Franchise Sizzle!
The Franchise and Biz Op Blog

When Michelle Cote started Bricks 4 Kidz, she organized one summer camp to which she had a fantastic response. From there on, she continued with afternoon classes. Using LEGO bricks and her architecture background, she came up with the model’s plans and gave the kids simple steps to follow.

Playing with LEGO bricks is fun and engaging; not just for boys, but for girls too. One day they will also want to become architects or engineers. Stimulating their interest and creativity from an early age can only help trigger their active imagination and boost their self-esteem.

The business works based on a proven model designed to teach engineering principles to kids of different ages, from kindergarten to fifth grade. As a potential franchise owner, the likelihood to succeed in such a franchise is high for many reasons, such as:

- Low investment ($32,000) with quick return of investment

- No national competition

- Easy to operate

- Affordable programs for families

Franchisees will benefit from start-up and ongoing support. In the beginning, you will be guided how to obtain contracts with schools. Training programs include both classroom and on-the-job training. You will also be provided with the Franchise Management Tool to help you operate your business and you’ll get access to proven systems designed to make business ownership easy and efficient.

Bit by bit, Michelle Cote turned Bricks 4 Kidz into one of the fastest growing franchises in the US and Canada. Already available in Canada in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Newfoundland – Labrador, the company is looking to expand to new locations.

If you’re a Canadian resident who wants to contribute to a growing business that invests in children development, check out Bricks 4 Kidz franchise page for a detailed profile.

Businesses can hardly exist nowadays without using the services of reliable shipping companies that are able to move things from A to B as quickly as possible whether it’s ground, sea or air.

Since 1987, Unishippers is one of the companies that can help with that 100%. Teaming up with 30 well-known shipping partners headed by UPS, Saia, YRC and Estes, Unishippers can create cost-effective express, ground, freight, and international shipping solutions for small and medium-sized businesses.

Here is what makes this franchise opportunity a solid one:

• Simplicity – The Company’s shipping providers – whose brands are the guarantee the customers need – take care of the pickup and delivery processes, while the franchise owners earn residual income for every shipment.
• Low overhead – You can run the business from a home office; there is no need for expensive investments in staff or equipment, and there’s no need to travel.
• Sales & Marketing experience – The Company’s marketing team provide franchisees with the most efficient marketing tools.
• Training and support – Every franchise owner benefits from the services of a Franchise Relations and Support (FRS) consultant who addresses all concerns. Couple this with the company’s intensive sales training that delivers the best results, and you can definitely meet your customers’ needs.
• Cutting-edge technology – The in-house technology team can provide you with advanced web-based tools and user friendly online applications and software.

If you add to all the above your previous expertise in the shipping industry, this can be the right franchise opportunity for you. For more details, visit Unishippers franchise page where you can also request free information, including updates on the latest Red Hot Franchises.

If you’re a California resident and want to start a franchise business, here’s your chance. Redhotfranchises.com contains a huge database of franchises from a wide range of industries that may capture your interest.

Travel & Lodging is one of California’s most representative industries, since The Golden State is the premiere travel destination for millions of visitors every year. According to visitcalifornia.com, in 2012, international visitation is expected to grow 4.8 percent. The primary goal is to boost the state’s economy through international travel so that more people from around the world, especially from China, India and Brazil, can have access to the US.

So, take advantage of California’s travel and tourism economic value and invest in a franchise like some of these:

• Comfort Inn – One of the largest and most recognized hotel brands; a limited service chain that offers great return of investment, with strong history in hospitality and franchise investments.
• Expedia CruiseShipCenters – Global leader in the sales of cruise vacations and part of Expedia Inc. Although specialized in cruises, both Sales Center and Retail Center franchises operate as full-service travel agencies selling a wide range of travel products to meet every vacation need.
• Flip Flop Shops – A lifestyle in the sunny California, Flip Flop Shops is the authentic retailer of the top brands and latest styles of flip flops and sandals.
• Econo Lodge – One of the best-known hotel brands in its category, Econo Lodge offers clean, comfortable and affordable lodging. With an extraordinary set of resources, operational systems and marketing programs franchise owners create and maintain the best hotel for unique needs.

Feel free to look for more franchise opportunities in California and bookmark the page for your future reference to keep up with further updates of the franchises database.

It almost sounds like you turn the key in the door and off your business goes. Can it be as simple as that?

The answer is yes. Turn-key franchise opportunities are businesses that don’t require any set-up on your part. The marketing and branding is done on your behalf and the system is already in place. So, you can immediately start running the business. As it is the case with a turn-key franchise, the franchise owner would provide a building or a shop built according to the franchise specifications, allocate you a certain territory, and help you hire your own staff.

