If history tells us anything, it is that during economic slowdowns a lot of people begin to take stock of their careers and look for ways to take more control of their financial future. One of the options that many turn to is franchising. Owning a franchise gives you a chance to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. If you are among those whose career has been impacted by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 crisis and find yourself asking  “what do I do next?" or  "where do I go from here?” this podcast is for you. In it Dr. John P. Hayes discusses why franchising may be right solution for you, but, just as importantly, why it's not for everyone.

If history tells us anything, it is that during economic slowdowns a lot of people begin to take stock of their careers and look for ways to take more control of their financial future. One of the options that many turn to is franchising. Owning a franchise gives you a chance to be in business for yourself, but not by yourself. If you are among those whose career has been impacted by the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 crisis and find yourself asking  “what do I do next?" or  "where do I go from here?” this podcast is for you. In it Dr. John P. Hayes discusses why franchising may be right solution for you, but, just as importantly, why it's not for everyone.

Why Now May Be A Good Time To Buy A Franchise

In this episode of the How To Buy A Franchise show, I talk with Jackie Pierce, franchise owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts. Jackie shares the story of her transition from accountant in corporate America to soccer mom to successful franchisee.

In this episode of the How To Buy A Franchise show, I talk with Jackie Pierce, franchise owner of <a href="http://bit.ly/HTBAFBigFrogCustomTShirt" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Big Frog Custom T-Shirts</a>. Jackie shares the story of her transition from accountant in corporate America to soccer mom to successful franchisee.

From accountant to soccer mom to franchise owner

Robin Autopilot

Dr. John Hayes talks with Justin Crandall, CEO and co-founder of Robin Autopilot, the world's first robotic lawn service now offering franchise opportunities in the U.S.  Crandall, who you may have seen pitching the idea on Shark Tank, explains that more than one million of the robotic mowers are in use in Europe and they plan to spread the concept in the U.S. through franchising. How does it work? Crandall says that Robin Autopilot combines proven robot mower technology with highly-professional human crews to create a more eco-friendly, reliable and affordable lawn care experience.  The company installs a robotic mower at the customer's home. The robot handles the repetitive mowing, while human crews come out periodically to handle the edging, trimming, weeding and other yard care needs. As a result, the customer never has to worry about an overgrown yard and crew members can focus their talents on higher-value, higher-margin activities. Robin Autopilot customers pay a set monthly fee based on their level of service and size of property. Because of the robots, the price is actually less than they'd pay traditional landscaping services while receiving a higher-quality and more reliable service. If you are interested in how technology is impacting the future of franchising, this interview is for you. Or you can visit the website at robinautopilotfranchise.com.

Dr. John Hayes talks with Justin Crandall, CEO and co-founder of Robin Autopilot, the world's first robotic lawn service now offering franchise opportunities in the U.S.  Crandall, who you may have seen pitching the idea on Shark Tank, explains that more than one million of the robotic mowers are in use in Europe and they plan to spread the concept in the U.S. through franchising. How does it work? Crandall says that Robin Autopilot combines proven robot mower technology with highly-professional human crews to create a more eco-friendly, reliable and affordable lawn care experience.  The company installs a robotic mower at the customer's home. The robot handles the repetitive mowing, while human crews come out periodically to handle the edging, trimming, weeding and other yard care needs. As a result, the customer never has to worry about an overgrown yard and crew members can focus their talents on higher-value, higher-margin activities. Robin Autopilot customers pay a set monthly fee based on their level of service and size of property. Because of the robots, the price is actually less than they'd pay traditional landscaping services while receiving a higher-quality and more reliable service. If you are interested in how technology is impacting the future of franchising, this interview is for you. Or you can visit the website at <a href="http://bit.ly/RobinAutopilotFranchise" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">robinautopilotfranchise.com</a>.

Robin Autopilot: a cutting edge franchise opportunity

A money guy and a fitness guy met in Las Vegas one day and created a group fitness concept that provides Millennials with four studios under one roof! TruFusion franchises offer 240 classes per week in 65 fitness modalities. Want yoga? There are 16 types offered at TruFusion. More yoga, says Donald Averritt, vice president of development, than what any yoga franchise offers! Franchising for almost two years, TruFusion has sold 65 franchise units at an all in cost of about $1.2 million. Of the units sold, only three were open at the time of this interview because finding a location and building a unit is a nine to 12 month process. By year-end 2017 TruFusion anticipates having a dozen units open around the USA. Averritt says the "secret sauce” for this franchise is its monthly membership fee: $100. Each of the three open units has more than 2,000 members and most are Millennial females. If fitness is your idea of the perfect franchise, TruFusion may be your answer.

