FBR Issue 3 - 2020
Read about this year's Top Food Franchises, our Rockstar Franchisee award winners, and our first-annual Culture100 awards celebrating the best company cultures in franchising.
Read about this year's Top Food Franchises, our Rockstar Franchisee award winners, and our first-annual Culture100 awards celebrating the best company cultures in franchising.
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Franchise Business<br />
REVIEW<br />
Ratings and Reviews of Today’s Top Franchises<br />
<strong>2020</strong> <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
SPECIAL REPORT<br />
TOP FOOD<br />
FRANCHISES<br />
DONATOS PIZZA<br />
FIREHOUSE SUBS<br />
TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFE<br />
WINGSTOP and more... P. 10<br />
Food Franchises Remain Strong<br />
Despite <strong>2020</strong> Challenges P. 6<br />
Culture: The Cornerstone<br />
of a Successful Franchise P. 12<br />
FRANCHISEE SPOTLIGHT:<br />
Daniel Anisz, WINDOW GENIE P. 15<br />
Cal and Lenka Pascanu,<br />
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS<br />
AUTOMOTIVE P. 25
Never look at a<br />
house the same<br />
way again.<br />
Thriving and helping in<br />
a changed economy.<br />
A Proven Model for Success<br />
With over a thousand HomeVestors ® franchise locations, we have<br />
a vast network of knowledgeable real estate professionals who<br />
help and mentor one another, rather than compete.<br />
Loans for Buying and Repairing Property<br />
We make it easy to keep your business running smoothly by<br />
providing loans for qualifying acquisition and repairs.<br />
Generating Leads for You<br />
Our nationally recognized brand and national advertising effort<br />
helps make lead generation easy.<br />
Close The Deal with Confidence<br />
Our ValueChek ® software takes the guesswork out of estimating<br />
repairs and helps you steer clear from making costly mistakes.<br />
You are in the right place, at the right time to be a HomeVestors ® franchisee - so what are you waiting for?<br />
HomeVestorsFranchise.com | 800-230-0385<br />
*Each franchise office is independently owned and operated.
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Features //<strong>2020</strong> <strong>Issue</strong> 3<br />
6 12 20<br />
5 Letter From the Founder<br />
Franchising Leading in Challenging Times<br />
6 Food Franchises Remain Strong<br />
Despite <strong>2020</strong> Challenges<br />
Many Food Brands Quickly Pivoted<br />
in the Face of COVID-19<br />
10 Top Food Franchises<br />
This Year’s Best Food Franchises<br />
12 Culture: The Cornerstone<br />
of a Successful Franchise<br />
In These Challenging Times, Company Culture<br />
is More Important Than Ever Before<br />
14 Funding Your Franchise<br />
You Have Options<br />
16 <strong>FBR</strong> Culture100 Winners<br />
Best of the Best in Company Culture<br />
20 <strong>FBR</strong>’s <strong>2020</strong> Rock Star Franchisees<br />
Meet Franchising’s Finest<br />
24 Marketplace: Franchise Opportunities<br />
More on the franchisee approved franchise<br />
opportunities for <strong>2020</strong><br />
24 <strong>2020</strong>’s Top 200 Franchises Overall<br />
Franchises with high franchisee satisfaction<br />
in every industry sector<br />
Franchisee Profiles<br />
15 Daniel Anisz, Window Genie<br />
25 Cal and Lenka Pascanu,<br />
Christian Brothers Automotive<br />
30 Juan Ortega, ActionCoach<br />
31 Jenny Reed, Cruise Planners<br />
+<br />
Reviews, interviews, satisfaction awards,<br />
and more resources are available at:<br />
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 3
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Letter from the founder<br />
Franchising Leading in Challenging Times<br />
For many of us, <strong>2020</strong> has been a year we won’t soon forget. While the daily headlines have been<br />
dominated by chaos and tragedies, if you look deep enough, there are amazing and inspiring<br />
stories all around us—people coming together to help one another.<br />
One of those inspiring stories is the father and son duo of Ken and KJ Jones from Danville,<br />
VA (featured on our cover). A firefighter of 30 years, Ken and his son opened a Firehouse Subs<br />
franchise in 2018 to continue serving the local community they love.<br />
When COVID-19 swept across the country this year, the Jones family stepped up their<br />
community support even more by providing meals to healthcare workers and other first<br />
responders serving on the frontlines of the pandemic. This is just one of hundreds of stories<br />
of franchise leaders and franchise owners going above and beyond to support their local<br />
community in this time of crisis.<br />
Our fall issue provides some much-needed inspiration with a look at our annual list of Top<br />
Food Franchises, our annual Franchisee Rockstar award-winners, and the premier of our <strong>FBR</strong><br />
Culture 100—celebrating the best franchise company cultures. We hope you enjoy our coverage<br />
of these amazing franchise organizations and consider exploring the many career and businessownership<br />
opportunities that they offer.<br />
The franchise community is full of stories like that of Firehouse Subs franchisees Ken and KJ<br />
Jones. On behalf of the entire team here at <strong>FBR</strong>, thank you for all that you do.<br />
When COVID-19 swept<br />
across the country this<br />
year, the Jones Family<br />
stepped up their<br />
community support even<br />
more by providing meals<br />
to healthcare workers and<br />
other first responders.<br />
Eric Stites, Founder and CEO<br />
Franchise Business Review is the leading franchise market research firm that performs<br />
independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction and franchise buyer experiences.<br />
Before you invest in any franchise opportunity, read our reports to get the facts<br />
from those who know best — franchisees. We publish quarterly research reports,<br />
examining segments of franchising including the Top 200 Franchise Opportunities,<br />
Top Low-Cost Franchises, Top Franchises for Women, Top Food & Beverage Franchises,<br />
and Top Franchises for Veterans. All publications are available digitally at<br />
FranchiseBusinessReview.com.<br />
Eric Stites, CEO & Managing Director<br />
Michelle Rowan, President & COO<br />
C.J. Fleck, Senior Web Developer<br />
Ali Forman, Marketing Director<br />
Taryn Myers, Senior Director, Digital Marketing<br />
Lisa King, Web Designer<br />
Nicole Dudley, Client Success Manager<br />
Amy LaLime, Client Services Manager<br />
Margot Doering, Accounting<br />
The Secret Agency, Design and Production<br />
Call us at 866-397-6680<br />
HOW WE IDENTIFY THE TOP FRANCHISES<br />
Participation in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction research is free for all North American franchise systems with<br />
a minimum of 10 franchisees. For this report we looked at data from nearly 28,000 franchise owners from 307 leading franchise brands.<br />
We collected this data between October 2018 – February <strong>2020</strong>. We asked each franchisee over 33 benchmark questions ranking their franchise<br />
in the areas of financial opportunity, training and support, leadership, operations and product development, core values (e.g., honesty and<br />
integrity of franchisor) general satisfaction and the franchisee community. We also asked them to answer an additional 16 questions about their<br />
market area, demographics, business lifestyle, overall enjoyment running their franchise, and role in the franchisee community. From this data, we<br />
identified our list of top franchises with the highest franchisee satisfaction. More detailed information about our research methodology is available<br />
at www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com.<br />
Surveys to determine the Top Food Franchises, Top Franchises for Veterans and Most Profitable Franchises are underway. If you are a<br />
franchisor and would like to get involved in our research, please call 866-397-6680 or contact info@FranchiseBusinessReview.com.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 5
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Food Franchises Remain Strong<br />
Despite <strong>2020</strong> Challenges<br />
Many Food Brands Quickly Pivoted in the Face of COVID-19<br />
When you think about franchises,<br />
restaurants typically are the first<br />
to come to mind. There’s a good<br />
reason for that: More than one-third of all<br />
franchises fall into this category, making it one<br />
of the most popular segments in franchising.<br />
Just weeks before the pandemic hit the United<br />
States, the National Restaurant Association<br />
released its <strong>2020</strong> State of the Restaurant Industry<br />
Report, which predicted the industry<br />
would reach a record $899 billion in <strong>2020</strong>,<br />
with the moderate 4% growth rate mirroring<br />
