Archive for October, 2008

Snap Fitness franchise

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Bring fitness to your community and fun and fulfillment to your life
with a Snap Fitness franchise

Snap Fitness Franchise Opportunity_4

If you are looking for a proven, affordable and trail-blazing concept in a growing industry, you’ve come to the right place! Snap Fitness is America’s fastest-growing franchisor of compact, state-of-the-art, 24/7 fitness centers.

Today more than ever, people know it’s important to be fit. Their challenge is squeezing exercise into busy lives. With Snap Fitness, you provide the solution, bringing fast, convenient and affordable workouts into their neighborhoods – minutes from their doorsteps – with your own compact, 24/7 state-of-the-art fitness center.Snap Fitness Franchise Opportunity_2
The industry’s fastest-growing fitness franchisor

Our first club opened in 2004. Today, with more than 1,500 sold in the United States and Canada, we rank #1 on Franchise Market magazine’s Top 100 New Franchises* and #3 among Entrepreneur magazine’s Top New Franchises**.

A Snap Fitness franchise is easy to afford, easy to manage – 70% of our franchisees are absentee owners – and easy to market.

“My husband and I finally found a concept that we believed in. We purchased a “3 pack” Snap Fitness franchise and I quit my job as a vice president with a large financial services company. I now enjoy more quality time than ever with my kids.” – Carolyn Chesta, Snap Fitness franchisee, Suburban Chicago
Snap Fitness Franchise Opportunity_3Why Snap Fitness is your right choice

Owning a business is a big decision. As you consider options, here are four factors that make Snap Fitness a very attractive proposition:

We’re in the right industry
Fitness is in. The percentage of people belonging to health clubs has doubled over the past 20 years. More growth is expected, fueled by an aging Baby Boomer generation in search of eternal youth and the reality that regular exercise can prevent or control diseases that are driving health care costs relentlessly upward. The health club industry’s fastest-growing segment is the so-called “24/7 express fitness” segment – and Snap Fitness is the segment’s growth-rate leader.

We’re the right concept
Our concept enables you to offer customers fast, convenient and affordable workouts in a state-of-the-art fitness center minutes from their homes. They enjoy the same quality equipment and workout experience offered in traditional “big box” health clubs – but without the crowded parking lots, long waiting lines and inflated monthly dues. Convenience, quality and good health at an affordable price, supported by the industry’s most progressive member policies – that’s a value-driven concept that’s right for the times.

We’re the right playerSnap Fitness Franchise Opportunity_1
When evaluating the choices in our space, you’ll quickly conclude we’re the easy decision. From the moment you sign your Franchise Agreement, the support, service and training we provide are unparalleled in our industry. Our turnkey operational systems enable you to run a club with only one employee and be as “hands off” as you’d like to be.What’s more, our financial model favors you over the long run. We charge a nominal flat-fee per transaction rather than a percentage of your monthly dollar transaction. The difference can add up to thousands of dollars over a year. If you don’t like paying higher taxes simply because you work hard to earn more, you’ll appreciate our franchisee-friendly financial approach.

We’re the right price
Your initial investment in a Snap Fitness franchise may be as low as $100,000 and your total costs, including start-up working capital, should be under $250,000.
In summary, the Snap Fitness franchise is characterized by the following benefits:

* Absentee ownership
* Keep the security of full-time job
* Open multiple units
* Limited time commitment
* Few employees
* State-of-the-art equipment
* Low investment level
* Rapid breakeven
* Tremendous demand
* Highly profitable clubs

“I looked at other concepts … but Snap’s business model sold me. I’ve achieved great success by following the game plan laid out for me. The whole package works!” – Stewart Haywood, Snap Fitness franchisee, The Colony, Texas

Nutty Scientists franchise

Friday, October 31st, 2008

If you are seeking a PROFITABLE franchise that combines education, children and laughter with making a contribution to society, then Nutty Scientists is for you.
Nutty Scientists = Children x Education + Entertainment
A Successful Formula!Nutty Science Franchise Opportunity_1
Over 10 years franchising experience

Founded in 1994, Nutty Scientists is the leading franchise in education and entertainment activities for children aged 4 to 17. Based on real and hands-on contact with experiments, we teach science as well as environmental and health issues in a different, entertaining and leisurely way. With over 137 successful franchises worldwide in four continents, more than 12 years franchising experience and a complete training program, Nutty Scientists will guide you to successfully establishing your children’s education franchise.
High margins and high client loyalty

Nutty Scientists offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to own their own business in a market in constant growth. Margins on each activity sold fluctuate between 60% and 80%. Our franchisees do not need to invest in a commercial space, which considerably reduces their fixed costs. The trained instructors go where the client needs them to facilitate the delivery of the service. This ability to adapt to clients’ needs has Nutty Science Franchise Opportunity_1its rewards: 60% of clients repeat! The flexibility and simplicity of the business allow you to run it from your home.
Our services are IN DEMAND

We offer educators, parents and sponsors activities that they demand and that fill a real need. Our workshops and programs can be tailored to the clients’ needs as they are readily adaptable to different formats such as in-school workshops; after-school programs; science shows; circuits; cultural weeks; campaigns; birthday parties, etc. Some of the clients our franchisees work with include schools, local authorities, day care centers, after school centers, museums, families, restaurants and corporations.
Ongoing, proactive support

At Nutty Scientists we know about SUPPORT. Support starts with the training program we have developed that takes place in two Nutty Science Franchise Opportunity_5stages – at our headquarters and in your territory where we will be present for your launch. In addition to our training manuals and videos, we have a team in place to assist you with your questions, give you ideas and share the vast experience that we and other franchisees have to offer, to make you feel you are truly part of a network in this fantastic business.
The next step

You don’t need to be a teacher or have a science background to be a Nutty Scientists franchisee. Your role will be to promote the Nutty Scientists programs within your exclusive territory for your trained instructors to carry out.

Beyond Juice franchise

Friday, October 31st, 2008

A Beyond Juice Cafe License is your opportunity to own a Beyond Juice Cafe in your community. Barnes and Noble sells books and offers coffee. General Nutrition Centers sell vitamins and supplements. Starbucks Cafe sells coffee and sweets. A Beyond Juice Café is a place where people meet for lunch (Meal-In-A-Cup), read health and longevity related books and periodicals, have coffee, purchase health supplements, salads, and healthy sandwiches.

In the beginning, Beyond Juice (originally “Total Energy”) purveyed blended juice drink products based on scientifically prepared formulas that delivered maximum nutrition and maximum taste. The company’s goal was to create a healthy alternative to fast food that actually tastes better than fast food.The original Beyond Juice formulas were made possible through extensive research. It was the goal of the company’s founders to get their science right, the first time. They succeeded.

Originally, Beyond Juice operations were company-owned. They engendered quite a following and numerous requests for franchise information. The founders had no desire to franchise their unique and profitable business operations in the 1980’s and 1990′. However the concept of franchising, seeded in consciousness, germinated there, and grew into the License Opportunity you are inquiring about today.

Franchise Opportunities – 5 Advantages of Operating a Franchise Business

Friday, October 31st, 2008

Looking to start your own business? If you want to own your own company, but are not sure where to start or how, you may want to consider purchasing a franchise. Franchises are great, because they offer many advantages to the franchisee, allowing them to operate their own business and gain profits, while providing a format to help direct your business.

