Category Archives: Franchise Clique News

Information on Franchise Clique’s growth, new hires and public relations developments.

Five Questions for Your First Contact With a Franchisor

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We found this helpful article from BeTheBoss.ca and wanted to be sure to share it with you all because these tips are so spot on! Check out the 5 helpful tips below to help you prepare for the next step after you’ve found your perfect franchise fit.

What is your mission statement?

The franchisor’s mission statement will help you decide if your values actually align with the brand’s. This also gives the franchise the chance to ensure you understand what the brand is really about and how their principles are brought into each franchise location. Does the brand focus on creating experiences for its customers, or is it one that aims to help clients plan for their futures? Regardless, you want to ensure the franchisor’s values don’t clash with your own as that can make it more difficult for you to be happy or even successful.

What are the financial requirements?

You may have already seen estimates online, but you want to hear this directly from the brand as well. Find out what the franchise fee is and the initial investment range–this is the total amount needed for things like training, build-out (if there is a location), licenses and so on. Ask the franchise what liquid capital and net worth is required for franchisees to qualify; this will allow you to determine whether you would qualify for this franchise.

What type of franchisee are you looking for?

A franchise search is about finding the fit that’s right on both sides, so ensure the brand is right for you and you are right for the brand. Does the franchisor want franchisees with specific experience or skills or just general business sense? To see how well you line up with the brand’s typical franchisee, ask for an ideal franchisee profile and see where you land.

How would the franchise describe the franchisor-franchisee relationship?

Whether you want a brand that is hands-off to a degree or one that provides a lot of support, this question can give you insight into how closely the brand works with its franchisees. Is there ongoing training? Who is the contact person for franchisees at corporate? How often does the brand hear from franchisees? With some insight into this relationship, you’ll have a better idea of what to expect should you decide to go with the brand.

What else should I know?

A handy catch-all question, a good franchise representative should answer this by providing you with some new information or taking a deeper dive into something you previously asked. Not only will you receive additional information, but you may even learn the answers to questions posed by previous franchise candidates.

Franchise Financing – How to Get It

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If you’d like to purchase a franchise, but aren’t sure where to get the financing from, then you will want to read this article. Specifically in this article, we’ll discuss how to raise investment capital, what banks are looking for before they will loan money for a franchise, and alternative resources you can utilize to finance your franchise. After reading this article, your head should be swimming with ideas on how to get franchise financing.

The best way to get financing for your franchise is to have a good credit rating and a solid character. Most franchises will assist someone who they believe can run a business well but lacks the initial startup cash. Oftentimes these franchises have track records for picking successful business owners, so they have networks of investor groups who they can tap into for capital. Sometimes, your best bet for franchise financing is to get help from the franchise itself.

If that isn’t an option, then you need to know how to go about getting a loan. First of all, if you own property, that is your best bet at getting a loan. Otherwise, you might need the help of family and friends to sign on to share the burden by offering assets in exchange. Unless you have had several big loans in the past that you have made good on with your bank, then you’re going to need some assets. Unless your net worth is very substantial, don’t count on getting a simple signature loan.

If your credit is bad but you have a lot of cash on hand, then this works in your favor. My advice to you is to first find a franchisor that banks will be more apt to give money for. Investing in a new franchisor that only has 5 locations is probably not a good way to get financing from banks. If you were to invest in a McDonald’s franchise, I guarantee you’d have banks lining up at your door waiting to give you money. Before planning your business model, you need to take into account the bank’s point of view. They are in the business of giving money that they are 99% sure will be able to pay back the loan. If they have any doubt in their mind that you could go under, they will not give you financing.

Sometimes, if a franchise itself won’t help you with the financing, they will point you to the direction of someone who will. Because franchises want to sell their franchise to make money, they typically create resources that will help you in approaching venture capitalists and other people who are looking to loan money for a better than average return.

In conclusion, your best chance for franchise financing comes either from the franchise itself, the resources they can point you towards, or the loan you can get for the bank. Depending upon your circumstance, if you do it right it shouldn’t be a problem getting a loan from one of these three resources.

