America's Best Franchises Blog...A place to ponder - thoughts and rants about franchises and business. Buying a franchise is a delicate matter for most families. We're here to assist you with that process with commentary and opinions about franchise financing, choosing the right franchise for you and we'll offer suggestions of top franchises in virtually every franchise category. Don't want to make a mistake? Read the America's Best Franchises Blog.
January 9, 2012
"GREEN Franchises"Month in and month out, America's Best Franchises receives hundreds of inquiries from franchising candidates looking for an environmentally friendly franchise opportunity. For that very reason our GREEN Franchises category features approximately 20 eco-friendly franchise opportunities for your review.
Eco-friendly franchises are available in a variety of franchise industries. Cleaning franchises including DUCTZ Duct Cleaning Franchise, Maid Brigade, Maid to Perfection and even Fish Window Cleaning all are Eco-friendly, GREEN franchise opportunities.
One of America's top GREEN franchise business opportunities is Rapid Recovery Franchising. Refrigeration is a booming industry and a growing environmental concern in the United States. Rapid Recovery offers a green business positioned perfectly for today's market needs.
Hello Eco is the first franchise format business that educates other businesses on how to connect business with the environment. This is an experienced executive team teaching you how to offer Eco-friendly products and services to customers. A GREEN franchise that will allow you to hit the ground running.
Browse our GREEN franchise category to view profiles of about 20 Eco-friendly franchise opportunities.
December 8, 2011
"Outlook for Franchising in 2012"Unfortunately, I haven't seen any real progress with the ability to get franchises funded in the past year. Washington continues to virtually ignore the potential impact a healthy franchising industry can have on the economy and unemployment. Any effort to persuade Washington to "find a way" to assist aspiring entrepreneurs with franchise funding has been ignored.
The banks aren't helping either and with equity in real estate at an all time low, franchise candidates have few options when it comes to getting a franchise business funded.
Some of the more aggressive and creative franchisors unwilling to accept defeat in this area are doing everything they can to assist their candidates. Some have launched there own lending programs while others are aggressively helping franchisee candidates in the SBA loan process. Believe it or not, they are having some success in this area.
On a positive note, some franchise systems are having success in the current environment. Low cost franchises particularly in the home services franchise arena and/or franchise opportunities that will allow you to work from home are expanding. Essentially then, franchises that make self funding more palatable are expanding their franchise unit base.
For the most part, the growth in franchising in 2012, will depend on the economy, banking, tax reform, real estate, and health-care reform. We'll need to see improvement in all of these areas to see franchising benefit.
It is an election year and, as in the past, there will be an effort from the current administration to work harder to show progress in all of these areas. There will certainly be a high awareness to all of the issues which may in the end bring about a better franchising outlook for 2012 and beyond.
March 11, 2011
"Baby Boomers May be Facing Retirement
but Many See It As Reengagement"Let's face it, most baby boomers haven't saved enough for what now appears to be a lengthy retirement. Especially, after experiencing one of the worst economic downturns in America's history. The 401k you worked so hard to fund and the home equity you counted on, may no longer provide the peace of mind you were looking for.
Further, technology is enabling us to all live longer and healthier. Advances in pharmaceuticals, anti-aging therapies, organ clones using advanced stem cell technology, and medical technology are fueling a longevity revolution. In fact, right now, there are hundreds of drugs that have endured years of FDA testing about to be released and many with an intent to resist the aging process.
Is 65 the new 45? That may be a bit of a reach, but, there is no question, many retiring baby boomers will reengage into the workforce and many of them will want to participate in the purchase of a small business or franchise. A large contingent of these people will have money to spend and, it goes without saying, the group will be huge.
Just the other day, I got a call from a recent retiree. He asked me to recommend a franchise or a small business he could operate from his home or from his sail boat. He said, he wasn't interested in a job or a commitment that would require him to be available 10 or so hours a day or even 5 days a week. He wanted something flexible and he wanted to have an opportunity to supplement his retirement.
At America's Best Franchises, we make an effort to be anticipatory in our thinking. That said, we are creating a franchise category specifically designed to feature franchise opportunities that cater to the baby boomer, recently retired, looking for a franchise or small business to operate from home or that may require only a computer and a telephone.
Most of the franchises will be low cost and low overhead and require some computer expertise, marketing skills and the ability to run and operate a business while building relationships on the telephone.
We see franchising as, perhaps, the very best fit for new retirees to reengage into the work force. Less risk than starting a business from scratch, proven business models and a variety of franchise choices to meet the needs of the baby boomer entrepreneur.
January 4, 2011
"There's the Rub"
LaVida Massage gets its name from a Spanish phrase meaning "The Life", but according to company Founder John Hoose, LaVida's massage, health and wellness offerings constitute more of a lifestyle.
"We want to provide our clients with an opportunity to experience something different from what is all too often a pricey and - for many - intimidating massage experience", explains Hoose. "What we have done is to consciously move in a direction that makes massage, health and well-being more accessible; and our business decisions, from locations, to price point to spa decor, to operating hours, reflect that strategy."
