Ultimate Book of Home Based Franchises

by Lesonsky, Rieva

• ISBN13: 9781932531404
• ISBN10: 1932531408
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-15
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

Your One-Stop Guide to Buying a Homebased Franchise Join the growing ranks of entrepreneurs starting homebased businesses by exploring the exciting opportunities available in today's franchise market. Ultimate Book of Homebased Franchises 2005/2006 provides comprehensive franchise listings targeted the expanding segment of homebased businesses. Focused on entrepreneurs seeking options beyond joining the 9-to-5 work force, this all-in-one guide delivers practical advice and an expert overview of the franchise world, plus listings of the top homebased franchises. This guide includes: Time-critical information for doing business today Top 10 list for homebased franchises Details on contracts, costs, size, training, support and franchisee qualifications Facts on more than 320 homebased franchises Lessons from Entrepreneur magazine's more than 25 years of research and reporting Learn everything you need to know about homebased franchise ownership, from researching options to buying the franchise to setting it up in your home. Discover insightful advice on daily operations and skills needed for sustaining continued success, such as marketing, promotion, administration and more. Ultimate Book of Homebased Franchises is the most comprehensive and powerful tool available for establishing a profitable homebased business today.

Author Biography

Rieva Lesonsky, a nationally recognized expert on small business, provides guidance, inspiration and advice to millions of entrepreneurs each month as senior vice president/editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine. She is also author of the business bestseller Start Your Own Business.

