Franchise Brokers Association BLOG

It’s pretty remarkable how many different types of franchised businesses there are available.  When most people think of a franchise, images of McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway come to mind.  But less often do people think of the other business concepts the franchising industry has to offer, like:

• Clothing boutiques
• Day Spas
• Hair Salons
• Business Services and Coaching
• Childcare and Development
• Tutoring and Education
• Financial and Loan Services

There are thousands of franchise and business opportunities to invest in.  And, while many people initially say “I want to own a restaurant” or “I want to own a gym” there are important factors than can help you choose the very best business option for you.  Are you looking for:

• Flexible schedule
• Home office based operations
• Low investment level
• High return on investment
• Quick start up
• Small office or small number of employees

This is where a franchise broker can provide you with valuable guidance and assistance.  Their purpose is to not only match you with the best industry for you, but also the best business model.  Your work-life balance and your business goals are taken into consideration when researching your franchise options.  Do you want to:

• Make a difference
• Operate a green company
• Work with other businesses and professionals
• Provide job opportunities

It is important to take all of these items into consideration when investigating franchise and business opportunities you are interested in.  While these things can be daunting, having an experienced partner in your research process can prove immensely helpful (and stress reducing).

If you’re interested in talking to someone about your options or want to learn more about the benefits of using a franchise broker, click here and fill out an Information Request Form.

The FBA is hittin’ the road again, and traveling down to Ft. Lauderdale for The Franchise and Business Opportunities Expo, June 4 – 5.

Join us to learn about the industry and opportunities for YOU in it!  Learn about financing options and other assistance available to you to own your own business.

Want to go to the show? Want to go for FREE?  Print the ticket below for free admission!

The below is a post from FBA Member, Andy Lamedman.  Andy joined the FBA in June of 2010 and has stood out as a true professional who upholds the integrity of the industry.  Thank you Andy for your insight and for sharing your experience.

Networking Pays… Big Commissions!

I have always believed in and heavily touted the power of networking.  And still do… even more so now as you’re about to find out.  For anyone that has ever wondered what the value of networking can mean to them, please continue reading.

Whether you go to a networking breakfast at 7:00 AM, or attend an evening cocktail mixer that starts at 6:30 PM, you’re investing extra time into your work day.  So why do it?  Here’s why:

A few months ago I attended an evening mixer and met a woman networking her business.  We engaged in the obligatory chatter and exchanging of business cards.  As is my custom, I followed up with a “nice to meet you email”, and my personal offer to learn more about her business in an effort to pass some referrals her way (I always start by giving).  I then put her name on my monthly “drip system” distribution list to begin sending her my newsletters and other e-blasts.

One day, out of the blue, I received a call from her saying; “Hi, remember me?”  Well, of course I do.  She indicated she would like to learn more about what I do, and how I could possibly help her find the business of her dreams. Unfortunately, she hastened to say, that she did not have the requisite finances to invest in such a venture.  However, she did say; she has a friend who might be interested in partnering with her as a financial investor to her “sweat equity” investment.  And so we began the process…

Fast forward now to the close.  We ultimately inked a deal where they are partnered in a Junk King franchise in Los Angeles, CA.  And, I received a commission approaching $30,000 at first blush, with much more to come on the back end based on the structure of the deal.

Junk King had wide open territory in Los Angeles County.  They sell their territories in blocks of 500,000 population sectors.  My clients purchased four-blocks totaling Two Million population.  We also negotiated the Right of First Refusal for the balance of Los Angeles County and the neighboring community Southeast of L.A. County known as the Inland Empire.  As they exercise that right and purchase additional territories, the Franchisor will continue to pay me my broker fee referral commissions (yes, we have this in writing).

Additionally, my networking pal (now client and friend) subsequently referred me to her neighbor who is about to be laid off from corporate America and receive a sizable severance package.  He too, is now looking to secure his future and we are taking him down the path to freedom, et cetera.

So, the moral to my story:  Networking Pays… Big Commissions! I met someone that had interest but no money.  She introduced me to someone with money.  They formed a partnership and closed a deal that paid me a sizable commission, with additional commissions yet to come as they develop their business.  Additionally, she introduced me to yet another lead that has potential to earn me more money yet again.  All of this from someone that I did not pay a nickel for in terms of “lead cost”.  This was a free lead… just from attending a networking event.

