Author Archives: Thomas

Enter to Win Entrepreneur Magazine’s Entrepreneur of 2013 Contest

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Entrepreneur Magazine is searching for entrepreneurs who are, “bringing new light to [their] industry, employees and community.” Entrants need only to answer a few quick questions to see if they meet the contest’s preliminary qualifications. Once entrants have made the first cut, they’ll move on to submit their completely entry by June 17th.

 

Franchises are, of course, also eligible, as The UPS Store is sponsoring the search.

 

Past winners include:

 

John Lucash, OrigAudio — Lucash, tired of lugging heavy speakers with him while traveling, started OrigAudio, a line of portable audio products.

 

Adam Nelson, Good Nite Lite — Nelson makes early morning wake-ups and bedtimes easier and fun for children with his illuminated sun and moon night lights.

 

Derek Zobrist, Enovative Kontrol Systems — Zobrist started Enovative Kontrol, which sells water recirculation technology to building owners, saving them up to 30 percent on water heating bills.

 

Kelly Giard, Clean Air Lawn Care — Founder Kelly Giard turned a part-time project for fun in his garage into a successful sustainable lawn-care franchise.

A Fresh Restaurant Opportunity: Una Mas Mexican Grill

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Cinco de Mayo may only happen once a year, but everyday is an excuse and an opportunity to enjoy fresh, flavorful Mexican cuisine at Una Mas Mexican Grill.

 

Using only the freshest, healthiest ingredients, Una Mas’ menu merges Mexican authenticity with modern California flair. Menu items include authentic favorites like the Gallito Grilled Burrito that features grilled chicken or steak, guacamole and freshly made salsa. California influences can be seen–and tasted– in the food franchise’s Roasted Veggie Taco and Pineapple Thai Burrito.

 

The first Una Mas Mexican Grill opened in 1991– over 15 years ago– in San Jose, California. Over the course of subsequent years, Una Mas has grown to serve 20 communities in the San Jose, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Fremont and Walnut Creek areas of California. In addition, Una Mas and its franchisees are committed to helping local schools through fundraising events.

 

Instead of selling candy bars, coupon books or wrapping paper, Una Mas has two different fundraising programs for schools looking to raise money for books, after school programs, sports equipment and everything in between.

 

The Mexican restaurant franchise currently operates 20 franchise units in California– and they’re looking to expand. As a fast-casual food franchise, Una Mas Mexican Grill is a part of the fastest growing restaurant segment within the franchise industry. Mexican food has also increased in popularity over the past few years.

 

For those interested in becoming a franchisee for Una Mas offers entrepreneurs:

 

  • a low-cost opportunity into the popular Mexican, fast-casual franchise segment
  • Una Mas is an established, well-recognized brand with strong customer loyalty
  • Streamlined operations and proven operational systems
  • Strategic marketing and branding programs
  • Entry level opportunity with tremendous territorial availability and potential
  • No multiple-unit opening requirements

 

For more information, visit Una Mas’ informational brochure at http://www.veteransfranchise.com/franchise/Una-Mas-Mexican-Grille

A Different Approach to Franchising: 7-Eleven

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Forget the hassle of finding a location, lengthy zoning approvals and expensive build-outs. With 7-Eleven, franchisees get a fully operational store from day one. The 7-Eleven system makes opening and operating multiple stores easy. If your goal is to become the head of your own business empire, 7-Eleven has the opportunity for you. All you have to do is be ready to be a 7-Eleven franchise owner on day one.
7-Eleven has a royalty system based on gross profit, not total sales. In other words, the store has to achieve gross profits for 7-Eleven to benefit at all. The company and the franchisees are unified by the same goal. It is a true co-prosperity business model.
That’s why 7-Eleven goes beyond helping franchisees increase sales, by giving them the complete tools and resources they need to operate the business in a way that increases gross profits.

 

7-Eleven’s robust, comprehensive technology system gives franchisees and their staff the consistent, real time, accurate information they need to make operating the store as easy and profitable as possible.

