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.
Are you a potential business owner looking to purchase a franchise and begin the process of owning and operating your own business? If so, you would likely benefit greatly from the services of a franchise consultant. A franchise consultant can provide expertise and guidance throughout the entire process, from identifying your dream franchise to getting your business up and running. Listed below are 12 reasons that it’s advantageous for any hopeful franchisee to consider reaching out to a franchise consultant.
1. The service is free to the franchisee, with the franchisor covering the consulting fees.
Did you know that franchise consultant services come at no cost to you? This may come as a surprise to you, but consider this: when you’re investing in a franchise, that franchisor is also investing in you. They want you to be successful! This is why many franchisors will suggest a franchise consultant to help answer your questions and guide you through the process and cover the costs themselves.
2. The service is personal and confidential.
Anything you discuss with a franchise consultant will not only be specifically tailored to your unique circumstances, franchising goals, and whatever questions you may have: it will be completely confidential and stay between you and your consultant.
3. The consultant guides the potential franchisee through the entire process of deciding whether to become a franchisee and how to go about it.
Franchise consultants really are there for you every step of the way. If you’re still not entirely sure the franchise model is right for you, they can help guide you in the right direction. While the franchising model is extremely advantageous for many investors, it can be daunting for those just getting started in the franchise space to be presented with so many options and so many decisions to make. That’s where franchise consultants come in – they’ll guide you through the process from start to finish.
4. A detailed profile, including an evaluation of the potential owner’s experience, interests, and goals is compiled in order to match the new franchisee with the most suitable opportunity.
That’s right – not only will a franchise consultant help answer any general questions you have about the franchising process, they’ll also help match you with the perfect franchise opportunity. Each franchise consultation is completely customized to meet your needs, so a franchise consultant can be a very powerful tool in finding franchise success.
5. Education is provided on the various types of ownership and investment options.
Did you know there are different types of franchises, different options when it comes to franchise ownership, and several different ways to invest? If not, a franchise consultant can walk you through all of these options and what they mean, and help you choose which is right for you.
6. An investigation into the most suitable opportunities that are available is done by the consultant.
Even after you’ve done your own digging on our site to find the opportunities that appeal to you, a franchise consultant can help you refine your search even further to find the perfect fit.
7. Initiation of contact with company representatives is part of the service.
Franchise consultants can also guide you through the ins and outs of communicating with franchisors, filling out the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and so much more.
8. The consultant helps to verify each company’s success and track record.
Just as we’re committed to your success, so are franchise consultants. They want to ensure you’re making the franchise investment that’s just right for you, and part of that investigation includes a deep dive into each company’s track record to make sure they’re a good fit for your success.
9. The potential business owner saves time and money by having the experts perform research on various opportunities.
The use of a franchise consultant isn’t just beneficial for you as the franchisee: franchisors benefit a great deal from the work of consultants, too. Franchise consultants save time and money every step of the way by performing research and answering questions ahead of time so that by the time you’re ready to close the deal, you both have all the information you need.
10. The consultant acts as the one-stop-shop, answering questions and referring the potential owner to other resources as necessary, such as financial or legal advisors.
If you have a question that a franchise consultant can’t answer, they can point you in the right direction to someone who can, such as a financial advisor or a legal advisor.
11. The consultant works with all types of franchises, including full-time, part-time, new units, and re-sale franchises.
No matter what type of franchise you’re interested in, we guarantee there’s a consultant out there who can help you! Franchise consultants are knowledgeable about every facet of the franchise space and the franchising process, so no matter what they can point you in the right direction.
12. Complications and confusion are virtually eliminated by having an expert perform these services.
Last but not least, the biggest benefit of a franchise consultant is eliminating any complications or confusion involved in the franchising process. This means making your transition to a franchise owner quick and seamless, with the help of an expert to guide you along each step of the way.
In sum, a franchise consultant serves as somewhat of a catch-all when it comes to questions or concerns about the franchising process. A franchise consultant will help you determine if franchising is right for you and, if so, what type of franchise opportunities you are most likely to succeed in. From there, they’ll help guide you through all the necessary steps to investing in that franchise and eventually becoming the owner of your own franchise business. So what are you waiting for? If you’re looking to dive into the world of franchising, make sure to enlist the help of a professional franchise consultant. You won’t regret it!
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.
Networking is the accelerant you can use to set your entrepreneurial career aflame. It can do so much for your career, from letting you meet potential mentors to helping you find contacts and opportunities for your start-up. The problem you likely share with many people is simply not knowing where to start.
