh will report directly to the CEO and lead end-to-end supply chain strategies for the company, including purchasing, replenishment, transportation, warehousing, distribution, international supply chain and export functions and will oversee a first-rate, multi-disciplinary team.

“With his experience and leadership abilities, Glen will help support our continued growth all over the world,” said David Scrivano, President and CEO of Little Caesars. “The development and execution of innovative, time and cost-saving strategies will benefit our franchisees and stores and ensure our customers continue to receive the very best in quality products at a great value.”

McIntosh has more than 25 years of supply chain experience, having served most recently as Vice President of Distribution Operations at Blue Line Foodservice Distribution, a division of Little Caesars. Previously, he served in various supply chain capacities in the food and automotive industries.

McIntosh is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a graduate of the University of North Texas, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Management.

“We are experiencing rapid growth both in the United States and internationally, which presents a unique and exciting opportunity in my field,” said McIntosh. “I am looking forward to further developing and leading efficient and robust supply chain efforts, making it possible for Little Caesars stores around the globe to serve customers a delicious, fresh product with industry-leading convenience and value.” https://littlecaesars.com/en-us/

WE WANT YOUR VETERAN FRANCHISING STORIES Are you a Veteran with a franchising business?

Want to share your story with us?

Whether you run a fleet of franchises and want to get the word out to prospective Veteran franchisees, are a new franchise business owner with an inspirational story to tell, or a service provider that supports Veteran franchises – we want to hear from you.

Email editor@franchisingusa.com with your story ideas now!

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cover story: BLOOMIN’ BLINDS

How Bloomin’ Blinds Grew

from Garage Start-Up to Multi-Million-Dollar Franchise in Under a Decade “Our leadership team brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. I always like to say, we are a collection of window covering professionals that started a franchise, not the other way around.” we took over the leadership roles in the business.

In this Q&A, we explore the evolution of a leading window treatment franchise, Bloomin’ Blinds.

CEO, Kelsey Stuart will share with us how the brand grew from garage startup to a national franchise within less than a decade.

Franchising USA: Welcome Kelsey – Would you please tell us a bit about the founding of Bloomin’ Blinds?

Kelsey Stuart (KS): Thank you for having me, and of course. Bloomin’ Blinds is a family-owned window treatment franchise, led by myself and my brothers, Kris and Kevin. We currently service over 66 territories throughout the country with plans to grow to 200 franchise territories

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within the next five years, so it’s incredible to think back and recall a time when we were fielding calls out of our home.

The three of us grew up in an incredibly entrepreneurial family, where our mother was filled with creativity and always busy pursuing her next big idea. One of those ideas was a blind cleaning and repair business – both of which are still a rarity in the industry even today. To get started, she bought a machine that cleaned window treatments by borrowing a few hundred dollars from our grandmother, and she got to work. She operated the business out of our garage as we were growing up.

Over the years, the business grew and relocated from Seattle to Dallas, within three years of relocating to Dallas, all three of us brothers began working at Bloomin’ Blinds full time. We started franchising the business in 2014 and quickly gained momentum and a good reputation in the space. In 2018, our mother retired and

We pride ourselves in maintaining that family-owned and operated feel, but with the resources and support of an established, national brand. And, our franchisees feel that from the moment they sign on.

What sets Bloomin’ Blinds apart from other concepts in the window treatment space?

KS: There are a few key differentiators that set us apart from other window treatment companies, the first being our ability to repair window treatments.

Bloomin’ Blinds is the only franchise that offers to repair window treatments, even if we didn’t install them. This has proved to be a tremendously valuable service as we’re able to help a client keep their current products, save money and create long-term relationships. Amid the height of the pandemic, this service was helpful for our franchise network to lean into, however many franchisees are now experiencing an incredible surge in demand as we remained essential and were able to assist home owners with updates as many sheltered

“We pride ourselves in maintaining that family-owned and operated feel, but with the resources and support of an established, national brand. And, our franchisees feel that from the moment they sign on.”

in place and chose to invest in their home instead of going on vacation or going out to eat.

