Franchise Blog

Gilbert, Arizona – Mar 16, 2009 – Finding the right assisted living home or community can be very stressful, difficult and time consuming. It is not as easy as visiting one facility and saying :”This is perfect for my mother”. This once daunting task is now made easier thanks to CarePatrol.

Chuck Bongiovanni, MSW,MBA and CarePatrol’s founder and CEO states that “families blindly going to assisted living communities can be shocked to find that the community they chose and entrusted the care of their loved one may have had 20 or more citations during their last state inspection.

This dilemma gave birth to CarePatrol. CarePatrol “matches” their client’s medical, physical, social, geographical and financial needs to the homes and communities that can accommodate their specific care requirements. CarePatrol goes one step further for their clients by grading each facility from “A” to “F” based on their last state survey and their personal experience with the home. No other Senior Placement company performs this level of due diligence for their clientele.

To make their services even more personable, family members are then personally escorted to each of their recommended facilities by a CarePatrol Senior Care Consultant. Getting all these services free of charge makes this franchise opportunity even more customer-friendly because CarePatrol is compensated by hundreds of ElderCare providers in their network not the families themselves.

Bongiovanni has provided this service in Arizona for over 14 years and is now ready to franchise this concept nationally. Even in this distressed economy, Senior Care franchises were recently ranked the third most Recession Resistance franchise one could purchase and Bongiovanni is very optimistic in future expansions.

CarePatrol Franchise Systems, LLC began selling this unique franchise opportunity this week and has already sold four franchises in the Phoenix and Tucson market with two more outside of Arizona franchises starting shortly.

Carepatrol franchises will start at $19,500.00 which includes 8 days of training and full corporate support for the lifetime of the franchise. Go to www.CarePatrol.com for more information.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Chuck Bongiovanni, MSW,MBA
480-626-2818
866-423-9877

So what exactly do you have to do to find the “right” franchise opportunity for you? Below are the 12 steps to franchise ownership that will help you to narrow down your search for your “ideal” franchise. These steps will give you an overview of the entire process and guide you through the stages of investigating a franchise opportunity.

Basic planning is essential when purchasing any franchise business. The ability to track your progress as you move forward will help you make a business decision as opposed to an emotional one. The selection process can be demanding, even exhausting. You might convince yourself the franchise that is the easiest to buy or the one suggested by a franchise consultant or broker is really the best one, and make a quick decision with the real possibility of being stuck with an unsuitable or even fraudulent franchise and ultimately regretting your decision.

The reality is that when done properly, the process of buying the right franchise will take anywhere from three to six months and may cost you several thousand dollars. While this may seem extreme given the sales hype myth that suggests you can be happily in business in as little as two weeks, the penalties for shortcutting the process are severe. There is a direct relationship between the effort you put into the process and the ultimate degree of success. Don’t succumb to the emotional pressure to buy. Remember that while you may have to pay for good advice in time invested as well as real dollars, poor timing coupled with bad advice will ultimately cost you a lot more.

The 12 Step To Franchise Ownership:

1. Before contacting any franchisors, you should analyze your interests, abilities, strengths, and weak points, as well as your financial goals and limitations. You must be brutally honest with yourself!
2. Take a good hard unemotional and objective look at the product or service you would be selling as a franchisee. Analyze the market for the product in your region and determine if you can find a viable location for the franchise in your local area.
3. Determine which franchise programs might suit you best (based on your interest and self-analysis) and begin contacting the franchisors requesting for further information, such as brochures, DVD’s, marketing and advertising materials, and a UFOC.
4. After you receive the information you have requested, its time to narrow down your list of possibilities to no more than two or three companies, using a preliminary evaluation of the franchisors, their products and services, and their franchise programs. Be careful not to “fall in love” with any one franchise concept at this stage because you like the product or service or had a good experience with this franchise as a consumer.
5. Check outside sources of information such as online publications including franchise blogs and forum, government agencies, consumer groups, etc.-for more background on the franchisors. Unfortunately, its often difficult to find negative information or litigation on specific franchises.
6. Its time to contact the companies you’ve singled out and indicate your interest to them. Submit the preliminary franchise applications to establish yourself as a serious prospect.
7. Request detailed information on the financial and legal particulars of owning one of their franchises, if you haven’t already received it. Ask for a list of currently operating franchisees that you may speak with. Some franchisors will send you a UFOC with your initial request and others will wait until they receive your application to see if you qualify.
8. You MUST consult with your accountant and a qualified franchise attorney to determine the feasibility of investing in the franchises in which you are interested. Check franchisors’ earnings claims (if they make any) and prepare profit projections for your potential business. Do not skip this step!
9. This is one of the most important step of all: Speak with some of the companies’ current and former franchisees regarding their experiences with the franchisors. Learn all you can about the kinds of support the companies provide. Most people take the time to speak to a few franchisees – this is just not enough.
10. Meet with the corporate staff of each of the companies you are considering. Ask any questions you might have, and give the company an opportunity to interview you. Now its time to make your decision. Again, don’t skip this step. You want to meet with these people face to face.
11. Have your accountant and franchise attorney review the UFOC and the franchise agreement that the franchisor has given you. Negotiate favorable terms, where possible, before you sign the contract.
12. Final step before you commit: Whatever franchsise business you select, you want to go in and work as an employee. Take two weeks or even 30 days of your life and get in there and roll up your sleeves and learn about the day to day business of running this franchise. Then you will be really know if you like it and want to get into this business.

