Questions To Ask Other Franchisees When Evaluating A Franchise Opportunity
Posted on: July 23rd, 2008While evaluating various franchise opportunities, you need to don your detective cap. You are required to go through each and every document, verify the claims and most importantly, talk to other franchisees in order to make sure of the viability of the franchise offer. In your UFOC, there will be a list of franchisees under the company and on Discovery Day; most top franchises will bring in their best franchisees to talk to the people who have come to buy a franchise. If you want, you can also get in touch other franchisees that are not in the list. But whenever you meet the franchisees, don’t forget to ask them the following questions:
• How long have you been in this franchise business? The longer they stay, the more reliable the franchisor is.
• Is this your first and only unit? If the franchisee is opening another unit, then you can be assured that he is happy with the franchise chain.
• What is the thing that attracted them to buy a franchise? Compare their answers with that of yours and you will know whether you are suited to start business with the franchisor.
• How long did you take to break even? The answer will give you an estimate of the working capital you may need till you break even.
• Are you earning as per your expectations? This question is important too, but you have to first make sure that you are running your business in a same kind of market.
• Has the earning estimate provided by the franchisor come true? Again the answer will be relevant, if you have more or less the same kind of unit in terms of size and operation.
• Was the initial training and on-going support promised in the franchise agreement delivered accordingly? No need to tell why this question is so important!
• Was there any extra or hidden charges and cost other than those mentioned in the franchise agreement? The answer will help you to plan for emergency monetary situations.
• Is the franchise territory big enough? Sometimes the areas may be big in size, but if the target customers are too niche, then it may prove to be quite small.
• Are there any restrictions on what you can sell and use? At times, some things are mentioned in the franchise agreement while others are left for interpretation. The answer to this question will help you know how much flexibility you can have.
• Are designated vendors available? Even if it’s not mentioned in the franchise agreement, the company may have designated vendors from whom you may source your materials.
• How well you are advertised? Don’t forget to ask whether you have freedom in the area of local advertisement.
• Lastly, have you joined the chain with an experience of the business or learned while operating it? It will help you to determine whether your inexperience will help or hinder your growth when you start a franchise.
Summer Jobs Available for People Just Starting Out
Posted on: July 23rd, 2008If you are a teen still looking for a summer job, or you’re just starting your search, you may have an even tougher time, but you can still make a little money this summer.
As you know, most teens start looking in early spring and most government-funded programs are full by April or May. There are a number of summer jobs that may still be available. Within today’s economy times are tough and companies are just not hiring like they used to, but this can be used to your advantage. Instead of hiring a person with years of experience and having to pay them top dollar with health insurance, sick time, etc., it would be more beneficial to hire a teen for the summer or even part-time hours throughout the school year.
Here are tips for helping you get a summer job before summer is over and school starts:
1. Make a resume if you haven’t done so already. If this is your first job, you may not have experience under your belt, but you can certainly spice up your resume with volunteer work, activities you belong to in school, good grades, any awards or recognition you may have received. These things stand out to potential employers.
2. Be sure to mention how a potential employer can benefit by hiring you. Express interest in their business and even do some homework to show them that you know what you are talking about. For example, if you are good with plants and you’ve studied them in school, let them know that you have the knowledge and don’t be afraid to express it. A Nursery or a Gardening Supply Store would love to have someone who knows not to over water plants. Other tour guide jobs would benefit from such an example as well.
3. To make a good impression be sure to present yourself in a professional manner and dress. There is nothing a potential employer dislikes more than someone approaching them in jeans and sneakers inquiring about a job opening. Most of the time you will get a “No we’re not hiring.” Even if the position requires you to dress casual, you only get one first impression so make it a good one.
4. Don’t wait for them to contact you. When you fill out an application, follow up in a day or so by calling or even stopping by. If you have an interview set up, send a thank you note either in person, via mail, or online if possible. This will make you stand out from the rest.
Search the local paper, search local classified papers, the bulletin boards at grocery stores, the library and even online job searches for your area. Ask family members, friends, and even call your school (they do work throughout the summer). There are many different types of summer jobs, such as cruise line jobs, so don’t hesitate to search for opportunities that may seem unfamiliar as they can be a rewarding and exciting way to spend the remainder of the summer months. Even this late in the summer, it is not too late to find a job and make some cash.