Our technology is another key industry differentiator. We have the most technology of any window covering company, hands down. My brothers and I see the value in weaving technology throughout every aspect of the business – we view it as an integral differentiation within our industry. Online booking, watching us drive to your house like an Uber driver, our online visualizer tool and laser tape measuring tools for improved quote accuracy are just a few of the ways we use technology to stand apart. This technology and innovation has helped our franchise network feel more confident in consultations, leading to more closed deals, and also convenient for our customer base.

Lastly, our leadership team brings a wealth of industry knowledge and experience. I always like to say, we are a collection of window covering professionals that started a franchise, not the other way around.

Kris, Kevin and I know the industry like the back of our hand – before there was a franchise, we were in the field doing the “job” for over 17 years. We are quick to share all of this knowledge with our

franchise owners. Our supportive attitudes, collective knowledge, passion to mentor all comes from almost 20 years of personal experience in the field. In fact, each of us – Kris, Kevin and I – have experience in every part of the business, from consultations to installation to customer service to repairs. Because of this, we’ve built out a robust and hands-on orientation for new franchisees that has them up and running, and confident, within just two weeks.

What was the growth strategy behind expanding from familyowned and run to now having 50-plus franchises across the country?

KS: We take great pride in being a familyrun business, so that was a major deciding factor. It basically came down to either splitting up the family across different regions to manage company stores, or building out a business model that others can execute. The choice was obvious for us, as we wanted to keep the family together and we all enjoy teaching, so franchising it was. And, many of our franchisees will tell you that they feel the family-run energy, even though we’re a national franchise – we always make time for calls, questions and truly get to know our owners and their families.

After deciding to franchise in 2014, we invested in developing the processes

and procedures needed for our franchise owners to succeed and to ensure consistency. Our training program and commitment to continued education helps set up franchise owners for success, whether they just recently signed on or have been an operator for years. We’ve also created systems and invested in technology that automates processes for our owners, adding value and efficiency to operations.

Our training program helps encourage owners to stay within the system as there’s a channel of benefit. That said, there are a significant amount of personal freedoms in this franchise. We only mandate the critical elements (software, van signage, uniforms, services, etc.), and have learned that there’s a much more enjoyable relationship between owners and ourselves if the consistency is encouraged through value as opposed to being mandated with an iron fist.

What does the future hold for Bloomin’ Blinds?

KS: We truly believe our commitment to our franchise owners and customers is what sets our brand apart – we treat everyone like family. And, even as we continue to grow across the country, our dedication will remain unchanged. We anticipate a record-breaking year due to the surge in demand for home services and welcome anyone looking to get into the industry to reach out for more information. www.bloominblinds.com

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focus: Propelled Brands

Propelled Brands

Prioritizing Support to those Who Have Protected Our Country “Propelled Brands, a newly formed corporate umbrella set to focus on operating and growing service-oriented franchises, has kept Veterans and first responders top of mind with the special incentive offered for both its FASTSIGNS and NerdsToGo opportunities.” high-level of support to set franchisees up for success right out of the gate.

Retired Army musician Steve Adrian and wife Renae, FASTSIGNS Lynchburg, Virginia

The heroes who have fought for our country have protected our rights as citizens of the United States of America, and at one time or another have put their lives on hold, and at risk, to protect our nation.

As many have worked their way back into society following their time with one of the six branches, it’s critical we recognize their service and show appreciation as much as possible.

Propelled Brands, a newly formed corporate umbrella set to focus on

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operating and growing service-oriented franchises, has kept Veterans and first responders top of mind with the special incentive offered for both its FASTSIGNS and NerdsToGo opportunities. The leader mentality and management techniques make Veterans great franchisees which is why those who have served for our country, or work as paramedics, emergency medical technicians, police officers, sheriffs or firefighters receive a 50 percent reduction on the franchise fee for either concept, coming to savings of $24,875.

