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The Important Role of a Franchise Consultant

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For a lot of people buying a franchise can be very risky and challenging.  Hotel franchises, food franchises, automotive franchises etc., are great opportunities for business-minded people.  However just like any other business, before one can acquire or buy a business franchise, careful planning is needed.

In a recent statistic, a total of 650+ franchises would be available for the year 2012.  If this is true, then it would pose difficulty for people who want to acquire a franchise.  This is where the franchise consultant or a franchise broker comes in.

A franchise consultant is generally defined as someone who negotiates with franchisors in setting up, operating, and helping expand a certain franchise system.  Some groups however are taking liberties in adopting the title and job descriptions of a franchise consultant such as the franchise brokers and even field support staff.  This article will refer to franchise brokers as the people who represent various franchises and help franchisees sell the brands directly to new prospects.

There are several kinds of franchise brokers however among the most popular and largest groups, some common features and similarities are observed.  Most groups of franchise brokers represent 20-100+ brands covering various products and industries.  A lot of franchise brokers utilize personality profiles to help narrow the type of industry that a franchisee should be checking and reviewing.  Aside from this, the brokers must be able to gather enough information regarding the various companies that belong to the franchisee’s selected industry.  This can help franchisees narrow the search thus saving ample time.

However, a franchisee should not expect that franchise brokers are experts in all the brands included in their portfolio.  Thus when it comes to the final decision of whether to acquire or buy a business franchise or not, the decision still falls in the hands of the franchisee and not with the brokers.  Franchise brokers can only help by gathering enough information to narrow the search for the perfect franchise product or brand.  Once a franchise is selected, the franchisee must now create a list plan on what to ask the franchisor before the meet-up for the one-on-one talk and discussion.

Using the service of a franchise broker can help save time and effort when gathering information on hundreds of franchises such as automotive franchises, garment franchises etc.  With help from a broker, a franchisee will not have a hard time getting through the first few steps in acquiring a franchise, which involve the search and selection process.

Facebook Timeline, an Opportunity to Franchise Businesses

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For franchise owners, being updated of the latest marketing trends is essential.  By learning the proper way to communicate and reach a certain market, the success rate of the franchise becomes higher.  At present, Facebook, with more than 900 million members is one huge market.

With such huge market in a single platform, communicating properly is essential.  Facebook has recently shifted all of its account to the new format called Timeline.  This format provides exposure for franchising companies and other franchises for sale.  The following tips are helpful in marketing franchises using the new Facebook Timeline.

New Features

Franchisors and franchise consultants should be excited with Facebook Timeline because it offers new opportunities in introducing and marketing franchises for sale.  Now all accounts come with cover photo and new landing page.  Even updates and statuses can already be “pinned” on top of the user’s profile.

Cover Photo

Companies can now post their company banners as cover photos in Facebook.  Dimensions of cover photos should be 851 x 315 pixels.  Companies need to choose a photo that perfectly fits the allotted height and length space to avoid any distortion.

Landing Page

With Timeline, the personalized landing page has been removed.  All visitors will be directed to the user’s Timeline wall whenever the page is viewed.

“Pinning” Status

Significant updates on user’s status can now be “pinned” above the user’s Timeline and can remain there for a week.

Cover Photo

With a cover photo, companies can provide site visitors a visual representation of their products and services.  Facebook prohibits companies to utilize marketing hype on cover photos.  Impressive cover photos attract more visitors and can encourage them to explore the profile.

Tabs

With Timeline, user profiles are allowed to have 12 tabs.  These are applications that will be added to the profile page.  The initial four tabs are the only ones shown and the rest can be opened by scrolling the page.  So these initial four tabs must be the most significant ones.  Tabs for business as given by franchise consultants contain:

  • Local Maps
  • Promotions, deals, or coupons
  • Videos or photos of company activities
  • Careers
  • Contests
  • Company outreach
  • Company updates
  • Questions and Polls

Mark Significant Dates

Businesses can mark significant company dates in Timeline.  This can be helpful for franchises.  Having a franchise page enables date marking on every major openings and significant company activities.  Facebook also enables companies to add past dates as well as back tracking.

