Franchise BriefsThe franchise universe offers a variety of franchise opportunities in a myriad of franchise categories encompassing everything from advertising franchises to home based franchises to women's franchises.
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The Franchise King Blog
Are Franchise Companies Ready For A Growth Spurt?
Months and months of mostly negative discussions about a mostly negative economy have left a lot of us mostly...well...negative. Is there change in the air?
The phone calls and emails that I have been receiving in the last 60 days or so are decidedly different than the ones I had been getting since the middle of last year.
The differences:
- People that are inquiring about franchise ownership are very serious about making a change in their lives. They are not merely "curious" about franchising.
Read More from The Franchise King Blog
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Franchise Industry Profits from Change in Economic
Franchise Industry Profits from Change in Economic Climate -
FranNet highlights the best low-risk franchise segments for
prospective business owners
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Grassroots Newswire) July 1, 2009 – While it may seem risky to open a business in the midst of a recession, one particular industry – franchising – is proving that the self-owned business model is still alive and well. And, for those entrepreneurs ready to experience the excitement of business ownership, opportunities exist in segments where the recession is actually fueling franchise growth.
"No industry is completely recession proof, but we are finding that there are several franchise sectors that are prospering due, in part, to the current state of the economy," said Jania Bailey, president and COO of FranNet. "When financial change occurs, so do consumers' needs and purchasing habits. As a result, a distinct group of businesses are now in higher demand."
Bailey says the following business categories would make particularly wise investments:
- Senior Care Services: According to the Administration on Aging, 37.9 million Americans are currently age 65 or older, and the population is expected to double over the next 30 years. Therefore, Bailey says that the need for elderly caregivers and assisted living businesses will not only remain high but will grow and prosper.
- Technology Solution Services: The influx of people using gadgets to navigate through personal and business affairs will come to depend on tech-savvy individuals for necessary repairs. Accordingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that an increase of more than 800,000 jobs in the Information Technology (IT) sector is expected over the 2006-2016 projections decade.
- Tutoring Services: According to Bailey, educationally-focused franchises are tough to deflate, as people have shown that they will spend on their children – in good times or bad. In addition to tutoring and supplemental educational opportunities, enrichment classes for art, music and sports are likely to continue to be in high demand.
- Home Repair Services: In lieu of purchasing a newer, bigger home, many people are investing in home repairs and renovations. Home repair services also have high value to sellers, who may be looking to revamp their properties before placing them on the market.
About Frannet Franchise Consulting
Thinking about buying a start a business? Looking for a new business opportunity? FranNet points you in the right direction!
What is the right business opportunity for you? You are unique and so should your business plan. The best formula for success is using a proven system like a franchised business instead of a start-up business. A franchised business can be replicated and offer higher growth potential as well. Use a proven process and FranNet experts to:
- Understand the pros and cons of owning a business.
- Achieve goals faster.
- See results faster.
- Control your future and success.
FranNet consultants work individually with clients who are interested in purchasing a franchised business. Consultants use a specific profiling and consultative process to determine a business model unique to each person. This model suggests specific franchises that fit best with each person’s goals, skill sets and interests, both personally and professionally.
Research is the key to any sound decision. So, the research suggestions and techniques – as well as referrals to other industry professionals – round out the services that FranNet consistently provides to each client. We’re with you every step of the way to business ownership! Go to Frannet.com
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Pump It Up inflatable party franchises for kids...
Pump It Up inflatable party franchises for kids names new CEO, Starts 'New Era.'
Kahala Corp's Former COO Lee Knowlton to
Take Pump It Up & BounceU Brands to New Levels
June 29, 2009 - Tempe, AZ, – Staying true to his "get it done, generate results" leadership style, PIU Management's newly appointed President & CEO, Lee Knowlton, has already decided the top item on his proverbial "to-do" list: Increase store sales.
"In a franchise system, when sales are growing and profits are up, everything else falls into place," says Knowlton, the former Chief Operating Officer for Kahala Corp., who oversaw operations for the company's 12 brands and 3,750+ stores.
Calling it a giant step forward in the franchise organization's evolution, PIU Management, LLC, the parent company of Pump It Up and BounceU franchise brands with a total of 220 locations nationwide, appointed Knowlton as its new President and CEO, effective immediately. Knowlton, with more than 18 years of leadership experience in all areas of operations management, oversaw all Domestic and International Operations for Kahala Corp's brands, including Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpie, Taco Time, Samurai Sam's, Surf City Squeeze and Great Steak and Potato.
He also led a Merger Integration Team that brought together Kahala Corp. and Cold Stone Creamery. The experience in working with merging brands will bode well at PIU Management: In July 2008, Pump It Up merged with BounceU to become the single largest multi-brand franchisor in the children's birthday party segment, with combined system-wide revenues projected to top $100 million in 2009.
