Why Running a Franchise Is Easier Than Ever

Posted on June 28, 2007 by Ginger Watford

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.

"We monitor the business remotely via the Internet," says Mr. McQuillan, who co-owns the store with his wife and another business partner.

While a manager handles the tanning salon's day-to-day affairs, he pulls up data from afar by computer. A fingerprint scanner monitors workers' arrivals and departures, while intricate software tallies sales data and pricing, almost in real time. "I'm down there once every three months," he says.

Read the complete post at StartupJournal.com.