Saxbys "The One to Watch" acquired by MVP Capital
Saxbys Coffee, 2012 “One to Watch” according to QSR Magazine, is prepared for vigorous franchise growth following its recent acquisition by Radnor, PA based MVP Capital.
“Saxbys is a really exciting opportunity. The brand has achieved great consumer loyalty in a short time, combined with strong until level economics. We believe Saxbys has unlimited growth potential. Nick and his team have done a great job developing the Saxbys brand,” said Paul Friel CEO of the new management team at Saxbys Coffee LLC.
In addition to Co-Founder Nick Bayer and the core Saxbys team, the company is able to combine forces with the new team members that have deep experience in retail and franchising. “We look forward to working with Nick Bayer and the Saxbys team to further develop the franchise program. We believe Saxbys is a great investment for multi unit franchisees, with its strong growth potential,” said Saxbys board member Rocco Fiorentino, also an International Franchise Association board member with a variety of executive retail experience with Manhattan Bagel, Krispy Kreme and Swiss Farm Stores.
Fueled by the resources and expertise of its new ownership, Saxbys is poised to add 100 units in the next 3 years. “What attracted us to Saxbys was the devout following of its customers, the great franchisee base and the exceptional opportunity for growth,” said Ryan Northington, Partner at MVP Capital.
“Since the day we opened our first Saxbys, there’s always been tremendous interest from consumers and prospective franchisees,” said Nick Bayer, Co-Founder. “Now with the additional resources, experience and support provided by MVP Capital, we feel strongly that everything is in place for Saxbys to grow aggressively.” Read More…
STEARCLEAR Offers Designated Driver Franchises Across U.S.
STEARCLEAR announced that it has begun selling franchises across the United States for its smartphone-enabled designated driver service. STEARCLEAR has developed an innovative, turnkey opportunity in which all business operations are handled through an iPad application. The company is looking for potential franchisees that are interested in generating full or part time income while offering a vital service that will protect and serve their local community. Information on the program can be found at www.stearclear.com/franchise .
Franchise in a Box: STEARCLEAR’s advanced iPad application provides everything a franchisee needs to run their business. The application manages employees, payroll, customers, pickups, drop-offs, fares, drive team locations, financial transactions and payments. Critical information about pickups in progress and locations of drivers and drive teams are shown in real-time. The application also allows franchisees to communicate with their drive teams through its interface and respond to urgent requests or emergency situations. Read More…
Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill Announces First Texas Franchisee
Denver-based Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill, a fast-casual restaurant concept specializing in fresh, authentic Mediterranean cuisine, today announced the awarding of a franchise opportunity to Texas-based franchisee Blue Jean Food Group (BJFG).
Opening Garbanzo locations in the San Antonio and Austin, Texas areas, BJFG has rights to develop up to 15 restaurants. The first location is slated to open in San Antonio in late summer 2012.
BJFG is a family owned and operated restaurant group, which currently owns the full service seafood restaurant Pelican’s Landing in Port Aransas, Texas, and previously was involved in the Big Boy concept, also in Texas.
“We could not be more thrilled about joining with Blue Jean Food Group to introduce Garbanzo to the San Antonio and Austin markets,” says Bob Bafundo, Garbanzo director of franchise development and operations. “Blue Jean Food Group is a top-rate operator with tremendous experience and knowledge of the San Antonio and Austin markets, ideal for launching and establishing our fresh, authentic Mediterranean concept in their home state. We welcome them to the Garbanzo family and anticipate a strong and successful relationship.”
Garbanzo has strict qualification criteria for potential franchisees. Only experienced, successful multi-unit restaurant operators who are well capitalized and interested in additional multi-unit growth with the Garbanzo brand are considered.
“Expanding the concept beyond the borders of Colorado is a major landmark in the history of Garbanzo,” adds Bafundo. “Our brand has received consistent interest from experienced franchisees since inception in 2007, and we have been very fortunate to sign deals with numerous groups across the country. We only see that interest continuing to grow as more and more companies recognize the demand and enthusiasm for fast-casual Mediterranean in their areas. This year will be one of many firsts for Garbanzo franchising as we enter new markets, and we look forward to announcing those deals over the next few months.” Read More…
Joe Machens Dealerships obtains Fiat franchise
Fiat is joining the ranks of sparkling vehicles at Joe Machens Automotive Group on Vandiver Drive.