general economic conditions.<br />
RECIPE FOR DISASTER?<br />
The restaurant industry faced an unexpected<br />
roadblock when the coronavirus forced dining<br />
rooms across the country to shutter—closing<br />
some businesses for good. But others bridged<br />
financial gaps by capitalizing on curbside<br />
pick-up and delivery services to attract new<br />
customers and retain loyal patrons. Those<br />
restaurants that thrived during the pandemic<br />
drew upon their positive company culture,<br />
strong leadership, and core values to beat<br />
expectations.<br />
“In January I would have said food and<br />
beverage franchises can be difficult to run<br />
since success relies heavily on great products<br />
and people. Post COVID, those are still challenges,<br />
but now there are added considerations<br />
around safety protocols, technology, and how<br />
take-out and delivery can be a bigger part of<br />
the business,” says Michelle Rowan, president<br />
of Franchise Business Review.<br />
Firehouse Subs, a Jacksonville, Floridabased<br />
gourmet sub franchise with more than<br />
1,500 locations throughout the country, experienced<br />
record sales this summer, according to<br />
its CEO, Don Fox. Most of its locations don’t<br />
have drive-throughs, and at some points in<br />
the spring, its restaurants were forced by state<br />
mandate to close their dining rooms.<br />
Sonya and Carlos Matthews of Frios Gourmet Pops Newnan, GA.<br />
6 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
At the beginning of the pandemic, the franchise<br />
suffered crushing 45% losses. Instead of<br />
comparing themselves to past performance,<br />
they drew upon their can-do team culture<br />
and concentrated on pivoting their strategy<br />
to get food to their customers. This is where<br />
previous investments in food packaging and<br />
advertising paid off, Fox said, allowing Firehouse<br />
Subs to shift to a delivery model that<br />
didn’t compromise its food quality.<br />
“We threw out all points of comparison<br />
and rallied around a few things. We focused<br />
on one thing—do what you can do to make<br />
today and tomorrow better,” he said. “We did<br />
that, day after day, week after week, until we<br />
hit the 9-week mark, and by that time we were<br />
beating last year’s sales by a lot. And, in the<br />
past 13 weeks we have never performed at this<br />
level in our history.”<br />
Fox describes the Firehouse Subs brand as<br />
one that is based on the values of philanthropy<br />
and treating others (employees, coworkers,<br />
vendors, and customers) fairly. Each team<br />
member lives the brand’s mission statement:<br />
To carry on our commitment to and passion<br />
for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service,<br />
and public safety, Fox said. To date, the brand<br />
has donated more than $52 million in life<br />
saving equipment to first responders through<br />
its non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety<br />
Foundation. Donations come primarily from<br />
their customers, who have the opportunity to<br />
give back each time they visit a Firehouse Subs<br />
location by rounding up their purchase to the<br />
nearest dollar. Staying true to their firefighter<br />
roots and supporting local communities continues<br />
to serve the brand well.<br />
“We stay customer-focused. We set very<br />
high standards, because if we don’t, too many<br />
competitors will catch up and defeat us,” he<br />
said. “We believe in philanthropy and always<br />
giving back to the community. To be a part<br />
of us, you need to embrace that part of the<br />
culture.”<br />
LISTENING TO FRANCHISEES<br />
HELPS RAISE THE BAR<br />
With more than 850 locations across the country,<br />
Tropical Smoothie Cafe offers healthy<br />
sandwiches, wraps, bowls, and smoothies as<br />
well as catering services. The Destin, Floridabased<br />
franchise, was also forced to pivot its<br />
café business to delivery and curb-side pickup<br />
in the wake of the coronavirus.<br />
Customers enjoying a healthy meal at Tropical Smoothie Cafe (pre-Covid).<br />
Like Firehouse Subs, Tropical Smoothie<br />
Cafe has experienced unprecedented growth<br />
through the pandemic. The chain reported<br />
that July’s comp sales were up 25.5% and that<br />
transactions were also up 5.8%, according to<br />
Fast Casual. The brand attributes its success<br />
to its healthy menu and variety of contactless<br />
food delivery options. Tropical Smoothie Cafe<br />
still plans to open 85 new cafes this year.<br />
The leadership at Tropical Smoothie Cafe<br />
listens carefully to feedback provided by its<br />
franchise owners through franchisee satisfaction<br />
surveys. Charles Watson, CEO of Tropical<br />
Smoothie Cafe, said franchisee surveys helped<br />
the corporate office better understand how<br />
well locations heard messages the brand was<br />
delivering in the wake of the pandemic and<br />
helped the corporate office determine how<br />
locations were taking action during the crisis.<br />
The brand views its franchisees as its customers<br />
and seeks to provide a business model that<br />
works for them, Watson said.<br />
“At Tropical Smoothie Cafe, franchisee<br />
satisfaction is #1. We have to know what they<br />
think and feel about our brand on a consistent<br />
basis,” he said. “Without that incredibly<br />
important information, we can’t make changes<br />
to our business model and to our support<br />
structures in order to continue to drive our<br />
business. At the end of the day, we don’t have a<br />
business without our franchisees.”<br />
REINVENTION BASED ON FEEDBACK<br />
Cliff Kennedy, CEO of Frios Gourmet Pops,<br />
was a franchisee before he became “the boss.”<br />
And before he became a franchisee, he was a<br />
customer who indulged in the frozen desserts<br />
several afternoons each week. His experiences<br />
gave him key insights into how the corporate<br />
office could better support its franchisees and<br />
delight its customers. Originally founded in<br />
2013 in Gadsen, Alabama and now operating<br />
36 locations, Frios made Franchise Business<br />
Review’s list of Top Food Franchises for the<br />
first time in <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
Frios Gourmet Pops started as a brick and<br />
mortar location, but since Kennedy acquired<br />
the company in 2018 just a few months after<br />
he signed on as a franchisee, he discovered<br />
new ways to reach customers. The company<br />
has now moved to Mobile, Alabama, where it<br />
has consolidated its production facility with<br />
its corporate office. Bringing the two functions<br />
together has allowed the teams to collaborate<br />
on new flavors and brainstorm new ideas in<br />
real time, Kennedy said.<br />
The coronavirus crisis quickly prompted<br />
the corporate office to seek input from franchisees<br />
who were finding success in an uncertain<br />
landscape. With children and families stuck at<br />
home, Frios Gourmet Pops could be delivered<br />
via pushcarts and trailers. Franchisees found<br />
success in promoting their intended routes on<br />
social media. When franchisees arrived at the<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 7
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Getting a Taste: Questions to Ask Franchisees<br />
Before you invest, it’s critical to talk to as many franchisees as possible in the brand you’re<br />
considering. With the profound impact of the pandemic on franchises, it’s more important<br />
than ever that you make these conversations part of your due diligence.<br />
You probably already have many questions of your own, but we suggest these as a useful<br />
starting point:<br />
COVID Impact<br />
• How has your business been impacted by COVID? Are you behind 2019, up, flat?<br />
• How has your relationship with the franchisor/corporate team changed since COVID?<br />
• What changes during COVID will be a part of the way you do business going forward?<br />
• How did you revise your <strong>2020</strong>/2021 goals based on COVID?<br />
• What are some ways the corporate team helped you navigate the chaos during<br />
quarantine and opening back up?<br />
• What are the safety precautions for guests and employees in your space?<br />
• How did fellow franchisees collaborate or help each other through this spring/summer?<br />
• How would you rate the technology/innovation of the brand (online ordering,<br />
delivery, products)?<br />
General<br />
• Did the opening of your business go according to plan?<br />
• How effective and useful was your initial training and is the ongoing training?<br />
• How much support does the franchisor give you on a day-to-day basis?<br />
• If you run into problems, does the franchisor help you solve them?<br />
• Does the franchisor visit you regularly?<br />
