Franchise News

IFA Urges Passage of Legislation to Enhance SBA Loan Programs
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COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK, the largest US-based Junk Removal franchise opportunity experiences 300% increase in franchise inquiries in the wake of shaky job market.
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Dillon, Mont., – The Franchise Research Institute has recognized Great Harvest as a "World-Class Franchise" based on significant research. Great Harvest has received the hono
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Jo To Go America, Inc., franchisor of  Jo To Go Coffee, is carving out a completely new niche in the increasingly competitive specialty coffee industry.  As coffee wars brew between industry giants over iced coffee and flavored lattes, Jo To Go America, Inc. has launched a completely new co-brand concept that pairs authentic Mexican cuisine with specialty coffee.
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Kevin Faulk is sweating it out on the field at training camp with the rest of the New England Patriots, but that's not the only place he's planning on making an impact this season.
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According to caterersearch.com, the number of franchised outlets in the hospitality sector increased last year and more businesses are franchising as a way of growing a successful brand.
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Gary King has owned the Management Recruiters of Tampa North franchise since 1989, leasing Class A office space.  In 2002, he and his wife, Gail, purchased land and built the 4,500-square-foot King Professional Center where MR is the primary occupant.  Just prior to closing the deal with conventional financing, the Kings discovered the U.S. Small Business Administration 504 loan program.  Their successful application reduced their equity contribution from 25 percent to 10 percent, saving them more than $50,000.
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Bob McQuillan runs a tight ship at his Hollywood Tans franchise in Arlington, Va. He knows precisely when workers clock in and out, who each of his daily customers are and which employees are selling what products, at regular price, or discount. But there's a twist: He's doing all this micromanaging from home -- 133 miles away in Mullica Hill, N.J.
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Fred Sischka, owner of FastFrame, a frame shop in downtown Los Altos, made a decision to take the road less traveled and he never looked back.
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Turns out, an entrepreneur's personality can sometimes pack more punch than the pocketbook.    For companies shopping franchises to potential applicants, the necessary credentials have shifted from the bank account to intangible personal qualities - competitive drive, intuition and engaging personality. With personal quizzes, hours of face-to-face interviews and on-the-job evaluations, companies hope to whittle down the throng of potential franchisees, reaping richer returns in the process.
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"(My son) Eric was always complaining about the politics and structure of corporate life," said Gary GrefRath, 66. So Gary, who taught a small business management course at the community college, decided that the two of them should start their own small business.
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Richard Sharoff had just sold his 21 Boston Market restaurants and was trolling for his next big thing about 10 years ago when he happened across a small chain of underperforming Kansas City ice cream shops in need of some marketing.
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In 2004, Enrique Roselli, an executive at Pepsi co., decided that after 17 years it was time to be his own boss. The self-described corporate refugee's extensive operations background and the "incredible business opportunity in Vegas" helped build his new franchise business, AlphaGraphics, and within two years of starting he'd tripled sales. Mr. Roselli said starting his franchise – AlphaGraphics, with almost 300 shops, is the nation's largest franchise print shop – has been one of the best business decisions he's ever made. "I got a call from a [corporate] headhunter a month ago about a [job] opening in Europe. I said, 'I'm not going back, heck no, I'm having too much fun.' " Read the complete post at HispanicBusiness.com.
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The get-rich-quick fantasy is fading for the eBay drop-off store business. The recent years' explosion of grand openings by independent operators and franchisors ready to help consumers sell the stuff in their attic online appears to have slowed as experience proves how hard it can be to make a profit.
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The Wyckoff-based Blue Moon Mexican Cafe restaurant chain Wednesday announced plans to sell franchises, a move the company hopes will grow the chain to dozens of locations in the Northeast from five eateries as it addresses Americans' appetite for Mexican cuisine.
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Yesterday, the Federal Trade Commission approved final amendments to the Franchise Rule. This is a significant development for the entire franchise community, and signals for the first time that franchise disclosure regulations promulgated in the 1970's are being retooled to address the environment in which franchise business operate in the 21st century. The phase-in period for the new Rule will be July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008. Between those dates, either the current or the new Rule format will be accepted by the FTC; after the latter date, only the new disclosure format will be accepted.
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Entrepreneur magazine has released it's annual top 10 franchises for the year 2007:
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