If you follow these 12 steps, you should be able to make a wise decision regarding your investment in a franchise. You probably won’t find a franchise that is a “perfect” match, nor do you need to. You want to find a close match. Though franchise fraud has become relatively rare since the 1979 passage of a federal law that requires all franchisors to disclose certain basic facts to potential franchisees, you can never be too careful. Don’t rely solely on the information the company gives you, and verify financial data and earnings claims whenever you can. And remember; Franchise owners can be a most valuable source of information. Keep in mind also that in 15 states, there are laws governing franchises.

Completing these 12 steps to franchise ownership will take some time. You should allow 2-3 months and it is important not to rush the process or pressure yourself because you may be out of work. Regardless of how attractive the franchise business appears, how great the products or services are, how enjoyable the customers seem, or how well you think you fit in, if the franchise opportunity will not deliver your desired results with a high degree of probability, it is the wrong franchise for you!

Most women already juggle many responsibilities both at home and in the workforce. This ability to multitask makes most women natural at owning their own businesses. The fastest route to business ownership is to purchase a franchise. Women franchisees can start their new career with the support and backing of an established business. The best franchises for women depend upon how much time the franchisee has to devote to running the new business.

The best franchises for women with limited time. Women who have full time jobs or are taking care of small children may want to begin with a franchise that can be operated with limited hours. The best franchises for women who want this level of commitment are the traditional party type franchises, where the franchisee sells goods such as storage containers, gourmet cooking tools, candles, home décor, baskets, and even for the brave hostess, marital aids. These franchise opportunities are a good way to test how much an aspiring entrepreneur enjoys being a franchisee, and usually take a very small amount of money to start up.

The best franchises for women who want to be Martha Stewart. Domestic goddesses are in short supply, so a woman who enjoys entertaining, cooking, and caring for others can find her skills are in high demand. Food preparation franchises are popping up all over the country, where busy people can stop off after work and follow recipes to put together healthy meals to take home to reheat later. Party planning franchises can range from organizing tea parties for little girls, to putting on weddings. Finally, a woman who loves being a mom can get a head start on starting her own preschool by buying a child care franchise. Once you know what you are good at, it is a simple matter to find a franchise that fits your needs.

The best franchises for women who love animals. Sometimes the most successful franchise is the one that no one in your neighborhood has thought of yet. A popular category for new franchises is providing pet care services. A great franchise for women is opening a doggie day care or boarding camp facility. If local zoning prevents you from having a boarding facility, think about a dog walking franchise, or in home pet-sitting service. Mobile grooming services are also a popular choice for women who love animals.

No matter what your interest, there is a franchise for you. The best franchise for anyone is the one that you love doing. Whether you find yourself drawn to a traditional fast food franchise, or to having a yard full of dogs in doggie day care, franchising has many advantages for all entrepreneurs. Franchising brings mentors and brand support and will help any business grow faster than starting from scratch Once you find the type of franchise that is right for your lifestyle and interests, a whole world of opportunity will open for you.

Dallas-based convenience store operator 7-Eleven plans to convert most company-owned and -operated stores into franchise operations by 2012, according to the Dallas Business Journal. The chain launched its conversion plan about two years ago and has converted 4,100 stores–75 percent of its 5,600 store base–to franchises so far. 7-Eleven store managers were offered the first opportunity to franchise their stores. The c-store chain has subsequently opened up the franchise offer to the public.

