<rss version="2.0"><channel><title>Franchise Alternatives</title><description>We provide you with the Web's largest directory of available franchise and business opportunities.</description><link>http://www.franchisealternatives.net</link><copyright>Your copyright details</copyright><item><title>Franchise Opportunities and the Relevance of Brand Reputation</title><description><![CDATA[<p>When I refer to the names McDonalds or Dominos to you what thoughts pass through your mind? Do you think of a popular Scottish family name and a popular game played with little black wooden blocks? I would suggest that for lots of people the first idea in their head was in reality two well-known fast food eating places. This really is the power of branding.</p>
<p>Branding is significant in support of the simple reason that a possible buyer may already have a preconception on the subject of what to anticipate from the business. This may of course perform both ways:-</p>
<p>Benefit of brand recognition in a franchise business</p>
<p>Combined with a franchise system, a strong branding can potentially convince a buyer to your favour when selecting between a brand popular franchise opportunity or an unbranded option. This only works as long as a good message is looked after across the franchise network regarding the brand reptutation to ensure that potential shoppers have a very favourable outlook of the business regarding expected value of services or products supplied. Generally, customers ought to feel secure to make use of any franchised store in the familiarity that their expectations will be fulfilled about that brands quality and service, regardless of whether they have never up to that time been to that shop. The brands status provides them confidence.</p>
<p>Disadvantages of brand name recognition in franchise opportunity business</p>
<p>Its worth considering that if a single store delivers inadequate service then this could damage the entire network in the customers mind. In these days of social networks and open on-line discussion, inferior service can increase like wildfire. A generally publicised Youtube video focussing on a particular air carriers weak handling of a travelling singers guitar shows the power of this open communication plus the affect it might have over a brand name. While the film was probably enormously comical for the eight million odd people that viewed it, the stocks in the air carrier bombed 10% once this film was let loose costing this company $180 million and incalculably more in lost buyer loyalty. Just one case in point of how an isolated event might turn out to be really costly to an entire network.</p>
<p>Therefore what does this mean to me?</p>
<p>When thinking about franchise business opportunities, investigating the businesses brand status is something you'd do nicely to consider. What do customers think about the brand? What is being said on the internet in debate forums and social networks? Even though it is evidently advisable to look at a balanced view (as frustration can often be expressed a lot more loudly than satisfaction), these issues can make a difference when choosing where to place your hard-earned investment. Its worth remembering though that no one expects perfection, although they do count on wrongs to be righted quickly and effectively.</p>
<p>Sensibly measured, the branding a franchise business is often of significant advantage, provides belief and attracts customers. Only be certain you are properly educated of what is being believed in regards to the brand reptutation and how the franchise operator handles adverse media.</p>
<p>Source: EzineArticles.com<br />Author: Nick Strong</p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=658</link><pubDate>2010-07-26 17:10:35</pubDate></item> <item><title>Finding the Perfect Franchise Fit</title><description><![CDATA[<p>With more than 5,000 franchise opportunities available worldwide, ranging from McDonald's to day spas to dog grooming, finding the right one for you can seem overwhelming. But the process may be more accessible than you think.</p>
<p>First, consider your personal goals. "You not only have to understand the simple things like what kind of investment you're willing to make," says Lori Kiser-Block, vice-president for consultant services at FranChoice, a franchise consulting service based in Eden Prairie, Minn., "but what kind of risks you are willing to take, how hard you want to work, how many hours you want to work, and what kind of environment you want to work in."</p>
<p>For example, a Two Men and a Truck professional mover franchise requires an average of 30 to 50 hours a week, while an AlphaGraphics printing franchise is more likely to take up over 60 hours a week.</p>
<p>HELP AT HAND.&nbsp; Next take a critical look at your professional strengths. Kiser-Block advises that prospective franchisees evaluate their skills in management, sales, and customer service. Once you have a clear picture of what you want in a business and what aspects of it you can manage on your own, it's time to begin narrowing your search down and conducting investigations into several potential franchises.</p>
