DailyFranchiseNews.com

Financing Still the Issue in Franchising but Creative Franchisors Still Get Results!

2011-12-07T14:30:27-06:00

Oh those mean bankers. What ARE they doing every day? Did you ever look at someone at work or in a post office and say to yourself "what DO they do all day"? Yeah well that's what I am asking along with millions of others. I will briefly repeat a story I posted last year--we bought an office--it was a foreclosure--it was a cash deal. It took 5 weeks for anyone to get back to us and it was a dude from the bank that owned the property--he asked me for my check stubs and all kinds of other things--I said "is this really necessary on a cash deal?" Dead silence for at least 90 seconds--then "oh, we'll call you back". And that didn't happen any time soon!

Sooooo that's what they are doing in banks all day. They certainly aren't lending money for small businesses or homes without your first born as collateral or any other kinds of funds. But this is what makes franchisors so amazing and entrepreneurial. They get creative. They branch out. They network. So still plenty of good concepts selling and opening. AllBusiness.com discusses in a great article.

Tasti D-Lite Acquires Planet Smoothie and Other Good Stuff for 2012

2011-12-02T11:18:12-06:00

Ok we have all gone through a hot mess between 2009 and 2011. I am not saying we had terrible earthquakes or disasters (although there were some of those too) but in the world of franchising--financing was tighter than a gymnast's butt! At the RFDC conference you heard a lot about it--but interestingly there were also many there doing deals--the place was hopping!

And now in a very creative move, Tasti D-Lite has acquired Planet Smoothie--both popular chains have lots of customer following but this way with a minimum of financing necessary they can each add the other's product to each franchisee's stores--increasing sales and choices for both their customer bases. A great way to grow a chain and with minimum expenses involved for the franchisees.

This is the new and creative way to keep your franchise concept successful and growing and I bet we see more innovation like this in 2012. With IFA having a powerful lobbying entity hopefully lending will finally get some movement--but leave it to the very entrepreneurial personalities of franchisors to figure out alternatives while they wait! (Pictured: TDL CEO Jim Amos enjoying his daily treat)

Franchise Community is Filled with Close Relationships

2011-11-27T22:59:45-06:00

We in franchising stick together pretty well. Some of the best relationships I have made over the last 28 years have been within the franchise community. When this blogger was ill I was pretty amazed at the amount of well wishes and support I received from clients, other suppliers, and various members of the world of franchising. And now many of us are doing that again for our friend Robert Stidham the founder of the very successful sales organization Franchise Dynamics. Robert is known to be one of the major pros in the area of franchise development and his company has skyrocketed since it's founding 5 years ago. But no success can stop life from, well, happening. Robert's son RJ was in a horrific car accident a few days before Thanksgiving in a car driven by his best friend. Both young men were seriously injured and are in the hospital. In the crazy busy world of Robert's business all of his clients and friends have stopped to support him in any way possible. We are all saying prayers for young RJ and Jeremiah that they may recover with minimal problems from this life-changing event. Any well wishers can send Robert a message at Rstidham@franchisedynamics.net

Salsarita's New Ownership About to Kick Some Butt!

2011-11-22T16:13:32-06:00

Yummy burritos, salads, tacos and pizza-you don't have to ask me twice. Just visited Salsarita's in Charlotte, NC--not only the HQ but the awesome location at the same address, 2908 Oak Lake Blvd. OK got to pick my fixins' and I tried a Mexican pizza, very thin crust with some hottish peppers on it--I say hottish because I am all about medium--don't want mild (what's the point?) but often can't handle hot--medium is perfect and so was this pizza. Just enough kick and flavor.

And the food and choices are going to get even better. Why am I not surprised? New owners and management Phil Friedman and Larry Reinstein, both big time food guys--are all excited to take this chain from good to great and grow this winner via franchising as they have done with some of the top names in the biz! Personally I cannot wait. In a cantina setting with margueritas and some awesome options--well it's a great lunch and after work destination for all ages! Now if we can just get some here--I mean like across the street from my offices for example!!

Woodhouse Day Spas -a Franchise I Would Love to Own

2011-11-18T11:31:23-06:00

Ok I am human--I have been in franchising for almost 30 years--if you are going to offer me one-well come on a SPA! Yes please :-) It's like a cruise franchise, you kind of think I will hire people to do the work and I will enjoy all the services every day and end up looking like I am 30 in a month. Oh if it only could be. But even without that dream how wonderful is it for a woman looking for a great business she wants to be around all the time or a couple who wants to divide up the chores (he markets, she runs spa?) I can think of many scenarios where this would be the ideal place to end up. The older I get the more I am asking myself--where do I want to spend each day? What environment would I like to be in for a possible 8 hours a day? This is definitely a contender!

PS: Daily Franchise News has a new look. We hope you like it.