Brian Mattingly, CEO of marketing franchise Welcomemat
Services, will always have a soft spot for his hometown, Chicago. Born and
raised on the North Shore, he moved to Atlanta as a child and remained there,
eventually founding Welcomemat, a company that provides welcome packages to new
movers with coupons and special offers for local businesses.
Welcomemat now has eight corporate-owned locations and 14
franchises mostly concentrated in the southeastern U.S., but Brian is targeting
the Chicagoland area for growth. He’s planning to open one location in Winnetka
in the next year, with seven total planned for Illinois.
Why Winnetka? It’s a hotspot for businesses, with more
than 300 small businesses concentrated in a village of just over 12,000
residents. And with top-notch public and private schools, low crime rates, easy
access to Chicago and countless family activities, it’s a no-brainer why 70 new
families move there each month. It doesn’t hurt that Winnetka is also one of
Chicago’s most affluent suburbs.
Brian is confident that as more and more people continue
to flock toward Chicago’s suburbs, need for services like Welcomemat will
continue to grow – making it a solid franchise opportunity.
You can read more about Brian Mattingly and his plans for
Welcomemat’s Chicago-area expansion in the Winnetka
Talk.
Want to see some young geniuses showing off their invention on Fox & Friends? They have links to the franchise world - one member, Breyden Wood, is the son of Tom Wood, president and CEO Floor Coverings International. And BrightStar Care, a senior care franchise, is the team sponsor.
The kids are members of The Determinators, the Georgia state champions of the First Lego League (FLL) competition. They're heading to the World Championship later this month. Best of luck, Determinators!
If you own a small business, you know how hard it can be to
secure funding from banks and traditional lenders – and even though the economy
is showing hints of improvements, small business loans are still almost
impossible to get. So what do you do if your business needs extra financing but
can’t get it through traditional means?
Factoring is a little-known secret in the business world
that can make the difference between just scraping by and actually having the
funds to help your business grow. Factoring isn’t lending – it’s actually the
purchase of anticipated accounts receivable by a factoring company, providing
advance funding for businesses facing delays.
Liquid Capital is a Canada-based company that specializes in
factoring for small and medium businesses. Co-founder Sol Roter published a
guest blog on Business News Daily discussing the potential benefits of
factoring for businesses of all kinds.
If you can stand Vegas (well I can't but sometimes have to) attending the Multi-Unit Franchise Conference produced by Franchise Update Media Group is worthwhile. If you want to get a read and a bead on what's shaking in franchising, this is a good start. Booth after booth exhibiting their concepts--trying to bring aboard some of the most profitable and successful mutli-unit, multi-concept franchisees in the country.
And they were there in force from the owner of 140 Church's Chickens to someone who is just starting to build his restaurant portfolio, this exhibit gives them one stop shopping for the latest concepts-mostly in food.
Teriyaki Madness, a Las Vegas based restaurant concept that is YES all about Teriyaki is a good example of the type of franchise that is very different --thus appealing to a franchisee who owns a bunch of Hardee's. Smart restaurant operators are looking for unique options. And they can find it here. Below this blogger with a bunch of cool people from MUFC.
Kelly Jarvis owns Wholesome Tummies of York County, Pa.
It’s no secret that America is facing a growing
obesity epidemic. It’s not just a problem for adults, either – more and more
kids are overweight or obese and face countless health problems. That’s where
Wholesome Tummies comes in. The kids’ food franchise supplies local schools
with nutritious meals that actually taste good, meaning kids want to eat them.
The company is expanding across the country, and just opened a new
location in York County, Penn. Franchisee Kelly Jarvis joined Wholesome Tummies
because she’s passionate about healthy living – with a son of her own, age 4,
she knows it’s essential to get kids excited about eating well right from the
start. She plans to start serving healthy lunches to schools in the area
beginning in August for the 2013-14 school year.
You can read more about Kelly and Wholesome Tummies in the York Daily Record.
Robbie Whitten and his father Robert didn’t start out in
business together planning to open a pawn shop. When Robbie was just 18, he
joined his father in building a business empire spanning the country, purchasing
gold and silver jewelry and selling it to smelters for a solid profit. When the
market collapsed, the pair was left with a warehouse full of beautiful jewelry
and nowhere to put it.
That’s when the Whittens decided to open a pawn shop – Money
Mizer Pawn & Jewelry. Now, 33 years later, the flagship store is still
going strong, and the franchise has grown to seven locations across the south,
with five more planned in 2013 and eight to 10 per year in the future.
And now they’re expanding into the world of online shopping
with PawnConfidential.com, where sellers can submit photos of the items they
want to pawn, and Whitten’s team will appraise the items and make an offer.
It’s a solid option for people who may not want to go to a pawn shop or are unable
to get to a physical location.
