Franchise Interviews

FranConnect is the leading provider of Franchise Management Systems as more than 450 brands use the company’s comprehensive systems to establish, grow and manage their franchise operations. FranConnect’s integrated suite of applications allows franchisors to manage all aspects of their operations including Franchise Sales, Marketing, Financial Data Collection and Analysis, Royalty Invoicing and Automated Funds Transfer, Contract and Legal Document Management, Customer Relationship Management, Help Desk, Franchisee Support, Online Training, Supply Management, Automated Ad-Builder, E-mail Marketing, Franchisee Websites, ZIP Code Locator Service, QuickBooks, Peachtree and POS Integration.  We are meeting with President of Global Operations, Keith Gerson. In part 2, we meet with franchise expert Karol Mercurio in our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

We are meeting with Stewart Vernon, CEO and Founder of America’s Swimming Pool Company. Today's show will discuss Stewart’s journey toward entrepreneurship and how he founded America’s Swimming Pool Company. He can discuss coming up with the business plan while in college, working as an apprentice after returning home for college and how he was able to get industry advice from a retired pool maintenance owner before launching his own company, ASP-America’s Swimming Pool Company. Stewart will discuss how he gained real experience by launching his own company and how that translated to the continued success that the brand is experiencing, having its best Q1 in 2012 to date. America’s Swimming Pool Company has also opened 16 new franchise territories that service 11 states and have signed their first Area Developer in Arizona this year.   America’s Swimming Pool Company, the Nation’s most respected swimming pool maintenance and repair franchise, was established in 2001 by Stewart Vernon of Macon, Georgia. The

We are meeting with Ben Davis, President of N-Hance Revolutionary Wood Renewal and Rick Nance, franchisee to N-Hance.  N-Hance Revolutionary Wood Renewal is an innovative, affordable cabinet and floor renewal service that renews your wood cabinets and floors without the dust, inconvenience and noxious fumes associated with traditional refinishing methods. In many cases, the process can be completed in just one day! There’s no longer any reason to wait to renew that beautiful wood in your home. Based in Logan, UT and founded in 2001, N-Hance Revolutionary Wood Renewal is the trusted partner of Home Depot. N-Hance is backed by Harris Research, Inc., the same company that grew Chem-Dry into the world’s largest carpet cleaning company. A proprietary chemical abrasion and buffer technique requires no sanding and can cost 1/3 of the cost of re-facing or replacing cabinets. N-Hance has 200 franchises in the U.S. with 12 franchises in development

We are meeting with Ed Samane, the founder of The Pro Martial Arts franchise system. The Pro Martial Arts System is the result of decades of training and teaching experience. It encompasses an exciting and diverse curriculum of martial arts techniques drawn from the Korean arts of Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. What sets Pro Martial Arts apart from the average martial arts school is the addition of our inspiring and motivational Life Skills Training program. Pro Martial Arts students acquire more than just Black Belt kicking and punching skills: they learn the value of a Black Belt Lifestyle, a lifestyle of quiet confidence, poise, and fulfillment. Pro Martial Arts students are taught how to set and attain goals, be their own greatest advocates and proactively pursue and achieve success in all aspects of life.

We are meeting with Dom Cirello of the BookKeeping Express franchise opportunity.  BookKeeping Express, a national company that provides businesses with professional bookkeeping services, was founded in 1984 in California. After serving 13 years in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain, Cirello spent the next 12 years as an IT project manager and business analyst. He finds a comfortable transition to BookKeeping Express as it is a technology-driven solution. Cirello obtained his masters degree at the Air Force Institute of Technology in systems management and business administration. In addition to owning a business, Cirello is active in his local community. A veteran with service-connected disabilities himself, Cirello supports his fellow veterans by volunteering regularly at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital along with the Knights of Columbus and Disabled American Veterans.   “So many otherwise sound businesses fail to account for their financial dealings, which in turn hinders th

Today's show will focus on how Josh Skolnick, founder of Monster Tree Service, is now franchising. Josh Skolnick, a career landscaper who started a multi-crew lawn care service while in high school, was often asked by customers to address their tree problems. Having no experience himself, he regularly subcontracted the task of customers’ requests to tree specialists who could handle the job. Ever the entrepreneur, Skolnick quickly realized there was opportunity to capitalize by building up a professional tree maintenance business. Four years ago, Skolnick founded Monster Tree Service (MTS). Without ever pruning or felling a tree himself, he hired existing professionals to work under his brand and led his firm to become a highly profitable multimillion dollar business which has grown to multiple crews. With multiple experts in the trade to assist him, Skolnick developed a system he recognized as highly duplicable, so he moved to franchise MTS in April 2012. Monster Tree Service (MTS) is professional tr

PI Worldwide® is a premier global consulting organization specializing in leadership and sales performance development. PI Worldwide works with organizations of all sizes to uncover data-driven insights to create and sustain a high performance culture. Addressing critical business challenges from selection and employee development to succession planning, retention and sales force optimization, PI Worldwide.   PI Worldwide provides unlimited access to proven tools and learning programs, allowing business leaders to continuously uncover new levels of talent and value across the organization.  Since 1955, PI Worldwide has extended a passion for understanding talent into the boardroom, providing the data, expertise and global support to build world class teams in over 144 countries, 67 languages and more than 8,000 companies – including many of the world’s largest corporations.   We are meeting with Dave O'Brien, PI Worldwide. consultant.

