Eric Bell

Franchise Gator

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).

  3. Eric Bell

Articles by Eric Bell:

5 Tips on Financing a Franchise

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 | Posted May 17, 2018

Before You Buy: 10 Questions to Ask a Franchisee

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 | Posted April 23, 2018

5 Franchises to Watch in 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 | Posted December 20, 2017

Founder of The Franchise Blueprint, Aubrey Janik, Discusses Franchising

Thousands of would be franchisees pass through Franchise Gator each month. Some have the guts and drive to follow through, while others have a tough time making the leap. A smaller handful have no question about how owning a franchise plays a part in their professional future. Such is the case...

By | Posted December 07, 2017

Break Free from Corporate Life Through Franchising

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 | Posted September 21, 2017

How to Start a Business With No Money

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 | Posted September 14, 2017

Franchisee Lifestyle Profile: The Secret to Buying the Right Franchise

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 | Posted August 29, 2017

How to Buy a Franchise on a Limited Budget

Are you looking to buy a franchise but aren’t sure you can handle the costs involved? It’s true, an average middle-class salary alone probably won’t be enough to make your dream a reality, but that doesn’t mean starting a franchise is impossible even on a limited budget. You just have to...

By | Posted August 08, 2017

How to Quit Your Job in 60 Days: Transitioning from 9 to 5 to Entrepreneur

In spite of your good job and solid career, you are determined to realize the freedom and independence of owning your own business, with all of the financial and lifestyle rewards it offers to you and your family. You’ve decided it’s time to control your own destiny — and you're not alone....

By | Posted July 12, 2017

Franchisee Lifestyle Profile: From Corporate Job to Business Owner

Transitioning from a member of a corporate team to working for yourself and leading your own employees is a dream many have. Pursuing such business opportunities, however, require not only passion and dedication, but also the insight into what you can accomplish on your own, and when you may need...

By | Posted June 29, 2017

2017 State of the Franchise Industry

There may be no better time to explore becoming your own boss by opening your own franchise. Branching out can be scary, but according to the latest numbers from the International Franchise Association (IFA), the franchise industry is still experiencing positive growth. The IFA’s Franchise...

By | Posted June 19, 2017

3 Lessons from Successful Franchisees

It’s true that the franchises that tend to succeed over the long haul come from tried and true sectors: restaurants, hotels, senior care,home services. That almost any concept can be franchised is also true — kid yoga, crime scene clean-up, doggie makeovers … if you can conceive it,...

By | Posted May 25, 2017

5 Unusual Franchise Concepts

Think Outside the Franchise Box When you think about franchises, do cookie cutter restaurant chains and retail stores come to mind? Think again. You may not have been thinking of a niche or more unique business concept when you first started pursuing a franchise, but maybe you should. Whether...

By | Posted May 02, 2017

How to Start Your Own Business

Starting your own business is a dream that many Americans hold dear. If you have longed to work for yourself, and not someone else, you understand this desire to take a risk and blaze your own trail. The entrepreneur starting out small and building their idea into a successful company appeals to...

By | Posted March 28, 2017

Logic vs. Emotion in the Franchise Buying Process

Think becoming a franchise owner is your next career step? There are many advantages to running your own franchise—from the freedom to be your own boss to the comfort of knowing you have the backing of a proven system. But before selecting the franchise that is right for you, it’s important to...

By | Posted March 02, 2017

6 Franchises to Watch in 2017

Looking back at 2016, what types of franchises experienced the most growth? Personal services, lodging, business services, quick-service restaurants, retail products and services, and commercial and residential services were all forecasted to grow from 1.6 to 1.9 percent over the last year. The top...

By | Posted January 24, 2017

Franchise Ownership and Your Financial Legacy

Want to create a lasting legacy that can be passed on to your children? When you first think of buying a franchise business that may not be your initial goal, but a franchise is a great way to give your children (or spouse) a valuable and sustainable income source. It’s never too early to plan...

By | Posted January 18, 2017

The Future of Franchising

The state of the franchising industry? Strong as ever. Like the stock market, the franchise industry goes through equivocations, usually tracking against shifts in the economy. But over the long haul, franchise businesses, just like the stock market, have proven to be among the soundest...

By | Posted January 09, 2017

Tips to Maximize Your Franchise Opportunity

So, you’ve decided to buy a franchise. There are a variety of good reasons for investing in a franchise, but the most compelling is the possibility of financial success. However, while owning a franchise can give you a tested business model with brand awareness, it doesn’t always...

By | Posted November 22, 2016

Buying Young: Why Franchising is Great for Millennials

Owning a franchise in your 20s. Who’s in? When someone says “franchisee,” the image that comes to mind is usually a middle-aged man or woman and not a recent college grad just entering the workforce. However, several factors have begun turning that perception on its ear – one of the most...

By | Posted November 09, 2016

What the Top 10 Franchises Have In Common

This year, Franchise Gator published its third annual Top 100 list which provides prospective franchisees with a reliable source for evaluating the multitude of opportunities available. When it comes to investment decisions, focusing on risk is key – specifically, determining factors that will...

By | Posted September 27, 2016

Chem-Dry Gains Three New Franchisees in 2015 with Franchise Gator

ROSWELL, GA (November 9, 2015) – Franchise Gator today announced Chem-Dry Carpet Cleaning has added three new franchise owners to date in 2015 as a direct result of leads generated by the franchise marketing website, two of which purchased multiple territories. The company has trusted...

By | Posted November 09, 2015

Franchise Gator Continues to Outrank Competition for 7th Consecutive Quarter

ROSWELL, GA (November 5, 2015) - Franchise Gator today announced its ranking as the Top Franchise Advertising Portal in the Franchise Benchmark Q3 2015 report, marking the 7th quarter in a row the company has outranked competing websites. “We are thrilled to have remained the number one lead...

By | Posted November 05, 2015

NLRB: McDonald' Should be Held Liable for Unfair Labor Practices of Franchisees

The National Labor Relations Board released a major decision on July 29th, one that could have far reaching ramifications throughout the franchising world. Specifically, the NLRB has decided that the corporation of McDonald's should be considered a joint employer with its franchisees, and held...

By | Posted July 31, 2014

Interview with Eric Stites of Franchise Business Review

1) Tell me a little about how the Franchise Business Review got started? In the early 2000s, I worked at a franchise marketing company that had over 400 franchise companies as clients. We would receive daily calls from people who wanted to invest in a franchise, and they wanted to know which were...

By | Posted January 22, 2014

Considerations Before Franchising - A Different Philosophy

A franchise consultant since 1985, Mr. Siebert founded the iFranchise Group in 1999 as an organization dedicated to developing long-term relationships with successful franchisor clientele. He is an expert in evaluating companies, structuring franchise offerings, and developing franchise...

By | Posted September 04, 2012

How Much Money Can I Make?

The secrets to finding out the ROI potential of a franchise When investigating a franchise opportunity one of the most difficult pieces of information to get from the franchisor is how much money you might make. This may be frustrating because you are not going to invest in a business until...

By | Posted February 03, 2009

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