1. Approach Networking with the Right Mindset
The problem with most people is that they approach networking as work. Don’t approach networking thinking that it’s all about how many business cards you can get or hand out. Look at it as a way to develop genuine relationships with the people involved in your industry. Treat people as possible friends and not just potential assets.
Become friends with the people you meet. They are going to help take you and your business to the next level. These people deserve your respect and to be treated as more than just assets.
2. Have a Goal
Don’t just network — network with a goal in mind. Have something you want to happen, a goal you can work towards, before you step into a networking event. Think about where you want to be in five years, where the start-up should be. Write it down. Write down what you need to get done in a year to get closer to your goals. Then write down what you need to get done in three months to get closer to your goals.
Look at each of those goals and figure out who can help you achieve them. Do you need a better accountant to help you get the resources you need? Do you need a mentor to teach you a couple of key skills that will allow you to succeed? If you’re having trouble deciding whom you need, simply figure out what you lack and who can fill that hole.
3. Learn How to Connect with People
Knowing how to connect with people is an important skill to have as an entrepreneur. It’s not just for networking, it’s for what happens afterwards. You don’t just make a new friend and then never interact with them. Relationships are ongoing and require maintenance. You need to learn to connect and keep on connecting with the people who will help you succeed.
Ask the right questions. Asking better questions leads to better answers, which results in memorable conversations. Ask difficult questions, such as how they expect to achieve their goals considering the kind of opposition they face.
How will you know which questions to ask? Pay attention, not just to what they’re saying, but how they’re saying it. Learn more about the convention you’re attending and the industries that will be represented, so you’ll have something to contribute to the discussion.
4. Connect People to Each Other
One of the best ways to accelerate the growth of your network as an entrepreneur is to serve as a bridge. Someday you’re going to meet someone who needs something you cannot provide — but you’ll know someone who can help. Take the time to introduce them to each other. At best, they’ll appreciate the effort and then be more inclined to help you find people who can help you solve your problems. At worst, you’ve helped out a couple of your friends. After a few months, follow-up on your connection and find out if you actually helped them.
It is important to note here that you shouldn’t keep score. Do it because you want to help out.
Networking can help you accelerate the success of your start-up and your career as an entrepreneur. It can help spread word about your business and about your skills as an entrepreneur. Talk to people. Connect people with each other. Learn how you can create and nurture relationships with others. You’ll find yourself surrounded with interesting people and your start-up going places you never thought it would.
FranServe is currently one of the largest and fastest growing franchise marketing, consulting and development firms in the franchising industry. With over 250 active affiliated consultants located throughout the US, Canada and Internationally, FranServe’s consultants are discussing franchise opportunities with thousands of potential franchise buyers each month. FranServe boasts a corporate team of industry experts with over 100 years of combined experience in the franchise industry.
FranServe’s Mission
FranServe seeks to “help others achieve their dreams of business ownership through franchising. [Their] professional consultants work with prospects every day that are in the market for a career change and who desire business ownership opportunities. They assist clients in identifying and exploring ideal franchise opportunities that meet each candidate’s professional and personal goals as well as helping them access the capital to own and operate that franchise.”
FranServe consultants are among the best in the industry. All FranServe consultants receive extensive training and support. With a wide range of marketing strategies, FranServe provides consultants with prospective franchise buyers to determine financial qualifications, strengths, goals, market demographics, desired lifestyle and more to help identify and explore potential franchise opportunities.
OxyMagic carpet cleaners provide excellent carpet cleaning services. Each carpet cleaning franchise is individually owned and operated by people that are passionate about clean carpets. Throughout the lifetime of your carpet, the fibers are subjected to the day to day under-foot grind of typical household spills, dirt, children, pets and after a while it can all take its toll. OxyMagic uses the power of oxygen to clean a wider spectrum of soils that other cleaners may not get out. With the OxyMagic system, average dry time is reduced to 30 to 90 minutes, which eliminates the chance for old stains to return and for mold and mildew to form.
OxyMagic’s NaturesWay® cleaning solution and process provides a healthier home environment from common household contaminates. OxyMagic feels that its responsibility is to the environment, and to its customers. The company’s first thought is to safe guard the environment while maintaining the highest quality of cleaning for our customer’s carpets, rugs, and upholstery. The company only uses safe solutions and strives to maintain a reasonable price for a superior service to its customers.
OxyMagic is also dedicated to its Franchise owners and are looking to expand within the franchising industry.