Misconceptions About Franchising
Posted on: July 21st, 2008Are you a successful business-person with a burning ambition to expand your business? Then you can consider franchising your business to spread your brand-name. But, are you reluctant, because you have heard disparaging remarks about this line of business? Then here we clear some of the misconceptions would-be franchisors have.
• It is full of litigation: It is a well-known fact that Americans love to start litigation. In our country, you can be sued by anyone for anything; so companies are constantly on guard. But franchising has surprisingly lower chances of litigations compared to stand-alone businesses. Why? Because of franchise agreement! The franchise agreement, the backbone of any franchise business, is something that is totally in the hands of the franchisor. So, if you make a detailed franchise agreement and clearly explain each and every provision, then there’s little chance that you will face unnecessary litigations. Of course, you will need the help of a very competent franchise attorney to write such a franchise agreement.
• You will be sued for any mishap happening in the franchisee’s location: That is another area of fear for potential franchisors. Again, it can be avoided, if you write an in-depth and exhaustively descriptive operating manual. The franchisee’s location is the property of the franchisee and he/she becomes responsible for any personal injury, discrimination, sexual harassment or bad customer service that might happen in his/her premise. But, if you have company-owned outlets, you will be responsible for every action of each of your employees. Hence, the risk of getting sued for misconduct of someone else is lower in the field of franchising than in any other business.
• franchising does not cost money: This is another misconception that can cause grave problem for some franchisors. You will need quite a good amount of money in the beginning, before you start offering franchise business for sale. You will have to develop a prototype location, get the required license, write the UFOC and so on. Then there’s the cost of maintaining a team for the new arm of your business as well as marketing your business on the whole. So, make sure you have adequate money (and man power) before you launch your franchise business.
• All businesses can be franchised: While the saying is partly true, but it’s also true that not all businesses should be franchised. So, if you are keen on franchising your business, first ensure whether it’s franchisable. Skilled franchise consultants like those from www.brandexpansion.com can help you find that out. They will tell whether you are ready for franchising and if not, what you are supposed to do to make your business franchisable.
• You should sell rapidly to anyone who applies to the franchise business for sale offer: If that is your attitude towards franchising, then it will be better if you think twice before starting one. Starting a franchise chain is not only about selling units; it’s also about developing them. And to expand the chain, you will need people who are competent and worthy of being franchisees. So, developing your business cautiously is very necessary. You should also keep in mind how much your infrastructure can permit. Equally important is screening the people carefully who buy a franchise from you.
Let’s Add Another 8 Questions Or So To Our Franchising Faqs
Posted on: July 21st, 2008What is the present and future market strength of franchise industry?
The franchise industry is growing at a steady rate for the last five or more years and will continue to grow in the future. In 2007, the sales amount generated by the franchise industry was close to $2 trillion dollar. Today, the industry employs about 14% of private sector employees and the payroll of the industry is $500 million. What’s more, the figures are projected to become double in the coming years!
What is Master Development?
When a franchisor sells the rights to develop an area to a franchisee for a stipulated fee within a fixed period, it is called master development or master franchise development. A master franchise may or may not open a unit of his own; his main job will be to sell and develop sub-franchisees. He gets to keep a part of the franchise fee and the royalty fee the sub franchisees pays. The area can be as big as a continent to as small as a city.
What is Area Development?
Area Development is a kind of multi-unit franchise business where the franchisee buys the rights to open more than one unit within a stipulated time-frame. Since he opens more than 1 unit, he gets a discount on the franchise fee. He may open the units himself or offer franchise business for sale to the sub franchisees. Unlike master franchisees, area developer does not get a part of the franchise fee or any other fee.
What is franchise fee?
The one-time fee a franchisee pays to the franchisor when he is starting a franchise. It can be as low as $1000 to as high as millions depending on the franchisor. The franchise fee is paid for the support and the training the franchisor will give the franchisee after joining.
What is royalty fee?
The recurring fee, which a franchisee pays to the franchisor during the time he is in the franchise system. It is for the continuous usage of the trademarked products and logos of the franchisor and the support system that he provides to the franchisee. The royalty fee generally varies between 4 to 7% of the gross or net sale. This is the main income generator for the franchisor.
What is initial investment?
