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Posts in category Franchises

Researching the RIGHT franchise opportunity



The big brands are extraordinarily pervasive in the public eye – examples are typically in the restaurants vertical:

  • Papa Murphy’s
  • Dominos
  • Subway
  • Dunkin Donuts
  • Red Mango

Among other well-seasoned companies like:

  • Liberty Tax
  • UPS Store
  • Curves
  • Aamco

Literally, you could visit any industry vertical and find franchises that fit the need, but it’s more important to take the time to find one that actually meets your skills and interests.

One caution that has come up recently is the desire for franchise concepts to attract new franchisees by using special offers and incentives. This article outlines it quite nicely: Forbes.com.

Our point of view is to take a different approach; take time to really think about your budget, your willingness to take on debt, and your true capitalization (most importantly don’t reach and become under capitalized!). The best part about franchises is they have systems in place that reduce the risk to failure, but if you start in the wrong business due to an incentive that enticed you, or stretch your budget so thin you can’t crawl out of the hole, then you haven’t really helped yourself at all.

From a business ownership point of view, maybe you take a more responsible position, invest in a lower cost business – roll profits into a new opportunity and diversify your business holdings by acquiring another business a few years down the line.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Articles & Recent Posts

New addition to our top recommended franchises – Bio-One



The franchising industry is really unbelievable. Consider literally any job skill or interest and it can usually be met by some type of franchise.

We have a relative newcomer to the franchising world – and we think it is a remarkable fit for anyone who loves to work in their community: Bio-One Inc.

This is the world’s first crime scene cleaning franchise. They are well-known in the industry and are sought after by clients. This is a huge advantage over other franchises (especially cleaning and restoration) who have lots of competition for contracts. The biggest issue for most new start-ups is early sales success and building a portfolio of customers. I suspect that with Bio-One, the customers are calling because of the brand reputation (they are well-known in their field). That is not to say that typical business growth factors (like business networking and marketing) are not important; it’s the attraction of clients and ability to close deals that may make Bio-One special.

The main business for Bio-One is centered around bio-hazardous material cleanup, but the franchise is so much more than just cleaning up blood. They are known to clean up the stench from hoarders, hazardous cells & viruses, unattended deaths, odors, meth lab clean-up, and the list goes on. Just like other restoration services, the fees are often paid by insurance carriers – and the margins are typically 70% or greater.

Why not just start your own without the assistance of a franchisor?

It’s not easy to get into this industry. Check out the movie “Sunshine Cleaning” – a movie about two women who learn they can make some dough cleaning up crime scenes. Well they learn the hard way that cleaning up hazardous materials requires certification, special techniques, and the right relationships. But they also learn it’s quite lucrative! We suppose it’s possible to start on your own, but you will surely be fighting a strong uphill battle until profitability. With a low franchise fee and total investment, Bio-One takes all of the uncertainty out of this field and makes it possible for you to succeed by giving you all the tools and training you need.

We believe in this concept. If you have interest, we have a full cache of documentation and presentations to share, and we can make a direct introduction to the franchise developer and CEO of the company.

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $35,000 (10% discount for veterans)
  • Total Investment: About $59,000

Let us know if you are interested – We’ll give you all the details and set up a one-on-one conversation with this excellent franchise:

Articles & Recent Posts

WSI – We Simplify the Internet



We know a little about WSI – we actually own a franchise unit in our home state of Washington. What we love about this concept is the ability to build the business as we see fit, and the daily challenge of staying ahead of Google and the other search and social media services like Facebook. My wife runs this business and is succesfully building a business without sales or technical experience – the reason why this is possible is WSI is about relationships and solving business problems. While I wouldn’t recommend this business to everyone, it certainly does match the skill set of anyone who is a good people person and loves to learn new and interesting things every day.

How does this business work?

