Virtual Expo Asks the Tough Question: Is Business Ownership Right for You?

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North America’s Leading Career and Franchise Business Coaching Company, The Entrepreneur’s Source®, Fuels Dreams of Business Ownership with “Start a Business Weekend” Virtual Franchise Expo July 25-27

The nation’s leading career and franchise business coaching network, The Entrepreneur’s Source® is hosting its virtual Start a Business Weekend® expo July 25-27, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. EDT. The virtual expo offers current and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to explore business opportunities and gain advice from experts – all from the comfort of their home or office.

The Start a Business Weekend expo allows attendees to “walk” into a digital Exhibit Hall and visit the booths of more than 90 of the nation’s hottest franchise concepts. Participants can chat live with representatives about a variety of different franchise brands, learn how to finance their new business, attend keynote presentations, and download informational resources. Business coaches from The Entrepreneur’s Source will be available to help would-be entrepreneurs determine if business ownership is right for them. After attending a Start a Business Weekend expo, 95 percent of participants end up discovering options they admittedly would have never looked at on their own or would have previously dismissed.

 

“Many people would love to start their own business, especially with the job market moving towards part-time work. The problem is, many people don’t know where to start or are unsure of the skills needed to run a business,” said Brian Miller, COO of The Entrepreneur’s Source. “Our free Start a Business Weekend expo asks the hard hitting question: is business ownership right for you? By the end of the three day event, participants will have that question answered and the tools and guidance necessary to start their entrepreneurial journey.”

 

The Entrepreneur’s Source has more than 30 years of experience in helping make franchisors and their franchisees more profitable. With more than 230 offices in the United States, Canada and the UK, the company presents prospective franchisees with new business opportunities that complement their goals, needs and expectations, while delivering franchisors the right individuals to grow their concepts. Additionally, the company also offers business-coaching services to help franchisees advance, improve efficiency and increase the return on the investment made on their franchise business.

 

Registration for the SABW Expo is currently open, with no registration fee, at www.StartABusinessWeekend.com. For more information about The Entrepreneur’s Source and business coaching support, visit http://www.entrepreneurssource.com/.

 

About The Entrepreneur’s Source
The Entrepreneur’s Source is North America’s leading career and franchise Business Coaching Company dedicated to the entrepreneur, with more than 230 offices in the United States, Canada, and the UK. Dominating the $1.5 billion dollar Business Coaching/Consulting franchise market in North America, the company offers a full range of services to individuals seeking alternate career options and to franchise businesses looking to increase performance. For more information about The Entrepreneur’s Source, please visit http://www.EntrepreneursSource.com/. 

 

The Entrepreneur’s Source and Start a Business Weekend are trademarks of TES Franchising, LLC.  All rights reserved.

Mobility: A Time-Tested Specialty and an Alternative Entrance into the Senior Market

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Headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, and sweeping its way across America, 101 Mobility is one of the nation’s largest providers of mobility solutions and one of the most exciting alternative opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking out their niche in the senior boom.

101 Mobility sells, installs, rents, and services a complete line of home health, mobility, and accessibility products for the elderly and disabled. From stair, porch, pool, and auto lifts, to ramps, bridges and walkways to power scooters, safety baths, and more, they service residential and commercial clients alike and are the top dealer of many of their products’ manufacturers.

In an industry historically predominated by “mom and pop” shops and anonymous online firms, seniors and their caretakers often don’t know who to trust for professional and reliable mobility products and aren’t aware of the broad variety of mobility solutions available. As one of the first nationally franchised organizations of its kind, 101 Mobility has been leading this specialty into the 21st century.

101 Mobility’s is a scalable business model designed to grow with your operation, and can be launched in 90 days or less. Their franchisees receive comprehensive training, protected territories, established relationships with equipment vendors and core national accounts, marketing assistance, and their unparalleled, all-inclusive “Mobilink” business operating system.

101 Mobility is on the move and is seeking motivated entrepreneurs who can help them reach their national goals. If you have strong sales and marketing skills and are shopping for solid alternative options in the senior market, consider the time-tested specialty of “mobility” and contact their franchise development team today.

To learn more about this up-and-coming franchise opportunity, please visit: http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/101-Mobility.

