Ultimate Book of Franchises

by Lesonsky, Rieva; Anton Conley, Maria

• ISBN13: 9781599180991
• ISBN10: 1599180995
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-01
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

Your One-Stop Guide to Buying a Franchise! Entrepreneurmagazine presents the gold standard for franchise directories, a reference guide bursting with everything you need to know about buying a franchise. Culled from Entrepreneur magazine's 30 years of research and reporting on the world of franchises, this book is jam-packed with practical, how-to advice to guide you through every step on the road to franchise ownership. Plus, it offers essential information on more than 1,000 of today's hottest franchises! Inside, you'll find: The most comprehensive listing of franchise companies available anywhere-more than 1,000 companies, including 400 up-and-coming new franchises Up-to-date facts and figures, including contact information, costs, company size, training and support, franchisee qualifications and financial stability ratings Top 10 lists and rankings to help you quickly identify the perfect franchise for you Expert advice on researching your franchise options Tips for negotiating a successful franchise agreement The top 10 warning signs to watch out for And much more! If you've ever considered buying a franchise, look no further-this ultimate directory is the only tool you'll need.

Author Biography

Rieva Lesonsky provides guidance, inspiration,and advice to millions of entrepreneurs each month as seniorvice president/editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine. Sheis the coauthor of Start Your Own Business.