A money guy and a fitness guy met in Las Vegas one day and created a group fitness concept that provides Millennials with four studios under one roof! TruFusion franchises offer 240 classes per week in 65 fitness modalities. Want yoga? There are 16 types offered at TruFusion. More yoga, says Donald Averritt, vice president of development, than what any yoga franchise offers! Franchising for almost two years, TruFusion has sold 65 franchise units at an all in cost of about $1.2 million. Of the units sold, only three were open at the time of this interview because finding a location and building a unit is a nine to 12 month process. By year-end 2017 TruFusion anticipates having a dozen units open around the USA. Averritt says the "secret sauce” for this franchise is its monthly membership fee: $100. Each of the three open units has more than 2,000 members and most are Millennial females. If fitness is your idea of the perfect franchise, TruFusion may be your answer.

TruFusion: 4 fitness franchises in 1

Pat Sculley and his wife always wanted to get into business together. Pat worked for EDS in Dallas for 23 years and his wife was working in HR. After Pat retired he spent some time working with non-profits but realized he wasn’t happy. "I had semi-retired, working 30 hours a week,” he explains, “and I didn’t enjoy not being full time and fully engaged. I knew what would make me happy was being back in the game and having fun with it.” So he and his wife got back in the game, but it wasn’t easy. At first they worked with a broker to find an appealing business but came up empty. When their broker recommended looking at franchises, the Sculleys said they didn’t want to be in the food industry! But with a little coaching the Sculleys learned about non-food franchise opportunities. The broker presented three franchises to them and they went about conducting their due diligence. At the end of the process, more than four years ago, they selected The Exercise Coach, a new franchise based in Chicago. The Sculleys decided to bring The Exercise Coach to Dallas, TX where they now operate three units. This is a business that personally appeals to the couple and they knew they could build the brand locally and sell it as an asset in the future. Pat shares his story with Dr. John Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.

Pat Sculley and his wife always wanted to get into business together. Pat worked for EDS in Dallas for 23 years and his wife was working in HR. After Pat retired he spent some time working with non-profits but realized he wasn’t happy. "I had semi-retired, working 30 hours a week,” he explains, “and I didn’t enjoy not being full time and fully engaged. I knew what would make me happy was being back in the game and having fun with it.” So he and his wife got back in the game, but it wasn’t easy. At first they worked with a broker to find an appealing business but came up empty. When their broker recommended looking at franchises, the Sculleys said they didn’t want to be in the food industry! But with a little coaching the Sculleys learned about non-food franchise opportunities. The broker presented three franchises to them and they went about conducting their due diligence. At the end of the process, more than four years ago, they selected The Exercise Coach, a new franchise based in Chicago. The Sculleys decided to bring The Exercise Coach to Dallas, TX where they now operate three units. This is a business that personally appeals to the couple and they knew they could build the brand locally and sell it as an asset in the future. Pat shares his story with Dr. John Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.

Retired Couple Becomes The Exercise Coach in Dallas, TX

Matt “Red” Boswell, chief growth officer for Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), tells Dr. John Hayes that senior executives worldwide are joining ERA to become trusted advisors to multi-million dollar companies that hope to extract profit from their current expenses. There are two types of franchisees in ERA: the analyst who has spent a career studying one or more expense categories such as healthcare, telecommunications, printing, banking services, etc., (there are more than 40 expense categories) and knows how to save money in those categories, and the relationship building executive who can gain access to C-suite executives (especially CFOs) through referrals and networking. ERA franchisees collaborate as “trusted advisors” for the clients they serve. The kicker is that they make money only if they succeed at saving money for their clients! ERA is a worldwide consulting firm with more than 700 franchisees. The franchisor’s Item 19 looks extremely attractive. While the average franchisee (including some part-timers) earns $189,000 annually, the top 20% of franchisees earn between $323,000 and $760,000! If you like working with “world-class” caliber executives, ERA may be the franchise for you.

Matt “Red” Boswell, chief growth officer for Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA), tells Dr. John Hayes that senior executives worldwide are joining ERA to become trusted advisors to multi-million dollar companies that hope to extract profit from their current expenses. There are two types of franchisees in ERA: the analyst who has spent a career studying one or more expense categories such as healthcare, telecommunications, printing, banking services, etc., (there are more than 40 expense categories) and knows how to save money in those categories, and the relationship building executive who can gain access to C-suite executives (especially CFOs) through referrals and networking. ERA franchisees collaborate as “trusted advisors” for the clients they serve. The kicker is that they make money only if they succeed at saving money for their clients! ERA is a worldwide consulting firm with more than 700 franchisees. The franchisor’s Item 19 looks extremely attractive. While the average franchisee (including some part-timers) earns $189,000 annually, the top 20% of franchisees earn between $323,000 and $760,000! If you like working with “world-class” caliber executives, ERA may be the franchise for you.