Franchise Opportunity You now have the opportunity to own your own business in an affordable franchise featuring this EXCLUSIVE carpet cleaning system. If you’ve ever thought about owning an affordable franchise with the backing of a long-standing nationwide company there will never be a better time than RIGHT NOW! Because of our exclusive Oxygenated Carpet Cleaning System…
You can own… Your own Oxymagic Franchise and have a protected market to grow a database of good profitable repeat customers. By using OxyMagic’s “working on your business model” you will find out how easy it is to have one, two or even three carpet techs working for you everyday while you enjoy the financial freedom to live your dreams.
Which Means… You own a rewarding business and not a job. This also means that you can get in on the Oxymagic ground floor opportunity.
• See for yourself the power behind our marketing niche and unique selling proposition to your potential clients.
• See for yourself the income building potential of repeatable residential cash business.
• Get fully trained on our unique Oxygenated Extraction Carpet Cleaning System.
• Leave with a vast wealth of knowledge and proven model to build your own Oxymagic business in your city.
Interested in learning more? Check them out over on our site here!
Whether you are a current franchisee, a future franchisee, or even just a fan of our blog, chances are that you have experienced major changes in your workplace. Changes can cause great anxiety, especially if you are forced to adjust the way you have always approached a situation. Changes in process are often the best way to enhance productivity in business, yet the transition can prove to be troublesome.
We wanted to take this week’s post to discuss dealing with change and the growth contained in the process of change. Most of us operate under the illusion that life remains constant, but in reality, it is always changing. Your business, if it’s growing, is always changing, too.
Based on a study by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), the number one issue facing senior leadership today is “dealing with complex challenges.” Furthermore, studies say that the number one most important competency in shortest supply today is dealing with change. The CCL defines challenges as problems that:
Lack a clearly defined solution
Remain beyond an individual’s or single group’s ability to overcome
Have significant strategic, cultural, environmental, and marketplace impact
Create a paradox of reflection and action
Render traditional solutions ineffective
Demand flexibility and agility as challenges shift seemingly overnight
Being open to change and the lessons within change is no small task. Positive change requires letting go of old patterns and taking a fresh approach. In business, and in life, we must go beyond our preconceived ideas. We have to embrace, rather than resist, the change.
Change in an organization calls for a great deal of communication, specifically from the leaders in the group. What are some important lessons that you have learned about change from your business? Leave comments below!
For over 30 years, Gymboree Play & Music’s carefully crafted programs have been helping both parents and children to grow young minds. The company has continually developed classes and program content to incorporate cutting edge learning and fitness activities. They strive to bring fun, creativity and friendship to both customers and franchisees alike.
There are more than 700 Gymboree franchises in over 40 countries. As the creator and leader in interactive children’s play, music, art and development programs, Gymboree Play & Music built a business system with an unequalled reputation. The company’s unique approach has created a loyal customer base that continues to grow worldwide. Gymboree franchisees also have the advantage of being part of a rapidly growing Gymboree brand. Gymboree is quickly expanding in U.S. markets and opening new franchises all over the world. Some existing locations are also for sale.
Want the details?
Key markets are available in the US and internationally.
Gymboree Play & Music Center
Franchise Fee: $45,000
Royalty: 6% of gross receipts
Estimated total investment: $126,000-$270,950
Gymboree Metro Play Center
Franchise Fee: $25,000
Royalty: 6% of gross receipts
Estimated total investment: $77,000- $178,350
If you are interested in learning more, contact us here.
Have you been to your local Taste Buds Kitchen yet? Taste Buds Kitchen specializes in fresh and unique cooking events. The franchise has a mission to be the top culinary entertainment experience for kids and families by engaging and delighting budding chefs.
What began as a few holiday baking classes and cupcake making birthday parties, quickly evolved into much more. TBK’s culinary adventures includes an ever-growing variety of classes, parties, camps and special events that combine a well-balanced mix of engaging recipes, both savory and sweet, as we take to the kitchen to sprout taste buds and a good time for all ages.
Taste Buds Kitchen is proclaimed the “Best Kids Cooking Class” by New York Magazine and featured as the must try activity by CBS, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, Fox, The New York Times, Hampton Magazine and more.
Franchise Opportunity
Taste Buds Kitchen provides a great opportunity to own a business that is exciting AND delicious. By joining the Taste Buds Kitchen family, you can capitalize on the popularity of their concept by opening a Kids Kitchen in your community.