<p>While a familiar brand may be an alluring starting point in your search, you should also investigate newcomers and industry successes and trends. The International Franchise Association, a Washington, D.C.-based membership organization, and the San Diego-based American Association of Franchisees &amp; Dealers, a national nonprofit trade group, will both provide franchise directories, annual business reviews, and guides to help you get started for free, or with payment of affordable annual dues.</p>
<p>The Franchise Business Review is an independent market research company that surveys the overall satisfaction of franchisees across a variety of franchises and makes reports available at no cost.</p>
<p>SEEKING OBJECTIVITY.&nbsp; Franchise consulting services, such as FranNet and FranChoice, are another free resource available to entrepreneurs. Working on a commission-based model similar to that of a real estate broker, these companies match prospective franchisees with an affiliated corporate head of a franchise, known as a franchisor.</p>
<p>If you decide to get the help of a franchise consultant, you should know what you're getting into. Since the franchisors pay consultants a variable rate for each match they help facilitate, their objectivity may be open to question. "[Franchise consultants] are profiting from the sale of a franchise, so they're going to recommend the franchise that's going to get them the most profit," says Eric Stites, CEO of Franchise Business Review.</p>
<p>Still, don't discount consultants completely. They can give you needed outside perspective. "Generally what [prospective franchisees] are looking for is a lifestyle," says Steve Rosen, president and CEO of FranNet. "They have a dream, but they have no idea how to get to the dream. So in a sense, what we're trying to do is find something that they enjoy doing, where they have the skill set and the finances to do it&hellip;."</p>
<p>DETECTIVE WORK.&nbsp; Once you have narrowed down your selection of franchises, start speaking with franchisors. The franchisor will explain the general ins and outs of running the business, and give you a Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), the essential legal document in any franchise negotiation. Along with franchisee fees and obligations, history of past franchisees' litigation and bankruptcy filings, territorial, trademark, and other restrictions, the UFOC contains a list of contacts for their franchisees.</p>
<p>"A franchisor is required to give the name, address, and phone number of the franchisees that are open and operating, and of all franchisees whose franchises have terminated or transferred in the last 12 months," says Robin Day Glenn, principal attorney for the Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based Franchise Law Team, a firm that primarily represents franchisors. "A prudent prospective franchisee should phone as many of those as their phone bill can bear, and if possible they should go see these people in person."</p>
<p>When you contact current franchisees, ask the questions which the franchisor frequently can't answer: How long does it take to bring the franchise to profitability? Has the franchisor fulfilled all the terms of his promised support? Would you buy into the same franchise again?</p>
<p>GET A LAWYER.&nbsp; In addition, consider the overall fit. "Whether you're talking to the franchisor or the franchisee, you want to make sure the culture and personality of that organization match yours," says FranChoice's Kiser-Block. You will be interacting with these people about crucial decisions on a frequent basis, particularly as you first start out, so make sure that they are committed to the same general business principles as you.</p>
<p>When the right franchise is in sight, experts strongly advise that you work with a lawyer who specializes in franchising. Attorney Day Glenn, who normally represents franchisors, says that this step is frequently overlooked when prospective franchisees are trying to rush into a new business.</p>
<p>"I would guess that at least 90% of the people who buy franchises don't hire attorneys," she says. "And even when they do, very often they have already made up their mind that they want to enter into the franchise agreement and don't pay attention to what the attorney tells them. The most important reason a prospective franchisee should consult an attorney is to decide whether or not to enter into the franchise at all."</p>
<p>Author: Douglas MacMillan <br />Source: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2006/sb20060728_328561.htm">Bloomberg Businessweek</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=657</link><pubDate>2010-07-26 17:07:55</pubDate></item> <item><title>Are Entrepreneurs Born or Made?</title><description><![CDATA[<p>My opinion is that one does not have to be a "born entrepreneur" to succeed, but it certainly helps. Innate tendencies seem to make certain people more likely to take risks, more able to identify and act on promising business opportunities, and more open to new experiences. We've all known extroverted people who revel in marketing and selling, activities that successful business owners must master. Individuals who do not share these traits can certainly develop them, but they will have to work harder than those for whom such traits come naturally.</p>
