Saturday, February 28, 2009

Francorp Consulting

Francorp is the world's largest and most experienced franchise develpment and consulting firm. Francorp has a responsibility to work with all of the world's small and medium sized businesses to help them understand and explore the concept of franchising their businesses as a way to grow.
Francorp is the largest franchise consulting firm in the world and has the resources to be at all of the world's major franchise and small business exihibitions. This weekend Francorp is working with the New York Restaurant Show and convention to educate the successful restauranteurs in the North East about franchising and help them evaluate the concept of franchise development.

Francorp will be presenting to the restaurant owners at the show on how franchising works and whether the expansion vehicle could be an opportunity for some of the business owners at the show. Francorp has done business in the northeast with many of the successful food franchise concepts and restaurants. For more information on Francorp and the work that the global firm has done please visit the Francorp site, www.francorp.com

Francorp was founded in 1976 and has worked with most of the world's largest and most successful franchise systems. Francorp was founded by Don Boroian and continues to lead the franchise marketplace through the United States and around the globe.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Francorp Consulting

Our Proven Franchising Method
Franchise Your Business Seminars
Want to know how franchising works? Want to know how it stacks up to other forms of expansion and what controls are in place to protect you? Attend a Franchise Your Business Seminar, held in cities across the country. Conducted by a Francorp Senior Consultant, this seminar is designed to answer your questions and provide you with a better understanding of costs, time frames and working capital typically needed to grow through franchising.
The Francorp Tour
As business owners and executives examining franchising as an expansion strategy, you are encouraged to visit Francorp's headquarters in Olympia Fields, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. Here, you are invited to tour through all of our departments, meet our staff and senior officers, and review the documents needed in effective franchise growth. Your time spent with us will allow you to gain a detailed understanding of Francorp's unique process and how this process fits your needs for expansion.
Consultation
Is franchising right for your business? How long will it take to transition your business into a franchise? What kind of costs should you expect? These are just a few of the questions that are answered when you meet with a Senior Consultant. The Francorp consultation is typically a face-to-face meeting that allows you the opportunity to obtain an impartial evaluation of your business and its readiness for franchising from a professional with strong business experience and exceptional expertise in franchising.
Franchise Development
Franchise Development is our area of expertise. Whether you are developing a brand new franchise, reworking an existing one, or converting company-owned operations, Francorp has extensive experience across a wide variety of industries. Franchise Development includes designing a strategy for expansion, legal documents, operations manuals and marketing materials. These documents are created by a team assigned to your program that works closely with your company and staff to create materials that meet your expectations and deliver franchise sales.
Franchise Sales Training
While Francorp doesn't function as a broker for our clients, as part of our Franchise services, Francorp provides franchise sales training to new and existing franchisors. Attendees are taught by industry experts with numerous years of franchise sales experience, receive a "how to" manual and personalized instruction on how to sell effectively. On an ongoing basis, Francorp provides implementation consulting to ensure that the lessons learned in the classroom work effectively in achieving sales.
Franchise Management Training
Francorp conducts a two-day Franchise Management Training course designed to educate the Client's management team on the complexities of operating and managing a growing franchise organization. Detailed and comprehensive manuals are provided to all attendees on all course segments:
Building the Franchise Organization
Training Your Franchisees
Providing Effective Field Support
Marketing as a Franchisor
Franchisor Compliance
Franchisee Relations
Franchisor Services
While franchisors have specific needs that differ from one company to another, there are some basic needs that remain the same for all franchise organizations. Franchisors need both speed and accuracy in keeping their documents in step with the current marketplace. Experience and flexibility are critical. Francorp is structured perfectly to meet these needs. From a singular document revision to a whole system audit, Francorp adapts to meet the needs of each of our clients. We have the resources and experience to assess a problem, offer solutions and implement them in a timely manner.