Further appreciation for closing this Junk King deal goes out to:

• Dennis Mulgannon, Franchise Development Director / Jung King:  Dennis is the consummate professional and was extremely easy to work with.  He’s efficient and very accommodating to both the client and broker requests.  Simply a joy to do business with.

• Tom Mc Donald, President / IRA Rollover Solutions: Within 45-minutes of the initial introductory call with my clients, Tom outlined his services and fees, took the application and credit card number from my client and was on his way to expediting the filing of  Articles of Incorporation with the State of California.  He also set up a 401(k) plan in the name of the new corporation for the client’s new business, secured a third party administrator for the 401(k) plan, and obtained the Federal Tax I.D. numbers, for both the Corporation as well as the new 401(k) plan.  Additionally, he handled all paperwork related to rollover funds making it easy and seamless for my client to gain access to his funds required to wire transfer to the Franchisor in a timely fashion.  Not only was Tom knowledgeable, efficient and effective, he pays a broker referral fee of $1,500, which is 50% higher than his competitors.

• Eric Riess, Legal Expert Extraordinaire / Greesnfelder, Hemker, & Gale, P.C.: Talk about a Master Class.  Eric provided the one-hour of free legal counsel we offer and within the first 30-minutes alone had fully educated my clients.  He answered their FDD questions, reviewed their Addendums to the FDD that had already been verbally negotiated with the Franchisor, and guided them on how best to structure their Joint Venture Partnership Agreement between the two of them.  

At the end of the day, all parties worked exceptionally well and in concert for the good of the ultimate result… putting a client in business!

Congratulations, Andy!

If you’d like to learn more about working with a franchise broker, click here

Junk King Franchise System

Junk King is a young, dynamic and ambitious company uniquely poised to out grow the competition very quickly.

With the growing demand for junk removal, Junk King provides an opportunity to become part of the multi-billion dollar junk removal and hauling industry.

Franchisees work with home owners, realtors, property managers and business owners in meeting their junk hauling needs, removing anything and everything that is not a hazardous material; old furniture and appliances, electronic equipment, fencing and lumber, yard waste, tree branches and garden refuse, tires and automotive parts.

Junk King is also a green company, recycling up to 60% of what it collects from customers and having already saved nearly 2.3 tons of waste from local landfills.

Franchisees are provided with FOUR revenue streams with Junk King:

Business-to-Consumer

Business-to-Business

Business-to-Government

Recycling

Junk King provides:

• Five years of Item 19 (Earnings Claim)
• Comprehensive 5 day training at headquarters & week-by-week preparation for Opening Day
• Strong business model
• White collar management opportunity in a blue collar industry
• Guarantee: If the Franchisee does not achieve a minimum revenue goal of $125,000 in the first 12 months of business, Junk King will refund 100% of the franchise fee on the first territory and allow the Franchisee to return the franchise.

Learn more about Junk King by contacting a FBA Member here.

Learn more about becoming a Franchise Broker or FBA Member here.

Going Green
Companies throughout the world are constantly looking for ways to gain or increase their competitive advantage. US Energy Solution’s approach allows companies ways to reach these goals now and well into the future.

Their solutions allow customers to significantly reduce a major overhead expense, while at the same time
increasing the bottom line. The business model is one that delivers proven, energy efficiency technologies as a means for companies to meet and exceed their cost reduction and bottom line goals, while also staying ahead of competition.

How it Works
US Energy Solutions provides energy efficient solutions resulting in proven, cost savings, reduced energy consumption, and a smaller carbon footprint. US Energy Solutions provides these solutions, some of which are proprietary, to customers in many industries and specializes in several vertical markets.

They consult with companies to help them evaluate opportunities to invest in projects that provide significant energy savings, which have attractive payback time frames. All projects pay for themselves through energy savings, and customers have options regarding how to finance projects. Many choose to use their own capital as projects provide some of the best investments available to them of any kind. However, with available utility rebates, state loan programs at 3%, and other financing options, the projects recommended create an immediate net positive cash flow from day one.

As an example, one customer recently qualified for a 3% state loan program, and received a substantial rebate from their electric utility. The customer has a five year loan payment of $16,500 annually. The energy savings are $40,500 annually, which has created a $24,000 annual positive cash flow.