With this brand-new format franchise companies can share some details on how to buy a business and how the franchise company has developed.  Other examples are changes on company stock and past logo, volunteerism, company anniversaries, brand-new creations, presentation of new positions, and other relevant accomplishments of the company.

Marketing Assistance

Franchise consultants can provide assistance regarding franchise marketing.  Creating a complete marketing plan that contains attainable methods and goals can be tough without any guidance.  With the number one franchise consultant, Upside Group Franchise Consulting, interested individuals can learn how to buy a business or a franchise and other things necessary to start a franchise and make it last.

Pointers For Selling A Franchise

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Making that decision to buy a business or franchise, run it in the most cost-effective yet efficient way possible, and risk failure to make money can be daunting. For plenty of people, their bravery and entrepreneurial plus financial skills was rewarded with financial success, while others weren’t so lucky because they came into the business ill-prepared.

There’ll eventually come that point in time where a person will have to sell the business. Unfortunately, many franchisees go through the selling process unprepared, which can lead to massive amounts of frustration, and even getting significantly less payment for what the franchise is really worth.

To avoid any further headaches and getting ripped-off by buyers, below are a few tips to keep in mind when undergoing the process of selling a franchise.

First tip is to keep the franchisor informed – the guys at corporate office may have a few rules or more regarding the sale of their franchises. These regulations are usually stated in the contract signed during the initial purchase of the franchise itself, so going over a copy of the agreement to review these stipulations is highly advisable.

Moreover, it’s possible that the franchisor knows potential buyers, that want to buy a business that can make money in vast and consistent amounts (hopefully, this describes the reader’s venture.) If this is the case, the process of selling should be easy.

Second tip is to make the actual preparations for the sale – this involves establishing the true value of the business, setting a price that’s fair for both parties, pooling financial information, putting together a sales packet, plus more. Additionally, notifying key employees of the business may also be necessary.

Third tip is to identify and thoroughly understand the potential market – things such as what type of individual would actually be interested in buying such a franchise, how much were similar businesses sold in the past and whether the target market is momentarily hot or cold should be thought over. In addition to this, knowing what they expect from such an operation can further help with preparations for the sale.

Fourth and last tip is to advertise the franchise in every way possible. The more exposure it gets, the better. This may include listings in newspapers, the internet, social circles, and more. Also, making a good sales pitch is imperative – if the buyers don’t see the financial logic in deciding to buy a business or franchise such as the one pitched to them, or if the venture has no potential to make money then they’re likely to back-off.

What Every Prospective Franchisee Must Know

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A whole new world is facing a franchisee! Before newbie franchisees buy a business, they have to get nuggets of wisdom from John P. Hayes, Ph.D., a professor with over three decades of experience in guiding new franchisees to success.

National and regional franchises for sale are different, but there are generalities that can be given to each type. No two franchisees are alike; there are more exceptions than rules to be considered. Dr. Hayes stated that potential entrepreneurs must note that some national chains have an advantage over smaller chains, and that active research and development are essential. People in the industry should not only consider the business today, they should also consider how it would be five years from now. There will be changes, as effected by government regulations, economic factors, and other issues. This is where research and development comes in.

To be successful in business means clarifying unclear information and issues, so ask as many questions as possible. Don’t be embarrassed, as there’s really no such thing as a stupid question. The issue of royalty is a touchy one, be sure to clarify how much percentage is due.

Dr. Hayes stated that franchise success and emotions are not compatible. Of course, emotion is involved when people buy a business. It seems that the emotional part takes precedence in the purchase while the intellectual aspect comes later. When an investor considers franchises for sale, he must understand what the business is all about and find out if it is a profitable venture.

What is the best option for a prospective franchisee? Learn more about the business by attending symposia and seminars that provide more insight into franchising. Dr. Hayes said that in his symposium, he directly tells attendees that franchising isn’t for everyone. He considers this a refreshing alternative to sales pitches that exclaim how everyone can profit from franchising.

According to Dr. Hayes, another good place is the International Franchise Association at franchise.org. They have loads of good material and information that will help people understand how to investigate franchising opportunities.

