Francorp - Franchise Business Planning

Franchise Business Plans

Franchising a company is a big decision and a major change in direction for most companies. The good franchise systems are ones that plan appropriately and put together the pieces before they get into this game. As the saying goes, you either “when you fail to plan you are planning to fail”. The same holds true for franchising. Good franchise endeavors have great franchise business plans. So what constitutes a good franchise business plan?
The key ingredients include several pieces, like any good recipe, if some of the ingredients are left out the final product just won’t taste right, which in franchise business planning that means big problems. The franchise business plan sets the stage for a franchise expansion program. It literally acts as the foundation upon which the house will be built. Everything in the franchise program should have uniformity and continuity with what is defined and determined in the franchise business plan.
The franchise business plan should begin with goals and objectives. What is the purpose of franchising? What is the goal for the company and where do you plan on being in five years? These goals will set the standards for the plan and identify how you intend to get there. You then should establish the buyer profile, who will be purchasing these franchises and opening up locations of your operation? The better franchise plans have more specific descriptions. Bad example: “middle aged person with income around $100k”. Good example: Female, ages 35-45, experience with children preferable age ranges between 5-12 years old, married, existing capital of $100k, sales ability, work ethic, married at least 5 years….etc.”. Get specific in the franchise business plan, that means you are honing in on your targets.
We then need to define the business issues of the franchise model. What will a territory look like for the franchisees? We don’t want to overcrowd markets and we also don’t want to give away business. Franchising is about saturation, take advantage of all market opportunities. After the franchisees have been established it will be extremely critical to have an ongoing support program for the people who have committed their futures to this franchise organization. Good franchise business plans clearly identify the training programs, processes and materials that will be used to get franchisees up and running and then to keep them happy and successful once in the system. With this comes hiring management and support staff. The franchise business plan should clearly identify who, when and what role they will fill in the franchise organization. The type of business will dictate how many people and at what times in the franchise expansion they should be brought on board.
The franchise business plan should also go into specifics regarding the franchise fee structure. What will the franchise fee be for this model? What will the royalty percentage be……and why? Will there be an advertising budget set to build the brand and if so what is the buy in for the franchisee to be a part of that co-op ad fund? If there are products included in the franchise system that the franchisor would like to sell through franchisees what is the distribution structure for delivering and supporting that part of the franchise system? All of this should be clearly outlined in the franchise business plan.
In the end, a complete set of pro-formas and financials should be established to define the ROI for both the franchisee and the franchisor. This can be used as an investment tool, to raise capital and most importantly as a road map for running and operating the franchise operation as the system grows.

Toxic Asset Plan

Treasury to roll out toxic asset plan
by Politico.com
Saturday March 21, 2009, 12:59 AM

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner will announce a plan early next week to relieve failing banks of their toxic assets by attracting back private investors rather than have the government buy up all the risk, according to officials familiar with the plan. Private investors, including hedge funds, will be able to bid on the assets using a pool of capital from the investors and the government, with taxpayers sharing in profits or losses. The plan uses up to $100 billion of taxpayer funds to leverage up to $1 trillion in private capital, the officials said. “We’re creating a market, not bailing out banks,” said an official briefed on the plan. “Because we’re creating a market, we’re letting the private sector set the price, which will likely be below purchase price but above what government would get for them. “ Here is how it would work: —A Treasury/Federal Reserve /FDIC Purchase Facility will provide funding to purchase real estate-related legacy assets. —Public-Private Capital will co-invest, initially at up to $500 billion, expanding to $1 trillion over time. —Private Sector Pricing: Private sector buyers determine price for currently troubled and previously illiquid assets. The government estimates bank balance sheets that currently have at least $2 trillion in “legacy” (toxic) assets that originated in 2005 and 2006. “All of this is based on private investment – that’s what is so innovative about it,” the official said. “We are using the private sector to help us stabilize the system, which saves taxpayer dollars. Government has never done this before. Taxpayers are protected because they share in all the profit, and investors share in all the loss. So there is a huge incentive to make good, careful investments.” Treasury has taken action to deal with three big problems fueling the economic meltdown—falling home prices, frozen credit markets, lack of confidence and capital in the banks—and now is taking on toxic assets.
The officials explained the problem the plan is aimed at correcting: The bursting of the housing bubble caused losses for financial institutions on residential mortgages and related securities. Those losses resulted in the need to reduce risk and leverage. As a result, institutions were forced to sell, causing further price declines. This fueled further deleveraging, creating a bad cycle. This has reduced banks' ability to lend—because these loans are stuck on bank balances sheets because of a large gap between banks' carrying values and market prices. This makes it difficult for banks to access the private markets to access new capital. And, since there's no secondary market for these assets, they've become frozen.

Francorp Client Brake King

Despite the recession, Brake King aims to expand
By Ashley Kelly 247-4778
March 19, 2009

-->NEWPORT NEWS — Since Brake King opened in 1966, the company has gone from having two auto bays to 21.And customer demand continues to grow despite the recession. Now the Hutchisons are expanding the family business by franchising."We knew we had to expand for our customers," said company vice president Bubba Hutchison, who said Brake King currently serves more than 35,000 people. "In the past month we've had customers come from Richmond, Woodbridge and Dale City (near Manassas). It's almost like we felt obligated to expand."The company has received about 60 inquiries since January from people considering buying a store, Hutchison said. Current plans call for the company to license four franchises, located between Richmond and the Outer Banks, by the end of the year.
Each franchise is being sold for $50,000. Brake King will receive 5 percent of the gross sales of each store. Hutchison said the franchises will range from 4,000 to 10,000 square feet. The Jefferson Avenue shop is 15,000 square feet.The company originally wanted to award eight franchises by the end of this year, but the recession caused Brake King to scale the number down to four. In five years the company plans to have 50 stores operating, Hutchison said.The strain that the economy has put on banks has made it difficult for people to secure loans or get credit, a challenge that Brake King faces while trying to sell franchises."We're in the worst recession in years. There is such volatility in the market that a lot of people have the money, but they're just sitting on it." he said.Brake King expanding in the recession may seem risky to some, but is not uncommon."It's either expand or perish, that's the American way," said Patrick Callaway, president of Francorp, a franchise consulting company based in Illinois."There are businesses that are operating in spite of this recession. After all, we all have cars and need to replace our brakes, recession or no recession."Hutchison did not want to grow the family business by opening other shops locally and hiring managers."We realized we wanted owners, not managers," he said. "We wanted people that have real skin in the game. People who are vested in the business."Hutchison said it's also about putting the family business into the right hands."Just because someone has the money doesn't mean they have a franchise .... The challenge is finding the right people, not just people that have the capital."