The Franchise Business is Alive & Strong

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New franchise opportunities are coming to the market regularly and the franchise industry is getting stronger and stronger. Franchise exhibitions are attracting many new exhibitors. Potential franchisees are coming in their droves to look at the many new & old opportunities that are eager to take their cash.

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking. People from all walks of life and different educational backgrounds are now thinking about going into business. More women are now looking to buy a franchise than ever before. Older people are joining the queue looking for part-time & full-time business opportunities for later life.

The banks and lending institutions are competing strongly to lend money competitively to new franchisees. It has never been a better time to buy a franchise. In some cases, the franchisors are even stepping in to provide guarantees to lenders to enable the franchisee to buy their franchise and set up the business.

Buying a franchise is much safer compared to starting a business on your own. Survey after survey carried out by official franchise organizations and lenders prove that people buying a franchise business are much more likely to still be trading profitably than people who choose to go into business on their own steam.

For those who are considering buying a franchise business, it is imperative that the right questions be asked to the franchisor.

How long has the franchisor been trading?
Are you a member of any approved organization?
What skills are required to operate the business?
How long will it take to recuperate capital invested?
How much turnover will I need to do to breakeven?
Who are your main competitors?
Is the market for your products growing, at a standstill or declining?
Will there be any unexpected fees?
Is there any ongoing training & support?
Which territories are available?
Do I have an exclusive territory?
What assurance do I have that my territory will be protected?
Are there any ongoing fees?
How long is the training?
How many franchisees do they have?
Can I contact all or some of your franchisees?
How many are trading successfully?
How many franchisees have failed in the past?
Why did they fail?
How are disputes handled?
How is marketing done?
What will be my contribution?
What is the procedure in selling the business?
What are the fees involved in selling the franchise?

Bear in mind that a good franchise opportunity will only work if you are prepared for the hard work involved in running a business. It is absolutely vital to find a business that will stimulate you for years to come. Far too many people choose an opportunity primarily based on profitability, rather than choosing the right business for them.

The franchise agreement is the cornerstone of your business and, as such, demands close scrutiny. Legal advice should always be sought to ensure that it is evenly balanced. Some franchise agreements that I have seen are far too one-sided and give more protection to the franchisor than the franchisee.

A final word of caution, even the best franchise will struggle in the wrong territory and marketplace. Always get independent advice from professionals to determine if your ideal franchise opportunity will work in your area.

How to Research Low Cost Franchises

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There are many franchise opportunities for people with small budgets. A low cost franchise does not necessarily mean a business with low income potential. Trawling through the franchise market, I have discovered that some of the best franchises only need a small initial outlay.

In some cases it is possible to recover the entire franchise fee in the first year of trading. With many of these businesses, you do not need any premises as you can work from home. This greatly reduces overheads and enables you to reach profitability very quickly.

Another very important benefit of low cost franchises is that some of them can be run full time or part time. This is ideal for people who do not have large monthly outlays and only require a small income to supplement their existing business. Just be very careful when analyzing any new business opportunity. If you cannot see a market for the product then it probably does not exist!

One low cost franchise opportunity specializes in cleaning carpets. They use extra powerful industrial vacuum cleaners to remove 80 percent of the dirt and dust in carpets before applying specialist chemicals which dissolves most of the oily and greasy particles that still remain. Their specialist equipment then removes almost all of the fluids used in the cleaning process. This means that your carpet is bone dry within a couple of hours.

Householders benefit because they get their carpets cleaned to a high professional standard at a reasonable cost. This then leads to repeat business possibly every couple of years for the franchisee and his reputation spreads quickly by word of mouth. The franchisee also benefits from professionally created marketing material including leaflets and business cards.

This business also benefits from positive cash flow as the franchisee gets paid for his work on completion and he receives generous term from his suppliers for his cleaning materials. The ideal franchisee for this company is a person who is still relatively strong and does not mind the hard physical work involved.