Dr. Hayes suggested that going back to school is a wise option. A great franchising online course is offered at Southern New Hampshire University. However, the course is offered as a graduate program.

When people buy a business, they have to learn as much about the trade as possible. Many franchises for sale are available, but not everyone will make a successful franchisee.

Why An Accountant Is Important In Retailing Businesses

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Before an individual decides to buy a business or franchise, having a certified accountant on standby, who’s ready to work immediately, is a must. When it comes to operating any commercial establishment, especially retailing businesses, having an employee who can crunch all the numbers at the back-end, make informed decisions that are beneficial for the company’s growth, and handle every financial matter in general, is unquestionably important.

James Layton, CPA and director of Systems Support & Development for the accounting firm Fiducial says that while most franchisees possess the entrepreneurial spirit and are generally operations-oriented, many of these individuals lack the financial skills to effectively run a business.

“A good accountant can provide them with the information necessary to make informed decisions and serve as a trusted adviser on financial matters much like an individual’s family doctor. We all know we want to be healthy but we’re unsure of all that we need to do,” said Layton.

“Our family doctor gathers information, such as blood tests, x-rays, etc. and uses that information to advise us on health matters. The accountant in a similar fashion gathers information, such as reviewing costs of goods sold, ratio analysis, etc. and uses that information to advise the business owner on financial matters.”

This professional can even help an individual with the decision-making process that takes place when he finally decides to buy a business (e.g. the initial acquisition of retailing businesses.)

To be more specific, a good accountant can help out with analyzing and ascertaining the financial strength of a franchisor, which is information that’d definitely aid the franchisee in deciding which franchise to buy. Moreover, he or she can aid with determining the probable earnings and overall potential for profit a certain franchise plus its location may have.

Another role tackled by an accountant involves finding out if the advertising fees and royalties are reasonable. Additionally, the “money expert” should be able to determine whether or not the advertising fees are spent in a way that actually benefits the franchisee – this is important, since there have been instances where the franchisor spent all the national advertising funds for certain areas, while leaving none for other areas.

There are of course, plenty of other roles that an accountant will take on, wherein each role is beneficial to the financial well-being of the company. So when a person finally decides to buy a business, or even a chain of retailing businesses, having a qualified accountant on the team is a must.

Pet Waste Removal Franchise

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Before an individual decides to buy a business, it’d be wise if he’d consider his level of experience, available finances, and the relevant skills he has to the industry he wishes to participate in. Fortunately, franchises for sale make the task at hand a whole lot easier, thanks to effective business models which have taken years to build and reach perfection.

Out of the many types of industries businesses may compete in, the pet waste removal franchise is apparently making good money for franchisees everywhere. The idea of cleaning up animals’ fecal matter for a living may feel a bit weird, but still, it’s a job that no pet owner would ever enjoy doing.

And considering that thousands of house pets defecate in areas of the home they shouldn’t (e.g. the carpet, coach or bed), business for pet waste removal franchises is growing stronger. Moreover, these establishments usually come with unique and fun names which can easily create a subliminal association of the company with the service it offers.

A couple of examples of the above would be Wholly Krap K-9 Waste Removal Service and Dog-Gone Doo-Doo. These waste extraction franchises for sale are well-known by the local markets they target not simply because they provide a “want” which basically has become a “need”, but because of their high quality services rendered.

Anyone that chooses to buy a business or franchise should always consider purchasing one that has a reputable and well-established company name, so the need to market something new can be skipped out on. Aside from the two mentioned above, one brand name that’s trusted by thousands of loyal customers is DoodyCalls.

They’ve built a strong clientele that regularly has them take care of the “dirty work” whenever their pets have done something unpleasant. And more importantly, they’ve set up system of communication and support between franchisors and franchisees, therefore making the task of running the business easier for the latter.

The people at the corporate office provide franchise owners with all the training they’ll ever need to run their establishments in an efficient manner. They also provide marketing materials, a call center, and excellent plus continuous support.

An individual who decides to buy a business which competes in this industry can rest assured that he’s tapping a good-paying market with outstanding repeat business potential. Regardless, it’s important to thoroughly review the different available franchises for sale to see which one can offer the best deals and has the highest chances for making money.