If you are thinking that operating a franchise will be a ready-to-use business, you are mistaken. Although franchise ownership is not a buy-and-fly operation, many franchisees do find that starting and operating a franchised outlet fit their personal tastes much better than trying to start a company from scratch.

Here are some great examples of the most common advantages of operating a franchised business:

1. Instant Recognition: The main benefit of purchasing a franchised business is that it allows you to use your parent company’s already-established name to attract a pre-existing customer base. A franchise is basically a license to use an existing company’s name, trademarks, products, services, and other resources in return for agreeing to use that company’s existing business formats and provide a percentage of your franchise’s income and earnings. An established company means established products and services, which appeal to an established market, already waiting to buy your product!

2. Working Operations and Procedures: When you purchase a business format franchise, you gain the privilege of not only being able to sell the parent company’s products or services, but also the right to use their established industry practices. These practices may include training programs, marketing strategies, trade secrets, accounting systems, etc. This cuts down drastically any problems you will encounter in trying to establish these systems on your own.

3. Lower Start-Up Costs: Normally, the initial fee of purchasing a franchise is substantially lower than the cost of setting up an enterprise from the ground up. Combine this with the pre-established operations formats that will be provided for you, mentioned above, and you have saved yourself quite a bit of money and energy.

4. Ongoing Support: While the initial advantages of operating a franchise have been illustrated, one of the most important aspects of having a franchisee is the fact that the parent company will provide you with ongoing support throughout your venture. You will never have to worry about being on your own.

5. Financial Clarification: In addition, most of the financial aspects of running a company will be much more straightforward. The franchisor will be able to provide you with details of both start-up costs and operational costs, taking much of the guess work out of running a business.

Flip Flop Shops franchise

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Flip Flop Shops® is the authentic retailer of the hottest brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals. It’s more than just a store…it’s a lifestyle.

We love the water and everything about it. Whether it’s surfing at Rincon with friends, or standing at the water’s edge in Tofino while the waves pull the sand out from under our feet and back to the sea…we love it. We ride powder in Canada, bike the backcountry of New Zealand and raft down the Colorado. We love adventure and traveling. We keep up on the latest fashion trends and make up our own. We sometimes go to bed with salty skin and the smell of the ocean after a day of surfing. We take care of our environment and help out our favorite charities. We love music and singing along with our favorite songs.

Live…Work…Play With Your Toes Exposed!

Our flip flops are an extension of who we are and what we stand for. We live, work and play with our toes exposed while wearing the freedom of flip flops on our feet.

Own Your Own Flip Flop Shops®!

Here is your opportunity to become part of the flip flop lifestyle by owning your own Flip Flop Shops® franchise.

With over 50 years of franchise experience building and growing some of the world’s fastest growing franchise concepts, category leaders and some of America’s most well-known brands we now welcome you to the next great idea!

This is your opportunity to take part in one of the fastest growing and most exciting industries in the world. Flip flops and sandals are the oldest and at the same time best-selling footwear worldwide!

Usually seen only at beach resorts, flip flops and sandals “are a huge phenomenon. A few years ago you would wear them only to the beach or at the pool. Now you see them in the city, in the office, on the Red Carpet and at the White House.

The simple, little flip flops with the humble origin are making their way to the season’s hottest events and onto the feet of the most coveted celebrities and VIPs.

We have created a concept where the unit economics, the industry, the trends and the lifestyle all just make sense! We invite the right franchisees to be part of the next big idea…and have fun doing it!

Support Makes All The Difference

We provide a franchise support system designed to support all of your business needs. Flip Flop Shops is committed to providing a superior level of service to our franchisees.

With over 50 years of franchise experience, we have taken the best practices and applied them to Flip Flop Shops. More importantly, we have eliminated common mistakes made by most franchise systems. Flip Flop Shops provides a wide variety of comprehensive resources to help you achieve your professional goals. This includes, but is not limited to:

* Branded Business Plan Template
* Site Selection & Real Estate Expertise
* In-house Design & Construction Consultation
* Flip Flop University
* Comprehensive Operations Manual
* New Store Opening Plan
* Local Store Marketing Toolkit
* PR & National Brand Building Efforts
* Sell-Through Analysis
* Seasonal Pre-Book Support
* Inventory Turn Analysis
* Open-to-Buy Plan
* Vendor Relations & Buying Program
* Field Support
* Genuine Passion to See You Succeed

Note: This franchise is not currently being offered to residents of the following states: CT, ND, RI, SD, or to individuals with less than US$50,000 in liquid capital.

Note:
Expanding only in the following states:
Alabama; Alaska; Arizona; Arkansas; California; Colorado; Delaware; District of Columbia; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Kansas; Kentucky; Louisiana; Maine; Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; Missouri; Montana; Nebraska; Nevada; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; Ohio; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; West Virginia; Wisconsin; Wyoming;

International opportunities available.

Buffalo Wings & Rings franchise

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Rated #1 Chain Nationwide on Restaurant Business Magazines Future 50, 2008 list
Wings have been around for more than three decades; originally gaining acceptance as a snack item — but soon were in as great a demand as popcorn and nachos. Because wings taste so great, are good for parties, and are terrific finger food, they soon became popular lunch and dinner items.

As The American taste for chicken grows…
the popularity of Buffalo Wings & Rings Soars!
When the first restaurant opened in 1988, customers raved about the Buffalo-style chicken wings and the home-style curly fries (otherwise known as our famous rings)! But they also raved about the delicious hamburgers; our Greek Isle Gyros addictive taste; the homemade soup and chili; (simply delicious quesadillas prepared 3 different ways) and an array of other sandwiches and salads. Customers enjoyed dining in this new, casual restaurant where the friendly wait staff brought the food and beverages to their tables quickly — fast food prices without the fast food environment — a winning combination! At Wings & Rings we satisfy diners with champagne tastes and fast food budgets.

Our Franchise Opportunity

Below is listed some of the training and support you will receive as a Buffalo Wings & Rings franchisee:

* Initial training for the franchisee and its managers-6 weeks.
* Franchisor provides staff to assist in the opening of your location-3 weeks.
* Operations manual provided which outlines methods and procedures.
* Franchise support for the operations of the franchisee’s business ongoing

Why Our Prices Are So Low?

You are probably wondering how we can charge less than our competition and still be in business, right?

* We run a tight ship – We choose our actions carefully and ensure every dollar spent pays for itself; we streamline our system’s processes; we don’t have any frills or waste money on unnecessary things.

What’s the end result of all this? Well, we’re happy to tell you that we’re a small but profitable company that expects to be in business for many years to come.

A Bright Future Ahead

Buffalo Wings & Rings has ALWAYS been a great Restaurant, and lately we have been focusing our energies on how to become even better. Everyday, we are better positioned to share our brand and offer rewarding franchise opportunities like never before. We look forward to talking with you soon.

Stardek Coating Systems franchise

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Color-Crown Corporation, manufacturer of STARDEK Concrete Coatings Products has been the leader in the Decorative Concrete Industry since 1972. As one of the original three companies (and the only one still in existence), STARDEK’s unique coatings have truly been the standard in the industry for over thirty-five years.