<p>My opinion aside, however, your "chicken and egg" question has recently been tackled scientifically in studies of twins (both identical, who share 100 percent of their genes, and fraternal, who share about 50 percent of their genes). Scott Shane, my fellow columnist and the A. Malachi Mixon III Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at Case Western Reserve University, participated with several colleagues in the research. In academic articles and his book, Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders, (Oxford University Press, 2010), Shane says that the tendency toward entrepreneurship is about 48 percent "heritable," meaning influenced by genetic factors.</p>
<p>Does this mean that people born without a family history or natural tendency toward entrepreneurship should shelve their dreams and stay in their cubicles? Absolutely not.</p>
<p>Pursuing a Passion<br />"From what I have seen in my nearly 20 years' experience with the Entrepreneurs' Organization, anyone anywhere has the opportunity to build a business as long as they have a passion, an attitude of never giving up, and valuable mentors that can complement their skill sets," says Dean Lindal, the organization's vice-president.</p>
<p>Longtime entrepreneurial consultant John J. Rooney, managing director of Capital Partners IBG in Manhattan Beach, Calif., agrees: "In my experience working with hundreds of entrepreneurs and teaching on the faculty at the University of Southern California's entrepreneur program, it is clear that much of entrepreneurship can be successfully learned. However, it is also clear that people who take positive action and are focused and committed and continue on despite some negative feedback or setbacks have skill sets and personality traits that can be inborn or learned."</p>
<p>Moreover, the very traits that lead naturally to entrepreneurship can have negative flip sides. "The fact is, most entrepreneurs fail at what they try to do. They fail because they rely too heavily on their innate skills and not enough on learned skills," says John Delmatoff, an executive coach based in Murrieta, Calif.</p>
<p>He often coaches entrepreneurs who chase every good idea they run across. "They focus their often limited resources on too many ideas simultaneously, none of which gets adequate attention, and the idea fails," Delmatoff says. "Or the entrepreneur gets bored early in the idea development stage and starts looking for another idea to develop."</p>
<p>Other Factors<br />Other factors may be just as important as entrepreneurial traits, Rooney says. He says a survey from a business training program he worked in at the University of Southern California shows that 87 percent of successful entrepreneurs start companies in niches where they already have business experience. People who get formal training are much more likely to succeed than those who fly by the seat of their pants. "I've seen students do very well even if they don't have the flamboyant personality that we expect from entrepreneurs. They can learn how to sell even if they are uncomfortable with it or have cultural challenges," he says.</p>
<p>Optimism and persistence, perhaps the two most essential entrepreneurial traits, can be intentionally practiced, says David Weiman, a management psychologist in suburban Philadelphia and a psychology professor at Strayer University. He recommends Learned Optimism by Martin Seligman, which provides step-by-step tips for improving one's ability to overcome obstacles and succeed in tough times, and Daniel Goleman's book Emotional Intelligence. The latter book, Weiman says, "seems to suggest that emotional competencies&mdash;such as self-awareness or the ability to build bonds, for example&mdash;can be learned by anyone who wants to improve in those areas."</p>
<p>Author: Karen E. Klein <br />Source: <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/jul2010/sb20100723_154719.htm">Bloomberg Businessweek</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=656</link><pubDate>2010-07-26 17:02:41</pubDate></item> <item><title>What a Buyer Looks for During Due Diligence</title><description><![CDATA[<p>While "due diligence" can be used to describe several different investigations that anyone party to a contract might carry out before signing that contract, in the case of a buyer considering taking over a business, the due diligence process is usually focused on making sure that the business is exactly what the seller promises. That can mean looking at inventory, accounting records, and much more.</p>
<p>&nbsp;<br />The Questions That Come Up During Due Diligence</p>
<p>&nbsp;<br />Kumi Bradshaw's job with Asgill Post is to value companies, as well as provide advice during the business acquisition and sales process. He has been through the due diligence process many times with different clients, to the point where it has become a routine process for him. As a business owner, there are some specific topics you should expect to discuss as you go through the due diligence process, Bradshaw says. He points out a variety of questions you will almost always be asked, pointing out that buyers consider cash flow one of the most important factors during due diligence:</p>