The Opportunity
US Energy Solutions franchise is an extraordinary franchise opportunity for people that are looking for a great business opportunity and want to provide green solutions and services via proven system and solutions. This relatively low cost green franchise will help their Franchisees across the country provide green solutions to their local environment.

US Energy Solutions provides:

• Home-based business, either full time or part time
• Extremely low overhead costs
• No build out cost or paying monthly rent, utilities, etc.
• No royalties based on sales revenue
• Training and support provided on an ongoing basis
• Technical expertise not required
• All back office support provided by us for engineering, project designs, proposals, etc.
• Unique system and proprietary products
• No sales quotas

Learn more about US Energy Solutions by contacting a FBA Member here.

Learn more about becoming a Franchise Broker or FBA Member here.

Bio Green was developed to serve communities with biologically sound, environmentally safe fertilizers that will improve the quality of soils, lawns and landscapes across the country.

The lawn service industry cares for the lawns of 10.5 million households in the U.S.  While this only represents 15% of total households, it represents 75% of the $3 billion lawn care market.  Do-it-yourselfers represent the remaining 25%.

Industry Facts:

• Approximately 48 million acres of land in the U.S. are devoted to turf Grass.
• Approximately 70 Million tons of synthetic fertilizer are applied to American Lawns Annually
• Approximately 35% of synthetic fertilizer is used by plants (realization rate)
• 40% to 60% of synthetic fertilizers used, run off or leach into the soil, contributing to non source-point pollution.

Bio Green uses fertilizers that are 100% safe for the environment, children and pets.

Bio Green is listed as a designated BioPreferred product by the USDA BioPreferred program, and has been chosen as the fertilizer to be used on the grounds of the USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC.

Bio Green USA, Inc. is committed to:

• Developing innovative and flexible solutions.
• Striving to buy, sell and use environmentally friendly products.
• Recognizing that fiscal responsibility is essential to our futures.
• Instilling environmental responsibility as a corporate value.
• Measuring and monitoring their progress for each project.
• Understanding issues and sharing information with their Licensees.
• Encouraging all Licensees to share in their mission.
• Protecting the territories of the Licensees.
• Striving to ensure the success of all Licensees

Want to learn more about Bio Green?  Find a consultant here.

The service sector of the economy is one of the few sectors that is growing and Color Glo’s franchisees are part of the growing mobile repair and restoration industry.  The ability to service multiple markets including but not limited to; automotive, aviation, marine and recreational, as well as both commercial and residential gives franchisees a business with unlimited growth potential.  Everyday brings new and exciting direction for their business.

Color Glo brings new life and restores to like new the many things that we all see and use daily in our general lives made of leathers, vinyls, plastics and cloth.

They give these items, which can be found virtually everywhere, not only their new appearance, but by extending their use, also contributing to a greener environment by keeping them out of the landfills.

In addition, and most importantly, they save their customer a great deal of money because they need not buy new!

The only limitation to a Color Glo business is imagination, making it truly the Right Business and the Right Time!

Here’s what some of the Color Glo Franchisees are saying:

Color Glo International Team

“We started with Color Glo International in 1994. Deciding to get into this business was the best decision we ever made. We made money our first week in the field and have been making money ever since. The Color Glo products allow us to make very high quality repairs. No competitor we have ever encountered has ever been able to match our quality. Technical support and product innovation provided by Color Glo International Corporate Headquarters allow us to stay current with developments in the repair and restoration field. We look forward to many more profitable years with Color Glo International.”
George and Trina Elfering, South Carolina

“My service develops loyal customers. The customers I first contracted during my training in 1980 are still a part of my customer base.”
Bob deHaan, Florida

“We enjoy the variety and the many opportunities that Color Glo provides.  It’s important for us to work with a company that is conscientious of the environment and Color Glo has made it their priority to develop products that are not only environmentally friendly, but also safe for the consumer.”
Ernesto Lo Russo, Italy

“You will never get bored with Color Glo, it is very fun and satisfying.”
Skeet Wyman, California

Interested in joining the hundreds of already successful Color Glo professionals nationwide that have made the decision to enjoy the freedom and lifestyle that only owning their own business can offer?

Contact an FBA Member here to learn more.