Another franchise for people with low budgets specialize in bringing single people together. Again this business can be managed from home. The franchisee has to follow a predefined local marketing programs that generates enquiries. This is then followed by a professional consultation so that a suitable match can be found.

This franchise requires people who have decent communication skills and are very presentable. This business is ideal for people who sincerely like to help other people and do not mind networking. The one downfall of this business is that if you do your job properly then you will not get any repeat business although you might get referrals!

Another interesting business opportunity is providing asset finance (lease & hire purchase) to local businesses. Again you do not need expensive premises (and can possibly work from home) but an aptitude for basic arithmetic definitively helps. If you already have many business contacts then this might be right up your street!

This business targets a very specific niche in business and has well proven marketing strategies to help you identify your most lucrative clients. The best factor in this business is that you can generate a lot of repeat business with the same client and if the business is handled correctly then most of your new clients will be generated by referrals.

In this type of business you will most definitely have to be prepared to learn new skills and some cold calling is required. From the point of initial contact to actually generating new business might take months and in some cases years. Patience is a virtue in this business.

My advice to anyone thinking of buying a franchise is:

-Do not just think about the earning potential.

-Find a business that suits your personality and lifestyle.

-Always take professional advice before embarking on a new business.

-Be prepared to “go back to school” and learn new skills.

In short, if you have a small budget, are prepared to learn new skills and choose the right niche, then one of these opportunities could work for you.

David Schwartz of Franchise Clique Announces New Daniel Island Headquarters to Accommodate Increased Growth

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Charleston, SC (May 31, 2018)— Franchise Clique, LLC, a leading franchise recruitment and lead generation company serving the franchise industry, today announced it has moved into new corporate offices at 133 River Landing Drive in Daniel Island’s growing business district to accommodate rapid company growth.

Franchise Clique was founded in 2009 in Charleston, South Carolina. The company offers lead generation and business development services for franchises and businesses of all kinds. It is privately held and boasts that its leadership team has decades of combined experience in lead generation.

Franchise Clique, LLC New Corporate Headquarters

“Going into our tenth year this is a monumental time for Franchise Clique and is the start to large company improvements that have the staff and customers eager to benefit from the unique opportunities this expansion provides,” said Franchise Clique Chief Executive Officer David Schwartz. “Franchise Clique’s new office space provides an updated and healthier work environment for existing and incoming employees while also leaving room for even greater company growth in the future.”

The new space reflects Franchise Clique’s proactive company goals that are meant to bring customers top-notch service while maintaining a high level of efficiency.  The new location is near Daniel Island’s public dock and walking/biking trails which are walking distance from multiple restaurants and shops.  The new office provides each employee with a personal office space which is a drastic improvement from the cubicle-style space from before.

Franchise Clique Recognized by the Franchise Brokers Association as Vendor of the Year

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Last week the executive team at Franchise Clique traveled to Orlando, Florida as an Emerald Sponsor for the Franchise Brokers Association’s Annual International Franchise Brokers Conference, and what a surprise, we were recognized as the 2015 Vendor of the Year! The coveted award was presented at the expo among the franchise and business opportunity industry’s most recognized and respected names, signifying the impact made by Franchise Clique in the lead generation industry.

“We have always believed in our drive and commitment to being the best. FBACon4We are honored that the Franchise Brokers Association recognized this fact. We are so grateful to be involved with such an incredible organization.” Said Owner|CEO David Schwartz when asked about Franchise Clique’s rise to greatness. When asked what was next Schwartz replied, “Winning Vendor of the Year propels the Franchise Clique team to strive to new heights.”

Franchise Clique received the award for Vendor of the Year in a year that included many accomplishments. Amidst new innovations and exciting personal changes the company has continued to grow and flourish through facilitating connection among inquiring franchisee candidates and the brokers and concepts they are looking for.

Franchise Clique would like to thank all the brokers and vendors, who gave their time at the FBA Conference, as well as the members of the FBA, which, as an organization, shines a light on all the advantages that this organization has to offer.