It is a strategy that has paid off so far for LaVida. What began just three years ago with a founding location in Brighton, Michigan has rapidly expanded into a burgeoning national presence. The massage, health and wellness franchise has established several locations around the country and has dozens more on the way in states like Michigan, North Carolina, Louisiana, Arkansas, California, Arizona and New York. Inspired by overall growth in the health and wellness sector, Hoose saw an opportunity to expand upon the traditional health and wellness concepts developing something that was both healthy and enjoyable.
"We were intrigued with health and wellness and enticed by the growth potential we saw within the industry," says Hoose. "But what really got us excited was the opportunity we saw that existed to create an entirely new massage/spa concept."
LaVida was subsequently developed, explains Hoose, as a massage and wellness option for the "everyman" The franchise was designed to break down traditional barriers and transform what some may perceive as a frivolous, pricey or even exotic indulgence into not just a comfortable and appealing experience, but an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle. To accomplish that goal, LaVida has modified or abandoned many spa standbys and started from scratch. In contrast to many existing massage providers, which often have one or two rooms and tend to have more of a beauty, spa or nail salon focus, LaVida locations typically feature 8 massage rooms and what Hoose describes as "gender-neutral" decor and color scheme. While LaVida provides two "aesthetic rooms" for various aesthetic services with a focus on skin rejuvenation, the firm's straightforward no-nonsense approach to massage therapy is intended to tap into what LaVida sees as a largely untapped market: men.
"Men have not traditionally made up a large portion of therapeutic massage clientele, but we hope to change that. Ultimately, we want to provide an option for everyone; to help people recognize that massage can and should be an important part of a regular wellness routine. We want to help folks realize that massage can be more than just a once-a-year luxury, it can be an affordable and indispensable part of a regular health and wellness-oriented lifestyle."
To that end, LaVida has made a conscious effort to set high standards for service and convenience by being both more accessible and more affordable than the competition. A reasonable price point, with an hour-long massage session costing anywhere from $40-50, is intended to be a significant draw, and LaVida also provides proprietary user-friendly online scheduling software for guests to book appointments 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Along with flexible hours, (8:00 am to 9:00 pm seven-days-a-week) and accessible locations (the average LaVida location is only 2400 square feet and the company targets strip-center locations with high visibility and heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic), the LaVida franchise seems to be making good on its vow to make getting a massage an easier and more accessible process.
The business franchise has embraced and refined a business model that, while not "recession proof", certainly seems to have held up well despite recent economic turmoil. LaVida has continued to expand at an eye-opening pace, with a growth rate that exceeds 200% in the last year alone.
The key to that resilience?
While Hoose continues to emphasize the key points that he feels distinguish LaVida Massage in the marketplace, the firm’s low price point, quality locations (according to Hoose, more than 50% of LaVida clients are the direct result of drive-by or walk-by business), gender neutral curb appeal that expands the pool of potential clients, and flexible, 7-days-a-week business hours, he attributes the concept’s success to something more fundamental.
"The service industry," explains Hoose. "We are in the service industry, we have a business model with low overhead, minimal inventory, operational efficiency and a point-of-service payment structure, and all of that is very appealing both to landlords and to potential franchisees."
An increasing prevalence of similar service-based models with low overhead is a trend Hoose thinks is likely to continue.
"Developers like this model because they see it as a draw - something that is a little different and appealing and on the way up - and it's not only a popular concept, but one that makes sense financially."
To encourage franchisee participation, LaVida provides what is a holistic solution for interested franchisees: in-house experts and existing relationships with builders, architects, designers and leasing agents are made available to help guide franchisees through the process. The goal, says Hoose, is to help prospective franchisees to open their doors with a minimum amount of difficulty and a relatively modest initial investment, all within 60 days or so after lease signing. A sophisticated user-friendly online owner interface allows even absent or non-premises owners to see every up-to-the-minute detail about their operation in real time.
What does the future hold for LaVida Massage Franchise? Going forward, Hoose says that the company plans to continue to add additional franchise and sales support personnel to keep up with growth, and to continue to expand organically, as long as the market supports it. Most important of all, says Hoose, is that LaVida remain true to its founding principles: "accessible, efficient, affordable, and convenient massage facilities with something for everyone."
"We aim to continue to do our part to help transform the idea of massage from a luxury to a health and wellness necessity; helping our clients learn firsthand that in an increasingly stressful and hectic world, regular therapeutic massage is a vital investment in their own mental and physical well-being."
July 26, 2010
"Where to Turn for Franchise Advice"
Deciding what kind of business or franchise to open is only one part of the equation towards becoming a successful entrepreneur. It stands to reason that one of the most important steps that anyone can take is to acquire the advice of experienced businesspeople and get their take on your potential course of action. Now it should be a given that you don't necessarily have to follow their advice, but is certainly a good idea to listen, as you very well might gain new and valuable insights. Of course, where to turn to for that advice is a big question.