Although many “Crete-of-the-weeks” claim to be innovators, they simply emulate the coating materials and systems developed by STARDEK as early as the 1970s. With a complete line of residential and commercial products, we pride ourselves in being the only decorative concrete coating manufacturer that can show you over 7000 completed jobs within minutes of our headquarters in Tampa, Florida. Having numerous brochures, free samples, individualized websites, and over thirteen systems, STARDEK is truly a one stop shop for all your coatings needs.

Our job is to see that you have all the necessary tools to succeed and that is a responsibility we take very seriously. Unlike other companies that make you pay for training or require a large purchase prior to attending their classes, there is no training or crippling royalty fees in order to sign up. For only a minimal deposit, refunded towards your first order of $2500 or more, we offer a one-day training course to learn the STARDEK I and STARDEK II system. For the novice who is serious about starting their own decorative concrete business we offer a four-day program which covers all thirteen systems, business operations, the marketing of your company and the installation of our great products!

History of STARDEK

The business began in March 1971, by founder Robert Cole. Cole spent the first few years experimenting with materials and techniques for applying permanent color coatings to concrete decks. During his trialing; he invented the pattern roller, thus creating new designs which marked the beginning of the decorative concrete enterprise. By the end of the decade, application techniques were perfected, and special materials were tested and improved. Not only did this lead to a network of Color-Crown dealerships throughout the country, but it also helped pioneer many of the basic methods now in use by the decorative concrete industry.

TRAINING…

Today, decorative concrete is such a desired and flourishing industry that Color-Crown has STARDEK installations in every state, as well as around the globe in places such as Russia, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and South America, this is why in the early nineties, we started our STARDEK training program, offering free education without obligation to entrepreneurs from around the country.

It is a unique challenge to present almost 150 “man years” of “on the job” experience into a comprehensive and successful training program. STARDEK’S training is designed to meet the needs of both the novice as well as those who are currently applying decorative concrete.

Our job is to see that you have all the necessary tools to succeed and that is a responsibility we take very seriously. Unlike other companies that make you pay for training or require a large purchase prior to attending their classes, there is no training or crippling royalty fees in order to sign up. For only a minimal deposit, refunded towards your first order of materials, we offer a one day class which only covers Surface Prep, STARDEK I and STARDEK II, and for those that are serious about starting in the decorative concrete industry, we offer a complete four-day training course which covers business operations, the marketing of your company and the installation of great products!

Winning at Franchise Development and Small Business Franchise Sales Development in a Tough Economy

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Winning franchise sales and at franchise development in a tough economy boils down to (3) three things that need to be looked at immediately and require strategic planning.

1) Look at the Sales Force and look inwardly-Most sales people and small business owners, maybe as many as 70-80%, have not experienced a down economy like this before. This is totally new to them and their point of reference is the media surround sound. Sales People need to be calmed down, panic reduced and given a new sales plan. Revise the sales process.

2) Separate what needs to be Cut and what needs Investment. The scope of focus needs to be adjusted to place heavy emphasis on investing time and effort with the very best prospects to bring the selected targets to closure. In other words determine quality early, qualify, qualify and then focus on closing the best deals and leave the rest of the leads sit. Court fewer prospects but do more with them. Sort through the lead flow channels, cut the volume and focus on quality. Be more exclusive and less inclusive.

3) Have courage and be aggressive. This is the best time to gain market share and take on the competitors who may have gone underground to protect what they have or have decided to take on a larger focus and leave unprotected areas of their business. In many cases their sales effort will be focused on servicing their existing client base leaving open targets to be sold.

In essence do not cut your way to prosperity. Better qualify the opportunities and focus on the best opportunities. Less is More. Re-focus and plan. Now is the time to re-group, re-evaluate, re-train, re-incentivize.

Each type of economy has its unique challenges. Plan, aim, fire with your sale process and you’ll come out on top as a winner.

How to Start a Low Cost Best Small Business Franchise Opportunity and Create Recession Proof Income

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

In the market for a franchise business? Low cost small business franchises and low cost small business opportunities allow you to get in business without spending a fortune. Are you looking to create a recession proof income? A low cost small business franchise or a low cost small business opportunity may be the right solution for you.

In our ever declining economy, many individuals and families are in need of additional income to supplement the growing demands of our economic crisis that we face today. A low cost small business franchise opportunity is a great way to manage a part-time business on the side and generate that additional income that you desire.

Many budding entrepreneurs face the drawbacks of starting a traditional small business or small franchise opportunity. The two biggest factors are both time and money. For one, most businesses you find today require a huge upfront capital to start. Next, in order for you to get your business off the ground, you are required to invest an enormous amount of time. Both of which you lack because of your full time obligation with your job. However, a low cost small business franchise opportunity may surprise you with the ease of time and minimal finance that it truly takes to run your own business.

There are several key factors to consider when choosing the best low cost small business franchise opportunity.

A Proven System

There are several businesses that can be run from your home at an amazingly low initial start-up cost. Choose a small business or low cost small franchise business opportunity that operates from a “proven franchise-like model”. With a successful business system in place, “you are in business for yourself but not by yourself.”

An Emerging Trend Or Technology

Find a product or service that’s on the cutting edge that is used and needed by everyone. This is one way to guarantee that you will create a recession proof income. One product that comes to mind is VoIP or voice over internet protocol. I’m sure you have seen all the Vonage commercials on TV talking about how you can cut your telephone bill by more than 50 percent.

Voice over Internet Protocol, is simply a method for taking a traditional analog call that you make from your home phone and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.

A major player that is providing cutting edge VoIP technology is a company called 5LINX (5 Linx or 5Lynx). 5LINX is an INC 500 Fastest Growing Company that has been featured in INC 500 magazine the last 3 years in a row. 5LINX is a rapidly growing telecommunications company that provides services across the United States and in 20 countries abroad. The company distributes its products and services through a network of dedicated business partners or “franchise-like distributors.”

Return-A-Pet franchise

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

The fastest growing segments of home based businesses are in the pet care industry!

Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_2You can now achieve the success you have always dreamed of, by selling the one thing that every pet owner wants and so many pet owners need; a proven, reliable, low cost and non-invasive pet recovery system. Have you ever suffered through the anxiety and uncertainty of losing a beloved family pet? Or worse, had your lost pet spend countless hours in a shelter because no one knew how to find you? Think of the number of pet owners who have that experience every day in the US!

Return-A-Pet can help prevent your customers from ever going through that emotional ordeal. Our system makes it easy for the person who finds a missing pet to get the beloved family member back to its owners quickly and safely.

“We were looking for a simple way to make extra money, that didn’t take up too much of our free time. Since we love our dogs, we figured this was a great way to earn a few extra dollars. We had NO idea that selling tags and registrations would be so lucrative!” – Vanessa and Lori
Americans spend thousands each year on their dogs alone. Here are just some of the statistics:Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_3

* There are over 72 million licensed dogs in the US.
* 47% of all US households has a dog.
* Americans will spend $43 billion on their dogs this year.
* Despite a slowing economy, spending on the “family dog” is increasing.

Return-A-Pet has launched aggressive plans to capture a lion’s share of the dog owner market by providing pet recovery through immediate identification at a very affordable price. We are now increasing our already substantial market share by expanding our exclusive distributorship program nationwide.
Become a master distributor today. It will change your life forever!