The Francorp Difference

The Francorp Difference
Our first step is always to determine your franchisability. Francorp differs from other companies that are focused on selling their services. It's important to us that we work only with companies that are franchisable . We want you to be educated about the franchising process, and about how long you should expect the successful franchise offering to take .
Do you own one of those companies? Is your company ready to succeed? We can fast track the process without interfering with your potential to succeed.
And if you don't yet have a company, but do have the necessary funds, Francorp can help you develop a franchisable idea from the ground up.
All Under One Roof
Successful systems create successful franchises, and our unique Proven Method maximizes your chances of success and minimizes costly mistakes. We also offer an array of resources that speak to our leadership in the industry.
In franchising as in so many other fields, there is no substitute for experience. Francorp's professional staff is the largest and most experienced in franchising, and you get the benefit of our collective credentials. It's no accident we're considered the industry leader.
As a result, your services and franchise help are performed "in-house," not delegated to outside contractors who may have no expertise in franchising. We employ a full-time staff of professionals to create franchise structure, franchise documents, marketing strategies and materials, operations manuals, sales training, video presentations, and general consulting.
Information about each client is shared among the professionals involved in order to keep the work product consistent from department to department.
A Comprehensive Franchise Program
It's normal to be nervous about what to expect when you've never done this before. Francorp has developed a step-by-step procedure to support you through the franchising process.
When you first contact Francorp, you won't get a sales pitch. You won't be pressured at all. But by time you leave your first meeting with one of our consultants, you'll walk out with an action plan to either become more franchisable, or to start the franchising process.
Franchise structure - As a first step in creating a franchise program, Francorp consultants prepare a written franchise analysis based upon your business, its competition, and the franchise industry at large.
Franchise agreement - Francorp's in-house attorneys, with input from Francorp's operations, marketing, and strategic consultants, will draft the principal agreement that binds you to your franchisees.
Franchise offering circular - Francorp's legal department will draft an offering circular which will meet both Federal Trade Commission requirements and those of the states in which you intend to sell franchises.
State registration materials - Requirements of the states differ, and Francorp personnel will gather the proper materials and prepare the necessary forms required by each state where you wish to sell franchises.
Operations manual - Everything from company philosophy to advertising, from franchisee reporting to employee recruitment, from inventory acquisition to day-to-day operating procedures is included in your operations manual.
Marketing plan - To aid your franchise sales lead generation, Francorp's marketing department provides the media strategy, media budget, and media schedule. We also develop advertising copy and layouts, and/or direct mail materials, to generate interest among your target franchise prospects.
Franchise brochure - Because the prospect's first impression of your franchise is often created by a brochure, Francorp will design a brochure with special emphasis on exciting graphic design, and will describe in detail the elements of your franchise which make it attractive to prospective franchises.
Franchise sales training - During a two-day seminar, Francorp will instruct your franchise sales staff on all elements of the process, from legal considerations to closing techniques.
Implementation consulting – you'll always have ready access to professional assistance in all of Francorp's specialties during the critical period of franchise development.
Whenever problems or questions arise during this period, you may consult at no charge with any member of our project team.
Plus, you'll also receive a copyrighted 400-page manual covering all topics introduced in the franchise sales seminar in even greater detail.
Francorp's Track Record Of Success
Francorp has the most success stories of any franchise consultant. See our proven track record of client references who've succeeded with Francorp, and how we made a difference in their success. Learn the story behind our success to understand how Francorp came to be the franchising leader, and why it matters to you.
Attend an upcoming event to spend some time with Francorp's consultants. Or, visit our Chicago headquarters to see where it all takes place.
Every company is different, so we give you options for getting the process started. If you think you are franchisable, and that we can make a difference for you, call us to speak directly with one of Francorp's senior consultants. Perhaps you'd prefer to ask a question or inquire about our services online. Contact us and see how Francorp can assist your franchising efforts.
Francorp's difference can also be seen in our pricing structure. We understand the financial concerns of owner-operated companies, and offer you pricing and payment options to fund the future.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Children's Orchard Franchise

Francorp developed the original franchise program for Children's Orchard franchising systems. The Franchise company is the industry leader in children's resale clothing. They currently have almost 100 locations and continue to define their industry. Here are the details on the company and background on the company.
Children's Orchard
900 Victor's Way, # 200
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 800 #:(800) 999-5437Tel:(734) 994-9199 + 222Fax:(734) 994-9323E-Mail:campaign364@mail.emaximation.comWebsite:www.childorch.comContact: Ms. Lisa Morgan, Franchise Development DirectorBusiness Description:
Upscale children's retail/resale stores, featuring clothing, toys, furniture, equipment, books and parenting products. We buy top-brand items from area families by appointment, and re-sell in boutique-style stores, along with top-quality new children's items from nearly 200 suppliers. These are large volume stores selling thousands of items per week.