There are lots of businesses and franchises that one can theoretically open, and it is obviously impossible for anyone to know everything about all the business opportunities that currently exist. Long ago, for most people, business opportunities were relegated to a handful of options such as farming or blacksmith, for example. Luckily, there are a few more options in today's world.
All of this complexity does translate to the fact that most savvy business people will not know the specifics of the different businesses or franchises that you are considering. However, that is not really the point of seeking out their council. The point of working with and consulting a seasoned business pro is to take their years of experience and know how and see where it can apply to your specific situation. Their general knowledge of business could prove to be even more valuable than specific knowledge of the type of business you are interested in opening.
Of course, the best of both worlds is to find a consultant or consultants who know both business, in general, and the businesses you are considering specifically. Just don't necessarily plan on getting all of your advice from a single person!
America's Best Franchises features some of the top franchise consulting firms in the industry. Franchise consulting networks not only provide expert consultations when it comes to buying a franchise but most also offer a franchise opporltunity as well. A few of the franchise consulting networks featured here are: Franchise Alliance franchise consulting and MatchPoint Franchise Consulting.
Further, one of the best options for finding good business and franchise advice is from your immediate group of friends and family. However, a word of caution is in order. Going to your friends and family for advice on franchises or businesses comes with a certain degree of risk. Your friends and family, because they are so close to you, may very well have trouble seeing your situation as objectively as they should. Any advice that you receive from them should factor this in.
A paid business consultant, an accountant or lawyer is another place to turn for advice. There is much you can learn from these professionals, especially if you hire the right business consultant. Hiring the right business consultant may very well mean researching and seeking out an individual who knows the industry or industries that you are considering working in and the "tricks of the trade."
Ultimately, you are the one who is opening a business and considering the different franchise opportunities. It will be your money and your labor on the line, and that means at the end of the day the final decision must be yours. Just make sure that you are comfortable with that decision.
May 25, 2010
"LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION"
Now you may think this will be an article on the exact geographic location in which you should open a franchise, but that isn't exactly the focus. With that stated, there is no doubt that some areas will be better than others, due to differences in regional economies. However, our focus for this article will be elsewhere, namely the importance of knowing the area in which you are considering placing a franchise.
Franchising is a complex process and it takes a good deal of work. The idea that you simply buy a franchise, some goods are delivered and you set about making money is usually not a reality. If you want your franchise to be successful, then you will want to consider the decision from a variety of angles and perspectives. Successful franchising means doing your homework before you buy a franchise. It is important that you understand what it is you are getting into.
Part of doing your homework is to know the area in which your franchise will operate. This is more complicated than it may sound as it encompasses a wide-variety of variables. With some franchising opportunities, location and region may not be a factor. However, with other franchising opportunities the options as to where you can place your franchise may be limited. Franchising varies greatly. As a result, different franchises will be impacted differently by location choice.
Knowing your prospective franchising area means that you understand your local competition. It also means knowing the proximity of that competition and the business model you'll be competing with. In other words, KNOW YOUR COMPETITION! This aspect of franchising should not be overlooked. For example, if you enter into a market or area that is already overserviced with competitors, then you have made your job far more difficult than it needs to be. Typically, over saturating a market is a bad idea and should be avoided.
Evaluating the geographic area that your franchise would be theoretically located in is, of course, also a must. This is true for reasons beyond just competition. You need to know that you will have enough customers to draw upon. Having a customer shortage could very easily translate into having to find a new line of work. Carefully evaluating such factors as population density is key. This stage of the game also includes accessing how many people will have access to your franchise and how best to reach the local population that you will be serving.
If you conclude that you will either not have enough potential customers or the right kind of customers, then you may need to consider a different location. This issue underscores the importance of knowing the demographics for the region that you are considering servicing with your franchise.
Clearly, there are numerous variables that go into selecting not just a franchise, but where you will place a franchise as well. Franchising can be much like real estate in that location can have a huge impact on your success. While this isn't always the case, it no doubt can be true with some franchises.
May 16, 2010
"What are the Best Ways to Do
Research Before Buying a Franchise"
Buying a franchise gives you an opportunity to invest in an idea that has already been a proven winner. In this regard, buying a franchise is much like investing in a top performing stock that has continuously held its value for decades. A successful franchise, with a proven record of success, is a marvelous thing indeed. It could serve as a world-class shortcut toward creating that successful business that you want.
Of course, buying a franchise is a big decision. In fact, it is one of the single largest decisions that you are ever likely to make. More than likely, you already know that many businesses do in fact fail each and every year. A major reason for that failure is that individuals did not understand what it was that they were getting into. Specifically in regards to franchising, this often means that individuals did not know enough the franchise when they signed on.
It can be argued that one of the single most important aspects of any venture is preparation and information. And this, of course, holds true for buying a franchise business. When you are considering a franchise, you absolutely want to do your homework. Now, it is vital that you understand what that means.
Doing your homework before buying a franchise means more than reading the brochure about the franchise. Remember that is a sales brochure. What you need to do is study the franchise opportunities in a different light. You will want to investigate key facts, such as how many of other franchises are there for a specific city or region. Would you be the first franchise, for example? That is a key piece of information.