Why Senior Executives Prefer the ERA Franchise

Gary Findley

At age 55, veteran franchise developer Gary Findley asked himself what type of business he’d like to own next if he were to buy a franchise. He knew the right franchise for him would require no bricks and mortar, low investment, low overhead, it would produce high margins and it would be recession resistant. All that, plus the opportunity to buy out the franchisor, led Gary to Restoration 1, a franchise that he has since grown from 20 units to 135 units in record time. With Gary’s background, he knew that operational systems were key to building a good franchise network. After adding systems, he recruited executive-level franchisees with the desire to build a business, but not necessarily to work in the business. In mid-2017, the franchise is on track to reach 200 franchise locations and within 5 years 500 locations. And, by the way, Gary owns 4 locations personally.

At age 55, veteran franchise developer Gary Findley asked himself what type of business he’d like to own next if he were to buy a franchise. He knew the right franchise for him would require no bricks and mortar, low investment, low overhead, it would produce high margins and it would be recession resistant. All that, plus the opportunity to buy out the franchisor, led Gary to Restoration 1, a franchise that he has since grown from 20 units to 135 units in record time. With Gary’s background, he knew that operational systems were key to building a good franchise network. After adding systems, he recruited executive-level franchisees with the desire to build a business, but not necessarily to work in the business. In mid-2017, the franchise is on track to reach 200 franchise locations and within 5 years 500 locations. And, by the way, Gary owns 4 locations personally.

Gary Findley: Veteran franchisor rolls out Restoration 1

Andrew Millar of UBREAKIFIX recently visited with Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show and explained how UBREAKIFIX franchises are changing the lives of people across North America. Some 150 franchisees own the 311-plus UBREAKIFIX franchise outlets in the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. However, those numbers are going to change rapidly — one area developer, for example, plans to open more than 230 stores just in the USA. And then there’s the wide-open international market. Millar says the company is already getting buy requests from across the world, but management plans to dominate North America first. The company is already the market leader in the $282 billion mobile phone industry, but Millar says there’s a huge growth curve ahead. Franchise-wide store revenues should top $140 million in 2017 but Millar points out that’s only 3.6% of the market! And lest you think all they do is repair phones, they repair anything with a power button. Their goal is to capture users of the tech space and keep them as customers for a lifetime. All-in investment for this dynamic franchise is about $150,000 including a $40,000 franchise fee. U.S. veterans get an $8,000 discount upon becoming franchisees. UBREAKIFIX is on track to be the next huge international franchise opportunity, at least in the tech/repair industry. Could it be the perfect franchise opportunity for you?

Andrew Millar of UBREAKIFIX recently visited with Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show and explained how UBREAKIFIX franchises are changing the lives of people across North America. Some 150 franchisees own the 311-plus UBREAKIFIX franchise outlets in the USA, Canada and Puerto Rico. However, those numbers are going to change rapidly — one area developer, for example, plans to open more than 230 stores just in the USA. And then there’s the wide-open international market. Millar says the company is already getting buy requests from across the world, but management plans to dominate North America first. The company is already the market leader in the $282 billion mobile phone industry, but Millar says there’s a huge growth curve ahead. Franchise-wide store revenues should top $140 million in 2017 but Millar points out that’s only 3.6% of the market! And lest you think all they do is repair phones, they repair anything with a power button. Their goal is to capture users of the tech space and keep them as customers for a lifetime. All-in investment for this dynamic franchise is about $150,000 including a $40,000 franchise fee. U.S. veterans get an $8,000 discount upon becoming franchisees. UBREAKIFIX is on track to be the next huge international franchise opportunity, at least in the tech/repair industry. Could it be the perfect franchise opportunity for you?

UBREAKIFIX: The next huge international franchise opportunity

Nick Lopez studied business at Michigan State University and discovered franchising in the process. To cover the costs of tuition, books and living expenses, Lopez launched a residential and commercial painting business in Michigan and catered to custom home owners. Much to his surprise, he found a welcoming market and after three years of operating the business he decided it was time to get serious. That’s when he sought out mentors to help him develop a long-term business plan and that experience eventually led to franchising. After graduation he returned to his home state of Colorado and opened LIME Painting in Denver with every intention of building a national franchise company. He has since opened a second unit in Boulder and he plans to begin franchising the opportunity in fall 2017. Lopez visited with Dr. John P. Hayes during the 2017 International Franchise Expo in New York City.

