Franchise Resources
Check out our collection of franchise resources from across the web. We have broken them down into sections or categories for your convienience.
Franchise Resources
Help from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
There's lots of support out there for veterans interested in business ownership. Besides learning about what incentives and assistance your franchisor offers, be sure to check out these programs from the SBA.
- The Veterans' Business Outreach Center Program (VBOC) provides business training and counseling from 16 locations, as well as online assistance.
- Through the Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative the SBA has approved more than $500 million in low-interest small-business loans for veterans, reservists and their spouses since its creation in 2007.
- Service-disabled veterans can receive one year of entrepreneurship training through the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), a partnership between the SBA and Syracuse University. It is now expanding to six more business schools around the country.
- Also created under the partnership with Syracuse University are Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) and Operation Endure & Grow, which will offer training to women veterans and reservists and military family members, respectively.
Franchise News & Press Releases
FAST-FIX a Franchise Opportunity to Watch
With nearly 25 years of proven experience, FAST-FIX has established itself as the ???jewel??? of the booming segment, offering a recession resistant opportunity with its conveniently located stores in high traffic areas of regional shopping malls.
Fast-fix: The Biggest Jewelry And Watch Repair Franchise In The World And A Distinguished Franchise
Fast-fix franchise is the world's largest jewelry and watch repair franchise in the world! Created in 1987, nowadays it counts more than 160 stores in the US and Canada mostly located in malls and more locations should open in the world, particularly in Europe.
FORBES NAMES FASTSIGNS INTERNATIONAL INC TO 2019 AMERICAS BEST FRANCHISES TO BUY LIST
FORBES NAMES FASTSIGNS INTERNATIONAL, INC. TO 2019 AMERICAS BEST FRANCHISES TO BUY LIST - Of 3,300 Brands Analyzed, FASTSIGNS Recognized for Strong Performance, Value, and Franchisee Support -
FASTSIGNS International Inc Celebrates 35th Anniversary with 1 Ranking on Entrepreneur Magazines Franchise 500
Recognized as an invaluable resource for potential franchisees, the Franchise 500 ranks FASTSIGNS as #55 the only sign, graphics, and visual communications franchise to be recognized in the top 100 for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, and brand power.
Catherine Monson CEO of FASTSIGNS International Inc Named as International Franchising Association Chair
Catherine Monson, CEO at FASTSIGNS International, Inc. was named IFA Chair on February 11 at the IFA Annual Convention held in Orlando, February 8 - 11, at the Orlando World Center Marriott.
Franchise FAQs
The first thing to do is to identify companies offering franchises. IFA's Franchise Opportunities Guide gives a comprehensive list of franchise companies in more than 75 kinds of businesses. The Guide, which costs $25.00 (including shipping and handling), is available by mailing a request and check or money order to IFA Publications, P.O. Box 1020, Sewickley, PA 15143. Orders may also be placed by calling 1-800-543-1038, or visiting IFA's online bookstore at www.franchise.org, where you can find other relevant sources to assist in your decision to buy a franchise. The Guide is also available online at the IFA website www.franchise.org.
You should contact the companies directly, and "shop wisely." "Shopping wisely" requires that you determine how much you can afford to invest and where to obtain financing. Careful investigation prior to purchasing a franchise also necessitates understanding the UFOC. You need to examine what the franchise relationship entails. For instance, you need to inquire into the training and support provided, assistance in finding and developing a location, and the sources of inventory and supplies. You should research the companies' growth and prospects for future growth. You should also seek advice from professionals and business people you respect. By shopping wisely, you can make an informed decision on whether to purchase the franchise.
Among the points which IFA recommends for investigation are:
- The type of experience required in the franchised business
- A complete understanding of the business
- The hours and personal commitment necessary to run the business
- Who the franchisor is, what its track record has been, and the business experience of its officers and directors
- How other franchisees in the same system are doing
- How much it's going to cost to get into the franchise
- How much you're going to pay for the continuing right to operate the business
- If there are any products or services you must buy from the franchisor and how and by whom they are supplied
- The terms and conditions under which the franchise relationship can be terminated or renewed, and how many franchisees have left the system during the past few years
- The financial condition of the franchisor and its system. Both the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) and IFA (www.franchise.org ) have many helpful publications and resources. Equally important, IFA recommends that you engage an attorney to examine the contract. It is important to work with an attorney who understands franchising, especially the antitrust laws, the trademark laws, the Federal Trade Commission Franchise Rule, and applicable state laws. It is also recommended that you ask a competent accountant to examine your anticipated expenses, your financing needs, and your prospects for achieving your desired level of profitability before you sign any agreement
Investment requirements differ tremendously. It all depends on the industry and the type of business. Total start-up costs can range from $20,000 or less, to over $1,000,000, depending on the franchise selected, and whether it is necessary to own or lease real estate to operate the business. Moreover, the initial franchise fee for most franchisors is between $10,000 and $30,000. Seventy percent of franchisors charge an inital franchise fee of $40,000 or less. The average investment, excluding real estate costs, is between $350,000 -$400,000. You must discuss the inital fees and opening costs with individual companies, although IFA's Franchise Opportunities Guide can supply general information.
A successful franchisee should be suited to the industry of which he or she is a part, suited to the particular franchise company, and suited to the franchise system generally. Important questions to ask yourself include:
- Am I suited to the industry physically and by experience, education, learning capacity, temperament and financial ability?
- What type of work is most appealing to me; for example, do I enjoy working with food, mechanical things, people, real estate, books and recordings, sporting goods, etc.?
- Am I prepared to work hard and take financial risks?
- Do my advisors, family, and friends think I am adaptable and trainable?
- How do I react to controls?
- Am I a loner - resenting authority and restraints, or can I accept guidance and direction happily?
- If I prefer to act as a passive investor in the franchise, will the company accept this?
- How do I personally feel about the company's image and products and services?
Articles
Half Of All Franchises Are Owned By Multi-Unit Franchise Operators
Multi-unit franchise operators are on the rise. Some buy multiple units in the same brand. A few buy more than one franchise in different but competing brands. Others buy multiple units in totally different sectors.
Finding Hidden Millions in Commercial Cleaning
Anago Cleaning Systems, a leading commercial cleaning franchise organization celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2014, Anago provides customized cleaning solutions for office and medical buildings, schools, factories, financial and governmental facilities. Anago is a stealth-like franchise concept, unseen by most consumers, as its Master Franchisees enjoy a 9-5 work schedule, run the sales and marketing, and coordinate with Unit Franchisees, who operate outside of normal business hours, to service clients efficiently and effectively.