The Return-A-Pet program is the only proactive licensing sales program in the country that provides you with a product that can be purchased by over 70 million dog owners. Now that’s a lot of folks. We view our distributors as the lifeline of our business. Just look at how easy we make it for you to successfully build a business when you represent us:

* One time licensing fee. No monthly royalties.
* Starter pack includes enough products for you to recoup your fee and still earn a 30% profit.Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_1
* We provide the service and enrollment forms, and id tags; as many as you can handle.
* We provide full-time marketing support from the corporate office. Not hired guns or consultants. Our staff of seasoned professionals is on board to guide you. We have TV commercials, brochures and print advertising specifically developed for our distributors.
* We offer protected territories. As a master distributor representing Return-A-Pet you are entitled to the exclusive right to grow your own sales force within the territory which you have selected. No one else may sell Return-A-Pet in your territory unless they purchase the product directly from you.

“In the past, we tried five different products and services. We finally decided to try the Return-A-Pet brand. The results were tremendous. We sold out our starter kit in three weeks, and have made several reorders since. The results have been so amazing that we are in the process of acquiring three additional territories. I look forward to continued success with this great concept.” – The Jennings Group
Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_1How you make money

Master distributors purchase each enrollment package from us for $5. Each package includes a brochure, a Return-A-Pet enrollment form and the all important Return-A-Pet ID tag with the dog’s exclusive Return-A-Pet ID number. Dog owners purchase the complete package from you for $20. That means you earn $15 for each dog you enroll into the Return-A-Pet registry. Now that’s a profitable program. Your independent sales force (should you choose to grow one) will purchase each enrollment package from you for $10. This will yield you $5 from each of your sales force members. Now, that’s a business opportunity to get excited about!

How to Invest in Movie Franchises

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Since the first movie ever shown in 1890, men and women around the globe have been in love with movies. This love affair with film is not likely to wane in our lifetime and many business people who are tired of failing stocks and bonds are beginning to change their focus and ask how to invest in movie franchises. The answer is, very carefully. Three tips can guide investors along to a healthy business deal in the movie industry. First, know how much money you can actually afford to spend. Second, take your time and do your homework. Third and last, know the specific market you are out to target. If you follow these three tips, you will be well on your way to investing in a market which is sure to thrive and evolve for many generations to come.

Know How Much You Can Spend

When an investor is sitting down with an agent who is trying to court you with their own method of how to invest in movie franchises, do not let yourself be swept off of your feet. Remember, each opportunity has pros and cons. Even very successful movie franchises such as Star Trek and the 007 series have had to endure dry spells at the box office. Before you decide to put all three of your childrens college funds into a single sure-fire investments, splash a little cold water on your face and realize that a diversified portfolio is always better than putting all of your eggs in one basket. Decide upon a realistic amount to invest and stick to it. Do not let agents seduce you into making an unwise over-investment.

Do Your Homework

Most of the people telling you how to invest in movie franchises have their own agendas to accomplish. Thus, they should not be counted on to give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Be vigilant in your research before agreeing to invest in any movie franchise. Utilize third party research sources such as the internet, unbiased polls, and watchdog organizations before signing an investment contract with any agency. Search out correct statistics regarding the success of the franchises previous earnings and investment returns. Always thoroughly read any contract before signing it and seriously consider employing a lawyer to make sure the investment opportunity is relatively safe and beneficial to you.

Know Who You Are Selling To

You may have enjoyed The Bourne franchise, but that does not necessarily ensure that your grandchildren will. Before investing large sums of money in any movie franchise, it is important that your know how to invest in movie franchises that will strike a chord with the current generation. The best way to do that is to have your finger on the pulse of the population that is currently frequenting the theatres. Polls can be conducted to find out what any group of people is currently interested in viewing. Be sure to look into this before investing in a sure thing that might turn out to be not so solid an investment, after all.

Save Time and Gas With a Home Based Business Franchise

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Amidst recent economic turbulence, there is at least one thing that has made American citizens grin a little in the last month or two, and that is the falling price of gas. Though the reasons for the sudden decline in gasoline prices around the country are probably plentiful and complicated, the change has certainly been felt and appreciated by the American people. In July, gas prices hit their all-time high, rising well above $4/gal and approaching the unheard-of $5 mark, but now, only three short months later, prices have fallen dramatically, averaging less than $3/gal across the country and, in some places, dropping to less than $2.50, a price that few believed we would ever see again.

Of course, the fact that gas prices are once more falling to reasonable levels cannot fully assuage the national tension built by rising food prices, a shrinking stock market, increasing unemployment, and all else that comes with a recession. People are still very concerned with saving dollars and cents wherever possible, even in business, and there are few better ways to save money in business than by running your own home based business. Those who work from home save on overhead costs, staff expenses, the cost of fuel and other commute needs, and even simply the time it would take to travel to and from the office. There are many business opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to work more efficiently and cheaply from home, and here are just a few examples.

BookKeeping Express Anyone in small business knows how hard it can be to work on growing and driving your business ahead when you’re also responsible for attending to day-to-day operations, and one of the most time-consuming aspects of daily operations is bookkeeping, a tedious task that must always be done. BookKeeping Express is possibly the only franchise business that offers to take care of that menial chore for its clients. With 20 years of experience in the industry, this franchise is well equipped to recruit and train franchisees in the art of acquiring clients and attending to their bookkeeping needs from either an office or home business. With a BookKeeping Express franchise, you can work daily from a home office to keep your clients’ business financially afloat while they work to expand their operations.

Human Resource Rx Another aspect of daily operations that small and mid-sized businesses have a hard time affording and maintaining is human resources. Because the average smaller-sized business is simply unable to afford a fulltime HR staff to deal with the legal demands associated with having a staff of employees, Human Resource Rx franchisees offer the part-time services of trained HR personnel. And while the staff helps clients, the franchisee works to continue marketing to a wider and wider client base.

College Hunks Hauling Junk There are few more interesting business models than one that pays you to make college guys pick up other people’s trash. College Hunks Hauling Junk franchises receive daily client requests to pick up old furniture, appliances, electronics, and anything else that will fit in a company truck. While big, strong, college guys do the manual labor, franchisees work at home, primarily managing the pickup routes, marketing the business, and maintaining relationships with bigger, repeat clients.

Street Smart This is the franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs who are interested in learning how to best invest in the housing market, acquiring, remodeling, and reselling single- and multi-family homes. There is no part of the process that is not included in initial and ongoing training, and each franchisee now receives firsthand teaching directly from Lou Brown, the founder of this business and method. Though entrepreneurs receive a business model and training, though, their business is entirely their own.

Palm Beach Specialty Coffee Though few recognize just how powerful a business tool it is, coffee has become the second most widespread commodity in the United States, bringing in over $18bil in annual sales. Though it seems like a well-saturated corner of the food industry, Palm Beach Specialty Coffee offers small business entrepreneurs the opportunity to get in on this powerful product with their own home based business, selling high quality, automated espresso and brewed coffee machines to offices and food establishments across the nation. As soon as the first machine is sold, the cash begins to flow for a franchisee immediately, regardless of whether he works fulltime or part, making it an unusually lucrative business.