Franchise sales must include relationship building to overcome tough economic times.

Ms. Flo Schell, EdM, Franchise Expert, Delivers Keynote Address at 1st Annual Conference of ‘College Hunks Hauling Junk’.

The time is absolutely right to re-group, re-assess, and re-energize, according to NJ Franchise Business Coach, Flo Schell, EdM.

Speaking before franchisees and management of ‘College Hunks Hauling Junk’, Schell spoke about how to take advantage of today’s economy.

“Today’s economy may create a real challenge for some companies, but for College Hunks it creates a unique opportunity,” Schell said.

Citing the commercial marketplace as a growth niche for the company, Schell showed franchisees exactly how to identify commercial contacts and to acquaint them with their brand and service.

“Selling is really about connecting,” Schell said, “and connecting is something franchisees already know a good deal about.”

President Nick Friedman said, “Flo truly related to our franchisees and helped them feel comfortable with the idea of becoming active salespeople in their market.”

College Hunks provided each franchisee with a copy of Schell’s new book, Stop Selling…Start Clicking!

Schell’s company, Franchise Coaching Systems, located in NJ, provides coaching and consulting services to franchise companies and their people. Visit company website, FloSchell.com

About Flo Schell:
Flo Schell, EdM, Former VP of Franchise Sales, Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. is Founder of Franchise Coaching Systems and can be found at www.FloSchell.c om. She holds distinction as a Certified Coach from the Thomas Leonard School of Coaching. Flo is adept at the nuts and bolts of selling and at helping sales professionals to deal with the ups and downs of their work. She is author of the new business book, Stop Selling Start Clicking, available at www.StopSellingStartClicking.com. Sign on to her website for free Tele-Gatherings on topics related to selling and franchising.

Italy, one of the first markets of Europe, is strongly coveted by French franchisors, whatever their branch of industry.

That is on this report that Franchisekey.it was born, bringing an obvious solution imagined by the Franchiskey group.

Jean Samper, member of the college of experts of the FFF (French Franchising Federation), is one of the three associated founders. The group Franchisekey, n°1 in Europe in bringing together franchisors and franchisees, was born from the joint-venture between ac-franchise.com, quefranquicia.com and franchiseportal.de.

Franchisekey opened in Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Algeria, Morocco, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Indonesia, Russia, the USA, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina…. thus covering 10 languages, 20 countries and 1,3 billion inhabitants.

DUCTZ Franchise Featured on Hit TV Show “Designing Spaces”

Franchise President John Rotche Educates Homeowners on the Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Designing Spaces, cable TV’s Telly Award-winning, home-improvement series, featured a prominent segment on how to ensure a healthy home environment with Ductz International franchise founder and president, John Rotche.

“This high-profile association and national exposure further validates our position as Entrepreneur magazine’s #1 duct-cleaning franchise,” said Rotche. “For prospects interested in either hands on or absentee business ownership, this telecast was a front-row seat to our DUCTZ franchise opportunity.”

The Designing Spaces program aired nationally Friday, October 24, on Women’s

Entertainment Network and Saturday, October 25, on The Learning Channel to more than 142 million available households across the country.

The Designing Spaces’ crew toured the state-of-the-art DUCTZ training center and model home, and company Senior Vice President, Tom Yacobellis, demonstrated the DUCTZ patented cleaning process.

“We’re excited that Designing Spaces’ viewers saw our capable and knowledgeable DUCTZ indoor air professionals in action” said Yacobellis. “We’re the largest restoration company specializing in the air duct system, and we provide a service that has a significant health benefit to our customers and lifestyle rewards for our franchise owners.”

About the DUCTZ franchise opportunity

DUCTZ—duct-cleaning franchise is owned by Belfor Holdings Inc., and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DUCTZ is the country’s largest network of duct cleaning and HVAC restoration franchised businesses. DUCTZ was founded in 2004, and today supports more than 100 franchised locations nationwide. DUCTZ is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and strictly adheres to its stringent guidelines for superior service. Entrepreneur Magazine ranks DUCTZ as the number one duct-cleaning franchise. DUCTZ reaches beyond cleaning air ducts to providing for energy efficient HVAC systems and improving overall indoor air quality. For franchise information, call 877.DUCTZ.USA (877.382.8987), or visit www.ductz.com.