The investment a franchisee has to make at the time he is starting the franchise. This includes the franchise fee, cost for real estate leasing and modification, equipment buying, getting required permits and license, paying the franchise attorney and franchise consultant (if you have appointed one). The amount will be mentioned in the UFOC and the franchisee is expected to have the money or the means of having the money before he signs the franchise agreement.
Private Investigation Schools - What You Need To Know About Private Eye Schools
Posted on: July 20th, 2008The old adage of being prepared holds true in many facets of life and for those looking for a new career or simply starting out in one then this holds true.
Private investigation is a popular option today for many looking for career changes but simply deciding you want to be a private eye is not enough. You need to be well prepared.
Enlisting in good private investigation schools is a great first step. We’re not talking about buying an ebook and expecting to learn everything about private investigation simply by reading it but actually getting first class tuition from those who have traveled the private eye path before you.
An employer is going to look at things such as dedication to learning and if you present yourself with little more than the knowledge you’ve gained from a book then you are on the back foot.
However, if you have completed solid practical and theory stuff available from a private eye school then this is going to immediately impress someone looking to employ you.
Get The Edge With A Private Eye School
Good theory and practical lessons means learning the basics of private investigation coupled with hands on experience.
Should you attend live classes or simply take a course online? Either one will help in your endeavors to become a private eye. Always consider the depth of the course and who it is prepared by.
Courses put together by practising private eyes will give you a big advantage than those without experience in the industry. Private investigators who have plenty of experience in the profession can teach you a heck of a lot more than those who have little to show in the way of experience.
Another important aspect to consider is whether the private eye schools you’re considering are approved by that states governing body. It all comes down to credibility.
After all, you’re future is at stake here and the decision by many to pursue a career in private investigation usually means changing careers mid stream. You want to make sure you don’t make a hasty decision.
The cost of private investigation schools can vary considerably. Courses can range from as low as $200 to close to a thousand dollars.
Locating Private Eye Schools
Some of the better known online courses worth considering include those made available from Global and DTI. Do your homework and compare the curriculums of each of the schools you take a look at especially if there is a direction in private investigation you want to take.
Local colleges and universities are also good avenues to investigate and while they don’t offer private investigation schools as part of their own curriculums many do offer online courses for third parties.
These are an excellent avenue because the fact they are available through a respectable college means they would have had to have passed some strict criteria before being offered.
Snelling Staffing Services Offers Moderate Franchise Start-up Costs
Posted on: July 16th, 2008One of the most respected names in the employment franchise industry, Snelling Staffing Services was founded in Philadelphia in 1951. Soon, the company started offering franchise business for sale in 1955. By the end of 1967, the company had 50 offices and today, it has nearly 200 units all over the United States. The annual turn-over of the company has exceeded $400 million in sales and it is poised to reach greater heights in the coming years. The ownership investment by Patriarch Partners has given Snelling Staffing further boost to expand its operations.
Why Snelling Staffing is witnessing such a huge demand for their franchise business for sale offers? With the recession looming large, companies are cutting cost by outsourcing the HR works to proficient employment agencies like Snelling. People looking for jobs are also contacting renowned agencies in hope of getting placement in a good company. The employees recruited through Snelling are thoroughly checked and matched according to criteria. So, the companies don’t have to spend much time or money in interviewing and background checking. Security clearance is essential for certain jobs and Snelling Staffing makes sure that the people it sends as temporary to permanent workers pass all credential checking.
So, if you are thinking about starting a franchise, then you can consider the franchise opportunities of Snelling. The start-up cost is very moderate and third-party financial solutions are available to candidates who are deemed qualified by the franchisor. As for office space, it’s not necessary to go for a swanky office while starting the franchise; you can start with just one or two employees. The brand-name of the franchisor ensures that you get instant recognition from the companies in your market. The ten-day training program will arm you with all the knowledge you need to run the location smoothly. The support system of Snelling Staffing Services is also quite effective. You can even expand to multi-unit operation in future, if you buy a franchise from Snelling.
To know more, check out http://employment-personnel-franchises.brandexpansion.com/snelling/
brandEXPANSION is the leading full-service franchise opportunity company. We maintain four websites—brandEXPANSION.com, FirstPrizeFranchise.com, brandexpansionhotpress.com and FranchiseUltraLounge.com—designed to help franchisors maximize their brand exposure and reach potential franchisees. Franchisees using these sites can gain more information about the franchise industry and more than 400 of the hottest concepts.
