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BEST FRANCHISE SEARCH RETAIL FRANCHISE

Adam & Eve Franchise Finds Fertile Market for Growth

Not surprisingly, the Adam & Eve erotica franchise chain seems to be quite adept at the art of reproduction.

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BEST FRANCHISE SEARCH New Franchises REAL ESTATE

National Realty Group Franchise


NRG Cover.jpgThese 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.

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BEST FRANCHISE SEARCH Legal Issues

FDD: The New Format for Franchise Disclosure


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 electronicallya 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

www.FranchiseFlavors.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..

top new franchise opportunitiesFranchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

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BEST FRANCHISE SEARCH

Best Franchise eBooks

libavabook.jpg(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.

unhappybutton

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..

top new franchise opportunitiesFranchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

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BEST FRANCHISE SEARCH FRANCHISE WATCH Junk Hauling Franchises

Best Junk Hauling Franchises


Young Entrepreneurs Truck National Junk Removal Success Story to Tampa

–Building upon nothing-to-multi-million-dollar success, 26 year-old execs relocate for better workforce–

TAMPA, Fla. (July 7, 2008) — From Washington D.C. with nothing, to $3 Million in three years, and now to Tampa, 26-year-old President Nick Friedman and CEO Omar Soliman, have found a new national headquarters for the junk removal company they refer to as their “baby.” They’re armed with a fast-growth success story, a proven model, an informed plan, not to mention junk removal franchises popping up all over the country – College Hunks Hauling Junk will now be running that operation from their new national hub at the West Shore Club on West Gandy Boulevard.

With a memorably quirky name, logo, phone number, overt color palette, and bright, glossy trucks, they’ll be hard to miss – in addition to the new Tampa-based headquarter, the Tampa franchise, the company’s twelfth, is getting off the ground this month.

‘College Hunks Hauling Junk’ originated when two college buddies set out to earn extra money during summer vacation – they did. After graduating and some stints as executives, they decided the corporate culture wasn’t for them, so they “blew the dust” off an award-winning business plan created in school based on their “extra money” venture. The company hauls large unwanted items of virtually any sort, then everything is properly recycled, disposed of, or donated (over 60% recycled). Additionally, they donate a portion of revenue to local college scholarships, and they offer pro bono services including ongoing programs for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Though the name is playful, the professionalism is not. Principals explain that ‘hunk’ is a subjective term, and in their application they refer to such traits as “clean-cut, hard-working pleasant, educated, friendly, personable, courteous,” contributing to a professional brand that is of utmost importance to their success, and applying a clean, crisp image to work that is not traditionally glamorous. In terms of who makes up the ‘Hunks,’ the company includes men, women, undergraduates, non-students, graduates, athletes, law and med students, and more – as long as they adhere to the “clean-cut” persona.

Company principals are prepared to establish 12 more franchises over the next year and to have franchises in every major metropolitan market at their five-year mark.

The Tampa franchise is owned and operated by Faisal Ansari, 26, who graduated from University of

Miami in 2000, and opened the Orlando Franchise in 2007.

And why they’ve come to Tampa to further their national growth – the call centers. Their phone number, 1.800.JUNK.USA – bought from a doctor’s office for about $14,000 – is a key marketing tool as it connects callers with national dispatchers. Washington D.C., as principals describe it, is not known for their abundance of quality call center professionals.

About College Hunks Hauling Junk

College Hunks Hauling Junk® helps remove unwanted items providing friendly, collegiate teams to remove junk quickly from anywhere within commercial or residential property. The company proudly donates a portion of revenues from each job to local college scholarship programs. Information is available at www.1800junkusa.com.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH COLLEGE HUNKS HAULING JUNK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH MARY KAY? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

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unhappybutton

Unhappy Franchisee: Franchising rumors, rants, controversies, issues, complaints & insider information you’re not supposed to know.

top new franchise opportunitiesFranchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.