While many franchise systems work solo to develop brands nationwide, five of the world's top franchise systems have teamed to target the Dallas market as one. Fantastic Sams Hair Salons, Wireless Zone, Hollywood Tans, Salad Creations and Contours Express Women's Gym have announced plans to open more than 250 locations throughout the area. (more…)

LA BOXING Franchise Corporation, a national operator of distinctive cardio boxing, kickboxing and MMA health and fitness gyms, announced today the signing of an exclusive franchise for the San Mateo, CA, area. The new franchise was awarded to Mad Eel, LLC, and its three owners, Robert Mendoza, Antonio Damian, and Brandon Lee. The Mad Eel group also owns and operates an LA BOXING franchise in San Bruno, CA. The Southern California-based LA BOXING Franchise Corporation continues its fast-paced expansion, taking the franchise company to 95 units in 18 states and Puerto Rico. (more…)

The relationship between a franchisor and franchisee is unique, seeking to blend the advantages of corporate America with the independent spirit of the entrepreneur. The most successful franchisors are the ones that focus, not on selling franchises, but creating successful independent franchisees through a win-win business relationship.

When you buy a franchise, whether it offers hamburgers, cell phones or custom wheels, you’re buying an image. And image is everything according to Jim Taylor, Vice President of Operations for RNG, LLC, franchisor of Rent’N Go custom wheels and tires. (more…)

Even the most promising of ideas can suffer from a lack of attention to detail. Pat Snuffer learned that a decade ago when he tried to franchise his venerated burger joint. Despite a clientele fiercely loyal to Snuffer’s burgers and cheese fries, the venture failed to prosper. The company had only two restaurants in the Dallas area at the time and lacked the distribution network or management infrastructure needed to support restaurants hundreds of miles apart.

Individual restaurants had to find their own food sources and “after a while, it wasn’t the same product,” said Mr. Snuffer, who opened the first Snuffer’s here in 1978. Throw in a lack of parking space at the Houston location, and the franchising attempt in 1996 fizzled. (more…)

Many people take out a franchise as a means to enter business; some do it very successfully, whilst for others it doesn't work - just like any other business venture in fact.

In its broadest definition, a franchise is a licence to operate a business brand that is owned by someone else. For example many McDonalds outlets are run as a franchise by independent business owners operating under the McDonald ‘brand’. Successful entrepreneurs, such as Richard Branson, have run franchised businesses. So you don’t need to re-invent the wheel. (more…)

Franchises are becoming an increasingly popular way to start a business without totally flying solo.

Today, there are more than 3,000 franchise brands that span 230 different types of businesses, according to a new study (pdf) from a unit of the International Franchise Association.

The fast-food category still remains king, but the services sector has experienced the largest increase in the number of new business concepts. The association includes health and fitness, publications, and security and consumer businesses in the services sector. (more…)

RNG, franchisor of Rent'N Go custom wheels and tires locations, has established its business relationship philosophy as the foundation for its continuous dealings with stakeholders of its growing chain of franchises.

“Each must be a win-win business relationship. If it can not be win-win, we want no part of the relationship,” says RNG Vice President of Operations Jim Taylor. “Participating in win-win calls for a mutual understanding of the roles played by each participant, clearly defining the responsibilities and communicating openly and regularly on all relevant issues. The air must be totally clear.” (more…)

There is no single way to find out what the Best Franchise Opportunities are, because what is best for one prospective franchisee might not be necessarily good for another. Each one of us has on the other hand, the Best Franchise Opportunities given our unique situations. Some things should always be considered. First, you have to know what your capabilities in terms of capital and personal skills are. Second, you should know the track record of the franchise; only pick those that have good reputation. Third, you should know your market and if the franchise could address any of your market’s needs.

A franchise business opportunity website has been launched revealing the keys to franchise business success, all for free, , www.bestfranchisereview.com. The tough business market has some good news for those looking to start a business and the master franchise business model is as close to a sure thing as it gets. Master Franchise business opportunities typically enjoy a 92% success rate. This lowered risk, high success rate has been the big attraction to the franchise model and it does not stop there thanks to master franchising, the best kept secret in the industry. Master franchising offers big territories and pays royalties upstream so that you get ongoing residual revenue as your territory adds more franchises. (more…)

Extra Innings, the national leader of indoor baseball and softball training centers, is taking its game to Midland/Odessa, TX. Continuing its expansion nationwide, the Middleton, MA-based franchise company today announced the signing of its sixth franchise agreement in the state of Texas and its second in West Texas. Extra Innings Midland/Odessa, TX is expected to open in fall 2008. Extra Innings currently operates three other Texas locations in College Station, Plano, and Humble with additional locations expected to open next year in Lubbock and San Marcos as well. (more…)

Add one more business to the local tax rolls and get ready for wood floors and cabinets with the 'wow' factor, an N-Hance franchise is opening in the area for the first time. Ron Furtaw, a resident of Rapid City, has opened a new N-Hance service, a floor and wood cabinet renewal business, to serve homeowners and property managers in Northwest Michigan.