Francorp Client Red Arrow Diner

Red Arrow may launch franchises
By DAN TUOHYNew Hampshire Union Leader Monday, Mar. 16, 2009

MANCHESTER – The Adam Sandler Burger may be coming to a diner near you.
The locally famous Red Arrow Diner will roll out franchising opportunities across New England later this year, said Carol Sheehan, who come September will have owned the Queen City landmark eatery for 22 years.
The burger named for Manchester's favorite comedian son -- lettuce, tomato, mayo and raw onion -- has but a cameo role in a menu packed with great comfort foods.
Meatloaf on sourdough. Hash browns with grilled onions. A "Sloppy Moe" with macaroni and cheese. Not to forget a tempting dessert lineup that features cream pies, eclairs and homemade "twinkies."
All of it -- breakfast, lunch and dinner -- available 24 hours a day.
Franchising is a matter of the restaurant's reputation preceding itself. Sheehan, who is looking to hire a general manager to keep up with this year's growth, said she cannot go anywhere these days without Red Arrow recognition.
"I can be in the Caribbean and somebody knows The Red Arrow," Sheehan said.
Sheehan will retain ownership of the diner on Lowell Street in Manchester, as well as The Red Arrow Diner she opened last year in Union Square in Milford.
The Red Arrow brand is powerful. It has won numerous awards in recent years, including being rated in the top 10 of diners in the country by USA Today. In a 2007 visit by Guy Fieri of the "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" show on the Food Network, the host raved about their American Chop Suey.
The diner draw
Diners have long been popular across the state, from MaryAnn's Diner in Derry to The Common Man's family of restaurants, which include the Airport Diner in Manchester and the Tilt'n Diner in Tilton.
During every New Hampshire presidential primary campaign, candidates saddle up to diner counters to meet voters and grab a bite. Red Arrow visitors have included President Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rudy Giuliani. Celebrity diners have included musicians and actors, such as Central High graduate Sandler.

Red Arrow Diner owner Carol Sheehan and franchise manager Kim Capen, in the Lowell Street eatery last week. (MARK BOLTON)
In a way, multiple locations are a tip of the hat to the past.
There were five Red Arrow locations around the city at one point. David Lamontagne opened the original Red Arrow Diner in Manchester in 1922.
Kim Capen, Sheehan's franchising manager, has worked to ensure recipes are trademark protected and that a franchisee has a clear understanding of the diner's operating systems.
"From recipes to product descriptions to portions," Capen said, "a lot of that needs to be documented in a format to duplicate what you are doing."
Sheehan and Capen are committed to matching the right owner-operator with the right location. The right location, for example, may feature high vehicle traffic counts or pedestrian traffic counts, and proximity to businesses, colleges or hospitals.
Red Arrow officials declined to discuss the cost of a Red Arrow franchise or any financial details regarding potential franchise arrangements.
The demographics have to be just so for a 24-hour diner, they said.
"There are challenges whenever you open a new restaurant," said Capen.
Opening The Red Arrow Diner in Milford last year proved instrumental to their franchising planning.
"It was a great learning experience," Sheehan said. "We did not expect that as soon as we opened the door the place would be full and there was a line out the door."
The Milford diner, like the original diner in Manchester, is still busy. Sheehan said she has 38 employees in Manchester and 46 in Milford.
It remains a growth industry, Capen said. "Business increases every year," he said.
The success is indicative of the recession-proof operating model, according to Capen. Consumer lifestyles are also at play.
"People eat out a lot," he said. "Sometimes out of necessity."
Good and affordable comfort food remains the draw, said Sheehan. Her favorite? She could not name just one. But with a smile, she said, it is tough to beat a plate of meatloaf with gravy and mashed potatoes.

Franchise Information

Franchise Information
Franchising is one of the most exciting and explosive growth industries in the world today. More and more industries have come to embrace and utilize franchising as a means to expand their companies. Each business day a new franchise operation opens in the US every 8 minutes!
The traditional franchise offering consists of a fixed location business that typically is related to food. As the amount of franchise information and the value of franchising has spread, other businesses have maximized their growth potential through franchising. For example, more companies in the past year have franchised who do not have a fixed location business. The franchise model is territory based and the franchisee many times works from their home. The advantages of franchising remain the same, vested owner operator, leverages system, brand equity, economies of scale, they all still hold true regardless of the model.
Franchise information is available everywhere today, it is rare that any American goes through a regular day without shopping or stepping foot in a franchised business, they are everywhere! The franchise industry has become a part of our everyday lives, and now that more and more of the world is becoming globalized, franchising is spreading to new countries and new areas of the globe.
More and more venues have become available for people, buyers, investors and franchise developers to access franchise information. The Internet clearly is the weapon of choice. Over 70% of franchise buyers access their initial searches for franchise information over the web. Trade Shows can also be extremely effective ways to discover and evaluate franchisors on the market. There are also several industry guides that provide information on the market, industry growth and specific franchise companies.
When franchisees commit to a franchise, they will want as many details as possible before committing their future to a new business endeavor. That being said, providing franchise information to a prospective franchisee is a delicate process in that the presentation must be professional and honest, it must clearly paint the picture of the business, the potential for the industry and the franchisees responsibilities once they open the operation. There are guidelines and rules that dictate how franchise information can be presented and in what format. The best franchise systems in the world are the ones that are the most forthcoming and disclose the facts up front.

www.francorp.com

Great Clips Opens New Franchises in Texas

Great Clips Opens Franchised Salon in Live Oak, Texas
March 16, 2009 - Rob Goggins, vice president of franchise development for Great Clips, Inc., announced the Grand Opening of the company’s newest franchised salon in the Gateway Plaza Shopping Center in Bexar County, TX.
“This manager-run salon sits in a high-trafficked shopping center on the corner of Highway 35 and Loop 1604,” said Goggins. “This thriving regional mall in the northeast quadrant of San Antonio is anchored by Target, Home Depot, Kohl’s and Best Buy. The demographics of the area are well-suited for our value-priced, no appointment necessary service.”
For a complete list of salon locations, go to http://www.greatclipsfranchise.com.
“Our franchise owners open to a $55-billion hair-care industry. With more than $700 million in total system-wide sales, Great Clips is the industry leader,” said Goggins. “We’re in a growing market. People get their hair cut every four to five weeks, and our same-store sales have increased consistently for several years.”
About Great Clips:
Great Clips is North America’s largest hair-care brand with more than 2,700 salons conveniently located in high-visibility strip malls in nearly 140 markets. Great Clips consistently ranks among Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500Ò. Entrepreneur also ranks Great Clips as one of their Fastest Growing and one of America’s Top Global Franchises for 2009. For more information, go to http://www.greatclipsfranchise.com. Great Clips, Inc., 7700 France Avenue S., Suite 425, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55435. Contact Rob Goggins, vice president of franchise development, office (952) 746-6467.