There are different types of turn-key franchise opportunities:

• A simple turn-key franchise is the one where you take care of your business entirely on your own, which may be the right fit for you in case you have previous experience in management;
• Partial turn-key opportunities give you the opportunity as an entrepreneur to work with the franchise owner on the setup phase and take charge of the process from the very beginning.

Turn-key franchises are usually a little more expensive, but the closer involvement in your setup can help to make or break your business. Franchise owners want you to succeed since their brand, and future income relies on your success.

If you don’t have a lot of business or management experience and your idea of a franchise requires a dedicated building or floor space, then going for a turn-key business could be the right course to your future financial success. Redhotfranchises.com has compiled a list of such turn-key franchise opportunities to guide potential investors who visit the site. Feel free to browse through it and find the one that suits you best.

For the uninitiated ones who would like to take the big step into the uncharted territory of starting a business, information is power. The more you know and learn about entrepreneurship, in general, the easier your decision-making process will be in what business you would be pursuing.

There are tons of elements you need to thoroughly look into. Let’s say you’re interested in a franchise opportunity. It may seem confusing at first, not knowing how it works and where to start. You would have to look into all the aspects of purchasing a franchise: location, business management, procedures, advertising, profitability, and more, but also see the prospect from the franchisor’s viewpoint.

RedHotFranchises.com has put together a set of resources to start from. Here are some of them that you can try and have a look at:

• Advertising – includes links to a couple of Video Production and PR and Advertising firms to help you find the right fit in a marketing partner.
• Franchise Advertising and Marketing – information on a couple of more agencies that offer services related to franchise marketing campaigns, media consulting, etc.
• Franchise Compliance and Management Systems – advice on how to get the premier franchise management system called FACTS, which is a combination of instrumental tools and services for a franchise business.
• Franchise Consultants – a set of links to the nation’s top professionals with expertise in helping both franchisors and franchisees in planning, franchisee training, marketing, etc.
• Franchise Development – a resource aimed at both franchisor and franchisee with easy-to-use franchise forms, and the “Franchise your Business” Program.
• Franchise Financing – links to business lending, funding, and franchise financing.

For more information visit our franchise resources page and make sure you bookmark it for your future reference.

Are you interested in helping children to develop into successful and confident adults that reach beyond themselves? Do you have the business acumen necessary for starting up your own business? And, more importantly, are you an outgoing personality? If your answers to these questions are affirmative, Oxford Learning may be the right fit for you.

Since 1984, Oxford Learning has been focusing on cognitive learning techniques to provide children with the right tools to succeed. As the foremost provider of supplemental education, Oxford Learning has over 140 centers across the US, Canada, in the Bahamas and the Middle East serving one million students with a one-of-a-kind range of educational programs.

As a franchisee, you would have the opportunity to make a difference by teaming up with dedicated educators to ignite children’s interest in learning for a lifetime. You will get in-depth training and ongoing support in all aspects of a reputable business.

As a franchise owner, you will hire a center director who would be responsible for administration, hiring and training teachers. Daily operations will include organizing and scheduling your teachers and programs.

Even though you may not be a teacher, there are certain requirements you should meet before being selected by Oxford Learning to be their partner: a solid business background, a drive for financial security and personal accomplishment, and the right personality for being in such a business. You will take a personality test and go through an interviewing process.
Once selected, you will be the pivotal point of the business by being an example for the teachers, students as well as the parents.

Purchasing such a franchise does also require financial capability to open and operate an Oxford Learning center. You would need a $90,000 working capital. The total cost of operating the business will depend on your location, but it would range between $139,000 and $208,700.

More details are available on the Oxford Learning franchise page.

Transitioning from your employee status to entrepreneurship can be daunting. Whether you go through the process from the position of a layoff victim, or you simply quit your job because your employer was taking advantage of your skills, the prospect of taking control of your own life and future by becoming your own boss sounds equally scary and intriguing. The scary part would be the one that you don’t know where to start. But, as cliché as it may sound, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

First, ask yourself whether you have what it takes to start your own business. Being passionate about something you would like to be doing for a living is important. But probably, the two vital factors in starting a new successful business are a clear vision and confidence.