Training Contract Application - 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Posted on: July 11th, 2008Regurgitating, or cutting and pasting information
There are plenty of good examples of applications for training contracts out there, but there can be no substitute to one that you write by yourself. Other than spelling and grammar errors, there is likely nothing more annoying for reviewer than for them to spot instances of copy and pasting from other sources.
Wrong information and mistaken names can be a great source of embarrassment during the review process. In addition, having the reviewers spot something that is copied directly from another source gives very little credit to the rest of your work.
Inappropriate use of language
As with other types of formal writing, it is not considered good practice to include slang or conversational language with your application. Write with a clear and direct intention to give your writing added understandability.
When it comes to questions that require you to give an opinion, take one side of the argument, but remain balanced in your views. Avoid making your arguments and points too long, or you’ll struggle to retain coherence and consistency.
Too many spelling or grammar problems
This is the uncontroversial cardinal sin of written submissions.
Intimately all spelling and grammar errors are picked up by word processors, and with some good proofreading you can remove the rest of the errors. Aside from giving them the impression that you’re not one for close attention to details, it also conveys a lack of professionalism to your prospective employers.
If you are also searching for a well-written and presented applications, then there is no room for mistakes like these.
Dodging the bullet or incomplete answers
Most people take the view that it is better to present only areas that they are strongest in, while leaving out others in the hope that they are not seen to be as important. Someone who is looking to avoid or leave out their weakness doesn’t display qualities that reviewers would associate with self-evaluation and improvement. In addition, being open and honest about your own abilities and skills, gives more credibility to everything else in your application.
Going over the top with your words
For many reviewers, making your writing sound too classy can often bring about the opposite effect. The main purpose of your application is to address the questions that the reviewers have posed, so don’t make their job more difficult by making the language ambiguous or convoluted.
Try and ensure that the style and tone of your writing is assured and precise, and it will give off the right impression to the reviewers.
That said, if you think and plan carefully, there’s no reason why you can’t be fully armed when the time comes to win and keep the solicitor training contract. Whatever your decision is, talking knowledgeably about the firm is bound to leave a good impression at your interview and increase your chances in winning the training contracts .
Snelling Franchises Thrive In Booming Employment Field
Posted on: July 9th, 2008Do you know that various American companies get nearly 3 million employees per day with the help of the staffing industry? And Snelling Staffing Services has been a name to reckon with in this thriving field. Meeting the diverse recruitment needs of different types of businesses and offering placement to millions of candidates on full-time, temporary, temp-to-hire and contract basis, Snelling is such a feted brand that recruiters and job-seekers trust blindly. Ruling the industry for the past 5 decades, Snelling Staffing Services has its headquarters located in Dallas, Texas. Headed by Tim Fielding, today the company has over 200 offices spread across USA and Hawaii.
So, if you think that franchising is your true calling and want to derive satisfaction by helping people to find suitable jobs and assisting companies to find right employees, then come and buy a franchise of this illustrious brand. As a franchisor, Snelling Staffing Services has earned immense repute. The effective business model and support system of the franchisor has helped many aspiring entrepreneurs to fulfill their long-cherished franchising dreams. You will never be left alone in your franchising journey. Your franchisor, with its comprehensive training and marketing programs, operating systems, back-office support and recognition programs, will always be there with you. As a franchisee of Snelling, you can definitely reach the zenith of professional and personal satisfaction.
Owing to the dwindling workforce and greater than before job scope, you can grow by leaps and bounds as a part of the flourishing staffing industry. And when you have Snelling (recognized as one of the best franchises in the industry) as your franchisor, things will automatically become easier for you! You can open your full-service franchise business with just 2 people. Your franchisor can arrange for third-party financing for you, if you meet the criteria. If you wish, you can also operate multiple franchise locations. What’s more, as a franchisee of Snelling Staffing Services, you can enjoy enough freedom and flexibility and get to work in an unrestricted sales territory. So, what are you waiting for? If you are dreaming of becoming successful by lending a hand to others, then this is the right franchise opportunity for you!
brandEXPANSION is the leading full-service franchise opportunity company. We maintain four websites—brandEXPANSION.com, FirstPrizeFranchise.com, brandexpansionhotpress.com and FranchiseUltraLounge.com—designed to help franchisors maximize their brand exposure and reach potential franchisees. Franchisees using these sites can gain more information about the franchise industry and more than 400 of the hottest concepts.