L & W Investigations Using tactics, equipment, and resources provided by the franchisor, L & W Investigations franchisees are made ready to perform detailed investigations of insurance fraud claims, on behalf of both large corporations and legal firms. There is a national marketing campaign already in place for this budding business, and marketing systems for local advertising are available to franchisees as they join the business, which has already established 30 firms across the country and has made Entrepreneur Magazine’s top 92 franchises list.

Lapels Dry Cleaning Generally a kind of business with a storefront, dry cleaning is rarely thought of as a home based business, but with Lapels Dry Cleaning, that kind of dry cleaning small business is possible. In a protected territory, the franchisee is given a turnkey business that is built in relationship to a local dry cleaner. With little more than a van, a business plan, and a local marketing strategy, the franchisee finds private clients who want their dry cleaning picked up from their homes, taken to a local store, serviced, and returned, then he does that for them.

Saving money and time by operating a business out of your own home is something that everyone can appreciate, because it is so appealing to be able to get up in the morning and walk to the next room to begin work. And having the overhead of your business essentially wrapped up in your monthly home rent and the little bit of gas it might cost to visit a client is a huge benefit. Take a look at home based business opportunities before making your next career move, because saving any amount of money, even on gas, is an advantage today.

Great Small Business Franchises For the Skilled Administrator

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Most small business franchises are designed for an owner who excels at some kind of management, but from business to business, what that looks like can vary a great deal. In many cases, the kind of manager that a franchise needs is one who can administrate well, balancing a dozen different corners of the business at the same time: balancing the books, managing driver routes, keeping tabs on important paperwork, and tracking projects that employees are on. If you’re a skilled juggler of administrative tasks, here are a few business opportunities that will put your talents to use.

Property Management Inc

Property management is one of the most solid business industries in the nation, constantly expanding in spite of economic sways for the good or the bad. Possibly the epitome of an administrative business, property management is all about balancing property maintenance, financial work and reporting, compliance with client and government demands, leasing, and real estate brokering for as many pieces of property as a person can handle. Hours and days are spent alone, or with a small staff, merely ensuring that all the plates are still spinning. Of course, with a solid franchisor, Property Management Inc franchise business owners are never left to fend for themselves, being trained and supported from start to finish.

Cruise Planners LLC

The fastest-growing segment of the travel industry, cruising is one of the most lucrative and, ironically, least saturated businesses available, because only 15% of the American population has taken the opportunity to cruise so far. Franchisees with this business benefit from the highest commission in the industry just for doing what they love to do, serving clients by planning exciting vacations. This is the franchise opportunity for the administration-minded entrepreneur who can remain friendly while juggling client wishes in person, over the phone, and on the web, constructing and orchestrating vacation plans for multiple clients simultaneously.

Doody Calls

63% of America has pets, which translates to 71 million households with some kind of animal. Roughly half of those are dogs, and as everyone knows, dogs leave messes behind: messes that most of us don’t like to clean up. This small business picks up where clients don’t want to, making money by scooping poop on scheduled routes. Instead of being responsible for the scooping himself, the franchisee sends employees to attend to that for him, freeing him up to manage scoop routes, maintain relationships with clients, expand the marketing system, and take care of finances. Others scoop the doo literally while he does it figuratively.

Kids’ Nite Out Across America

Working in collaboration with nearby schools, clubs, recreation centers, YMCAs, JCCs, and churches, the owners of these franchises serve primarily as party planners, putting together all the necessary building blocks to produce a fun and safe night for neighborhood kids. Basketball, scooter hockey, lacrosse, bounce houses, human slingshots, and dances are all a load of fun for the kids, but require a great amount of planning and organizing on the part of the franchisee. Even though all the necessary training is given to the work at home businessperson from the outset, it takes the natural ability of an event-planning administrator to make it all happen.

Home Helpers

Much of the administrative talent needed in this career is applied in the management of people. In response to the growing demand for in-home, non-medical assistance for the elderly and ill, Home Helpers has developed a system by which a home based business owner can hire trained in-home care staff and send them to assist clients in their homes. The owner attends to the technicalities of business operation and orchestrates the schedules for his employees, leaving the in-home duty to his employees.

Fast Teks

As a Fast Teks franchisee, behind-the-scenes oversight and business administration are primarily what an entrepreneur is responsible for. Unlike some computer repair franchises that give a turnkey package to get the franchisee out in the field, repairing and upgrading computer equipment, this franchise business comes equipped with field technicians provided by the corporation. The franchisee doesn’t have to have any experience in computers, and most don’t. Technicians show up to residential and small commercial clients to solve any variety of problems ranging from modem setup and spyware removal to software support and data backup. Marketing systems are put in place by the central headquarters, franchisee support is only a phone call away, and a customer call center directs incoming client calls to each local franchise, so the franchisee’s responsibility is simple: balance everything going on and keep the business growing.

Often the term administration is used more in reference to office attendants, clerks, and secretaries, but that doesn’t mean that the skill is one restricted to the lower levels of business life. Quite to the contrary, the right person with the right administrative gifting can often make a very good business owner when matched to the correct small business franchise. If you feel that your talents match the administrative needs of any of these franchises, inquire of them for further information. You may have found the business opportunity for you.

Party Stores by Allied Systems Industries franchise

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

No franchise fees with this specialty retail business opportunity!

What is a Party Store?Party Stores by Allied Systems Industries Franchise Opportunity_5
A Party Store by Allied Systems Industries is a remarkable business opportunity that will catapult you, the owner, into the forefront of an exciting NEW growth industry in retail party supplies. An ASI Party Store will help you capitalize on and get your share of a 20 billion dollar industry and growing. Party Stores offer a complete line of retail party supplies and services, from decorations, gift baskets, costume jewelry, bridal showers and pom poms to neon lights, dance videos, feather boas, tambourines, party music and a whole lot more.

Long term proven track record
For 16 years, ASI has been the leader in developing upscale, turnkey, retail business opportunities for our clients all over the USA. Since 1993, ASI has helped more than 1000 people just like you to successfully launch their own retail business, even if they had no prior retail experience.

No franchise fees or monthly royalties
ASI Party Store owners NEVER PAY ANY FRANCHISE FEES OR MONTHLY ROYALTIES!

A proven format that is profitable, fun and exciting
Our package provides a business format consisting of product selections, pricing, merchandising, advertising and training that will make the most novice entrepreneur feel professional. We also have the most advanced method for selling retail party items in a commercial setting that will give even the most seasoned business person the greatest sense of achievement they have ever experienced.

State-of-the-art POS
Allied Systems will ensure that your Party Store is equipped with the most efficient computer system in the industry today, for controlling inventory and running a successful Party Store.Party Stores by Allied Systems Industries Franchise Opportunity_2

Custom balloon decorating
All Party Store owners receive complete training in the art of custom decorations consisting of balloons bouquets, balloon centerpieces, balloon arches, balloon columns and balloon delivery – which separates an ASI Party Store from the competition.

Merchandise – BUYING POWER
With more than 1000 retail stores, ASI’s national buying power enables it to negotiate SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNTS with its network of vendors on everyday wholesale pricing for its Party Store owners.