TES Franchise Show in Chicago

Explore Business Ownership at the Franchise Show Chicago
March 13, 2009 - Chicago, Ill – Over 60 of the nation’s fastest growing franchises will be participating in the Franchise Show Chicago for aspiring business owners to learn what it takes to be successful in a franchise concept. The event is free to the community and will be held on Friday, March 27 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday, March 28 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at The UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd, Chicago.
The event is hosted by The Entrepreneur’s Source (TES), the nation's premiere source for self-employment options, franchising information, education and training. Co-sponsors of Franchise Show Chicago are National City Bank, Illinois Service Bank, The Women's Business Development Center and the Illinois Small Business Development Center. All sponsors will have representatives’ on-hand to answer questions about business ownership.
“Franchising is one of the few business sectors that are actually growing in this challenging economy,” says Steve Rosenkrantz, regional developer for TES. “Our Franchise Show is an opportunity for people to gain some real insight on the many business options available,” he added.
Franchise Show Chicago will offer opportunities to speak one-on-one with franchise representatives and hear from business resource partners addressing funding, legal, and other support concerns on the minds of aspiring business owners. TES business coaches will be available to answer questions about franchise business ownership and to explain the ‘discovery process’ they take aspiring entrepreneurs through to ensure they find the right business investment for their lifestyle goals, needs and expectations.
As a former senior executive in the corporate world, Tom Anderson of Inverness, Illinois points to the 2008 Franchise Show Chicago as the launching pad for his new franchise as a regional developer for AdviCoach, a business coaching firm. “The quality of the showcase and the impressive TES business coaching ‘discovery process’ led me to the business of my dreams,” said Tom.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops covering many areas of interest for aspiring entrepreneurs:
• How to Find the Right Business for You
• Franchisee Panel – Learn From Their Experience
• Keys to a Successful Start-up in Recessionary Times
• Financing Your Business
On Friday, WBBM NewsRadio 780 will be broadcasting live from Franchise Show Chicago with hosts Kris Kridel and Sherman Kaplan with two hours of news and the WBBM Noon Business Hour. People who pre-register for the Show online before March 27th will be eligible for an Apple Vacation Getaway to Riviera Maya Mexico.
Franchise Show Chicago is FREE to the community. To register and for more information, please go visit www.FranchiseShowChicago.com, or contact Steve Rosenkrantz at esource@valinet.com or 888-264-6667.
View Company Website: http://www.theesource.com

LPCW Offerring Franchises!

A Franchise that Celebrates Children and the Arts!

Filling the Gap
Early exposure to dance and theatre can have lasting benefits, including acquiring social and physical skills that will help children throughout their lives. Yet, dance professional Daune Pitman noticed two disturbing trends in dance classes for young children: either the little ones were being taught strict ballet, which was beyond their physical capabilities, or the classes were treated as playtime.
Seeking to establish a meaningful program, Daune developed Little People’s Creative Workshop (LPCW). LPCW classes are age-appropriate and taught by trained professionals. They are largely held in daycare centers and preschools, which puts them within reach of children who may not otherwise be able to take them.
Established in 1991, Little People’s Creative Workshop is now the largest organization teaching dance to children in the U.S. We’re augmenting our steady growth with expansion, via franchising. Our turnkey franchise program provides all you need to establish and grow a home-based business with multiple growth avenues!

Financing for Franchises

Statement from SBA Acting Administrator on Recovery Efforts Announced by President Obama Today

 

WASHINGTON – The following statement was issued today by Acting Administrator Darryl K. Hairston of the U.S. Small Business Administration following the announcement by President Barack Obama of important steps being taken by the SBA and the U.S. Department of Treasury to address the economic challenges facing small businesses and entrepreneurs across the country.

 

“U.S. small businesses employ about half our nation’s workers and over the last decade have created about 70 percent of all new jobs.  But their access to credit and lending markets has dried up, making it harder every day for small businesses to keep their doors open and their employees working.  American small businesses are one of the strongest engines for economic prosperity in the world, and we can’t let this crisis continue to undermine their growth and potential.  Today President Obama reiterated his belief that we owe it to America’s small businesses to be the partner they need in the midst of this crisis.  At SBA, we couldn’t agree more.

 

“SBA this week is implementing two key provisions laid out in the Recovery Act – we are temporarily eliminating certain loan fees and raising guarantees on some 7(a) loans up to 90 percent.  With these critical steps by SBA, and the Treasury Department’s commitment of up to $15 billion aimed at getting lending markets flowing again, we are standing up with small business owners across this country and telling them how we are going to put much-needed capital in their hands.

 

“We hope small businesses will take the opportunity to ask their banks about the SBA loans that might be available to them.  And, we encourage community banks and other lenders to work with us to reach as many qualified borrowers as we can during these difficult times.”

 

Beginning today, the SBA will:

 

• Temporarily raise guarantees to up to 90 percent on SBA’s 7(a) loan program, through calendar year 2009, or until the funds are exhausted.  This increase in guarantee levels will help provide banks with the greater confidence they need to extend credit during the current recession, will mean more capital available to small business owners around the country.

 

• Temporarily eliminate fees for borrowers on SBA 7(a) loans and for both borrowers and lenders on 504 Certified Development Company loans, through calendar year 2009, or until the funds are exhausted. This will mean more capital available to small businesses at a lower cost.  The fee elimination is retroactive to February 17, the day the Recovery Act was signed.  SBA is developing a mechanism for refunding fees paid on loans since then.

 

Additionally, the President announced today that the Treasury Department will commit up to $15 billion to help unlock the frozen credit markets by purchasing small business loan securities currently frozen on the secondary market. By purchasing these securities, it will unlock these secondary markets, and in turn, free up more capital to jumpstart lending for small business owners. The SBA has worked closely with the Treasury Department to address the need to unlock these secondary markets for SBA loans.

 

For more information on the SBA and Treasury initiatives announced today by the President, visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov.