• How helpful are the operations and training manuals?<br />
• If the franchisor supplies products, do they arrive on time and is their quality consistent?<br />
• How long did it take to break even?<br />
• When did you make a profit?<br />
• What was your first year gross revenue? What is it now?<br />
• Has turnover and profitability been in line with what the franchisor told you it would be?<br />
• Does the franchisor facilitate franchisees interacting with each other?<br />
• How helpful are the other franchisees?<br />
• What do you wish you had known going into business that you did not?<br />
• Is there anything you would have done differently?<br />
To help determine if the franchise you are considering is a good investment,<br />
ask the franchisor the following questions:<br />
• How long has the franchisor been franchising?<br />
• What is the expertise/experience of the executive team?<br />
• How many existing franchise owners are there? How many franchise owners have failed?<br />
Why did they fail?<br />
• What data is there to prove the viability of the marketplace? Is there a long-term market<br />
for the products or services?<br />
• Who are the main competitors and how do they compare to the franchise in terms of<br />
price, quality, delivery, and service?<br />
• How much is the start-up investment and what does it include?<br />
• How much will you have to pay the franchisor on an ongoing basis?<br />
• What are the financial projections for your business?<br />
• Is there a set territory? How does the franchisor prevent its franchisees cannibalizing<br />
business from each other?<br />
• How long is the term of the franchise agreement? Can you renew it?<br />
• How long does it take to be up and running once the agreement is signed?<br />
neighborhoods, there would already be lines<br />
of children waiting to buy pops, Kennedy said.<br />
“We listened to them. It wasn’t our idea to<br />
mobilize our product. That idea came from a<br />
franchisee,” Kennedy said. “Her sales were up,<br />
and we said, ‘hey look, everyone, this franchisee<br />
is successful, you could do that in your<br />
territories as well.’”<br />
Kennedy said Frios Gourmet Pops has<br />
built its foundation on its relationship with its<br />
franchisees. In the end, it sells fun—not pops,<br />
he said. Each week, the Frios corporate office<br />
provides a blog, training programs, and a<br />
private Facebook group to share best practices<br />
and successes.<br />
“I wake up every day thinking, how can my<br />
franchisees be more successful, and what can I<br />
do to help them?” he said.<br />
AN APPETIZING INVESTMENT<br />
Although owning a food business, like any<br />
business, has its challenges, there is a high<br />
potential for return. That said, initial investments<br />
in the food sector are notoriously high<br />
due to real estate factors and build-out costs.<br />
When looking at the 35 brands on this year’s<br />
Franchise Business Review Top Food Franchises<br />
list, initial investments range from a low<br />
of $45,000 for a Happy and Healthy Products<br />
franchise, all the way up to $3,000,000 for a<br />
Wendy’s franchise. By the time the location’s<br />
first customers have eaten, wiped their lips<br />
clean and waved goodbye, most franchisees<br />
will have stocked their kitchen, settled their<br />
franchise fees, paid rent, covered renovations<br />
and made initial payments on a smorgasbord<br />
of expensive tools and equipment.<br />
Expenses add up fast, and if you are<br />
anticipating to recoup your initial investment<br />
quickly, prepare to be disappointed—margins<br />
in the food sector, especially in the early days<br />
of a location, are routinely thin. With high<br />
costs and low margins, there is not a lot of<br />
room for guesswork. It’s important for franchisees<br />
who want to succeed to have a firm<br />
grasp of the numbers: What are your main<br />
costs? Which costs can you control, and which<br />
costs are relatively fixed? And is there sufficient<br />
consumer demand to cover those costs and<br />
generate an income?<br />
The good news is, interest rates are at<br />
historic lows due to the pandemic. So for those<br />
investors looking to borrow the cash needed<br />
for the sizable investment typically required<br />
8 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
The lines at Kona Ice trucks are longer due to social-distancing, but kids are still craving their unique shaved ice (photo taken pre-Covid).<br />
to open a food franchise, now is the time<br />
to take advantage of the opportunity for<br />
“cheap money.”<br />
FACTOR IN SATISFACTION WHEN<br />
EXPLORING YOUR OPTIONS<br />
No franchising investment should be made<br />
lightly. Today’s food and beverage franchises<br />
aren’t limited to fast food restaurant concepts—the<br />
sector has expanded to include<br />
mobile vans and trucks, curbside pick-up,<br />
and food delivery services that range from<br />
burgers to ice pops to Bundt cakes. With<br />
so many concepts to choose from, and the<br />
profound impact of the pandemic on business<br />
models and sales, it can be challenging<br />
to select brands that are not only financially<br />
lucrative but rank high when it comes to franchisee<br />
satisfaction.<br />
Examining the reviews and feedback from<br />
other franchise owners is one way to get<br />
unbiased advice from entrepreneurs who<br />
have already made the leap into franchise<br />
ownership and have first-hand experience<br />
with the brands you are considering.<br />
“Potential business owners may be initially<br />
attracted to the hype around a particular<br />
brand or the overall idea of running a restaurant;<br />
but this should come second behind<br />
thorough due diligence. Prospective franchisees<br />
must do their homework and compare<br />
opportunities side-by-side—looking at both<br />
well-known brands, as well as smaller, lesserknown<br />
companies. Carefully considering<br />
feedback from current franchise owners as<br />
well as independent third-party rankings and<br />
reviews such as the Top Food and Beverage<br />
Franchises list can help aid in your decision<br />
making,” Rowan said.<br />
To help you narrow down the top brands<br />
based on franchisee satisfaction, Franchise<br />
Business Review analyzed 18 months’ worth<br />
of data from approximately 4,300 franchise<br />
owners representing nearly 100 brands<br />
regarding their overall satisfaction with their<br />
brands and their likelihood to recommend<br />
them to others.<br />
Instead of asking franchisors what makes<br />
their brands unique, we instead asked franchisees<br />
33 key questions focused leadership,<br />
training, financial opportunity and core<br />
values as well 16 more personal questions<br />
related to their business lifestyle and overall<br />
enjoyment of running their franchise to give<br />
you insights into these brands based purely<br />
on independent surveys completed by the<br />
franchisees who own them.<br />
This year, 35 franchises made Franchise<br />
Business Review’s list of the Top Food and<br />
Beverage Franchises for <strong>2020</strong>, thanks to the<br />
high marks they received from those closest<br />
to their businesses—their franchisees. Some<br />
of the recognizable brands that made the list<br />
include Kona Ice, Nothing Bundt Cakes,<br />
Wendy’s, and A&W Restaurants. Chicken<br />
Salad Chick and Checkers & Rally’s also<br />
made the list, along with newcomers like<br />
Frios Gourmet Pops.<br />
“The 35 award-winning food brands that<br />
made the list were lauded for their strong<br />
leadership, open communication, and ability<br />
to work with franchisees to navigate<br />
all the challenges thrown at them this year,”<br />
Rowan said. “It’s no surprise that many<br />
of the brands that made this list were able<br />
to overcome challenges presented by the<br />
coronavirus.”<br />
If you are interested in pursuing franchise<br />
ownership in the food sector, this year’s list of<br />
the Top 35 food and beverage franchises is a<br />
great place to start.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 9
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
THE LIST<br />
Best of the Best:<br />
Food Franchises<br />
A&W Restaurants<br />
Fast casual<br />
BIGGBY COFFEE<br />
Beverages<br />
Survey<br />
Date<br />
May<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
April<br />
2019<br />
Start-Up<br />
Investment<br />
$276,000 –<br />
$1,397,000<br />
$186,850 –<br />
$369,100<br />
Cash<br />
Requirement<br />
Total<br />
Units<br />
$150,000 955<br />
$70,000 231<br />
* Bruster’s Real Ice Cream — more on p. 27<br />
Frozen treats<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$230,000 –<br />
$1,300,000<br />
$100,000 186<br />
Captain D’s<br />
Fast casual<br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
$1,005,600 –<br />