Gary Drewing, president and owner of Joe Machens Dealerships, recently acquired a Fiat franchise. He’s excited about the newest addition to the Joe Machens family.
“We had a great opportunity to bring Fiat to Columbia,” he said. “It is a unique brand that I believe will appeal to many people in the mid-Missouri area. The Italian carmaker has a great reputation for quality vehicles with excellent fuel economy.”
Fiat, an Italian car company, was founded in 1899. Now in more than 80 countries, Fiat has gained notoriety by winning multiple awards in recent years such as “2008 European Car of the Year” and “2009 World Car Design of the Year”. FIAT MultiAir Technology was recognized as the “Single Most Innovative Engine Technology” of 2010 by the International Engine of the Year Awards panel. Read More…
Juice Community: The UK's First FAIRTRADE Franchise Opportunity
A Fair Deal for All
If you are looking for an investment opportunity with an ethical flavour Juice Community may be worth a look.
Juice Community have identified the GBP 1 billion pound market for Fairtrade products in the UK as a lucrative business opportunity.
Fairtrade has come a long way since it was founded in the UK in 1992. According to the Fairtrade Foundation website over 70% of UK consumers now recognise the FAIRTRADE Mark. There are now over 500 dedicated Fairtrade towns and schools in the UK and with Local Authorities having a commitment to promote sustainable development in their area Fairtrade products are now very much part of the mainstream.
After securing a distribution partnership deal with Pfanner, one of Europe’s largest and longest established juice manufacturers, the Hertfordshire based company set about investing heavily in acquiring sophisticated marketing data on the Retail and Food service markets. Each franchise territory has been carefully mapped ensuring a balanced portfolio of independent retailers and “symbol group” companies. Juice Community provide targeted support and telemarketing campaigns for their licensees utilising this retail database which contains over 490,000 contact details to make pre-set appointments for their franchisees to visit local retailers to supply premium Certified FAIRTRADE juices. Read More…
SearchMarketMe Identifies Fulfillment "Sweet Spot" for Internet Marketing Franchise Success
According to an in-network survey among the owners of its internet marketing franchise, SearchMarketMe says the “sweet spot” for income satisfaction is found in providing two channels of internet marketing fulfillment services.
“The survey results showed us that when fulfillment-minded Agency Owners focus on two specific channels, they were all ‘pretty satisfied’ to ‘extremely satisfied’ with their income,” said SearchMarketMe’s Director of Education, Will Rak. “Clearly, the ‘sweet spot’ is at two channels.”
To capitalize on this important new information, Rak has prepared new curriculum for the 111 Agency Owners in the SearchMarketMe network that helps fulfillment-minded Agency Owners to know which two channels to focus on that will be best for them.
“If you are an analytical, ‘Data-head’ kind of person, we can help you identifiy the two channels of internet marketing fulfillment that will come most naturally to you, and be most enjoyable for you,” said Rak. “Likewise, if you are a designer, web developer or writer, there are two channels which will come most naturally to you, and so on. We can help you identify the two channels to focus on that will be the best fit for you as a person. When you are well-matched with your work, success comes more easily.”
SearchMarketMe began a series of surveys in the spring of 2012 to better identify the strategies and best practices of the highest-performing and most successful Agency Owners in its network.
“Specialization and differentiation are the key to success when operating an internet marketing agency,” commented SearchMarketMe’s president & CEO, Boyd Karren. “These survey results continue to prove that fact. Success as a ‘Finder’ and success as a ‘Doer’ come from specialization and differentation.” Read More…
Yogurt Industry Booming: YogoFactory Takes Lead, Opens Franchises
With a society increasingly focused on health and customer service, it is no surprise that the make-your-own frozen yogurt business model has caught on. The recent explosion in frozen yogurt businesses caters to the health conscious and sweets-lovers alike, creating one of the most profitable opportunities in recent history. Many seeking to ride the wave success have turned to YogoFactory, a booming new company based out of New Jersey.
“We’re [seeing] seven to eight hundred people a day right now. Even between 10 and midnight. It’s very busy,” says Brian Petruzzi, owner of YogoFactory.
YogoFactory is boasting 31 stores, including 9 franchises and 22 company-owned. While this is impressive for a fairly new business, the most promising aspect of YogoFactory is the growth rate they are exhibiting: an average of 2-4 new stores a week. Fortunately for all franchise owners and prospective franchise owners, this is the golden time in the frozen yogurt franchise revolution; a new trend is sweeping the nation, however it hasn’t gotten to the point where every area has a store. This allows for a nearly guaranteed success with little local competition.
