Tag Archives: franchises

Moansan: The Business Opportunity for Animal Lovers

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Moansan is the unique provider of ProVetLogic sanitation products. The company started in 2009 as a developer of continuing education for the veterinary medical industry. ProVetLogic has quickly grown to become one of the most recognized providers of educational programs and product solutions for the professional animal care providers nationwide.

Moansan provides education for the animal care industry, including vets, shelters, hospitals, zoos, stables, groomers, kennels, boarding, and trainers. The annual turnover in the professional animal care industry is 25% to 30%, and the cost of training a new hire employee can range from $4000.00 to $6000.00. Providing training to new-hire employees and continuing education to existing employees can be both costly and time consuming. But have no fear, Moansan is here! The ProVetLogic Educational Support Team has created and offers a variety of educational support options including free online educational coruses, onsite “Launch & Learn” programs, training manuals, and online Q & A support.

Moansan has a mission: to make the animal world a better place through education and through the introduction of products that are designed to create a safer and healthier environment for animals and their care providers. They are clearly doing something right – Moansan now has a 90%+ brand recognition with veterinarians in the animal care industry.

How can you become a part of this successful business? Moansan is a licensed/distributor business, which may be as small as one vehicle or as large as 50 or more vehicles. If you are looking to work in the animal industry and have a love for animals’ well-being, it is worth considering owning a business in the world of preventive animal health care. If you are currently engaged in distribution of products or services for this industry and would like to participate in these new technologies, large scale opportunities are also available. High margins from distributor wholesale to retail (40-50%) make Moansan a very profitable business with positive cash flow.

Interested in learning more about business opportunities with Moansan? Check them out here!

The Importance of Diversification

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Many feel that if managed properly, owning a diverse set of businesses can help insulate against business peaks and troughs in the market. Many wealth planners will generally present diversification models to allow the purchase of multiple asset classes such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Diversification in the franchise industry is different. Franchisees can diversify within a particular industry by acquiring different brands.  Diversifying within the same industry, such as the buying several different restaurant brands, still allows the franchisee to apply the same basic infrastructure to their business.

This strategy of franchising helps spread the risk from a franchisee’s perspective. If the demography of existing brands and new brands are vastly different, there becomes an opportunity to cross-market both products and knowledge. Aziz Hashim, the president and CEO of NRD Holdings, LLC, highlights a smart way to diversify in his recent piece in Franchising World about this topic, stating that “The most effective way to execute a diversification strategy is to identify opportunities in new sectors where the operational complexity is generally lower than the existing operations so as to not dilute the franchisee’s time and focus, where at least some existing infrastructure can be leveraged and ideally where there are natural synergies through complementary service offerings and similar demographic.” Complementary service offerings can play a key role in expanding your opportunities and create growth.

Do you own a diverse set of businesses? We would love to hear feedback from you!

Using LinkedIn For Your Business?

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I have been paying a closer attention lately to the way in which franchise professionals utilize social media platforms. Specifically this week, I wanted to take a closer look at how LinkedIn is being used in the franchise industry. LinkedIn is a hot topic in the social networking realm right now. Everyone wants to know how to best leverage LinkedIn for their various needs. Franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers all see opportunity in the networking site, but many question how exactly they can use the platform to their benefit.

With a database of more than 238 million individuals, LinkedIn provides a great pool of prospective franchisees and customers. How can franchise professionals tap into this resource? They can start with their profile page. A new article in Franchising World’s November issue gives some tips about how you should go about revamping your page. First, look at your page from an outsider’s view. Does it read like a resume? If you’re seeking employment, that is one thing. But if you are not, it may be time to rewrite your profile to target whichever prospect or customer or prospective employee that you would like to engage.  People are using LinkedIn to better know you. You must actively choose a message: what do you want people to know about you and your company?

The article says that as you read through your LinkedIn profile, you must ask yourself whether your profile answers these questions that the reader may have:

–          Should I pay this person money?

–          Can I trust this person?

–          Can this person help me with my objectives (franchise ownership, employment, doing business)?

–          What benefits does this person and his company provide?

–          Does this person have the ability to help me make a significant decision?

–          Does this person look trustworthy and credible?

 

What is all really comes down to is making your profile a welcome mat to your company. You want to seem approachable, communicable and transparent. People want to do business with people they like and feel at ease with. Let your LinkedIn profile be a peak into your company’s missions and future goals. What LinkedIn tips do you have for fellow franchise professionals?