These systems make owning and operating multiple stores streamlined. If your goal is to become the head of your own business empire, 7-Eleven has the systems in place for you. All you have to do is fill out a short online questionnaire on the 7-Eleven website. Click here to be taken directly to the form: http://franchise.7-eleven.com/apply-now/?utm_source=francliq&utm_medium=portal&utm_campaign=francliqvisits, and take the first step to opening your own successful 7-Eleven business!

A Proven Alternative to Coffee Shop Franchises

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 Crimson Cup Coffee and Tea has helped hundreds of independent coffee shops get off to a successful start.  Since 1991, Crimson Cup has taught more than 250 independent coffeehouse owners across 28 states how to set up and operate a profitable coffee business.

Their comprehensive, hands-on training approach allows you, the franchisee, to hit the ground running when you open your doors for business, so you can minimize mistakes and become profitable quickly. Their handcrafted coffee plus their passion, equals a lucrative, growing community of successful independent coffee shops!

The Crimson Cup franchise opportunity offers the best of both worlds. They offer all the benefits of a franchise, without the franchise headaches and expenses. They are not a franchise, and that is a good thing. Instead of a cookie-cutter store design that each franchisee is required to imitate, Crimson Cup allows franchisees to create their own unique coffeehouse name, look and personality to reflect that person’s individuality.  And each franchise owner still gets to benefit from their 21 years of knowledge and experience in the coffeehouse business to teach you everything you need to know to be successful.

In addition to supplying awesome coffee, syrups, sauces and recipes for espresso-based drinks, Crimson Cup also provides guidance in:

  • Developing a business plan
  • Scouting a location and negotiating a lease or purchase
  • Name and Logo development
  • Arranging the coffee bar, menu and seating area for maximum efficiency
  • Creating a pour-over brew bar
  • Developing a menu
  • Choosing, installing and maintaining equipment
  • Marketing, including promotional signage for seasonal specials
  • Selecting and training staff
  • Operating efficiently and profitably

To learn about opening up your own Crimson Cup Coffee Shop, more information and the online submission for can be found here: http://veteransfranchise.com/franchise/Crimson-Cup-Coffee-and-Tea.

Veterans Learn About Franchising With McDonald’s Hamburger University

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VetFran and McDonald’s will host an all-day seminar on Friday, May 10, 2013 just outside of Chicago designed to cover the fundamentals of franchising for veterans and other franchisee hopefuls.

 

Led by franchising experts, the seminar, aptly titled McDonald’s Hamburger University, will discuss legal issues and franchise finance in an educational setting. Board members of the IFA and franchise industry leaders will answer questions and inform on franchise basics, too.

 

Featured speakers include representatives from McDonald’s, the IFA, Radioshack, Franchising for Dummies co-author, Mr. Rooter, TSS Photography, and TD Bank.

 

Veterans in attendance will be eligible to join the International Franchise Association as subscribers and receive free admission to the International Franchise Expo.

 

Date & Location

 

Friday, May 10, 2013

McDonald’s Hamburger University

2715 Jorie Blvd, Room 224

Oak Brook, IL 60523

 

JDog Junk Removal Prefers Military Veterans as Franchise Owners

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Are you a veteran looking for an opportunity to start your own business? Do you want a proven strategy that will benefit hard working motivated entrepreneurs? Then JDog Junk Removal, LLC is for you! In an effort to decrease the low employment rate for returning military veterans, JDog Junk Removal hires ONLY veterans. Their exciting franchise opportunity is open to Veteran, Active Duty and Reserve Personnel.

JDog Junk Removal’s goal is to support the men and women who have served honorably or are currently on Active Duty or Reserve in the armed forces with an opportunity to own your own JDog Junk Removal franchise business. Their business model is offered exclusively to Veterans, Active Duty, Reserves members only and will provide a service needed throughout the United States. JDog Junk Removal is a full-service junk removal franchise based out of Wayne, PA. Their goal is to open territories throughout the United States and build an impeccable reputation through hard work, excellent customer service and a “can do” attitude.

The founder of JDog Junk Removal, a veteran himself, is dedicated to aiding active military and veterans find jobs once they return back the United States and transition back into their everyday life. “As a veteran myself, it’s difficult to see our servicemen and women come home to very few employment options,” says Jerry Flanagan, President and Founder of JDog Junk Removal. “This franchise opportunity is an effort to level the playing field by eliminating the non-veteran competition, while giving our veterans and active military a reasonably-priced way to become a business owner.”

