Eric has been in franchising for well over a decade, wearing many hats along the way. His original stint was as a franchisee, where his most valuable experience was not as a business owner but rather helping others to buy a franchise of their own. Its that experience that has served him well at Franchise Gator, where he started in 2005.
Eric was appointed as General Manager of Franchise Gator in December 2013. Prior to that, Eric's chief role was as Director of Sales and Service, consulting with franchisors in an effort to help them connect better with those using Franchise Gator to find the perfect opportunity. Eric's expertise in this area was a driving force behind the Gator Dashboard, a platform that assists prospective franchisees during the exploration phase.
When not in the office, tends to his home based franchise, which consists of his wife Stacey and 2 kids, Presley and Spencer. Eric is currently working towards his Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) certification through the International Franchise Association (IFA).
Some Businesses Are Thriving In Spite Of The Economic Downturn At Franchise Gator, we have heard from many of our customers regarding how their business was impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The struggles many franchise businesses faced has forced them to shift their focus from finding new...
By Eric Bell | Posted June 25, 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a level of uncertainty, stress, and confusion unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime. In large portions of the U.S., schools are shut down indefinitely, businesses are asking employees to work from home, and retail outlets are bracing for what could be...
By Eric Bell | Posted March 16, 2020
Franchise Gator has long helped budding entrepreneurs become a part of a larger name brand operation by way of buying a franchise or business opportunity. And now Amazon, one of the largest global companies, is offering the opportunity to lead a fleet of their delivery vehicles. Why would Amazon...
By Eric Bell | Posted November 20, 2018
There are a lot of reasons why now is a good time to take the leap and start a small business. 2018 and 2019 are both shaping up to be advantageous economically, thanks to 2018’s tax reform that benefits small businesses. Overall the health of the economy is positive. A study conducted by Intuit...
By Eric Bell | Posted October 15, 2018
When it comes to financing a franchise, you have several options to choose from—withdrawing funds from your retirement account, small business administration loans, financing through the franchisor, home equity loans/second mortgages, borrowing from family or friends, or using your own savings....
By Eric Bell | Posted May 17, 2018
Prior to Investing in a Franchise, Interview Existing Franchisees First One of the most important steps in your journey to find the ideal franchise opportunity is what's known as validation. Validation refers to the process of interviewing franchisees who have bought into a concept that you have...
By Eric Bell | Posted April 23, 2018
If starting your own franchise is on your resolutions list for 2018, finding the right option for you and your family requires research. Here are five potential options that are poised for growth in the months ahead. Learn more to see if they could be right for you and your entrepreneurship...
By Eric Bell | Posted December 20, 2017
Even if you have had a long and successful corporate career, many people find themselves longing for something more. If you find yourself feeling not quite satisfied with your current corporate responsibilities, it may be time to consider branching out on your own to another business...
By Eric Bell | Posted September 21, 2017
Lack of funds does not have to be a hindrance to your dream of owning your own business. There are ways to start a business with little or no start-up capital. But it will take skills, hard work, and some solid marketing knowledge. Even if you are interested in pursuing a franchise opportunity...
By Eric Bell | Posted September 14, 2017
Considering becoming your own boss? There can be a range of questions and concerns you may have about leaving the stability of your current job and going out on your own. A franchise opportunity can be an ideal way to give you the best of both worlds—the freedom of being your own boss, with the...
By Eric Bell | Posted August 29, 2017
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