Nick Lopez studied business at Michigan State University and discovered franchising in the process. To cover the costs of tuition, books and living expenses, Lopez launched a residential and commercial painting business in Michigan and catered to custom home owners. Much to his surprise, he found a welcoming market and after three years of operating the business he decided it was time to get serious. That’s when he sought out mentors to help him develop a long-term business plan and that experience eventually led to franchising. After graduation he returned to his home state of Colorado and opened LIME Painting in Denver with every intention of building a national franchise company. He has since opened a second unit in Boulder and he plans to begin franchising the opportunity in fall 2017. Lopez visited with Dr. John P. Hayes during the 2017 International Franchise Expo in New York City.

Home-based, high-end, emerging painting franchise

What started as a corporate endeavor to provide employees with wellness options mushroomed into a franchise opportunity that is now being purchased by entrepreneurs and physicians. Reagan Clemensen visited the How To Buy A Franchise Show during the International Franchise Expo in New York City and shared news about Profile by Sanford, a franchise concept developed by Sanford Health, the largest rural healthcare company in the USA with 28,000 employees and millions of patients. At the time of this interview there were six open franchise units and 30 more in development. Clemensen explained that the franchise emphasizes weight loss but offers a menu of wellness options to members who pay $300 a year and buy products from the company. Cost to open a unit is in the $450,000 range and funding options are automatically extended to prospects who qualify to become franchisees. Multi-unit opportunities exist across the USA. If you’re committed to wellness and want to help others reach their wellness goals, this may be your ideal franchise opportunity.

What started as a corporate endeavor to provide employees with wellness options mushroomed into a franchise opportunity that is now being purchased by entrepreneurs and physicians. Reagan Clemensen visited the How To Buy A Franchise Show during the International Franchise Expo in New York City and shared news about Profile by Sanford, a franchise concept developed by Sanford Health, the largest rural healthcare company in the USA with 28,000 employees and millions of patients. At the time of this interview there were six open franchise units and 30 more in development. Clemensen explained that the franchise emphasizes weight loss but offers a menu of wellness options to members who pay $300 a year and buy products from the company. Cost to open a unit is in the $450,000 range and funding options are automatically extended to prospects who qualify to become franchisees. Multi-unit opportunities exist across the USA. If you’re committed to wellness and want to help others reach their wellness goals, this may be your ideal franchise opportunity.

Weight loss franchise attracts physicians and entrepreneurs

Internationally recognized speaker, personal business coach and Amazon best-selling franchise author Dr. John Hayes offers an honest look at everything involved in researching, evaluating and purchasing a franchise business.

Now you can have the most world’s foremost authority on franchising, whisper his advise right in your earbuds! Dr. John Hayes has been a franchisee, a franchisor, a franchise consultant, and is regularly the most highly rated speaker at the International Franchise Expo. When I bought my franchise, I bought it from Dr. Hayes. If I were going to buy a franchise today, I wouldn’t do it unless I could get personal coaching from Dr. Hayes. Now you can! In this podcast Dr. Hayes spills all the beans (and there are a lot of beans to spill), but Hayes knows all the secrets and he shares them freely, openly and fully with you. Dr. Hayes has forgotten more about franchising than the other experts will ever know. He’s the ultimate go to guy. You won’t be disappointed if you learn your lessons here first, before you invest in a franchise.

The Only Franchise Advisor I Trust

A number of years ago I  met John. From that meeting I was able to re-connect with him later when life had me looking into buying a franchise. He, his books, and his show are very helpful tools when it comes to buying a franchise, if this is the direction you are looking to go.

Wealth Coach

How To Buy A Franchise Show | Dr. John Hayes provides insight on how to buy and operate a franchise

In this episode, Dr. Hayes explains that the first step to researching, evaluating and purchasing a franchise business begins with an honest self-analysis.

In this episode, Dr. Hayes explains that the first step to researching, evaluating and purchasing a franchise business begins with an honest self-analysis.

Buying a franchise isn’t right for everyone. Is it right for you?

In this episode, Dr. Hayes explains that starting a new business, whether it is a franchise or not, comes with a lot of risk. While opening a franchise is safer than starting a business from scratch, there is still no guarantee of success. That's why it is important that you try to find a business that is a match for your skills, your personality and your values.