The company was launched by Flanagan in 2011 and started franchising in spring 2012. JDog Junk Removal currently has growth opportunities across the nation. Learn more about JDog and many other franchise opportunities that offer veterans initiative, please visit VeteransFranchise.com. 

Military Vets Transition to Life Back Home with Help of Corporate Initiatives

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A recent franchise industry study conducted by the International Franchise Association shows that 1 out of 7 businesses in the franchise industry are currently veteran-owned. This statistic offers positive feedback as opposed to the 2012 statistic that 9.9% of Iraq veterans were at the time unemployed. Since then, many large manufacturing companies have begun offering veteran incentives and outreach programs to help transition recent vets back into a job that matches the skills they learned in the military. Alcoa, Boeing, and General Electric all offer veteran initiatives, and have joined forces to employ over 15,000 military vets. All three have implemented programs to help vets transition from life oversees into a manufacturing career here in the States.

“We believe this initiative could have a major impact on the hiring of veterans nationwide,” Says Rick Stephens, a Boeing senior vice president. “It’s a proven approach for matching the skills of those who have served our country to the hiring needs of American businesses.” Their program, known as ‘Get Skills to Work,’ is comprised of three major concepts. It offers accelerated skills training for vets whose military experience does not immediately translate to their work in a manufacturing career. The program also aids in matching the right vet to where his existing skill set might be most effective, while also taking into account his or her personality traits and work habits, to find the best employment match. Finally, the program raises awareness to current employers wanting to hire veterans, and helps them find the best match for what they’re looking for in a future employee.

“Veterans offer the technical, leadership and critical thinking skills that advanced manufacturing demands,” said Paula Davis, president of the Alcoa Foundation. “Forming the Get Skills to Work coalition and coordinating with nonprofits to train, recruit and develop veterans is an exciting model that has the potential to change lives.”

Through the Manufacturing Institute’s Right Skills Now program, training sites for veterans will open across the U.S. in 2013. We can only expect that similar programs will continue to appear as more and more veterans begin to return home and begin life in the US workforce.

Why You Should Own More Than One Franchise Unit

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Sometimes, more really is better. When it comes to franchising, a recent report indicates the more franchise units you own, the happier you may become.

 

The report, released by Franchise Business Review, examined the level of franchisee satisfaction of multi-unit franchisees from more than 300 franchise concepts. The purpose of the report was the determine which brands are the best for multiple franchise unit ownership.

 

According to the report, franchisees who owned more than one unit within a single brand tended to be more satisfied overall than single-unit franchise operators.

 

The most probable reason? Profitability. Franchisees who own more than one unit tend to make more money, as they have more than one income stream. That said, the surveyed multi-unit franchisees rated their franchise systems higher on every category– training and support, leadership, marketing, advertising, communication and technology.

 

Multi-unit ownership has always been common among restaurant franchises, but the participating franchise concepts weren’t limited to any particular subindustry in order to be a part of Franchise Business Review’s report. The presence of real estate, junk removal, painting franchises , home services and, of course, food franchises speaks to the prevalence of multi-unit franchising within the franchise industry.

 

While owning multiple franchise units within the same brand can result in greater income, it involves a bigger investment and more risk early on in the franchise ownership process. One of the benefits of owning a franchise is the proven track record and support, but it remains imperative for each individual owner to evaluate the risk factors associated with operating multiple units.

 

How Will Franchising Deal with the Affordable Care Act?

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Franchises are flummoxed by the Affordable Care Act. The new healthcare law continues to evolve, leaving a lot of confused small business owners in its wake. Which aspects of the employer mandate are franchisees responsible for complying with? How can they remain solvent without reducing their workforce and losing valuable employees?

 

The IFA has created www.MakingSenseofHealthCare.org to help businesses understand their compliance responsibilities and share testimonials and stories about how they’re dealing with the process.

 

Regardless of your political inclinations the Affordable Care Act is a big deal. The mandated health care coverage is expensive and small businesses are struggling to maintain profitability– which includes franchises.