<p>&nbsp;<br />How much cash does the business generate? How does it generate cash? Is there documented proof of the seller's statements? Invoices, bank statements etc... Due diligence will go beyond the review of a Quickbooks file or standard financial statements.<br />&nbsp; <br />Does the business allow customers to pay on account? How are receivables collected and what are the terms? Are there significant outstanding receivables?<br />&nbsp; <br />What are the expenses like? What is the mix between fixed and variable expenses? As a rule of thumb, a business with a higher concentration of variable expenses versus fixed expenses will require a lower level of sales to break even.<br />&nbsp; <br />What is the burn rate? How much cash does the business need for operating expenses to be paid on a monthly basis? How much working capital is currently available to pay for this? This will influence the amount of financing required by the buyer.</p>
<p>To read the full article, click <a href="http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/money/article/what-a-buyer-looks-for-during-due-diligence-thursday-bram">here</a>.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.openforum.com/">www.openforum.com</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=655</link><pubDate>2010-07-22 20:15:54</pubDate></item> <item><title>Franchise Overload </title><description><![CDATA[<p>Going into the franchise business might be a very good idea for you as it is one of the popular methods of doing business today but when you do a search of the available franchise opportunities, choosing one among the hundreds might be a daunting task.</p>
<p>Of course you can always go into the fast growing fast food franchise industry but if you feel that your location is already saturated with this kind of business then maybe you can look up the other franchise opportunities that can be perfect for your area.&nbsp; Moreover, compared to going into the food franchise business, some of these franchise opportunities will cost you a lot less to get started.&nbsp; Examples of these are auto servicing franchises, coffee shops and academic center franchises.&nbsp; This type of business will definitely cost you less because there are less equipment to purchase, less people to hire and a lot less franchise fee to be paid over to the franchisor.</p>
<p>Moreover, there are even franchise opportunities that give you the leverage of working in the comfort of your own home.&nbsp; These franchise opportunities will be so much easier to start financially and logistically.&nbsp; Some examples of this type of franchise opportunities are kitchen tune up, business card experts and maid brigade.&nbsp; This type of franchises will definitely mean that you can start your own business with minimal capital risk to yourself and your partners.&nbsp; Moreover, as the business is located in your home, this means that you will also have to pay a lot less in monthly utility bills, rent and other expenses related to working in an office.</p>
<p>You can start looking for the franchise opportunity that is perfect for you and is perfect for your place too among the franchise lists in the internet.&nbsp; Websites dedicated to giving information about available franchise opportunities are available for you when you log you the web.&nbsp; You can narrow down your franchise preferences to those you like and are interested in, do a little market research to see if the people in your area is open to the idea of this kind of business, and also do a little research on the company itself to learn of its financial track record, franchisees success rate and other information important to you in making your decision in pursuing this line of business.&nbsp; With the available information at your fingertips, success has never been more reachable and attainable than before.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.franchise-guide.org/articles/Franchises/page_2/Franchise_Overload.html">The Franchise Guide</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=654</link><pubDate>2010-07-22 11:38:33</pubDate></item> <item><title>The Truth About Buying a Franchise in Your 20s</title><description><![CDATA[<p>When Justin Kopelman was fresh out of college, he didn&rsquo;t interview for jobs or choose a set career path. Instead, he tried his hand at entrepreneurship and purchased a Pita Pit franchise. At 29, Shawn Ligon struck out for business ownership and invested in a DoodyCalls franchise. Though only in their 20s, both Kopelman and Ligon are already their own bosses. And they&rsquo;re not the only ones.</p>
<p>Over the past decade, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of young <br />adults opening franchises, according to David Cahn, founder of Franchise &amp; Business Law Group, a boutique law firm in the Baltimore area that primarily represents early-stage franchisors and startup franchisees. It sounds glamorous to be twentysomething and already own a franchise, but what&rsquo;s it really like? We asked Kopelman and Ligon to give us the scoop.</p>