Petruzzi credits much of his success to the versatility of the products offered.
“You either have the people that make the giant heavy sundaes or light healthy [treats],” he explains.
The beauty of this idea is that everyone can be satisfied, allowing for a much broader customer base. On top of this approximately 95% of the flavors are fat-free. This plays perfectly into the health craze that is enveloping the nation, so regardless of where new stores are popping up, there will be a market there for health food. Read More…
Yogurt Franchise Owner Opens 7th Red Mango Yogurt Store And Is Only 24 Years Old
She’s only 24 years old, but she knows how to run a business. Seven businesses in fact. Samantha Goldsmith, of Saint James, has opened her seventh Red Mango store in North Babylon, and will host a grand opening celebration on Saturday, May 12th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the grand opening event, residents will be treated to a free small yogurt, giveaways, music and fun.
Goldsmith is already a veteran of the fast-growing chain. With six other Red Mango stores in Long Island under her watchful eye, she also wears the crown as the largest multi-unit franchise owner for the red hot brand.
As the frozen yogurt craze officially hits North Babylon, the new location is among more than 170 Red Mango stores now open for business across North America.
Recently named the #1 Zagat-rated frozen yogurt and smoothie brand in America, Red Mango has garnered national attention for its award-winning, all-natural, nonfat frozen yogurt. But it won Goldsmith’s attention before that as a way to be her own boss.
In September 2010, Goldsmith, then 22, knew she wanted to open a franchise. She looked at many different options, but fell in love with Red Mango. “My dad and I went to a franchise show in New Jersey and loved the way Red Mango’s concept and design looked, but once I tried it, I was hooked. And then to find out that it was all-natural and healthy while still tasting delicious, I knew I wanted to be a part of Red Mango,” said Goldsmith.
Eighteen months later, Goldsmith is opening her seventh store on Long Island. “I couldn’t be happier to be doing what I love and seeing others fall in love with the flavorful pleasure that is Red Mango,” said Goldsmith. “The entire team at Red Mango of North Babylon is excited about the May 12th grand opening event and we invite everyone to come by and have a tasty and refreshing treat on us.” Read More…
Lawn Care Franchise Weed Man Experiences Exceptional Franchise Growth in 2011; Continues into 2012
Weed Man, North America’s leading lawn care franchise company, continues to lead the lawn care sector with double-digit sales increases. Additionally, company executives predict a steady stream of growth for the remainder of 2012.
In 2011, the company, which specializes in environmentally responsible lawn care services, signed 11 new license agreements and added 19 territories across the United States. As part of an aggressive nationwide expansion plan, Weed Man has a strong focus on franchise development across the United States and plans to sign 20 new license agreements and add 34 territories in 2012.
“We attribute our growth momentum to the support of our Weed Man franchise partners,” said Jennifer Lemcke, COO of Turf Holdings, Inc. and Weed Man USA. “The success of Weed Man franchisees is built upon the twin pillars of training and support. As we continue to grow our brand, both in the U.S. and internationally, we always remember that our franchisees are the key to our success.”
In addition to the company’s sizable list of newly signed franchise agreements, Weed Man franchises in North America have reported 15 to 20 percent year-over-year growth, on average, throughout the past two years. In fact, the average yearly gross sales per location in the U.S. is nearly $500,000. In addition to its extensive list of new franchise agreements, Weed Man experienced more than 15 percent growth in sales and added 12,000 customers last year. The company also reported $44 million in U.S. sales in 2011, with total system wide sales of $110 million when including both Canada and the United Kingdom.