Between Money Mizer’s aggressive franchise expansion and the
new website project, Whitten is helping to change the image of pawn shops – no
longer the seedy stores of days past, today’s shops are targeting clientele from
all backgrounds and are expanding into increasingly upscale markets. In today’s
economy where money continues to be an issue for many people, the pawn industry
is poised for unparalleled success.
Robbie is featured in the April 2013 issue of Entrepreneur magazine, available on
newsstands this week.
Pillar To Post is a home inspection franchise based in Tampa, Fla.
It’s no secret that the economy has been tough, especially
for small business owners. This is especially true of business owners in the
real estate industry, where the housing bubble and lending crisis have combined
to create a sluggish market for home sales.
That’s the issue Danny Niemi of Memphis, Tenn. faced with
his construction business, River Rock Construction Inc., which he opened just
before the housing bubble burst. Although he was able to maintain his typical
construction volume for around a year, things eventually fizzled – so he
quickly realized his need to diversify.
In May 2012, Niemi opened a Pillar To Post franchise to help
supplement his independent business. The home inspection company has given him
a foot in the door as the housing market recovers, and enables him to continue
his construction work. And since home inspections are highly desired for
regular home sales and bank foreclosures alike, Pillar To Post is thriving.
For people who might own their own business or have a career
they’re passionate about, but would like to supplement it with something
stable, effective, and profitable, a franchise is the perfect solution.
You can read more about Danny Niemi and his Pillar To Post
franchise in the Memphis
Business Journal.
ComForcare Senior Services is an in-home care provider based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
You’ve heard it many times before – franchising offers an
ideal business opportunity because it provides the stability of a proven
business model, but also allows for individual flexibility and a chance to
create your own successful operation.
What are some of the underlying reasons people choose a
franchise over their own independent business? Concerns can range from high
startup costs to industry-specific challenges and more.
For Stephen Endrizzi, a ComForcare Senior Services
franchisee in Dakota County, Minn., the decision was based on population
changes within his hometown. By 2020, seniors age 65 and older are expected to
make up 20 percent of Dakota County’s population. Knowing that, Endrizzi saw an
opportunity for a solid homecare business, and joined the ComForcare franchise
last May after retiring from his industrial sales career. He now has 15
part-time employees and business continues to grow.
Endrizzi discussed his path to choosing ComForcare in the April
2013 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal
Finance. The article is also available online.
Jasper residents and Stephen F. Austin State University alumni Jason and
Ginger Dorman will launch Hungry Howie’s Pizza franchise in Nacogdoches, Texas
later this summer, part of the chain’s aggressive nationwide expansion.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza is a major player in the quick-service pizza
industry, approaching 600 locations in more than 24 states. But the thing that
continues to draw customers – and franchisees – to the Madison Heights,
Mich.-based company is its commitment to quality and affordability. As Ginger
says, “They really want everyone to feel like a family.”
The Dormans are still looking for the perfect spot for their first
Hungry Howie’s restaurant, but that isn’t stopping them from planning for the
future. They hope to expand throughout East Texas, opening several more
locations over the next few years.
Robbie Whitten, owner of Money Mizer Pawn & Jewelry
If you’ve flipped through your TV guide lately, you’ve
probably noticed a trend – shows like “Pawn Stars” and “Hardcore Pawn” are
showing a side of pawn shops most people have never seen before. No longer just
for people down on their luck or in need of quick cash, pawn shops are rapidly
becoming an important resource for consumers from all backgrounds – whether
it’s an unexpected need for short-term funds, or just the thrill of a great
bargain on big-ticket items like jewelry, pawn shops are becoming ubiquitous
throughout the country.
That’s a trend Money Mizer Pawn & Jewelry, a pawn
shop franchise based in Columbus, Ga., is capitalizing on. The franchise, which
has seven locations throughout Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, recently appeared
in a US
News & World Report article discussing the increasing popularity of
pawn shops for a wider segment of the population. Money Mizer itself has seen
significant growth since the company began franchising in 2009. In response to
the growing demand for pawn shops, the company expects to have 16 to 18 stores
open by the end of 2014.
Lindsey Gentry, of Killeen, Texas, recently signed a development agreement with Erbert & Gerbert's Sandwich Shop.
For many military veterans, the transition from
service to civilian life can be tough – especially when it comes to finding a
suitable career. With the leadership ability, attention to detail, and teamwork
skills that military training provides, it’s a no-brainer that many vets turn
to business ownership. And for people who want a bit more structure, joining an
established franchise with a tried-and-true method for success is the perfect
solution.
That’s how Lindsey Gentry, an Army veteran from Killeen, Texas, became
the state’s first Erbert & Gerbert’s Sandwich Shop franchisee. A longtime
fan of the sub franchise – it was her favorite restaurant in college – she
signed a development agreement with Erbert & Gerbert’s to launch three
locations by 2016.