Employment Franchise Industry Review
Posted on: July 9th, 2008It is the classic case of supply and demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of available jobs will exceed the number of employees by 10 million by 2010! Isn’t that amazing? It’s no surprise, then, that the employment industry is going to emerge as the fifth fastest developing industry over the next decade.
If you want to get the best out of this situation, start your own business in this flourishing industry. Achieve your financial goal as well as personal fulfillment by offering both jobseekers and recruiters an easy and effective solution. To guide you in this process, First Prize Franchise has come up with its extensive resource of quality franchise opportunities in the employment field. You are welcome to search the Trophy, Ribbon and Medallion Franchise types under the section of Employment & Personnel Franchises at FPF.
Take Spherion for instance. Established in 1946 and having 85 franchised units to its credit, Spherion is ranked fourth among the staffing companies in America. Earning yearly revenue of $ 2 billion, the brand Spherion has been extremely successful in earning the trust of both the employers and the recruits (http://www.firstprizefranchise.com/spherion/).
You can also go for Snelling, the distinguished employment franchise that is recognized for its established business model, efficient working system and constant support. Starting from training and advertising to payroll services and risk management – Snelling guides its franchisees in every possible way. Having more than 50 years of experience and 155 franchised units, this work-at-home franchise is a great opportunity to begin your business (http://www.firstprizefranchise.com/snelling/).
These are just two of the many outstanding opportunities in this field. To see more employment franchise opportunities, click here.http://www.firstprizefranchise.com/category/employment-personnel/
10 Ways To Make Sure You’re Making The Right Decision About A Franchise Opportunity
Posted on: July 8th, 2008Starting a franchise business is a momentous decision; so it’s quite natural to feel skeptical till the last moment. To help you ease your mind, here are 10 ways to know that you have chosen the right franchise opportunity.
1. You had a great time during the Discovery Day: The Discovery Day is the first day where you get to observe the franchise opportunity from up close. If that program was organized in a highly professional and systematic way by your franchisor, then you can expect the same level of performance, once you have started a franchise with the concept.
2. The present franchisees are highly pleased: During due diligence, you are supposed to speak to the existing franchisees to learn more about the franchise system. If you find them quite satisfied with the level of support, then you can be assured that you have taken the right decision. Also look at the type of new franchised units that are opening. If they are more from multi-unit franchisees, then there’s no doubt that the system is very profitable. If the first unit makes profit, then only people go for multi-unit operation.
3. The company is helping you with real estate selection: Any of the top franchises will help you in the site-selection process. If your company is offering you effective assistance in this area, you can be sure that you have chosen the right opportunity.
4. Getting loans is easy: When you align yourself with any best franchise opportunity, it’s quite natural that banks will approve your loans due to the market presence of your franchisor. Many franchisors also help their franchisees by providing financial assistance or directing them to lenders associated with them. If you have gone for a small business franchise and your franchisor is SBA pre-approved, nothing can be better than that.
5. The initial training is quite good: Franchising is all about the franchisor teaching its business system to a franchisee. So, how well it teaches comes up as a decisive factor in differentiating a great franchise from an average one. If you have a detailed training schedule ahead of you, both classroom and on-site, you can pat yourself for choosing the right concept.
6. You are already coming across your name in the media: Any top franchise knows the value of advertisement. So, the good ones will start generating public interest days before the actual opening of the unit. If you see that your plan is already in motion, then you can congratulate yourself for making a wise choice.
7. People are already asking: If you find potential customers asking you about the opening date, then you have chosen a business that has great demand in the market and also a franchise opportunity with a right brand-image.
8. The fees are not that exuberant: The fees, especially the royalty fee, will determine how much profit you can make from the franchise. If it’s very high and based on gross sales, then your profit will be very much limited. On the other hand, royalty-fee based on net sales is an indication of an ideal franchisor.
9. There is very little litigation history: A company that has very few complaining franchisee is always a good choice.
10. You were also questioned: Top franchises won’t let just anybody to buy a franchise from them. If you had to go through a series of interviews before being called for the Discovery Day, you can be sure that you have chosen the franchise opportunity for sale offer of such a company where development of the chain is more important than selling a unit.