In this episode, Dr. Hayes explains that starting a new business, whether it is a franchise or not, comes with a lot of risk. While opening a franchise is safer than starting a business from scratch, there is still no guarantee of success. That's why it is important that you try to find a business that is a match for your skills, your personality and your values.

How to buy the right franchise for you

The “wellness industry” is valued at over one trillion dollars, surpassing pharmaceuticals. Popular businesses that exist in this industry include gyms, chiropractic centers, and massage parlors, but there’s only one franchise business that provides hypnosis, life coaching, skills building and mindful meditation training, and that’s Positive Changes. Laura Brunner is this week's guest to tell us more about the company. 

The “wellness industry” is valued at over one trillion dollars, surpassing pharmaceuticals. Popular businesses that exist in this industry include gyms, chiropractic centers, and massage parlors, but there’s only one franchise business that provides hypnosis, life coaching, skills building and mindful meditation training, and that’s Positive Changes. Laura Brunner is this week's guest to tell us more about the company.

Almost everyone seeks positive changes

Former franchisee Dave Claflin cold-called a client who influenced him to examine the drug-screening industry. By eliminating the medical portion and specializing in drug-screening, Claflin developed Fastest Labs to compete against the existing providers, such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. By eliminating the industry standard wait-time and collecting the sample and reporting to the employer within 10 minutes, Fastest Labs is able to outperform competitors.

Former franchisee Dave Claflin cold-called a client who influenced him to examine the drug-screening industry. By eliminating the medical portion and specializing in drug-screening, Claflin developed Fastest Labs to compete against the existing providers, such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. By eliminating the industry standard wait-time and collecting the sample and reporting to the employer within 10 minutes, Fastest Labs is able to outperform competitors.

Fastest Labs franchise opportunity lives up to its name by increasing efficiency in a niche market

When Eric Stites founded Franchise Business Review (FBR) in 2005, franchisors weren’t accustomed to an independent party surveying their franchisees. Stites explains that the greatest improvement in franchising during the last decade is transparency: People have access to more verifiable information about a franchise company than ever before. And much of this transparency is a result of the work that’s been done by Franchise Business Review.

When Eric Stites founded Franchise Business Review (FBR) in 2005, franchisors weren’t accustomed to an independent party surveying their franchisees. Stites explains that the greatest improvement in franchising during the last decade is transparency: People have access to more verifiable information about a franchise company than ever before. And much of this transparency is a result of the work that’s been done by Franchise Business Review.

“What do franchisees say about the franchise I’m about to buy?”

Dallas Kerley, president and COO of Benetrends Financial, is our guest this week on the How to Buy a Franchise Show. Benetrends has been a leader in the financial sector of the franchise market since 1983, and the company pioneered the 401k Rollover, a financial tool that allows franchise prospects to utilize their existing retirement funds to buy a franchise. The 401k Rollover comes with the approval of the IRS.

Dallas Kerley, president and COO of Benetrends Financial, is our guest this week on the How to Buy a Franchise Show. Benetrends has been a leader in the financial sector of the franchise market since 1983, and the company pioneered the 401k Rollover, a financial tool that allows franchise prospects to utilize their existing retirement funds to buy a franchise. The 401k Rollover comes with the approval of the IRS.

401k Rollover: How to use it to buy a franchise

You think franchising your business is a good idea? It might be! And it might return financial rewards beyond your wildest imagination. But look, it’s a tricky business, franchising, and especially tricky to find a network of people who want to buy a franchise. It’s best if you know the initial steps to take to franchise your business, and that’s what you’re about to discover when you listen to this podcast.  Brought to you by the How To Buy A Franchise team.  

You think franchising your business is a good idea? It might be! And it might return financial rewards beyond your wildest imagination. But look, it’s a tricky business, franchising, and especially tricky to find a network of people who want to buy a franchise. It’s best if you know the initial steps to take to franchise your business, and that’s what you’re about to discover when you listen to this podcast.  Brought to you by the <a href="http://www.howtobuyafranchise.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How To Buy A Franchise team</a>.

