Growing Your Franchise

Continuing financing issues mean the industry may never return to its pre-recession days. But promising opportunities still exist in franchising's new era.

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How to Prevent Franchise Disputes

By Andrew A. Caffey | Filed In: Franchising

Here are some tools that all franchisors should have in their arsenal when it comes to managing potential legal problems with franchisees.

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4 Ways to Protect Your Franchise Brand

By Andrew A. Caffey | Filed In: Franchising

While a brand is completely intangible, it can be your franchise's most valuable asset. Franchisors and franchisees should follow these steps to protect it.

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Franchising 101: The Basic Terms, Tips, and Facts You Need to Get Started

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

If you are considering buying a franchise, be sure to read this crash course on the basic terminology, facts, and information you should know beforehand.

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7 Ways to Make Your Franchise Offering Shine

By Andrew A. Caffey | Filed In: Franchising

How can you make your franchise program stand out from the rest? These seven qualities will attract prospects and help you close the sale.

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Do You Need a College Degree to Succeed as a Franchisee?

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

When it comes to franchise success, what you learn may be more important than where you learn it.

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The Unexpected Benefits of Hiring a Developmentally Disabled Employee

Filed In: Hiring & Firing and Staffing & HR

There is a workforce of 7 million motivated, hard-working people eager to work for you. Learn why you should hire workers with developmental disabilities.

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7 Biggest Challenges to Growing a Franchise System

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

Think you're ready to be a franchisor? Make sure you're prepared to overcome these common hurdles to growth.

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A Day in the Life of a Fitness Franchisee

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

What is it really like to run a fitness franchise? A franchisee couple shares the inside scoop.

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Hamburger Franchises a Good Investment in Lean Times

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

In franchising, the hamburger restaurant sector continues to do well. Franchisees and industry experts share insider tips on getting your buns in the door.

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Business Looks Rosy for Frozen Favorite Pinkberry

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

Staying true to the brand and not compromising, contends Ron Graves, CEO of Pinkberry, is the key to the popular frozen yogurt franchise's global success.

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Do Franchise Laws Really Protect Your Franchise Investment?

By Andrew A. Caffey | Filed In: Franchising

The best safeguard for a franchise investor is to understand the franchise laws well enough to know the limitations of their "protections."

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Making the Transition from Veteran to Franchisee

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

Are you a military veteran considering buying a franchise? Learn how other vets did it, and what resources are out there to help you succeed.

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Understanding the Basics of Small Business Market Research

Filed In: Market Research and Market Research & Analysis

Learn how to use market research to understand your industry, your competition, and your target market.

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Red Flags to Watch for When Buying a Franchise

By Joel Libava | Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

Not all franchises are created equal. Here are five warning signs that signal when a franchise may not be right for you.

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Non-Entrepreneurial Franchisees and Franchising: Is It a Good Match?

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

Can you be a successful franchisee if you're not an entrepreneurial type? Find out what the experts say.

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The Real Cost of Franchising Your Business

By Andrew A. Caffey | Filed In: Franchising

Are you financially prepared to franchise your business? Before you sell your first franchise, it's essential to budget for these key costs.

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Secrets to Staying Passionate About Your Franchise

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

Has the thrill of being a franchisee worn off? Veteran franchise owners offer 12 tips to help reignite your commitment and excitement.

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How to Plan Your First Business Trip to China

By Joan Voight | Filed In: Going Global and Operations

If your company wants to crack the growing Chinese market, it's best to travel there first. Learn what you need to know to organize a smooth trip.

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The Benefits Young Franchisees Bring to Franchising

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

Young people bring a unique set of skills to franchising that can help a franchise system grow.

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Can Franchising and Innovation Go Hand in Hand?

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

The core of any franchise’s success is a tried, tested, and perfected system. Even in such a well-oiled machine, however, there's often room for franchisees to innovate.

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7 Steps to Success with a Fast-Food Franchise

Filed In: Franchising

Buying a fast food franchise can be lucrative, but it's also a lot of hard work. The following tips will help you stay on the path to franchise success. 1. Evaluate your skills,...

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Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Master Franchisee?

Filed In: Franchising

A master franchise allows individuals or corporations to buy the rights to sub-franchise within a specific U.S. territory or another country. Here's what you need to know about the concept.

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The Great Recession's Impact on Minority Franchising Initiatives

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

As the economy tanked, so did initiatives encouraging minority franchise ownership. So what is the current state of affairs, and what will the future hold?

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Success Secrets for Women in Franchising

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Women In Business and Staffing & HR

Three female franchise executives share their insight about the challenges faced by women in the franchise industry, and how to overcome them and succeed.

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6 Tips to Market Your Franchise Locally

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchises

If your franchise business relies on local customers, try these tactics to get on their radar.

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Improve Your Chances of Getting Franchise Funding

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchises

Seeking financing to start or grow your franchise? Experts share 19 secrets to help you score the capital you need.

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How to Position Your New Business for Future Franchise Success

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchising

Follow these six steps to build a business that can eventually grow through franchising.

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Food Trucks Inspire Other Small Businesses to Hit the Road

By Tony Case | Filed In: Mobile Commerce and Electronic Commerce

It might have started with food, but now all kinds of business are taking their wares to the streets. Is a mobile business right for you?

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Making the Most of Franchise Discovery Day

By Mark Henricks | Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

Hoping to decide whether a particular franchise is perfect for you? Discovery Day is one step of that process. Use our checklist to make the most of it.

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Checklist: Ten Questions to Ask Before Buying a Franchise

Filed In: Franchises

The quality of the company that stands behind your franchise matters a great deal. Here are 10 questions to ask.

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Converting Your Independent Business into a Franchise

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

For Amy Clegg, converting her independent staffing firm into a franchise was the perfect solution. But is it the right step for all independent business owners?

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Understanding Area Franchise Programs

By Andrew A. Caffey | Filed In: Franchises

Sub-franchisor, master franchisee, area developer -- what does it all mean? Here's a closer look at common types of area representatives.

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Importance of Smart PR for Getting a New Franchise Off the Ground

By Rhonda Sanderson | Filed In: Franchises

It's not enough to open your doors and wait for the customers to line up. Follow these six PR steps to help your franchise succeed and grow.

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Crisis Management: Is Your Franchise Prepared?

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchises

Knowing how to deal with a crisis is important in franchising, as one wrong step in one location can cause a chain reaction throughout the entire system.

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Turn a Low-Cost Franchise into a Big-Time Success

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

A franchise that costs you a little can make you a lot -- if you follow these six tips.

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Six Key Steps to Purchasing a Franchise

Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

The process can be overwhelming, but fortunately there are lots of resources to walk you through the steps, including associations, books, consultants, existing franchisees, informational Web sites, and message boards.

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Checklist: The Advantages of Franchises

Filed In: Buying a Franchise and Franchises

Here are some of the ways in which running a franchise can be easier than starting your own business.

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8 Ways to Become a Better Franchisee

By Sara Wilson | Filed In: Franchises

As a franchisee, it’s your responsibility to form the right team of people. Not only will this improve the workings of your franchise, but it could also save you an incredible amount of...

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