In addition to generating results for the stakeholders and franchisees of the multi-brand private party chain, Knowlton says the positive reviews that will count the most will be from the more than 10 million children a year who count on Pump It Up and BounceU to provide the ultimate, private party experience – every single time.
"A consistently positive customer experience is the key to the sales growth and success of any consumer business," he said, noting parallels between the food service and entertainment franchise brands he grew throughout his career and his new role at PIU Management, LLC. "At Pump It Up and BounceU, everything we do as a management team will be centered on helping our Franchisees offer customizable, compelling, value-oriented offers. We will focus on providing the proper support to our Franchisees, so they can create positive memories for our guests to ensure they return, thus, increasing sales."
Both Pump It Up and BounceU were created as fun, safe, clean places to hold private parties for birthdays, team, school and other events for toddlers to adults. Trained staff provides guests with supervision, food and beverage set-up, and clean-up services for all parties, which should be booked in advance.
At PIU Management, Knowlton will develop new programs, oversee operations and secure high-level partnerships for the Pump It Up and BounceU brands. He will build on the successes of outgoing CEO Gordon Keil, who was hired in 2006 to transition the company from entrepreneurial to professional management following its acquisition by Tregaron Capital Company LLC, a private investment company. Keil will remain a stakeholder and sit on the company's Board of Advisors.
"Lee has a track record of achieving operational excellence for some of the country's best-known franchise brands," said JR Matthews, Managing Director at Tregaron Capital. "He's more than well equipped to lead Pump It Up and BounceU into the future. Our stakeholders, including the corporate staff, our franchise owners and shareholders, will benefit significantly from his expertise."
About PIU Management, LLC
PIU Management is the parent company of PIU Holdings, LLC and BU Holdings, LLC. Both Pump It Up and BounceU, the nation's leaders in the indoor, inflatable party segment, were created as fun, safe, clean places for children and adults to enjoy. Private parties for birthdays, team, school events, etc. are available to everyone from toddlers to adults and should be reserved in advance. Trained staff provides guests with supervision, food and beverage set-up, and clean-up services, to ensure everyone has fun.
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Express Oil Change Franchise Owner Details the...
Express Oil Change franchise owner details the story of how he started a business after being downsized by my employer.
Concepts are key to launch of business
Hattiesburg American
By Charlie Jackson - May 22, 2009
Last week, I detailed the story of how I started a business after being downsized by my employer. I'll be the first to admit that while the path wasn't always smooth, the end result - becoming the owner of an Express Oil Change & Service Center Franchise - was well worth navigating the rocky terrain.
Now that I've "been there and done that," I feel it's important to share what I've learned with others considering a move in the same direction. Here are a few helpful hints:
Think ahead
Before selecting a concept, I had a clear idea of the schedule I wanted to maintain for myself and my staff. Many concepts required a seven-day-a-week commitment, but Express Oil Change was different. Since all locations are closed on Sundays, it allowed me and my employees a full day to relax, go to church and spend time with our families.
Consult an expert
There are countless concepts out there but only a handful will be a fit for your unique skill set, so meeting with a franchise broker or consultant is an extremely useful tool. Often, the tests they employ to determine possible franchise matches reveal concepts their clients had never considered but would fit perfectly based on past experience.
Use your words
No one is going to know more about the concept you're interested in than those already involved. Therefore, talk with as many people in the organization as possible. Corporate representatives can break down the nuts and bolts of the business with ease; existing franchisees can discuss what it's like to actually own a franchise and what you can expect if you move forward with the concept.
Know wants, needs
Look at the market you're planning to open in and determine if your client base will want and need the products and services you'll be offering.
For example, I found Hattiesburg to be a great fit for my business because residents wanted a reliable, professional place to go for auto maintenance. With the drop-off in new vehicle sales, they also needed to keep their existing cars and trucks in good working order.
Get trained
I was new to the automotive repair industry, but luckily, my company provided an in-depth training program. In fact, the training program is why the company has a 99 percent survival rate of all new-construction stores built over the last 13 years. Even if you have past experience in the field, you may be surprised how much you learn from company training programs and seminars.
About Express Oil Change Franchise
We are the pre-eminent automotive maintenance provider leading our industry through excellence, innovation, and growth.
Request detailed info from Express Oil Change
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Wendy's/ARBY'S Franchises Announces Pricing...
Wendy's/ARBY'S Franchises today announced that its subsidiary, Wendy's International Holdings, LLC (which will be renamed Wendy's/Arby's Restaurants, LLC in connection with this offering), has priced its previously announced offering of senior unsecured notes due 2016 ("Notes").
