DailyFranchiseNews.com

In Memoriam

Never was there a classier gentleman than Lew Rudnick—in the franchise community or anywhere else for that matter. Lew did SO much for the IFA and for all of us who knew him. His amazing parties and dinners at the annual conventions were legendary for their high quality—just as he was a high quality lawyer and human being. Always a smile and pleasant greeting for everyone, the man was a pioneer, a soft-spoken “gentle giant” in his industry. The knowledge and wisdom he took with him will go unmatched. Lew, you will be sorely missed by this blogger and so many of your other friends in and out of the franchise community. Our hearts, sympathy and prayers go to your family, my old friend.

Out of respect to Lew Rudnick and his family DailyFranchiseNews.com will not be updating content Thursday and Friday and will return Monday.

Do-It-Yourself...Now with Help

During a time when it seems like it’s every man or woman for themselves, there are still businesses out there that hold customer service and satisfaction as their top priority.

The Roseville Press-Tribune reported that Sean Fisher owns three of those businesses – Tile Outlet Always in Stock in Roseville, Rocklin and Citrus Heights, California. With more people looking to save money in the down economy and turning to do-it-yourself home improvements, Fisher has been offering videos and hands-on help for those looking to improve their homes in addition to his already outstanding products and services. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, homeowners who make moderate improvements to their kitchen can expect to see a 99 percent return on their investment and a 91 percent return for a remodeled bathroom. From floors to kitchens to bathrooms, tile can add a lot of value to a home for relatively cheap investment. “Now’s the time (to update),” Fisher said. “Be smart; if you don’t have the money, don’t spend the money. But if you have it, spend it, because that’ll help move the economy along. Our culture is hungry for customer service. When people come into my stores, I’m on your side, and I’m here to help you. I just want to educate you so you can be confident with the purchase you make.”

That even includes helping customers find someone else to help them when the project is beyond their abilities to do it on their own. Fisher encourages people who are looking to do a big job and have the money, to hire a contractor, which is just what Bill and Ruth Enloe of Rocklin did. Though they’ve laid down bathroom tile on their own before, when undertaking the kitchen remodel, the Enloes got a great price on a contractor recommended by Fisher. “Now is the time to use contractors because they’re hungry,” said Ruth Enloe, who loves her new kitchen, complete with granite countertops. “It looks great. We’re probably going to stay here for many more years, but if we don’t, it’s great for resale.”

The Time for Growth is Now!

Think selling franchises in this economy is difficult? Think again!

Franchise Update reported that many franchisors consider the current economic climate as a great time to grow. "We're running diametrically opposite the economy," says Jerry Laesser, Martinizing Dry Cleaning's vice president of marketing and franchise development. Considered an upscale dry cleaning service, the brand "always was recession-resistant," says Laesser.

In addition to Martinizing, other franchises continuing their success areAaron's Sales & Lease, i9 Sports, Baker Bros and Flip Flop Shops. All of these franchisors consider having a passion for their products, along with deep concern for their franchisees, as keys to growth in a down economy. "This isn't just a sales organization. We own and operate stores and understand what it's like to be operators," says Darin Kraestch, one of Flip Flop Shops’ founders. As for the economy, says Laesser, franchisors have to spread the word to prospective franchisees that "there is still funding available. Lots of people don't realize that."

Check out the rest of the article here; lots of good stuff!

She's the News Now

What’s it like to go from working for a newspaper to actually making the headlines yourself? 10 til 2 owner Dena Greenawalt can tell you.

EVliving.com reported that for over 20 years, Greenawalt worked for a number of publications including the Arizona Republic and the Rocky Mountain News managing advertising, operations and online media. Though she enjoyed her work, she left the newspaper industry in March of 2006 for a year - during which time she worked as an independent consultant and a jewelry representative for Silpada Designs - before returning to the corporate world in June of 2007 as the vice president of operations for The Bump Media, Inc., a website and reference guide geared toward new and expectant mothers. The site took off - so much so that it was acquired by The Knot in early 2008 - but while The Bump Media Inc. was a huge success and allowed Greenawalt to use her skills from the newspaper industry, she craved more time at home with her son, Connor.

“I was so busy with work that I was barely at home and knew that definitely had to change,” said Greenawalt. “My career had always taken priority in my life, so I began looking for careers that utilized my past experience while still allowing me enough flexibility to spend more time with my family. More and more professionals, like me, are looking for a better work-life balance and the placements I would be able to offer them through 10 til 2 would provide just that.”