With many Veterans seeking out ways to utilize the leadership skillsets they’ve developed through their time in the armed forces, the incentive has assisted a plethora of former American soldiers in accomplishing their goal of becoming a business owner. FASTSIGNS and NerdsToGo are looking to maintain this

When Steve Adrian, a retired Army musician, researched the best franchises for Veterans, he said FASTSIGNS stood out among the rest. He then began the process, and when starting off he realized that his career in the Military and owning a business are similar because they are both lifestyle careers. His background prepared him to be efficient and dynamic to get the job done well. Both him and his wife are owners of a FASTSIGNS location in Lynchburg, Virginia, where they wanted to move after Adrian’s Military career came to a close.

“After finishing 20 years in the service, my wife and I were looking for new business opportunities. FASTSIGNS was looking to develop in the territory we wanted to live in, so it gave us an opportunity to have some freedom while owning our own business,” said Steve Adrian. “FASTSIGNS provides excellent support and if we ever had a question or concern, we can just pick up the phone and they’ve got an answer for us, so that network has been invaluable. We had no prior sign or marketing experience

“As Propelled Brands continues to grow its portfolio of concepts, even more resources will be available for prospective franchisees interested in joining one of the successful franchise systems.”

and in our first year of business, we exceeded the average for first-year centers by 60 percent.”

Army Veteran Darrin Lawrence is another FASTSIGNS franchisee who desired to apply the experiences and skill sets he acquired while serving in the Military to forge a promising business venture. Like Adrian, through his preliminary research, Darrin acquired information about the franchise business model and eventually stumbled upon FASTSIGNS International, Inc. While he didn’t have knowledge on the signage industry, he loved that the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity had a proven track record of helping Veterans go into business for themselves, and standing alongside them every step of the way, ultimately allowing them to create a fulfilling life and career. Fast forward to today and Lawrence owns and operates a FASTSIGNS center in Richardson, Texas, alongside his wife, Mary.

Lawrence was also impressed by the amount of support FASTSIGNS’ franchisees receive. He was confident that as he grew his business, FASTSIGNS would always provide the necessary resources.

Adrian and Lawrence are two of the many examples of Veterans who did their due diligence and found a franchise that provides incentives and supports Veterans. This has allowed them to become tremendously successful in their years as a franchisee.

As Propelled Brands continues to grow its portfolio of concepts, even more resources will be available for prospective franchisees interested in joining one of the successful franchise systems. Currently 11% of FASTSIGNS and NerdsToGo franchisees are Military Veterans and have been key contributors in building the concepts to where they are today.

Army Veteran Darrin Lawrence, FASTSIGNS Richardson, Texas

After opening nine centers in quarter one, FASTSIGNS remains an attractive concept as it looks to sign at least 35 franchise agreements, targeting Southern California, the Midwest, New England, and along the Northeast Corridor.

FASTSIGNS is particularly focusing on its co-brand and conversion programs, which help existing business owners add a FASTSIGNS to their store or fully convert their business to a FASTSIGNS franchise.

FASTSIGNS has helped countless owners of print shops, photography studios, camera stores, embroidery shops, and more, diversify their product lines and services to meet the growing demand for signs, graphics, and visual communications.

As more and more offices shift to consistent remote work, Veterans who are

ending their service with an information technologies background are primed to take an interest in NerdsToGo. The franchise, which was recently acquired

by Propelled Brands, offers a variety of consumer and B2B services including business consulting, commercial virus removal, spyware, and more. The brand is aiming to sell 30 franchises nationwide in 2021 as part of its plans to grow the brand’s footprint in new and existing markets.

With a long-term goal of growing to over 500 locations, the company is seeking expansion in markets that serve more than 100,000 people.

For information about either the FASTSIGNS or NerdsToGo franchise opportunities, contact Mark Jameson at: 214-346-5679 mark.jameson@propelledbrands.com

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EXPERT ADVICE: Rick Porter | Owner, President and Founder | Cinch I.T.

The Business Model Your Successful Franchise Needs If you’re looking to start a company that will lead to franchising, a successful business model will get you there.

