Archive for the ‘franchise news’ category

June 2012 International Franchise Expo (IFE) in New York

December 6th, 2011

Unregistered Franchisors Can Apply to the Office of the New York State Attorney General for a 3 Day Exemption to Exhibit Their Franchise at the June 2012 International Franchise Expo (IFE) in New York

 Paramus, NJ – (December 1, 2011) –The New York Attorney General’s Office has allowed franchise companies to apply for a 3 day exemption from registration to showcase their brand at the 2012 International Franchise Expo (IFE), which will take place June 15-17 at the Javits Center in New York City.

All U.S. and international franchisors can now apply for this “Trade Show Exemption” status to exhibit at the upcoming International Franchise Expo. The exemption form can be downloaded through the Attorney General’s Website here and requires a $450 fee.

The exemption clearly states that non-registered franchisors can participate in IFE and promote their franchise opportunity only during trade show hours and only on the trade show floor during these dates. The sale of a franchise is still prohibited until formal registration with the state takes place.

This exemption is specific to the IFE and covers U.S. franchisors that are not registered to offer their franchise in the State of New York, as well as international franchisors that do not have the required Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to offer their franchise in the U.S. and/or to submit for state registrations.

The three-day event, which is moving to New York this summer after being held in Washington D.C. for more than 20 years, uniquely showcases hundreds of franchise companies offering a wide range of opportunities at virtually every investment level. Tens of thousands of prospective investors from across the country and overseas have attended the show

The franchise industry is a major contributor to the U.S. economy, employing more than 20 million people and contributing over $2 trillion in economic activity, according to the International Franchise Association, the show’s sponsor.

“We are thrilled that the opportunity is now extended to so many new businesses,” said Tom Portesy, President & CEO of MFV Expositions, producers of the show. “Not only will franchising be front and center in New York by moving the expo to Manhattan in 2012, but the Attorney General’s office has made it easier to get involved as an exhibitor.” In addition to the comprehensive local, regional, national and international promotion, IFE is supported by the U.S. Department of Commerce and promoted worldwide. “The response to the IFE moving to New York City has been overwhelming. The exhibit space available is nearly sold out, despite the expo being seven months away.”

Portesy also added, “We are extremely grateful to Shery Christopher of Shery Christopher Consulting for conceiving this three-day exemption and bringing it to fruition through her sustained efforts in collaboration with the Office of the New York State Attorney General.”

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Top Franchise Picks for 2011

March 9th, 2011

Learn more from Franchise Expo

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2011 Franchise Expo South Symposium

January 1st, 2011
2011 Conference Program—Symposium 1
THE A TO Z’s OF BUYING A FRANCHISE

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If you’re looking for a no-nonsense, cut-to-the-quick, show me how to evaluate franchises so that I can buy one that’s right for me . . . this is the symposium you need. And it’s the only one you’ll need! It’s taught by Fred Kriss, a 25-year franchise veteran who has developed and operated successful franchise systems at the officer and director level. Mr. Kriss has been an advisor to franchise purchasers and has helped launch more than 50 start-up companies. A sought-after consultant to regional and national franchisors, Mr. Kriss is now an investor in start-up franchise companies. Mr. Kriss has written extensively about the topic and is the master instructor at FranchiseRight, the country’s leading franchise educator and incubator. If you hope to become a successful franchisee, get started with confidence by participating in this symposium.
You will learn the basic information about franchising but glean an in-depth knowledge through the experiences of Mr. Kriss. He will help you understand how to interpret and use the Franchise Disclosure Document to discover reliable information about the performance and viability of any franchise, how to evaluate the franchisor’s operating system and determine if you and your intended market are compatible with the system, the pros and cons of franchising, the fees required by franchisors, the facts about territorial and product restrictions, how to raise money to invest in a franchise, and much, much more.
All symposium attendees receive admission to the exhibits on all three days.
Date
Saturday, January 15, 2011, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Rates
Advance: $95 includes exhibit hall admission and seminars