We are meeting with franchise author, franchise speaker and serial frantrepreneur Lonnie Helgerson.  Lonnie has over 27 years in the franchise industry working with companies such as Super 8 Motels, Ident-A-Kid, and many more. We will be speaking to Lonnie about his new book "Five Pennies: Ten Rules to Successfully Build a Franchise Mega-Brand and Maximize System Profits."  In part 2 of our "Great Quotes in Franchising" podcast, we meet with Lawrence “Doc” Cohen, a veteran of the franchise industry who first franchised Great American Cookies 32 years ago, became the first-ever franchisee inducted into the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Hall of Fame.

Welcomemat Services developed an innovative concept that combines digital and print marketing to provide local businesses access to new loyal customers in their local communities. Welcomemat Services capitalizes on the unique marketing opportunities that families and individuals moving to a new region present as they actively seek out local stores, shops, restaurants and medical resources to provide them with daily services, products and entertainment. By targeting new residents, Welcomemat Services creates loyal customers who boost a business’ customer base and image while extending a warm welcome to individuals as they attempt to acclimate to their surroundings. With its sophisticated marketing system, Welcomemat Services works with local, regional and national businesses, retail brands, organizations and cultural institutions to offer monthly direct mail packages designed specifically to entice recent movers. We are meeting with the CEO of the Welcomemat franchise Brian Mattingly.   In part two we meet

Did you know that according to a recent Small Business Administration study, (http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/rs384.pdf) veterans in the private sector are at least 45 percent more likely than those with no active-duty military experience to be self-employed.   Today we are meeting with Sean Falk – A former US Marine infantry officer who served more than 8 years in active duty and reserves, including tours during Operation Desert Storm and in Bosnia.  Falk now owns 10 franchised businesses in several states.   And with the current unemployment rate for young male veterans who served during the Gulf War II era hovering around 21% (more than double the national average), entrepreneurship is becoming a very attractive option for thousands of returning service members. Franchising continues to be a popular way for veterans to take control of their futures.  In fact, Great American Cookies recently launched the Great American Patriot program (www.greatamericancookies.com/patriot) which provide

AlphaGraphics, Inc. plans, produces and manages visual communications for businesses at nearly 300 owner-operated, locally based business centers worldwide. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the AlphaGraphics network, a 41 year-old brand, continues to be at the forefront of the printing franchise industry. Backed by state-of-the-art technology, the world’s highest quality standards and a global network, the company’s trained and experienced team members are committed to delivering creative solutions that enablecustomers to increase their reach.  We are meeting with the President of Alphagraphics Art Coley.  AlphaGraphics recently unveiled AG Alliance, which is an exciting new new program to spur network growth. 

We are meeting with Jeremy Kwaterski, CEO of  CPR - Cell Phone Repair Franchise Systems, Inc. CPR – Cell Phone Repair Franchise Systems, Inc., is the most widely known and respected brand in the cell phone and gadget repair industry. CPR® – Cell Phone Repair Franchise Systems, Inc. (CPR®) – an independent service organization dedicated to the on-premises repair of cell phones, iPods, and electronic devices. Our conveniently located retail outlets offer “while-you-wait” service and speedy on-site repairs for every smart phone conceived.   In part 2, we discuss the book that should be read by anyone interested in franchising.  We meet with the legendary Michael Gerber to discuss The E-Myth Revisited.

American consumers are starving for a healthier pizza that allows them to indulge without the guilt, and one passionate, hungry entrepreneur out of Florida has the ideal product, franchise model and market "power" to satisfy their craving.       In fact, after unveiling the Power Pizzeria franchise opportunity at the Miami Franchise Expo earlier this year, and offering samples of his whey protein-packed power dough and fresh all-natural ingredient toppings, EJ Martinez already has franchisees lined up to get a piece of the "next big thing" in the $30 billion pizza segment.     Power Pizzeria is geared up to grow the franchise in the Southeast before expanding nationally and internationally over the next five years.       While the franchise opportunity may be new to market, Martinez has been perfecting the Power Pizzeria brand, products and business model for more than six years, with four corporate locations operating successfully in the South Florida market and another one soon to open in Brickell i