 

 

 

 

 

Nonprofits in the Franchise Industry

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It may surprise you to learn that Nonprofit groups around the country own franchises, like Blimpie Subs and Papa Murphy’s Pizza. Nonprofit groups, in a more recent trend, are purchasing franchises, and using that revenue from the outlets to support their social missions.

For example, Affordable Homes of South Texas, a nonprofit that constructs houses for low-income families, opened a Blimpie sub shop in downtown Weslaco, Texas. Affordable Homes of South Texas turned to exploring new options for funding when there was a drop in federal housing grants earlier last year.

Other charitable organizations view it as an opportunity to train and employ people in their community. The Dale Rogers Training Center, an organization dedicated to providing jobs to over 1,100 people with disabilities annually, recently opened a Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise near the charity’s base in Oklahoma City.

Customarily, national franchise brands have been contracted solely with individuals, but that is certainly changing. According to the recent NY Times article, more than a dozen national chains since last May have sent representatives “to explore franchising opportunities with nonprofit groups in SourceAmerica, a network of 1,300 organizations serving the disabled, at its annual meeting in San Antonio.”

Do nonprofits own a franchise in your area? We would love to hear your comments on this franchise trend!

Maui Wowi Has International Appeal

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Maui Wowi Hawaiian, an international company specializing in premium Hawaiian coffees and nutritious fruit smoothies, has announced it was ranked in the July 2013 issue of Entrepreneur Magazine among the top 200 global franchises, an annual listing of North America’s top franchisors seeking international development.

“Maui Wowi has built a concept and brand that has incredible international appeal,” said Justin Livingston, director of global franchise development. “The tropical island theme and superior quality products resonate with people on a global scale and our acknowledgement on the top 200 global franchises list is further proof that our foundation is strong and future bright.”

The honor of appearing on the list is based on a company’s ranking on the 2013 Franchise 500 list, a compilation of franchises, which is developed through objective and quantifiable criteria, such as growth and financial strength. The companies are then attributed additional clout based on its international size and growth to determine which will make the cut for top 200 global franchises.

Maui Wowi Hawaiian has a presence in 6 countries outside of the United States and is actively seeking international partners to bring the Aloha Spirit to more people. For more than 30 years, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has continued to grow and become a leader in the industry. It’s simplistic approach has allowed a diverse franchise system to flourish through proven systems, support, and flexibility. The company is actively franchising both domestically and internationally. For more information please visit http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/Maui-Wowi-Hawaiian-Coffees-and-Smoothies.

About Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies:
Since 1982, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has embraced the Hawaiian culture and has been serving paradise in a cup since the day it began, 30 years ago. From event carts, mall kiosks and stand-alone retail locations Maui Wowi Hawaiian offers premium, all-natural, gluten-free, fresh-fruit smoothies, as well as gourmet Hawaiian coffees and espresso beverages. With over 400 operating units in eight countries, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has truly gone “Global” by adding an online store, shop.mauiwowi.com. Now customers from anywhere in the world can experience the prized-gourmet Hawaiian coffees and taste the ‘Aloha Spirit’ with a ‘Click-of-a button!’ To learn more information about Maui Wowi Hawaiian’s, products, locations, or flexible, low cost franchising opportunities, visit http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/Maui-Wowi-Hawaiian-Coffees-and-Smoothies.

A Healthy Choice: Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen

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There are plenty of lunch and dinner choices to make when you’re looking for Chinese food, Japanese dishes and other Asian food specialties. As a franchise operator, wouldn’t it be convenient if your customers could find all of their favorite Asian dishes and other exciting new specialties under one roof?

Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen has put together a delicious variety of flavorful and healthy meal choices from popular Asian regions all in one menu. Expect favorites from Thailand, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and many more. Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen’s lunch and dinner selections are made to order with fresh ingredients and unique sauces made exclusively for the Wok Box in their test kitchen.

The Wok Box pioneered the concept of freshly made pan-Asian food in Canada and packaged it in a quick serve restaurant model that fits into 1,200 to 1,500 square feet. Their growth has attracted abundant interest from would-be franchisees across Canada, resulting in more than 70 stores opening in three years.