“N-Hance addresses an important need in Northwest Michigan,” notes Furtaw, owner, N-Hance Wood Renewal of NW Michigan. “We’re able to renew cabinets and floors without the mess, waste and expense of replacement. N-Hance is a remarkable system and has been successful in markets across the country. I’m excited to bring it to Northwest Michigan.” (more…)

The Auto by Rent Franchise has been available since mid 2007 however until now has only been advertised via the Auto by Rent Franchise web site. Auto by Rent Franchise, LLC wanted to begin slowly, meticulously working through the process of training and mentoring the first franchisees.

Auto by Rent, Inc. has 4 well established locations in the Springfield, Missouri area that have been operating successfully with the first location now almost 5 years matured. The Auto by Rent process has been proven and offers a highly profitable business to the qualified franchisee. (more…)

Play N Trade Franchise, Inc., one of the fastest-growing franchises worldwide, has been named one of the '20 boom moneymakers to start now' by Small Business Opportunities Magazine. The list is comprised of the editors' selection across all industries of the best money-making ideas for entrepreneurs, and appears in the January issue.

“Video games are the hottest sector in the retail industry, and being recognized on the Small Business Opportunities ‘top 20’ list highlights the fact that we are the best franchise opportunity available for entrepreneurs to participate in the video game market,” said Roger Lloyd, CEO of Play N Trade. “The individual store owner is the foundation of our business model, and we look forward to working together to achieve our goal of being the number one video game retailer in the world. (more…)

It took Doug Ferriman three months working in the corporate world to realize he wanted to be in control of his future. So, he tossed off his tie in exchange to toss pizzas. And as crazy as it may sound, Doug has no problem bringing in the dough now thanks to Crazy Dough’s Pizza

Crazy Dough’s Pizza serves an unmatched variety of pizzas by the slice. With three styles of pizzas (Sicilian, brick oven, and fire grilled) and a tempting menu including potato bacon cheddar and chicken nacho pizzas, there’s no questioning why Crazy Dough’s Pizza was named the #1 Pizza in America in 2004 and 2007 by the International Pizza Expo. (more…)

Bob Esty was looking to supercharge his passion for entrepreneurship. Having facilitated numerous done deals, he knows how difficult it is for buyers to find a good business to buy at a reasonable price; he wondered if there is a better way. He found it when he met a Business Buyer Advocate at “Partner” On-Call Network LLC. He liked what he saw so much that, in October 2007, Esty became DFW’s first “Partner” On-Call Network franchisee.

Founded in June 2005, “Partner” On-Call Network is a franchising opportunity that enables people who have been successful in business to become a business consultant using their experience and founder Ted J. Leverette’s successful 30 year old business model. (more…)

Fantastic Sams, a full service hair salon brand with nearly 1400 salons in the US and Canada, announced it has signed 111 new franchise agreements with 75 new franchisees year to date through October 31, 2007.

These results are indicative of Fantastic Sams’ enhanced expansion plans and renewed focus on development in growing metropolitan markets nationwide. New salons have opened in numerous markets including Los Angeles, Atlanta, San Antonio and Minneapolis and Fantastic Sams will continue targeting most major metropolitan areas throughout the US for additional franchise growth. (more…)

The Auntie Anne's business franchise has been FranSurvey Certified® for the second consecutive year. The franchise opportunity received the designation due to ratings it received in the most recent survey of its franchisees in October 2007. Auntie Anne’s is a franchised pretzel company headquartered in Pennsylvania.

“Auntie Anne’s continues to obtain ratings from their franchisees that are among the highest in the industry,” says Jeff Johnson, founder/CEO of FranSurvey. “Franchisees don’t lie. If you want to know if a franchise opportunity is a great deal, simply ask the franchisees. Franchisee success is due in large part to the franchise company providing expert guidance and assistance to their franchisees.” (more…)

Tiki Taco brings the Polynesian-Mexican food experience with bamboo, bright colors and the song stylings of Jimmy Buffet. And though it may feel like paradise, you’re far from eating your average cheeseburger.

Tiki Taco offers a variety of Polynesian-Mexican inspired food including quesadillas, fajitas, and tacos. Their Long Board Burrito gives customers the chance to create their own burritos by selecting what kind of meat, beans and salsa they want. And for the very adventurous, the Freaky Tiki serves up 8 ounces of prime US beef, topped with fries, tomato and Queso cheese sauce wrapped in a tortilla and grilled to perfection. (more…)

BEFORE you buy a franchise, know your rights.

'Buying a franchise is not like making an investment or buying a job, and there is no 'money-back' guarantee,' says Cathryn Hayes, head of franchising at HSBC. 'You are starting a business, and that involves risk.' As a franchisee, you are selfemployed, so rights which apply to employees will not extend to you.

Franchising is not governmentregulated, and even though you ‘buy’ a franchise, the laws that protect consumers and investors are not intended to cover you, either. (more…)

Gas station operator BP PLC said it will create a franchise network for more than 700 of its company-owned convenience stores in the United States and sell them to franchisees.

The stores will operate under the 'AM PM' brand, BP's U.S. Convenience Retail unit said in a news release. (more…)