Knowing what the success rate is for a franchise is also important. What are the average revenues per franchisee? You get the idea. Digging around and finding out as much as possible is obviously the best place to start.
Another place to start is, if applicable, visiting other existing franchises and checking out how they operate. If possible, try and arrange a meeting with the owners and get their feedback as to how good of a franchise opportunity it is. Likewise, it is in your best interest to visit many franchises if possible and gather a wealth of feedback and information.
Once you have gathered first hand information on a given franchise, you will likely have new questions that you will want to ask of the franchisor. If you feel that you are not being given straight answers, you might want to look elsewhere.
The real key here is to keep your brain on and think. Buying a franchise can be seductive, especially with the larger brand names. You owe it to yourself to carefully think through every aspect of the process. One good rule is to try and think of questions that you might later wish you had asked.
May 3, 2010
"The Value of a Coffee Franchise"
Finding a franchise idea that meets with your specific needs is clearly a major part of the process. At some point, cost will be a factor for almost any franchise owner. As a result, you may find that you are considering a low cost franchise. This may mean that you have fewer options, but you can still have a top-notch franchising experience and make money in the process.
When you are thinking about low cost franchises, you may very well be tempted to look into coffee franchises. This is a logical move as a coffee franchise has quite a few pluses in its favor. Let's take a moment and look at four major advantages of a coffee franchise.
1. Coffee is popular
Besides often being inexpensive, coffee benefits from the fact that it is one of the most widely used food and drinks on the planet. Most people, in fact, drink coffee. That means that most people are your potential customers.
2. Everyone is familiar with coffee
Some franchise opportunities involve products or services that people are unfamiliar with. This is not to state that these ideas are not interesting and potentially lucrative, however, such ideas do require that you educate your consumer. With a coffee franchise, this factor will be greatly reduced.
People know and understand coffee. Even if you have exotic drinks that they have never tried before, at the end of the day they know that it's a modified form of a cup of coffee.
3. People can afford coffee
The familiarity of coffee coupled with its various pricing options means that it is a simple treat that almost anyone can enjoy. Your establishment will be in everyone's price range. People will be drawn to a coffee shop due to the fact that it is easy to understand and they are already familiar with the product. In fact, for many, the novelty of a new coffee shop, whether it is a franchise business they are familiar with or something totally new, is a positive factor.
4. Take advantage of coffee "junkies"
Commonly, people will visit a new coffee establishment simply because they are coffee junkies that must try out every new option. Thus, if you carefully chose your coffee franchise on the basis of quality of product, you may find that you will instantly be rewarded with a respectable client base. This idea combines nicely with the fact that a coffee shop can be a low cost franchise. When all the variables are factored in the coffee shop has some real potential for those interested in franchising.
Low cost franchises that also appeal to almost every consumer instantly get to move to the head of the class. Not all franchising opportunities enjoy the broad appeal of the coffee franchise. Due to this broad range of appeal, you will find that a coffee franchise may make a great deal of sense. It may be a perfect match for your needs, especially if you are looking for low cost franchises.
April 26, 2010
"Considering a Home Based Business?"
It goes without saying that a home based business is a business or franchise venture that you can operate from a home based location. Don't be fooled though. A home based business doesn't necessarily mean you have to spend the bulk of your time inside your home. A home based business can fall into many categories that may include:
- Consultants who manage their business from home but spend most of their time at their prospective clients locations. Franchises offering home based consulting franchise opportunities would include: Franchise Alliance, MatchPoint franchise consulting, AdviCoach to name a few.
- Home services franchises that operate from mobile vans and trucks but run their business from home. Franchises like Budget Blinds, Decor&You, Oxymagic Carpet Cleaning and Energy Doctor are a few that fall into that category.
- The Internet has become a huge market place, and the recent explosion in online retailing and e-commerce prove it. Armed with only a computer and an Internet connection, you can start your own, home based, online business and allow it to grow at your own pace. You don't even have to quit your job to start your own home-based business.
So what e-business can you start? Whether it's an eBay home-based business, electronics, fragrances, sports equipment, or supplies for pets you ultimately can earn enough to quit your day job. The main determination is the investment necessary to build an inventory or purchase a license. Start small and allow your home-based business to unfold comfortably.
So, regardless of your skill set, they're a number of franchise businesses available that will allow you to add earnings to your household income stream.
Is a Home-Based Business for You?
For many people, working from home has long been seen as the sole domain of freelancers who many think get out of bed when they want to, start work and stop work when they want to and generally come and go as they please. For some that may be true, but more often than not it is exactly the opposite. Working from home requires discipline to stay at it when other temptations abound. You'll find that if you have passion for your home-based business, you'll work many more hours than you did in corporate America.
How Much Money is Needed to Start a Business?
For the most part, the answer is not a lot. It just depends on the home-based business you choose. If you decide you want to run a Vending Business, it will require about $3,000 in start-up costs. You could choose to purchase a Travel Franchise and work at home for between $9,000 and 30,000. You could start your own online home town community newspaper for about $20,000. Even a children's franchise for under $20,000.