Gentry sat down with Military.com to discuss her
Army career, her transition to civilian life, and how her rigorous military
training set her up for success as a franchise owner.
Her story is a perfect example of why franchise ownership is a great
option for military veterans – where better to recruit strong business leaders
than from the ranks of America’s loyal servicemen and women?
The housing
industry is picking back up – this January, new home sales rose almost 16
percent compared to December 2012 – an overall increase of 29 percent since
this time one year ago. With home sales increasing, more people are looking for
ways to freshen up their houses, either for their own enjoyment or for future
sales. And if you’ve ever remodeled your home or just updated a few rooms in
the house, you know what a pain it can be to sift through endless options
without really knowing what type of product is best for your needs. That’s why
experts like the team at Floor Coverings International are so great – they do
the work, so you don’t have to!
Mike Killeen,
franchise owner of Floor Coverings International
in Freehold, N.J., stars in a series of helpful videos on About.com.
In the two videos below, he discusses the best flooring options for a bathroom
and the many types of engineered wood floors. Plenty of useful tips for anyone
who needs a little help with their remodeling plans!
Recently the IFA held their 53rd annual convention at the horrendous MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Sorry, what can I say? 1.2 miles from elevators to conference center makes for a lot of sore feet and or no clothing changes!!! No one is going back to their room to put on a party dress for the cocktail events. Guys look funny in them anyway.
But the good news is 500 new people attended and things seem to be very uplifting for franchising. Even though this is really a lobbying organization, so President Steve Caldeira is on the bandwagon a lot about Obama policy, it was clear that even small players seemed to be getting more leads, good vibes and attention from the public.
I like what I saw there--not the ugly carpeting--but the franchisors who seemed quite excited for the excellent panels, roundtables and networking opportunities. It's always a good time to say, talk to Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway, and ask him why he thinks he's so successful. Yeah like he had one answer. But the point is Fred shares--as do most of the bigwigs in franchising. And that is worth a fortune!!
This blogger and Fred DeLuca--founder of Subway. No one is as generous as Fred when it comes to sharing info.
Forbes
recently published a list of America’s
fastest-growing cities. It’s clear that more people are moving to new places as
the economy recovers and unemployment drops. What do Americans’ moving habits
mean for small businesses across the country?
This infographic lays out some key statistics. Among them: One in five Americans
moves each year. On average, new movers spend more in their first six months in
a new location than a normal customer does in three years. That means new
residents are an ideal source of revenue and loyalty for small businesses. But
the timeframe is limited: contacting new residents within 60 days of a move is
80 times more successful than reaching out to established residents.
Welcomemat
Services is a franchise that capitalizes on the potential of new movers by delivering
custom-designed gift certificates directly to new residents with offers like
complimentary haircuts, free car washes, and dry-cleaning discounts from local
businesses. After a customer uses a gift certificate, the business returns it
to Welcomemat. Welcomemat then analyzes the data and gives it back to the
business, offering demographic and buying information to help owners keep track
of new customers.
Welcomemat
is in the midst of a nationwide expansion campaign, and this month launched new franchises in McKinney, Texas and Apex, N.C. Plans call for 20 additional
locations this year, with growth targeted at major metropolitan areas
throughout the country. To learn more about Welcomemat, visit their website at www.welcomematservices.com.
Liquid Capital was named a 2013 World Class Franchise by the Franchise Research Institute.
Due to a strong company
business model and stellar scores on the confidential franchisee review, which
highlights overall franchisee satisfaction, Liquid Capital was included in the
top 25 World-Class Franchise® list for the seventh consecutive year
based on results from the Franchise Research Institute®.
“We
attribute a significant amount of success at Liquid Capital to our superior
franchisees, whom we refer to here as Principals, and we are happy to see that
our feelings of appreciation are mutual,” said Liquid Capital’s founder and director Brian Birnbaum. “We aim to
continue supporting our existing franchise locations – which helped us earn
this esteemed honor – while attracting new franchise owners to our growing
system.”
Of
the 3,000-plus franchise companies registered in North America, Liquid Capital
was included in the top 25 based on a solid business model, effective training
and support and the company’s dedication to franchisee success. The results, which are obtained through
confidential franchisee surveys conducted by the Franchise Research Institute®,
found Liquid Capital to be superior in all categories.
This recognition comes
after experiencing a record month in November 2012. Despite an unstable
economy, the 13-year-old company boasted the highest record month in Liquid
Capital history.
“We
are honored to have been included in such a prestigious list,” said Birnbaum. “As
always, we thank our franchisees for their continued support and diligence. Our
franchise owners motivate us to become a better company, growing and succeeding
well into the future.”
Maaco of Roanoke, Va. recently converted from an independent auto body shop to a franchise.
It’s no
secret that the economy is struggling. Although things are better today than
they were a few years ago, the U.S. is still a long way away from a truly
stable economy, and small businesses across the country are feeling the burn.
