Is divorce franchiseable?
Category: FEATURED STORY
Not surprisingly, the Adam & Eve erotica franchise chain seems to be quite adept at the art of reproduction.
These are tough times for independent real estate agents.
In fact, real estate agents are getting pressure from every direction. MLS property listings, which were once under the exclusive control of real estate agents, are now widely available to a new breed of discount brokers and a variety of online resellers. Shrinking commissions, a huge crop of new agents and a down housing market have made it increasingly tough even for many seasoned real estate professionals.
[PICTURED: The National Realty Group franchise brochure.]
The National Realty Group franchise is offering the independent real estate professional a new way to compete. By joining the National Realty Group franchise system, real estate professionals will receive the systems, training and support to benefit from two new potential revenue centers: providing their own mortgage and (in some states) escrow services.
Traditionally, an agent would help a couple find their dream house and then hand them off to mortgage and escrow service providers for financing. With the NRG program, the franchisee would provide the real estate services, then also provide the mortgage and, when applicable, escro services. According to National Realty Group franchise founder Jeff Maas, it’s a win-win situation for all involved: Home buyers get the convenience of a one-stop real estate resource, and the franchise owner and agent has two, sometimes three, potential revenue centers instead of one.
The National Realty Group franchise may also help even out the peaks and valleys so common in the real estate market. According to Maas, when the real estate sales side is down, the mortgage side often gets busier with mortgage refinancing.
At this time, the National Realty Group franchise is only being offered to real estate professionals in California and surrounding states. For more information about this and other top new franchise opportunities, visit the Top New Franchises blog at TopNewFranchises.Com.
Guest Post by Joel Libava, My co-franchise blogger at Allbusiness.com
Hello FDD! Goodbye UFOC… Franchise Legal Documents
July 1st marked the day that the UFOC {Uniform Franchise Offering Circular} was officially retired. It was the legal document that the Federal Trade Commission {FTC} required franchise companies that were registered in the US to put together for distribution to interested franchise prospects, during the official sales process.
When the Federal Trade Commission overhauled its “Franchise Rule” last year, it came up with a new disclosure format. It was one which adopted the UFOC disclosure requirements, but added to them as well. And it gave a disclosure document prepared under these new requirements a new, easy to remember name: “Franchise Disclosure Document” (or “FDD” for short).
These are the items that are to be included in every FDD:
1. The Franchisor, its Predecessors and Affiliates
2. Business Experience
3. Litigation
4. Bankruptcy
5. Initial Franchise Fee
6. Other Fees
7. Initial Investment
8. Restrictions on Sources Of Products And Services
9. Franchisee’s Obligations
10. Financing
11. Franchisor’s Obligations
12. Territory
13. Trademarks
14. Patents, Copyrights and Proprietary Information
15. Obligation To Participate In The Actual Operation Of The Franchise Business
16. Restrictions On What The Franchisee May Sell
17. Renewal, Termination, Transfer And Dispute Resolution
18. Public Figures
19. Earnings Claims
20. List Of Outlets
21. Financial Statements
22. Contracts
23. Receipt
The major differences between the now old UFOC, and the new FDD are:
1. The new law encourages more disclosure about earnings. Information about business costs can be freely disclosed, and financial results can be given in the FDD for a subset of franchisees without having to compare them to the entire chain.
2. The FDD and other informational documents may be sent electronically—a change that will really save franchisors money and maybe even encourage them to send information to prospects sooner.{It is also pretty darn Green!}
3. Franchisors must disclose contact information for all of the franchisee associations in their system, including ones approved by the franchisor as well as independent associations. Before, prospects had to find independent associations on their own.
4. If a franchisor’s corporate parent guarantees the business or provides supplies to franchisees, its contact and financial information has to be disclosed. Previously, corporate parents did not have to be disclosed, at all.
5. More litigation disclosure is now required. Franchisors must list suits they’ve filed against franchisees over the previous year.
The FDD is a welcome change to the UFOC, which has been around for many years, and should provide a little more transparency for potential franchise buyers.
Let’s now move on to some serious stuff. I just launched yet another franchise website. Hopefully you have seen my 3 niche websites that were just launched a few weeks ago:
www.GreenFranchiseDirectory.com
www.MondayThruFridayFranchises.com
If you are a franchisor, or a supplier to the franchise industry, please let me help you spread your message with one of these niche franchise websites. I am doing some interesting things in conjunction with them.
Oh Yeah. Here is the newest one. I even have a helper- www.FranchiseFollies.com
Thanks, Joel! Great article.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT.
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Unhappy Franchisee: Franchising rumors, rants, controversies, issues, complaints & insider information you’re not supposed to know.
Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities..
Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
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Best Franchise eBooks
(Best Franchise Opportunities) Joel Libava is a top franchise blogger who knows all the tricks and traps that can befall a prospective franchise buyer. He himself is a second generation franchise broker who helps match buyers with the right franchise opportunity. So who better to help provide you with the insider tips and guidance you need to find the right franchise opportunity to help you meet you personal and financial goals?
Now Joel is providing the benefit of his decades of franchise experience through a new inexpensive franchise eBook available for instant download.
Check it out today. Believe me, spending a few bucks today can save you a fortune in the long run. If you’re considering a franchise, invest in the expertise and guidance that will help you find the right franchise. As the cliche goes, you can’t afford not to.
Click here: Essential Steps to Researching a Franchise Opportunity, Joel Libava
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20% Off – 1 YR – Trend Micro AntiVirus plus AntiSpyware 2008 Coupon Code: TrendAVS08.
Unhappy Franchisee: Franchising rumors, rants, controversies, issues, complaints & insider information you’re not supposed to know.
Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities..
Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.