 

According to the IFA, over one-third of full-time franchise jobs could be cut back or lost completely due to the Affordable Care Act. That’s over 3 million jobs. While Obamacare doesn’t take full effect until 2014, owners of fast-food, restaurant and service company franchises are urging Congress to make major changes to the ACA in order to save jobs and keep them in business.

 

One of the biggest components of the healthcare overhaul that’s causing grief is the discrepancy as to what constitutes a full-time work week. Obamacare says 30 hours; while most in the franchise industry believe 40 hours should be the standard. If Congress doesn’t amend the law franchises will be forced to cut employee hours back to below 30 hours per week.

 

Franchise business owners aren’t the only ones facing higher costs as a result of the Affordable Care Act. A 2011 Hudson Institute study shows that the franchise industry could see its costs increase $6.4 billion, much of which would be passed on to consumers.

Flip Flop Shop’s Heart to Sole Initative

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Brian Curin had heard it before: “Health is wealth,” and, “You’re nothing without your health.” Like most humans, Curin ignored those old axioms and, instead, pushed himself and his franchise, Flip Flop Shops, forward– until his 38-year old heart couldn’t push anymore.

 

When we hear about heart disease and the artery blockages our minds rarely conjure images of fit, fast-moving entrepreneurs. Though an active lifestyle enthusiast who surfs, paddle-boards and engages in motor cross sports, Brian’s family history of heart-related problems caught up to him after beginning a particularly intense home workout program. Unusually fatigued, Curin blamed his symptoms on his hectic schedule until a few weeks later a “strange feeling” in his chest prompted an immediate doctor’s visit.

 

Blood tests and a standard EKG came back normal, but a failed exercise stress test caused Curin’s doctors to recommend an angiogram. The diagnosis: 100 percent blockage in his heart’s main artery– aptly called “the widow maker”– and near complete blockage in three other arteries. Doctors warned Curin he could suffer a fatal heart attack at any moment so, at 38, Brian Curin had immediate, emergency open-heart surgery.

 

Months after his shocking, scary surgery, Curin is concerned about the effects of stress on us all. Before embracing the “flip flops lifestyle” Brian was busy building a name for himself– too busy that he missed the warning signs. Now, just months after his surgery, Curin and his franchise, Flip Flop Shops, have launched the “Heart to Sole: Creating a Stress-Free America” campaign to support the American Heart Association’s My Heart, My Life healthy living initiative as well as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

 

The focus of the campaign is on how to reduce stress, which contributes to a long list of maladies, including heart disease risks like high blood pressure and cholesterol.

 

The Heart to Sole campaign will really “kick off” in May and June, the most prominent month for flip flops, to celebrate Flip Flop Shop’s newly minted “Stress Free America Month.” Activities will include:

 

 

Flip Flop Fridays – Companies will be encouraged to abandon the old “casual Fridays” in favor of encouraging their employees to wear flip flops every Friday in June. Starting in May, companies can sign an online pledge committing to Flip Flop Fridays via the Flip Flop Shops Facebook Page, and donate $2 to the AHA for every employee pledged to wear flip flops. In addition, Flip Flop Shops has commissioned the research firm of Alexander Babbage to complete a study that will measure the stress levels of those who wear flip flops to work, compared to closed-toe footwear. The study will be released in April.

 

Instagram Contest – Flip Flop Shops will tie in a weekly contest through Instagram, giving away a pair of flip flops each week to one Instagram user who shares their “Flip Flop Friday” photos from work.

 

Global Search to Find “Chill Ambassadors” – Flip Flop Shops will launch a Facebook contest in May to find its two Facebook fans that are the ultimate Chill Ambassadors. Winners will receive one free pair of flip flops each month for a year. Chill Ambassadors duties include sharing tips for living a care-free, laid-back lifestyle, along with photos and video reviews each month of their new flip flops.

 

Life’s Too Short To Wear Shoes Protests – Throughout “Stress-Free America Month” in June, Flip Flop Shops is partnering with SANÜK to set-up flip flop sit-in protests against our culture of all work and no play, encouraging people to take off their shoes and put on flip flops. Protests will be held in Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Vancouver.