Targeting both aspiring and seasoned franchisees, the nation’s premier Business Coaching firm, The Entrepreneur’s Source (E-Source), and E-Myth® Worldwide are launching a certified business-education program based on the business success principles of E-Myth Worldwide. Products AIM™ for Success and FAST™ (Franchise Accelerated Success Training) have been jointly developed and adapted from E-Myth’s award-winning distance e-learning programs and E-Source’s exclusive Franchise Business Coaching success methodology. The co-branded products and programs mark the first time these highly regarded and proven business-development principles have been incorporated into a curriculum designed for the aspiring and existing franchise owners.

“The franchising sector, which now represents $880.9 billion in economic output and provides employment for 11 million jobs, will benefit tremendously from our strategic partnership and the education services that will help increase franchisee return on investment,” says president of The Entrepreneur’s Source Brian Miller. “The new AIM/FAST programs combine the best of the time-tested E-Myth principles with sophisticated e-learning programs targeting both the prospective and the more seasoned operator.

The Certified Program curriculum consists of two self-directed, online programs each incorporating a systems approach to successful business ownership. Leveraging eLearning courseware and expert led virtual Workshops; both programs help business owners maximize the franchise business systems to achieve their personal objectives and franchise business success. AIM and FAST are now available exclusively through E-Source Certified Business Coaches of The Entrepreneur’s Source.

AIM for Success is an introductory business education program for aspiring entrepreneurs considering franchise business ownership. AIM introduces the E-Myth entrepreneurial perspective as well as the E-Source franchise education and Coaching methodology.

“For someone like me who is new to business, AIM offers great information,” says Bridgett Jones-Smith, a client of The Entrepreneur’s Source. “The course has helped me to think differently about my role in the franchise business I’m about to start. I realize I was looking at it all wrong — now I understand and feel better prepared to get going,” she added.

FAST (Franchise Accelerated Success Training) is designed for new and existing franchise business owners ready to take their business to the next level of success. FAST presents both E-Myth’s proven business success systems and E-Source’s proprietary Franchise Coaching methodology exclusively developed for the franchise business owner.

“As a firm believer in E-Mything your business, I’m encouraged to see that a curriculum created that speaks to the franchising sector,” says Brian Scudamore (Founder & CEO) 1800-GOTJUNK.

“The new AIM/FAST programs combine the best of the time tested E-Myth principles, with the power a proven franchise system provides. Prospective franchisees who take this program will have a jump start on what it takes to be successful in business and know how to leverage a franchise system to achieve maximum results,” Miller added.

Both programs are immediately available through The Entrepreneur’s Source certified coaches. To learn more about the AIM or FAST programs visit www.EsourceCoach.com/EMyth.

About The Entrepreneur’s Source® (E-Source)

The Entrepreneur’s Source is North America’s leading career and Business Coaching Company dedicated to the entrepreneur with more than 220 offices in the United States and Canada. With its unique E-Source Coach Advantage, E-Source offers a full range of services to individuals seeking alternate career options and to franchise businesses looking to increase performance. Today, E-Source dominate the $1.5 billion dollar Business Coaching/Consulting franchise market in North America Additional news about E-Source, and other FSBI international brands, can be found on www.FranchiseNewsRoom.com.

About E-Myth Worldwide

E-Myth Worldwide is the leader in business success coaching, training and education programs and services. For more than 30 years, the company has trained business owners to work on their business, not just in their business, by building the strategic systems crucial to success. E-Myth provides entrepreneurs with the growth strategies and skills necessary to build predictable, sustainable and successful businesses. The company’s programs, systems and tools are based on the principles articulated in founder Michael Gerber’s bestselling book, The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It. Visit http://www.e-myth.com for more information about E-Myth.

© 2008 E-Myth Worldwide, Inc. All rights reserved. Information is subject to change without notice. E-Myth and the E-Myth Worldwide logo are trademarks of E-Myth Worldwide, Inc. All other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

THE franchising industry is battening down the hatches to withstand the expected downturn in Australian economic fortunes, but remains guardedly optimistic about weathering a recession.

The latest report on the health and size of Australia’s franchising industry paints a glowing picture of the sector, reporting 14.6 per cent growth in the past two years and sales turnover of $130 billion last year.

But the survey, Franchising Australia 2008, carried out by Griffith University on behalf of the Franchise Council of Australia, was conducted before the onset of the global financial crisis.