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Acknowledged on Entreprenuer’s 35th Annual Franchise 500

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Maui Wowi Hawaiian, a dual concept specializing in fresh fruit smoothies and premium specialty coffee beverages, has been recognized in the 35th Annual Franchise 500 by Entrepreneur Magazine, a national business publication and industry leader. Maintaining a continued presence on the highly esteemed list, Maui Wowi Hawaiian met the objective and quantifiable criteria required for selection.

“Having the pleasure of being recognized by such a prestigious listing is a testament to the growth of our brand and stability of our proven system,” said Mike Weinberger, CEO of Maui Wowi Hawaiian. “It’s a cumulative effort from each one of our outstanding franchisees, who represent the true values of our company. They are committed to bringing the Aloha Spirit into everything they do in order to provide our customers with the best experience possible.”

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 is a compilation of some of the top companies who represent a wide range of franchise segments and opportunities. The list is based on a comprehensive vetting process of financial and statistical data and is intended to be used as a research tool to compare franchise operations, according to Entrepreneur.

With over 30 years of industry experience, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has earned an impressive reputation. The company has been selected in recent years as a Low-Cost Franchise, Military Friendly Franchise, and Top Global Franchise. Differentiating itself from others by offering several different business models, Maui Wowi Hawaiian aims to make it possible for entrepreneurs to fulfill a lifelong dream of business ownership. The company capped off 2013 with two new fixed store locations on the East Coast and is preparing for even more expansion in 2014.

Do you have a Maui Wowi in your area? Leave comments below!

Technology and Franchising: The Future in Google Glass

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Franchising World, the International Franchise Association’s official magazine, published a really interesting article this month about Google Glass and the role it will play in franchising in the future.

As many know, Glass is the latest in technology innovation: a sleek (albeit slightly dorky looking) pair of glasses that acts like a smart phone. You can take phone calls, read and send emails or text messages, search the internet, translate simple phrases, receive turn-by-turn directions, take pictures, record videos, post updates to social media sites, automatically track your flight status or other events, and even make video calls. When you place the device on your head, a small display hovers just in front of your right eye (not in front of it, so you can still see normally.) There is a small touchpad on the side of the glasses’ frame that allows you to navigate its computing platform.

If all of that isn’t enough, technology analysts are now looking at the way that this device could eventually change hyperlocal marketing as we know it. What are some of the ways that they might change the franchising industry? Here are some of the speculations Ken Colburn has:

1. Training. The device could reduce the cost of creating video training libraries. With the ability to record high-definition videos from the first person perspective, training videos no longer need to be filmed by an expensive videographer. First-person training videos could capture point-of-sale interactions. Just by having seasoned employees wear Glass for a couple of hours, you could have a bunch of great, real footage for new employees. Trainees could also wear the glasses during their first few shifts, with the manual or reminders available literally right in front of their eyes.

 

2. Field Support. Glass makes it easy to gather information, complete with time and date stamps. Field support teams could quite easily document their visits with photographs, videos and verbal notes that can be backed up to Google’s cloud resources. The possibilities are almost endless.

 

3. Marketing.  Here’s where the money is at. Apps on Glass can alert users on local points of interest based on their location. For example, an app called Field Trip currently makes a sound every time you walk past a historical site. This technology could help franchises bring advertisements and coupons closer than ever.

 

While Glass is nowhere near its prime yet, as the technology evolves, I can expect we will see big things. The device’s technology offers a whole new platform for franchises to utilize. What do you think is in its future?

Leave thoughts below!

Franchise Real Estate Trends that You’ve Got to Check Out

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I recently read an article in Franchise Times (“Eight trends top the year’s list of big stories in real estate” by Beth Mattson-Teig) about real estate trends among franchises around the world. Some very interesting trends (including oddball locations such as a Subway store on a German riverboat) make the list and give franchisees a glimpse into the vast possibilities of location, location, location.

The list is as follows:

1. Top Towns
This one isn’t very surprising. Cities on the short list for expansion are those who are ahead of the curve in economic recovery. Interestingly, the article reports that retailers are now looking into “second-tier” markets for development now more than ever, as opposed to large, central cities. Growing cities provide opportunities at lower costs.

2. Think Global
Franchisors are accelerating international growth plans, expanding to emerging markets in Asia and South America. The expansion doesn’t stop there however, as other major franchises are targeting expansion in Russia and sub-Saharan Africa.

 3. Tenants Rule
Due to an excess of vacant space in many cities across the US, many landlords are offering rent discounts and concessions, such as more tenant improvement dollar. While the retail sector is improving, the vacancy rate at neighborhood and community shopping centers is just 60 basis points below the sector’s all time high of 11.1% in 2011, according to Reis Inc.