You must do this before franchising your business

United Franchise Group started over three decades ago and currently offers eight franchise brands and supports more than 1,500 franchisees in nearly 80 countries. While some franchisors have trouble selling one, or a dozen franchises annually, UFG awarded a franchise for every day in 2016! The franchisor sold more than 400 franchises in 2016 and intends to double that number in 2017! I think you get the point . . . this company knows franchising! And now, UFG helps small businesses franchise their concepts. Jason Anderson, president of UFG-owned Accurate Franchising, fluently explains the process of becoming a franchisor. While many think hiring a lawyer to draft a Franchise Disclosure Document is all it takes, Anderson explains the FDD is just the beginning. New franchisors “underestimate the sales nature of the franchise sales process,” he explains. Not only that, but after a new franchisor sells a unit or several units, another often unforeseen issue is supporting franchisees. Sooner or later, every franchisor has to make this distinction: Am I in the widget business or am I a franchisor that supports franchisees who sell widgets? When a small business evolves into a franchisor, the entire scope of work – and obligations -- changes. No longer does the small business operator just sell a product or provide a service; instead, the franchisor sells franchises and supports franchisees. Accurate Franchising is not in a league of its own; there are multiple businesses that promise to turn businesses into franchisors. But as part of the UFG conglomerate, UFG is unique because none of its competitors is owned by a franchisor . . . and not just any franchisor, but one that knows how to sell and support a network of 1,500-plus franchises! Why would one go anywhere else for this service? If you have a small business and you’re thinking of franchising, contact Jason Anderson: janderson@ufgcorp.com

United Franchise Group started over three decades ago and currently offers eight franchise brands and supports more than 1,500 franchisees in nearly 80 countries. While some franchisors have trouble selling one, or a dozen franchises annually, UFG awarded a franchise for every day in 2016! The franchisor sold more than 400 franchises in 2016 and intends to double that number in 2017! I think you get the point . . . this company knows franchising! And now, UFG helps small businesses franchise their concepts. Jason Anderson, president of UFG-owned Accurate Franchising, fluently explains the process of becoming a franchisor. While many think hiring a lawyer to draft a Franchise Disclosure Document is all it takes, Anderson explains the FDD is just the beginning. New franchisors “underestimate the sales nature of the franchise sales process,” he explains. Not only that, but after a new franchisor sells a unit or several units, another often unforeseen issue is supporting franchisees. Sooner or later, every franchisor has to make this distinction: Am I in the widget business or am I a franchisor that supports franchisees who sell widgets? When a small business evolves into a franchisor, the entire scope of work – and obligations -- changes. No longer does the small business operator just sell a product or provide a service; instead, the franchisor sells franchises and supports franchisees. Accurate Franchising is not in a league of its own; there are multiple businesses that promise to turn businesses into franchisors. But as part of the UFG conglomerate, UFG is unique because none of its competitors is owned by a franchisor . . . and not just any franchisor, but one that knows how to sell and support a network of 1,500-plus franchises! Why would one go anywhere else for this service? If you have a small business and you’re thinking of franchising, contact Jason Anderson: janderson@ufgcorp.com

Multi-concept franchisor teaches small businesses how to franchise

The Seniors’ Answer, based in Miami, FL, is offering to sell its first franchise for only $15,000, a discount of $5,000. In addition, royalty fees are held flat for the first two years starting at $100/month. Ultimately the fee rises to 5% of gross. Founded by a Harvard MBA with experience in franchising, Corrine Markey sold franchises for The Entrepreneur’s Source and The Maids. When she recognized the ever-increasing need among seniors for services, she created The Seniors’ Answer three years ago. The franchise provides senior services, not homecare. “We go from soup to nuts, says Markey. “If the family needs homecare, we bring it in . . . if the senior’s physician dies, we get another physician. We are concierges . . . “ Markey decided to franchise just eight months into starting her business. She explains, “the need is so great . . . it’s a huge market . . . in this country if you have a need and fill the need that’s the American Dream.” Because it’s not homecare the market is wide open for this franchise. Markey says franchisees should be good at multi-tasking. Looking for a groundbreaking franchise opportunity? This could be the franchise business for you.

The Seniors’ Answer, based in Miami, FL, is offering to sell its first franchise for only $15,000, a discount of $5,000. In addition, royalty fees are held flat for the first two years starting at $100/month. Ultimately the fee rises to 5% of gross. Founded by a Harvard MBA with experience in franchising, Corrine Markey sold franchises for The Entrepreneur’s Source and The Maids. When she recognized the ever-increasing need among seniors for services, she created The Seniors’ Answer three years ago. The franchise provides senior services, not homecare. “We go from soup to nuts, says Markey. “If the family needs homecare, we bring it in . . . if the senior’s physician dies, we get another physician. We are concierges . . . “ Markey decided to franchise just eight months into starting her business. She explains, “the need is so great . . . it’s a huge market . . . in this country if you have a need and fill the need that’s the American Dream.” Because it’s not homecare the market is wide open for this franchise. Markey says franchisees should be good at multi-tasking. Looking for a groundbreaking franchise opportunity? This could be the franchise business for you.