 

 

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How to Franchise - Franchise Sales

Franchise Sales

How do all of these franchise organizations manage their franchise sales process? It is remarkable how many franchise systems out there, in the United States a new franchise is opened every 8 minutes of each business day, that is an amazing rate of growth! So franchising works, I get it. How do you find franchisees once you have gone through this process of franchising a business though?
When evaluating franchise sales, it is critical to first identify who the franchise buyer is and who we are working to sell the franchises to. Franchise sales encompass a large array of different types of franchise offerings. The traditional franchise is the owner operator model where typically a moderately well capitalized individual buys into the rights to run and manage a single location of the franchise offering. This franchise sales approach is most effective when using an emotional sales presentation. Presenting the franchise to the buyer is not about the financial details, the minutia of the business offering or other particulars, it becomes an emotional decision for the buyer to get into business on their own with your help. Franchise sales is about creating that emotional connection with the buyer, similar to the process of selling a home, the buyer falls in love with the idea and the notion that they will be in that house, neighborhood, they picture their family being raised in that home and envision the future they will have there. The individual franchise buyer is typically not a former executive or highly educated individual with millions to invest, it typically is just someone who wants to get into business for themselves and they know they need someone’s help doing it.
The franchise sales process is typically a 30-120 day process with a potential candidate, some take much longer. The evaluation process takes place on both sides, the buyer judging whether the franchisor has the support, training and overall package to truly support them and the franchise sales person gauging whether the franchise buyer has the capital, experience and wherewithal to be a franchisee.
The second type of franchise sales is to sell to a multi-unit franchise owner. This franchise offering is someone who has much more capital and experience. In this franchise sale, the buyer purchases the franchise rights to a much larger territory with a larger responsibility. They then are put on a performance schedule by the franchisor who establishes how many units the multi unit franchisee will be opening. This franchise sale is a different sale than the individual franchise. This buyer is highly sophisticated and has most likely been in franchise development before. They look over the financials and make an investment decision based on the ROI and how quickly they will see a return on the investment. In order to make this franchise sale the franchise system probably needs to be somewhat mature and have a really professional package to offer the franchisee, they are typically being courted by many franchise systems. The offering needs to make sense, in many cases the only realistic way to attract this buyer is to present earnings claims and business plans, these people are making an investment when they buy into the franchise, not buying into a lifestyle.
When approaching the process of franchise sales, it is critical to have people, consultants and a system in place. The first step is planning out the stages and carefully preparing for how to manage the influx of leads and responsibilities that come with franchise sales. The beauty and excitement of franchising is that with each franchise sale a company is expanded.

Franchise Financing

25 February 2009

GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance Provides Financing to Mitchell Distributing for Acquisition

 

Mitchell acquires Cash Distributing, grows to Mississippi’s second largest Anheuser-Busch distributor

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--25 February 2009-- GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance announced today a multi-million dollar loan for Mitchell Distributing in Meridian, Miss., for the purchase of Cash Distributing, a neighboring beverage distributor, elevating Mitchell Distributing to the second largest Anheuser-Busch wholesaler in the state.

“Mitchell Distributing came to us because of our in-depth knowledge and experience in the beverage industry,” says Brian Hoogendoorn, vice president GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance. “As our new relationship with Mitchell Distributing demonstrates, our menu of products provides wholesalers the flexibility they need to grow their businesses.”

This is the first lending agreement between GE’s Franchise Finance business and Mitchell Distributing. The acquisition is the largest of any single beer distributorship in Mississippi, enabling Mitchell Distributing to double its business to nearly six million cases and expand into the Columbus and Tupelo markets. Mitchell was represented in the transaction by Bickers Consulting Group of Atlanta.

“We have been in this business for a long time and wanted a lender who shared both our passion for and level of experience in our industry,” says Manny Mitchell, CEO and owner of Mitchell Distributing. “GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance understands our industry, and their expertise helped me take my company to the next level.”

Mitchell Distributing is a family-owned and operated Anheuser-Busch distributor that opened its first warehouse in Meridian, Miss., in 1947. Mitchell Distributing also operates warehouses in Leland, Columbus, and Tupelo.

About GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance

GE Capital Solutions, Franchise Finance is a leading lender for the franchise finance market via direct sales and portfolio acquisition. With over 30 years of experience and $15 billion in served assets, we serve over 5,000 customers and over 22,000 property locations, primarily in the restaurant, hospitality and branded beverage industries. We provide financing for all your business needs. More information is available at www.gefranchisefinance.com or by calling 866-GET-GEFF (438-4333).

GE Capital Solutions provides leasing, lending, and capital investment products and services to help business customers grow. It has more than $100 billion in assets, serves more than a million clients around the world, and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA.

GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work — a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.

 

 

 

 

Francorp Client Math Monkey in this year's Fast 55 Franchises

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.— Speeding along a growth curve in this economy is no sport for amateurs. It takes hard work, the right franchisees and a staff who knows where they’re going and how to get there.

 

Included in this year’s Franchise Times magazine’s Fast 55, the #6 ranked fastest growing, young franchises in the nation, is Math Monkey, a Henderson, NV based company.  Math Monkey Knowledge Centers are a revolutionary new supplemental education service that helps kids to excel by teaching them math in a fun and challenging environment. There are two kinds of kids in the world, kids who love math, and kids who will love math.  Math Monkey takes the mystery out of math to turn kids into big thinkers of tomorrow.  Math Monkey is now owned and operated by Mobius Mathematics, LLC. Math Monkey is now awarding franchises in nearly all 50 states.

 

 

 

 

Francorp Working with PMQ Magazine

Francorp works with many small business groups and within many business communities across the United States and around the globe to help business owners learn and evaluate franchising as a growth option for their business. Francorp is now working with PMQ Magazine, the industry leader in information within the Pizza segment. Francorp has worked with many of the Pizza Industry's most successful brands and continues to be heavily involved in this market.

http://www.pmq.com/francorp.php

Francorp clients in the Pizza market include Aurelio's, Uno's, Pizza Vito, Rosati's, Papa Murphy's and many others. For a complete list of clients visit the corporate site, www.francorp.com.

How to Franchise Your Business?