Amramp is taking drastic measures in supplying the mobility-challenged population an alternative to the costly hospital stays and homecare prices they are constantly bombarded with. After witnessing the utter collapse of the real estate industry in the 1990’s, Julian Gordon, founder and president of Amramp, which provides quality wheelchair ramps and other accessibility solutions for the mobility-challenged, decided to re-brand his metal manufacturing business into a recession-proof company that shifted its focus to the aging baby boomer population. By using the established design and operating system already in place, Gordon re-branded his business to provide this demographic with an affordable, comfortable alternative to nursing homes with safe and reliable wheelchair ramps and accessibility equipment. With the cost of living in a nursing home averaging a staggering $100,000 per year, more and more individuals prefer to age in their homes as long as safely possible – resulting in a pent up demand for acc

In this interview, we discuss two recent books with the popular Dr. Scott Shane.  They are  "Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders" and "The Illusions of Entrepreneurship." Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders is the first book to review the entire range of scientific literature on genetic effects on organizational behavior and explain in a practitioner-friendly manner, how your DNA affects your workplace behavior.  The Illusions of Entrepreneurship challenges the myths we hold about entrepreneurs in America - who they are, what they do, and how they succeed.  The book shows that the reality of entrepreneurship is decidedly different from the myths that have come to surround it.  Scott Shane, a leading expert in entrepreneurial activity in the United States and other countries, draws on the data from extensive research to provide accurate, useful information about who becomes an entrepreneur and why, how businesses are started, which factors lead to success and which predict a likely failure.

About FASTSIGNS   We are meeting with Catherine Monson, the President and CEO of FASTSIGNS to discuss the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity.    FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 530 FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers leverage sign and marketing knowledge, state-of-the-art technology and innovative thinking to solve customers’ marketing and communications challenges—from the simple… to the simply impossible™. Centers provide consulting, file transfer, design, production, delivery and installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic solutions. FASTSIGNS was ranked number one for the second year in a row in the sign and graphic category in the 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine annual Franchise 500.  Catherine discusses FASTSIGNS AND her experience on the successful show "Undercover Boss" which will air Friday, May 4 a

We are meeting with Brian Gross, President of Bach to Rock Bach to Rock is a music education school for students of all ages from early childhood through high school and beyond. The B2R method is based on the belief that learning music is fun and students learn best when they play music they enjoy. Weekly ensemble instruction and jam sessions lead to public concerts, Battle of the Bands and recording sessions in B2R's professional recording studios. B2R builds technique, fosters teamwork and enhances self-esteem through private lessons, band instruction, and public performance. In part 2, we are meeting with one of the top franchise experts in the country....Steve Beagleman. 

We are meeting with Rita Goldberg and she is the founder of British Swim School, a swimming school concept that she started in the UK and has since brought over to the U.S.  British Swim School teaches children as young as 3 months with a technique based on water survival skills first, and swimming technique second. The concept was widely popular in the UK and is receiving the same attention here. The great thing about the school is that there is no build-out required for franchisees. The school is taught in locations with pools already built-in such as recreation centers, hotels, fitness centers, etc. This requires a significantly lower start-up cost for franchisees as compared to other schools.

We are meeting with Rod Arreola, president and co-founder of Teriyaki Madness.  Teriyaki Madness is a franchise opportunity that provides its customers with healthy, made to order Teriyaki dishes prepared with fresh ingredients, that are served quickly at a reasonable price in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Consumer interest in Asian food, fueled by its reputation for being exotic and healthful, has chains carving out a new fast-casual niche. According to a 2011 study by reports research firm Technomic, the Asian dining segment brings in$18.4 billion annually. In addition, according to The NPD Group, 23 percent of consumers say they are interested in more Asian-type flavored foods. Teriyaki Madness is providing an alternative to traditional fast food with its fresh, Asian-inspired dishes, such as chicken teriyaki and spicy chicken, both served with made-from-scratch sauces and a secret blend of spices. The average ticket price for lunch ranges from $10-$12 while dinner is around $13. We will also hear from

Seva is a franchise concept that specializes in the art of brow shaping, facial hair removal and waxing. Their signature offering is eyebrow threading – a relatively up-and-coming concept that more and more people are seeming to utilize for its various benefits. Here are some of the most unique aspects of this franchise concept:   Seva grows within retail stores, and has established an exclusive partnership with Walmart to begin with. There is also opportunity to grow in other retail stores such as Walgreens, Sephora and Ulta. By using a growth model of a store within a store, the Seva opportunity guarantees entrepreneurs foot traffic in the thousands per week. Seva doesn’t utilize traditional marketing tactics to sell its product, making start-up and success very easy for entrepreneurs. One of the only marketing tactics Seva utilizes is handing out coupons in front of the store. Seva utilizes a technological strategy to ensure success for each Seva salon. Seva’s proprietary iPad-based POS technology is