The home based busness market is there for the taking. Consider your options and what you would like to do every day. You can add income to your household and enjoy what your doing at the same time.
April 20, 2010
"Avoid Making Mistakes When Setting Up Your First Franchise"If you're like me, the last thing you want to do is make a mistake or two when you enter into a new venture. If your thinking about buying a franchise you're aware it's a huge comittment personally and financially and, just like any other business, you want to avoid making any unnecessary mistakes.
In my experience, there are a number of common mistakes an aspiring entrepreneur will make when setting up their first franchise business. While they may seem predictable, we see them happen all the time. So, think twice before:
- Getting into a franchise you can't afford. Establish a business plan, develop a budget that includes at least 6 months working capital that will include both operational and advertising expenses. Positive cash flow from any business whether a retail franchise or home based business doesn't come over night. Be prepared to dip into your savings until your business gets into the red.
- Underestimate the amount of time required to operate your franchise business. In the early going, plan on working long hours with little or no time off. Prepare your family and even solicit their help.
- Think you can sit back and wait for business to come to you. Regardless of the business, you need to be proactive with marketing your product or services. From the very beginning establish a professional set of ethics to run your business by. Inspire your employees, provide stellar customer service to your customers and build strong relationships with your vendors. Run your franchise on budget and get your staff to buy into your vision.
- Staff your franchise without assistance from the franchisor. If you've never ran a business before hiring and firing personnel will be one of the most stressful things you do. Look to your franchisor for assistance in this area. Get help with staffing during the busy seasons.
- Paying your initial employees too much. Again, look to your franchisor to help with wages and salaries in your area.
- Trying to be everyone's best friend. This is a natural tendency for a new franchise owner to get too close to the people they're working with. Remember, it is your responsibility to motivate, to delegate, to guide and inspire your employees. You may even have to fire someone which is twice as difficult if they're your best friend.
Above all, think twice before making any important decision about your franchise business. Get help from others you know who have walked this path before and always use the franchisor for knowledge and advice when operating your franchise in your community.
April 14, 2010
"Small Business Hurt by Decline in Real Estate Market"Small business franchises no longer can rely on home equity or commercial equity to help fund a franchise business. Homes and business properties have long been a source for funds, or collateral when buying a business.
Unfortunately, home equity loans and lines of credit are determined by the appraised value of a home, minus the mortgage, and are not issued on the basis of credit history or credit scores. William Dennis Jr., a senior research fellow at the National Federation of Independent Business in Washington, thinks it will be a long time before real estate becomes a reliable funding source again. Part of the problem, he says, is the inability to define what is normal, given the surge in property values that happened for years leading up to the meltdown. In August 2007, the Discover Small Business Watch survey showed that 30% of respondents tapped home loans for small business funding. Retuning to similar levels in the near term is unlikely.
Homeowners interested in tapping their home equity to fund a new franchise are finding the loan to value ratios have dropped considerably. As a result, aspiring entrepreneurs are having to adjust their capital to invest parameters and look for franchises requiring less capital.
If you are interested in buying a franchise and don't want to wait until the credit markets return to previous levels, simply adjust your investment parameters. Consider a low cost franchise opportunity that you can build over time. Start small and evolve your business until financing becomes more available. Remember, there's no guarantee when the financing market will turn around. Make sure you have enough working capital to operate your business and live your life.
April 13, 2010
"A MARVELOUS CATEGORY OF FRANCHISE BUSINESSES:
HOME-BASED, EXECUTIVE-STYLED, PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP"- Are you a "people person"?
- Do you have leadership skills?
- Do you have management experience?
- Can you lead a team of sales-oriented professionals?
- Are you looking for a business that gives you flexibility in your life?
- Can you learn and implement a proven marketing plan in your local area?
- Do you like the idea of building a business from your home-based office?
- Are you seeking low-investment franchises with notable earning potential?
If you answered "Yes" to at least 50% of the above 8 questions, you should read on.
BACKGROUND
During the 1990's, the U.S. franchise industry notably expanded its offerings within a unique business format, i.e., the home-based business. These businesses are designed to give a person the opportunity to build a notable income and yet have the flexibility to blend their personal/family lives with their professional/business career. AND, the cost of purchasing and building a business with this format is relatively low, because they do not require the acquisition, build out, and maintenance of a fixed location outside the home or the purchase of specialized equipment for that location.
The public's response to this business format has been tremendous. Men and women alike seek this type of business format in droves. Why? There are two primary reasons:
1. Corporations lost their reliability as job havens for professionals, managers, and executives
The "corporate job" approach to providing an income to support a family has become less and less reliable. Large corporations continue to merge, cut costs, and lay off long-term employees with years of management experience. Small companies face stiffer price competition from the big companies; hence, they continue to lay off mid-level managers.
In addition, the "technology bubble" that defied all common sense of sound business principles finally burst. Initially the "tech sector" provided an abundance of management positions. When the "bubble" burst, a lot of the tech industry collapsed and millions of workers have been laid off, creating a huge pool of experienced managers who are seeking "alternative income sources".