Quiznos Makes Strides in Franchising, Animal Welfare

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Quiznos Makes Strides in Franchising, Animal Welfare

Last week, Quiznos announced its plans to work with its many suppliers to eliminate gestation crates from its food franchise’s supply chain between 2017 and 2022.

 

The news was immediately applauded by the Humane Society, the nation’s largest and most effective protection organization.

 

Most breeding pigs in the U.S. are confined in gestation crates for the majority of their lives. The crates are not large enough for the animals to turn around and are used to prevent pregnancy in pigs. As one of the smartest, most social animals on Earth, gestation crates create an environment of stress, anxiety, fear and pain for pigs.

 

Quiznos’ decision to eliminate gestation crates from its supply chain comes as a result of its first initiative in 2008 to incorporate crate-free pork into its restaurants. Quiznos’ customers have made it clear they want better treatment for pigs– and Quiznos clearly agrees.

 

HSUS Food Policy Director Matthew Prescott believes that Quiznos’ move suggests that confining pigs in gestation crates is simply an unsustainable business practice.

 

As customers become increasingly interested in the origin of the food on their dinner plates, it makes sense for food franchises to make this conscientious step forward. A poll conducted by the American Farm Bureau found that 95 percent of Americans believe that farm animals should be well-cared for. The same poll found that most Americans do not consider gestation crates to be humane.

 

This progress, especially coming from a large and well-known franchise like Quiznos, will likely inspire others to enact meaningful changes in their supply chains and lead to better treatment of animals other than pigs.

The Top 10 Most Popular Franchise Industries

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In the last year ten franchise industries have become runaway stars. Some, like the ubiquitous burger and fries concept, remains popular. Others, like children’s entertainment, are the newcomers to the popular crowd.

Children’s Enrichment: Children’s education franchises have seen an increase in popularity and need for several reasons, not the least of which is the unfortunate reality that the American public education system is failing to properly educate young people:

  • 2 out of 3 eighth-graders cannot read proficiently and most will not catch up
  • Nearly two-thirds of eighth-graders scored below proficient in math
  • Seventy-five percent of students are not proficient in civics
  • 1.1 million American students drop out of school every year. For African-American and Hispanic students this percentage is almost double the national average at close to 40 percent. (The national average is 27 percent.)

Children’s Entertainment: Keeping kid’s occupied and entertained is a big business. Many parents spend considerably on their children’s birthday parties and after school programs. As the prevalence of households that require both parents to work increases so does the popularity of children’s entertainment franchises.

Fitness Franchises: According to the New York Times, when the going gets tough the tough get going– on their treadmills and yoga mats. While some struggle to squeeze in any workouts at all, others turn to fitness for mental relief.

Frozen Yogurt Franchises: Going out for ice cream has turned into going out for frozen yogurt as the obesity rate in America has increased (and it’s officially become a disease).
Hamburgers: During the Great Recession, America’s taste for cheap, fast food increased as disposable income decreased. Though the U.S. has weathered an economic recovery, hamburgers and fries franchises remain all too popular.
Health Services Franchises
Retail Stores: As economic confidence returns, so do customers willing to spend their larger paychecks at retail franchises.
Restoration Services
Senior Care: The need for senior care franchises has continued to increase since the first of the Baby Boomer generation began to retire and there seems to be no end in sight.
Spa Services: Perhaps as the Great Recession ended people finally felt comfortable with indulging a bit. Whatever the reason, spa franchises have reached the list of the most popular franchises in the industry.

Franchise Profile: Ziebart International

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For over 50 years, Ziebart International has developed its own renowned products and technology to protect vehicles against such damaging elements as dirt, pollution, heat, ultraviolet rays and rust.

Ziebart International Corporation is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, representing a global franchise network of vehicle appearance and protection services for over 53 years. The company was founded on rust protection in 1959 and currently operates 400 locations in 30 countries with over 800 processing centers worldwide. Ziebart is the world’s leading name in automotive services that protect, preserve and enhance the appearance of cars and trucks.