$1,223,600<br />
$350,000 533<br />
“The senior management<br />
team at Checkers is the<br />
best! They listen and<br />
provide the best support<br />
for franchise owners.”<br />
* Checkers & Rally’s<br />
Quick-service<br />
* Chicken Salad Chick — more on p. 27<br />
Fast casual<br />
Dash In Food Stores<br />
Convenience Store<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$254,000 –<br />
$1,431,000<br />
$562,000<br />
$740,000<br />
$119,650 –<br />
$517,750<br />
$250,000 882<br />
$200,000 180<br />
$119,650 –<br />
$517,750<br />
67<br />
– Checkers & Rally’s Franchise Owner<br />
Donatos Pizza<br />
Quick-service<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
$375,500 –<br />
$699,900<br />
$200,000 161<br />
* East Coast Wings + Grill<br />
Casual dining<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$434,568 –<br />
$927,930<br />
$250,000 36<br />
“The franchisee community<br />
at Kona is made up of<br />
the best people. Not just<br />
good businesspeople,<br />
but genuinely NICE<br />
people, who care about<br />
each other.”<br />
Fazoli’s Restaurants<br />
Fast casual<br />
* Firehouse Subs<br />
Quick-service<br />
Frios Gourmet Pops<br />
Frozen treats<br />
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill<br />
Casual dining<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
March<br />
2019<br />
June<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
$1,098,000 –<br />
$1,739,818<br />
$131,150 –<br />
$928,405<br />
$25,000 –<br />
$35,000<br />
$2,286,545 –<br />
$6,732,615<br />
$250,000 268<br />
$90,000 1,172<br />
$50,000 38<br />
$500,000 492<br />
– Kona Ice Franchise Owner<br />
* Happy & Healthy Products<br />
Ice cream/Yogurt/Frozen treats<br />
March<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$53,206 –<br />
$92,936<br />
$0 30<br />
Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs<br />
Quick-service<br />
Nov.<br />
2018<br />
$228,300 –<br />
$475,000<br />
$43,416 –<br />
$100,000<br />
551<br />
Jason’s Deli<br />
Fast casual<br />
March<br />
2019<br />
$931,791 –<br />
$1,400,000<br />
$931,791 –<br />
$1,400,000<br />
261<br />
*This brand’s Franchisee<br />
Satisfaction Report is available at<br />
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com<br />
* Kona Ice<br />
Frozen treats<br />
LaRosa’s Pizzeria<br />
Fast casual<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
June<br />
2019<br />
$127,750 –<br />
$151,550<br />
$800,000 –<br />
$1,000,000<br />
$20,000 1,247<br />
$500,000 65<br />
10 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Survey<br />
Date<br />
Start-Up<br />
Investment<br />
Cash<br />
Requirement<br />
Total<br />
Units<br />
Lennys Grill & Subs<br />
Quick-service<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
$192,844 –<br />
$431,326<br />
$75,000 95<br />
Nathan’s Famous<br />
Fast food<br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
$276,360 –<br />
$1,040,360<br />
$200,000 262<br />
Nothing Bundt Cakes<br />
Snack retailer<br />
May<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$430,200 –<br />
$624,300<br />
$150,000 372<br />
Penn Station<br />
Quick-service<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$290,984 –<br />
$594,478<br />
$300,000 315<br />
Pizza Factory<br />
Fast Casual<br />
Aug.<br />
2018<br />
$372,000 –<br />
$562,000<br />
$90,000 108<br />
Pizza Ranch<br />
Fast Casual<br />
* PJ’s Coffee<br />
Quick-service<br />
Qdoba<br />
Quick-service<br />
Simple Simon’s Pizza<br />
Fast casual<br />
Straw Hat Pizza<br />
Fast casual<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
March<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
$768,000 –<br />
$3,458,000<br />
$198,000 –<br />
$578,000<br />
$475,000 –<br />
$1,095,000<br />
$142,000 –<br />
$536,000<br />
$262,500 –<br />
$861,500<br />
$400,000 215<br />
$43,570 –<br />
$100,000<br />
$350,000 –<br />
$1,000,000<br />
114<br />
899<br />
$20,000 190<br />
$250,000 25<br />
“Having our own business<br />
has changed our lives<br />
and the lives of our<br />
children. We are<br />
extremely fortunate<br />
to have found Tropical<br />
Smoothie Cafe and it<br />
is a great team at the<br />
support center!”<br />
– Tropical Smoothie Café Franchise Owner<br />
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe<br />
Fast casual<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$323,000 –<br />
$819,000<br />
$500,000 90<br />
* The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Company —<br />
Ice cream/Yogurt/Frozen treats<br />
more on<br />
p. 31<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
$164,158 –<br />
$542,408<br />
$43,668 –<br />
$80,000<br />
206<br />
The Wendy’s Company<br />
Quick-service<br />
June<br />
2019<br />
$300,000 –<br />
$3,000,000<br />
$2,000,000 6,564<br />
Tropical Smoothie Cafe<br />
Fast casual<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$222,095 –<br />
$569,335<br />
$125,000 738<br />
Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar<br />
Louisiana themed sports grills<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$1,214,000 –<br />
$4,033,700<br />
$90,000 46<br />
Wings Etc.<br />
Fast casual<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$292,847 –<br />
$1,733,707<br />
$43,745 –<br />
$200,000<br />
74<br />
Wingstop<br />
Quick-service<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$434,268 –<br />
$982,275<br />
$600,000 967<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 11
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
NextHome multi-office franchise owner Steven Burch (center right) and his team from NextHome Unlimited serving Manhattan, Junction City, Fort Riley, and Abilene, KS.<br />
Culture: The Cornerstone<br />
of a Successful Franchise<br />
In These Challenging Times, Company Culture is More<br />
Important Than Ever Before<br />
When seeking to describe an<br />
organization’s culture, you might<br />
reference its mission or vision<br />
statement, describe its leadership style, or<br />
explain what its work environment is like.<br />
Each of these components impacts how a<br />
franchise company’s franchisees and employees<br />
treat one another and their customers—<br />
ultimately reflecting that brand’s global image.<br />
In franchising, the home office sets the<br />
tone for how its franchisees consistently carry<br />
out the company culture in locations across<br />
the country and the globe. To be sure their<br />
intended messages and ways of doing business<br />
are resonating with franchisees, it’s critical<br />
for brands to communicate their values<br />
clearly across their organizations. If they fail<br />
to define what makes their cultures special<br />
and unique, they may unknowingly suffer the<br />
consequences. Furthermore, if they ignore<br />
any issues their teams may be encountering,<br />
their reluctance to listen might be communicated<br />
loudly elsewhere.<br />
“Gone are the days of hiding hostile or<br />
non-inclusive companies. If people don’t<br />
enjoy being in your space and being part<br />
of your team, they are talking about it with<br />
their friends and family and with strangers<br />
on social media,” said Eric Stites, CEO of<br />
Franchise Business Review. “Trying to hire<br />
or recruit franchisees becomes difficult if you<br />
aren’t cultivating a strong culture that people<br />
want to be a part of.”<br />
TAKE A CULTURE PULSE<br />
How do you measure the quality of franchise<br />
company’s culture? Surveying franchise<br />
owners is a great place to start. They will tell<br />
you how well the franchise leadership team<br />
is executing on the vision of the brand, and<br />
how well the community of support staff and<br />
franchisees work together to achieve their<br />
business objectives.<br />
To be clear, every franchise organization<br />
has a different culture and vibe. Some<br />
franchises are more serious and formal,<br />
while others are more relaxed and casual.<br />
Understanding the style of the way a franchise<br />
operates and how well they include franchise<br />
owners in the process is important for you to<br />
identify. A franchise company’s culture—and<br />
your potential fit into that culture—should<br />
guide your franchise investment decision.<br />
To help understand what franchisees think<br />
about their company cultures, Franchise<br />
Business Review asked over 27,000 franchisees<br />
from more than 300 brands a series of<br />
questions that looked at perception of brand<br />
vision, team culture, honesty and integrity,<br />
and overall support.<br />
12 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Brands across many different industries<br />
made our first-ever Top 100 Culture List. Topping<br />
the list was MaidPro, NextHome, Kona<br />
Ice, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK and Keller<br />
Williams—all veteran <strong>FBR</strong> award winners for<br />