Maria Anton-Conley executive editor ofEntrepreneur, oversees Entrepreneur’s renowned annualFranchise 500® listing and Entrepreneur’s FranchiseZone, themost comprehensive franchise website.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. xi
How To Buy a Franchise
So You Want to Own a Business?	p. 3
Business Ownership	p. 3
Organizing for Business	p. 5
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Business Organizations	p. 5
Concerns Underlying Business Organizations	p. 8
Understanding the Franchise Concept	p. 11
Independent Ownership	p. 11
The Business of Franchising	p. 12
The Franchisee View	p. 12
The All-American Hard Sell	p. 14
Buying Multiple Franchise Rights	p. 17
Types of Multiunit Franchise Programs	p. 17
Protecting Your Development Investment	p. 19
How the Government Protects You	p. 21
How the Law Defines a Franchise	p. 21
The Consequences of Being a Franchise	p. 22
Are You Suited to Be a Franchisee?	p. 25
Is a Franchise for Everyone?	p. 25
Questions to Consider	p. 26
Attending a Franchise Trade Show	p. 29
Prepare for the Show	p. 29
How to Develop an Effective Method of Attending	p. 30
The Right Questions	p. 30
Trade Show Red Flags	p. 32
The Follow-Up	p. 33
Research on the Internet	p. 35
What to Look For	p. 35
Handling the High Hype-to-Fact Ratio	p. 36
The Importance of Focus	p. 36
Organizing the Information You Gather	p. 37
Setting Up a Filing System	p. 37
Understanding the UFOC	p. 39
What is a UFOC?	p. 39
The Sections of the UFOC	p. 40
Five Great Questions Not Answered in the UFOC	p. 45
The UFOC Does Not Deliver Everything	p. 45
Key Sections of the Franchise Agreement	p. 49
Understanding the Basic Dynamic of the Franchise Agreement	p. 49
Key Provisions Considered	p. 49
Corporate Ownership	p. 53
Dispute Resolution Provisions	p. 55
Franchisor Financial Information in the UFOC (and How Do I Read This Gobbledegook?)	p. 57
Franchisor Financial Disclosures	p. 57
Audits According to GAAP	p. 57
Evaluating the Franchisor's Financial Standing	p. 58
Top 10 Warning Signs in Franchise Investments	p. 61
Don't Get Snagged	p. 61
Key Warning Signs	p. 61
Closing on Your Franchise Purchase	p. 65
A Checklist for Closing	p. 65
Resolving Legal Disputes	p. 67
Lines of Defense: Contract Terms and Protective Laws	p. 67
Dispute Resolution Toolbox	p. 69
Renewing Your Franchise Rights	p. 71
Contract Terms and Renewal Rights	p. 71
Renewal Conditions	p. 72
International Franchising	p. 75
The Globalization of Franchising	p. 75
Keys to Foreign-Based Franchises	p. 76
Negotiating Franchise Agreements	p. 79
Negotiating a Franchise Agreement	p. 79
Why Is the Franchise Agreement So One-Sided?	p. 79
Understanding the Seller's Position	p. 80
Take It or Leave It?	p. 80
Franchisors' Inflexible Positions	p. 81
Franchisors' Flexible Positions	p. 82
Working with Lawyers and Accountants	p. 85
Using Legal Services	p. 85
Do You Need a Specialist?	p. 86
Using Accounting Services	p. 86
What to Ask Your Advisors	p. 87
Questions for Franchisees	p. 89
The Key to Your Research	p. 89
Franchise Questions	p. 89
Skill Sets of the Successful Franchisee	p. 91
The Art of the Sale	p. 91
Counter Magic	p. 91
Your Profits Are in the Details	p. 92
Become a Bean Counter	p. 92
Be a Skilled Negotiator	p. 92
People Management	p. 93
Build an Organization	p. 93
Be an A+ Franchisee	p. 93
Collecting Money	p. 93
Make it Happen	p. 97
Ultimate Franchise Directory
Understanding the Directory	p. 101
Key to the Listings	p. 107
Automotive	p. 103
Appearance Services	p. 103
Maintenance & Repairs	p. 107
Rentals	p. 116
Other Automotive Franchises	p. 118
Business Services	p. 121
Advertising & Marketing	p. 121
Consulting & Brokerages	p. 131
Shipping	p. 137
Shredding	p. 138
Signs	p. 139
Staffing	p. 141
Toner Replacements	p. 147
Training	p. 148
Miscellaneous	p. 151
Other Business-Service Franchises	p. 153
Children's Businesses	p. 155
Art Programs	p. 155
Child Care	p. 158
Cooking Programs	p. 162
Drama Programs	p. 163
Fitness	p. 164
Identification Services	p. 171
Learning	p. 175
Parties	p. 187
Tech Learning	p. 188
Miscellaneous	p. 190
Other Children's Franchises	p. 193
Financial Services	p. 195
Business Services	p. 195
Check Cashing	p. 198
Tax Services	p. 200
Miscellaneous	p. 202
Other Financial-Service Franchises	p. 205
Food/Full Service	p. 207
Asian Restaurants	p. 207
Barbecue Restaurants	p. 209
Burger Restaurants	p. 211
Family-Style Restaurants	p. 212
Italian Restaurants	p. 215
Mexican Restaurants	p. 218
Sports Bar	p. 219
Miscellaneous	p. 220
Other Full-Service Restaurant Franchises	p. 223
Food/Quick Service	p. 225
Asian	p. 225
Bagels	p. 227
Baked Goods, Miscellaneous	p. 229
Chicken	p. 234
Coffee	p. 239
Hamburgers	p. 245
Hot Dogs & Sausages	p. 247
Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts	p. 249
Italian	p. 258
Juice Bars	p. 260
Mexican	p. 266
Pizza	p. 270
Pretzels	p. 284
Salad-Only Restaurants	p. 286
Sandwiches	p. 287
Miscellaneous	p. 303
Other Quick-Service Franchises	p. 313
Food/Retail Sales	p. 317
Candy	p. 317
Food-Design Services	p. 320
Meal-Preparation Services	p. 323
Parties & Catering	p. 327
Miscellaneous Food Businesses	p. 330
Other Retail Food Franchises	p. 334
Health Businesses	p. 335
Dental Handpiece Repairs	p. 335
Vitamins	p. 336
Weight-Loss Programs	p. 338
Miscellaneous	p. 340
Other Health Franchises	p. 344
Home Improvements	p. 345
Building & Remodeling	p. 345
Decorating	p. 356
Grout Repair	p. 358
Organizing	p. 359
Painting	p. 362
Surface Refinishing & Restoration	p. 364
Home Tech	p. 367
Windows & Floors	p. 368
Miscellaneous	p. 372
Other Home-Improvement Franchises	p. 374
Hotels	p. 375
Other Hotel Franchises	p. 390
Maintentance	p. 391
Air Duct Cleaning	p. 391
Asphalt Services	p. 392
Carpet Cleaning	p. 394
Commercial Cleaning	p. 395
Handyman Services	p. 404
Home Repairs, Miscellaneous	p. 410
Lawn Care	p. 414
Pest Control	p. 419
Plumbing	p. 420
Residential Cleaning	p. 422
Restoration Services	p. 427
Restroom Maintenance	p. 430
Vinyl Repair	p. 431
Window Washing	p. 433
Miscellaneous	p. 435
Other Maintenance Franchises	p. 440
Personal Care	p. 441
Fitness	p. 441
Hair Salons	p. 451
Senior Services	p. 459
Tanning	p. 467
Miscellaneous	p. 471
Other Personal-Care Franchises	p. 477
Pets	p. 479
Bird Stores	p. 479
Products	p. 480
Services	p. 482
Waste Removal	p. 485
Other Pet Franchises	p. 486
Recreation	p. 487
Golf	p. 487
Rentals	p. 488
Sports Programs	p. 489
Sports Equipment & Apparel	p. 489
Travel	p. 493
Miscellaneous	p. 496
Other Recreation Franchises	p. 498
Retail	p. 499
Apparel	p. 499
Convenience Stores	p. 501
Dollar Stores	p. 502
Furniture	p. 503
Hobby Stores	p. 505
Newsstands	p. 507
Tech	p. 508
Tools & Hardware	p. 510
Video Games	p. 512
Miscellaneous	p. 513
Other Retail Franchises	p. 519
Services	p. 521
Delivery	p. 521
Dry Cleaning	p. 523
eBay Drop-Off Stores	p. 526
Framing	p. 529
Home Inspections	p. 531
Moving	p. 536
Photography	p. 538
Postal & Business Centers	p. 541
Printing	p. 545
Real Estate	p. 549
Screen Printing & Embroidery	p. 559
Security	p. 561
Miscellaneous	p. 562
Other Service Franchises	p. 569
Tech	p. 571
Other Tech Franchises	p. 579
Lists
Top 10 Franchises for 2007	p. 581
Top 10 Homebased Franchises for 2007	p. 582
Top 10 New Franchises for 2007	p. 583
Top 10 Low-Cost Franchises for 2007	p. 584
State Franchise Authorities	p. 585
Other Information Sources	p. 587
Glossary	p. 589
Index	p. 591
Listings Index	p. 599
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