Also in 2011, Weed Man created a new financing program to help potential franchise partners gain access to credit. The program, which launched in September 2011, offers franchise owners up to $40,000 in financing. Typical start-up costs for a Weed Man franchise ranges from $40,000 to $50,000 including training, software and equipment. The financing program is available to all candidates who have a good credit rating. Read More…
LINE-X Of Upstate New York Hosts Grand Opening To Support National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
LINE-X Protective Coatings, the nation’s leading developer and provider of high performance protective coatings, today announced the opening of a new franchise in Schenectady, N.Y. LINE-X of Upstate New York will be hosting a Grand Opening celebration at 2090 Central Avenue on May 19, 2012. Owner Richard Rosetti opens LINE-X of Upstate New York as his second LINE-X franchise, contributing to a growing national LINE-X Franchise Network of more than 400 retail stores strategically located in the United States. Rosetti also owns LINE-X of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
To celebrate its Grand Opening on May 19, LINE-X of Upstate New York will be raffling a free LINE-X PREMIUM Bedliner. Tickets will be sold at the 2090 Central Avenue location for $5 each. Enjoy hot dogs, hamburgers and soda while watching LINE-X product demonstrations. All ticket proceeds will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“LINE-X is proud to honor the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the work they do to support America’s first responders,” said Kevin Heronimus, LINE-X CEO. “We salute the efforts of LINE-X of Upstate New York to pay tribute to these fallen heroes and their families.”
LINE-X features a range of products specially designed to defend against rust, chemicals, abrasions and even the toughest of environments with maximum protection. LINE-X PREMIUM offers the highest level of abrasion and impact protection consumers already trust in LINE-X with the UV protection a spray-on protective coating needs to look brand new, for life. LINE-X PREMIUM is a one-of-a-kind zero volatile organic compound (VOC) aliphatic coating that provides superior ultraviolet (UV) stability with excellent color and gloss retention. Read More…
Stay-at-home dad turns businessman, buys into mobile video game truck franchise
Scott Beskid said he couldn’t imagine a better job than the one he has had the past eight years: stay-at-home dad for his two boys, Nathan and John.
But now that the boys are getting older, Beskid said he has found some time to add another dimension to his busy life.
The former social worker took a giant leap into the world of business as a franchise owner of GameTruck, a fully furnished video game room that can be towed to homes for family parties or to day-care centers and schools for educational programs.
Beskid, who said one client called his trailer “a family room on steroids,” launched his operation a month ago.
Thanks to some advertising, a lot of word of mouth and hours of cold calls to potential clients, Beskid put 13 parties under his belt in April.
He admits it has been an exciting, though scary, adventure for someone with no business background.
“It was a big investment, and I didn’t know if it would work,” Beskid said.
Adding to the challenge is having to educate people on exactly what he offers.
“You say ‘patented mobile game video theater’ and people have no clue what you mean,” he said. Read More…
Home health care is one of the most profitable franchises
A new report lists home health care as one of the top five most profitable franchises in the U.S., even as the industry fights new Department of Labor rules calling for mandatory overtime and minimum wage requirements for home health employees.Franchise Business Review, a market research firm, found that the median amount paid for a new franchise in 2012 was about $66,000, and the “potential return on investment is significantly higher than many other franchise businesses.”
The company surveyed home care owners two years ago and found the fairly new industry was growing fast, but this report, company President Michelle Rowan said, shows it’s not just a trend. “It’s a very strong business,” she said. “It was neat to come back two years later and see that they’re still performing well.” The surveys also showed owner satisfaction was high.
“In senior care, they’re more involved in the day-to-day operations,” Rowan said. “That’s opposed to someone who owns a fast-food franchise who might be dealing with lower-end employees who make $10 an hour.” Many home care givers are “doing what they want to do for the rest of their lives.”
The survey, released last week, showed top franchises grossed $1 million or more, with gross margins at 30% to 40%. As a comparison, opening a food or retail franchise can cost $500,000 in initial investments while operating with slim margins.
The report found owners kept their costs low by operating out of their homes, and that the economy did not affect the industry as much as others because the number of seniors needing care continues to grow. Rowan said more families have adults who both are employed, so there’s no one to stay home with an aging parent.
Home care representatives have appeared before Congress to argue that overtime pay would force them to charge seniors more — and that home care workers already make minimum wage and above. Read More…
LED Franchise Lights Up Tampa Bay Economy, 20 Jobs
LED Source, a national franchise that distributes professional LED lighting products has come to the Tampa Bay region. Scott Weber, CEO of the Florida West coast franchise, known as Nitor Solutions, co-founded the operation with his friends and business partners Haitham Charles and Marc Soudijn.
“The LED lighting franchise is a great concept, in a great industry,” Weber says. “LED lighting the next big thing, with tremendous opportunity. There is a huge need with less than 2 percent of commercial lighting currently LED right now there is room for growth.”
