Q&A with Steve Cox, Vice President of Franchise Development at i9 Sports

How was your franchise/opportunity originally conceived and started?

i9 Sports began in 1995 when our founder, Frank Fiumme became frustrated over the poor quality of the adult softball leagues he was playing in and decided he could do it better.

What was your original vision for your company? How has that changed over time?

Frank later realized that youth sports was even more ripe for reinvention than adult sports and moved from an adult sports to a youth sports model that was and is focused on fun and inclusivity for the kids and convenience and organization for the adults.

What do you believe is the single most important factor when choosing a franchise? What are you getting for what you are paying?

You buy a franchise for a proven system for doing business. That system needs to outstanding to justify the cost.

Why should someone choose your franchise over other similar franchises?

Our "Winning Game Plan" step by step marketing guide, the national electronic marketing that we bring to the table, benchmark operations support, outstanding business coaches, technology that includes our Franchise Manager software package that automates a lot of the business, our consumer website and mobile web site, our business model that allows you to scale the business to reach your financial goals, our comprehensive four phase training program.

What makes your industry attractive?

There are 42 million kids playing youth sports today. Most existing programs are run as they were twenty-five years ago, while the world itself has changed. Parents today are busier than ever and need convenience and great customer service. They also want something better for their kids and they are willing to pay for it.

What types of qualities do you look for in potential franchisees?

You have to have drive, an ability to relate to customers, comfortable in a multitasking environment, comfortable with technology, and have an ability to delegate to others.

What do your franchise fees and royalties cover?

On-going support from your business coach, constant updates to the Franchise Manager software package, consumer web site, and mobile website, marketing support, the ongoing development of existing programs and development of new programs.

How do territories work for your franchisees?

Territories are exclusive and are based on the number of kids ages 14 and under within the defined geography.

Why has your franchise model been successful?

Great vision, great technology, great support.

Where do you see your franchise in 5 years and 10 years?

We will have built out the United States within five years and will be actively developing other countries within ten.

What is your favorite advice for new franchisees to help them succeed?

Do your due diligence on the front-end to make sure you are working with the right model and the right people, then, follow the plan.

What would you tell potential franchisees that may be nervous about the financial burdens of starting a franchise?

I personally own a franchise and it has been a wonderful journey for me and my family.  Franchise ownership has given us a lifestyle that would not have been possible otherwise.  Anything worth pursuing has some risk.  If you have the right mindset for business ownership, are not afraid to work hard and be accountable for your success, are willing to do the due diligence to get into the right system, then you can be successful.

Can you explain your financial assistance (if applicable)?

We offer in-house financing of up to 2/3's of the franchise and territory fee for qualified applicants.  We also have a "Getting Finance Ready" package that helps our candidates become viable candidates for SBA and other loans.

On average, how long does it take to start a new franchise from the franchisees point of view?

45 to 60 days.

What was your background and experience before founding this franchise?

Frank was a Medical Sales representative with a life-long passion for sports.

Q&A with Steve Cox, Vice President of Franchise Development at i9 Sports Pt II

Provide an overview/ description of your industry.  Include reasons why it's a great industry to start a business in today.

There are 42 million kids participating in youth sports in the United States today and, as parents seek more and more scheduled activity for their kids that number will continue to grow.  The majority of kids participating today are doing so with local organizations.  The industry  is ripe for reinvention as the current providers are operating as they did 25 years ago, while the expectations of kids and parents have changed dramatically.  Additionally, in almost every location in the United States there is one or maybe two providers at the recreational level, creating a wonderful opening for an alternative provider.

How has your industry changed in the last 10 years?  20 years?

Over the past 10-20 years kid's activities have gone from primarily unsupervised play in the backyard to having all activities scheduled and supervised as the world becomes more crowded and less safe.  Additionally, most households today are dual income or single parent, creating tight scheduling.  Finally, parents today have a much higher expectation of the level of service they receive from youth sports providers and they are willing to pay for that service.

What trends do you see in your industry over the next 5 years?  Next 10 years?

As parks and recreation and school budgets continue to be cut there will continue to be a shift to private providers for sports and recreational experiences.

What is the biggest concern about your industry that a franchisee candidate should be aware of and investigate?

This is a complicated business where you are managing the expectations of a lot of people.  It is critical that candidates enter a relationship  with a franchisor that uses technology to manage the operational aspects of the business, who has a strong infrastructure for support, and who is constantly innovating.

Why do you think your company stands out in the industry?

Superior customer service, superior technology, superior marketing, and constant innovation.

What makes your franchise/ business opportunity more attractive than your competitor's?

The level of support in developing and implementing technology, marketing, and franchisee support allowing our franchisees to provide a superior level of service and to earn a living.

Describe the ideal candidate.  Do you think your requirements are any different than your competitor's?

Yes, our requirements are different in that we are selective.  We need people with drive, great customer service skills, a track record of success, an ability to multi-task, an ability to delegate, and an ability to follow a system.

What's the strongest skill you require in a candidate?

Drive  

Describe the working environment of your franchisees (indoors, home office, mobile, etc).  Is your environment typical of other companies in your industry?

Our franchisees work from home, but spend a lot of time out in the community interacting with parents, business partners, etc.

Why has you're your company been successful?

A great product, constant innovation, embracing technology, and a culture that is determined to make a difference in the lives of kids and families.

What advice would you give someone interested in buying a franchise in your industry?

Ask yourself the hard questions about your ability to own and operate a business.  Then make sure you are aligning yourself with a company that shares your values and who can provide you a level of support to succeed at a high level.  Finally, you cannot dip your toe in business ownership.  You are either all in or all out if you want to be successful, so jump in!

How much experience in this industry should a franchisee candidate have should they consider buying a franchise in your industry?

No experience needed.  If you partner with i9 Sports you can succeed with no experience.

Describe your ideal candidate

We are looking for franchise owners with drive, determination, the ability to relate to people, and who is bored with routine.  You need to be comfortable with technology and comfortable delegating to others as the business grows.  Finally, you need to be prepared to make a full-time commitment to the business as less than a full-time commitment will not equate to success.