On-Site: $145 includes exhibit hall admission and seminars
Who Should Attend
Anyone who’s thinking about buying a franchise will find this symposium to be invaluable. Where else will you have the opportunity to spend 3 hours with a seasoned professional who provides honest, accurate, timely information about franchising? Don’t worry, this symposium isn’t intended to sell you a franchise. It’s intended to educate you about the pros and cons of buying a franchise and help you understand why buying a franchise may be right for you. The subject matter is intended for people who want to buy a franchise in the United States, although the seminar also attracts many international candidates as well as prospective franchisors. Attend only if you want to be better educated about buying a franchise!
Here’s What You Receive
In addition to the comprehensive information covered in the symposium, you will receive a binder of all the information presented. You will utilize a self-evaluation tool to test your compatibility with franchising. The profile, valued at $125, will help you determine the type of franchise that makes sense for you to buy. Also, you will receive a handy guide that walks you through the process of evaluating and buying a franchise. You also get Fred’s exclusive list of 99 Questions To Ask Before You Buy A Franchise! – he’s done much of your homework for you! Finally, you get ongoing email access to Mr. Kriss and the FranchiseRight staff (a special code identifies you as a symposium attendee), so you’ll get answers to your franchise questions at no additional charge. Value: Priceless!
This Symposium Will Look At
  1. Introduction To Franchising

• What is franchising?

• Pros & Cons of franchising

• Franchising vs. Independent Start Ups

• Is franchising for you? Self-Evaluation

• More than 70 different industries in franchising

• Selecting a franchise that’s right for you personally & financially

• How to research franchise opportunities

• Franchise financing – where to borrow money

  1. How To Investigate The “Ideal” Franchise System

• What to expect from a franchisor

• What a franchisor expects from franchisees

• Evaluating the franchisor’s operating system

• Understanding the fees involved in franchising

• Key questions to ask both franchisor and franchisees

• Sources of information that can help you evaluate opportunities

• Seeking out the right legal and accounting advice

  1. Understanding the FDD and Franchise Agreement

• What is the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

• How to read the items in the FDD

• How to use the FDD to your advantage

• Major topics covered by the FDD

• Evaluating the franchisor’s performance using the FDD

• Exploring options for negotiating the FDD with a franchisor

• Understanding the Franchise Agreement
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Why do companies “Franchise”?

March 12th, 2010

The obvious answer is they want to expand their business. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of franchise expansion versus chain expansion. Franchise expansion provides a competitive advantage because entrepreneurs implement unit expansion not company paid managers.

Since the entrepreneurs (unit franchise owners) have their own money at stake and therefore bear the risk, they will try harder to succeed. We all know that having skin in the game makes you more committed to the outcome. Franchise expansion also provides a financing vehicle for the franchise company by leveraging the franchisees ability to raise capital through their own resources including the Small Business Administration (SBA), family partnerships, savings and the like, sources that are not available directly to the franchisor. Another advantage of franchise expansion is that it lowers the risk. Franchisees provide the start up capital, not the franchisor and the franchisees pay a royalty based on gross sales not profits.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s all glory and no work for the franchisor. Certainly not the case. Franchisors are dependent on the flow of royalty fees to support their efforts and grow the network. It’s in everyone’s best interests to make money and be successful. Most quality franchise system owners are deeply committed to making positive changes in the lives of their franchisees. The job of the candidate is to weed out the good from the bad. Finding out whether a company is a good one or just opportunistic can be challenging. It pays dividends to use the services of a business consultant to help guide you through this investigation.