Franchisor Background
Year Established: 1980
Franchising Since: 1985Operating Units:Franchised Units:84 98.8%Company-Owned Units:1 1.2% Total Operating Units:85 100.0% Geographic Distribution:U.S.: 85 100% North America:States/Provinces with the largest number of operating units:Density
Units1. Michigan 62. Massachusetts 143. California 18

Registered in Following Registration States: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, District Of Columbia, Alberta Financial Requirements Investment:Minimum Net Worth:$200KCash Investment:$30-50KTotal Investment:$72.5-158KAverage Total Investment:$150K Fees:Initial Franchise Fee:$22.5KAverage Franchise Fee:$22KOn-Going Royalty:5%Average Royalty:5%Advertising Fee:1.0%
Average Number of Employees: 1 Full-time, 3 Part-time

Space Needs (in square footage): 1,200-2,000

Preferred Sites: Storefront, Strip CenterOther Sites: Encourage Conversions? YesEarnings Claims Provided?: NoFranchisee Qualifications Ranked from 1 (unimportant) to 5 (important):
Financial Net Worth:5General Business Experience:3Specific Industry Experience:2Formal Education:4Psychological Profile:2Personal Interview(s):5 Terms of Contract Term of Initial Contract:10 Year(s) Term of Renewal Period:Year(s)Passive Ownership:Allowed, But DiscouragedArea Development Agreements?Yes, for 1 Year(s)Sub-Franchising Contracts?NoFranchisees Allowed to Expand Within Territory?No Support and Training International Franchise Association:YesCanadian Franchise Association:NoFranchisee Association/Member:Yes, MemberSize of Corporate Staff: 15Site Selection Assistance?YesLease Negotiation Assistance?YesFinancial Assistance?Yes, Direct Projected New Units Over Next 12 months: 15U.S.: Yes, All US Except HI, AKCanada:NoOverseas:No

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Francorp Annual Conference

Dear Reader,

Francorp would like to invite you to our Annual Client Conference. This is an opportunity for you to get a "Behind the Scenes Look" at how we continue to coach and provide assistance to our clients.

This event will be held in Washington, DC at the Marriott at Metro Center, 775 12th Street NW, on Friday, March 20th from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Our conference will be held in conjunction with the International Franchise Expo (IFE) held on March 20th, 21st, and 22nd. The IFE is the largest franchise show in the United States. The IFE show features nearly 300 franchisors who are set up in booths and who are presenting themselves to over 10,000 attendees and visitors who are intersted in buying franchises. We would suggest you plan on arriving in Washington, DC on Thursday evening, March 19th, attending the Francorp Annual Client Conference on Friday and then attending the IFE on Saturday and Sunday. When you notify us of your attendence, we will arrange for you to receive free admission tickets to the expo.

Our client conference will be featuring an outstanding presentation by our Executive Vice President, Tom DuFore, on "How to Exhibit in a Franchise Show or Tradeshow", and a presentation by Francorp's International offices on some of the exciting opportunities for U.S. companies to sell their master licenses in foreign countires. Represented in the program will be the heads of Francorp's operations in India, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle East, and the Phillippines. There is no charge for your admittance to this meeting and you are free to send as many people as you like from your company.

Reservations for the event are required in order to reserve a seat to our annual conference and to allow the necessary time to send you the information for obtaining your tickets to the IFE. To reserve seats for your company, please contact one of our Franchise Anaylists at 1-800-372-6244 or tradeshow@francorp.com by March 11, 2009.

If you have not doen so already, please take a few moments to review our video on Selling Franchises in a Challenging Economy at www.francorp.com/economy.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Sincerely,

The Francorp Team

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Franchise Consultants - Francorp

Francorp Client Success in 2009.

Francorp Clients continue with great success through difficult economic times! Recently in the past months Entreprenuer has again released the coveted Franchise 500 list, which is a documented list of the fastest growing 500 franchise systems in the U.S. Each year companies and professionals in the franchise industry wait anxciously to see who has made the list, which industries are growing quickly and how all the top franchise companies are doing currently.

Francorp is acknowledged as the industry leader in franchise development and consulting work in launching and developing new and existing franchise concepts and organizations. Francorp has been in business for over 33 years with almost 20 offices around the world. Clients have included McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Auntie Anne's, Omni Hotels, Jimmy Johns, 800-Flowers and many others. This year on the Franchise 500 list, Francorp has 112 clients with whom the firm has worked with at some point, or continues to work with.