Since opening for business in November, Greenawalt has been operating both her Silpada Designs business and 10 til 2, the latter through which she has placed many individuals at a variety of small- and medium-sized businesses throughout Mesa and Tempe and hopes to continue growing both her clientele and candidate base well into the future. “10 til 2 makes sense for many reasons - to candidates that want a career with flexibility and companies that need qualified professionals on a long-term part-time basis - and I’m confident that this business will have a true impact on the lives of so many individuals,” said Greenawalt.

Painting the Town Red (and Blue and Green)

Do you know what the retirement age is? Trick question!

The Tri-Lakes Tribune reported that people are choosing to continue working for various reasons…including those individuals that retire from one profession only to continue working in another field, like Ron Heard and Susan Adams: Heard spent 10 years working with a telephone company and 15 years with a Telecom manufacturer while Adams had been in the education field for years as a principal, a consultant for McRel (Mid-Continent Research Education Learning) and director of a gifted students program. Then fate intervened: In 2005, Adam’s daughter Kelly Thompson and husband Stuart bought the CertaPro Painters franchise but it didn’t take them long to figure out that this type of business wasn’t for them so Heard joined them as the general manager in 2006 and purchased the business in May 2007.

Painting wasn’t new to Heard as he had earned money during college by painting but he explained that the the three things that separate CertaPro from other painting contractors are the “three P’s”: painting prep, product knowledge and putting enough product on the home. They’re business is derived from 38 percent return customers, and 18 percent word-of-mouth in addition to advertising and promotion. Heard talks to the home owners, while Adams takes care of the internal functions. CertaPro Painters uses only sub-contractors that meet stringent corporate procedures. It works out well, because painters love to paint and not be bothered by finding the jobs and doing the bookkeeping. The CertaPro Coverage is unique among any contractors because there is no deposit or down payment and the payment is not expected until the customer is satisfied. “We meet the customer’s expectations, with communications, communications, and communications,” Heard said.

Ramping Up His Business...Literally

Accessible ramps have become staples of many businesses across the country to accommodate the needs of its roughly 16.3 non-ambulatory residents. But what happens when one is only non-ambulatory for a short period of time, like after an injury or surgery…is a ramp still necessary?

The Columbia Star reported that answer is a resounding yes thanks to American Ramp Systems and its local owner Marcus Gardner. A franchisee with American Ramp Systems for about four years, Gardner has expanded with a satellite office in Greenville and Charleston is targeted for another (his franchise agreement allows him the entire state). American Ramp Systems was founded in 1998 to grow with the demographic trend's demands for a portable and temporary modular incline entry ramp, what became a patented device called the amRAMP system. To gain greater market share faster, a franchise arrangement was put into place.

Gardner came to Columbia to major in exercise science and public health at USC and stayed for another two years to earn his master's in health care administration. While in school, he worked part-time in public health at Columbia's Richland Memorial and Baptist hospitals. Upon finishing school, Gardner held several positions in his field at USC and area hospitals but having disciplined himself in a personal savings program, Gardner pulled together enough capital - well into six figures - to buy an American Ramp Systems franchise.

The amRAMP system is basically one module, eight feet long, which can be attached and doubled without much in mechanics. Ramps like Gardner sells and rents were used to provide wheelchair access to the stage at both the 2008 Democratic and Republican national conventions. The U.S. Navy rented a 244- foot ramp to allow wheelchair- bound past crewmembers attend a reunion aboard the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier. The late quadriplegic actor Christopher Reeve rented ramps as often as three times a month as he traveled across the country for speaking engagements. Four years into the modular ramp business, Gardner is still expanding to cover all of South Carolina. As he gets used to his business success, Gardner enjoys living equidistant between his two favorite travel destinations, the District of Columbia and the State of Florida.

Their Businesses of Choice

Franchised businesses have always attracted a wide cross-section of people and those living in Wisconsin’s Oak Creek area are no exception.