The WSI consultant (the franchisee) performs an IBA (Internet Business Analysis) for their clients, and through this process they learn together what the challenges of the business are – both as normal business challenges and those they face from the internet. The consultant then prepares a solution proposal for the customer, this includes setting prices appropriately and presenting the solution concept to the customer:

  • Social Media Marketing
  • Pay Per Click
  • New or redesigned website
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Content copywriting
  • and the list goes one…

The work is then performed by “production centers” which are smaller companies that specialize in completing jobs for WSI consultants

The profit margin is built into the mark-up over the production center- pricing and markup are under the control of the WSI consultant

Overall, we would say this is a challenging franchise, but we will say that WSI Corporate is excellent to work with, and their Franchise Disclosure Document contains the “Item 19″ earnings claim which proves this business has a ton of potential for the right candidate.

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $39,000+
  • No other financial requirements, although we recommend (from personal experience) to have $15,000 liquid for miscellaneous expenses during ramp-up period.

This is an excellent concept – and we are excited you found it. Please contact us – and remember we have many funding options for you if you do not have cash on hand.

 

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids



From the franchisor:

Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids is a brilliant formula for success. This family friendly business model is unique and profitable. The success proven business model is all about multiple sources of revenue that flow through franchise shops daily (haircuts, birthday parties, merchandise, karaoke, etc.).

What we really love about Sharkey’s is it’s agressiveness. They have continued to open stores during the “recession” and not used that as an excuse for throttling back the business. Instead, I get the sense they see the huge opportunity to capitalize on the market for an essential service: children’s hair cuts.

This is an extraordinarily successful concept – it’s a place where kids want to go, and a place that is pleasant for parents as well. It’s not just cutting hair, it’s hosting birthdays, merchandise, and so on. My mother owns a hair salon, and it is quite profitable; if she was able to have the income streams of Sharkey’s, she would probably choose to never retire (she’s 66 right now and still doing hair!) One of the great things about Sharkey’s is the service where mother/daughter, father/son can get their hair done at the same time. Great idea!

Bottom line, we think Sharkey’s is a well-oiled and motivated franchise that does extremely well. Territory is available all over the United States!

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $0
  • Cash Investment: $89,000
  • Total Investment Range: $99,000-$128,000

Contact us right away – this can be closer than you think! The main thing will be ability to invest, and we have lots of options for you!

Packaging and Shipping Specialists (P.A.S.S.)



I guess the first thing to say about P.A.S.S. is there is not a franchise fee or continual royalties like a typical franchise! Check out one of the testimonials from their website:

“We chose to buy into P.A.S.S. because, although it’s a franchise, we do not have to pay a monthly franchise fee. We also have the choice to change or add any service or product to our business as we feel. P.A.S.S. has been around for years, they offer quality service and quality products to their customers, a great training program, and a wonderful support team. The level of support P.A.S.S. has given us has been more than we could ask for. We have never felt belittled because of questions we’ve had, or hurried from training we received. When there has been a problem, P.A.S.S. has dealt with it efficiently. What we like most about being a franchisee is the amount of support we receive from P.A.S.S., and the fact that they don’t tell us we must have this or must do that. They suggest and we choose.” — Tim and Rhonda Vesterfelt, Michigan

There are over 700 stores in operation, and if you are in an area that has a post office, or only has a UPS store or Fedex Kinkos, you have an opportunity to have great success with Packing and Shipping Specialists! You have 100% control over your business and can choose what products and services you offer. I have found that being in the same area as a US Post Office is a remarkable opportunity, because nobody likes to go to the post office, and they do not offer the service that your store would provide, such as supplies, packing services, and most of all exemplary customer service. Your customers will have access to U.S. Mail, FedEx, UPS, plus any other services you want to add. Typical staffing is 2 persons, more part-time help during the peak holiday periods.

The founder, Mike Gallagher is continually praised for his excellent handling of new prospective owners – with 700+ stores opened, has the experience to help get your deal done. He also has streamlined the financing option!

Financials:

  • Typical store opening costs run around $91,000 – $139,000
  • No franchise fee
  • No ongoing royalties

If this sounds like a good fit for you, please contact us! We will assist you every step of the way. Remember, Mike Gallagher has excellent funding options, and because the investment is relatively low, we may have unsecured funding options for you.