Nitor Solutions, which is located at 402 Knights Run Avenue in Tampa, has plans to service Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. The company supplies energy-efficient LED lighting to commercial buildings and developments, including office spaces, parks, schools, theaters, churches and art galleries.
With plans to cover such a vast territory and a market that is undeserved, Weber plans to hire 20-plus employees.
“Four sales people have been hired in Tampa, and by the end of the year we will have eight to ten more hires here,” Weber says. “By end of next year, we should have 10 sales people in St. Petersburg, and 18 months from now we hope to have at least five new hires in Sarasota.”
Due to the fact that LED lighting is so new, Weber says he doesn’t expect sales people to have any LED sales experience. Read More…
Dealers turn to online
Dealers are making the switch because they can achieve increased profits on part exchange stock of between 15-20 per cent, says the firm.
Steve Turney, managing director of Hyundai Milton Keynes, said: ‘We have used local trade buyers across both of our sites to dispose of our part exchange stock for many years.
‘We found that it was very time consuming dealing with up to ten trade buyers at a time, many of whom would visit us on a Saturday – a busy time for potential and existing customers visiting the dealership.
‘This was very disruptive to our business. We also tried auctions, but found that it was more hassle than it was worth as service books went missing, vehicles got damaged and exposure for the vehicles was limited to the one-day auction and the trade buyers present.
‘We decided to try out Dealer-Auction and have found it to be performing exceptionally well on all levels. We are seeing an uplift in profit per vehicle of around 15-20 per cent; our vehicles are exposed to thousands of trade buyers over a few days; we control the stock as it remains at our premises until it is bought and picked up by the buyer; we only have to deal with Dealer-Auction and not a host of different trade buyers. Read More…
Intero Franchise Services, Inc. Expands Across the Mississippi
Intero Franchise Services Inc., an affiliate of Intero Real Estate, Inc. (“Intero”), recognized as one of the fastest-growing and most innovative brokerages in the industry, announced today that it has expanded into the greater Nashville, Tennessee area. The Grand Opening will take place on June 7th.
Located in the Nashville suburb of Murfreesboro, the office is ideally situated to service Nashville, Green Hills, Franklin and Brentwood. This office will mark the 44th franchise and the first to be east of the Mississippi, increasing Intero Real Estate’s reach farther than it’s ever been in the U.S. “We are excited to extend the Intero brand across the Mississippi.” Gino Blefari, Intero President and CEO, says. “We go where we find people who are the right fit for the Intero brand because they have the same values and believe in the culture we’ve created. In Murfreesboro, we found those people.”
The location, a former Prudential office, will transition with 48 agents and will be growing. Intero Middle Tennessee, as it will be called, is owned by Mark Rowland and will be managed by Don Day, both real estate veterans with over 15 years of experience. “We were really attracted to Intero’s Leadership Team and their ability to continue to gain momentum during a time when so many seem to be losing it,” states Rowland. “The technology platform and operational support provided by the company will truly make a difference in all of our future transactions,” adds Day. “We can move forward with our business knowing we will be well taken care of.” Read More…
BAB, Inc. Announces New Franchise Concept
BAB, Inc. BABB -6.35% , the franchisor and licensor of Big Apple Bagels(R) and My Favorite Muffin(R) has announced its new franchise concept, SweetDuet Frozen Yogurt & Gourmet Muffins(TM), which it is preparing to roll out this year. While BAB will be offering franchises in all fifty states, its initial development focus is targeted for the Midwest, specifically Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio. BAB is currently seeking interested Development Agents, Area Developers and individual Franchisees. As part of its introductory development plan, BAB will be donating 10% of the initial franchise fee from its first 50 units to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, of which BAB is a corporate sponsor. The Company is currently accepting inquiries from interested parties.
SweetDuet(TM), as its name implies, is a fusion concept, pairing self-serve frozen yogurt with BAB’s exclusive line of My Favorite Muffin(R) gourmet muffins, broadening the shop’s offering and therefore differentiating itself from the numerous frozen yogurt outlets already populating the market. SweetDuet Frozen Yogurt & Muffins(TM) shops will also include BAB’s Brewster’s(R) Coffee and a streamlined breakfast menu. Franchisees will have the added benefits of opportunities for outside muffin sales as well as muffin gift-baskets. The concept is designed to work in 1600 square feet of space. Read More…
Stratus Building Solutions Educates Consumers about Cleaning Technology
Stratus Building Solutions took place in the third largest Earth Day celebration in the country, held in St. Louis, Missouri at Forrest Park. The day-long festival is attended by thousands of environmental supporters.