The ASI team of experts has been putting people like you into business for more than 16 years. Our proven steps to success give you everything you need to succeed, including:Party Stores by Allied Systems Industries Franchise Opportunity_3

* Site location and lease negotiation.
* Merchandising selections.
* FREE MEMBERSHIP of the ASI Wholesale Buying Group including special discounts and preferred discount pricing.
* Financing options.
* Help with creating a business plan and assistance in sourcing loan finance.
* Custom design and turnkey build-out of your Party Store.
* Operations training done by an ASI trainer onsite at your Party Store.
* Long term support – we have a complete staff of professionals whose sole function is to help you to succeed.

All Party Store packages also include the following:

* Wholesale inventory – $18 per square foot.
* All retail fixtures and display systems installed.
* Professional onsite build-out supervisor.
* Personally assigned professional shopper.
* All freight charges and labor charges paid.
* Custom neon signage allowance and installation.
* Security mirrors.
* Fax machine.
* Shopping baskets and miscellaneous supplies.
* Operations manual.

Return-A-Pet franchise

Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Welcome to the #1 Recession Proof Industry – Pet Care!
The fastest growing segments of home based businesses are in the pet care industry!

Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_2You can now achieve the success you have always dreamed of, by selling the one thing that every pet owner wants and so many pet owners need; a proven, reliable, low cost and non-invasive pet recovery system. Have you ever suffered through the anxiety and uncertainty of losing a beloved family pet? Or worse, had your lost pet spend countless hours in a shelter because no one knew how to find you? Think of the number of pet owners who have that experience every day in the US!

Return-A-Pet can help prevent your customers from ever going through that emotional ordeal. Our system makes it easy for the person who finds a missing pet to get the beloved family member back to its owners quickly and safely.

“We were looking for a simple way to make extra money, that didn’t take up too much of our free time. Since we love our dogs, we figured this was a great way to earn a few extra dollars. We had NO idea that selling tags and registrations would be so lucrative!” – Vanessa and Lori
Americans spend thousands each year on their dogs alone. Here are just some of the statistics:Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_3

* There are over 72 million licensed dogs in the US.
* 47% of all US households has a dog.
* Americans will spend $43 billion on their dogs this year.
* Despite a slowing economy, spending on the “family dog” is increasing.

Return-A-Pet has launched aggressive plans to capture a lion’s share of the dog owner market by providing pet recovery through immediate identification at a very affordable price. We are now increasing our already substantial market share by expanding our exclusive distributorship program nationwide.
Become a master distributor today. It will change your life forever!

The Return-A-Pet program is the only proactive licensing sales program in the country that provides you with a product that can be purchased by over 70 million dog owners. Now that’s a lot of folks. We view our distributors as the lifeline of our business. Just look at how easy we make it for you to successfully build a business when you represent us:

* One time licensing fee. No monthly royalties.
* Starter pack includes enough products for you to recoup your fee and still earn a 30% profit.Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_1
* We provide the service and enrollment forms, and id tags; as many as you can handle.
* We provide full-time marketing support from the corporate office. Not hired guns or consultants. Our staff of seasoned professionals is on board to guide you. We have TV commercials, brochures and print advertising specifically developed for our distributors.
* We offer protected territories. As a master distributor representing Return-A-Pet you are entitled to the exclusive right to grow your own sales force within the territory which you have selected. No one else may sell Return-A-Pet in your territory unless they purchase the product directly from you.

“In the past, we tried five different products and services. We finally decided to try the Return-A-Pet brand. The results were tremendous. We sold out our starter kit in three weeks, and have made several reorders since. The results have been so amazing that we are in the process of acquiring three additional territories. I look forward to continued success with this great concept.” – The Jennings Group
Return-A-Pet Franchise Opportunity_1How you make money

Master distributors purchase each enrollment package from us for $5. Each package includes a brochure, a Return-A-Pet enrollment form and the all important Return-A-Pet ID tag with the dog’s exclusive Return-A-Pet ID number. Dog owners purchase the complete package from you for $20. That means you earn $15 for each dog you enroll into the Return-A-Pet registry. Now that’s a profitable program. Your independent sales force (should you choose to grow one) will purchase each enrollment package from you for $10. This will yield you $5 from each of your sales force members. Now, that’s a business opportunity to get excited about!

Car-X Auto Service franchise

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

An Automotive Franchise in Partnership with a Proven Brand

Car-X Auto Service Franchise Opportunity_1

When you partner with Car-X, you become a Car-X franchisee – an independent entrepreneur with access to the expertise of a firmly established chain. With over 30 years experience, we have a network of successful franchisees and we pass along that cumulative knowledge and expertise to you. Car-X has been consistently ranked by Entrepreneur, Success and Income Opportunities magazines as “One of the Best Automotive Service Franchises in the United States”.

Car-X Auto Service Franchise Opportunity_3The automotive aftermarket is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the American Market Research Council, the average age of domestic vehicles on the road today is at an all time high. More and more households have multiple vehicles. And the variety is growing – full size, subcompacts, minivans, light trucks and SUVs. It all makes for a tremendous opportunity in automotive repair.

Our service line-up currently includes exhaust, brakes, shocks, struts, springs, C.V. joints, alignment, front-end, air conditioning, lube/oil/filter, batteries, starting and charging, flush and fill, tires and more. Car-X Auto Service franchisees are doing more business than ever before and today there is an opportunity for additional new stores in many markets throughout the United States. This could be the right automotive franchise for you.

What does it take to become a member of the Car-X team? The drive to be successful. The discipline to empower that drive. Diligence, honesty, hard work, attention to detail, sufficient capital and a commitment to excellence. If this describes you, then Car-X could be the franchise opportunity you’ve been looking for. Our outstanding package includes the following:Car-X Auto Service Franchise Opportunity_2

Site selection
In some instances, Car-X may identify markets in which to locate new Car-X Auto Service centers and then negotiate leases for specific locations within those markets. Car-X may sign corporately on those leases, oversee the construction of the building and then sub-lease the location to an approved franchisee. This process usually enables a Car-X franchisee to occupy a better location than if they were trying to negotiate their own lease. In other instances, Car-X may assist qualified franchisees to negotiate their own lease or advise them about purchasing their own real estate and building.

Training and supportCar-X Auto Service Franchise Opportunity_4
During your initial training with Car-X you will learn how to operate a Car-X Auto Service center. Your training will include both classroom and “hands-on” instruction. Topics include shop administration, employee recruitment, vehicle inspection and diagnosis procedures, sales techniques, inventory control, financial management, and most importantly, the fine points of maintaining good customer relations. As automotive technology advances and vehicle repairs become more complex, we assist you in staying up to date with the changes. Ongoing support includes access to Car-X representatives for advice via regularly scheduled in-shop meetings and via telephone. Also available are in-shop and market-wide training sessions, timely product information bulletins, a newsletter, manager meetings and an annual dealer convention.

Buying power
Because of our outstanding relationships with key suppliers and our collective buying power, you get top quality parts at excellent prices. The buying power that we pass on to you allows you to price your products and services competitively and retain the loyalty of your customers.

Advertising and marketing
We give you a powerful jump start by assisting you in your advertising and marketing campaigns. Car-X’s computerized media capabilities and negotiating expertise assure professional and efficient media placement.

A Car-X franchise could be right for you if you’re willing to invest your time, attention and labor, as well as your capital. In return, you will partner with a premier franchise in the automotive industry, receiving the highest standard of training, support and assistance as you build your Car-X business. You’ll enjoy the freedom to run your own enterprise while sharing the resources of a proven brand in the auto repair sector.

