I recently attended the annual International Franchise Expo in Washington, DC. It’s arguably the largest consumer trade show for franchise opportunities, attracts around 10,000 – 15,000 attendees from around the globe (I remember hearing there were 19 delegations this year) and showcases around 250 different types of franchises. However, it amazes me how many people attend the show that already have a restaurant, retail business or service business who are thinking about franchising. One of the highlights of the event was my meeting with Ben Ali, founder of Ben’s Chili Bowl. Ben’s recently celebrated their 50th anniversary which is a huge accomplishment as they were one of the only buildings left standing during the DC riots in the 1970’s and 80’s. Since, business has thrived. If you haven’t been there, I highly encourage a visit.
Oh yeah … we’re not sure if Ben will decide to franchise or not. I’ll keep you posted.
