Jim Gibbs bought 80 acres years ago….built a summer home….and kept purchasing more and more land. He currently has 300 acres with 220 of those acres landscaped. To give you an idea of the extensive project this was….it is the largest Japanese Garden in the U.S. It took him 15 years to bonsai the 50-60 year old trees and 5 years just to find the “correct” rocks. He is a well known landscaper here in Atlanta…wish you could see him grinning from ear to ear as he shares this magical estate with folks from ALL over. Funny story, one of the fellows in the parking lot (most all volunteers are from BC) spoke to a couple last week that flew in from Australia on Wednesday, to visit the Gardens on Thursday, and were flying home the following day…Friday. We met folks from various states….the word is out.

Right now the daffodils are the big attraction. Various types will continue blooming for the next 4 weeks. Over the years they have planted 3,000,000 bulbs. When you consider how they multiply, and looking back at their invoices, Mr. Gibbs thinks the number is now over 20,000,000. From one focal point, we could see 13 acres of daffodils. I have a calendar from their website that tells when each of the various flowers/gardens will be in full bloom. We plan to visit weekly. Enjoy the peaceful, tranquil and beautiful Japanese Gardens!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jast9e7Iqhg

ENTERING A NEW BUSINESS -
The bad news is a company planning to franchise must realize it is entering a new business, offering an entirely different service (training & support) to entirely new customers (business owner-operators). This new business requires different skills, abilities and expertise. In the new business of franchising, it is critical to develop effective evaluation, documentation, mentoring, training and consulting skills.

THE FRANCHISE FEASIBILITY
An indispensable step before any franchise a business development program gets underway is an analysis of the concept and business model. Has the concept been sufficiently proven in the marketplace? How profitable are existing prototypes or company-owned outlets? Franchising will not solve existing problems, it will only intensify them. Franchising is not a way to raise capital, get rich quickly or expand a business with existing problems. There must be sufficient profitability in the business model so that royalty and other payments can be made and leave the franchise owner with a sufficient profit.

FRANCHISE STRATEGIC PLANNING
A successful franchise development program begins with a solid plan – a foundation for franchising. Often there is little or no strategic planning with new companies entering the franchise industry. T More important than a business plan is a strategic plan – a vision of the franchise program together with a limited number of concrete, achievable action steps.

FRANCHISE DOCUMENTATION
If your company made doing a good job at the planning stage its number one priority, franchise documentation goals will be apparent. Proprietary assets (like recipes, formulas, methods, branding, operating techniques and customer information) need to be identified and protected. A catchy and appropriate name, logo and tag lines are registered as trademarks or service marks.

A franchise operations manual and franchise training program are developed, often from scratch, to impart business day-to-day operating skills to franchise owners as well as ensure uniformity of products and services. The franchise operations manual and training program curriculum must be drafted or edited with a particular focus. Certain topics, chapters and policies used in manuals for company-owned locations, for example, are entirely inappropriate in a franchise environment, creating significant franchise liability issues.

Finally, and only after all of the above are underway, a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), similar to a securities prospectus

, is prepared by a competent franchise attorney. Doing it correctly and with a balanced, fair perspective can save going to the courtroom later. Using a boilerplate or online FDD template will almost certainly guarantee a visit to the courtroom down the road. Since these visits cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and up, they are not cheap and far out weigh the cost of doing it right to begin with.

Training the Franchise Management Team -
When the documentation phase is over, momentum gathers as the exciting implementation phase begins. This is where the sparks begin to fly as franchises are sold, new franchise owners are taught and trained, and opening assistance is provided. It’s also when most new franchise companies make serious mistakes that haunt them for years or even decades to come.

The reason: most new start-up franchise management teams have not been trained in how to properly operate their new business, nor can they afford to hire a six-figure, salaried person with franchise management experience. A more practical solution: provide new franchise companies with in-depth franchise training instructional workshops as well as on-going, as-needed advice based.
Tags: How to franchise, Franchise My Business, Starting a Franchise
Comments

Not a whole lot, and here’s why. You plan to franchise because you want to grow using others to fund the growth and others to manage that growth. It doesn’t really matter if the economy grows by 1% or 3%, that doesn’t change your desire and plan to franchise, right?

It doesn’t change a thing because you understand the real reason and appeal of franchising. You understand that selling only 4 Franchises will double your bottom line. And you know that ROI can’t be found in the corporate world.

So stop listening to and watching the news. Get on with your plans to franchise. You’ll be glad you did and your wife will be happy.

• How to find franchisees
• How to sell them on their particular franchise

With 10 million people out of work, you can easily find franchise buyers and people to sell franchises. After all, isn’t that what you’re aiming for?  To grow your business like you’ve dreamed of?

To find them, go where they hang out. Go to church help groups. Look on Craig’s List or Backpage. Talk to friends, family, neighbors. There’s even a group  that helps former military find jobs. Check them out on www.hirepatriots.com.

As you qualify potential franchisees, give them plenty of help when it comes to making the decision to join your organization. Provide area location analysis. Provide third party franchising. Show them how to develop their own Profit Analysis of your franchise.

Treat them like you would like to be treated and you will sell many more franchises.

We’re here to help.

My experience says that a reliable source of financing is the key.  And we happen to have two reliable sources for financing that will jump start your franchise sales. They are ready to provide the needed funds to increase the number of buyers that can buy a franchise.

So give Tom a call at 770-595-1055 and you’ll be on your way to successful franchise sales.

• You want to grow faster than opening other locations yourself
• You  want to grow using other’s capital & energy
• You want to grow without managing more employees

In today’s economy this is even more important as the unemployment figures approach 10%. More people are looking for a business to get into to replace their lost job or they just want to get out of the corporate rat race and work for themselves.

The lower the cost of a franchise, the more potential buyers you have. And the lower the cost, the better chance they have of being successful in replacing their job.

Franchising works for companies whose real net profit is enough to allow the franchisee to pay a Royalty Fee (usually 5-6% Gross Revenue), pay himself, and have enough leftover to earn a 20% return on his investment. These numbers will vary, according to the industry, but on average they provide a good yardstick.

I don’t know of another business model that works so successfully to double the bottom line of your business. By simply selling 3 to 5 franchises, you are able to double your profits.

Of course, you wonder if the franchisee will deliver the same quality and service that you do. This is a legitimate concern. The solution is good initial training and at least quarterly follow-ups. That is where your management skills come into play. Picking the right franchisee and good management follow-up will substantially increase the your franchisees chance of success.

Businesses that work with us find that we are:

• Affordable – We offer turnkey development for less than $20,000
• Fast – We can have you ready to sell franchises in 6 weeks and ready to train in another 6 weeks.
• Hands On – You work directly with your consultant, not a group.

Our company, Franchise ASAP, provides turnkey franchise development and we welcome the opportunity to share with you how franchising could substantially help you grow your business.

Check out our website www.franchiseasap.com and give us a call at 770-595-1055.