Franchise Sizzle!
The Franchise and Biz Op Blog

It is a fact of the industry that Franchise opportunities require the personality traits of an independent self-starter coupled with mental drive and energy. While most people automatically think of an entrepreneur as a younger person, this isn’t usually so. Many of the most successful franchisees are middle age and moving on from initial careers and onto a new path of working for themselves.

This makes sense if you consider the talent and skill that many businesses require in order to be truly successful. This skill set is something that middle aged individuals have spent years perfecting and now are ready to put to good use, for themselves.

In addition, there is a growing market of franchisees that are of retirement age and seeking supplemental income to support their new lifestyle.

Franchises benefit regardless of age

A franchise offers a businessperson, regardless of their age, a business plan that has been tried and proven. The franchise comes complete with a developed brand and strategies that have already been used successfully in its specific industry. In addition, there is almost always a strong line of support from the main franchise to assist you with business growth and success.

Whether you are a young entrepreneur or an experienced businessperson with a heavily developed skill set, there is always the right franchise to match your interest and needs.
Don’t let your age, be it very young or very old, be a detrimental factor in your decision to move ahead with the right franchise for you.

People enter into a franchise agreement for many different reasons, so it stands to reason that their personalities will be as vastly different as the particular franchise opportunities that they choose.

Different franchises are going to be suited to different personality types. For the highly introverted personality, a franchise with little to no customer interaction is preferable to a restaurant franchise, where customer service and interaction is a major factor.

Here are two of the most common personality factors and the kinds of franchises that suit them best:

The Alpha Leader:

The Alpha leader is an expert at managing others and projects, but generally has a hands off approach to the daily intricacies and minutiae. This personality type is an ideal match for larger franchise opportunities that let you hire a variety of people to work under you. By choosing this type of franchise, you are able to exercise your superior leadership skills and management techniques to direct employees who take care of the day to day details of your businesses.

The Controller:

Persons who enjoy every aspect of control actually thrive on leadership, but desire to have a hand in everything. Having employees may not be a great idea because the Controller usually likes things done their own way, by themselves. Some good franchises for those who like to be in control include either home based or small, one person franchise opportunities. This type of franchise allows you to determine exactly when, and how your business operates without outside interference.

When entering into the franchise market, vending machines are often the best solution for those who wish to have as little customer interaction as possible. In fact, many owners of vending machine franchises don’t even have employees. Their main job is ensuring that the machines are stocked (if applicable) and maintained. Vending machines are a relatively passive way to approach the franchise market while still maintaining a solid foothold in the retail industry and bringing in profit.

There is one vending machine franchise that even frees it’s owners from the hassle of stocking inventory! The Back Massager Vending Franchise requires no product or inventory beyond the initial investment into a Back Massager Chair.

At The Back Massager we offer one of the easiest vending opportunities for just about anyone. In fact, most of our customers have never had vending or business experience before starting their vending massage chair route. The Back Massager vending massage chairs are successfully being used in 27 different locations. These wonderful vending massage chairs effortlessly make money in any high traffic area. Where will you put yours? If you need assistance we have locators ready to assist you in finding the best locations in your area.

The Back Massager is a wonderful massage chair that offers a vending machine business and a profitable opportunity for owners. Its success is based upon the simple principle that people love the type of relaxing massage provided by these chairs. The massage chairs are designed to be the perfect fit in any high traffic area such as malls, salons, gyms and even in temporary placement like large fairs.

Vending Machine Franchises just don’t get any easier, or more relaxing, than this one!

One of the most popular reasons for leaving the traditional career model and entering into the franchise industry is to take advantage of the ability to be your own boss. Owning your own business, being responsible for your own growth, reaping the rewards of your own hard work, these are all dreams that become a reality once you own your own franchise. Never again answering to a spiteful and ignorant boss, or, even worse, a boss who considered all employees to be just another cog in the wheel. These are driving forces for many to leave a traditional business career. But what happens when you become the boss?