Stratus Building Solutions is the country’s leading green facility services provider. They have a proprietary line of Green Seal certified cleaning chemicals, a Stratus Brand HEPA filtration backpack vacuum that removes dirt and allergens .3 micron or larger from flooring and surfaces, and a variety of other methods to ensure the greenest clean for professional buildings.
One piece of equipment demonstrated by Marisa Lather, the National Marketing Manager for Stratus Building Solutions, is the UV-C Wand. This uses UV-C light to sanitize viruses, bacteria, mold, and dust mites by penetrating the membranes and dismantling their reproductive capabilities.
“We use this specific technology where we can’t spray a traditional liquid cleanser, such as light switches, keyboards, and phones,” shares Ms. Lather. “It can even be used to effectively sanitize upholstery!”
Besides the proprietary products, Stratus also employs a strict color-coded microfiber towel system in the commercial cleaning aspect of their business. The color-coding helps identify where the towel should be used, so there is no concern the towel used to clean the toilet is the one used to clean the telephone.
These were also demonstrated by Marisa Lather. “The fiber is different than a traditional cotton rag because it is hook-shaped, allowing it to grab and hold on to the contaminant so that not only is it removed from the surface, but eliminated from the building. Traditional rags just knock dirt on the floor – which does nothing except have the dirt change places. Read More…
New Fresh Coat Painters Franchise Brings Services to Leominster and its Massachusetts Neighbors
Fresh Coat Painters has extended its services in North Central Massachusetts with the opening of Mark and Lori Benoit’s franchise to serve Leominster, Princeton, Westminster, Fitchburg, Ayer, Littleton, Harvard, Lancaster, Sterling and their surrounding communities.
After 30-plus years as a self-employed painter and carpenter, Mark said he was ready to step down from the ladder and use his knowledge to lead a team of professionals.
“Most of my work came from repeat clients and their referrals, so I know the importance of providing quality service at reasonable prices,” he said. “Fresh Coat puts its emphasis on client satisfaction and how you treat the client. I also appreciated that they use only employees, never subcontractors, because I know that with subcontractors, you don’t necessarily know what you’re going to get. That matched with my experience and demonstrated their integrity.”
What Mark lacked was the marketing experience, he said, and Fresh Coat provided the expertise to help him promote and grow his business.
“That was all kind of new to me,” he said. “But it’s clear that marketing is about 80 percent of business success. I’ve gotten a lot of good ideas that combined with my knowledge and know-how should serve us and our clients well.”
Lori agreed, noting that her work with the Leominster Public Library and Our Father’s House shelter had taught her much about the importance of marketing. And, because of her work as an administrative assistance, she’ll help with the paperwork for the business.
Bernie Brozek, president of Fresh Coat, said the Benoits have a solid foundation for success.
“Like our other owners, they understand that a painting business isn’t just about painting. It’s about the whole experience from the initial phone call throughout the project and the follow-up,” Brozek said. “People want to know that they’ll be treated professionally and that work will be done correctly. That’s why our business model works so well. Our owners promote the business while the onsite personnel provide the best in quality and service. Clients get the best skills of all involved.” Read More…
Fresh Fruit Smoothies and Hawaiian Coffees Will Soon Be Making Their Way to Locust Grove, Georgia
Maui Wowi Hawaiian welcomes an energetic and talented new franchisee who will soon be serving premium Hawaiian coffees and all-natural fresh fruit smoothies in Locust Grove, Georgia.
Amit Patel isn’t your average small business owner. Born in India, Patel relocated to the United States and pursued an education that would further him along in life; receiving degrees in Bio Chemistry, Business, and Engineering. His intelligence proved to be a solid asset to his career path. Beginning his journey in an entry level position at a manufacturing company, Patel quickly rose in the ranks, impressing the CEO and landing him a position in engineering. His strong work ethic paid off and after excelling within the company, it became apparent to Patel that he was meant for even greater things.
“I have wanted my own business since I was a young child. I wanted to be the guy that made the decisions, managed employees, and saw the big picture. Finally, I made the decision that I was no longer going to work for anyone but myself,” proclaimed Patel.