Ziebart offers superior proprietary products and services and a diverse business model. Specializing in professional automotive detailing, window tinting, paint protection films, fabric and rust protection, sprayed-on bed liners, glass repair, scratch repair and accessories, Ziebart is recognized as the No. 1 franchise in the automotive appearance services category by Entrepreneur magazine and is ranked #122 out of 200 of America’s Top Global Franchises. For 2012, Ziebart ranked #153 in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500.

Are You A Good Fit? Ask Yourself These Questions:

  • Do you have the entrepreneurial desire to be in business for yourself but not by yourself?
  • Are your interests aligned with the automotive aftermarket industry?
  • Are you sales oriented and driven to succeed?
  • Would you embrace commitment to follow a proven business model that will guide you to reach your full potential?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to any or most of these questions, please click the following link to learn more about the Ziebart International opportunity: http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/Ziebart. Use the form on this page to submit your contact information to have a Ziebart representative contact you.

Licensing Opportunity Profile: Save-A-Lot Food Stores

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Save-A-Lot is the nation’s leading hard discount grocery chain with over 1,300 stores across the U.S. and Caribbean. Approximately 70% of these locations are owned and operated by individuals or corporate entities under Save-A-Lot’s licensed retailer program.

Their business model is designed to help retailers succeed and compete effectively in the grocery industry. They combine the expertise of the nation’s second largest grocery chain under a single banner with the unique talents of licensed operators. Save-A-Lot is focused on driving down costs to give their independently owned retailers a competitive edge.

 

  • Smaller, Efficient Stores: The average Save-A-Lot store is 15,000 square feet – much smaller than a traditional grocery store. This reduces startup costs, inventory, occupancy and other operating costs.
  • Hard Discount: Save-A-Lot carries the food items shoppers buy most often. By offering a carefully selected assortment of approximately 2,000 grocery items, they create unparalleled efficiencies throughout the supply chain, enabling their retailers to offer customers the lowest prices possible.
  • Save-A-Lot Exclusive Brands: Over 70% of their store is devoted to their own exclusive high quality brands. These trademarked brands offer substantial savings because they don’t carry the costly advertising expenses built into national brands.
  • Buying Power: Their large network of stores and the consolidation of entire categories into single items give Save-A-Lot incredible buying power.
  • Handling Efficiencies: Products ordered from one of their 16 dedicated distribution centers are shipped and merchandised in custom cartons that make stocking much more efficient, cutting labor costs and streamlining operations.

Save-A-Lots are not franchised. Their retailers operate under license agreements and adhere to company operating standards, building design, equipment criteria and merchandising concepts. This helps ensure consistency and success across their network of licensed and corporate stores. They provide ongoing services such as training, retail accounting, advertising and operations consultation. Our goal is to help you succeed.

 

Save-A-Lot welcomes the opportunity to further discuss their unique business opportunity regarding owning and operating a Save-A-Lot food store. To learn more, please fill out the form here: http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/Save-A-Lot-Food-Stores.

Franchise Profile: NexGoal Helps Athletes Transition to the Corporate World

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NexGoal is a specialized search and career development business focused on candidates who are former professional and/or collegiate athletes. These former athletes possess core traits (biographical data “biodata”) which have proven over time to be an accurate predictor for future performance.

For decades, businesses of all sizes have benefited from the core traits that athletes bring to a corporate team. As a result, the athlete-candidate can give the hiring manager greater confidence in the hire over a candidate who does not have these defined traits in their background.

Their management team is comprised of former collegiate and professional athletes who clearly understand the challenges which athletes face as they make their transition from sports. As experienced search consultants, NexGoal’s team also understands the challenges businesses face in acquiring and retaining the best talent for their team. They are the “go to” resource for both athletes and businesses, acting as an effective bridge between these two groups.

NexGoal serves as the conduit between former collegiate and professional athletes and corporations throughout North America. NexGoal’s mission is to be the premiere most reputable, athlete focused placement career transition resource for former athletes.


The NexGoal Franchise Concept:

  • Business Model – NexGoal International, LLC. serves as a strategic talent acquisition partner for businesses who seek competitively driven talent and who benefit from the core traits that athletes bring to their corporate teams. Their proprietary process of recruiting combined with an exclusive resource of candidates allows NexGoal to serve a niche market that other recruiting companies cannot penetrate.
  • Franchising – Their affiliate, NexGoal LLC, has been in operation for the past 3 years and has placed candidates all over the country for corporations in a variety of industries. The NexGoal concept really resonates with former athletes.  In fact, many former athletes have asked how they can get involved with what NexGoal is doing. Typically, after leaving the sport, athletes retain a network of business owners and team mates that they stay in touch with.  NexGoal plans to franchise similar offices throughout the U.S. and globally.