Chances are, if you’ve been the victim of a horrible boss in the past, you’ll think twice before acting that way to your own employees once you own your own franchise. You may also find, however, that there is more to being the boss than you had previously thought. If your franchise business model includes various employees, you will have to keep up with customer interactions, product quality and services, time management for you and your employees, which includes schedules and vacations. Benefits, financial margins and all aspects of Human Resources will also be yours, creating both a challenge and an opportunity for exceptional excellence and growth.

If you keep in mind the qualities that you saw that made an excellent boss and business owner then apply those qualities to yourself as a franchise owner, you, your employees and your business will be the better for it.

Most entrepreneurs enter the franchise business in order to icrease the stability in their career and future and build their success on their own terms. Being a franchisee has some amazing benefits, but there are risks in every business and you managing those risks is a part of success.

Why would a Franchise Be for Sale?

Today’s economy has seen the closing of many businesses and corporations as well as the decreased profitability of some franchise types, however, the decision of the franchise owner to sell a franchise business is more often a result of the wish to retire completely. Franchisees must then take a long look at the franchise and who will be running it as well as how any restructuring will take place.

There is little that a franchisee can do to influence the decision to sell the main franchise. Legally, unless the franchisee wants to raise the capitol to buy the entire franchise, he or she is simply another factor in the sale. Any changes such as this are discussed in the franchise contract.

What can a Franchisee Do?

There are steps that a franchisee can take to ensure success even when the main company is under new ownership. The first step is to not live in the past. Accept the new owners and work with them. After all, this is a business that you have ownership in, not simply a job. Speak up about changes that you feel could positively affect the business, and those that may be negative, but above all, remain a positive partner in the franchise itself.

Franchise law and the reviewing of franchise contract agreements are really best handled by an attorney with experience in the field. Franchise law is like a niche market with information and pitfalls that experienced counselors understand and know to look for in order to protect both the franchise and the franchisee.

A great deal of time is spent drafting complicated and sometimes tedious Franchise Disclosure Documents. These documents must comply with the Federal Trade Commission Revised Rule in addition to specific state disclosure laws. Remember, it is the Federal Disclosure Document, also known as the “FDD”, which includes the franchise agreement that will be executed by the franchisor and franchisee. This document is given by franchisors to prospective franchisees for review prior to any offer of sale on a franchised business in this country.

This is not to say that a very competent business attorney with experience in basic contract law can’t effectively handle these franchise documents. In fact, many business owners will say they have reviewed a franchise agreement and have a basic understanding of the facts and stipulation within the contract.

A qualified attorney with contract experience and, preferably, Franchise Law experience, can make the difference between a costly mistake and a profitable venture. An experienced attorney will be able to advise and inform you about the facts and stipulations in the contract which may or may not affect you negatively.

If you are considering a franchise venture, get in contact with a good Franchise Law professional.

There are few Ice Cream brands more recognizable than the national Carvel Ice Cream brand. Since 2001, Carvel has been actively franchising their ice cream business through a multi-level business plan in order to increase the availability of individual outlets as well as in-store marketing. The national advertising campagin for Carvel ice cream cakes help every store and outlet in their franchise increase sales and reconcilability. They have created a cult-like following by capturing the memories of generations of families who have used a Carvel Ice Cream Cake for every birthday party and occasion.

Carvel Ice Cream Franchise is one of America´s most recognized and loved brands offering two franchise concepts.

At Carvel, we believe in promoting Carvel through multiple types of venues. Our unique concepts allow our franchisees to offer our delicious ice cream products in a wide range of locations and opportunities.

At Carvel, we believe in diversity and flexibility. From our franchise locations to our foodservice outlets in stadiums, arenas, airports, and turnpikes, we believe in promoting Carvel through multiple types of venues. To do this, we have assembled a team of experts in operations, marketing, design & construction, and much more, whose #1 goal every day is to assist you.