<p>You&rsquo;re in a position where you can devote all of your time and energy to your franchise: Since purchasing his franchise in January, Ligon and his wife, Aimee, have been working non-stop. They each work at other jobs and then spend the rest of their time building up their DoodyCalls franchise. For the Ligons, the fact that they don&rsquo;t yet have the responsibility of a family has enabled them to make the sacrifices and work the long hours necessary. &ldquo;Our needs our minimal because we're young and healthy,&rdquo; Shawn Ligon says. &ldquo;Shelter, clothes and food -- that&rsquo;s about it. If we had a child, though, there would be so much more to consider.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Your age may help you connect with your customers: Some franchises focus on a younger clientele. Pita Pit&rsquo;s target market, for example, is college students. Therefore, the fact that Kopelman is just out of college has worked largely to his advantage. &ldquo;I was in [the customer&rsquo;s] shoes right before I opened my own business,&rdquo; says Kopelman, whose franchise is located in his college town of Clemson, South Carolina. &ldquo;I know what they want, how they want to be served, and what they expect.&rdquo; Kopelman plans to open a second location in Greenville, South Carolina, in the near future.</p>
<p>There can be a huge learning curve associated with opening a franchise: Kopelman&rsquo;s biggest challenge was managing the day-to-day tasks while also dealing with the behind-the-scenes responsibilities. &ldquo;I felt very confident about serving customers and providing a great product, but doing payroll, paying taxes, rent, and utilities were all foreign to me,&rdquo; he admits. While this can be a challenge for franchisees of all ages, younger franchisees might be more prone to glamorizing the concept of owning a franchise without understanding the extent of the commitment or duties it involves. In order to get a better handle on things, Kopelman turned to people with more knowledge and experience. &ldquo;I credit a lot of my success to franchisors, other franchisees, family members, and friends,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;Take any advice you receive to heart. Whether it is something small or large, listen to those who have experience.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Getting funding can be a major obstacle: Getting a bank loan is tough for everyone these days, but can be nearly impossible if you&rsquo;re young. Ligon tried to secure assistance from the bank, but his efforts were futile. So he took a huge gamble and applied for multiple credit cards that had special promotional rates. &ldquo;If the business had not grown [before] the cards&rsquo; special promotions ran out, I would have been held personally responsible to pay off the credit cards--with extremely high rates,&rdquo; explains Ligon. &ldquo;On the positive side, when everything did work out, I was building credit in the business&rsquo;s name and, because of that, I&rsquo;ve learned a great deal more about managing my credit.&rdquo;</p>
<p>You may face age discrimination: Although you feel like an adult because you own your own franchise, getting others to treat you like one may be difficult. Ligon frequently faces age discrimination. &ldquo;I once went into a local dog bakery to talk about cross-advertising, and the owner didn&rsquo;t take me seriously,&rdquo; recalls Ligon. &ldquo;I was just some young guy who picks up dog poop -- not even knowing or considering the fact that I was a business owner who spends thousands of dollars a year in advertising.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Are you thinking about buying a franchise? Before you do, read these pointers offered by attorney Cahn:</p>
<p>&ldquo;Measure whether you are willing to work within a system and follow it, with some room for experimentation and modification but always needing to get franchisor&rsquo;s approval for changes.&rdquo;</p>
<p><br />&ldquo;Discuss with the franchisor whether [he or she] has made changes in the operating system based on franchisee ideas and feedback and allowed franchisees to experiment with modifications on a short-term basis. In other words, will you just be an order-taker, or will there be entrepreneurial collaboration?&rdquo;</p>
<p><br />&ldquo;Do not rely on oral statements by franchise sales personnel about how much money franchisees make, what the profit margins are on certain product lines, or even how much money you need. For that information, rely on the Franchise Disclosure Document that the franchisor must provide you under law, and also what active and former franchisees tell you.&rdquo;</p>
<p>If you take these factors into account and go into it knowing what challenges you&rsquo;ll face, buying a franchise in your 20s can lead to great rewards.</p>
<p>Author: Sara Wilson<br />Source:<a href="http://www.allbusiness.com/franchises/buying-a-franchise/14808884-1.html"> AllBusiness</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=653</link><pubDate>2010-07-22 11:32:49</pubDate></item> <item><title>Navigate the Paper Trail: What Should the Franchise Agreement Include?</title><description><![CDATA[<p>The following information is inherent to an agreement:</p>
<p>It states that you're a part of the franchise and have a certain fixed fee to pay as part of the consideration. It has location provisions. The company will have the right to approve sites. If the company desires, it will have the right to go on a direct lease. In some instances, your franchise agreement might even be tied to a lease directly. The company will determine what the plans and specifications of the general location should be, and will provide that your equipment conform to company specifications.</p>