Tuffy Auto Service Centers franchise

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Now That’s a Tuffy … Automotive Franchise!

Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise Opportunity_5When you partner with Tuffy, you become a Tuffy franchisee – an independent owner with access to the expertise of a firmly established chain. With over 30 years experience, we have a network of successful franchisees and we pass along that cumulative knowledge and expertise to you. Tuffy has been consistently ranked by Entrepreneur, Success and Income Opportunities magazines as “One of the Best Automotive Service Franchises in the United States”.

Today’s consumers shop for more than price; they want service and quality too. Tuffy delivers all three. Thanks to our mass buying power, we can offer quality parts produced by nationally known manufacturers at prices most of our competitors can’t match. “We Do It Right” is more than a slogan at Tuffy. We continually analyze and test new products and services designed to meet the needs of a changing marketplace. We are committed to being on the leading edge of the automotive aftermarket, now and in the future.

“My experience with Tuffy has been overwhelmingly pleasurable. They deal with you on a personal basis. They really do care about you. Whenever I need help, Tuffy is always there. It really has been a pleasurable experience. It has been the best move I have ever made.” – Ken Molinari, franchisee, Columbus, Ohio
Steady, growing demandTuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise Opportunity_2

The automotive aftermarket is growing by leaps and bounds. According to the American Market Research Council, the average age of domestic vehicles on the road today is at an all time high. More and more households have multiple vehicles. And the variety is growing – full size, subcompacts, minivans, light trucks and SUVs. It all makes for a tremendous opportunity in automotive repair.

Our service line-up currently includes exhaust, brakes, shocks, struts, springs, C.V. joints, alignment, front-end, air conditioning, lube/oil/filter, batteries, starting and charging, flush and fill, and more. Tuffy Auto Service Centers are doing more business than ever before and today there is an opportunity for additional new stores in many markets throughout the United States. This could be the right auto repair franchise for you.
Outstanding resources and support, including:

Site selection
In most instances, Tuffy identifies markets in which to locate new Tuffy Auto Service Centers and then negotiates leases for specific locations within those markets. Tuffy signs corporately on those leases, oversees the construction of the building and then sub-leases the location to an approved franchisee. More often than not, this process enables a Tuffy franchisee to occupy a better location than if they were trying to negotiate their own lease.

Training and supportTuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise Opportunity_1
During your initial training at the Tuffy Technical Center in Toledo, Ohio, you will learn how to operate a Tuffy Auto Service Center. Your training will include both classroom and “hands-on” instruction. Topics include shop administration, employee recruitment, vehicle inspection and diagnosis procedures, sales techniques, inventory control, financial management, and most importantly, the fine points of maintaining good customer relations. Ongoing support includes access to Tuffy representatives, a toll free technical hotline, in-shop and market-wide training sessions, timely product information bulletins, a quarterly newsletter, an annual manager meeting and an annual dealer convention.

Buying power
Because of our outstanding relationships with key suppliers and our collective buying power, you get top quality parts at excellent prices. The buying power that we pass on to you allows you to price your products and services competitively and retain the loyalty of your customers.

Advertising and marketing
We give you a powerful jump start by assisting you in your advertising and marketing campaigns. Tuffy’s computerized media capabilities and negotiating expertise assure professional and efficient media placement.Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise Opportunity_3

“The training and technical support have been really good. Would I do it again? Absolutely! There are not many companies where the CEO and Vice President come to your store to see you. I sure didn’t get that with my prior business before coming to Tuffy.” – Mike Harding, franchisee, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Iowa
What does it take to become a member of the Tuffy team?

The drive to be successful. The discipline to empower that drive. Diligence, honesty, hard work, attention to detail, sufficient capital and a commitment to excellence. Mechanical aptitude is helpful, but not necessarily a prerequisite. Many of our successful franchisees have very different backgrounds. Each of our successful operations has a deep appreciation of the fact that a satisfied customer is what makes an operation competitive and successful.

Lawn Doctor franchise

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Thumbs up to an incredible franchise opportunity
Join the business consistently ranked #1 in the lawn care franchise industry by Entrepreneur magazine. For more than 40 years, Lawn Doctor® has been perfecting the science of lawn care and helping our customers take pride in their healthy, beautiful lawns. The Green Thumb in our logo is a symbol of the lawn care expertise we’re famous for.

Thumbs up to an opportunity that builds on your skills. Picture yourself running—and growing—your own business. A business where you can use your leadership skills to manage a staff that does the day-to-day work. A business where you can put your sales skills to work in your own community. A business that gives you the financial freedom to take time off when your busy season is over.

“The skills that make you successful in other areas of your life will help you as a franchisee. I had no experience with grass or agronomics at all, and it didn’t slow me down a bit.”
Joe DiMarino, Lawn Doctor of Frederick, MD

Thumbs up to a growth industry.
Pride in home is a defining trend for today’s consumers. As more people work, entertain and access entertainment at home, their surroundings become even more important. A beautiful lawn adds value to a home and is one of the few improvements where homeowners can recoup their total investment when they sell.

Lawn Doctor is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the consumer desire for beautiful outdoor living spaces to complement their homes. We fill a need for consumers who want the beauty, without the burden of doing it themselves.

Thumbs up to a national brand presence.
People know Lawn Doctor as the “green thumb people.” Maybe that’s why we have the highest unaided brand awareness in the industry. People trust Lawn Doctor and value our personalized service. Not surprisingly, we lead the category in customer satisfaction, with more than three-fourths of our customers renewing their services after seeing our results. Happy customers are loyal customers.

“When you’re first starting out, it really helps to have a nationally recognized brand. So you don’t look like a little start-up business, you’re perceived as a very sophisticated lawn care business.”
Glen Koshko, Lawn Doctor of Columbia, MD

Thumbs up to great training and support.
After 40 years in the industry, Lawn Doctor has perfected the science of lawn care franchising. And we give our franchisees all the tools they need to run a successful business.

* Onsite training and an aggressive ongoing support program to help you learn how to run a successful Lawn Doctor franchise.

* Online manuals and proprietary business management software to make running your Lawn Doctor franchise turnkey.

* A staff of talented industry professionals dedicated to supporting the system in all areas of the business, so you’re never out there alone.

* Custom van layout and patented Turf Tamer® application equipment to greatly increase your efficiency and productivity.

* Recurring revenues and up-sell services to grow your business faster.

Fight RecessionFor Yourself and Others With a Management Franchise Business

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Many people make the mistaken assumption that buying a small business franchise means signing your life away to doing the same mundane tasks, day in and day out. Some franchises work that way, but businesses like that are clearly marked as such, and only those who want a franchise that puts them in continual hands-on-contact with the work purchase such businesses. The average franchise business, however, is not looking for an owner/operator, but a manager who will take the business model and work within its structures to grow the business, while letting others do the day-to-day, hands-on work that the customer receives.

Interestingly, this kind of operation, commonly called a management franchise, is an amazing opportunity for business success, local job-market expansion, and economic stimulation, even in the face of recession. Why? In simple terms, taking advantage of a management franchise opportunity in a solid market establishes a trustworthy source of income for the franchisee and others, which ultimately helps the economy.