Becoming an entrepreneur doesn’t mean you should necessarily build a business from scratch. The option of buying a franchise shouldn’t be overlooked for a number of reasons:

- Company’s brand recognition;

- Buying a successful business model;

- Massive cash capital is not needed for some franchises, as opposed to a start-up;

- Some franchises can be home-based, so no need for an office space;

Start researching and find the best franchise for you. Find one that would suit your interests. Then meet and discuss with the other franchisees within the company. Analyze and decide if the company is the right fit for you. Also talk to a team of pros that can advise you on every aspect of buying a franchise. Don’t forget marketing and training. The franchise you would be purchasing must be able to help you with that.

Ultimately, trust yourself, your abilities, and your ambition to succeed. The right mindset will set your business in motion, and it will make your career change worthwhile.

If you consider entering a business with high demand of service, in which you don’t need previous experience, and the income potential and flexibility are huge, becoming a Franchise Consultant would be the right thing for you.

With an initial capital of $25,000 you can become your own boss, be trained, certified and get ongoing support for the entire duration of your business. In exchange, you must bring to the table an entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to learn the system, and excellent communication skills.

Statistics show that franchising is growing nationwide, considering the 94% success rate of franchise outlets. You can make the difference for potential franchisees who don’t know where to begin and need guidance and advice regarding what business ownership entails. Besides that, franchisors need to find qualified applicants that will help with a successful expansion.

So, consider approaching this business opportunity which, in a nutshell, offers you the followings:

- Working with the best franchises, with no barrier between different companies

- Hundreds of franchises will be pre-screened for you, so you’ll focus on helping people with different backgrounds and objectives

- Earning up to $50,000 for a single transaction

- Low overhead

- No need to travel, work can be done from home over the phone/email

- Full-time or part-time

- Access to a top-notch database of franchisors

For sure, the fact that you would be making 6-digit income already in your first year and the unconditional money back guarantee should be convincing enough. Visit the business opportunity page for details and to request free information.

Once you decide you want to start a business, it will help you know what the differences between a franchise and a business opportunity are. Simply put, a franchise is a type of business opportunity.

In a nutshell, what distinguishes these two notions are the following factors:

• As opposed to business opportunities which don’t require strict operational standards, franchise units run under a common brand and a proven operating system.
• Franchises provide ongoing support to the franchisees for as long as their businesses are running. This includes training programs, support with marketing and advertising techniques, technology and so on. Business opportunity owners do offer support but in a rather informal process and usually on demand. They don’t have a dedicated staff for ongoing support needs.
• As a franchisee you have to pay ongoing fees (royalties) for the right of using the franchise brand and system. They can be fixed amounts or a percentage of your sales. This is not the case with business opportunities which require less cost to purchase and rarely require royalty fees.
• The last difference between a franchise and a business opportunity are the legal aspects of selling a business to you, which have to do with both federal and state’s regulations. In a franchise, these requirements are based on the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), which includes all information about the franchise, from associated fees to company’s background information to the franchisors-franchisees relationships. A business opportunity doesn’t require an UFOC, but it will have to meet the state requirements regarding disclosure.

The initial and ongoing fees of a franchise will be higher than for a business opportunity, but in exchange, your risk of failure will be lower, and, in the long run, the profits will be higher. A business opportunity, on the other hand, allows you to be flexible as you operate the business.

The best thing is to run a thorough analysis before you decide which direction you’d like to take with your business. In case you are more inclined towards a franchise, this article will provide you with the basics of the franchising lingo.

If you live in Canada, you’re a CPA or a bookkeeper, or you’re simply good with numbers and contemplate the opportunity of starting a small business, have a look at Padgett Business Services.

The company provides accounting, tax and payroll services and is Canada’s leading supplier of small business services. For over 40 years, Padgett focused on helping business owners to succeed by giving them the peace of mind to just focus on growth.

Ranked number 32 in Red Hot Franchises’ 2011 HOT 100 list, Padgett operates a large network of over 400 local units. Depending on their clients’ needs, they offer personalized services which, apart from keeping their books in order, include financial reporting, general business consulting, government compliance, and more.

What’s in it for you as a potential Padgett franchise owner?

You can join the team with only $25,000. The company has been in business for long enough to build a solid reputation and business model that you would benefit from. You will not be on your own. Padgett will support you with all you need to branch out and achieve your personal and professional goals. Not only is Padgett an award-winning organization, but also a growing and a stable one.

They will help you set the groundwork for accelerating your career with proven business tools, training and support. In addition to that, you will enter a constantly growing market where 89% of Canada’s businesses are SMEs that have less than 20 employees.

And if you’re still not sure, think of establishing your independence by bringing to the table your existing business experience, your entrepreneurial objectives and your desire to grow your own success. That being said, you’re just one step away from buying a franchise with Padgett Business Services.