So is the confidence still warranted? Read more

DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals urge consumers to protect their families and homes from the danger of fire by properly maintaining their dryer vents. The U.S. Fire Administration’s Topical Fire Research Series reports that over 15,000 home fires occur and an estimated $99 million are lost annually to clothes dryer related fires.

DUCTZ, a duct cleaning and ventilation restoration franchise system that provides dryer-vent cleaning and maintenance, offers the following tips to reduce the risk of dryer-vent related fires.

– Clean the lint filter on your dryer after every cycle. Dryer lint is

recognized by the U.S. Fire Administration as a flammable substance,

and failure to remove lint from the filter after every cycle can increase

the risk of fire.

– Eliminate the risk of an unattended fire. Turn off your dryer before you leave

home.

– Dryer vents should be constructed from rigid metal material. Dryer

vents made of flexible accordion-style material can trap lint in bends and

curves and increase the risk of fire. Additionally, plastic vents can be a

source of fuel for fires. If your dryer vent is not made of a rigid metal

material, call a professional like DUCTZ for an assessment on updating

your vent system.

– Have your dryer vents inspected annually by a professional like DUCTZ to

maintain proper airflow. Filters do not catch all the lint produced from a drying

cycle — much of it passes through the filter and can clog in the vent. When

the scorching hot air from dryer is trapped by flammable lint in the vent, the risk

of fire is significantly increased.

– And if your clothes are not drying, have your vents inspected for trapped

debris – reduce the potential fire hazard and improve your energy efficiency.

“Keeping families across the country safe from the threat of dryer-vent fires is an essential part of our service,” said John Rotche, President of DUCTZ.

About DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals:

DUCTZ duct-cleaning franchise is owned by Belfor Holdings Inc., and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DUCTZ is the country’s largest network of duct cleaning and HVAC restoration franchised businesses. DUCTZ was founded in 2004, and today includes more than 100 franchised locations nationwide. DUCTZ is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and strictly adheres to its stringent guidelines for superior service. Entrepreneur Magazine ranks DUCTZ as the number one duct-cleaning franchise. DUCTZ reaches beyond cleaning air ducts to providing for energy efficient HVAC systems and improving overall indoor air quality. For franchise information, call 877.DUCTZ.USA (877.382.8987), or visit www.ductz.com.

Deciding to become a franchisee is something that could be a great chance for you to own and operate your own business. There is a great chance of success for franchisee owners versus starting your own independent business. You will have a business that is yours to run however, you will have the support of the franchisor. You will also have systems in place and hopefully a well established name that will boost your business. Marketing is also built into the steps of franchising. However, even with all these great things, you will still have to a lot of work and many decisions to make. Find out how to make franchising a great opportunity for you!

If you really want a great opportunity for you, you must figure out what you want to get out of franchising and what you really want to do. You must choose a franchise that interests you and that you are capable of doing. You need to be doing something you enjoy and like if you really want to be successful. Start by looking up a franchising online and see what kinds of franchises are available. There are oodles of different franchises available so you are bound to find more than a few. It is actually good to find a few because you will narrow those down as you learn more about each.

Once you have a list of franchises you are potentially interested in you will start to research them more extensively. You will want to learn about the products and services they offer and verify that they are of good quality. You will also need to look into what kind of reputation they have established as a whole. These will be things that affect your business so you should take the time to look at them. You can also talk to current franchisee for each company if possible. You can just get a feel for how they feel about being a franchisee for them and any other things they may have to say. By this point your list has probably shortened.

After you did a little more research, you should then try to contact the franchisors you are considering for investment. Be sure to ask any questions you may have. You will want to ask about their systems and if the franchise is well established. You will want to ask about the kinds of training and support the offer initially and continually to franchisees. Most importantly you should ask about their franchise contract. This is what will determine how much you control, what they do for you, what advertising will be provided, what they expect from you, franchise costs to them, and so much more. You will probably narrow you list much more during this process. You may want to hire a franchise attorney to help you through this process and the next, especially if you are new to franchising.

Lastly, when you decide which franchise is right for you, you will sign the franchise contract and be on your way to all the opportunities that lay ahead. Be sure that you fully understand the contract before you sign it, this is where a franchise attorney will be especially helpful.

I hope you find franchising to be a great opportunity for you!

