Way back in 1985, John Naisbitt, the author of Megatrends, wrote the text “The Future of Franchising: Looking 25 Years Ahead to the Year 2010 for the IFA. Naisbitt stated that franchising was certain to grow, and, as the IFA have acknowledged, he was right. But where does franchising go [...]
The events at the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen, I believe, are settling an opinion: there is no wishing away the world’s environmental problems.
Seventeen years ago, a rather small delegation gathered in Rio de Janeiro to discuss the world’s developing eco-problems. Whatever your particular opinion is on the climate, [...]
Building on yesterday’s discussion on the future viability of the drive-thru, let’s look at another big 2010 trend in the QSR world. If there are two words that may define the next year and beyond for fast food frachisees, it may be these: “eat cheap”.
Those are the two words [...]
As the year winds down, it’s a relevant time to start to analyze the trends that will shape franchising for years to come. Especially as we stand on the verge of the next decade, one wonders exactly how the meta-factors that are changing the world-at-large will trickle down to effect [...]
Pet franchises are a franchise sector that confounds many people. It’s remarkable to see all of the franchised businesses that have grown around our love for our pets. But given the situation that the economy is in, many people are unsure if there will be new restrictions on Americans love [...]
This day next week, the International Franchise Association will publish its Franchise Outlook 2010. The projections that Matt Shay will outline for the coming year of franchising will provide an essential insight into the how the industry is faring at the moment, not to mention a weather vane for how [...]
There’s a reason that some many motivated and talented entrepreneurs are attracted to food franchises. They’re some of the most visible and popular businesses in the world, dealing with broad swathes of the population in an easy-going and affordable way. They’re so popular, in fact, that convenience store franchises are [...]
As the difficulties in the US automotive industry persist, last June’s exclusive franchise study by Franchise Direct on the automotive franchise sector has become even more relevant. Despite Washington’s efforts to restructure Detroit’s auto manufacturers, car sales continue to stutter as drivers turn to aftermarket franchises to keep their cars [...]
Whether or not you’re a franchisor working in a skyscraper in Manhattan or a Subway franchisee managing a small team in Tacoma, Washington, you will need to be a leader in order for your business to succeed. But where does that capacity for leadership come from? We have some free [...]
One of the most memorable ad campaigns I can remember was released when I was teenager. Guinness, the famous Irish stout maker, were trying to win the hearts of Irish-American drinkers by offering an honest-to-goodness Irish pub to the person who could most eloquently write about what made an Irish [...]
One of the most exciting parts of writing this blog is discovering ordinary people who have found a business lifeline through franchising. Perhaps franchising isn’t for everyone, but when it works, it can lead to great success.
Consider 36-year-old Suzanne Plafcan. A mother of triplets, Suzanne found it hard to [...]
Today’s blog post is especially geared towards readers in urban areas. The time is running to enroll in the SBA’s e200 program for 2010.
If you’re a small business owner or a franchisor launching an expanding concept out of an inner-city area, the SBA has bold initiative for you. Its [...]
Small business success is a challenging endeavor, but you are not alone.
For every entrepreneur out there, there are hundreds of small business counselors out there in most big population areas offering advice and insight how to get your business of the ground.
Everyone here at Franchise Direct would like to this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We’ve had a lot to be thankful this year and we hope you have as well.
Enjoy the turkey and don’t eat too much it! Check in next week [...]
We’re firm believers that you can’t get enough good advice when you’re making the decision to buy a franchise. Many people have different perspectives on the best way to do it, and we’re happy to pass on the soundest wisdom so that you can take it all on board before [...]
While the reported calls for a small-business recovery plan were finally heeded last month by the Obama administration, in the aftermath, some financial analysts are asking this interesting question: who needs the federal government’s money anyway?
While the government stalled and stalled in getting relief to small businesses – they [...]
I think we’re probably all guilty of beating the ‘recession’ drum to death in the last year or so, but it is still staggering to witness the social changes that are occurring since people were forced to tighten their belts. Even where Thanksgiving is concerned.
Turkey Day takes place this [...]
Following on from a breakdown on the financial benefits of the Canadian market yesterday, we have happened upon more evidence that states that more American franchises are looking to Canada.
“A trend appears to be emerging among U.S.-based franchisors to target the Canadian market first for international expansion. A slow-to-recover [...]
Back in late May, Franchise Direct launched its sixth international franchise portal, Franchise Direct Canada. A few months in and we’re delighted to be playing a role in matching Canadian entrepreneurs with top business opportunities.
There is no questioning the value of the Canadian franchise market. As we found through [...]
“As McDonald’s goes, so to does franchising.” This might be an extreme overstatement, but nonetheless, the Golden Arches has had such a defining role in the evolution of franchising that many entrepreneurs and analysts will use it as a bellwether for how the industry is faring as a whole.
Those [...]
How does a local hamburger restaurant become the most popular restaurant on earth? Franchising, of course. But there is one subtle, yet critically important step in the process of franchising that can decide whether a franchise explodes into the popular consciousness or is simply left behind: the drafting of your [...]
It’s been a good month or two for Matt Shay.
Many IFA presidents have influenced the national debate on small business, but Mr Shay came through in a big way for small business owners and those in the franchise industry last month when President Obama announced the details of his small business [...]
Today is Veterans Day. It is impossible to properly state in a blog post how much we value the sacrifice that American military personnel make on behalf of ordinary citizens. We’d like to simply say thanks and wish you safety and health in all you do.
For those military veterans [...]
Discussion of buying home-based businesses seems to reaching something like what Malcolm Gladwell might call a ‘tipping point’.
Ever since Franchise Direct published its study on the home-based business sector, there has been a small explosion of stories about opportunities available with a home-based businesses. Of course, it’s most likely [...]