Joining a
franchise means stability, support and a strong business model – a leg up from
trying to found your own company. Plus, franchises handle the little things like
advertising and promotions that take away from your ability to focus on everyday
management. And franchises don’t just appeal to potential owners – people with
existing independent businesses are also turning to franchises to boost
visibility and improve sales and overall business practices.
Take the
Belcher family of Roanoke, Va. When their independent auto body shop, Action
Auto Paint and Body, was struggling, they decided to become part of the Maaco
franchise. Now, post-rebranding, not only the shop has boosted its sales and production
figures dramatically – it’s gone from
near-closure to profitability. That’s the kind of turnaround every business
owner dreams of!
The Belchers
credit Maaco’s extensive franchisee training and support network with the
turnaround. In addition, because Maaco handles time-consuming details like
local advertising, the Belchers are able to focus on managing the day-to-day
aspects of the business, enabling their team to prioritize and maximize efficiency.
You can learn
more about how the Belcher family teamed up with Maaco to turn their business
around at Automotive
Body Repair News.
A peek inside a Get In Shape For Women studio. The national fitness franchise offers tailored personal training and nutrition consulting to women of all ages.
Did you make a New Year’s resolution to get back in shape
and drop those holiday pounds? If you’re like many Americans, the answer is
probably yes. That’s good news for franchise owners! With the health and
fitness industry experiencing a boom despite the sluggish overall economy,
there’s never been a better time to invest in a fitness franchise.
Niche gyms like Get In Shape For Women, a national chain
catered to women that offers small-group personal training sessions and
nutrition consulting, are a rapidly growing segment of the gym industry.
According to Get In Shape For Women president Lou DeFrancisco, people are drawn
to niche gyms for a wide variety of reasons – they offer a less intimidating
workout space than big-box fitness centers and have personal trainers readily
available, making it easy to stay accountable and reach your goals.
For franchisors, niche gyms are the way to go because
they require less staff and a smaller space – meaning business owners can break
even more quickly and turn profits early on. In addition, they offer a chance
to get more involved in the community and get to know your clients well.
You can read more about Get In Shape For Women and the
rise of niche gyms over at NBC
Chicago’s Inc Well.
Did
you score any good deals this holiday season? This year, more than ever before,
patrons utilized pawn shops not only to sell items for extra cash, but to find fantastic
deals for gifts. Customers from all economic backgrounds – in cities big and
small – scored big-ticket items like watches, jewelry and handbags. With
discounts of up to 80 percent off retail and the same exact product you’d find
at a designer boutique, what’s not to love about pawn shops?
Pawn
shops are losing their stigma – increasingly, new shops are opening in upscale
neighborhoods and attracting white-collar and upper-middle class customers who
are more interested in buying than selling. And people love to brag about their
bargains: in today’s world of extreme couponing and blowout sales, it’s finally
cool to save money.
Money
Mizer, a pawn shop franchise with locations in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, is
a great example of the industry’s growing popularity as a competitor to upscale
retail stores. White-collar clients have grown from 10 percent to 35 percent of
Money Mizer’s customer base in the past four years, and owner Robbie Whitten
says more customers are coming in to make major purchases – 60 percent of all
transactions are now sales, not pawns. He says diamonds are a consistent
bestseller because clients can find dramatic discounts over retail for
high-quality pieces.
You
can learn more about Money Mizer and the growing popularity of pawn shops at MarketWatch or learn more about how pawn shops fared this year in the
Wall Street Journal’s informative video.
LED Source's new corporate headquarters illuminated at night.
In today’s
business world, you hear a lot about “going green” – reducing your company’s
impact on the environment. There are countless ways to do so, but one of the
easiest and most effective solutions is switching from traditional incandescent
and fluorescent lighting to LED technology. Doing so can save your business
thousands of dollars in maintenance, air conditioning, and energy costs – and
the return on investment (ROI) of a large-scale revamp takes only a few years!
LED Source,
an LED lighting solutions provider and the first and only LED lighting
franchise in North America, does just that – the company designs and retrofits
efficient LED lighting systems for commercial buildings, public spaces, and
residences. LED Source has 13 franchisees with offices across the U.S. and
Canada, and works with leading names in lighting technology such as Cree,
Phillips, Toshiba and Lighting Science.
Expanding
operations, the company recently opened a brand new, 13,000 square-foot
corporate headquarters in Wellington, Fla. The facility is 100 percent
illuminated by energy-efficient LED lights, making it the first all-LED
building of its kind in Wellington. Hopefully it won’t be the last – the
efficient technology is saving LED Source over $7,933 in annual energy costs
and cutting energy usage by over 69 percent.
In this
volatile economy, saving money is essential – and with the new energy-efficient
building, LED Source is saving the environment, too. What could be better?
You can read
more about LED Source’s new corporate building here.