Their diverse menu selections appeal to many tastes and attract both lunch and dinner customers. The restaurants are designed to create a comfortable, pleasant and unique Wok Box experience, encouraging customers to return often. But why limit your opportunities to serving dine-in customers only? Their Group Share menu selections encourage family style dining that easily lends itself to take out ordering too. Their customers enjoy the convenience of picking up their favorite menu items on their way home, so they can serve their family with practically no effort at all. Boost your sales further with Wok Box’s extensive catering menu. Give customers the opportunity to think of you when they need to cater a family gathering, business meeting, birthday party or sporting event.

With a management team boasting many years of practical hands-on experience, the Wok Box offers comprehensive support to its franchisees, starting with helping you understand how their markets are laid out, and then guiding you through the real estate process where you choose your store location. They will make sure you build a beautiful store complete with their interior designs and colors, tiled walls, big screen televisions and a unique and inviting kitchen design.

 

To learn more about the Wok Box franchise opportunity, please click the following link: http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/Wok-Box-Fresh-Asian-Kitchen.

Franchise Profile: The Grout Medic

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The Grout Medic, in response to exploding customer demand, was founded under the commitment that their company could provide customers a viable, long term, cost effective, alternative to replacing tile and grout.

 

The Grout Medic is the leading grout & tile restoration franchise with over 40 locations across the US. Their franchise owners come from all walks of life, but they all have the same common goals; to gain control over their future and provide a better lifestyle and opportunity for themselves and their families.

 

At The Grout Medic™ their goal is simple – To create an opportunity to allow motivated, hardworking, business-minded individuals a low cost, high margin path to success. In doing so, The Grout Medic™ has become a leading grout and tile repair service with a cost effective, highly profitable, operating system offering a valuable service to their customers with very little competition. The Company’s foundation is based on solid business principles, extensive training and post operating support and, most of all, their experienced and dedicated people.

 

 

The Grout Medic Difference:
The Grout Medic has an industry leading approach to grout and tile restoration which has been one of the major factors in its success. They use exclusive equipment including their vapor machine and electric grout removal tools, as well as techniques and exclusive product lines to position The Grout Medic as the leader in the industry. The Grout Medic also employs a number of “green” practices in line with the current consumer demand.

 

To find out more about this amazing franchise opportunity, please visit the following link: http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/The-Grout-Medic. An online form may also be submitted for more detailed information.

Women and Franchises: how to pick the best one for you

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Every woman is unique. If you have made the decision to be self-employed, but are still mulling your choices, consider opening a franchise. The multitude of possibilities out there means that there is bound to be a franchise that’s right for you and reflective of your unique personality. There are many steps to think about, so let’s dive right in.

 

What kind of franchise opportunity should you choose?
As a woman choosing the best opportunity to pursue, maximize the benefit of your point of view- the woman’s point of view that is. There are plenty of business avenues where your perspective as a woman gives you a competitive advantage. From automotive maintenance to home maintenance, women have their own perspective on researching and buying a product or service. Utilize this and your sales will benefit as a result.
Some of the specific franchise areas that would benefit from a woman in charge are:

Women’s fitness;
Women’s dietary supplements;
Women’s health products or services;
Fashion retailer;

The list above is intended to get your ideas flowing. Knowing what a woman wants with regard to certain products is a valuable viewpoint for most business ventures, so take this knowledge to the next level with the following step.

 

Stick to your strengths!
Next, consider your strengths and abilities. You want to match your talents and interests with the franchise that makes the most sense for you.

 

Consider these questions:

Is there an area in which your friends always ask you for advice?
Did you gain expertise or a skill-set in a previous job?
What are your interests and passions?

 

Keep your strengths in mind when shopping for a franchise. You want to be in a business that you enjoy and will stick with.

Make a list of your top 5 choices, and then contact them –
Contact the franchisors (the owners selling you the franchise rights) that interest you the most. Emphasize any management and sales experience that you have. Making sales is the heartbeat of any franchise, so align your passion for the product with your previous experience and skills.