Maria Anton-Conley, executive editor of Entrepreneur magazine, overses Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® listing, the renowned annual listing of franchises on which this book is based, and Entrepreneur’s FranchiseZone (www.entrepreneur.com/franchise), the world’s most comprehensive franchise website.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	ix
Section One How To Buy a Homebased Franchise
So You Want to Own a Business?	3	(2)
Business Ownership	3	(2)
Organizing for Business	5	(6)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Business Organizations	5	(3)
Concerns Underlying Business Organizations	8	(3)
Understanding the Franchise Concept	11	(6)
Independent Ownership	11	(1)
The Business of Franchising	12	(1)
The Franchisee View	12	(2)
The All-American Hard Sell	14	(3)
Running a Homebased Business	17	(6)
First Things First	17	(1)
Can You Work From Home Legally?	18	(1)
Will You Look Like a Real Business if You're at Home?	19	(1)
Heading off Homebased Hassles	20	(3)
Buying Multiple Franchise Rights	23	(4)
Types of Multi-Unit Franchise Programs	23	(2)
Protecting Your Development Investment	25	(2)
How the Government Protects You	27	(4)
How the Law Defines a Franchise	28	(1)
The Consequences of Being a Franchise	28	(3)
Are You Suited to Be a Franchisee?	31	(4)
Is a Franchise for Everyone?	31	(1)
Questions to Consider	32	(3)
Attending a Franchise Trade Show	35	(6)
Prepare for the Show	35	(1)
How to Develop an Effective Method of Attending	36	(1)
The Right Questions	36	(2)
Trade Show Red Flags	38	(1)
The Follow-Up	38	(3)
Research on the Internet	41	(2)
What to Look For	41	(1)
Handling the High Hype-to-Fact Ratio	42	(1)
The Importance of Focus	42	(1)
Organizing the Information You Gather	43	(2)
Setting Up a Filing System	43	(2)
Understanding the UFOC	45	(6)
What is a UFOC?	45	(1)
The Sections of the UFOC	46	(5)
Five Great Questions Not Answered in the UFOC	51	(4)
The UFOC Does Not Deliver Everything	51	(4)
Key Sections of the Franchise Agreement	55	(8)
Understanding the Basic Dynamic of the Franchise Agreement	55	(1)
Key Provisions Considered	55	(3)
Corporate Ownership	58	(2)
Dispute Resolution Provisions	60	(3)
Franchisor Financial Information in the UFOC (and How Do I Read This Gobbledegook?)	63	(4)
Franchisor Financial Disclosures	63	(1)
Audits According to GAAP	63	(1)
Accountant's Analysis Tips	64	(1)
Evaluating the Franchisor's Financial Standing	65	(2)
Top 10 Warning Signs in Franchise Investments	67	(4)
Don't Get Snagged	67	(1)
Key Warning Signs	67	(4)
Closing on Your Franchise Purchase	71	(2)
A Checklist for Closing	71	(2)
Resolving Legal Disputes	73	(4)
Lines of Defense: Contract Terms and Protective Laws	73	(1)
Dispute Resolution Toolbox	74	(3)
Renewing Your Franchise Rights	77	(4)
Contract Terms and Renewal Rights	77	(1)
Renewal Conditions	78	(3)
International Franchising	81	(4)
The Globalization of Franchising	81	(1)
Keys to Foreign-Based Franchises	82	(3)
Negotiating Franchise Agreements	85	(6)
Negotiating a Franchise Agreement	85	(1)
Why Is the Franchise Agreement So One-Sided?	85	(1)
Understanding the Seller's Position	86	(1)
Take It or Leave It?	86	(1)
Negotiating Rules	87	(1)
Franchisors' Inflexible Positions	87	(1)
Franchisors' Flexible Positions	88	(3)
Working with Lawyers and Accountants	91	(4)
Using Legal Services	91	(1)
Do You Need a Specialist?	92	(1)
Using Accounting Services	92	(1)
What to Ask Your Legal and Accounting Advisors	93	(2)
Questions for Franchisees	95	(2)
The Key to Your Research	95	(1)
Franchise Questions	95	(2)
Skill Sets of the Successful Franchisee	97	(6)
The Art of the Sale	97	(1)
Counter Magic	98	(1)
Your Profits Are in the Details	98	(1)
Become a Bean Counter	98	(1)
Be a Skilled Negotiator	99	(1)
People Management	99	(1)
Build an Organization	99	(1)
Be an A+ Franchisee	99	(1)
Collecting Money	99	(4)
Make it Happen	103	(4)
Section Two Ultimate Homebased Franchise Directory
Understanding the Directory	107	(2)
Key to the Listings	107	(2)
Automotive	109	(6)
Appearance Services	109	(2)
Repair Services	111	(2)
Windshield Repair	113	(1)
Other Automotive Franchises	114	(1)
Business Services	115	(22)
Advertising	115	(7)
Consulting	122	(5)
Shipping	127	(2)
Staffing	129	(1)
Training	130	(3)
Miscellaneous	133	(3)
Other Business-Service Franchises	136	(1)
Children's Businesses	137	(14)
Fitness	137	(3)
ID Systems	140	(2)
Learning	142	(6)
Miscellaneous	148	(1)
Other Children's Franchises	149	(2)
Financial Services	151	(4)
Business Services	151	(2)
Miscellaneous	153	(1)
Other Financial-Service Franchises	154	(1)
Food Businesses	155	(4)
Other Food Franchises	158	(1)
Health Businesses	159	(2)
Home Improvement	161	(20)
Building & Remodeling	161	(9)
Decorating Services	170	(1)
Lighting Services	171	(2)
Surface Refinishing	173	(2)
Windows & Carpets	175	(4)
Miscellaneous	179	(1)
Other Home-Improvement Franchises	180	(1)
Maintenance	181	(44)
Air-Duct Cleaning	181	(1)
Asphalt Maintenance	182	(2)
Carpet Cleaning	184	(4)
Cleaning, Miscellaneous	188	(9)
Handyman Services/Home Repairs	197	(6)
Lawn Care	203	(3)
Pest Control	206	(3)
Pet Waste Removal	209	(1)
Plumbing	210	(1)
Restoration	211	(4)
Restroom Maintenance	215	(2)
Vinyl Repair	217	(2)
Window Cleaning	219	(2)
Miscellaneous	221	(3)
Other Maintenance Franchises	224	(1)
Pets	225	(4)
Other Pet Franchises	228	(1)
Recreation	229	(6)
Sports Businesses	229	(3)
Travel	232	(3)
Sales	235	(6)
Hardware	235	(3)
Miscellaneous	238	(3)
Services	241	(26)
Delivery	241	(2)
Dental Handpiece Repairs	243	(1)
Gift Services	244	(1)
Home Inspections	245	(5)
Photography	250	(2)
Real Estate	252	(1)
Security	253	(1)
Senior Care	254	(3)
Miscellaneous	257	(9)
Other Service Franchises	266	(1)
Tech	267	(6)
Internet	267	(1)
Miscellaneous	268	(5)
Top 10 Homebased Franchises for 2005	273	(2)
Appendix A State Franchise Authorities	275	(2)
Appendix B Other Information Sources	277	(2)
Glossary	279	(2)
Index	281	(6)
Listings Index	287