Groundbreaking franchise opportunity: $15,000!

CruiseOne Dream Vacations (formerly CruiseOne) is a unique franchise in many ways. First off, total upfront costs are just under $10,000, you can work from home, and the only requirements are a dedicated computer and phone line. Royalty fees are 3%, capped at an annual $22,500, and monthly support fees are no more than $150. Not only is this franchise easy on the finances, but Military Times has ranked CruiseOne Dream Vacations the No. 1 franchise for veterans! Here’s the catch: It’s a competitive, price-sensitive market. A sales-minded personality is a must! As a franchisee, marketing will be your primary expense, especially while establishing a base clientele. The top producers might spend less on marketing, but that’s only because they’ve developed a network of repeat customers. Starting out, you should expect to spend $12,000 to $50,000 annually on marketing. CruiseOne Dream Vacations is owned by World Travel Holdings, the largest cruise distributor in the world! Thus, franchisees have access to travel packages and promotions that competitors can’t match. If you’d like a stay-at-home franchise business that doesn’t cost much to start and maintain, and you like to sell, then this might be the franchise for you!

CruiseOne Dream Vacations (formerly CruiseOne) is a unique franchise in many ways. First off, total upfront costs are just under $10,000, you can work from home, and the only requirements are a dedicated computer and phone line. Royalty fees are 3%, capped at an annual $22,500, and monthly support fees are no more than $150. Not only is this franchise easy on the finances, but Military Times has ranked CruiseOne Dream Vacations the No. 1 franchise for veterans! Here’s the catch: It’s a competitive, price-sensitive market. A sales-minded personality is a must! As a franchisee, marketing will be your primary expense, especially while establishing a base clientele. The top producers might spend less on marketing, but that’s only because they’ve developed a network of repeat customers. Starting out, you should expect to spend $12,000 to $50,000 annually on marketing. CruiseOne Dream Vacations is owned by World Travel Holdings, the largest cruise distributor in the world! Thus, franchisees have access to travel packages and promotions that competitors can’t match. If you’d like a stay-at-home franchise business that doesn’t cost much to start and maintain, and you like to sell, then this might be the franchise for you!

Travel agencies aren’t extinct . . . they just work from home now

RoboThink’s General Manager, Danny Park, is our guest this week on the How To Buy A Franchise Show. Just when you think there is already a franchise for everything, yet another brand comes along to provide a unique service. RoboThink is based on the STEM curriculum, training students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Targeting kindergarten through 6th graders, the RoboThink curriculum is specifically designed to be intuitive for children. Instead of just seeing their work on an iPad or computer screen, RoboThink provides robotics that children can program.

RoboThink’s General Manager, Danny Park, is our guest this week on the How To Buy A Franchise Show. Just when you think there is already a franchise for everything, yet another brand comes along to provide a unique service. RoboThink is based on the STEM curriculum, training students in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Targeting kindergarten through 6th graders, the RoboThink curriculum is specifically designed to be intuitive for children. Instead of just seeing their work on an iPad or computer screen, RoboThink provides robotics that children can program.

New franchise teaches children how to program and code using robots

Former food franchisee Sammy Aldeeb is now franchising Urban Bricks Pizza Co. and attracting leaders, motivators and “cool people” who can stand behind his franchise brand, which is quickly expanding in the buiild-your-own-pizza niche. Sammy says there’s lots of room to grow, but advises franchisees that it’s a 7 day a week job!

Former food franchisee Sammy Aldeeb is now franchising Urban Bricks Pizza Co. and attracting leaders, motivators and “cool people” who can stand behind his franchise brand, which is quickly expanding in the buiild-your-own-pizza niche. Sammy says there’s lots of room to grow, but advises franchisees that it’s a 7 day a week job!

Urban Bricks: Attracting “Cool” Franchisees

For 26 years Happy &amp; Healthy has been developing national accounts (Wholefoods, Lifetime Fitness, food service companies that cater to hospitals, supermarkets, etc.) and selling to franchisees to service those and other accounts. Entrepreneur magazine says this is one of the best franchise investments under $50,000. Most franchisees begin part-time (sometimes keeping their full-time job) and build the business. Prospects are invited to a 3-hour workshop to learn more about the business. Linda Kamm, founder, encourages prospects to call franchisees to learn more about how the business works.

