The Benefits of Big Franchises Like UPS, Little Caesars, Choice Hotels, MAACO & Nestles

What are the advantages to purchasing a large, established franchise over a smaller, less-known franchise? The first is obvious, the franchisee is getting a recognized brand name that will immediately attract customers on day one. The franchise company has already performed the advertising and marketing for you, so there is no need to ‘educate’ the customer base as to the merits of your product or service.

The other big advantage is the relative dependability of a business concept that has been tested, improved, and retested. The kinks and potential pitfalls have been worked out by scores of franchisees over the years. The knowledge base that has been accumulated makes it less likely that a situation will arise that hasn’t been previously dealt with. In addition, the new franchisee has a tremendous resource in the current group of franchise owners, and is more likely to be able to find an existing franchise unit to take over (as opposed to starting up a new unit).

Download the Top 200 Franchises for 2008 (PDF) by Franchise Times

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Franchise Sales Webinar to Focus on The Importance of Financial Performance Representations

On May 20, 2009, Franchise.com and The Franchise Sales Solution will present a webinar designed to help franchisors optimize the Financial Performance Representation (FPR) information that they include in their Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs). The webinar is the third installment in The Franchise Sales Webinar Series, presented by Franchise.com and The Franchise Sales Solution. The webinar series provides franchisors with useful tips, tools and techniques for maximizing their lead generation efforts and growing their franchise networks.

Renowned franchise attorney, Harold L. Kestenbaum will lead the interactive webinar entitled, “Financial Performance Representations vs. Earnings Claims” on May 20th at 3pm Eastern. Kestenbaum will discuss how FDD Item 19 Financial Performance Representations (FPRs) differ from the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC) Item 19 Earnings Claims that preceded them. Participating franchisors will learn how to develop an effective FPR, avoid common mistakes and mitigate their risk. The webinar is free; however pre-registration is required.

Over the course of his 30+ year career, Kestenbaum has served as the franchise counsel to several national and international franchise companies in many diverse industries and was named one of the top 100 franchise attorneys in North America by Franchise Times in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Kestenbaum also co-founded and served as President and Chairman of the Board of Franchise-It Corporation, the first publicly traded company specializing in providing franchise marketing and consulting services to emerging franchise companies. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for YTB International, Inc., Ultimate Franchise Systems, Desert Moon Café Franchise Corp. and GarageTek, Inc.

In today’s competitive franchise sales marketplace, franchisors require a sales solution that is results-driven, affordable, and empowers them to focus on running their core business. The Franchise Sales Solution brings an unparalleled level of expertise, innovation, and tenacity to help companies accomplish their franchise growth goals. The executive team at the Franchise Sales Solution brings 100+ years of experience as business owners, executives, franchisees, and franchisors that enables them to sell franchises from a real world perspective. Located in Tampa, FL, they are an affiliated company of The Franchise Edge, the National Franchise Development Partner for SYSCO Foods.

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California Franchise Tax Board

The California Franchise Tax Board: Administering California’s Corporation Tax and Personal Income Tax Laws

In 1929, the California Legislature created the office of the Franchise Tax Commissioner to administer California’s new Bank and Corporation Franchise Tax Act. Before this, the State Board of Equalization and the State Controller administered all tax programs. In 1950, California abolished the office of the Franchise Tax Commissioner and created today’s Franchise Tax Board.

How the Franchise Tax Board Serves the State of California

The California Franchise Tax Board is responsible for administering two of California’s major tax programs: Personal Income Tax and the Corporation Tax. The Tax Board also administers the Homeowner and Renter Assistance (HRA) program, and other non-tax programs and delinquent debt collection functions, including child support debt collections and delinquent vehicle registration debt collections. In 1999, the California Legislature gave the Tax Board the additional responsibility of procuring, developing, and implementing the statewide child support automation development project.

The California Franchise Tax Board’s Mission
The purpose of the Franchise Tax Board is to:
• Collect the proper amount of tax revenue, and operate other programs entrusted to us, at the least cost.
• Serve the public by continually improving the quality of our products and services.
• Perform in a manner warranting the highest degree of public confidence in our integrity, efficiency, and fairness.

Learn More!