outstanding franchisee satisfaction.<br />
“Not surprisingly, the companies that<br />
rated high on culture are no strangers to our<br />
awards lists,” Stites said. “Many of these brands<br />
have been part of our franchisee satisfaction<br />
awards for years. There is obviously a strong<br />
tie between culture, franchise performance,<br />
and satisfaction.”<br />
Building upon a strong culture is more<br />
important now more than ever. As the world<br />
faces a global pandemic, economic recession,<br />
and protests against systemic racism,<br />
culture has taken center stage. The franchise<br />
companies that are already doing it right—<br />
promoting positive, inclusive, and transparent<br />
cultures—will continue to thrive. And those<br />
that don’t will struggle to attract new franchisees,<br />
employees, and customers, Stites said.<br />
Hear from a few brands about what makes<br />
their company cultures stand out among their<br />
biggest customers—their franchisees.<br />
HIRE THE RIGHT PEOPLE<br />
Express Employment Professionals knows a<br />
thing or two about recruiting. The franchise,<br />
which operates 825 units across the United<br />
States and Canada, helps small and mediumsize<br />
businesses staff their companies with temporary<br />
and full-time workers. Just as its clients<br />
do, Express Employment Professional also<br />
hires for cultural fit. The brand understands<br />
that high turnover—whether at the client level<br />
or the franchisee level—has negative ramifications<br />
that reverberate through every area of a<br />
business. “Investing in your company culture<br />
will ultimately result in success elsewhere in<br />
the organization,” said Bill Stoller, CEO and<br />
chairman of the board of Express Employment<br />
Professionals.<br />
“Each franchisee office is locally owned and<br />
operated, so it’s important to make sure from<br />
the very beginning that a potential franchisee<br />
is a good fit for our company culture,” said<br />
Stoller. “The benefit of being an established<br />
franchise brand is that over the past four<br />
decades, we’ve had time to develop a system<br />
that encourages both business success while<br />
investing in people.”<br />
Keeping lines of communication open has<br />
been key to Express Employment’s growth<br />
and success. And recent increases in targeted,<br />
crisis communications paid dividends.<br />
“When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit,<br />
it caused a lot of uncertainly, especially with<br />
furloughs and layoffs across the globe. The<br />
most important element for us during this<br />
time was and still is communication,” Stoller<br />
said. “We started to see our sales numbers<br />
climb back up as we encouraged our franchise<br />
offices to ‘beat the week before’ every week,”<br />
he said.<br />
Franchisees continue to be involved in<br />
decisions at the corporate level through focus<br />
groups, trainings, and various teams, giving<br />
them opportunities to contribute and provide<br />
feedback on core values. Rather than canceling<br />
events celebrating the efforts and achievements<br />
of team members, the headquarters<br />
team instead held virtual conferences to allow<br />
for recognition.<br />
“Some of our franchisees have been with<br />
us from the beginning and they help preserve<br />
our unique company culture by investing<br />
their wisdom in the new franchise owners,”<br />
Stoller said. “That’s why it was so important<br />
for Express to continue with conferences<br />
in some capacity this year. Those moments<br />
of fellowship and mentorship help reinforce<br />
our mission of providing hope through<br />
employment.”<br />
BUILD COMMUNICATION INTO<br />
YOUR ONBOARDING PLAN<br />
NextHome is a California-based franchise<br />
that helps real estate brokers better market<br />
properties using cutting edge technology. In<br />
just five years, the brand has opened 500 franchise<br />
offices across 45 states with more than<br />
3,200 members nationwide. Over the last two<br />
years, Franchise Business Review has ranked<br />
NextHome among the country’s top brands.<br />
The habit of frequently checking-in with<br />
franchisees during tough times is one of the<br />
reasons why NextHome has been able to keep<br />
a tight community feel during a period of<br />
explosive growth.<br />
“Our CEO James Dwiggins will call a<br />
franchisee when we hear they are not feeling<br />
well or they had a child break an arm skateboarding,”<br />
said Keith Robinson, chief strategy<br />
officer of NextHome. “While it’s easy to say<br />
you care—most companies do—not everyone<br />
checks on their people to see how they are<br />
doing personally and professionally out of<br />
sincerity.”<br />
Beginning with onboarding, franchisees<br />
hear from members of the franchise development<br />
and support teams frequently, and<br />
then every 90 days during their first year.<br />
Consistent and regular communication has<br />
helped the brand understand right away what<br />
locations need, and they share what steps to<br />
take to be successful.<br />
When the COVID-19 virus emerged last<br />
spring, franchisees had a lot of questions. The<br />
company’s deep investment in relationships<br />
with its owners and culture of collaboration<br />
allowed it to pull the company together during<br />
this uncertain time. The team delivered<br />
an aggressive communications schedule that<br />
included 55 webinars between March and<br />
May. While NextHome didn’t always have<br />
every answer, they were able to share what<br />
they knew—and how they felt.<br />
“Our focus was to provide a calming and<br />
steady influence for our members so that they<br />
could focus on what to do with their businesses,”<br />
Robinson said.<br />
With its growth, NextHome has been careful<br />
to adjust its structure to ensure it reaches<br />
everyone. What’s worked for reinforcing communications<br />
at 100 offices would not scale to<br />
reach today’s number, Robinson said. To meet<br />
the needs of all of its franchisees, NextHome<br />
created a department that is solely focused on<br />
checking in with its franchise owners.<br />
“We continually and actively listen,” said<br />
Caris Moreno, Vice President of Sales for<br />
NextHome. “We survey our members and<br />
dig into the results so we can focus on the<br />
areas where we fall short more than in the<br />
areas where we get high marks. There is always<br />
room for improvement, and we are always<br />
looking for new was to ensure we are evolving<br />
an increasing our culture.”<br />
FOSTER A FAMILY FEELING<br />
Founded in 1975, Pinch A Penny Pool<br />
Patio Spa has grown from one store to more<br />
than 250 locations across the Southeastern<br />
United States and Texas. Its retail stores offer<br />
swimming pool chemicals and accessories,<br />
Continued on page 15.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 13
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Funding Your Franchise: You Have Options<br />
Jeremy Ames, President & Co-Founder of Guidant Financial<br />
There are a few significant differences in financing a multi-unit<br />
franchise versus a single unit, though many of the same financing<br />
solutions will work for both. Aside from the usual cash, credit cards<br />
or even asking for financial support from family and friends,<br />
the most common methods used to finance multi-unit franchise<br />
purchases include loans from the Small Business Administration,<br />
401(k) business financing, unsecured loans and portfolio loans.<br />
Here’s what you need to know about each:<br />
SBA Business Loans<br />
Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) are one of the<br />
most popular financing methods for business owners of all kinds, from<br />
startups to franchises. SBA business loans are not directly from<br />
the SBA. Rather, the SBA encourages banks to lend to small business<br />
owners with preferable terms and low interest rates. In return, the SBA<br />
covers 75 to 85 percent of the loan for the bank if the loan defaults.<br />
This creates a win-win situation for both the lender and borrower.<br />
When it comes to multi-unit franchises, SBA lenders usually look<br />
at each individual unit and also at the collective performance of all the<br />
units. Most lenders want to see at least two years of profitable tax<br />
returns with the initial business prior to applying for funding for<br />
another location. The sooner the business becomes profitable and the<br />
stronger a borrower is, the more flexible lenders are. For example,<br />
if the borrower shows a strong credit score, has prior business experience<br />
in the industry and is able to put down a significant down<br />
payment (more than 20 to 30 percent), the bank may be willing to<br />
approve funding for more than one location simultaneously.<br />