The Success of Comfort Keepers: A Senior Care Franchise

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Comfort Keepers is a senior care franchise that has scored high when it comes to the objective measures, quantifiable measures, and also rankings of the operations for a franchise. In fact, this company offering a franchise for sale, has ranked at the top 3 franchising companies for the last 4 years in the category for senior care of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500. Those who want to buy a business should definitely consider this opportunity.

Those in the franchise industry are aware that franchisee satisfaction is a very important factor. Potential franchisees look out for this when checking out a franchise for sale. Before new investors buy a business, they want to make sure that those before them are happy with their purchase.

A registered home healthcare nurse along with her husband established Comfort Keepers in 1998. Since then, the franchise system has expanded to more than 500 locations in as much as 45 states as well as Canada, the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Comfort Keepers is a company that provides companionship and also non-medical services mainly for seniors. Part of their services consists of errand services, light housekeeping, meal preparation, recreational activities, clothes shopping, handling incoming mail, a round-the-clock emergency response service, and regular reviews with the family.

Comfort Keepers always puts their caregivers first in all that they do. This is because caregivers are the life of the brand. The quality and type of care they offer is how customers will come up with opinions of the company, so it is important that they are treated well. A representative for Comfort Keepers has mentioned that their success is attributed to the proper understanding of the market, as well as the awareness that various target markets has various needs from one another.

This particular franchise for sale is a business that involves caring. Nothing is more satisfying than being able to help others and do positive things that make a difference in the lives of people. The good thing is that in this type of business, franchisees are able to experience both personal and financial rewards.

Those who are interested to buy a business and are considering Comfort Keepers will want to know what the company offers potential franchisees. They provide a complete support services package for building the franchise. This consists of web-based invoicing and scheduling software, training modules, operating manuals, branding and marketing materials, volume purchasing programs, and many more that will help franchisees start up their operations smoothly.

Fringe Franchise Opportunities

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When looking to buy a business, it is best to research thoroughly to ensure that the opportunity chosen is the best and that it’s legitimate. Below are 5 fringe franchise opportunities that can be considered to make money through franchising.

A 1-800-AUTOPSY franchise is available for entrepreneurs. It offers complete autopsy services to families, hospitals and similar facilities, as well as funeral directors. This particular business has actually been doing well. For potential franchisees, there is so much that is offered. At the moment, there are aging baby boomers in the population that will certainly contribute to a good business.

Those who want to buy a business may also want to consider Hydro Physics Pipe Inspection Corp., which is a company committed to video plumbing inspection that will determine the location of pipes underground that are 3 to 6 inches in diameter. The technology they offer gets rid of any costly and unnecessary replacement and repair work that saves customers money. This company is currently open to franchising and has a goal of expanding to an actual major franchise business.

To make money, perhaps getting into an Amdecon franchise business will do well for detail oriented investors. They offer crime scene cleanup, as well as trauma scene decontamination. Although no one likes to think they would need such service, sadly things happen and a cleanup service like this is useful if something does occur. This company is able to help families heal from crime incidents by professionally cleaning their homes and wiping any remnants of the incident away. This franchise helps make a difference in people’s lives but also it earns.

Considering to buy a business like one offered by the Positive Changes Hypnosis Centers may be a good idea, too. Currently there are fifty centers throughout the country today. These centers specialize in behavior modification by using hypnosis. The company has been a success and those who are looking into owning a franchise do not have to be a hypnotist. The manager or owner of the franchise will be trained in hypnosis. The franchise will also help franchisees in hiring qualified hypnotists.

Aside from leaving children in day care centers, now there is also a day care center for dogs. Camp Bow Wow is an upscale doggy cay care service that offers day and overnight boarding for canines. The company understands just how important pets are in any family and promises to provide the best care possible with safety being their top priority. Camp Bow Wow is open to franchise and is a great way to make money for those passionate about dogs and pets.

Does Sealing Deals With Handshakes Still Work?