2. Millions of Workers Seek Personal Flexibility as well as Income
Throughout the 1990s, many workers decided that 40-60 hour work weeks, often heavily laden with travel requirements, was not helping them build great personal and family lives. The majority of American families have become two-income households with children, a situation that is not often conducive to happy home lives.
Men, as well as, women began readjusting their priorities to include more personal time in their lives. Unfortunately the uncertainties of corporate employment (as described above) were putting more and more pressure on employees, especially those in management and executive positions, to work longer and longer hours, sometimes at reduced pay levels.
AND, home-based businesses are great opportunities for families to build a business - and equity -together.
Finally, the aftermath of September 11th created even greater voids in the manager/executive levels of employment in corporate America. More and more workers sought local income-generating opportunities that allowed them to "stay home" and not travel as much.
All of these trends combined to cause many male and female employees of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels to seek a business of their own that could be built successfully to generate notable incomes from a home office.
THE EMERGENCE OF REAL HOME-BASED FRANCHISED BUSINESS
Prior to the 1990's, many home-based businesses were primarily part-time, relatively low-income producing, product-oriented sales positions. The OLD image of the home-based business was not attractive to executive type professionals.
During the past decade, however, the U.S. franchise industry has changed all of that. Intelligent entrepreneurs evaluated several facets of the U.S. business sector and identified many, many new business opportunities that have been created by the events described above.
Today literally tens of thousands of individuals and their families generate very respectable incomes by providing services and products to both businesses and homeowners. These opportunities have been created by several events within the business sector of our economy, including the downsizing of large corporate staffs, the emergence of personal and business technologies, loss of oversight functions within corporations, etc.
In short, today outstanding franchise companies are offering brilliant home-based business opportunities, many of which did not exist a decade ago.
HOME-BASED BUSINESS FORMATS: LOW-COST, PRODUCTIVE INCOMES, AND FLEXIBLE LIFESTYLES
Remember the old adage; "It takes money to make money"? The good news is this: "It ain't necessarily so!"
These home-based, service-oriented franchises can be purchased by qualified applicants for about the price of an automobile. Some are Chevy's and some are Lexus's, but none of them are priced like a Rolls Royce. In addition, most of them do NOT require huge outlays of cash to build them, although a few of these companies do have notable working capital requirements.
And yet, a home based business provide a person who has 1) the right skill set and 2) the right attitude with an opportunity to generate an income that meets or exceeds the salary level of many corporate management jobs in America today.
And, these business owners enjoy the flexibility they desire to spend more time with their families.
by Mick Riddiough
Senior Vice President Worldwide Development
Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
August 20, 2007
"Hot Deals for Cool Heads"
WHEW! Is it hot out there or is it just business at America's Best Franchises?!?!?
As parts of the country are experiencing record-breaking temps that haven't been felt in decades, we at America's Best Franchises are hot to trot to bring you the deals of the century. Some of these opportunities are smokin' hot! So while global warming is alive and well (whether or not we will be is anybody's guess...), we're unfaltering in our commitment to exposing you to some of the hottest venture prospects you can get your hot little hands on.
On Summer days and nights like this, there are two things you can count on people to enjoy: air conditioned comfort; and cold, sweet treats to cool off the tongue and tummy and help them forget about the heat. And we've got a ton of enticing businesses for you and your associates and investors to check out.
Take, for example, the frozen desserts industry: We've got everything from Ritter's Frozen Custard, featuring premium ice cream and frozen yogurt, to Annie's Ice Cream to Angel's Ice Cream to All American Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt (deli, ice cream, and specialty coffee all under one roof), as well as Blue Chip Cookies and ice cream cafes, Maui Wowi Coffee & Smoothies, Sonoma Coffee Cafe (coffees, teas, smoothies, cocoas, and frozen coffee drinks) and even Booster Juice for the health-minded alternative crowd.
There's nothing more intoxicatingly refreshing and fun than a visit to one of these cafes or roadside refreshment stands - a far cry from the little lemonade stands of yesteryear and yet dripping with the nostalgia of the same flavor, the flavor of free enterprise and the entrepreneurial spirit at its tastiest. While Mother Nature's heating it up, people are eating it up!
And then, for fun in the sun and to work off all that fun for the tongue, check out a different kind of frozen - Frozen Ropes, the most recognized name in baseball and softball instruction, and the only sports franchise to have Major League teams as clients. Or there's always the ever-growing fitness industry - everything from Liberty Fitness Women's Health Club, ShapeXpress, Contours Express, and Inches-A-Weigh, all designed by and for women, to Personal Training Institute to Snap Fitness 24-7. One thing's for sure: Americans love to eat. And while our waistlines are growing, so are the industries designed to keep them from growing out of control.