For 26 years Happy &amp; Healthy has been developing national accounts (Wholefoods, Lifetime Fitness, food service companies that cater to hospitals, supermarkets, etc.) and selling to franchisees to service those and other accounts. Entrepreneur magazine says this is one of the best franchise investments under $50,000. Most franchisees begin part-time (sometimes keeping their full-time job) and build the business. Prospects are invited to a 3-hour workshop to learn more about the business. Linda Kamm, founder, encourages prospects to call franchisees to learn more about how the business works.

Happy & Healthy: Low Cost, Start Part-Time & Build Your Business

Charles Levinson, president and CEO of SMART Drinks &amp; Nutrition, is this week’s guest on the How To Buy A Franchise Show. SMART Drinks &amp; Nutrition is a retail franchise opportunity offering fresh fruit smoothies, natural vegetable juices, vitamins and supplements. This franchise distinguishes itself from competitors by not using syrups, powders or pre-mixes in any of its products.

Charles Levinson, president and CEO of SMART Drinks &amp; Nutrition, is this week’s guest on the How To Buy A Franchise Show. SMART Drinks &amp; Nutrition is a retail franchise opportunity offering fresh fruit smoothies, natural vegetable juices, vitamins and supplements. This franchise distinguishes itself from competitors by not using syrups, powders or pre-mixes in any of its products.

Seeking a health-oriented franchise opportunity?

Will Miller, CEO of WingNutz, is this week’s guest on the How To Buy A Franchise Show. WingNutz is an emerging franchise establishing itself as the healthy option in the crowded quick-service chicken-wing restaurant arena.

Will Miller, CEO of WingNutz, is this week’s guest on the How To Buy A Franchise Show. WingNutz is an emerging franchise establishing itself as the healthy option in the crowded quick-service chicken-wing restaurant arena.

WingNutz: Chicken wings, hamburgers and quesadillas done the healthy way

And the strawberry pie is still on the menu. That hasn’t changed. But “this isn’t your grandma’s Shoney’s,” jokes Terri Harof, Director of Development for Shoney’s, now in its 70th year. The entire look of the restaurant has changed: they added a patio for outdoor eating, contemporized the décor and added a full bar. Years ago, 90 percent of customers chose Shoney’s buffet; now, Harof estimates it’s about a 50/50 split with customers ordering entrees from the menu. Shoney’s is nostalgic for many Americans and the company’s emphasis for franchise operations is on maintaining that feeling and continuing to create lasting memories. Free-standing full-service restaurants aren’t inexpensive to build. Occasionally, existing restaurants can be transferred, but buying a Shoney’s is always going to require a significant amount of capital. However, financing can be arranged and Harof has preferred vendors that are very enthusiastic about opening more Shoney’s locations. The company has an Item 19, has undergone an extreme makeover and is planning on selling 15 new franchises in 2017!

And the strawberry pie is still on the menu. That hasn’t changed. But “this isn’t your grandma’s Shoney’s,” jokes Terri Harof, Director of Development for Shoney’s, now in its 70th year. The entire look of the restaurant has changed: they added a patio for outdoor eating, contemporized the décor and added a full bar. Years ago, 90 percent of customers chose Shoney’s buffet; now, Harof estimates it’s about a 50/50 split with customers ordering entrees from the menu. Shoney’s is nostalgic for many Americans and the company’s emphasis for franchise operations is on maintaining that feeling and continuing to create lasting memories. Free-standing full-service restaurants aren’t inexpensive to build. Occasionally, existing restaurants can be transferred, but buying a Shoney’s is always going to require a significant amount of capital. However, financing can be arranged and Harof has preferred vendors that are very enthusiastic about opening more Shoney’s locations. The company has an Item 19, has undergone an extreme makeover and is planning on selling 15 new franchises in 2017!

Shoney’s: Name’s the same, but that’s about it

7-Eleven has such as established presence in the United States -- over 7,000 locations -- that you might assume the market is saturated and there aren’t any available franchise locations to acquire. But that assumption would be incorrect. Alvino Rosales, franchise sales rep for 7-Eleven in the San Antonio, TX market, is our guest this week on the How to Buy a Franchise Show, and in his market alone there are 10 new stores slated to open in 2017.

7-Eleven has such as established presence in the United States -- over 7,000 locations -- that you might assume the market is saturated and there aren’t any available franchise locations to acquire. But that assumption would be incorrect. Alvino Rosales, franchise sales rep for 7-Eleven in the San Antonio, TX market, is our guest this week on the How to Buy a Franchise Show, and in his market alone there are 10 new stores slated to open in 2017.

Become a part of the #1 retailer worldwide: 7-Eleven

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best True Crime Podcasts

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!