 

Balance –
If you have a family or other responsibilities, look into franchise opportunities that allow you to better balance the work and home aspects of your life. A franchisor should help you establish whether opening a store an acceptable distance from your home is feasible. Business planning and education are part and parcel of buying a franchise, and the franchisor should help you in this regard.

 

Startup cost and experience-
Each franchise has a cost to buy into the opportunity. Evaluate your top choices, keeping in mind the amount of your initial investment. Ask about how other franchisees are faring, sales-wise. This will help determine the length of time it may take to get back your investment, as well as giving you a snapshot of the health of the company. A strong record of sales will help reduce your risk. Remember to ask the franchisor about any previous experience that is required.

 

Get Started –
Prospective entrepreneurs have many resources at their disposal. Businesses ranging from unique candy and fashion retail to educational services and tax preparation await those women motivated to become successful owners of a franchise. To learn more about these and other franchise opportunities available, please visit www.franchiseclique.com.

Franchising – Is It for You?

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When someone decides to buy a franchise, there are many questions which need to be asked before they part with their money.

 

Does the company have a solid reputation?  Do you have the required funds to make owning the business licence a reality?  Will your bank lend you additional funds to help you get started?

 

While all these questions are perfectly valid, they fail to touch on another important area which should be explored before you consider taking up a franchise opportunity.  This additional area is you.

 

It is easy to overlook your own skills and qualities when you are researching the opportunities on offer, yet these will act as the most valuable components of your potential success or failure.  You need to be sure of your own strengths and weaknesses before sinking thousands of dollars into a franchise.

 

It may be that the idea of owning your own business appeals to you, but doing it all on your own seems too daunting to consider.  Franchising offers you the security of trading under a familiar name, selling a product the buying public already knows about.  You are entering a business which, in effect, has already been sweated over and set up for you.  All the hard work has been done… right?

 

Well, not exactly.  The groundwork has been laid, yes, but there is still a lot of hard work to be done on your part, and you should be prepared to put in long hours – at least to begin with – if your franchise is to succeed.  There can be a lot of money in franchising, but as with all money making ideas, it does not work on its own.  Are you persevering enough to see it through?

 

Alternately, if you like to operate totally on your own, franchising is not likely to be a good choice.  You will be your own boss to an extent, but not all the decision making will be down to you.  You need to be honest with yourself here – does this work structure appeal to you… or are you put off entirely?

 

Confidence is another keystone in the world of franchising.  If you doubt your own abilities at all, then any success you achieve is likely to be on a small scale.  You need to have an unshakeable belief in yourself – preferably one which is backed up by people who know and will support you.  No business venture is foolproof, but with an ability to recognise this and a belief that you will eventually succeed, you will be better able to plod determinedly through the hard times in order to reach a higher level of success.

 

You also need to consider which franchise would suit you best.  There are several hundred companies offering franchises to the right people, encompassing many areas of operation – clothing, business services and food outlets, to name but a few.

 

If you happen to be a vegetarian, then a franchise with McDonalds is probably not a good idea.  You need to choose a company which operates in a sector you are familiar with, and one in which you will preferably have some existing skills.  For example, if you had some experience in the clothing industry, then you will no doubt possess some useful skills which can be put into a franchise with a company such as Benetton.  Monetary input is not the only decisive factor when buying a franchise.

 

The question of location is another important area to consider.  An increasing number of franchisees – especially those with family commitments – are working from home, and you may find the advantages of this kind of franchise would appeal to you more than if you worked in a shop.  Travel expenses are virtually non-existent, you don’t have the worry of shop (and home) security when you are in one place or the other, and your working day is much more flexible.

 

With the help relevant associations in your country can give you (try a search on Google), you will be able to assess whether or not you are the right person to take on a franchise.

 

If you do have what it takes, and you make the most of the skills and abilities you have, then success in this attractive, rapidly growing and relatively secure sector of the business market may soon be yours.