SBA Loan Eligibility Requirements<br />
• 20 percent down payment for an existing business purchase<br />
or 30 percent for a start-up<br />
• 640+ credit score<br />
• Personal collateral required<br />
• Industry experience preferred<br />
• Secondary income preferred<br />
401(k) Business Financing<br />
With 401(k) business financing (formally known as Rollovers for<br />
Business Start-Ups or ROBS), you can use up to 100 percent of funds<br />
from an existing retirement account to buy or start a small business<br />
or franchise without taking a taxable distribution or getting a loan.<br />
Funding through ROBS has been an option since the Employee<br />
Retirement Income Security Act passed in 1974, and it’s growing in<br />
popularity.<br />
Since ROBS doesn’t involve taking a loan, there are no monthly<br />
payments or interest rates, and there are no collateral or minimum<br />
credit score requirements. ROBS can also be used in combination with<br />
an SBA loan, allowing business owners to use retirement funds as the<br />
down payment for the loan.<br />
The process for funding a single-unit franchise versus multiple<br />
units is the same with 401(k) business financing. You can either roll<br />
100 percent of your retirement funds during the initial transaction to<br />
use for one or multiple units, or choose to use a lesser amount initially<br />
to open the first location, then complete another rollover when<br />
you’re closer to opening your second location. However, there are<br />
timing considerations to take into account, especially if you plan to<br />
open multiple units within the first two years. In this case, you may<br />
choose to open your first location using an SBA loan, then use ROBS<br />
as the down payment for a second loan so you can show lenders<br />
strong liquidity.<br />
ROBS Eligibility Requirements<br />
• At least $50,000 in a rollable retirement account<br />
• No minimum credit score requirements<br />
• No down payment needed<br />
Unsecured Loans<br />
If you don’t want to jeopardize personal property in order to obtain<br />
financing, unsecured loans provide up to $150,000 without any collateral.<br />
Unsecured loans work like small business credit cards, consisting<br />
of multiple lines of revolving credit that can be used and paid back<br />
as needed. But instead of relying on collateral, lenders look at your<br />
creditworthiness to secure the loan. As such, a high credit score and<br />
solid borrowing history is necessary.<br />
Unsecured loans have no use-of-proceeds requirements, so the<br />
funds can be used for your first franchise location or subsequent units.<br />
It’s important to note that this type of loan shows up as revolving<br />
credit on one’s credit report and can have a meaningful impact on a<br />
credit score, especially if payments are not made on time. For that<br />
reason, we recommend using unsecured loans as a last resort and only<br />
as a short-term financing solution.<br />
Unsecured Loan Eligibility Requirements<br />
• 690+ credit score<br />
• Credit utilization rate below 50 percent<br />
• Minimal recent credit inquiries<br />
• No recent derogatory comments on your credit report<br />
Portfolio Loans<br />
If you own stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other eligible securities, you<br />
can borrow up to 80 percent against the value of your portfolio without<br />
having to liquidate your holdings. Portfolio loans, also referred to as<br />
stock loans or securities-based lending, work like a revolving line of<br />
credit—allowing you to finance a business or franchise by borrowing<br />
(and repaying) at will. Because of this, they’re ideal for financing multiunit<br />
franchises as you can use as much as you need, pay it back, and<br />
then borrow again when you’re ready to move forward with additional<br />
locations—all without getting a new loan.<br />
For a detailed walkthrough on funding your franchise, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com/financing<br />
14 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Continued from page 13.<br />
swimming pool services such as installation<br />
and repairs, and outdoor services such as<br />
powerwashing. Pinch A Penny stores also<br />
offer backyard products, such as outdoor<br />
furniture, spas, and grills.<br />
Built on a reputation of providing superior<br />
customer service and expertise, the brand has<br />
been included in many top industry rankings,<br />
including Franchise Business Review’s Top<br />
Franchises for Women, Top Franchises for<br />
Veterans, and the Top 200 Best Franchises.<br />
Taking a family approach to business, Pinch A<br />
Penny provides its customers, franchisees, and<br />
employees with all the necessary resources to<br />
carry on its tradition of quality, reliability and<br />
expertise in a fun, family-oriented atmosphere.<br />
“The most important thing for us is: Do<br />
you have an attitude of service? Are you a<br />
giving person? Are you trying to help people?<br />
Our business is built on trust, said Michael<br />
Arrowsmith, CEO of Pinch A Penny. “When a<br />
franchisee comes into our system, we take care<br />
of them the way that we want them to take care<br />
of the customer. While our franchisees have<br />
to do their part in building their business, we<br />
offer the structure, expertise, and tools to help<br />
them from the beginning.”<br />
Pinch A Penny offers a month-long training<br />
that allows franchisees to receive a couple<br />
of national certifications, as well as a diploma<br />
from the Pinch A Penny ‘Pool School of<br />
Graduates. Through that process, franchisees<br />
start learning about the pool business and get<br />
to know other Pinch A Penny owners.<br />
The corporate office not only encourages<br />
prospective franchisees to talk with other<br />
franchisees—it requires them to do so before<br />
they can be approved as a new owner. From<br />
the beginning, Pinch A Penny has established<br />
a process of new and existing franchisees<br />
networking and interacting with one another,<br />
Arrowsmith said. In a nutshell, the foundation<br />
of the company is rooted in transparency and<br />
treating all involved like family.<br />
“Pinch A Penny is a family-owned business,<br />
our franchisees run their own family<br />
businesses, and our customers are families,”<br />
he said.<br />
INVEST IN OUTREACH<br />
The Learning Experience is a childcare<br />
center franchise that serves children in preschool<br />
through kindergarten in more than<br />
275 locations throughout the country and<br />
internationally. Just as it serves families at its<br />
centers, the corporate office treats franchise<br />
owners as family—underscoring its brand<br />
position—Happy Happens Here!<br />
Brad Wahl, SVP of the Florida-based<br />
brand, said The Learning Experience culture is<br />
driven by its brand mission: to have a positive<br />
impact in the lives of children, their families,<br />
and in the communities they serve.<br />
“Our business is dependent on a total commitment<br />
to this mission and our culture. It’s<br />
even more critical during this time because<br />
the health and safety of our little ones is of<br />
paramount importance,” Wahl said. “The<br />
ability of our entire brand family to recognize<br />
this and commit to this direction has been<br />
our focus throughout the pandemic. It comes<br />
down to communication, communication,<br />
communication.”<br />
The Learning Experience invested in<br />
new digital training and communications<br />
platforms at the corporate level to enhance<br />
communication with franchisees. To ensure<br />
consistency, the corporate office delivers<br />
simple messages frequently through multiple<br />
channels to ensure effective reach. And communications<br />
are not one way—franchisees<br />
are encouraged to voice their feedback, too.<br />
It is several brand committees of influence,<br />
including its curriculum committee, brand<br />
awareness fund committee, and diversity and<br />
inclusion committee, that drive corporate<br />
decision making.<br />
“When we see opportunities to improve<br />
the system, we include the entire Learning<br />
Experience community in that process,” Wahl<br />
said. “It helps drive our innovative mindset<br />
with the goal of positively impacting our<br />
entire community.”<br />
CULTURE FIRST<br />
Many franchise organizations “talk the talk”<br />
when it comes to culture, but it is clear that<br />
they don’t all “walk the walk.” A strong culture<br />
doesn’t just happen within a company—it has<br />
to be designed, built, and constantly maintained.<br />
The top franchise companies that have<br />
the honor of be named to our first-annual<br />
Culture100 list are clearly among the best of<br />
the best franchises in the business. We invite<br />