Atlanta, (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. (NYSE: WEN) today announced that its subsidiary, Wendy's International Holdings, LLC (which will be renamed Wendy's/Arby's Restaurants, LLC in connection with this offering), has priced its previously announced offering of senior unsecured notes due 2016 ("Notes").
The face value of the Notes is $565 million with an interest rate of 10.0%. The Notes were priced at 97.533% of the face value, for gross proceeds of approximately $551 million and representing a yield to maturity of 10.5%.
The Notes are being made available in a private offering that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with closing expected to occur on June 23, 2009, subject to customary closing conditions.
Wendy's/Arby's Restaurants, LLC intends to use the proceeds to optionally prepay approximately $132.5 million in borrowings outstanding under its existing senior secured term loan (and to pay accrued interest with respect to such borrowings), to pay the financing costs and other expenses in connection with the issuance of the Notes, and to make a distribution of the remaining proceeds to Wendy's/Arby's Group.
Wendy's/Arby's Group will use the proceeds of the distribution for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, funding for key strategic growth initiatives, including new unit development, acquisitions of other restaurant companies, repayment or refinancing of indebtedness, and the return of capital to its stockholders, including through stock repurchases and/or dividends.
The Notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and outside the United States only to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S. The Notes will not initially be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from registration requirements or a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act or any state securities laws.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offering, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
There can be no assurances that the Notes offering will close on the terms described herein or at all.
About Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc.
Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the U.S. and includes Wendy's International, Inc., the franchisor of the Wendy's(R) restaurant system, and Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., the franchisor of the Arby's(R) restaurant system. The combined restaurant systems include more than 10,000 restaurants in the United States and 24 countries and territories worldwide.
SOURCE: Wendy's/Arby's Group, Inc.
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Food Franchise Dunkin' Brands CEO Discusses...
Food Franchise, Dunkin' Brands CEO, discusses his vision for growth and the economy with Nation's Restaurant News yesterday.
A Q&A with Dunkin' CEO Nigel Travis
By Elissa Elan
CANTON, Mass. (June 16, 2009) America may run on Dunkin’, but these days Nigel Travis is the man running the company. Five months after leaving Papa John's International Inc. to become president and chief executive at Dunkin’ Brands Inc., Travis said the company's two brands, Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, are well-positioned to grow as the economy recovers. He spoke Tuesday with Nation's Restaurant News about his vision for the company, new trends in the breakfast and snack dayparts, and what he has learned from Dunkin's chairman, Jon Luther.
Read full article
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The IFA urges Congress to provide more access...
The International Franchise Association urged Congress to take additional steps to foster an environment that sustains and creates small businesses. On behalf of IFA, DOC & Associates founder and CEO Lawrence "Doc" Cohen spoke before the House Small Business Committee recommending the federal government promote more lending. "As shown in my experiences and the hundreds of thousands of small franchised business in every local community, lending leads to more sustainable and renewable job growth and economic recovery," Cohen said. Cohen, who is a former IFA chairman and multiunit franchisee of the Great American Cookie Co., offered supporting data from a recent IFA study.
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Franchises Experiencing a Tight Credit Market
Franchises are experiencing a tighter credit market than in past recessions.
Tighter credit makes franchising a harder nut
by Mike Hoban
In past recessions, entrepreneurs could — and often would — turn to tried-and-true franchise concepts to jump-start their dreams, but the tightening of the credit markets has slowed the pace of new franchisee startups and thinned the herds of some established franchisers.
“Historically, franchising as a business model has been extremely resilient to economic slowdowns, which has helped spur the pace of economic recovery,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the International Franchising Association, in a recent press release. “However, the credit crunch is constraining this potential growth and slowing economic recovery.” Read Full Article at the Boston Business Journal
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Franchise Businesses can help lead the recovery...
Franchise businesses can play a siginficant role in the nation's economic recovery, but they will need cooperation from the banks and credit access through an improved lending environment. This according to a resolution passed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors during its 77th annual meeting. The resolution was introduced by the former conference president, Trenton, N.J., Mayor Doug Palmer, who serves as chairman of the Franchise and Small Business Task Force. "The passage of this resolution signifies the commitment of mayors across the country to promote franchise business development in their cities as a way to increase economic development and job creation," IFA President and CEO Matthew Shay said. "We applaud them for their effort." Find the complete resolution at IFA Franchising that was passed during the conference now under way in Providence, R.I.
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Jobless Turn to Franchises for Career Alternatives
Franchises expand in N.J. as jobless look for options. The unemployed are now looking to the franchise sector for alternative career opportunities. Despite the credit driven recession, franchising still remains as one of the bright spots in a down economy. New Jersey Business News...Full Article
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