When you are a franchisee, you are not at the bottom of the corporate food chain. Far from it. You are the eyes and ears of your business, responsible for instituting the innovations that will drive the franchise forward.
This is not just corporate cheerleading. These are established lessons. Consider the [...]
We’d like to take a moment to congratulate the IFA which turns 50 years old this year.
Those people who started the International Franchise Association a half a century ago would hardly recognize today’s business landscape, but still their organization continues to provide advocacy and guidance to franchised businesses around [...]
It is easier than ever to develop your franchise into a top global business, thanks to Franchise Direct. The Atlanta-based, world-leading franchise portal recently compiled its rankings of the Top 100 Global Franchises. After a number of insightful follow-up interviews with ranked franchisors, Franchise Direct can now shed some light [...]
So, about 10 days later, exactly what effect has President Obama’s statements on the small business sector had on stabilizing confidence among entrepreneurs?
The answer seems to be mixed. If you’ve been following developments over on the You’re The Boss blog run by the New York Times, you’ll know [...]
The greening of the American economy is underway. Up and down the country, we are seeing the gradual embrace of environmentally-friendly products and materials. What green entrepreneurs are waiting for is the moment when green consumerism reaches the mainstream. At the moment, many are hard at work trying to explode [...]
No generation in American history is quite as celebrated as the Baby Boomers. They might not have changed the world like they promised in 1969, but by being the first generation to grow up with pop culture, it seemed like they would never get old. But, lo and behold, this [...]
Home is where the heart is. And what is true for family life is also true in the business world these days.
A few weeks ago, Franchise Direct published a report on the home–based business sector. The report found that home-based businesses and franchises comprise some of the best opportunities out [...]
We’ve seen a lot of interesting knock-on’s for the franchising sector in the wake of the recession. The business landscape has changed so completely, but few could predict the number of opportunities that would open up for select franchise industries. Education franchises are noting mixed results.
In this case, we are [...]
We blogged this week about IFA chaimwoman Dina Dwyer-Owens’ recent visit to Capital Hill and hoped that the Government would seriously take on board the needs of the small business community. Well, it looks like President Obama has taken notice.
The President yesterday told the small business community that “America [...]
It’s been a busy year at Franchise Direct. When we weren’t matching entrepreneurs with top franchise opportunities or compiling a list of the Top 100 Global Franchises, we were putting together insightful reports on pizza franchises, ice cream franchises, home-based franchises, automotive franchises and more.
Just because some of these [...]
These days, every penny counts. The days when a business could throw money down the drain are long gone. If anything, businesses must strive to make their money they go further than ever before, which is why we’re offering a very simple, but essential money-saving tip today to franchisees.
[...]
At times like these, franchisors and small business owners need to be heard on a national level by politicians and interest groups about the need for government to support the America’s small business sector. We’ve certainly heard a lot from the likes of Goldman Sachs in recent months. So congratulations [...]
One of the best things about owning a franchise is that you can easily apply both your life lessons and business knowledge in a new and exciting field.
This week’s Boston Globe had a fascinating profile of New Englanders who stumbled upon the franchise dream. There’s Trish Harrington who [...]
Franchise Direct, one of the world’s top franchise portals, is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new national website to serve the Irish franchise market.
Franchising has grown exponentially in Ireland over the last two decades. Franchise Direct’s Irish website not only matches entrepreneurs with top franchise opportunities, [...]
We begin this blog post with a personal anecdote.
We were recently visiting Stockholm, the Swedish capital. It’s a very hip city with a keen eye to modern design trends, which you might expect from the home of Ikea. But it was shocking to walk by a McDonald’s in the [...]
Many people tracking developments in the domestic economy are examining the state of the franchise sector. Franchising has lead the economy back during past recessions and some experts are using franchising as a measuring stick for the economy’s progress as a whole. Which is interesting, because the word that many [...]
Home-based franchises make up a varied and growing franchise industry, according to the latest exclusive report on the franchising industry by Franchise Direct.
Home-based franchises have an established track record during past recessions, and with thousands of opportunities to avail of, this franchise sector [...]
ABC’s Shark Tank is halfway through its first season and it’s been enjoyable thus far.
Over at the UK’s equivalent, The Dragon’s Den, one of the franchisor’s on Franchise Direct’s British portal recently made an appearance and solicited the tough-talking millionaires for funding for his mobile food franchise.
Michael Lea owns [...]
We blogged about the success of Young Hunks Hauling Junk this week for a reason: we were pleased to highlight the success of young entrepreneurs. We’ve written in the past about how young grads are turning to franchising because jobs in the financial sector and beyond are gone at the [...]
The ice cream franchise sector is displaying strength despite the economic challenges of the moment, the latest franchise report by Franchise Direct states. Franchise Direct, one of the world’s top franchise portals, has assessed the ice cream market after examining the UFOC’s of 18 franchises and in its [...]
Blogging here with Franchise Direct involves taking a keen interest in the franchises that are listed on the website. So when one of the Franchise Direct franchises is singled out for distinction, we like to pass on the honor.
So well done to College Hunks Hauling Junk, who were named [...]
In today’s business world, a franchisee can no longer just open their doors and expect business to come rushing through the door. They must be engaged with social platforms as well.
In this sense, today’s franchise owners are not only obliged to be skilled and professional in dealing with customers on [...]
We’re going to be hearing a lot about climate change in the coming months.
All week, the New York Times and others have been running lead stories and editorials about the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. It will probably arouse the biggest media clatter about the environment [...]
Franchisees and small business owners should take notice of the latest news from Washington.
Karen Mills, head of the Small Business Administration, has teamed with Janet Napolitano, head of Homeland Security, to publish a Small Business Preparedness Guide for the H1N1 virus.
Winter is always a trying time for small [...]