<p>By the same token, the company has the responsibility to assist you in site and equipment selection and in the general layout of your business, so you can have every opportunity to succeed. That's part of the franchisor's obligation and is stated in most franchise agreements. The agreement will have a section covering the use of the proprietary market and the use of the franchise name. Franchisors will provide that you may not contest their right to the use of that name and will also provide that you must notify the franchisor if somebody else is using the franchisor's name in your area. The agreement will require that you conform to the operating manual and use the products, systems and supplies specified by the company.</p>
<p>Here we get into an area of trust. For example, a franchisor can't require you to buy a product that's available at a better price somewhere else. That's in violation of antitrust laws. These laws have become a great concern to franchisors, since some have gone out of business because they violated those laws and were sued by franchisees.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/buyingafranchise/howtoguides/article36392-6.html">Entrepreneur</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=652</link><pubDate>2010-07-21 10:35:00</pubDate></item> <item><title>How to Make More of Your Franchise</title><description><![CDATA[<p>Have you considered being your own boss, making an assertive business move, and changing your life?&nbsp; Becoming a franchisee is exactly what you have been thinking about.&nbsp; One of the better things about adopting the mindset of an entrepreneur is &ldquo;the sky is the limit&rdquo; mentality.&nbsp; A franchise provides great opportunities, but the money making and growth does not have to stop there.</p>
<p>Entrepreneurs have the acumen for seeing possibilities.&nbsp; Multi-unit and multi-concept franchising introduces the next level of franchising.&nbsp; An aspiring franchisee sees opportunity and the multi-unit/multi-concept franchisee sees more opportunities.&nbsp;</p>
<p>What is multi-unit and multi-concept franchising?<br />Multi-unit franchising entails operating multiple stores stemming from a single franchisor.&nbsp; For instance, you may operate several Carvel Ice Cream shops in one region.&nbsp; Since you would be associated with the brand name, you are not competing against yourself (all the region&rsquo;s profits would be yours).&nbsp; You would be instilling the brand name into all the region&rsquo;s customers, so they would associate your shops with their craving for ice cream.</p>
<p>Multi-concept franchisees incorporate two distinct, yet related businesses.&nbsp; For instance, a flower business and catering business are related because catered affairs usually are complemented with floral arrangements.&nbsp; A positive aspect of this situation is that you could advertise for each business along with the other.</p>
<p>Concerns<br />As with any business venture, it is prudent to consider the negative side first.&nbsp; There will be some challenges in being a multi-unit/multi-concept franchisee.&nbsp; Having multiple affairs occurring at once will warrant more concern.</p>
<p>A franchisee will have to think about the right location, the right management team, and the right services in order for their venture to make a profit.&nbsp; Though it can be highly lucrative and enticing, franchising is not for everyone.&nbsp; It especially takes a highly ambitious and committed individual to branch-out from an original franchise enterprise.</p>
<p>A franchisee will have to assess if having multiple locations of the same franchise will be realistic considering the needs of the region.&nbsp; If the region is highly populated and spread-out, then the move can work.&nbsp; If the brand name is popular, having multiple stores will be profitable because there will be enough demand to complement the supply.</p>
<p>A franchisee looking to take advantage of multi-concept franchising will have to make sure that each business can help one another; otherwise, it would be similar to opening two, mutually exclusive businesses.&nbsp; As aforementioned, a catering and flower business could be easily complemented, but other combinations may not work as well.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Having multiple stores will mean that you cannot be everywhere at once.&nbsp; You will need a solid, dependable team of managers.&nbsp; This is not impossible to achieve, but it will mean releasing important responsibilities to others.&nbsp; The success of your ventures will be contingent on the managerial skills of others.</p>
<p>Advantages<br />There are many advantages to being engaged in multiple stores.&nbsp; Similar to investing money, it is better to allocate your assets.&nbsp; This way, if one business is not doing well at a certain time, that unfortunate occurrence may be countered by another store or business doing very well.&nbsp; <br />Having multiple stores of the same franchise can be advantageous if certain circumstances stymie the commerce of one store (natural disaster, construction, etc.).&nbsp; In the case of a certain industry not doing well (ice cream parlor in the winter), having a business in another industry will compensate for the dive in the other&rsquo;s revenue.</p>