How to Franchise Your Business?
Tom DuFore, Executive Vice President at Francorp
Francorp – 1000 Words
10/22/2008
Revised/Edited on 3/6/2009
How to franchise? This is a question that is often asked by many small businesses of all kinds throughout the world. When looking into how to franchise a business there are a number of factors that need to be considered prior to franchising. First we need to further understand what a franchise is and then if our business has the ability to franchise. If after your franchise analysis you determine that your company is capable to franchise then the next steps are to decide whether or not to move forward with franchising and then how do you do it. Let’s take each of these one at a time.
What is a franchise
Franchising is governed by the Federal Trade Commission and according to the FTC Rule 436 a franchise is, “A method of doing business by which a franchisee is granted the right to engage in the business of offering, selling or distributing goods or services under a marketing plan or system prescribed in substantial part by a franchisor and which is substantially associated with the franchisor’s trademark, name, logo or advertising.”
Basically this means that if someone pays you a fee, upfront and/or ongoing for the use of your business name and your business system you most likely fall into the category of being a franchise. If that is the case you will need to comply with the federal franchise law which states you need to have a Uniform Franchise Disclosure Document in place. Please note that there are 23 states that require some form of additional franchise compliance beyond just the federal franchise regulations.
Are You Franchiseable?
To asses if your company can be franchised in the first place there are five criteria to use as general guidelines in assessing the feasibility of your business as a franchise. As always, these criteria are not perfect and may not always be accurate, but they are typically on point. As we always recommend you would do yourself a favor by speaking with a franchise consultant and other professionals regarding this issue. The five criteria are:
1. Do you provide a decent product or service to your customers?
2. Do you have a great system in place to run your operation by? This means the operations, marketing, management, etc.
3. Can you teach someone in a relatively short amount of time, say 1-4 months, how to run the business? Obviously the timeframes will vary based on the complexity of the business model, but the main focus is if you can teach someone.
4. Does your business have a market nationally? Even if you don’t go nationally or intend to do so today, you very well may change your mind five years from now.
5. Can you provide a 15% return on your franchisees initial cash investment and provide them the ability take a manager’s salary if they are an owner/operator?
Do You Want to Franchise?
One of the most important steps components to the entire process is to take a look at you in the mirror and ask, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” What is your is your dream, your aspiration, as a business person? Do you want to be an owner/operator running your one or two unit business for the rest of your life? Or, do you want to become the CEO of a regional, national, or international company? The decision isn’t always easy, nor is it to be taken lightly. This is why seeking proper guidance from a franchise consultant could prove to be useful.
Remember that getting into the franchise industry is a completely new business. You are no longer selling burgers, selling insurance, or competing with 10 other local companies for the same customer that is going to spend maybe $30 or $40. Your customer in the franchising business is going to quit their job, pay around $500,000 for a franchise (including a franchise fee, working capital, equipment, leasehold improvements, etc), and run a franchise. You no longer are in need of having hundreds of customers walk in your operation every day, week, or month. You now need to find just one, two, or three people to buy your franchise each month.
How to Franchise Your Business
So we are finally here, the point of no return. You have concluded from the previous topics that franchising is for your company and it is something that you want to do. Well, in order to franchise your company you are going to need to have a lot of pieces in place in order to make it work. These pieces include a well written franchise business plan, thorough research, legal documents to comply with the franchise laws, an operations manual, a thorough franchise marketing plan, a franchise brochure, and you will need to know how to market, sell, and grow a franchise company. Each and every one of these components is vital and important for you to have done by experts in the franchise field. Subcontracting this out to the lowest bidder or to other folks that outsource the project does not work well in setting up your franchise program the right way. You will want to work with experts that have a turn-key franchise program and that have a track record of success. Just like your franchisees will want to see that you have a good operation, you should look for the same from the franchise people you work with.
One of the most common mistakes business owners make when looking into how to franchise is contacting their local business attorney to have them draft the Uniform Franchise Disclosure Document. While your business lawyer has been good to you, chances are that they do not specialize in franchise law. The other problem this creates is that you will receive a questionnaire from your lawyer asking you what your franchise fee should be, your royalty, territory issues, demographics, initial training, ongoing support, which of franchise structures do you intend to offer, and so on. The point is that legal documents merely DEFINE your franchise program and do not DRIVE it. The business decisions that are made in the franchise business plan are the keys to your success. It is here that the future success of your franchise program can be made or broken. Having great advice at this stage of the game is critical to making your franchise work. This is an area that we at Francorp focus on intently and is one of the main reasons why an average client of ours will sell 33 franchises in their first 3 years of operation as a franchise company.
There are many ways to get the work done that is needed to get into the franchising business, however, this is something that has to be done right the first time! If you make a bad judgment call on your royalty or territory size, your franchise program could very quickly be in jeopardy. This is a brand new business you are looking into and you owe it to yourself to research and find out as much as you can prior to moving forward with franchising. Take the time to make a decision from an informed perspective and be sure to truthfully answer the question, “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
For more information on how to franchise your business you can download a free book called, “Franchising Your Business,” by Don Boroian and Patrick Callaway at www.francorp.com.


For 32 years, Francorp has been the industry leader in the franchise development and consulting industry. We have a unique approach that remains unmatched by any other firm in the world. We have assembled a team of experts whose talents are coordinated seamlessly to create customized materials that fit the specific needs of our clients. Successful systems create successful franchises, and our unique proven method maximizes your chances of success and minimizes costly mistakes. Francorp will handle your program development through your strategic planning, franchise agreement, franchise offering circular, state registrations and filing, marketing plan, internet marketing, operations manual, sales training and management training, all under one roof.

How To Franchise A Sales Organization

How to Franchise a Sales Organization.
Franchising is a unique entity. It is regarded as an industry, but is defined as a method of distribution. Most of franchising is associated with food oriented businesses, you know, the ones that line every street corner and you probably bought lunch from the other day. But franchising as permeated all industries today, we now see franchise companies in all industries that are successfully duplicating themselves across the country and around the world. Franchising is a dynamic, aggressive way to grow a business, there is no question about that. But what is the process? How do you franchise a business that typically is not associated with franchising?
In this article I will discuss How to Franchise a Sales organization and the process involved. Francorp is the world’s largest and most experienced franchise development and consulting firm. The company has franchised over 2,000 different businesses in it’s 33 year history. So needless to say I hear from plenty of business owners, many of which have products or services that they wish to sell more of to a larger customer base. Franchising can be a way to do this effectively and control the quality and effectiveness of the sales team. When discussing How to Franchise a Sales Team it is important to understand that franchising is a controlled mode of growth. The franchisor can control the quality, consistency and overall brand image of the company if a franchise system is managed correctly.
So, How to Franchise a Sales Team begins with setting the system. As a sales oriented franchisor your most valued asset is the sales system. The process you use to sell the product or service. That needs to be clearly defined, documented and tested. Once that system is in place, the marketing process makes sense, scripts have been put together, sales call procedures have been mapped, technology has been identified and all of the above is on paper and ready to go, then the franchise is ready. A Franchise system is only as strong as the system that is replicated through it. So if you’ve ever heard of the saying, “Garbage in, Garbage out, or GIGO”, that would apply here when considering How to Franchise a sales territory.
An interesting misconception about franchising is that the success depends on the quality of the product or service more than the surrounding business model. In fact, most franchise systems don’t have overly astounding products to offer, but the good ones always have great business models and ways of doing business. The product obviously should be a good one, but what will make a Sales Oriented franchise successful is the process to market the offer and close the deal.
The key for How to Franchise a sales business to think about how to replicate the sale, the pitch, the marketing, the lead generation all the way to the payment. That is where the secret lies. Many great sales organizations have been built through franchise systems, it is worth investigating if you are looking to sell something across larger territories or areas.