112 of the top 500 fastest growing franchise systems have worked with Francorp Consulting.

Francorp works with companies of all sizes and years in the franchise business. Here are some of Francorp's more recent clients who are experienceing success right now in 2009. These are franchise systems that will in the years to come gain more and more exposure, but for right now are just getting a foothold in the market.

Patrice and Associates, http://www.patriceandassociates.com/ - 3 franchises sold in 2009 Hot Box Pizza, http://www.gethotboxpizza.com/ – first franchise soldPlay Party, http://www.playparty.net/ – first franchiseAdvanced Maintenance, http://www.advancedmaint.com/ – 7th locationSofi’s Crepes, http://www.sofiscrepes.com/ – 3rd location -1st franchise in 2009Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza, http://www.alsbeef.com/ - 6 Franchises sold in 2009

For more information on other great franchise concepts and on how to franchise a business, visit Francorp's corporate site, http://www.francorp.com/.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

How to Franchise Children's Businesses - Mad Science Group

Francorp worked with Mad Science Group in developing their original franchise program and assisting them in the development and implimentation of the franchise expansion. Mad Science is the industry leader in their segment and continues to set the bar for children's oriented franchise organizations.

Here is a wonderful interview with Francorp President, Patrick Callaway and Mad Science CEO Ariel Schlien. Mad Science was originally founded in Canada and has since become a global phenomenon with the help of Francorp.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVLNmlEr5gw

For more information on how to franchise, visit the Francorp corporate site:www.francorp.com

Friday, February 6, 2009

Crepes A-Go-Go

Crepes-a-Go-Go in Dupont CircleThe sweet banana and Nutella crepe. (Lois Raimondo - The Washington Post)
washington_po284:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/03/AR2009020300572.html
» Links to this article Wednesday, February 4, 2009; Page F03 "This one is dangerous," one of our tasters declared after a bite of the cream cheese, salmon, egg and tomato crepe ($7.95). So were the cheddar and apple and, of course, the banana and Nutella crepes. And that was after a 20-minute walk in the icy cold back to the office. Crepes shouldn't travel this well. And yet the ones from Crepes-a-Go-Go are good no matter where you eat them. The pancakes are crisp and lacy. The fillings are fresh, and all the crepes are made to order; sure beats that same old sandwich. Mourad Kacimi opened his first Crepes-a-Go-Go, an outlet of a close friend's chain in California, in the Kentlands in Gaithersburg in November 2005. I recently visited his second shop, in Dupont Circle, which opened last April and has more than 70 combinations to choose from. I like the tangy buckwheat batter for savory pancakes such as in the sauteed spinach ($7) crepe, a beautiful balance of sweet, salty and creamy with its just-wilted greens, caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese. The traditional ham and cheese ($4.95), which was generous but not overstuffed, is a classic for a reason; the cheddar cheese and apple ($5.75) should be considered a classic, too. Its cheese is sharp and the apple crunchy; it's a great alternative to usual vegetarian options. On the sweet side, many will go for that banana and Nutella ($4.95), and you can't really go wrong there. But there's something about the crepes with cream cheese that has my attention. A thin layer of the white stuff balances the sweetness in, for example, the special brown sugar and cinnamon crepe ($5.95). It tasted like the cream cheese cinnamon toast my grandmother made, but better. (Sorry, Grandma!) If you can, eat your crepe in the cheery cafe with its prerequisite music of French chanteuse Edith Piaf playing softly in the background. If you can't, the toaster oven back at home or the office is your friend. We reheated our crepes at 350 degrees for six to eight minutes. Flip them over halfway through to bring back the nice crispness on both sides. Crepes-a-Go-Go also touts its house-made gelati and sorbets ($3.75 small, $4.45 medium, $4.95 large). But those aren't quite as authentic. The consistency of the gelati I tried was hard, rather than smooth, at first bite. The flavors have a slightly synthetic taste. Lemon was reminiscent of an Italian ice, the chocolate of chocolate pudding. Not to worry, though. By skipping frozen desserts, you save room for more crepes. -- Jane Black
Crepes-a-Go-Go 2122 P St. NW, 202-955-5655; http://www.crepes-a-gogo.com. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 8 a.m. to midnight; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to midnight; Sundays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. In Gaithersburg (the Kentlands), 514 Main St., 301-519-9777. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sundays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.