you to learn more about what makes them<br />
unique, and explore business ownership<br />
opportunities in your local market.<br />
Daniel Anisz<br />
Window Genie of Naples, FL<br />
Franchise owner since 2018<br />
FEATURED<br />
Franchisee<br />
Why did you invest in this franchise?<br />
Throughout the whole process, I have found<br />
Window Genie to be very transparent. I like<br />
having several things ready to go starting a<br />
business, so that you don’t have to reinvent the<br />
wheel. With Window Genie, you can follow<br />
proven steps and start bringing in money right<br />
away. The support from the corporate office and<br />
other franchisees is invaluable.<br />
Background prior to becoming a franchisee?<br />
I worked at the corporate office of a franchise<br />
prior to buying my Window Genie business.<br />
This helped me understand the value of following a<br />
process and getting help from others. It helped me<br />
avoid mistakes that others have made in the past.<br />
What do you like most?<br />
I like having the freedom to make my own<br />
decisions and run the business I see fit—that’s<br />
probably my favorite part. I also like having the<br />
ability to make my own schedule and be in charge<br />
of my day-to-day routine.<br />
How did you fund your franchise?<br />
I funded my business through a Small Business<br />
Administration (SBA) loan.<br />
Any advice for prospective franchisees?<br />
Know that it is hard work, but it can be very<br />
rewarding. Building a business takes grit and<br />
determination. Following a proven system works.<br />
Don’t buy into a franchise and try to reinvent<br />
the wheel.<br />
What else would you like to share?<br />
I moved my family from Toronto to Naples for this<br />
business. Failure is not an option for me. This is<br />
the hardest things I have ever done, but I am also<br />
very happy that I did it!<br />
For more information on Window Genie<br />
opportunities, call (800) 700-0022 or visit<br />
windowgeniefranchise.com.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 15
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
THE LIST<br />
Best of the Best:<br />
Franchises with Strong<br />
Company Culture<br />
* 360clean<br />
Commercial cleaning services<br />
A&W Restaurants<br />
Fast casual<br />
* ActionCOACH — more on p.30<br />
Business coaching<br />
Survey<br />
Date<br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
May<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Jan.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Start-Up<br />
Investment<br />
$15,800 –<br />
$24,000<br />
$276,000 –<br />
$1,397,000<br />
$45,000 –<br />
$125,000<br />
Cash<br />
Requirement<br />
Total<br />
Units<br />
$15,000 95<br />
$150,000 955<br />
$45,000 –<br />
$95,000<br />
971<br />
Aire Serv Heating And Air Conditioning<br />
HVAC Services<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$82,600 –<br />
$206,400<br />
$35,000 –<br />
$35,000<br />
183<br />
Aire-Master of America<br />
Commercial hygiene service<br />
Dec.<br />
2019<br />
$40,364 –<br />
$145,900<br />
$50,000 115<br />
* Amada Senior Care<br />
In-home senior care<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
$87,710 –<br />
$174,654<br />
$90,000 111<br />
Amazing Athletes<br />
Early childhood development<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
$27,500 –<br />
$64,950<br />
$30,000 141<br />
American Poolplayers Association<br />
Pool league<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$20,523 –<br />
$28,408<br />
$20,763 331<br />
Anago Cleaning Systems<br />
Commercial cleaning services<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$197,000 –<br />
$298,000<br />
$197,000 –<br />
$298,000<br />
46<br />
AtWork Group<br />
Recruiting services<br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$154,000 –<br />
$231,000<br />
$150,000 71<br />
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate<br />
Real estate<br />
Jan.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$190,970 –<br />
$513,550<br />
$100,000 231<br />
“The core values is the<br />
greatest area of strength<br />
for Christian Brothers<br />
Automotive.”<br />
– Christian Brothers Automotive<br />
Franchise Owner<br />
Bin There Dump That<br />
Residential dumpster rentals<br />
* BrightStar Care — more on p.25<br />
In-home senior care<br />
* Brightway Insurance<br />
Financial services<br />
Captain D’s<br />
Fast casual<br />
* Christian Brothers Automotive<br />
Automotive repair<br />
— more on<br />
p. 25<br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
April<br />
2019<br />
Jan.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
Dec.<br />
2019<br />
$72,200 –<br />
$127,600<br />
$101,656 –<br />
$169,414<br />
$18,000 –<br />
$173,500<br />
$1,005,600 –<br />
$1,223,600<br />
$461,250 –<br />
$566,400<br />
$50,000 198<br />
$150,000 320<br />
$25,000 –<br />
$200,000<br />
187<br />
$350,000 533<br />
$85,000 228<br />
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving<br />
Junk removal services<br />
Mardh<br />
2019<br />
$89,300 –<br />
$208,000<br />
$65,000 110<br />
Color World House Painting<br />
Residential/commercial painting, repairs<br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$72,260 –<br />
$143,200<br />
$40,000 84<br />
* Cruise Planners — more on p. 31<br />
Travel agency<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$2,295 –<br />
$23,617<br />
$10,995 2,811<br />
* Crunch Fitness<br />
Fitness club<br />
Dec.<br />
2019<br />
$255,500 –<br />
$2,320,500<br />
$400,000 –<br />
$500,000<br />
293<br />
Dale Carnegie<br />
Leadership training<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$93,400 –<br />
$245,800<br />
$50,000 232<br />
* Dogtopia — more on p. 28<br />
Dog daycare & boarding<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$757,253 –<br />
$1,553,415<br />
$200,000 137<br />
Donatos Pizza<br />
Quick-service<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
$375,500 –<br />
$699,900<br />
$200,000 161<br />
*This brand’s Franchisee<br />
Satisfaction Report is available at<br />
www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com<br />
* Dream Vacations<br />
Travel agency<br />
* DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen<br />
Home remodeling<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$3,245 –<br />
$21,850<br />
$142,575 –<br />
$364.550<br />
$3,500 1,540<br />
$250,000 36<br />
16 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Survey<br />
Date<br />
Start-Up<br />
Investment<br />
Cash<br />
Requirement<br />
Total<br />
Units<br />
Expedia Cruises<br />
Travel agency<br />
May<br />
2019<br />
$169,950 –<br />
$299,650<br />
$39,000 301<br />
* Express Employment Professionals<br />
staffing solutions<br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$150,000 –<br />
$224,000<br />
$70,000 883<br />
Fazoli’s Restaurants<br />
Fast casual<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$1,098,000 –<br />
$1,739,818<br />
$250,000 268<br />
* Fibrenew<br />
Leather & vinyl repair services<br />
* FirstLight Home Care<br />
In-home senior care<br />
* Fish Window Cleaning<br />
Window cleaning<br />
Five Star Painting<br />
Painting<br />
Freedom Boat Club<br />
Members only boat club<br />
FRSTeam<br />
Home restoration<br />
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers<br />
Physical therapy centers<br />
Heaven’s Best Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning<br />
carpet & upholstery cleaning<br />
Nov.<br />
2019<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
March<br />
2019<br />
Nov.<br />
2019<br />
June<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$87,812 –<br />
$99,452<br />
$112,376 –<br />
$199,376<br />
$87,300 –<br />
$151,600<br />
$74,700 –<br />
$184,250<br />
$149,200 –<br />
$458,700<br />
$33,375 –<br />
$409,500<br />
$82,250 –<br />
$390,000<br />
$55,560 –<br />
$110,000<br />
$15,000 –<br />
$25,000<br />
249<br />
$100,000 214<br />
$100,000 276<br />
$70,000 203<br />
$38,000 196<br />
$33,375 47<br />
$70,000 –<br />
$140,000<br />
386<br />
$39,000 880<br />
“We have a lot of<br />
competition with other<br />
brands that have their<br />
own great cultures, so we<br />
don’t have a monopoly<br />
on that anymore, but I<br />
think Home Instead<br />
Senior Care is the best<br />
out there!”<br />
– Home Instead Franchise Owner<br />
* Home Instead Senior Care<br />
In-home senior care<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$108,900 –<br />
$124,910<br />
$55,000 1,049<br />
House Doctors Handyman Service<br />
Home improvement<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
$98,000 –<br />
$128,650<br />
$60,000 37<br />
Huntington Learning Center<br />
Tutoring services<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$134,000 –<br />
$277,000<br />
$65,000 302<br />
InXpress<br />
Business shipping<br />
Just Between Friends<br />