The Strength of Franchising

Unlike the exciting cliff hanger football game that is a Mecca for mass-marketers,
franchised businesses again dominated in advertising buys in 2009. During
Super Bowl XLIII, companies engaged in franchising outspent all other
combined enterprises by an estimated $14 million dollars.

These numbers are even more dramatic when 23 NBC network promotional spots
and 7.5 NFL spots are added to the mix. Both NBC and the NFL have
franchised affiliates, and if the value of these 30+ ads are factored in the
amount balloons to more than $100 million. In all, 64% (81.5 ads) of some
128 ads that aired during the 4 hour game broadcast came from businesses
engaged in franchising.

According to American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) Chairman
Robert Purvin, who launched the organization?s Advertising Super Bowl survey
22 years ago, ?Super Bowl advertising continues to demonstrate the power of
franchising. How else can small business owners afford to share their
messages with almost 100 million households at one time??

Financial markets have been paying close attention to the willingness of
advertisers to embrace the high ticket cost of advertising on network
television?s grandest stage, with many concerned the Super Bowl advertising
would be yet one more victim of an economic meltdown. If anything,
franchisors have seemed to ratchet up marketing efforts to fight back
against slowing sales.

NBC reportedly charged a record average price of almost $3 million per
30-second spot ($100,000 per second). The higher cost didn't seem to impact
advertiser demand as NBC reported it sold out the available 69 national
network spots. (Each local network affiliate franchise sold about 30 local
spots). The total number of spots played during the game earned NBC an
estimated $270 million dollars.

Yet for a single 30 second spot of $1.5 million, the advertising cost for a
ubiquitous franchise such as McDonald's (who aired two ads this year) breaks
down to under $100 per store when divided among the approximate 15,000 US
restaurants in the chain. ?The collective marketing power among franchised
businesses is formidable,? adds Purvin.

Among companies that market through franchising, those companies that
manufacture products that are distributed through independent dealer
networks (called ?product franchisors? in the trade) easily dominated the ad
buys. A robust 37 ads were placed by companies who sell cars, beverages,
cosmetics and insurance through independent networks.

Business format franchisors -- those businesses that consumers traditionally
associate with franchising ? accounted for 21 commercials (double the number
from 2008), including spots from McDonald's, Taco Bell, Cars.com, and
regional entries (on the West Coast where the survey was conducted) from
Jack-in-the Box. The business format segment was even more active in the
pre and post-game markets.

Budweiser again led all advertisers with 4 minutes of air time (about 8
spots), earning it exclusive rights to broadcast during the game and
shutting out competitors Miller Brewing and Coors (both of which advertised
in the pre-game).

After Anheuser-Busch, only six advertisers ran more than one or two
commercial spots. Pepsi was second to Budweiser, buying several minutes of
ad time among its franchised soft drink brands and its non-franchised
Frito-Lay brands (primarily Doritos). Hyundai ran several spots during the
game as well during the Pre-game show. Honda and Toyota each ran multiple
spots for various brands.

American car manufacturers were missing from the prime time telecast. For
the first time in years, cooperative networks such as the California Cheese
Association, Ace Hardware and the Almond Growers Association all stayed
away.

Between 2:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Eastern time, consumers were ?treated? to
almost 2 hours and fifteen minutes of thirty-second ads (approximately 270),
64% of which were placed by companies engaged in franchising. This was
about the same ratio as 2007 and 2008.

Entertainment related ads, primarily motion picture promos, led the
non-franchised segment with 16 spots. Manufacturers slid to second place
with 13 ads, including electronics, food producers and pharmaceuticals.
Retailers fell off dramatically, with one ad each from Best Buy and Kay
Jewelers, as compared to 9 spots placed in 2008. On the flip side, on-line
retailers showed a dramatic increase, with multiple spots run by
Monster.com, GoDaddy.com and E-Trade, among several others.

During the game approximately 67 different companies advertised. In
addition there were two public service announcements.

This year?s crop of ads were less striking than past years, with no
candidate seemingly destined for the Super Bowl Ad Hall of Fame, although
E-Trade?s infant stock trader was quite clever. Three other memorable ads
were delivered by Budweiser (with a Clydesdale pursuing love and the
American Dream) and an office mate being thrown out of a third story
building for suggesting that his company save money by no longer providing
free Bud Light. Coca-Cola offered a clever ?reincarnation? of the famous
Mean Joe Green encounter with a young fan, with All Pro defensive back, Troy
Polamalu, tackling a Coca-Cola executive to avenge his young fan.

About the AAFD

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers is the oldest and
largest direct member non-profit trade association representing the
interests of franchisees and independent dealer networks throughout the
United States. The AAFD was formed in 1992 with a mission to define and
promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total
Quality Franchising. Stressing market solutions and franchisee empowerment
through independent franchisee associations, the AAFD has grown to represent
more than 50,000 franchised businesses nationwide, with members in all 50
states.

The AAFD's Fair Franchising Standards, Fair Franchising Seal, Trademark
Chapters, and emphasis on marketplace solutions led to the Association's
recognition as a growing force in franchising. The AAFD?s Branded Partner
programs add a new dimension to the value of AAFD membership. The AAFD
provides a broad range of member services designed to help franchisees build
market power, create legislative support of interest to franchisees, provide
legal and financial support, and provide a wide range of general member
benefits.

For more information about the conference or the AAFD, please call toll free
? 610-209-3775 or visit www.AAFD.org.