 

 

OneClick Cleaners



Franchise Discovery Center loves OneClick Cleaners. If you have been following our articles, we recently posted an article about them, professing them to be one of the hottest franchises right now. Why is it hot? Since it is a new franchise, there is still open territory everywhere and the business model is extremely solid. Where else can you be a full service dry cleaner without the need to buy all the equipment and have to maintain a retail location? Our opinion of OneClick remains high – if you are in the market for a low cost franchise with great earning potential, consider OneClick Cleaners. Here’s some basic info provided by the franchisor:

Whether you have dreamed of the independence and success of owning your own profitable business or looking for a high yield investment, then OneClick Cleaners™ is for you!

  • Technology: the only dry cleaners to offer a unique interactive online customer sign up and account management system delivering new customers right to you.
  • Low Investment: Under 50K!
  • No store or machinery needed. We make success affordable.
  • High Margin: on average 50-75% return on gross revenue.
  • No Experience Necessary: complete and thorough training in a real world working environment.
  • Marketing & Advertising: we will provide our exclusive Customers First™ marketing strategy, advertising library and marketing materials to help you succeed.
  • Quick Start & Immediate Earnings: we’re dedicated to get you up and running in less than 90 days and profiting fast.  
  • Who will do the cleaning? Don’t worry, not you! Local established plants will handle all the actual cleaning allowing you time to focus on building your customer base and increasing your business.

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $45,000
  • Total Investment $52,000+

If OneClick Cleaners seems like it might be a good fit, please do not hesitate to contact us! Territories are limited!

 

Maui Wowi Coffee & Smoothies



What we really love about Maui Wowi is their Hawaiian spirit. True generosity and an always friendly disposition is what you get from Hawaiians and we feel that when we do business with Maui Wowi. Here is how they introduce their concept:

Maui Wowi is the only franchise that offers authentic, natural Hawaiian products, fresh-fruit smoothies, blended Hawaiian coffee beverages, and genuine Hawaiian lifestyle merchandise. Starbucks or Jamba Juice sound familiar? Catch the wave and discover the best of both worlds with Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees and Smoothies franchise opportunities. We’re certain once you’ve experienced our franchise system’s way of life and the Aloha Spirit, you’ll understand the Maui Wowi Hawaiian difference.

  • Simplicity – simple product, simple business model
  • Flexibility – different business models to fit different investment levels
  • Scalability – start small or supplemental or build an empire
  • Fun – a lifestyle rich franchise where a Hawaiian shirt and flip flops are our uniform
  • Collaboration – an “ohana” (Family) where the system has a voice
  • Potential for multiple revenue streams. One of the fastest growing franchises.
  • Strong multiple unit potential
  • Short ramp up time
  • Low fixed expenses and overhead
  • Low investment
  • Few employees
  • Unique name, theme and brand concept

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $36,000
  • Total Investment: $65,000 – $250,000 (depends on options selected!)
  • Net Worth Requirement: $150,000

If Maui Wowi sounds like a good fit for you (kind, generous, friendly) – then contact us for more information! We may have multiple funding options, including 100% unsecured funding!

IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness



In these tough times, we understand the potential financial ramifications of trying to start your own business. At IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness, we have taken out the guess work of creating and operating a fitness and nutrition franchise without the extravagant overhead and mundane business practices that are inherent in most health club and nutrition retail stores. You will love the difference the IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness Franchise System offers:

  • Size Flexibility: We offer two franchise models, Express and Standard. Our Express model for smaller more compact business. The Standard model competes with the larger club centers.
  • Large Rental Space Not Required: With a choice between franchise model sizes (Express or Standard), your IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness facility can range from approximately 500 square feet up to 3,000 square feet or more. This is still half the size of space needed for an average gym franchise.
  • Small Staff Required: With an average gym franchise, a large number of trainers, office personnel and retail staff is required for its operation. With an IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness franchise, you are given the secrets, training and sales techniques so you and a minimal staff of two other people can run your center for top performance. You may then hire additional trainers as you deem necessary.
  • Multiple Revenue Sources: Every IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness franchise contains store front retail operations. Our physical training centers have the ability to expand into additional optional services already in use by other IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness locations. You may expand your franchise to include juice bars, sports performance coaching, rehabilitation, physical therapy, massage, and aerobics and exercise apparel. You control your GROWTH!
  • Unique Market Niche: Our one-stop approach and high quality nutritional supplements appeals to the average consumer and the most sophisticated athletes. We designed IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness to be a private center for clients who do not like the environment of the big club crowds yet still desire the best in personal training.
  • Always Ahead of the Market: At IN2IT Nutrition & Fitness, we continue to research and test new products to bring clients the variety and quality they expect. It is very important for franchisees to benefit from our efforts so they may continue to penetrate their markets and retain valuable clients.