The key factor to any company for continued revenue and growth stems from an established business model. The type of business model that your company creates will either break you or make you in your industry. Creating the right model for your company will set you up for future success.

Rick Porter has some advice for future franchisees, business owners, CEOs and presidents, based on his company’s proven successful business model that has created one of the fastest growing I.T. service providers in the United States.

Narrow Your Niche Find ways to differentiate yourself so that you will be noticed and earn the opportunity to demonstrate how great you are. Add additional services that your competitors are not doing, such as VOIP, phone systems and website creation. The goal is that this list of comprehensive services will attract future clients. A word of wisdom to learn is that when you try to serve everyone, you serve no one.

This is especially true with service-based businesses in the I.T. support industry.

Adapting a business model for a wide variety of businesses is not cost effective

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“The type of business model that your company creates will either break you or make you in your industry. Creating the right model for your company will set you up for future success.” and it makes it harder for people to know if your company is a right fit. The best way to stand out is to narrowly define whom you serve. For instance, Cinch I.T. provides computer support to businesses with 10100 employees, and we specialize in the health care and manufacturing industries.

Because of that, it makes it very simple for a health care company to know if they would be a good fit for our company.

A business model like this allows your company to become experts in your clients’ fields which provides even more value to your customers.

Create a Memorable Culture Once your company starts to get noticed and begins to add on client after client, that means it’s time to learn your next lesson: culture is everything!

First, your company needs to attract top talent, but why would anyone come to work for a small company or one that is just starting out? I have learned that people are attracted to a company’s culture and social media can be the best way to showcase that to potential employees. Social media can be a great tool to show off your workplace culture and let people get a glimpse on what it is like to work for you. Creating an amazing company culture helps attract and

Rick Porter

retain great employees. And, it’s a powerful marketing tool. Employees will be eager to share everything that is going on with your company and through this your brand recognition will grow.

Change What it Means to be a Franchisee Buying a franchise is appealing to many because it allows people to follow their entrepreneurial drive and open their own business, knowing that the franchise already has a proven track record and seamless model. Every franchise offers support to their franchisees to a certain extent; franchisors need to make this

a priority so that their franchisees can

be successful and confident as business owners.

Similarly, franchisees need to make it

known to their franchisors what support or tools they may need to not only be

successful, but also happy in the choice

they’ve made to be a part of a company.

Create a Model That Helps Bring in Customers After the abrupt shift to remote work for businesses across the country, demand for remote tech support skyrocketed.

Support calls tripled as businesses adapted to working from home and found that

they needed quick solutions to help their

employees work efficiently at home. This business model brought in customers

because it was something that people

needed. But even if your business is more

of a luxury, make sure that your business is attractive and enticing to your clientele.

Corporate Support Looks Out for Its Franchisees Not only does this business model provide corporate support to each and every customer, but it also will help franchisees operate seamlessly once their business is up and running. Designing a recurring revenue model will help give franchisees a guaranteed monthly payment from customers, while your corporate team handles the entire billing process. You also should have a centralized distribution center for hardware and software, so when your franchisee’s clients need new tools or equipment, the franchisee can order everything directly from you (and make a profit!).

Whether you’re just starting out, or a seasoned business owner, remember that your franchisees are one of your most important assets. Without them, it would be a lot harder to run your franchise. This is why it’s important to take care of them and have a solid business model. Once you have

these things, you’ll be unstoppable.

Remember: narrow your niche, create a memorable culture, change what it means to be a franchisee, create a model that brings in customers, and look out for your franchisees.

