A Tribute to Erv Keup, author of the Franchise Bible, by Rick Grossman.

Franchise industry legend Erwin "Erv" Keup

A Lifetime of Achievement: Remembering Erwin (Erv) Keup

By Rick Grossmann

When I was in college I had a small business.

I wanted to expand my business and was evaluating the different methods of business expansion when I was introduced to franchising in one of my classes. I immediately fell in love with the model and started researching different ways to franchise my existing business. At that time being a young college student, resources were tight and the options were few.

I contacted numerous franchise development companies, consultants, and attorneys just to find out that the investment was way beyond anything I could ever come up with. One day, I went into a bookstore and was searching in the business section for books on franchising when I came across Franchise Bible. The author was, of course, Erwin J. Keup. I read the book in one day and started putting together my thoughts and vision for a franchise.  Even though we were a young start up company and had very few resources, we believed we could really make a franchise happen.

On a long shot, I started a little primary research and looked on the back of the book and saw the picture of Erv Keup and his address. I was able to find his phone number with a little hard work and research (this was way before Google). I contacted his office and expected to leave a message. But, when I explained to his secretary what we were trying to do, he immediately took my call and graciously spent over an hour talking to me about our franchise model and shared some money saving tips and ideas to get us started. After we were able to have a few phone conversations, Erv volunteered to drive over 100 miles to Santa Barbara, which is where I lived. But he didn’t mind because his passion for franchising and the enthusiasm that we had made the trip worthwhile.

“Erv Keup’s passion for the franchise industry, the people who worked within it, and his overall belief in franchising and its contribution to the economy, has helped countless people realize their dreams through business ownership.” – Rick Grossman

He was able to show us cost effective ways to create our franchise model and was flexible with helping us put our franchise documents together. We launched our franchise and had successful growth over several years. We never would have been able to do it without the help and assistance and the belief that Erv Keup gave to us.

Erv and I quickly became friends and started working on other franchise projects over the years. Erv took me under his wing and acted as my mentor. He taught me the business. I then started my own franchise development and consulting company and Erv and I worked on many projects together over the years and became friends in the franchise business. We knew when our wives were tired of hearing us talk about franchising we could always call each other and spend hours talking about the ins and the outs of our industry.

At the end of last year, I decided that, as Erv entered into his retirement years, it would be a good time to nominate him for a lifetime achievement award. I started working on it several months before the end of 2011 in hopes to present it to him in November of 2011. Unfortunately, we were all surprised and shocked when Erv suddenly took ill and passed away on October 16, 2011.

Even on his deathbed, he was instructing his sons on how to finish the 7^th edition of Franchise Bible. Erv Keup’s passion for the franchise industry, the people who worked within it, and his overall belief in franchising and its contribution to the economy, has helped countless people realize their dreams through business ownership.

While crafting ideas for the Franchise Bible 7^th edition, Erv told me that he really wanted to emphasize how franchising is such a huge part of the backbone of America, such a part of the success of the American dream, and how it could be a big part of pulling us out of the current economic situation that we’re in today. Erv was a great man and he’ll be greatly missed. This lifetime achievement, remembering Erv Keup, is our dedication and memorial to a great franchise believer and to a man who was always there to aid others in the pursuit of their franchising dreams.

Erv was most proud of his loving family. He would often tell me stories of their many adventures.

He is survived by his wife Mary of 54 years, his eight children, and his 17 grandchildren.

He told me he often teased his kids that 17 grandchildren was a good start but if they followed his pattern he should have had 64.

I had the privilege of attending his funeral service and getting to know other members of his family. They are a family of strong believers in God and his service was a beautiful celebration of his life.

Erv Keup practiced franchise law for over 45 years and helped countless franchisors and franchisees through the discovery and evaluation processes both personally with his firm and through the Franchise Bible. The 7^th Edition of the Franchise Bible is due to be published by Entrpreneur Press in Fall of 2012 and it will be dedicated to the life and legacy of Erwin J. Keup.

Goodbye my friend.

Thank you for being my mentor.

-  Rick Grossmann

Did you know Erv Keup? Feel free to add a remembrance or comment below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Rick Grossman is founder and owner of franchise development firm Franchise Matchmaker.