Finding something he was passionate about was important to him and after discovering Maui Wowi Hawaiian, he knew it would be the perfect fit. “I see myself happy and successful with Maui Wowi and the best part is I can wake up and want to go to work knowing the day is going to be great,” says Patel.
The Maui Wowi franchise system offers a variety of different models allowing for flexibility and growth. Patel, along with his wife Roshni, plan to begin their business with a fixed retail location and eventually branch out into events and venues with a mobile unit called a Ka’anapali Cart. They envision working lots of sporting events, school festivals, and other community activities. Locust Grove is approximately 30 minutes south of Atlanta and Patel describes it as being “big on hometown pride.” Read More…
Global Income Alliance: Truly The Only Online Franchise
Internet entrepreneur Paul Birdsall recently launched the Global Income Alliance, the world’s first and only true online franchise. Global Income Alliance is live and is now accepting franchisee applications in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces and in over 50 other countries globally.
Global Income Alliance is able to establish a very proven and predictable level of success for serious people looking for a legitimate online business opportunity by eliminating the ‘human variable’ which is the cause of the majority of the failure for most people starting a home based business online. Now one company does all the sales and marketing while the newbie learns how to become skilled enough online. This approach allows anyone regardless of skill level to be able to start making money online quickly and long term.
“People truly want to earn money online by starting their own business, but most will fail because they lack the skill or experience personally in order to achieve profits quick enough,” says Paul Birdsall, Founder and CEO. “Global Income Alliance allows people to simply plug into our proven brand and immediately start seeing results just like one would with a McDonald’s, Subway or other proven off line franchises.”
Is Global Income Alliance a get rich quick income opportunity?
Not at all according to founder Paul Birdsall, who states “Global Income Alliance offers the new entrepreneur the opportunity to piggy back of the experience of professionals that have been earning full-time incomes working from home for over fifteen years while the individual learns the necessary skills to run on their own”. Global Income Alliance is doing something no other online income opportunity has ever offered and that is the ability to earn while you learn starting from day one. Read More…
Are U.S. chains taking over Costa Rica?
Teddy Mora devours a plate of marinated ribs at the new Pollo Tropical restaurant across the street from San José’s Central Park. Next to him, O’Hong Wong finishes off a couple of chicken wings. This is not their first time eating here, and they’re already fans of the U.S. chain, headquartered in Miami, Florida.
The restaurant chain opened its first location in Costa Rica at the beginning of April, and has plans for four more sites here. After returning from a day of work in the city of Heredia, north of the capital, Mora and Wong appreciate a brand new restaurant where they can grab dinner.
But not even two weeks after it opened, Pollo Tropical lost its status as the latest chicken franchise in town. On April 13, Popeyes, a U.S. fried-chicken franchise from Louisiana, opened a $1.5 million Costa Rican restaurant in the eastern San José suburb of Curridabat. In the same market, the two must square off against U.S. franchises KFC and Church’s Chicken, Guatemalan brand Pollo Campero and Costa Rica’s own Rostipollos, among others.
The sector of restaurants specializing in chicken embodies only a small part of the influx of U.S. brands that are moving here. The arrivals could oversaturate the market and result in fierce competition between both international and local brands, market analysts said. But franchise expansion continues because customers like Mora enjoy the increasing number of options.
“I think it’s good because you have more to choose from,” Mora, 37, said. “[There are] more options for food, for fast food. … There’s a lot of variety. It’s always hard to find authentic Costa Rican food in central San José. At home, we eat casados, [Costa Rica’s traditional dish, with] rice, beans, meat and plantains. When we leave the house we want to try something different.” The Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce said 171 foreign franchises operate in Costa Rica, an increase from 147 in 2011, and they operate approximately 900 stores. Not all new franchises arrive from the United States, although 60 percent of foreign franchises are U.S.-based. Spanish clothing store Zara will bolster its number of locations in the country. Brazilian restaurant chain Spoleto is set for an expansion of 15 franchises in five years. Costa Rican eatery Bagelman’s intends to expand. Read More…
McDonald’s franchisee Matt Jarrett backs our Let’s Clean Up campaign
A FAST food restaurant franchisee who launched his own war on litter has backed our Let’s Clean Up campaign.
McDonald’s franchise Matt Jarrett, who runs restaurants in Ryhall Road in Stamford, Glinton, Haddon and Wisbech, felt so strongly about litter that last year he bought a green van and employed a litter operative to pick up burger boxes and drink cartons from across the area.