<p>You can use extra cash from one store and use it to augment another store.&nbsp; For instance, maybe one store would greatly benefit from some new product testing.&nbsp; You can use money from one store to foster the enterprise of another. Having loyal employees means that you can ask them to cover shifts at other stores.&nbsp; This increases your possibilities and provides extra security in stressful situations (an employee quits, is sick, etc.).</p>
<p>Conclusion<br />Partaking in multi-unit and multi-concept franchising offers many opportunities.&nbsp; It is not for everyone, but can be quite lucrative.&nbsp; The most important thing to consider is doing research before making any definite moves.&nbsp; Match your best attributes with the right business franchise for you.</p>
<p>Source: FranchiseFetch.com</p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=651</link><pubDate>2010-07-21 10:22:35</pubDate></item> <item><title>The Arbitration Clause: Five Potential Pitfalls Franchisees Need to Be Aware Of </title><description><![CDATA[<p>Arbitration clauses in Franchise agreements are becoming the norm, but is that a good thing from a franchisee&rsquo;s perspective? Some franchisees hold the belief that, since the franchise agreement is drafted by the franchisor, any clause in the agreement must be to the benefit of the franchisor and to the detriment of the franchisee. This is not necessarily always true regarding an arbitration clause, but it can be, if a franchisee is not careful. Before agreeing to arbitrate a dispute, a franchisee needs to understand what arbitration entails, some of its pros and cons, and the five primary pitfalls to look for in an arbitration clause.</p>
<p>Simply put, arbitration is an alternative method of resolving a dispute between parties outside of court, in which a neutral third party (sometimes a panel of arbitrators) makes a decision that is typically binding and enforceable on the parties. Arbitration is a less formal process than court adjudication and does not require strict adherence to the rules of evidence that are otherwise applicable in court. For example, some arbitrators allow &ldquo;hearsay&rdquo; to be admitted into evidence.</p>
<p>Some of the &ldquo;pros&rdquo; of arbitration from a franchisee&rsquo;s perspective are that it generally results in a quicker and less expensive resolution of the dispute. However, the initial cost to file an arbitration proceeding can be much more expensive than filing an action in court--i.e. a couple thousand dollars versus a couple hundred dollars. Additionally, the flexibility of arbitration can benefit franchisees when the &ldquo;law&rdquo; is not particularly favorable, but the facts of the case are so egregious that an arbitrator may apply principles of equity and fairness to fashion relief for the franchisee. On the downside, the same flexibility sometimes results in an arbitrator ignoring the applicable law to the detriment of a franchisee. Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of arbitration is that the process is less adversarial in nature, which can be beneficial in the franchisor-franchisee context, especially when the parties may need to maintain a working relationship for years to come.</p>
<p>One of the &ldquo;cons&rdquo; of arbitration is that a franchisee waives the right to a jury trial. Even worse, if the arbitrator&rsquo;s decision is extremely unfavorable to the franchisee, the decision is generally not appealable, unless the award was the result of fraud, corruption or a &ldquo;manifest injustice of the law.&rdquo; Arbitration awards also have minimal precedential value--meaning that courts have no obligation to follow them in other cases with similar facts.</p>
<p>With these pros and cons in mind, franchisees need to be aware of the following five potential pitfalls that may appear in an arbitration clause drafted by a franchisor:</p>
<p>What rules govern the arbitration and how is the arbitrator selected? A franchisee needs to make sure that the rules governing the arbitration and the procedure for selecting an arbitrator(s) are neutral. For example, a franchisee would have a difficult time getting a fair shake where the sole arbitrator or all of the arbitrators were chosen from a list prepared only by the franchisor.</p>
<p>Is there a limitation on the remedies available to the franchisee? Franchisees need to be aware of franchise clauses that preclude an arbitrator from awarding punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded as a means of punishing the wrongdoer in situations where he or she acted intentionally or completely disregarded the rights of others. Franchisees also need to be suspect of clauses that alter the statute of limitations&mdash;the time in which a franchisee must bring an action or is otherwise barred forever.</p>
<p>Does the arbitration clause preclude joinder of parties or class arbitration? It is not uncommon for franchisors to include a provision limiting the right of the franchisee to join with other franchisees in the same action to resolve an issue common to them all. Often times, it is important for a franchisee to preserve the right to join with other franchisees in the resolution of a dispute because it allows them to pool their resources, where otherwise it may not be feasible for a single franchisee to arbitrate the dispute.</p>