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Positive Attitude, Successful Franchise Owners

December 31st, 2009

Naysayers beware! While you are in the process of investigating franchise businesses you may encounter a fair amount of negative energy from the people around you. In fact it will surprise you to see your family and trusted friends may not be supportive of your activities. Don’t let their negative “aura” kill YOUR dreams. Psycologists suggest that it’s normal for people to resist change. It takes courage to “peel back the onion” and reveal the truth. Become the architect of your own future. Don’t be victim of others wanting to keep you down. Associate with those that have a positive attitude about your future. You know these people- they always have a smile on their faces and display a sincere interest in your life work. Embrace the thought of going out and telling everyone that you are going into a new business and you’re ready to do business. It’s not about “selling”- its about ensuring that a positive attitude is always in play. Negative thoughts will kill your dream every time. Learn to leverage the power of positive thinking and let this be your guide.

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Franchisee Profiles- Maturity

December 8th, 2009

If you never owned a business before than you probably don’t understand the emotional aspect of dealing with risk and the unknown on a daily basis. Entrepreneurs are experts at handling problems and taking responsibility. They seldom blame others and when they get knocked down, they have the good sense to get back up, brush themselves off and get back to work. Understanding how you will react to circumstances will help you continue to more forward. Before you move into a franchise business you should have a handle on your ability to handle the ups and downs of life. If you haven’t been very good at a handling issues in the past, then odds are you’re not right for business ownership. Perseverance is a necessary skill if you are going to reap the rewards of franchise business ownership. Next we’ll talk about attitude, ability and how to leverage it.

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Franchisee Profile- are you a good candidate?

December 6th, 2009

What makes someone good “franchise material”? Good question. Statistics show that franchise businesses may have a greater potential for success than start-ups, but how do you know you’ll “fit the mold” of a franchise business concept?

Let’s start with a few general guidelines. Good franchise owners have an ability to follow a system. This may be the number one consideration of franchisors. They are looking for “team players” who recognize that they are part of a system and are willing to follow it. If you are very independent and like to do things “your own way” then perhaps franchising is not for you. BTW- franchisors don’t seek out people with this trait because they want to dominate you, not at all. They need it beacuse they know their system works and that may franchise failures occur because owners don’t follow the system. Somehow these owners thought they were “smarter” than the franchisor and wanted to re-invent the system. Makes me wonder why they bought the franchise in the first place? Maybe they didn’t understand the scope of the business model to begin with.
So how much “following” do you have to do to be a franchise owner you ask? Well, it depends on the franchise concept. Some franchises are far more flexible than others. Here is where you need to take a close look at the FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) and study the business model so you can choose a business that is in your personal comfort zone. If you’re not familiar with FDDs, then it’s a good time to enlist the help of an advisor. Franchise consultants are experts in the franchise industry and they can educate, advise and assist you in your investigation to find the business that fits your interests, skills, lifestyle and investment level. Remember that a franchise business is “awarded” not purchased. Franchisors want their owners to be successful so they choose who they allow into their systems very carefully. Franchisors interview candidates and vice versa. Only when both parties agree that there is a good synergy is a deal offered.
Next posting I’ll talk about emotional issues. Stay tuned!

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Franchise Business is Obama’s Top Priority

December 4th, 2009

On Oct. 21, 2009, President Barack Obama said, “You are our highest priority because we are confident that when you are succeeding, America succeeds.” 

He was talking about small and franchise businesses, and the IFA (International Franchise Organization) couldn’t agree more.

That’s why the IFA has worked aggressively this year to implement an economic recovery plan that identified steps that policymakers could take to promote more lending for franchise businesses and to ease the economic burdens of the recession. IFA also stepped up their educational activities and member engagement to help provide tools and solutions to today’s challenges. 

And we are being heard. President Obama made the above remarks during a press event to announce his support for many of IFA’s recommendations in our economic recovery plan. 

The IFA worked aggressively to implement these initiatives over the past 12 months and have prepared a 2009 Results Report to demonstrate how IFA has worked on your behalf this year during a trying economic time.  Here is the link:

http://content.yudu.com/A1humv/ifareport/

The IFA will keep you updated on their progress as we close out 2009 and begin their 50th year in 2010 working to promote, protect and enhance franchising.

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