Is franchise ownership for you?
Good evening Startup Nation visitors! Today we begin a 15-part, five week crash course that will help you…
From “mom & pop” to franchised business
I recently attended the annual International Franchise Expo in Washington, DC. It’s arguably the largest consumer trade show…
Your Home Based Business: A Franchise?
I have to start by commending all of the businesses that participated and ranked in StartupNation's inaugural Top…
2008 Franchisee Satisfaction Awards – Franchise Business Review
For the third year running, Franchise Business Review is hosting the Franchisee Satisfaction Awards. Each year, we pay…
A Day For Yourself …
It’s been a long few weeks … Let’s recap: Wk of Oct 8 – Business travel, home very…
Franchise Business Review releases 2007 Franchisee Benchmark Report
Have you considered investing in a franchise and just can't decide which one is right for you? As…
Marketing your franchise (or small business) to a moving target
My uncle and small business owner, Mark Burris, could be your typical 21st century businessman. Let's take a…
Graduate from college … and buy a franchise?
An article in today’s NY Times, Don’t Go West Young Man … Buy Yourself a Franchise Instead, asks…
Advertising Funds – Part II
Last week I posted a short opinion discussing advertising funds and the benefits and drawbacks associated with them…
Advertising funds for franchises – benefits and drawbacks
As part of many franchise agreements, franchisors require franchisees to contribute to an advertising fund. Sometimes these funds…
Home Based Franchising
With over 2,500 franchise concepts in the US alone, business owners are finding ways to appeal to investors.…
Apple’s new iPhone
Ravenous. That’s how I describe the scene today at SouthPark Mall in Charlotte, NC. My wife and I…
Richard Branson’s “Luck”
I just read this in the May 14 issue of The New Yorker and wanted to pass it…
Getting things done
Entrepreneurs are often go-getters; people that can do anything … for anyone … and, yes, sometimes overcommit. I…
Betting on the established brand or the hot, new franchise concept?
I am often asked whether or not it is a good idea to invest in a “hot, new…
Not Necessarily a Franchise
It’s a common misunderstanding that businesses with many locations are all franchises. In fact, many of the places…
Show Me the Money!
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked by someone thinking about investing in a franchise…
The ultimate form of entrepreneurship
A few questions to start: What are the keys to franchising? How do you (or I) know if…
Life is Short.
Last week was a tough week. Hundreds of people lost their lives in the escalating war in Iraq.…
Franchising for winners
From Dennis Hitzeman My friend Mike probably holds the world record for building the most winning teams. We…