NexGoal has partnered with one of the premier recruiting trainers in the industry (Doug Beabout) to help new franchisees learn the business. We have also sought out strategic franchising partners who have worked in the recruiting business and have successfully opened recruiting franchises throughout the U.S.

To learn more about how you can become part of the NexGoal team, please click the following link: http://www.franchiseclique.com/franchise/NexGoal-Professional-Athlete-Recruiting-Franchise.

A Load of Rubbish Works: How a Junk Removal Franchise Goes Green

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junk removal franchise

The worlds of junk removal and green entrepreneurship collide within Rubbish Works, a franchise concept that offers its franchisees the opportunity to provide a much-needed service while owning their own business.

 

Self-describe as, “not just another junk hauler,” Rubbish Works makes a concerted effort to solve the junk removal demands of residential and commercial clients while keeping their businesses practices green and environmentally-friendly. The junk-removal franchise concept specializes in the removal of old furniture, appliances, garage items and renovation debris, much of which is recyclable. A large number of Rubbish Works’ commercial clients are real estate agents or contractors, who require the junk-removal franchise’s 20-yard roll-off containers sized to each project’s specifications.

 

Rubbish Works’ list of acceptable items and provided services includes:

 

Appliances:

  • Refrigerators
  • Kitchen Appliances
  • Water Heaters
  • Washers / Dryers
  • Electronics / TV’s
  • Computers / Monitors

Outdoor / Yard Debris:

  • Bricks / Concrete
  • Brush / Leaves
  • Dirt / Gravel
  • Wood
  • Hot tubs

Household Items:

  • Garage Items
  • Tires
  • Old Furniture
  • Trash

 

All appliances, televisions and computers are recycled 100% of the time. Of the other removed items, up to 50% is recycled on an ongoing basis.

 

As a franchisee, Rubbish Works partners are provided with all of the operational tools necessary to be up and running immediately, including: a customized hook-lift truck, a centralized call center, web-based scheduling capabilities, GPS mapping capabilities, crew tracking and a proprietary web-based software. This, leveraged with the franchises’s training and support systems and the industry’s project growth through 2020 puts Rubbish Works’ franchisees in the black– and green.

 

One of the biggest benefits to owning a Rubbish Works (versus another junk-removal franchise) is the ability to operate a business with two separate revenue streams. As Rubbish Works services both residential and commercial clients, the opportunities for junk-removal, recycling or other clean-up projects is doubled.

 

For more information about going green, becoming a Rubbish Works franchisee or owning your own business, please visit www.franchiseclique.com.

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.

Restaurants React to New BAC Recommendation

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Restaurants and restaurant franchises feel the new suggested blood alcohol content level will negatively impact sales and end profits without significantly improving road safety for patrons.

The recommendation to change the current legal blood alcohol level came from the National Transportation Safety Board last week. The NTSB suggested that the states reduce the legal BAC level from the current level of 0.08% to 0.05%.

The average BAC level in fatal automobile accidents occurs when drivers are at twice the legal limit. Less than 1% of deaths occur when the driver’s blood alcohol content level is between 0.05 and 0.08.

One of the biggest arguments restaurants are making in opposition to the National Transportation Safety Board is alcohol’s ability to enhance food and the dining experience. In addition, alcoholic beverages are big ticket items for restaurants and are often marked up considerably more than food items. Despite this fact, recent years have seen sales drop in alcoholic beverage consumption as penalties for driving under the influence have become more strict.

While the National Transportation Safety Board cannot change laws outright but can influence future legislation, though it might take a generation or so.   A person’s blood alcohol content level depends greatly on height, weight and gender. Changing the legal drinking limit to 0.05% would mean an average-sized male could enjoy two alcoholic drinks. An average sized female could enjoy a single alcoholic drink, if not less.

What do you think? Do you think the BAC level should be changed from 0.08 to 0.05? 

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.