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Before written contracts existed, deal were made through oral agreements, and sealed by a handshake. For example, a certain individual wanted to buy a business (to make money off the income generated of course) owned by another person. Both parties would then verbally state and agree upon the conditions of the sale, and ultimately seal the deal with a handshake.

However, things have changed a lot since back then, and most people prefer to have their deals plus all relevant details stated on a written contract. That being said, does the traditional handshake still bear any weight when it all boils down to securing an actual transaction? If things come to worse, can one party pursue the other by means of legal action?

Surprisingly, the answer is yes – an individual can take matters to court if the oral contract, which was closed by a handshake, is violated. However, it’s important that the party accusing the other has enough evidence to prove the deal was even made to begin with.

In the example earlier, one individual decided to buy a business (to make money off it) from the other guy. The details of the deal were elaborated verbally, and upon agreeing on all terms, they shook hands to make the transaction official.

Conversely, let’s say the buyer screwed the seller over by violating the terms orally stated. The latter decided to press charges against the former by taking him to court. Since there were no written agreements at hand, the seller could prove the deal took place by bringing any witnesses to testify in his favor, which is why it’s always best to make such arrangements in public places, and have a few individuals watch the whole thing go down.

If the transaction took place in a private location where no one but the two parties was present, presenting proof, that both parties partially fulfilled their ends of the deal, can serve as evidence. Moreover, the mere act of putting the oral agreement into action is admissible as evidence in court.

Furthermore, having hard copies of actual correspondence between both parties would also be helpful, especially when it’s sent certified mail. Emails, faxes, letters and receipts may act as supporting documents to substantiate the handshake deal.

Of course, there are other forms of evidence which can prove verbal agreements took place. Regardless, whenever a person decides to buy a business (to make money off it) from another individual or party, it’s always best to have the transaction backed up by a written contract.

WineStyles Exceeds 100 Franchises in 18 Months

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Those interested to buy a business may want to consider franchising the biggest franchisor of wine stores all around America, WineStyles. In March of 2006, WineStyles, a franchise company revealing the ideal wine shopping experience was able to sell its 102nd franchise that enabled them to exceed 100 franchises for sale in just a mere 18 months after its opening in November of 2004. WineStyles is known for organizing their wine by style and color, rather than by region and varietals, which has made buying wine a lot easier for consumers. In addition, many of their wines for sale are priced at $25 or less for every bottle. The company’s current headquarters is at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and as of 2006, they had 47 stores opened up in 16 states around the country.

WineStyles offers a one-of-a-kind concept that gives the customers a feeling that they are in an old wine cellar. They also give the opportunity to select wines based on what their style preferences are, which include nectar, bold, mellow, fruity, bubbly, rich, silky, and crisp. Chosen carefully by true wine enthusiasts, every WineStyles outlet features 150 world-class, uniquely labeled wines. Most of them are exclusive to the store and are difficult to find bottles from small to large vineyards worldwide. These are great points for individuals who want to buy a business.

The company was developed by Brigitte, who previously worked as a fashion model. She came up with the concept for WineStyles after having a backyard barbeque with her friends. This is how she started with her business plan, which originally was for Bacchus and ended up being WineStyles. She put a lot of effort into the original Bacchus store that actually still stands in Manhattan Beach, California.

Sadly, the following day after the opening of the store, Brigitte discovered that she is suffering from thyroid cancer. Nevertheless, she was still able to open up the company successfully with her family’s help. In just a year, the one store became two, and a number of Bacchus outlets were opened up throughout the U.S.

The thing is Brigitte came to the realization that to be able to see her vision grow, she would need assistance. This led to her attendance of an International Franchising Association Show in 2001, as she wanted to start offering franchises for sale. There she was able to meet members of her present management team, which led to the birth of WineStyles. At the moment, Brigitte is free of cancer and is the mother of beautiful twin girls.

WineStyles is truly one franchise that investors who are looking to buy a business should consider. They offer franchises for sale with a great concept and every category of wine is showcased in alcoves that are designed uniquely and merchandised by style. They also have description listings along with the wine’s flavors, characteristics, and food pairings suggestions. More importantly, employees at WineStyles are ready to answer customer questions to enhance the wine shopping experience of everyone.