Whatever floats your boat - an ice cream float or a rowboat - I know you'll find it by taking a few minutes to do a few keyword or topic searches here at America's Number One source and resource for the hungry entrepreneur. Did someone say "hungry"? All this talk of ice cream and smoothies has me drooling! See ya at the gym! (And don't forget your Brazilian Springs Bottled Water!) - Bill
July 12, 2007
"A Little "Me Time"
Hey, remember me? Sorry I haven't posted in a few months. I know: It says "About Two or Three Times a Week" in the header. Can't do it that often anymore. It's been WILD! Tell you what: I promise I'll be posting at least once a month, how's that? I want to keep you guys informed and up-to-speed, but hey: It's comin' in the door at lightspeed!
Business here at America's Best Franchises is crazy, which is great for everybody on all sides of the equation and the equator, naturally. I've been really focused on researching as much as I can to find the best ways to help facilitate your search for a franchise business. And lately it's been so fast and furious that I haven't taken out hardly any time for myself to just unwind - a common problem among those driven to make a livin'. So what I realized was the fact that I needed some down time - a little "me time," if you'll pardon the pop parlance.
That's when I started thinking about stay-at-home moms and other super-busy individuals who want to explore a new enterprise or venture but don't have a whole lot of extra time on their hands. Or, like the moms, they have other commitments that demand their time and energy. And we've got just the thing for busy people requiring a flexible schedule.
There are many franchise opportunities that accommodate these lifestyle needs. For example: specialized child learning programs. Franchise Programs- like Young Rembrandts, Club Z! In-Home Tutoring, COMPUTERTOTS/COMPUTER EXPLORERS, and many others - have caught on like wildfire with semi-retired moms, childcare veterans, teachers, and anyone else who loves working with kids and enriching their experience of life through education, role-modeling, and fun activities. Or another category: Computer and Internet franchises. These range from something hands-on like inkjet cartridge refill services -for example, Cartridge Depot or Rapid Refill - to something more informational, educational, and advisory like the Global Abundance Program or a business service like CM IT Solutions ("Your Technology Team"). Or how about Caregiving? Take a look at companies like For Mommy's Helper, HomeStyle Services, Accessible Home Health Care or The Hungry Heart - franchise opportunities that give you the opportunity to give to others, and reward yourself at the same time.
Whichever opportunities you look into, you can't go wrong as long as you follow your gut instincts. By all means, do the necessary head work - due diligence, budgetary calculations, financing options, marketplace support, etc. But at the end of the day, you've got to follow what's in your heart, or else it'll be just another j-o-b.
March 28, 2007
Surviving - and Succeeding at - "The Long Haul"
By Bill Bradley
America's Best Franchises Founder/CEO
The first five years are the toughest. You've heard it. Hangin in there for the long haul - and doing it with confidence, strength, positivity, determination, and commitment - is the staying power that separates the veterans from the rookies. There's no shame in trying something and failing; every great success story has failed many times over in their life. In the words of Thomas Edison, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." He tried 999 ways to invent the light bulb, was about to give up - and succeeded on his 1000th attempt. It's what you do in the face of the failure that counts. Do you get back up on the horse and ride again, or let the trail dust choke you into giving up? Those with staying power survive the long haul and reach that state of fulfillment where they reap the rewards of their blood, sweat, and tears.
So here are some strategies for staying the course through the hurdles:
- Plan, plan, plan. From financials to operations to employee relations, have structures, systems, and plans in place to make every aspect of your company run smoothly. "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
- Communication. 90% of true communication is listening. Listen to your employees, assistants, customers, competitors, strangers. The other 10% is stating your message clearly, concisely, and powerfully.
- Be your word. Do what you say you'll do when you say you'll do it. Respect and honor deadlines, promises, and commitments.
- Accountability. Have someone who "holds your feet to the fire" - so that when you say you're going to do something, you can't get off the hook.
- Support. Make sure that you and everyone in your organization have it.
- Acknowledgment. Recognize and reward the efforts of everyone in the company - including yourself! A little acknowledgment goes a long way.
- Solidarity. Encourage collaboration and cooperation as opposed to showing-off and competition. Emphasize company unity and teamwork.
- Training and development. Have ongoing programs in place for you and your staff to continually enhance and refine knowledge and skills.
- Be committed and unstoppable, but unattached. See the goal, go for it 100%, overcome all obstacles - and don't be attached to the outcome.
- Handle breakdowns powerfully. When breakdowns occur - and they inevitably will - handle them with calm, centered, detached focus.
Use these strategies to build and maintain a long, healthy roadmap on the path to success. And in the simple but powerful words of the great Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never give up."
March 28, 2007
Choosing the Franchise That's Right for You
By Bill Bradley
America's Best Franchises Founder/CEO
One thing we pride ourselves on most at America's Best Franchises is in living up to our name and delivering just that - the best of the best. We interview the company's rep's thoroughly to find out what they offer, how they're set up, and all the details of the opportunity. We don't waste your time with companies that haven't proven themselves to be strong, growing, expanding franchises. And we want you to be able to make an informed, carefully considered decision.
Here are a few things to consider when looking at franchises to choose from:
- Passion. Is this an industry you're passionate or at least excited about?