You can learn more about the State of California’s Franchise Tax Board by visiting their official website: California Franchise Tax Board. You can also call the Tax Board’s automated toll free phone service 24 hours a day at 800.338.0505. To speak with an expert at the Tax Board, you may call Monday to Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. within the United States at 800-852-5711. For Homeowner and Renter Assistance call 800-868-4171 and for the Internal Revenue Service call 800-829-1040. The tax Board also has six offices throughout the state of California which can be visited during regular business hours.

If you are interested in tax franchises, try our Tax & Insurance Business Opportunity Directory.

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Upcoming Franchise Expos and Franchising Trade Shows

There are multiple franchise expos, conventions, and trade shows planned for 2009. Follow the following links to get more information:

Franchising events, trade shows and expos for 2009.

Here’s a new franchise group:

Location:
Dallas Market Hall
2200 N Stemmons Freeway,
Dallas, TX 75207

When:
Saturday - Sunday, 10am to 7pm

For immediate information and rates at the Dallas franchise expo, please contact Raeghan at 214-789-5656

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Visit Franchise.com at Booth 452, at the 18th Annual International Franchise Expo

If you are attending the 18th Annual International Franchise Expo, be sure to come by booth #452 to visit us here at Franchise.com! The International Franchise Expo starts March 20th and runs to March 22nd, 2009 and will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. For further details about the expo, go to the IFE website. Also, check out the Franchise.com press release, which gives much more information about this premiere franchising event. Hope to see you there!

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Talk to FranChoice!

To understand the advantages and disadvantages of owning a franchise business you need to have a basis for comparison. In my conversations with my FranChoice consultant (free of charge) the advantages became very clear. They helped me understand my motivations and qualifications and directed me to very appropriate options to consider. I have to say, without their help, I would have overlooked these outstanding options.

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Does it Make Sense for Me to Franchise My Business?

Recently, we’ve had a number of entrepreneurs asking us questions about whether it makes sense to franchise their businesses. While it’s truly something that should be considered on a case by case basis, we thought we’d provide some basic information to aid in the decision-making process.

Reasons why an entrepreneur might consider franchising a business include:

• Great business model/idea, but a lack of capital or unwillingness to risk one’s own capital
• Desire to get to scale quickly

Whether the business is successful at franchising depends on a number of factors, among them:

• Does it generate the steady cash flows necessary to keep both franchisor and franchisee happy?
• Does the concept resonate with (the right) prospective franchisees?
• Is the model replicable? Are the systems in place and effective?
• Will the underlying product/service meet the needs or expectations of the business’ customers, i.e. does the frozen yogurt taste good?

For expert advice on whether you should franchise your business please check out some information on our partner, The Franchise Edge. They’ll provide a free consultation to assess your business’ needs and determine whether franchising is an appropriate fit for your business.

We’d be interested in hearing any thoughts or experiences our users might have about franchising their businesses.

Posted in Franchising a Business, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Looking for Lawn Doctor info

I’ve been looking into expanding my small lawn care business by buying a franchise. I’ve seen TruGreen and Scotts Lawn care throughout my service area so I’m sure this territory is closed for those opportunities. I’ve heard a few good things about Lawn Doctor and that they may provide more environmentally friendly options for their clients.

Does anyone have any experience either as a Lawn Doctor franchisee or a customer? I’ve found some information on the web at franchise.com and the lawn doctor website but it’s really more of just an advertisement.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I’m looking to grow in the Louiville,KY region.
Harold J.

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Established Companies Adopting Franchise Model

Interesting blurb on Advantage Rent A Car, which dates back to 1963 (when it was called Three Ninety-Nine Car Rentals), has just recently opened its first franchise location in suburban Memphis, TN.

http://minneapolis.dbusinessnews.com/shownews.php?newsid=160575&type_news=latest

Anyone have any other examples of long-established companies moving to franchising model after sustained success expanding via company-owned stores? One example that comes to mind is La Quinta Inn & Suites, which was founded in 1968 but only began franchising in 2001. Since that time, it has been one of the fasest growing hotel companies.

Any other good examples?

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WSI Internet franchisees….

…are trained and supported to help small to mid-size businesses get online and develop targeted traffic to help thier businesses grow.

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