Bishops Barbershop, cuts and colors for men and women, today announced the launch of a franchise development plan in the U.S. Driving this initiative is the announcement that Seattle is now open for franchise sales. The company plans to sell franchises in Seattle as well as in the surrounding counties of Snohomish, Island and Pierce. Bishops currently has six locations in Portland, and the Seattle launch is part of the company’s strategic plan for entering new markets across North America.

“We are actively seeking new franchisees to own and operate multiple Bishops locations in Seattle and other selected markets across the country to help fuel our growth,” said Leo Rivera, founder, president and CEO of Bishops. “We fill the niche between national hair chains, traditional barbershops and high-end salons for Generations X, Y and Z, offering full-service quality at affordable prices in a fun, casual environment. Our concept is a proven success in the Portland market, and franchising offers the best opportunity for those interested in being a part of the recession-resistant, $55 billion hair care industry.”

Bishops walk-in only policy ensures that customers can get their hair done when it is convenient for them, and the a la carte menu of services lets them decide exactly what they want — style, shampoo, blow dry, a variety of cut and color options, or a hot towel shave. The free bottle of cold Miller High Life offered to those 21 and older adds to the fun, and the edgy artwork and music provide the perfect background for interesting conversations.

“The Bishops atmosphere is energetic and creative, and that keeps our brand fresh and competitive,” Rivera said. “We have an unrestricted fashion policy for our stylists, which heightens their creativity, enhances their client relationships and helps them deliver superior customer service. Bishops is also known for connecting with the local artists, musicians and fashion designers, supporting their work and being a vital member of the community. People stop by our shops to hang out, talk and find out what’s going on in town. Bishops is more than just a place to get a haircut; it’s a lifestyle. We look forward to meeting the entrepreneurs who are ready to bring the Bishops experience to the Seattle area.”

More information about Bishops and franchise opportunities can be found by visiting the website at http://www.bishopsbs.com or by calling 866.639.1388, ext. 2.
About Bishops

Leo Rivera opened his first Bishops Barbershop in Portland, Oregon in 2001 as an alternative to national haircut chains, traditional barbershops and high-end salons, and today there are six locations throughout the city. A new kind of neighborhood barbershop for Generations X, Y and Z, Bishops is known for its convenient, walk-in only policy, trend-setting hair stylists, edgy music, unrestricted fashion and support of local artists. Bishops delivers full-service salon cuts and colors for men and women at affordable prices in a fun, casual atmosphere. Franchise opportunities are available now. For more information, please visit http://www.bishopsbs.com or call 866.639.1388, ext. 2.

Shannon Toler, president of 1-800-DryClean Franchise Company, announced details for 15 environmentally responsible customers to win FREE GAS.

“Now until December 31, 2008, each time customers use our free pick up and delivery drycleaning service, we’ll enter their names in a drawing to win free gas,” said Toler. “The more entries the better the odds with the winner ringing up $500 at the pump.”

1-800-DryClean franchise customers save themselves time and money, and help save the environment by car-pooling their clothes–reducing carbon emissions and cutting our dependency on foreign oil.

“We want to reward our customers for going GREEN. And when they do, we all win,” said Toler.
About 1-800-DryClean:

1-800-DryClean is a quality dry-cleaning and laundry pick-up and delivery service franchise, and a member of the Service Brands International family of brands. 1-800-DryClean is the world’s largest drycleaning delivery service franchise. It’s ranked number one in its category, and a “Top Home-Based Business” among Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500Ò. The company has franchised since 2000, and currently has more than 130 franchise units across the United States.

There is no doubt in Nusrat Siddiqui’s mind that these are tough financial times. She owns a UPS franchise in Willowbrook and has seen up close and personal the effects of an economic slowdown.

“I don’t see too many birthday packages sent out,” she said. “I don’t see too many care packages sent out.”

Customer numbers are down, and sales have declined.

“It seems everybody is hurting,” she said. “As a business owner, I’m concerned. I want to make sure I can pay bills. It’s a scary time in this economy.”

The married mother of two said her family has made cutbacks: They don’t eat out as much, and she runs all her errands during one trip to save on gas. She rethinks every purchase.

“You have to justify it,” she said. “If you don’t need it, you can say, ‘OK, I’ll let it go.’ ”

Some franchisees say they are being forced to pay for a variety of expenses for the first time — making difficult economic times even tougher.