<p>Where is the arbitration to take place? Franchisors usually choose a forum for the arbitration that is a convenient location for them, such as their principal place of business. This can pose a substantial hardship on franchisees in terms of cost, time and inconvenience if they are forced to travel to a distant location to resolve the dispute, which could take days to resolve.</p>
<p>Do any of the provisions give rights to the franchisor that the franchisee does not also enjoy? A franchisee should be wary anytime a franchisor reserves rights to itself that are not also available to the franchisee. Of particular importance is a clause that allows the franchisor to appeal the arbitration decision to a court, but which does not confer that right on the franchisee. The franchisor should not be allowed the proverbial &ldquo;second bite at the apple&rdquo; if the franchisee is not allowed the same opportunity.</p>
<p>Arbitration can be a reasonable way to resolve disputes between franchisors and franchisees, but it can also lead to unfair advantages for the franchisor if the franchisee is not careful. The preceding list is not inclusive of all the potential traps that a franchisee needs to be aware of. As always, before signing an arbitration agreement, a franchisee should seek the advice of an experienced franchisee attorney.</p>
<p><br />Source: <a href="http://www.bison.com/articles_LegalDady_02012006">Franchise Bison</a></p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=650</link><pubDate>2010-07-20 22:28:50</pubDate></item> <item><title>The Most Common Mistake Made by a Potential Franchise Owner</title><description><![CDATA[<p>When looking for a potential business or franchise there may be many questions that one asks themselves, we are going to look over one of the major mistakes that has been attributed to the franchise ideas not working and the potential owner losing out on their investment.</p>
<p>To make sure that the franchise is a success the franchise companies should make it as easy as possible for the potential franchisor to understand and avoid pitfalls when starting up their franchise ideas. All franchise companies will have a disclosure that details their responsibilities and the potential franchisors responsibilities, in this document there will be a part concerning 'past, current and future franchises'. This section should detail information about the present franchises that are currently operating under the franchise companies name.</p>
<p>It is vital that these franchises are discussed and gone through in detail. You must bring up any concerns that you may have with the current franchise ideas and what is currently happening with the franchises that are in operation. It will be beneficial if the franchisor gives you a tour of a current franchise that is operating, you should ask to see more than one franchise so that you can get a better idea of how each one works in different locations. Take notes when you are given this tour so that you can get back to the franchisor with any concerns you may have, you might ask questions on the tour but questions like 'how much money do you earn?' might be better directed straight at the franchisor instead of at the franchisee on the tour to avoid embarrassment.</p>
<p>When taking these tours or asking other franchise companies questions you must take into account if these franchisees are benefiting by helping solicit new franchisees. Many franchise companies give out extra incentives, sometimes cash, to franchisees to sell the franchise ideas to other potential candidates. It is best to ask them directly if they are benefiting from giving you these answers and information.</p>
<p>Other franchises under the same name must be contacted as well. These franchises that have not been used to solicit the franchise will be more beneficial as they will give you a clearer idea of the company and how they operate. Under the disclosure document there should be a list of these franchise companies. You must contact these companies as these will be an unbiased source of information, you will be able to get information that is not in the disclosure about the franchise through the questions you ask.</p>
<p>Ask questions such as, 'why this location?', 'have you been in business a long time?', 'are you doing well or not?', in regards to the last question find out why they are doing well, what strategies they have put in place and what sort of turnover they are achieving. You should also determine reasons why they are not doing well, question the franchise influences on the new franchisee, has there been enough support and has the franchisor done everything they said they would do?</p>
<p>Make sure you visit and talk to other franchise companies before investing in the franchise, not finding out this information is a major mistake that some potential franchisees make, don't let it be you.</p>
<p>If you are looking for your own online business then look at our franchise ideas with Kalmindon. We have created a franchise that can earn you a significant income when working from home.</p>
<p>Source: EzineArticles.com<br />Author: Paul Makepeace</p>]]></description><link>http://franchisealternatives.net/pages/articles_details.php?article_id=649</link><pubDate>2010-07-20 22:24:10</pubDate></item> </channel></rss>