Richard “Rick” Porter is the Owner, President and Founder of Cinch I.T.’s fastest growing franchise model. Rick has an unwavering commitment to helping entrepreneurs make their dreams come true. As President, he manages Cinch I.T. Franchise in delivering best-in-class customer service and driving innovation. Rick was a member of the U.S. Army’s Special Operation Community, Recipient of the Worcester Business Journals 40 under 40, named one of the Top 10 Best CEOs of 2018, Board member for the Better Business Bureau of Central and Western Massachusetts, and the Founder of Cinch Scholarship Foundation. https://cinchit.com/

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

Finance Depot

ializes in ce Depot spec Business Finan and SBA s se lea nt me packaging equip for start-up ng Capital loans Express Worki s. sinesse and existing bu seek ing are franchisors Our main clients s and ee his nc fra w ir ne financing for the for their g cin an fin seek ing manufacturers . es as rch pu equipment

SBA 7(a ) also works with Our company , crowd ancing sources fin ate ern alt ies lenders, es and compan urc so g cin an to funding fin irement funds ret ing us in ze r that speciali Please visit ou s. es sin bu w capitalize a ne on. ati orm inf re website for mo depot.com businessfinance Website: ww w. ancedepot.com sfin es sin bu Email: paul@ 8-3884 Phone: (80 0) 78 Bosley Contact: Paul

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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AAMCO First started in 1963 by Anthony Martino as a transmission repair shop, the company now has nearly 700 locations throughout North America and about 12 years ago expanded into total car care.

AAMCO franchisees benefit from joining a brand that has been in business for over 50 years. Our iconic, Double A, Beep Beep, M-C-O mnemonic brings instant recognition and trust from the American consumer. In

Assisted Living Locators Assisted Living Locators provides the vital function to seniors and their families of identifying their ideal alternative living solutions and other related services – all at no cost to them.

Our proprietary evaluation system results in free residential referrals that enable our clients to make the best possible decisions for their loved ones. Our elder care advisors are trained to find solutions that meet our clients’ needs and to personally accompany them on guided tours of facilities that match their individual preferences.

Ours is a truly turn-key program that puts our owners on the path to success through a proven executive business model with high profit margins, low overhead, minimum employees,

Bloomin’ Blinds Founded the morning of 9/11...our incorporation papers received their approval stamps within minutes of the towers being struck...Bloomin’ Blinds is a family company.

Karen McGuffin founded the company in Dallas and was joined by her three sons within a handful of years. Together they created Bloomin’ Blinds over the next 16 years before the franchise was formed.

Now Karen is retired and the boys are still running the show. Bloomin’ Blinds has always been a “repair company that happens to sell a ton of blinds”.

Business Finance Depot

addition to automatic brand recognition, AAMCO franchisees benefit from an Executive Leadership Team who established themselves by servicing the automotive aftermarket as franchisees. With this franchisee focus in mind, AAMCO provides the brand, tools, guidance and education necessary for new franchisees. This includes financing support, real estate support and training through the entire opening process. http://www.aamcofranchises.com

repeat referrals, and residual income. Even more importantly, many of the industry’s most desired areas of the country remain available for new development.

If you’re aware of the unsurpassed value of the assisted living market, if you’ve always dreamed about the freedom and independence that business ownership could bring you, and if you’ve been waiting for the perfect, local, affordable opportunity to carve out your piece of the industry, Assisted Living Locators may be just the match you’ve been seeking.

For more information please contact Mary Ann Russo or Tom Ingle at: Phone: 800-267-7816 Email: franchise@assistedlivinglocators.com Website: www.assistedlivinglocators.com

Early on we realized that retailers were primarily sales only and Bloomin’ Blinds had a significant differentiator in the addition of the repair concept.

The business model has weathered the economic storms that followed 9/11 and the housing bubble pop in 2008.

Bloomin’ Blinds is a technology based, fresh, new approach to an industry otherwise resisting modernization.

For more information contact Kelsey Stuart at: Ph: 1-214-995-1062 Email: kelsey.stuart@bloominblinds.com https://www.bloominblinds.com/

Business Finance Depot specializes in packaging equipment leases and SBA Express Working Capital loans for start-up and existing businesses.

Our company also works with SBA 7(a) lenders, alternate financing sources, crowd funding financing sources and companies that specialize in using retirement funds to capitalize a new business. Please visit our website for more information.

Our main clients are franchisors seeking financing for their new franchisees and manufacturers seeking financing for their equipment purchases.