For instance, operators of McDonald’s Corp. restaurants, under pressure from the fast-food giant to install equipment and counter space for an array of new beverages, complain that they have to pay for nearly half the upgrade’s architectural and engineering fees — items the company used to cover. Franchisees put those added fees at several thousand dollars, and some say the entire project has yet to be cost-justified.

Read more

This must be a record. Even the IFA only claimed a 95% success rate in the United States and then had to recant its claim years ago. Now a South African bank is reporting that their fortunate franchises have a 97% success rate.

This is evident in the 2008 Standard Bank Franchise Factor survey, which showed that only about 3 percent of franchises fail, whereas the percentage of failed start-up businesses is much higher. – The Times, South Africa

And lest you think that only South Africa’s franchise vendors are the only ones hungry enough for business to cite such examples, consider this from the United Kingdom.

This is because it has been proven to be many times safer than lending to independent start-up businesses, more than half of which disappear before their fifth birthday. The failure rate for franchisees is less than five per cent a year. – Oxford Times

Economic collapse is more reason than ever to buy a franchise! Buy now! Don’t wait! What? You are still sitting at the computer??

Buy NOW!!!

Oh. It sounds too good to be true? That’s because it is.

An estimated 100 million Americans don’t vote on Election Day. To help the franchising community register to vote and make it to the polls on Nov. 4, the International Franchise Association created the Web site www.franchisingvotes.com. The site includes access to registration requirements and deadlines for every state, information on federal candidates around the country, voting records of current lawmakers in the 110th Congress and the dos and don’ts of election law. To learn more about the presidential candidates’ viewpoints on key issues, the October issue of Franchising World includes an exclusive interview with candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

Franchise Interviews is meeting Shirley Warrington – VP Franchise Development for Décor & You.

Decor & You is a dynamic interior decorating franchise, a rapidly growing and changing business with national headquarters comfortably situated midway between Boston and New York City, in Southbury, Connecticut (population 28,000.)

Decor&You is part of the global home furnishings industry where sales top $200 billion each year.

Their website mentions that a Decor&You franchisee has access to a refined, proven system, which let’s you focus on the “big picture” of building your business – versus the day-by-day effort to grind out an entirely new business model on your own.

The Decor&You franchise provides instant vendor buying power: a vendor network with product resources, negotiating power and a competitive pricing edge in the interior-decorating marketplace.

The Decor&You franchise has access to proven marketing techniques, superior training and business coaching, which reduce the cost of overhead and investment in your business.

Their franchise opportunity offers a network of peers to share creative ideas and solutions to business problems. Pooled resources enable you to evolve and mature your business at a much faster rate.

The Decor&You franchise is backed by a growing brand that offers instant credibility in your marketplace as part of a national, interior decorating organization. As the franchise system grows, so does the value and rewards of your business.

Tune in on Thursday, October 23 at 10AM EST to find out more.

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Aussie-born franchise ecowash mobile has just been announced as the Top Franchise Export for 2008 by the Franchise Council of Australia.

This latest honour follows the leading franchise winning the AMEX Best Services Retailer, NAB Top Franchise and awards in 4 categories at the Australain Business Awards.

“We are really pleased to receive this recognition from Australia’s premier franchising body,” said ecowash co-founder and managing director Jim Cornish.

“We have made rapid ground in breaking overseas markets, but this top award recognition says it all.”

Hailed as the world’s No 1 waterless car wash, ecowash mobile has not only gained recognition for its achievements, but it’s ‘Green’ constitution, being waterless, completely carbon neutral across their entire fleet and using a biodegradable 2-in-1 polymer that facilitates the superior and scratch free clean and polish.

Having grown from a one car operation in 2004 to over 50 franchises across Australia they have branched into 14 other countries in just 4 years. The waterless car wash franchise has saved over 44 million litres of our quintessential resource in Australia alone and is a major supporter of World Water Day held earlier this year.

The announcement as the top export franchise came only a week after being positioned as the nation’s Top No 4 franchise system according to an independent industry survey.

“With the demand for our waterless service exceeding current capacity, there are ample franchise territories available in all states in Australia as well as abroad,” said operations manager and co-founder Stewart Nicholls.

ecowash’s export started with France, the Middle East and Jordan only to be followed among others by Greece, New Zealand and the US, with many organisations, car dealerships and governments departments contracting the waterless car wash concept to maintain their vehicles and fleets. To find out more, log onto www.ecowash.com.au