Top Characteristics For Franchise Business Success

Check out this article about some of the key personal charateristics that are ingredients for franchise success.

I would add another key personal characteristic is the ability to “delay gratification” because most franchise businesses are not profitable until their second year of operation. So get ready to be to defer taking long vacations or other big discretionary purchases. Consequently you should also make sure you have more than adequate working capitol to sustain operations while you are building the “critical mass” to reach profitability. As a business broker i cant tell you how many times I get calls from new franchise business owners who want to sell their new business because they have run out of working capital to keep the doors open.

You can view an A to Z list of legit franchise opportunities here

Will Stimilus Bill Create New Franchise Opportunities?

With the massive economic stimulus package recently passed, I was wondering whether some of the bill's spending provisions will likely spur or spawn new franchise and business opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Here are two industries that in my opinion look likely to benefit significantly and possibly create viable new business or franchise opportunities to service them:

Heath Care: According to what I have read, the economic stimulus package includes nearly $20 billion dollars to digitize or computerize health and medical records in the USA. I would think this could present some serious potential opportunities for entrepreneurs because obviously private companies will be involved in providing services for this enormous and long trem project. I mean, how many hospitals and private doctors offices are there in the US? Who is going to scan all of their records?

Solar Power & Green Consulting: From what I have read the new stimulus bill creates and maintains significant incentives to develop and use solar energy and other renewable energy resources. Its no secret that that one of the Obama administration's main economic goals is to foster renewable energy alternatives and to create "Green" jobs. Therefore i think its likely that new franchising concepts opportunities will arise to capture and service this emerging new market whether it be solar panel installation services, solar & green consulting, solar & green products stores, and more.


If you are looking for solar power companies in your state or local are check out Solar Power Directory USA.

New Footwear Franchise Opportunity Expanding - Flip Flop Shop

New Footwear Franchise Expanding:

Saw this article in the Houston Chronicle today about an interesting new retail foot wear franchising concept called the "Flip Flop Shop".

According to the article this new franchising concept based in Atlanta, has 4 stores, and has 6 franchise locations scheduled to open in the next 3 months. They are the only retailer that focuses on flip flops exclusively, which according to the article is a $20 billion dollar a year industry.

You can view more info here about Flip Flop Shop franchising opportunities.

Visit this niche franchise directoryu if you are looking to research other emerging and new franchises for sale in todays market place.

SBA Approved Franchise List

Where can you find a list of all SBA approved franchises?

The Franchise Registry provides a very comprehensive list of franchise opportunities who according their web site enjoy the advantages of a streamlined review process for SBA loan applications which should ultimately helps prospective franchise owners get approved for financing faster.

They also make it clear that this is a voluntary program for franchisers, and that just because a particular franchise opportunity is listed or not listed does not mean they are have been endorsed or have not been endorsed by the SBA.

Jamba Juice Franchise Expanding In Airports

Saw this press release from Jamba Juice (they specialize in juice beverages and healthy food) announcing the opening of several kiosk style franchise locations in major airports in NY, NJ, Colorado, NC, and OR.

This is smart play in my opinion, (even if the locations are not super profitable) because as we all know, airports tend to have a captive audience with lots of traffic providing a good way to increase exposure about a brand and the products they offer.

If you are interested in opening a food or restaurant franchise, check out www.foodfranchisesforsale.com

Worried About Job Security? Buy A Franchise Business

Job Security Today?

Read this very relevant article this morning from Asbury Park Press in New Jersey that explores how some workers in that state are buying franchises or starting their own business as a defensive strategy in this new economy where job security is tenuous at best.

The article talks about how starting your own business is obviously risky, but that more people today are willing to make that leap of faith because they feel more in control of their lives and economic destiny. The artcle also reccomends that prospective business owners find a business they can be passionate about, and to take the time to make adequate plans incliding writing a buisness plan.

If you are thinking about buying a franchise opportunity, visit premiefranchises.com for free info and list of featured opportunities.