The Carvel Ice Cream Franchise is choosy about their franchisees as they have a reputation for excellence and quality that every franchise owner and employee must commit to. As a result, they have an unsurpassed reputation in the consumer mind and the franchise industry.

The experience gained from owning a franchise business enables franchisees to open new businesses in a more efficient way. Because the franchisee already knows the in and outs of the industry and has learned form their own mistakes, they can open a business that looks better, has faster profit and do it all for less money than they could have at the start. All of this from experience.

The truth is that every mistake that a franchisee has made in the past had a monetary value attached to it, mistakes that cost them some profitability and more than a few sleepless nights. How much easier would it be if all of us could draw from that kind of experience before we open our own franchise? How much money would we save and how much less stress would we cause ourselves and our families?

Main Franchise Help is Good

The main Franchise company will most likely have training programs and both software and paper support documents as well as support services available for you upon startup. While this is an incredible advantage to you, it still doesn‘t give you the real world experience that can help you make your business even more efficient and profitable.

Franchisee Experience is Great

Before you open your franchise, make contact with franchisees in different territories and ask to meet with them, if possible, or speak to them over the phone if it isn’t possible. Since you are in different territories and not in direct competition with one another, most existing franchisees will be happy to share their experience with you and give you that inside scoop on how to avoid mistakes and ensure the success of your franchise.

A franchisee may have spent many years growing their own business and reaping the rewards of their hard work and time. As with most other career commitments, there often comes a time when the franchisee decides that he or she wants to retire and dedicate the rest of their lives to kicking it back full time.

At that point, a franchisee must consider some serious questions.

• How do I get my franchise valued for a sale?
• How will I sell my franchise?
• Do I have to go through the main franchise for a buyer?
• Will the main franchise require a payment upon sell-out?

These are important questions that need to be addressed before you can continue with the sale of your franchise and begin your retirement. Some of those questions can be answered by taking a look at your Franchise Contract. Most contracts will stipulate who has the right to buy your franchise (personal sale or a new owner picked by the franchise) and if the main franchise itself has a monetary claim to some of the sale proceeds.

If you are uncertain about any of the details, it is best to contact your attorney to discuss the contractual obligations you agreed to when you joined as a franchisee.

In many cases where the franchise is very popular but with few new territories open, the main franchise will already have applicants ready to take over an existing unit. There are also cases where the free market is free and you can sell your unit to anyone who meets the franchise stipulations.

The Lauren Jewelry Collection Franchise is a turnkey, low-cost franchise that provides a fantastic work-from-home opportunity. A home-based, low-cost, turn-key operation is one of the most important of all franchise modeling investments as it provides the investor with the opportunity to jump right in and start working immediately without owing everyone for the initial start up fees.

The Lauren Jewelry Collection provides a turnkey business for select investors who are serious about wealth and prosperity. Our special approach ensures minimal risk and the highest possible returns. Opportunities come and go but our network will always survive any economic downturn and is not a fad. It’s time to start giving yourself financial freedom and begin to live the lifestyle you deserve and always dreamed about! Our superb opportunity is designed for those who are self-motivated, independent wholesale distributors who desire the luxury of working full or part-time at your own pace, being your own boss.

One of the most interesting things about this franchise opportunity is that the product is put into regular stores and retail shops with the store itself retaining a portion of the profits. There are no employees for you to worry about and no customer interactions, either. In addition, because you are using store locations already existing, you don’t have to rent out retail space yourself.

Your affiliation with Lauren, the highest respected name in the industry. The Lauren Jewelry Collection Franchise Opportunity_1 No lay-offs! Immediate cash flow! Flexible hours! No selling! No overhead cost! No advertising cost! No product spoilage! Year round sales! No employees to pay! High profit margin. High quality product! Home office support! A fun business!

This low-cost, turn-key franchise has really shaved down all non essentials to make the business model one that works for everyone.