Website: www.businessfinancedepot.com Email: paul@businessfinancedepot.com Phone: (800) 788-3884 Contact: Paul Bosley

BODY20

and their life through time condensed technology training. In just 20 minutes per week, our goal is to materially impact the other 10,060 minutes in the week.

There are very few significant technological breakthroughs in fitness, especially ones as fundamental as how the human body builds strength and muscle. BODY20 is disrupting the $25 billion dollar fitness industry and is going to change the way people workout letting every. body.unleash their full potential.

Our mission is to change the way that people workout by helping EVERY.BODY.UNLEASH their super human potential to strengthen their body

Considering opening a Body20 Studio and want to know if it’s right for you? Are you obsessed with fitness? Are you driven, motivated and a self-starter who wants to jump on board with the future of technology? Are you a leader or entrepreneur looking for something more? Well, you’ve come to the right place. https://body-20.com/franchise/

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caring transitions Caring Transitions is a solution-oriented company, and we accomplish this by bringing three services under one roof that are normally all accomplished by separate companies. The three services we combine to provide unique solutions for our customers are: • Senior Relocation • Estate Sales • Downsizing & Decluttering

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

One final thing – we are NOT a medical service company. As a franchisee, you will not be dealing

Dough & Arrows The owners of a family oriented business Dough & Arrows aim to expand their business through nationwide franchising opportunities.

Dough & Arrows is well known for their famous Edible Cookie Dough, Gourmet Ice Cream, delicious homemade desserts, and family atmosphere. Based in Hanover, PA, Dough & Arrows is currently looking for potential franchisees all across the United States.

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 ®

International Franchise Professionals Group

For potential franchisees who are family oriented and who wish to spread joy to the community while being at the forefront of a burgeoning food trend, Dough & Arrows might just be the business family you are looking to join.

Ph: 717-969-8481 E-mail: info@doughandarrows.com www.doughandarrows.com

• 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

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

The International Franchise Professionals Group (also known as IFPG) is a membership based organization that has over 700 members. Our members consist of Franchisors, Franchisor Brokers, Lenders, and other Franchise Professionals that help potential candidates in the process of buying a franchise.

The IFPG is a strictly membership based organization that does not participate in any referral fees from our franchisor members or our brokers, thereby allowing all of our members to work freely together.

Our long-term success is predicated on retaining our members and providing all the tools needed to help you sell more franchises, and close more deals.

Hundreds of nationally recognized franchise companies have chosen the IFPG and its members to represent their brand; hundreds of experienced franchise consultants and brokers have chosen the

If you’re a franchisor, franchisor broker, or another profession that serves the franchising industry call us today at (888) 977-IFPG to learn about membership opportunities.

Infinity Martial Arts

Our programs focus on a self-defence style of martial arts and combat sport, which is predominantly based on grappling and submission holds. Our curriculum focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, controlling one’s opponent, gaining a dominant position and using a number of techniques to either force or defend a submission.

Infinity Martial Arts was established in 2005 on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. We began as a single club focusing predominantly on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with only a handful of members under the guidance of our head coach and black belt Neil Owen.

Over the years, many of those initial members became black belts themselves and helped to grow our business into what it is today. With 13 academies now in QLD and two other affiliate clubs in NSW & QLD we are one of the largest franchised martial arts academy names throughout Australia, leading the way in Brazilian JiuJitsu.

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with the hassles or laws that involve elderly medical care, though you might want to invest in knowing the companies that do supply such services in your area. Many times our services are needed in order to fulfill the lifestyle changes recommended by healthcare professionals, so putting your leads into contact with upstanding medical professionals can create a favorable impression that causes them to return to you for help with non-medical side of their changing circumstances.

With classes ranging from expert to beginner and suitable for both adults and children starting as young as 2 years old, our academies are warm & friendly environments. We have a strong focus on creating a fun culture where our members become part of the family.

For more information visit: www.infinitymartialarts.com.au

Mosquito Mike

• Strong branding that resonates with families and children alike in every market we enter.