The company requires restaurants to clean a 100m radius around restaurants but Mr Jarrett believes this doesn’t go far enough in rural areas.
He said: “I thought we can do better than that so we got the litter van and ever since then, it has really taken off.”
The franchise has been recognised by the company for its efforts and was recently visited by chief executive officer of McDonald’s UK Jill McDonald.
Mr Jarrett said: “She was very impressed with what she saw.”
Michael Morecroft, who drives the van, looks for McDonald’s litter but once he stops, he picks the whole area.
He has picked 813 sacks of litter in 14 weeks.
McDonald’s staff have also taken the van to help out at village litter picks and are planning their own events. Read More…
360clean is Expanding in Mobile and Seeks Franchisees to Manage Growth
You don’t hear often about businesses having dramatic growth from 2010 – 2012 due to the economy. But it’s a different story when you’re talking about 360clean, a specialized janitorial service firm. 360clean specializes in providing a hygienic office cleaning service to medical offices and other commercial offices that desire to have a clean, yet germ free environment.
The company expanded to the Gulf Coast in 2010 and now needs more franchisees in Mobile, Alabama market to manage the current and future growth.
360clean, which has 40 franchises in twelve states, has a specialized cleaning approach that provides a clean and healthy office. This is accomplished through their JaniMed system.
“It’s a low investment and low overhead business opportunity, and it’s viewed by many as recession resistant,” said Barry Bodiford, Founder & CEO of 360clean. “Medical offices aren’t going anywhere. Office cleaning is a strong need and our specialization provides us a niche in the marketplace.” Read More…
Baskin-Robbins Announces Major Expansion Plans in the UK
New shops to create opportunities for franchisees and up to 400 new jobs across the country
Baskin-Robbins, the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops, today announced plans to greatly expand the brand’s presence in the UK. The firm is looking to nearly double its number of locations in the UK with the addition of 80 new free-standing restaurants over the next three years, in the process creating up to 400 new full and part-time jobs.
The announcement comes as Baskin-Robbins celebrates the official opening of three new shops in London. Nigel Travis, Chief Executive Officer of Dunkin’ Brands, Baskin-Robbins’ parent company, and Giorgio Minardi, President of Dunkin’ Brands International, have travelled to London to attend the openings.
“Baskin-Robbins takes pride in delighting guests the world over with its rich library of ice cream flavours and wide array of frozen treats,” said Nigel Travis, a London-native and Chief Executive Officer of Dunkin’ Brands. “With the development of these additional restaurants, even more ice cream lovers across the UK will be able to enjoy our premium ice cream, ice cream cakes and frozen beverages, all served in a fun environment and at a great value.”
“This is also great news for the British business community,” Travis continued. “Baskin-Robbins’ further growth in the UK provides an excellent opportunity for those looking to develop a franchise business. It also means hundreds of new jobs, which we are particularly pleased to be supporting.” Read More…
The UPS Store Conducts Franchise-Opportunity Education Nationwide
Throughout May and June, The UPS Store ® franchise network will host more than 40 free franchise-opportunity seminars and webinars across the country for individuals interested in learning about the small business franchise community and the nation’s largest franchise network of retail shipping, postal, printing and business services centers.
In addition, on June 18, The UPS Store franchisor will hold a Discovery Day at its corporate headquarters in San Diego. Qualified franchisee candidates will have the opportunity to meet with key home office support team members to learn more about The UPS Store franchise, including an award-winning training program and marketing support to help promote and grow their businesses.
“Our franchise-opportunity seminars and webinars can help individuals learn more about joining a network of more than 4,300 franchised small businesses,” said Chris Adkins, who oversees franchise development for The UPS Store franchise network. “Our franchisees are part of the communities they serve, providing fellow small business owners and consumers personalized shipping, print and business services.”
The UPS Store collaborates with Franchise America Finance™ (FAF) and The Bankcorp Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bancorp, Inc., to provide a funding source to qualified, new franchise applicants for the development of new locations and the transfer of current locations. The UPS Store is the first franchise network in its category to receive this funding.
“It’s a great time to consider The UPS Store franchise opportunity. This lending program was developed with FAF to provide qualified candidates with a time-sensitive credit approval process, allowing them to build out their business, create local jobs and begin servicing their community in a shortened amount of time,” Adkins said. Read More…