We really like IN2IT. It’s a fantastic concept and really shows that it makes sense to balance retail and service to ensure that you get predictable results as a business owner. The franchise has multiple starting point options, you can do an “Express” franchise which gives you a smaller footprint for the nutrition store or gym, or a complete 2 in 1 concept, allowing you to balance your business and investment. On top of all that, it’s affordably priced and goes after the customers that don’t want to visit 24 Hour Fitness or Gold’s Gym. That’s a huge demographic of customers for you!

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $20,000 (Express), $25,000 (Standard)
  • Total Investment Range: $75,000 to over $100,000
  • Minimum Net Worth: $150,000

If this franchise interests you, please contact us! We can help you find financing if needed, including 100% unsecured financing options.

 

Firestorm



Firestorm is a national leader in crisis management, vulnerability analysis, risk mitigation, and business continuity. Franchisees become the local face of Firestorm. Leads are supplied to each franchisee from Firestorm websites and managements’ speeches, webinars, our strategic partnerships with Grainger and other companies to introduce our franchisees to their customer base for Firestorm to write Business Continuity, Workplace Violence, Communicable Illness and other preparedness plans. Management, Staff and Expert Council of 100 nationally recognized experts in the field, online resource, brand recognition, support to work with the franchisee in building any plan. Firestorm offers franchisees the opportunity to take their management skills and use them to build a consulting business with recurring revenue with the entire US as their territory.

We have a strong opinion about Firestorm! Because I have a military background, as well as have been part of many disaster preparedness and planning exercises throughout my career, I have no doubt that Firestorm provides an amazing service to its customers. Consider all of the local events – even here in Seattle - we had rioting because of a May Day demonstration – the town was in turmoil and shock from the events. Many other examples from flooding, to fires, to violence and civil unrest are all reasons this business is needed. The fact is, most organizations and companies do not plan for the worst, and when it happens they are ill prepared. Firestorm solves this problem.

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $55,000
  • Required additional capital: $20,000 (for Fast Start package)

Next steps with this franchise would be to schedule a quick 1-on-1 with the franchisor to present the concept. You will be impressed if you have an interest in this line of work.

Contact us if you are interested – remember, we may be able to get you 100% unsecured financing!

 

Exteme Pita



Extreme Pita is a quick service restaurant featuring great tasting, healthy fast food made fresh. At the heart of our menu is the delicious Extreme Pita pocket sandwich with 10 chef inspired recipes and a make it your way option. We also use the Pita to make a delicious flat baked pita pizza featuring Pesto and Buffalo chicken and many other great toppings. We are the first QSR to offer fresh tossed salads made to order in front of the customer. Extreme Pita is very easy to operate and works in a 1200 SF space. Extreme Pita delivers on the health promise and gives people what they want; Healthy – Convenient – Fast Food that tastes great.

Our opinion of Extreme Pita: If you have ever been to all the various sandwich shops, you know that each has its quirks. The main issue with a quick serve sandwich shop is they fawn all over you to sell you a $5 sandwich. What I love about Extreme Pita is it gives the same type of look/feel from a customer point of view, but the product focuses on healthy choices. Buying a pita from Extreme Pita is a lot like a cross of Subway and Quizno’s. They have the toaster concept like at Quizno’s, but have the “toppings” options similar to Subway. Also like Subway, they have a low cost of ownership, but HIGHER price points for customers. I’d say the average ticket at Extreme Pita is about $10-12, where at Subway it’s probably closer to $7.

Financials:

  • Franchise Fee: $20,000
  • Total Investment: $70,000 and up, typically around $100,000.

We can help you get 100% unsecured financing, the business plan is also preapproved by the SBA. If you have any interest in this or any other concept, please contact us right away!

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