Customized gifts with edible photographic images on chocolate
In the field of chocolate, where sales continue to soar, Chocolography is a unique opportunity. Print full color, high-resolution edible images on chocolate, and create customized gifts for a variety of markets, events and uses. Choose from flexible business models and growth plans for a personalized business experience. (See Video below.)
Concept Name: Chocolate printing system
Corporation Name: Chocolate Printing Company Inc
Opportunity Type: Business Opportunity
HQ location:  50 Inip Drive, Inwood, New York 11096, USA
Website URL: http://www.chocolography.com
Year Founded:  1998
Number of units: 200
Initial investment: 49K
Home-based Business? (Y/N): Both
Priority Markets for Expansion: Worldwide
Contact information: opportunity@chocolography.com

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Unique Gift Shop Franchise Featuring Customized Chocolate

The chocolate industry is a multibillion dollar phenomenon growing every minute. Tasty Image enables to print high resolution edible images on chocolate. Combine a hunger for custom gifts with a love of chocolate and you’re looking at a great career! Own a Tasty Image store of your very own and enjoy a fun career in a lucrative industry.
Name: Tasty Image

Franchisor Corporation Name: Keng Group, LLC

HQ location:  Jupiter, Florida

Website URL: Tasty Image franchise website

Year Founded: 2003

Year Franchised: 2010

Number of units, company: 3

Number of units, franchised: 3

Initial investment: 169K

Home-based Business? NO

Priority Markets for Expansion: Internationally as well as non-registration and filing states.

Contact information for franchise program: franchise@tastyimage.com or fax inquiry to +1-516-908-5335

Tasty Image  6390 W. Indiantown Road, Suite 54, Jupiter, Florida, 33458

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What do you like about Tasty Image and the Tasty Image franchise?

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Which frozen yogurt franchise chain is the best… and why?

We’re working on a report on the best frozen yogurt chains in America, and we want your input.

Which frozen yogurt chains should we include?

Which has the best frozen yogurt?  Which has the best toppings?

Which frozen yogurt franchise has the best customer experience?

Which frozen yogurt franchise is the best to own?

Which has the best concept?  Best brand image?

Which provides the best franchise support?

Please leave a comment below.  Gratuitous self-promotion encouraged – just tell us what makes your frozen yogurt franchise better than the rest.

What do you think of these frozen yogurt franchises:

Aspen Leaf Self Service Frozen Yogurt

Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt – 5 locations in California, including Dublin, Burlingame, Milpitas, San Francisco and Walnut Creek.

CeFiore Frozen Yogurt – Anyone know what happened with CeFiore?  CeFiore was one of the fastest growing froyo concepts.  It opened in 2006 and grew to over 30 locations in 2009.  The CeFiore website lists only 7 locations and the content hasn’t been updated since 2009. Cefiore is a subsidiary of worldwide seafood and sushi buffet franchise, Todai.

EarthFruits Frozen Yogurt – based in Salt Lake City, UT, this is a brand new,  environmental themed concept being developed by Sopra Brands.

Farr’s Fresh – based in Layton, Utah, Farr’s Fresh serves frozen yogurt, custard and ice cream.  They’ve got 6 locations in Utah.

Fiji Yogurt

FreshBerry Frozen Yogurt

Hogi Yogi Frozen Yogurt

Josie’s Frozen Yogurt

Ziing / Juice It Up Frozen yogurt

Menchies Frozen Yogurt

OrangeLeaf Frozen Yogurt

PinkBerry Frozen Yogurt

Red Mango Frozen Yogurt

16 Handles Frozen Yogurt

Spoon Me Frozen Yogurt

SunniBunni Frozen Yogurt

TCBY The Country’s Best Yogurt

Yoforia Frozen Yogurt

Yogli Mogli Frozen Yogurt – Based in Atlanta, GA, Yogli Mogli has 17 locations in Georgia and 1 in Illinois.  Yogli Mogli is self-serve and features 16 frozen yogurt flavors and 40+ toppings.

Yogurberry Frozen Yogurt

Yogurtini Frozen Yogurt

Yogurtland Frozen Yogurt – based in Anaheim, CA, Yogurtland has 149 locations and plans to open 550 new locations by 2015 (according to the Orange County Register).  Yogurtland opened its first store in Irvine, CA in 2006.  It has 17 locations in Mexico.

Yogurt Mountain Frozen Yogurt

Yoji Frozen Yogurt

U-Swirl Frozen Yogurt

Did we miss any?  Add your favorite below!

If you represent any of these frozen yogurt brands and would like to be included in an upcoming story, please email us at Fame@FranchisePublicity.com

SHARE YOUR FROZEN YOGURT OPINIONS, INFO AND WISDOM BELOW.  THANKS!