Franchise Opportunities In USA By States

You can visit a page on AZfranchises.com that has directory of franchise opportunities in the USA for sale by individual states. Each US state page has a list of featured franchises and business opportunities that are available to qualified buyers in certain locations. Visitors can then visit profile pages of franchises and opportunities that may interest them and decide if they would like to request more no obligation information about the opportunity.

Coffee Franchiser Seeking New Franchise Owners

Saw this informative article about how coffee drinks franchiser Seattle's Best is seeking new franchisees to expand its franchise system.

Seattle's Best Coffee, which is owned by coffee giant Starbucks by the way, is seeking entrepreneurs and current franchise owners who want to open either a coffee Kiosk or cafe style unit that typically cost between $100k to $500k. The article notes that food franchises typically have profit margins of 10 to 15%, but that coffee franchise businesses can be as high as 20% because coffee drinks are mostly water.

Seattle's Best Coffee currently has about 55o locations, but only a few dozen are independent franchise owners according to the article.

Senior Care Businesses & Franchises Are Booming

Found this article from The Calgary Herald in Canada about how senior care related businesses and franchises are growing very quickly in Canada despite the slowing economy.

According to the article some of these companies such as Nurse Next Door Home Health Care Services are reporting franchise inquiries are up by 30% due to many people are looking for new careers after recently loosing their Jobs. Their is also a belief that business is also growing because many families are choosing in home care services to delay putting aging parents in very expensive assisted living facilities. And certainly the demographics of an aging baby boomer population is also very helpful.

You can check out some featured senior care franchises for sale here.

How To Buy A Job

With the current major economic downturn causing many industries in the USA and abroad to shed jobs at an alarming rate, many individuals are facing the prospect of tough and protracted search for new employment.

This new article talks about a tried and true alternative to seeking a job in a recession: Buy A Job.

How? By Buying an established small business or starting a franchise business. Read here about the process and advantages of pursuing this option.

What's A Recession Proof Franchise Opportunity?

View a new and timely article about recession proof franchises including the industries and business franchising categories that are considered to be recession resistant. Recession proof franchises and buisnesses generally offer products and services that are considerd non-discretionary and basic.

Some of the more well known franchising categories that are recession proof are:

• Senior Care
• Automotive services
• Hair Care
• Disaster Restoration & Mediation Services

You can view a featured list of recession proof frachises for sale here.

Are Some Franchises Just Fads?

I was asked this question the other day buy a client who was exploring opening either a new franchise or buying a small business because he was uncertain about the long term viability of the industry he worked in.

Unfortunately I had tell him in my opinion some franchising concepts recently launched in the last few years are definitely turning out to look like fads. One example is the meal or dinner preparation franchise concept. Personally I never got this concept from the get go because I guess im a guy and im single. But meal preparation services were marketed to consumers as a time saving convenience for busy moms or parents to prepare all meals for say a week times at the franchise location kitchen, and then freeze them, and serve the throughout the week. Most were charging monthly memberships to consumers.

There was an initial bust of rapid growth in 2003-2005 with Dream Dinners franchise leading the way with, and a host of copy cat franchises following. However from what I hear and have seen in my own market (Phoenix-metro) over that last few years, many meal prep franchise locations have closed or are closing at a rapid pace. From what I hear, many franchisees felt they were oversold on this concept as a proven business model, and unfortunately many have lost a good deal of money and have no chance or recouping their investment.

I guess one of the lessons I see here is to follow your instincts and ask yourself honestly whether a new “hot” franchise concept you are introduced to has the right ingredients to be a sustainable business concept and not just a passing fad. And of course, do your due diligence before investing in any franchise concept.

Solar Power Franchises

AZfranchises.com is looking for solar power franchises that are seeking to advertise their franchise opportunity offering for sale across the USA in its busy online franchising directory.

AZfranchises.com is part of the Redstone Advertising Network that offers targeted and cost effective advertising and lead generation packages to franchisers.

Franchisers Recruiting Unemployed Workers

Good and timely article here for from Pittsburg Business Times about how franchise companies are actively recruiting and marketing to workers who have recently joined the ranks of the unemployed due to the recession. Article tals about how many people are considering starting a franchise business as an alternative to looking for a new job, and that many franchisers are promoting recession proof or resistant franchises.