The Kitchen
Taste Buds Kitchen is an amazing Kitchen Studio designed and built just for kids. Tables and chairs adjust for kids and adults of all ages and kitchen utensils are located on lower shelves so that the kids can reach and take part in the whole kitchen experience alongside chef instructors.
With your franchise you will receive a design and construction specification that will give you all the details on how to build your own Taste Buds Kitchen!
You’re in Good Hands
TBK has designed a system to assist their franchisees from the day they sign the franchise agreement through their pre-opening, grand opening, and through the life of the business. Training is held at the corporate kitchen in New York City. The program includes both time in the kitchen and hands on training in important areas such as marketing and sales, administration, operations, customer service, human resources and, most importantly, cupcake decorating. To assist in creating an environment of success, TBK will provide assistance and sometimes have final approval on the following items Site Selection, Accounting Software and Systems, Content development, Advertising and promotion, Marketing strategies, and Ongoing Branding.
Many feel that if managed properly, owning a diverse set of businesses can help insulate against business peaks and troughs in the market. Many wealth planners will generally present diversification models to allow the purchase of multiple asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Diversification in the franchise industry is different. Franchisees can diversify within a particular industry by acquiring different brands. Diversifying within the same industry, such as the buying several different restaurant brands, still allows the franchisee to apply the same basic infrastructure to their business.
This strategy of franchising helps spread the risk from a franchisee’s perspective. If the demography of existing brands and new brands are vastly different, there becomes an opportunity to cross-market both products and knowledge. Aziz Hashim, the president and CEO of NRD Holdings, LLC, highlights a smart way to diversify in his recent piece in Franchising World about this topic, stating that “The most effective way to execute a diversification strategy is to identify opportunities in new sectors where the operational complexity is generally lower than the existing operations so as to not dilute the franchisee’s time and focus, where at least some existing infrastructure can be leveraged and ideally where there are natural synergies through complementary service offerings and similar demographic.” Complementary service offerings can play a key role in expanding your opportunities and create growth.
Do you own a diverse set of businesses? We would love to hear feedback from you!
I have been reading recently about a hot topic in marketing and advertising – targeting the Millennial generation. Who is the Millennial generation, you may ask? While there has been some debate over when the generation starts and stops, generally, it is considered those born between 1977 and 1995. Larger than the baby boomers’ 76 million, there are an estimated 80 million Millennials in this group of 18 to 34 year olds.
So from a marketing perspective, how do we target this generation of people ranging from college students to young parents? First off, we must recognize that most Millennials are technology dependent. There are several tips that Susan Glosby from FIT4MOM offered in this past month’s issue of Franchising World magazine offers some advice.
1. Offer ease of access to your information
Most Millennials use their smartphones and other similar electronic devices to access webpages. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly and is easy to read for those accessing info via a smartphone. Additionally, make sure you have all the information people are seeking on your site – contact information, sales information, costs of goods – if they can’t find it quickly, they may take their business elsewhere.
2. A sense of involvement and purpose
Millennials are said to care about the purpose and identity of the brands they support more than generations of the past. What does your brand do to make the world a better place? This generation wants to know. Do you promote local volunteering with your franchisees and employees? Do you help educate your community? Do you donate to certain causes as a company? They want to know those things, and are more likely to be a repeat customer if your ideals are in line with their own.
3. Peer value
Use social media to provide peer endorsements! Millennials have the sense that when using technology, they are never truly alone – their peers are always with them. Having Instagram tags, a Facebook page, a twitter account, allows this generation to easily do some of the advertising for you among their friends.
What other ways can we appeal to our 20-somethings? Leave your marketing tips in the comments below!
Are you looking for a cool franchising opportunity?
Named “#1 Ice Cream & Frozen Treat Franchise” by Entrepreneur Magazine, Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream shops. Baskin Robbins has developed over the years to offer ice cream and frozen desserts with creative cones, unique cakes, specialty desserts, frozen beverages and take-home treats. They also offer BRight Choices®, a line of better-for-you options including fat-free, dairy-free, no sugar added and light ice creams.
Reasons to Invest
Simplistic operations with convenient operating hours
Multiple revenue streams – in-store, take home, cakes and beverages
95% brand awareness with a multi-million dollar national advertising program
Flexible real estate options
First-rate product innovation and new product pipeline
World-class training and support
Baskin Robbins can be opened in a traditional storefront with a floor plan usually between 800-1,500 square feet, or in non-traditional venues such as gas and convenient stores, universities, airports, mall food courts, and stadiums. To learn more about Baskin Robbins and available franchising opportunities, check out Baskin Robbins over on Franchise Clique.