Francorp Client DirectBuy

Bart Fesperman announced as DirectBuy's new executive vice president

DirectBuy, the home improvement and home furnishings club with direct insider prices, is pleased to name Bart Fesperman as its new executive vice president.

MERRILLVILLE, IN, February 26, 2009 /Franchise PR News/ -- Mr. Fesperman has been with DirectBuy since 2004 when he joined DirectBuy's executive team as vice president of sales & marketing. Fesperman has nearly doubled DirectBuy's annual membership enrollments each of the last two fiscal years.

Mr. Fesperman's career with DirectBuy dates back to February 1995 when he and his wife LeaAnn, along with partners Lynn and Tammy Corbin, opened their first franchise in Springfield, Missouri. In addition to being recognized as top performers in the network, the Fespermans and Corbins were the recipients of the prestigious Founder's Award in 1998 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the company.

In July of 2002, the Springfield ownership team opened their second franchise in Johnson County, Kansas. In 2003, at DirectBuy's International Sales & Service Conference in San Diego, both franchises were recognized as Top 10 centers in the network for the conference year 2002-2003.

"We congratulate Bart and look forward to a prosperous future as he leads DirectBuy's sales organization to even greater levels of success," said DirectBuy President and CEO Scott Powell.

DirectBuy offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than a thousand top manufacturers and their authorized suppliers throughout North America. At more than 160 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, DirectBuy members enjoy a comfortable, welcoming setting and design center where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

To assist members with their home renovation projects, DirectBuy also offers access to interior designers and product specialists who are specially trained in one of five areas of merchandise: Home Furnishings, Home Improvement, Flooring, Entertainment/Outdoor, and Accessories. Additionally, members benefit from the use of a children's play area, cafe and a member's lounge to relax while shopping.

DirectBuy members also have access to renowned designer Christopher Lowell. Lowell has designed twelve room settings - created exclusively with products available through DirectBuy - using his Seven Layers of Design. An innovative approach to home decor, The Seven Layers of Design keeps homeowners on budget and from feeling overwhelmed by their project.

DirectBuy Membership
Consumers who are interested in joining DirectBuy are encouraged to attend an exclusive Open House event, which is designed to educate families about DirectBuy's unique business model. The Open House also helps consumers better understand how DirectBuy members avoid traditional retail markup when purchasing brand-name merchandise.

To request a "Free Insider's Guide to Buying Direct" and a Visitor's Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, call 1-800-DIRECTBUY or visit www.directbuy.com.

About DirectBuy
For more than 37 years, DirectBuy has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes - from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy's savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor's Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Francorp Client Dogtopia

 

Recommend a Friend Send your friend to Dogtopia. Once their dog attends a day of daycare or boarding, you'll receive a $25.00 gift certificate!       Blog All About It If you  haven't checked out the blog recently... here's what you missed! Dogtopia on the News! Dogtopia owner, Amy Nichols, and Wolfie the Portuguese Water Dog visit News Channel 8 to discuss the new First Dog! Follow Amy on Twitter Why we love Arya Arya's a wonderful 6 month old Dobie we've fallen in love with! Why we love Jasmine and Dylan Jasmine's a sassy Eng Bulldog Mix and Dylan's the fluffiest little Lhasa Apso we've ever seen! Paws in the White House With all the frenzie around the Obama's choice for top dog. We take a look at past doggies who held the position.     Super Pet Expo Join us in March 20-22 at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, VA for this year's Super Pet Expo! With over 180 pet-friendly booths to visit for services and great products, a dog agility course, a puppy playground and a pet talent show - there's something to put a smile on everyone's face! Or make your tail wag. Save $3 on the $12 ticket price by purchasing online and using the coupon code VIP. You'll receive one bonus children's ticket with that as well! We'll see you there and be sure to stop by our booth and say hi!     Tysons Corner, VA & White Flint, MD www.dogdaycare.com     Despite all the snow on the ground, we are getting closer and closer to Spring! Spring Break vacations are right around the corner and we're already receiving reservations, so phone us anytime to book your dog's stay!     Your opinion matters!   We could easily spend all day guessing what we could do better and how we can make you and your dog happier Dogtopia clients. But why not just ask? Please take a few minutes to visit our survey below and answer 10 short questions. Supply your email address at the end and as a thank you you'll be entered in our drawing for a $100 Dogtopia gift certificate. The results will give us invaluable information we can use to make Dogtopia even better. Thank you in advance for your time!   Dogtopia Survey     St. Patty's Day Breed Day!   February's Chocolate Breed Day in honor of Valentine's was a big success! Now we're ready for March! This year St Patrick's Day, March 17th, falls right on a Tuesday, so we have to recognize our dogs of Irish lineage. We thought it'd also be fun to ask all you redheads to come along as well! Red Goldens, Red Poodles, Viszlas - you're joining the party! Irish breeds include (but aren't limited to) Irish Setters, Irish Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Irish Wolfhounds (wouldn't that be fun!!), Kerry Blue Terriers, Wheaten Terriers and Irish Red and White Setters. Each dog will take part in a special play session and go home with a photo collage of their day!   Pups in the Snow!   Winter made a comeback in a big way this week! We're willing to be you all got some fantastic pictures of your dogs in the snow adn we'd love to see them! Submit your dog's best snow pic to alex@dogdaycare.com and next week we'll post our favorites on the blog. The winners will receive Dogtopia goodie bags for prizes and there's always the bragging rights!

 

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels Plays Up Free Services
March 2, 2009

-By Elaine Wong

Choice Hotels International is going after money-conscious consumers with a new campaign highlighting the value travelers get by choosing its family of brands.

Three new spots, via Arnold Worldwide in Washington, show that Quality, Comfort Inn and Comfort Suites--among other Choice Hotels International properties--offer complimentary services like free breakfast and Internet access. Choice Hotels has 5,800 locations worldwide.

The spots, which show hotel guests dining, visiting an amusement park and taking a carriage ride, relay the value message via free amenities that Choice Hotels offers. In the past, however, ads played up the convenience of its locations with Johnny Cash's “I’ve been everywhere” serving as the jingle since 2005. The change in advertising strategy comes as Choice Hotels reported a 33 percent drop in fourth quarter profit.

“For us, it’s not an entirely new focus. Our brands have been known for providing the best value and convenient locations, but we are placing more emphasis on the value,” said Chris Malone, Choice Hotels CMO. “The message to our consumer is: ‘You don’t have to give up all the things you enjoy and love.’”

Choice Hotels, which spent $75.3 million in both 2007 and 2008 on advertising, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus, did not disclose cost of the campaign. Malone said the push coincides with the company's heavy emphasis on search and online advertising.