You can view a list of some featured recession proof franchises for sale here.

Health Care Franchises For Sale

Because of rising entrepreneurial interest in carving out and serving niche markets in the growing multi trillion dollar health care service industry in the USA, PremierFranchises.com announces it has added a new "Health Care Franchises" category to its growing online franchise opportunity directory. This catergory will feature franchise opportunties that service the health care industry including the fast growing senior care or assisted living services category.

Visit PremierFranchises.com to view dozens of different industry categiories of franchises for sale in the USA and beyond.

Liberty Tax Service #3 In Franchise 500

Liberty Tax Service Announce it has climbed to #3 on the latest Entrepreneur “Franchise 500.” List.

According to its recent press release, Liberty Tax Service continues to grow despite the current recession by offering franchise opportunities, long-term security, and new jobs. The company strongly believes that it offers a recession proof franchise opportunity because of the inevitability of taxes.

Liberty Tax has plans to expand its chain of franchise locations by adding 400 offices for a total of over 3,000 locations in the United States and Canada by mid-January 2009.

Read full press release

Request Liberty Tax Franchise Info

Recession Proof Businesses For Sale

For obvious reasons, PremierFranchises.com has added a new category to its on line franchise directory that features recession proof businesses for sale, most of which are established franchise opportunities in the Automotive, Tax preperation, and health care related categories.

Free Franchise Directory Link For Franchisers

Are you a franchiser or franchise company seeking to get relevant links back to your website to increase brand exposure? Visit Franchiseindustrydirectory.com to submit and request a free franchise directory link for your franchising concept.

New Senior Care Franchise Category Added

With a vast and aging baby boomer population set to retire over the next 2 decades, AZfranchises.com announces that it has added a new Senior care franchises for sale category to its busy online franchise and business opportunities directory. By all accounts, the market for senior care services (in home care, assisted living services, etc) is poised for explosive growth going forward, and franchise business that serve this market should benefit nicely.

Currently AZfranchises is featuring Assisted Living Locators in this category. This unique and fast growing senior care related franchise concept offers a service for individuals to to find, research, and tour Assisted Living facilities for loved ones in there geographic area. This is an affordable franchise business that has low overhead and is easy to operate. You can view and request more info about franchising opportunities with Assisted Living Locators here.

Why Use A Business Broker To Sell Your Existing Franchise?

One of the most efficient and painless ways to sell an existing business or franchise opportunity is to employ the services of a professional small business broker in you local area or city. Most Business Brokers are very dialed into their local small business market and have the experience that can ultimately save you valuable time, money, and aggravation.

Some other advantages of using a Professional Business Broker Include:

Confidentiality- Maintaining or protecting the confidential nature of the sale of your business is a major concern for many obvious reasons. Business Brokers are skilled and trained at protecting your confidentiality, and will only provide information about your business to prospective buyers who have been screened and pre-qualified.

Experienced Professionals- Professional Business Brokers have the training and experience to bring the sale of your business to a successful conclusion.

Negotiation- A professional Business Broker can provide invaluable assistance to the Seller in the process of negotiating the best possible price, terms, and conditions of a sale. This also includes the preparation of contracts and related closing documents.

Confidential & Professional Marketing- A professional Business Broker can help prepare a confidential business profile, and also provide valuable information and guidance on preparing your business for sale.

Visit this Business Broker Directory to find a professional small business broker in you state or local area.

Distribution Business Opportunities For Sale

View and research a list distribution business opportunities for sale on AZfranchises.com This includes categories such as exclusive product (including food, beverages, and more) and equipment distribution lines and more.

Free Small Business Calculator Updated

Curious about how much your small existing business might be worth today?

Check out this recently updated (new business categories have been added) and totally free online business valuation calculator. Although its designed for research purposes only, its a handy tool that should give you a rough idea or starting point to help determine an asking price for your business if you should decide to sell.

Residual Income Franchise Opportunities

Checkout this list of featured residual income franchises and business opportunities that offer the advantage of being able to build or develop a reoccurring revenue stream and profit center for its owners.

Important Note: Established businesses that have a verifiable residual income stream are generally easier to sell and get higher business valuations.