Franchise times guide to selecting, buying & owning a franchise

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Part 1. Getting Started: Finding the Right Franchise for You

Chapter 1. Who Are Today's Franchisees?

Unlocking Surprises

Executive Office to Print Shop

Tropical Isles and an Indiana Farm

An 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

Chapter 2. Are You Meant to Be a Franchisee?

An Adventure-or a Job Replacement?

The 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?

A Final Caveat on Franchisee-Fitness

Chapter 3. Beyond Burgers: Consumer-Oriented Franchises

A 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

The Task Ahead

Chapter 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 Shows

Chapter 7. You're Interested... Now What?

Contacting Franchisors on Your Own

The Follow-Up: Waiting by the Phone

Getting Serious

The Second Phone Call

A Personality Check

Using a Broker to Help You Find Franchises

Other Franchise Salespeople

Part 2. The Nuts and Bolts: Investigating and Buying a Franchise

Chapter 8. The UFOC: Not Exactly Beach Reading

From Minnie Pearl to Ronald Reagan

What to Look for When Reading a UFOC

Is the UFOC Fair?

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 11. Franchise Attorneys: Pay Now-or Pay More Later

Beyond a Good Night's Sleep

Contract Review and Negotiations

What Will It Cost?

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 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

Chapter 17. The 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

Chapter 18. The 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

The 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, Signage, 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