The hotel chain has ramped up its keyword search for all properties, as 60 to 70 percent of all hotel bookings are made online, Malone said. Malone also added that in 2009, the company would increase broadcast and online impressions by 4 percent and 39 percent, respectively.

Even during an economic slump consumers still want to travel, but they’re looking for value more than anything else, said Woody Kay, managing partner and chief creative officer in Arnold's Washington office. “If anything, this is the year of the deal. The staycation is becoming the nearcation. People are discovering that staying at home is not fun,” Kay said, adding that events like weddings and business trips will always call for a hotel stay. The only difference is that instead of seeking out more luxury brands, consumers will be focused on hotels that provide more bang for their buck.

McDonald's

McDonald's names new China chief executive
Mon Mar 2, 2009 8:30pm EST Email | Print | Share| Reprints | Single Page[-] Text [+]
Market News
Global stocks rise on China hopes
China hopes, oil's surge snaps Wall Street's 5-day rout
Oil gains nearly 9 percent on U.S. crude stocks drop
More Business & Investing News... BEIJING, March 3 (Reuters) - McDonald's Corp (MCD.N) on Monday named Kenneth Chan as its new chief executive officer in China, replacing Jeffrey Schwartz, the company said in a statement.

Chan, a Singaporean, has been with McDonald's for 12 years, most recently acting as regional manager in Malaysia, Taiwan and Korea, and managing director of its restaurants in Singapore.

Schwartz, a 40-year McDonald's veteran, will retire from the company, the statement said. (Reporting by Michael Wei; Editing by Ken Wills)

Francorp Client Schotzsky's

Schlotzsky’s Goes Web 2.0 for Sandwich Debut
March 3, 2009

-By Becky Ebenkamp

Schlotzsky’s is throwing out the first pitch for its initial major QSR deal this week with a spring baseball-themed program that supports the casual chain’s launch of three Big League Clubz sandwiches.

The creative challenge was to spread the word about the new Beef ‘n Bacon Club, Chick ‘n Turkey Club and Ham ‘n Turkey Club sandwiches among dads and their ball-playing kids by the bonding the sport brings—from Little League to the big leagues. (The promo has no affiliations with Major League Baseball or any other organization, however.) Austin, Texas-based Schlotzsky’s is owned by Focus brands (Carvel, Cinnabon, Moe’s Southwest Grill) and has about 350 restaurants in 35 states.

This is the largest promotion Schlotzsky’s has ever done, and the first time the chain has gone beyond the traditional TV, radio, FSI, POP route to communicate.

“We brought in all these [components] to help [Schlotzsky’s] understand the power of social media to drive sales and to show them how measurable it is,” said Van Vandegrift, executive producer at branded entertainment company Matrixx Pictures in Santa Monica, Calif., the agency that devised the promotion. “In Web 1.0, we used to care about the time visitors spent on the site and where they went; now, the sentiment is about the brand, how many times it’s mentioned in blogs and in what context, photos posted to Twitter, drive-by buzz. This is great because this is a brand new sandwich--there’s no buzz yet.”

At a microsite (Bigleagueclubz.com), fans can join a Big League Clubz club and enter a sweepstakes to win a trip for four to St. Louis (coincidentally timed around the MLB All-Star Game). The sweeps runs through May 31, and visitors who come back for extra site experiences—such as to play games or sign up for an e-letter—get bonus entries. Gameplay will be a main draw, as there are video games and a fantasy baseball league component that involves drafting friends for teams. The latter will also extend to social networking sites, such as Facebook.

A downloadable desktop widget lets players keep track of scores and other baseball info and gives Schlotzsky’s a conduit of communication. “We’ll know how many people download the widget, and when we push out an offer, we’ll know who we pushed it to and who responded,” Vandegrift said.

There are many more components: Codes from ads and POP can be texted to win additional sweepstakes chances, the sandwiches have their own baseball-type cards that factor in and fans who collect those can upload photos to a site to receive a mini engraved baseball bat premium. There’s a local market activation push to help restaurants connect with baseball entities in their communities through sponsorships, team nights and other touch points.

“It’s rare to see a 40-year-old brand take a shot at new media," said Vandegrift. Most are afraid to dip their toes in, and he believes the best way to introduce clients to Web 2.0 is to engage them personally. He added: “If you want to know how text messaging works, [we say to them,] ‘Text this message to this code and when you get a message back you can see if you like how it works. That’s better than sitting around all day saying, ‘We should have a better web site.’ It’s about building a better social experience.”

Francorp to Exhibit at the Franchise Middle East Show

Franchising Middle East expo opens
Dubai: Mon, 2 Mar 2009

Franchising Middle East (FME), the region’s leading exhibition for the franchise sector, opened at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, with 72 exhibitors from 22 countries.

The exhibition, now in its sixth year, aims to provide an injection of business ideas to the Middle East market as international brands come to Dubai with a view to expanding across the Middle East with local partners, said organisrs.

'Never has the franchise concept been more vital to business growth than in today’s economic environment,' stated Abdul Rehman Falaknaz, president of International Expo Consults (IEC), organisers of FME.

'Franchising offers local entrepreneurs access to established brands and business models, while international players are provided with a chance to tap into new markets at relatively low set-up costs.'

Big names from Europe, Asia and the Middle East are exhibiting at the show this week, including participation from Cremeria Vienna, Subway, London Dairy Café and Tom Tailor.

Master Franchisers from Jebel Ali Free Zone is leading a delegation of international brands, many of whom are debuting at the show. These include Zerga, Bed + Bath, Padini Authentics, Trio and New Zealand Naturals.

Franchise consultants such as FranExcel and FranCorp will be on hand to offer would-be entrepreneurs advice on how to set up franchise operations in the region.

FME is the region’s only exhibition that offers a world of exciting opportunities to international franchisers to access the thriving Middle East and North Africa (Mena) market and launch their franchise concepts.

The exhibition facilitates direct communication between entrepreneurs and potential franchise buyers from the region and beyond.

The show has earned a name for providing an ideal networking opportunity for the franchising industry in the Middle East, which industry analysts have estimated is worth $30 billion.

'With the franchise industry already growing at 25 per cent per annum, the UAE and the rest of the GCC region is a fertile market for franchise companies to expand into,' Falaknaz added.

'With approximately 85 per cent of the UAE population comprising expatriates, this is the market that needs to be catered for.'

FME 2009 takes place from March 2 to 4.-TradeArabia News Service