Come be a part of the Mosquito Mike experience! You will be part of a new movement in the mosquito control industry as constantly improving efficiencies, technology and marketing know-how come to take over and dominate this exciting sector! As an emerging franchise, you will benefit from a greater opportunity to secure your preferred protected territory while enjoying the exponential growth mosquito/tick control has to offer.

• Results Producing Marketing: Not just templates but strategies and a philosophy to grow your business quickly.

Top 10 Reasons Why Mosquito Mike Is the right business investment for you: • High growth business that focuses on keeping families safe while allowing them to be outdoors.

• Recurring Revenue business that allows for faster growth as most of your customers renew year after year.

• Cutting Edge Technologies will simplify your experience while allowing you to be more efficient.

• Extensive Live Training and you will have access to most skills on video for staff training.

• Low Cost and High Margins mean you become profitable faster.

QC Franchise Group (DBA QC Kinetix)

with BMAC, regenerative cell therapy with amniotic membrane tissue, A2M therapy and PRP therapy. With such a wide array of regenerative medicine treatments available, we make sure to discuss all the therapeutic options with each of our patients. While not all patients may be candidates for all therapies, we will help guide you to make the most appropriate decisions for your particular condition. We treat everyone from weekend warriors and professional athletes to active aging patients who want to stay active.

QC Kinetix is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based franchise company leading the way in helping people maintain an active lifestyle using comprehensive regenerative medicine treatments to address musculoskeletal conditions and joint pain.

QC Kinetix is the place to go when you’ve been told invasive surgery is your best option, or after you’ve tried everything to eliminate the pain and immobility of your condition without success.

We provide comprehensive regenerative medicine injection treatments, including stem cell therapy

sanondaf Founded in 1959, Ziebart is the worldwide leader in detailing, films and structural protection services providing complete car care solutions. Backed by over 60 years of experience, the brand has evolved from its roots as the pioneer in rust protection services to become the most respected global company offering aftermarket total vehicle protection products and services.

Today, Ziebart International Corporation operates more than 400 locations, with 1,200 service centers, in 37 countries.

The brand is committed to helping its customers customize and protect their vehicles by offering services that range from detailing and film installation to structural protection.

Ziebart’s mission is to support customers’ pride in vehicle

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.

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

Window World Window World is the largest window replacement and exterior home remodeling franchise in the United States, with over 18 million windows sold to date.

Window World’s commitment to industry-backed, energy-efficient products and services is a determining factor when consumers choose Window World to improve their homes.

• 15% Veterans Discount • Home Based Business that reduces costs while providing personal flexibility • Lifestyle Design: Reclaim your life with a business that gives you more time for family People want to enjoy their backyards and you will be in position to make that dream happen. By eliminating mosquitoes and ticks, you will become a necessary, successful and beloved business in the community.

For more information visit: mosquitomikefranchising.com

QC Kinetix clinics are dedicated to maximizing the body’s ability to help heal and repair itself from the inside out for vastly improved function and overall quality of life. https://qcfranchise.com/

ownership and to protect their investment with the highest quality products, services, exceptional workmanship, and a knowledgeable staff that provides solutions for extending the life of all vehicles.

The brand is continuing to grow through franchising and offers a best-in-class investment for qualified prospects.

Ziebart franchisees gain a built-in team with decades of experience to help launch their business every step of the way. As an established automotive enthusiast brand, Ziebart has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top 500 Franchisor as well as a Top 200 Global Franchise.

For more information contact Amanda House at: Phone: 248-837-3944 Email: ahouse@ziebart.com Website: www.ownaziebart.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.

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

Operating from the corporate headquarters in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and in markets across the country at over 200 franchise locations, Window World is poised to provide next-level window installation and home remodeling services to Americans nationwide.

For more information contact Zach Luffman, Director of Franchising at: Phone: 1-866-740-2100 Email: ZLuffman@WindowWorld.com Website: www.windowworldfranchise.com

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