Personal Income

Of course, the most obvious benefit of starting a franchise is the earning potential for the owner, and with management franchises, the earning potential is definitely there, because instead of being restricted to an income that he can produce with his own two hands, the franchisee makes profit off what’s made by an entire staff. What’s more, because a franchise comes with a fully developed business model that has already proven successful in a number of different places and circumstances, there’s a good deal more security in opening a franchise than there is in starting a small business from scratch, particularly in a dwindling economy.

Some franchises have been around so long that their business plan can be considered effectually flawless, and they’ve established themselves enough in the market that recession would have to be become full-on depression to have any significant impact. This has historically been the case for fast food establishments like Kentucky Fried Chicken and Arby’s. With long-time business plans that have been tested from coast to coast, and marketing schemes that are recognized the world over, there has not yet been any real threat that economic shifts have posed to such companies. Recession or not, the fast food industry manages to stay ahead in the United States.

Even if a franchise operation doesn’t yet have the fully developed track record that instills instant faith, some management franchises are built on industries that many professionals consider recession-proof. Car repair and home repair are two that are often mentioned as being resistant to the effects of recession. Because the car and the home are two of the biggest investments that people make, keeping those investments in good shape is something that all home and car owners are willing to pay for in all economic climates. For this reason, choosing to purchase an automotive business like Techna Glass, one of the most trusted names in auto glass repair, or AAMCO, the largest transmission franchise in the United States, is a brilliant plan. Or for the franchisee skilled in home repair, Mr. Handyman is ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as the #1 handyman franchise in the US. And as it turns out, even home inspection businesses, like the home based business National Property Inspections, survive well in recession, because particularly when the housing market is declining, sellers and buyers both become far more concerned with the quality of the home, thereby warranting multiple inspections.

Choosing to start a business during a recession may seem like a dicey maneuver, but it really isn’t the extreme risk it appears to be, especially if the business in question is a franchise. And in fact, opting for a franchise business is not only a safer bet than starting an independent operation; it’s often a safe bet, and one that has benefits for more than simply the business owner.

Community and National Effects

According to economists, one of the primary causes of economic recession is unemployment. In the United States, 99% of all businesses are small businesses (meaning that they have fewer than 500 employees, and most actually have less than 20), and those businesses employ over half of the nation’s working population. With investors becoming less and less willing to provide loans to small businesses, as opposed to larger corporations that have vast amounts of capital and credit to work with, small business owners are having to let employees go in order to cut costs, which is only deepening the recession problems locally and nationally, as unemployment continues to rise in both.

Franchisees who are willing to invest themselves and their money in franchised, management business opportunities are using tried and true businesses and operation models to provide jobs. Local individuals and families employed by new franchise owners benefit once more from a steady paycheck, then the money that they have earned and then must spend begins to find its way into circulation throughout the local economy. Because of the management franchisee’s business endeavor, individual people are benefited with an income again, and small communities see bits of economic growth.

Ultimately, as small businesses profit their owners and incite these simple kinds of changes in their local areas, the nation must follow suit as well. If unemployment is a catalyst to recession, employment must therefore be its antidote, so the more small business franchises that crop up, hiring employees along the way, the better state the whole nation will finally be in.

A Day in the Life of a Mixstirs Franchisee

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Smashin’ Supreme, Blue Thriller, and Say it Ain’t Soy. Though they could easily be confused for a playlist on someone’s i-Pod, these three names are just the beginning of the colorful and delicious menu of smoothies (or as they call them, “stirs”) at MixStirs, one of the nation’s newest, rapidly growing smoothie franchise chains. Currently spread across 17 locations in 5 states, the business has proven to be a successful one both on the east coast (in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), as well as much further west, in Henderson, Nevada. Regardless of location, flavors like Chocolate Nirvana and Peanut Butter Blast have proven only to add to an original and worthwhile business plan that sets this smoothie outfit apart from the dozens of others.

The MixStirs Difference

In a world of ever-increasing numbers of smoothie companies, what sets MixStirs apart is their site selection. While the average smoothie outlet chooses an independent building as the place to set up shop, making active customers come to them, MixStirs has decided that the best way to run a smoothie business is to take their stirs to where their active customers are: namely, gyms and fitness centers.

According to MixStirs president, Michael Greenberg, “We have taken advantage of the captured audience venues and have geared our franchise toward the fitness center. Most of these members are looking to get something either before they workout or after, even if it is just a bottle of water.” And if instead of that bottle of water, there just happens to be a thick, ice-cold smoothie available, no one with a spare dollar is going to pass up the choice.

But the sites available to MixStirs franchises are not limited to gyms. The standard 400-800 square-foot kiosk is designed also to be built in malls, transportation centers, and sporting venues: anywhere that active people tend to congregate. The benefits of this creative plan are at least twofold. First, convenience spurs business, so more people are more likely to come by and purchase a stir, which produces a greater income. Second, because the space rental is so small (compared to a traditional retail shop) overhead is far less than the competitions. This combination of high income and low expenditure makes the take-home higher and stress levels lower, which is a great combination for any franchise business owner.

Life as a Franchisee

“The best aspect of owning a franchise,” Greenberg says, “is that there is a system built for you. You don’t have to figure out how to do things as they have been figured out for you.” With a MixStirs franchise opportunity, that is entirely true. From the moment a franchisee spends the initial franchise fee of $25,000, the franchisor is actively involved in making the new business work most effectively.

At the outset, the franchisee is not required to have any previous experience in restaurant ownership or management; everything is taught to him from professionals in the industry. Marketing, operations, and management training is all provided from the get-go, as well as “mock” training at an existing location and “hands-on” training at the franchisee’s new location. The franchisor even helps with site selection, demographic analyses, traffic studies, and visibility checks. Or, if the new franchisee is so inclined, he can opt to pursue his MixStirs franchise in a location that the franchisor has already built and prepped to be taken over by a franchisee. Any way you look at it, Greenberg’s pet phrase is true of MixStirs: “When you own a franchise, you are in business for yourself, not by yourself.”

Fair Warning

No matter how conducive to business success owning a franchise can be, it is still business, and business is always hard work. So says Greenberg, “The biggest surprise I have seen is that many franchisees think that by buying a franchise they won’t have to do anything and will just automatically get rich. Regardless of whether you are a franchisee or not, you need to work if you want to be successful.”

Despite the vast potential success that a MixStirs franchise can attain, there will always be costs to pay and challenges to overcome in getting there. Currently, the great challenge that Greenberg is seeing before his franchisees is the state of the economy: “With money as tight as it is, there is only so much to go around. And with the restaurant industry continuing to grow, it makes it tougher and tougher to get people into your store.”

To some people, that may seem like a setback or obstacle to get around, but for the right entrepreneur, it’s only a challenge to press through to the other side. And with 5% of gross income going to royalty fees and ½% going to corporate advertising, franchisees can be certain that they aren’t pressing through on their own, but with the steady support of the franchisor. A strong business model, a good franchisor, a steady franchisee, and constant corporate development all thrown together have proven so far to be enough to get MixStirs further and further ahead in the industry, and in the future, that is only likely to continue.

Mix it up

This is definitely a different spin on the classic smoothie, and if one of MixStirs’ business opportunities sounds like the way to go for you, dig around and find out more about them. They are more than willing to send you information to help you decide if MixStirs is the perfect fit for you.