4. Tech Talk
TV screens are no longer exclusive to sports bars. They are now popping up in a wide array of franchises. Apparently, people report they like the white noise of televisions while they are in a restaurant or bar. Whatever is on television provides a talking point for people socializing with one another as well.

 5. Smaller Footprints
This is a big one. Restaurants and retail groups are now expanding with smaller store footprints. There is currently a drive in America to return to local, mom-and-pop stores. By franchises switching to spaces with smaller square footage, they provide more of a small store feel and less “big box.”

 6. Against the Grain
Non-traditional locations such as college campuses and baseball stadiums are by no means a new trend, but franchises lately have also been finding great success in other high-traffic areas such as inside of convenience stores, as well as at amusement parks, train stations, and hospitals.

 7. Back in Action
While new construction projects were far and few in-between during the recession, the one exception has been outlet malls, which have an estimated 20 million square feet of new projects either proposed or underway, according to Marcus & Millichap.

8. Designs To Go
Lastly, there is a growing demand in our country for home meal replacement. Busy families are driving more business to restaurants that offer quick take-out delivery. Because of this, more focus is being paid to designing for the “to go” service, with marked parking spots for people using the service, and dedicated windows for such orders. Designing buildings with separate entrance and pick-up counters from the rest of the restaurant is on the rise.

 

Community Outreach: What is your business doing for your community?

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Recent studies are showing that volunteer rates in America are on the rise. A 2012 study by the U.S. Corporation for National and Community Service found that two-out-of-three citizens serve their communities today and those numbers are increasing each year. Sociologists believe we are seeing a shift in many parts of the country where people are returning to focusing on their smaller communities, through supporting local goods and services, as well their local nonprofits.

Why is this important to national franchises? Any smart business should follow sociological trends. Therefore, national franchise systems are challenged to create a local presence in their community. People want their neighbor Doug running the shop down the road, contributing to the local economy, and therefore national franchises should encourage their independent locations to run as such. The way to do this is through community outreach.

Community outreach shows the public that you ARE a part of the community. While you may be part of a large national company, you are living, working, and investing in the individual communities you serve. By franchise systems partnering with local charities, they show the community that they care about the individual communities they operate within.

“Building a Company Culture for Community Outreach” a recent article in Franchising World, by Robert A. Funk, gives guidelines for how to go about making community relations an important part of your business’s culture. Here are a few I especially liked:

1)      Communicate Core Values

First and foremost, you have to set direction, with both a mission and a vision. Market yourself as a philanthropic company, and use social media to show what you’re doing for your local charities.

 

2)      Financial Contributions

At the corporate level, franchises can supply grants to community projects, as well as local initiatives and programs that support their charitable mission.

 

3)      Engage Your Customers

People want to purchase from a business that is sincere and authentic about giving. Franchises can ask customers to directly donate to the cause, making them feel just as much a part of the giving as the franchise itself.

Franchises & The Law: How Liable is a Franchise for Actions of Franchisees’ Employees?

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Patterson v. Domino’s Pizza, LLC, the California case that involves a sexual harassment claim by a franchisee’s employee once again raises the question whether a franchisor can be deemed a franchisee’s “employer” for certain purposes. Patterson, a Domino’s employee claimed that her assistant manager both sexually harassed and sexually assaulted her. When filing suit, Patterson listed both the franchisee and Domino’s liable for her sexual harassment. The reasoning behind this was that both the franchisee AND Domino’s were the supervisor’s “employers”, and therefore made them vicariously liable for his actions.

The appellate court was faced with a challenge: how liable is a franchise for the actions of individual franchisees’ employees? The appellate court stated that the “franchisors interest in the reputation of its entire system allows it to exercise certain controls over the enterprise without running the risk of transforming its independent contractor franchisee into an agent.” However, the court went on to explain that although this is generally true, because of this substantial control over franchisee’s local operation as well as management-employee, the franchisor can be subject to vicarious liability. The franchisee’s testimony stressed this issue of control, as he said that he had to abide by the hiring and firing rules given by the Domino’s area representative. California’s court decided that Domino’s actually can be liable for sexual harassment of a franchisee’s employee. (2012 Cal. App. LEXIS 753)

What does this mean for franchisees? Franchisees can certainly have a specific disclaimer for employment relationships to help protect them from liability. It could also be a reminder for franchisors everywhere to review their operations manuals and determine standards for what a franchisor actually has control, and therefore potential liability, over. I can only imagine that this case, along with several others in the past few years in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Florida, has made franchises more cognizant about sexual harassment laws and regulations.

What do you think about the ruling of this case? How much liability should a franchisor hold? Does a franchisor’s right to set standards for franchisees’ employees’ appearance and its involvement in hiring and firing decisions make them reliable for sexual harassment cases? Leave your opinions below!

Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies Sails into Southwest Florida with New Location

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Maui Wowi Hawaiian is spreading fast as it prepares to open another store in the Sunshine State at the Miromar Outlets in Southwest Florida. Maui Wowi specializes in serving freshly blended fruit smoothies alongside a line of premium roasted Hawaiian coffees. Franchise owner Muhamad Barazi will soon be sharing the Maui Wowi products with shoppers and visitors this fall.

 
“Maui Wowi is all about people being happy and enjoying healthy beverages,” said Barazi. “I believe in the coffee and smoothie business and am ready to dive in and get involved; it’s not in my nature to sit down.”

 
This new store at Miromar Outlets will be Barazi’s first location. The outdoor shopping center features over 120 retail outlets and was recently voted best shopping mall in Southwest Florida. Located at 10801 Corkscrew Rd. in Estero between Naples and Fort Myers, the beautiful beaches and palm tree lined streets of the surrounding area make it an ideal destination for Maui Wowi.

 
For over 30 years, the company has proven itself as a leader in the beverage market with its unique dual concept, high quality beverages and authentic Hawaiian products. The smoothies are gluten-free and made using all natural ingredients, making them stand out from the competition.

 
Barazi’s Maui Wowi store will be opening this fall on the heels of three other Maui Wowi locations. The most recent store to open is also located in Florida in the bustling community of Boynton Beach. Two other stores are set to open in the coming weeks in Wantagh, N.Y. and Mt. Juliet, Tenn. In addition to the thriving retail model, Maui Wowi adds to the diversity of its concept with a mobile unit, known as the Ka’anapali Cart, which can be found at events,venues, and catered functions throughout the country.

 
For more information about this location or franchising with Maui Wowi Hawaiian, please visit http://franchisebuy.com/franchise/Maui-Wowi-Hawaiian-Coffees-and-Smoothies.

 

 

About Maui Wowi Hawaiian Coffees & Smoothies:
Since 1982, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has embraced the Hawaiian culture and has been serving paradise in a cup since the day it began, 30 years ago. From event carts, mall kiosks and stand-alone retail locations Maui Wowi Hawaiian offers premium, all-natural, gluten-free, fresh-fruit smoothies, as well as gourmet Hawaiian coffees and espresso beverages. With over 400 operating units in eight countries, Maui Wowi Hawaiian has truly gone “Global” by adding an online store, shop.mauiwowi.com. Now customers from anywhere in the world can experience the prized-gourmet Hawaiian coffees and taste the ‘Aloha Spirit’ with a ‘Click-of-a button!’ To learn more information about Maui Wowi Hawaiian’s, products, locations, or flexible, low cost franchising opportunities, visit http://franchisebuy.com/franchise/Maui-Wowi-Hawaiian-Coffees-and-Smoothies.

Join Club Z! And Cash In On the 10 Billion Dollar Tutoring and Test Prep Market

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No Experience Necessary.

Club Z! In-Home Tutoring is seeking professionals that possess strong management skills. Their franchise owners do not need prior tutoring/education related experience to be successful. In fact, their top producing franchises have come from various industries completely unrelated to Education.


Their owners don’t tutor or teach. 

Club Z! franchise owners manage a staff of tutors that provide one on one instruction for students and business professionals in the comfort and convenience of the student’s home at an extremely competitive rate. If you have a desire to start a business of your own, follow a proven business plan, and want to team up with industry leaders, then Club Z! could be for you.

 

The Opportunity.

The private tutoring market continues to boom, even in a soft economy. The tutoring market in the United States is estimated at over 9 billion dollars a year. Worldwide, the tutoring market is projected to reach 100 Billion dollars by the year 2017.  The main reason for growth is colleges and universities becoming increasingly selective in whom they will admit.  This is and will continue to be a key market driver for years to come.

 

Are You Ready to take control of your Future?

 Club Z! has made Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual Top 500 Franchise List for the last 7 years:

  • #1 In Home Tutoring Company (2010)
  • #101 Overall Franchise 500 (2010)
  • #29 Top Homebased Franchises
  • #27 Low-Cost Franchises
  • #83 America’s Top Global Franchises
  • #9 Top New Ranking (2009)

 

The Club Z! Advantage.

Club Z! has designed their franchise to be among the most reasonable in the tutoring industry. Their franchise package is currently $29,750. An additional $6,000 to $10,000 is needed for start-up expenses and advertising. For more information on how to start your own Club Z! franchise, please visit: http://franchisebuy.com/franchise/CLUB-Z-IN-HOME-TUTORING.