OakCreekNOW.com reported that many area residents have taken advantage of franchising opportunities in recent years. Take Sue Ann McCotter: After 27 years working in casual claims insurance, McCotter found herself longing for a change and it was her love of dogs that drove her to open Central Bark in Oak Creek in 2006. The facility provides daily and overnight care for dogs, as well as grooming, training, retail offerings and other activities, and serves an average of 25 dogs per day. At first she thought about opening her own indoor dog park or day care, but realized launching a business from the bottom up would be a complicated, time-consuming task. When she discovered a friend was already operating a Central Bark elsewhere in Wisconsin, McCotter decided to interview for a similar franchising opportunity. It was a perfect fit, she said. “Obviously I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t really love dogs,” she said.

There are also those individuals that enjoyed their past careers and wanted to take them one step further, like brother and sister Thomas Jones and Cheryl Jones. They’d worked for Cousins Subs since 1998 – first at the restaurant level and later in their marketing office – and liked the company so much that Thomas purchased his first franchise in South Milwaukee in January 2006. He was so pleased with the results that he opened a franchise in Franklin in May 2007, and two more in Oak Creek and Greenfield in April 2008, eventually asking Cheryl to become his business partner. The duo handles everything from scheduling and payroll for their 60 employees to filling in shifts and keeping up employee morale. “It’s rewarding to know that the harder you push and work, the more profit you can make,” Thomas said.

Though operating a business is hard work, franchising can take away the risk of establishing a new brand or service from scratch; and experts say that now is a perfect time to explore the option. Phil and Patti Bowen, owners of Spring-Green Lawn Care in Oak Creek, agree and often rely on the support services franchisors provide especially since their business has doubled since they began operating it about five years ago “Our support reps are invaluable in terms of helping us know and understand how to go about what we do, and they’re always available, not just in terms of knowledge but also in relation to encouragement,” Phil said. “That type of moral support goes a long way.”

A Fresh New Role

January is a time of change for many people and Eric Clark is no exception.

QSR.com reported Tossed named Clark as its chief operating officer on January 1st after serving as the company’s vice president of operations for eight months. His impact at Tossed was immediate and positive and company officials felt his contributions would be integral as the company works toward its goal of national expansion.

"Eric is the type of individual we seek at Tossed because he possesses the experience, energy and leadership ability to aid in our next phase of growth now being directed more to urban locations in a smaller footprint," says Eric Schmitt, Tossed's president and CEO. "In his new role as COO, he will have an even greater hand in Tossed's operations and growth in the future."

"I'm definitely looking forward to contributing to Tossed in this new position," Clark says. "Working with this team for the past eight months has been a wonderful experience and I plan do everything in my power to help Tossed reach its goal of 1,000 locations across the country." Prior to Tossed, Clark worked for Stir Crazy, where he successfully managed the fresh Asian chain's multiunit operations, and the Cheesecake Factory, where he spent more than 12 years growing the brand to 120 U.S. locations.

Happy Inauguration Day!

Blogger can't be bothered today!!Hanging with the homeboys!

Switching Gears and Careers

In the past, a person could start a job after college and keep it for their entire career. Times have clearly changed and many are wondering what they’re to do if their long-time employer decides to downsize. Thankfully, Business.com's What Works for Business blog has proof that life after corporate America exists: With the U.S. economy shedding jobs at a pace unseen in a generation, increasing numbers of late-career workers are opting to start their own businesses rather than wage battle in the employment line. Many late career entrepreneurs prefer to buy a pre-packaged franchise rather than start a business from scratch. While there are no guarantees, a franchise offers a proven business concept, a ready-made set of operating procedures and often marketing help as well.

Take 52-year-old Bob Mabry. He worked in petrochemical engineering for many years helping to design refineries and chemical plants but when some of his projects started to be outsourced overseas, Mabry began contemplating a new career. He felt he was too young to retire, but too old to retrain and start over so he explored business opportunities that could leverage his existing skills. When he came across a franchise called Handyman Matters in Kingwood, Texas, Mabry and his wife Tish decided it was the business for them. They started servicing home fix-up needs on Houston’s north side in 2004 and haven’t looked back since.

The same goes for Enrique Rosselli. The 53-year-old worked for Pepsico Inc. for 17 years in many parts of the world but now he’s the successful owner of an AlphaGraphics business in Las Vegas. After a company reorganization at Pepsico, Rosselli was offered early retirement. He then spent some time working for Coca Cola in Europe, and then DuPont. At age 50 he left the corporate world to start his own business and chose AlphaGraphics.