Franchise times guide to selecting, buying & owning a franchise
From the Publisher: Buying a franchise can be a handy shortcut to the American dream of owning your own business. But there are dangerous pitfalls-and possible drawbacks to even the best franchise deals. Here, for every prospective franchisee, is authoritative advice from a trustworthy source. The e...
| Main Author: | Bennett, Julie, 1942- |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | Babcock, Cheryl. |
| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
New York :
Sterling Pub.,
[2008]
|
| Physical Description: |
xiv, 401 pages ; 23 cm. |
| Subjects: |
Table of Contents:
- Foreword / John Hamburger
- Acknowledgments
- Part 1: Getting Started: Finding The Right Franchise For You
- 1: Who Are Today's Franchisees?
- Unlocking surprises
- Executive office to print shop
- Tropical isles and an Indiana farm
- Alternative to travel
- Franchising's appeal
- Just what is franchising, anyway?
- How does franchising work?
- So, what's in it for me?
- Franchising's challenges
- 2: Are You Meant To Be A Franchisee?
- Adventure-or a job replacement?
- Independence seesaw
- Other important personality traits
- Can you afford to buy a franchise?
- Check your expectations at the door
- Just who is going to answer the phone and mop the floor?
- Final caveat on franchisee-fitness
- 3: Beyond Burgers: Consumer-Oriented Franchises
- Franchise to fit every fancy
- Fast food
- Sit-down restaurants
- Retail food
- Baked goods
- Retail franchises
- Lodging
- Real estate
- Building and construction
- Sports and recreation
- Travel franchises
- 4: Service-Oriented Franchises: Fixing Everything From Cars To Computers
- General service franchises
- Maintenance services
- Automotive franchises
- Services to other businesses
- Child-related franchises
- Education-related franchises
- 5: Finding Your Perfect Franchise Fit
- Operating a franchise near your washer and dryer
- Location, location-even if it's just down the hall
- Should you start a franchise with your spouse or partner?
- Franchises that ride the trends
- Task ahead
- 6: Beginning Your Franchise Search
- Print directories: all the information franchisors want you to know
- Finding franchises online
- Shopping for franchises at the mall
- Shopping by phone
- Franchise trade show
- 7: You're Interested-Now What?
- Contacting franchisors on your own
- Follow-up: waiting by the phone
- Getting serious
- Second phone call
- Personality check
- Using a broker to help you find franchises
- Other franchise salespeople
- Part 2: Nuts And Bolts: Investigating And Buying A Franchise
- 8: UFOC: Not Exactly Beach Reading
- From Minnie Pearl to Ronald Reagan
- What to look for when reading a UFOC
- Is the UFOC fair?
- 9: Checking Out Your Franchise Of Choice
- Checking out the franchisor online
- Checking out the people running the franchise
- Checking out a new franchise system
- Checking out the franchisor's industry
- Checking in with current franchisees
- contacting franchisees who have left the system
- Checking out a franchise from the parking lot
- Trying the franchise on
- Other tips for investigating a franchise
- 10: Discovery Day-Or The Time I Almost Bought A Sub Shop
- On with the show
- Behind the choreography
- When should you attend a discovery day?
- Rules for attending a discovery day
- Things the franchisor may not want you to discover
- Variations on the discovery day theme
- 11: Franchise Attorneys: Pay Now-Or Pay More Later
- Beyond a good night's sleep
- Contract review and negotiations
- What will it cost?
- 12: Financing Your Franchise
- So, can I make any money?
- Getting ready for the loan process-at home
- Choose your franchise carefully
- Finding a lender: start with your franchisor
- Finding a loan on main street
- SBA-guaranteed loans
- Persistence pays
- Paying someone else to do the legwork
- Do you want to rent that fryer?
- Betting your nest egg on a franchise
- Borrowing from Uncle Alfred
- Part 3: Getting Ready For Business: How To Hit The Ground Running
- 13: Franchisee Training (Yes, There Are Tests)
- Getting somewhat trained at installing bathtub liners
- Who pays for all this?
- Making Italian meatloaf for the masses
- Getting the most out of your training experience
- Training never stops
- 14: Finding A Home For Your New Enterprise
- Sidestepping the process
- Searching for a site
- Building out your space
- Letting others do the dirty work
- 15: Getting Your Franchise Up And Running
- New or used equipment?
- Setting up your business
- Beginning the selling process-before you have something to sell
- Hiring employees to help you run your franchise
- Opening day countdown
- After opening day: keeping those customers coming back
- Your franchise ad fund
- Promoting your franchise on your own
- Part 4: Franchising Today-And Tomorrow
- 16: Trouble In Paradise: Keeping The Peace With Your Franchisor
- So, what can go wrong?
- Terminations: getting those signs down
- What if you, too, fall behind in your royalties?
- When a dispute can't be settled
- 17: Diverse Faces Of Franchising
- Why are women and minorities underrepresented in franchising?
- Providing a leg up
- Color-blind applications
- Women and franchising
- Veterans and franchising
- 18: Roles You Can Play In Franchising's Future
- Vehicles for multiple-unit franchising
- Adding more units
- Operating more than one brand
- Combining two concepts
- Becoming a franchisee leader
- Future of franchising
- Your future in franchising
- Part 5: Franchise Company Directory
- Explanation of terms
- How the directory is organized
- Directory By Category
- Automotive services and rental
- Lodging
- Maintenance, restoration, and cleaning
- Printing, graphic design, sign age, and shipping
- Real estate and travel agencies
- Restaurants and prepared food
- Retail
- Services
- Directory By Minimum Investment
- $0-$100,000
- $100,000-$250,000
- $250,000-$1 million
- $1_0 million-plus
- Alphabetical listing of franchises
- Resources
- Index.