- Lifeplan. Have you listed your goals, dreams, and ambitions in a clear, organized list, along with the action steps necessary to get there? (Here's a hint: Start with 10 years from now and work backwards in incremental milestones - 7, 5, 3, and 1. Incorporate your vision and mission.)
- Finances. Do you have enough investment and operating capital to realistically finance it, or have you looked into financing options?
- Due diligence. Have you interviewed successful people in this industry? Have you talked with both invested and impartial players?
- Market support. Can you see a hungry, under served market for this business in the area where you're thinking about locating it? (Basic supply/demand formula: Where there's a need, there's a way to fill it.)
Also, marshall up all available resources that can help you make a choice. A company whose priceless services we feature 24/7 is FranChoice, because we fully respect and appreciate what a powerful resource they are. For the outrageous, "priceless" sum of FREE, they will consult with you in picking your franchise.
Their experts concentrate on understanding your business needs and goals as a franchise owner. They've researched thousands of companies and recommend only those that are a perfect match to your goals. With a combined 2,300 years of experience as owners and franchisors, their consultants cannot become a FranChoice consultant by paying a fee; they must be a proven franchise expert. Their free consulting process saves you time and money in your search and gives you the tools to make the right choices for you and your family.
March 20, 2007
Franchises Touch Our Lives Everyday
It has been a while since I contributed to my blog and, if you are a follower at all, I apologize for that. The last several months at America's Best Franchises have been very busy as you may have noticed by the addition of many new advertisers on the site for your to review and research.
I have found that several of the new franchise opportunities are in one way or another involved in my life. I like it when either myself or my family can personally experience the services provided by franchises that we are introducing to you.
We have recently added a Food - Meal Assembly Category. It has become a very popular industry as it has become more difficult for working parents to find time to make healthy meals for their families when they get home from work. While I am not raising a family, I still find myself struggling to cook healthy meals for myself after a long work day. I have hired chefs to deliver meals to me and I have actually employed a chef to cook in my home every day.
Truthfully, I had a hard time with the in-house chef because she was occupying my space daily...I have been single a lot of years. The food delivery idea is not bad but if the food has to be shipped from afar, it becomes a difficult preparation issue. Food boiled in plastic bags and/or microwaved just doesn't feel like a home-cooked meal.
I recently tried a meal preparation franchise here in the Denver area and, you know what, I love it. As I write I have corned beef and cabbage slow cooking in the crock pot that I will have for dinner some 7 hours from now. Now, that feels like a home cooked meal.
I had a very nice conversation with the local franchisee and she and her daughter are very excited about their thriving meal preparation franchise. She said lots of singles use her services along with couples wanting to learn new recipes and she hosts several cooking parties every week. She just loves it and so do I.
We also added a Children's Education and Tutoring Category recently. It goes without saying that today's parents are all about specialized education for their children. I was having dinner with my son and daughter-in-law Saturday evening and they shared with me that my grandsons are both enrolled at The Little Gym. They raved about the motor skills the boys are learning with full knowledge that without specialized children's education and tutoring franchises the opportunity would not exist.
I am so impressed with the fact that children have so many learning options. Everything from enhancing a child's knowledge and learning skills, to technology workshops, drama, learning and creativity with art franchises, and education through dance. I assure you I never had the opportunity to experience specialized knowledge like this but I sure wish I had. You talk about a well-rounded education.
If you want to make a difference in peoples lives, whether for adults or children, you may want to check out both of these top franchise categories.
January 15, 2007
Franchising - Building the Future Together
By Bill Bradley
America's Best Franchises Founder/CEO
The theme for the International Franchise Association's 47th Annual Convention is "Franchising - Building the Future Together. This years venue is at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on February 24 - 27th. I will be attending and will keep you posted as the event unfolds.
The convention is the premier event in franchising because it offers "educational super sessions" and an opportunity to network with 100's of franchise executives in virtually every franchise industry.
The schedule of events is vast and broad based with a particular emphasis on the changing world of franchise development. What is the most effective way to grow your business? A panel of pros including Steve Greenbaum, President & CEO, PostNet International, Ray Titus, President, Sign*A*Rama, Inc., Jeff Elgin, CEO, Capistar Franchise Holdings, Inc. and Marc Kiekenapp, Managing Partner, Franchise Outsource, will discuss traditional franchise development methods, referral networks, franchise brokers, and outsource sales departments. They'll also discuss insights on how technology has changed the way the franchise industry deals with would be entrepreneurs. This should be interesting. I will be sure to share with you the latest in technology trends and how it relates to you.
The franchise industry clearly wants to improve the success rate of franchisees. They're looking for qualified candidates to partner with that appear to be a good match for their prospective industry. Choosing the right franchise for YOU is critically important to your success. We will continue to provide expert opinions on the subject and do whatever we can to assist you with your decision.
I am enthusiastic about 2007 and about the growth in the franchise industry. We will continue to feature the latest in franchise and business opportunity models for your review and we'll provide educational tools for you to help make a smart franchise choice.
Posted by Editor at 2:38 PM
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