Children’s consignment<br />
Kampgrounds of America/KOA<br />
Camping services<br />
Keller Williams<br />
Real estate<br />
* Kitchen Solvers<br />
Home remodeling<br />
* Kona Ice<br />
Frozen treats<br />
LaRosa’s Pizzeria<br />
Fast casual<br />
Maid Brigade<br />
Residential cleaning<br />
May<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
Nov.<br />
2019<br />
Jan.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
June<br />
2019<br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$85,600 –<br />
$169,990<br />
$38,550 –<br />
$54,509<br />
$210,950 –<br />
$4,455,425<br />
$183,947 –<br />
$336,995<br />
$91,584 –<br />
$116,720<br />
$127,750 –<br />
$151,550<br />
$800,000 –<br />
$1,000,000<br />
$96,150 –<br />
$129,300<br />
$65,000 376<br />
$43,178 166<br />
$7,500 511<br />
$183,947 –<br />
$336,995<br />
1,026<br />
$30,000 46<br />
$20,000 1,247<br />
$500,000 76<br />
$50,000 452<br />
“I feel the franchisee<br />
community is fantastic.<br />
Everyone is willing to help<br />
everybody else in any way<br />
they can. Being new, I felt<br />
welcomed immediately<br />
and feel that everyone<br />
would help if I ever had<br />
any questions.”<br />
– MaidPro Franchise Owner<br />
* MaidPro<br />
House cleaning & maid services<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$74,560 –<br />
$204,450<br />
$75,000 276<br />
* Mathnasium<br />
Math learning center<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
$112,750 –<br />
$149,110<br />
$0 1,081<br />
* Minuteman Press<br />
Printing & marketing services<br />
Aug.<br />
2019<br />
$74,904 –<br />
$180,053<br />
$50,000 967<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 17
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
THE LIST<br />
Best of the Best:<br />
Franchises with Strong<br />
Company Culture<br />
Motto Mortgage<br />
Brokerage services<br />
Mr. Appliance<br />
Appliance repair<br />
Mr. Electric<br />
Electrical services<br />
Survey<br />
Date<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
Start-Up<br />
Investment<br />
$48,000 –<br />
$68,000<br />
$60,800 –<br />
$139,515<br />
$103,600 –<br />
$239,750<br />
Cash<br />
Requirement<br />
Total<br />
Units<br />
$12,000 82<br />
$45,000 295<br />
$35,000 210<br />
Mr. Handyman<br />
Home repair services<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$111,500 –<br />
$143,100<br />
$50,000 215<br />
Mr. Rooter Plumbing<br />
Home services<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$74,975 –<br />
$182,140<br />
$74,975 –<br />
$182,140<br />
284<br />
My SALON Suite<br />
Private, spacious salon suites<br />
July<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$664,000 $200,000 173<br />
“When surrounded by my<br />
fellow franchisees, I feel<br />
like family, and that they<br />
would do anything to<br />
help me succeed.”<br />
Network in Action<br />
Professional Networking<br />
Nextaff — more on back cover<br />
Staffing solutions<br />
NextHome<br />
Real estate<br />
Nothing Bundt Cakes<br />
Snack retailer<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
Nov.<br />
2019<br />
May<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$43,610 –<br />
$57,500<br />
$98,800 –<br />
$148,000<br />
$14,750 –<br />
$213,595<br />
$430,200 –<br />
$624,300<br />
$50,000 47<br />
$100,000 69<br />
$3,750 450<br />
$150,000 372<br />
– Mr. Rooter Franchise Owner<br />
* Office Pride<br />
Commercial cleaning services<br />
Sep-19<br />
$59,500 –<br />
$107,200<br />
$85,000 137<br />
Orangetheory Fitness<br />
Fitness club<br />
Nov-19<br />
$563,529 –<br />
$999,121<br />
$563,529 –<br />
$634,100<br />
1,000<br />
* Our Town America — more on p. 28<br />
Advertising services<br />
Sep-19<br />
$63,300 –<br />
$86,250<br />
$70,000 53<br />
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning<br />
Carpet cleaning<br />
Jul-20<br />
$39,900 –<br />
$71,490<br />
$39,900 388<br />
“This organization starting<br />
from the bottom and<br />
going to the top exudes<br />
integrity, honesty, and<br />
I feel that they are truly<br />
vested in my success.<br />
Not from a selfish desire,<br />
but rather they want us<br />
all to succeed and do<br />
well for ourselves.”<br />
Palm Beach Tan<br />
Beauty services<br />
* Payroll Vault Franchising<br />
Payroll services<br />
* Pinch A Penny — more on p. 29<br />
Pool supplies retailer<br />
Pizza Ranch<br />
Fast casual<br />
Planet Fitness<br />
Fitness club<br />
Precision Concrete Cutting<br />
Concrete maintenance services<br />
Property Damage Appraisers<br />
Property damage assessments<br />
Sep-19<br />
Aug-20<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
March<br />
2019<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Nov.<br />
2019<br />
$498,278 –<br />
$802,420<br />
$39,313 –<br />
$65,769<br />
$289,375 –<br />
$411,200<br />
$1,127,500 –<br />
$2,526,500<br />
$969,600 –<br />
$4,242,500<br />
$150,000 –<br />
$176,500<br />
$20,300 –<br />
$41,950<br />
$250,000 525<br />
$31,500 57<br />
$150,000 254<br />
$325,000 220<br />
$600,000 1,615<br />
$100,000 56<br />
$20,300 –<br />
$41,950<br />
242<br />
– Pinch A Penny Franchise Owner<br />
* PuroClean — more on p. 29<br />
Property emergency repair services<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$72,765 –<br />
$192,615<br />
$50,000 –<br />
$75,000<br />
285<br />
Rhea Lana’s<br />
Children’s consignment<br />
Dec.<br />
2019<br />
$19,050 –<br />
$38,950<br />
$15,000 100<br />
Right at Home<br />
In-home senior care<br />
March<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$80,150 –<br />
$147,150<br />
$150,000 347<br />
* Sandler Training<br />
Business consulting & coaching<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
$97,525 –<br />
$108,500<br />
$91,525 268<br />
18 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
Survey<br />
Date<br />
Start-Up<br />
Investment<br />
Cash<br />
Requirement<br />
Total<br />
Units<br />
Sanford Rose Associates<br />
Recruiting services<br />
March<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$108,250 –<br />
$143,580<br />
$108,250 106<br />
ShelfGenie<br />
Shelving solutions<br />
Dec.<br />
2019<br />
$68,600 –<br />
$103,750<br />
$75,000 172<br />
Showhomes Home Staging<br />
Home staging<br />
Jan.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$60,550 –<br />
$103,000<br />
$30,000 –<br />
$100,000<br />
61<br />
* Snap-on Tools<br />
Automotive services<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$172,207 –<br />
$375,265<br />
$38,000 –<br />
$53,366<br />
5,164<br />
Snapology<br />
STEM/STEAM programs & activities<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$40,000 –<br />
$90,000<br />
$34,900 104<br />
* Soccer Shots<br />
Youth sports<br />
Sola Salon Studios<br />
Salon suites<br />
Sotheby’s International Realty<br />
Real estate<br />
* Supporting Strategies<br />
Bookkeeping services<br />
Surface Specialists Systems<br />
Home remodeling<br />
The Drybar<br />
Hair salon<br />
* The Goddard School<br />
Early childhood education<br />
Dec.<br />
2019<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
Jan.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
June<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
June<br />
2019<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
Aug.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$41,034 –<br />
$53,950<br />
$457,800 –<br />
$1,166,380<br />
$194,650 –<br />
$627,000<br />
$77,130 –<br />
$102,390<br />
$43,200 –<br />
$56,000<br />
$639,180 –<br />
$1,391,470<br />
$712,800 –<br />
$786,100<br />
$38,000 249<br />
$500,000 455<br />
$63,650 –<br />
$206,000<br />
607<br />
$100,000 100<br />
$25,000 47<br />
$150,000 143<br />
$150,000 519<br />
“We have always felt,<br />
and continue to feel, that<br />
Soccer Shots leadership<br />
is honest and trustworthy.<br />
They care about each<br />
of their franchisees and<br />
try to make decisions<br />
with the best interests<br />
of the entire community<br />
in mind.”<br />
* The Learning Experience<br />
Early childhood education<br />
May<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$493,549 –<br />
$3,585,549<br />
$150,000 212<br />
– Soccer Shots Franchise Owner<br />
* The Maids<br />
Cleaning & maid services<br />
April<br />
2019<br />
$64,100 –<br />
$154,300<br />
$50,000 1,397<br />
The Wendy’s Company<br />
Quick-service<br />
Tint World<br />
Automotive services<br />
Tropical Smoothie Cafe<br />
Fast casual<br />
* TSS Photography<br />
Sports, school & event photography<br />
* Two Men and A Truck — more on p. 25<br />
Moving services<br />
June<br />
2019<br />
March<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
July<br />
2019<br />
March<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$300,000 –<br />
$3,000,000<br />
$199,950 –<br />
$299,950<br />
$222,095 –<br />
$569,335<br />
$20,415 –<br />
$74,725<br />
$179,000 –<br />
$585,000<br />
$2,000,000 6,564<br />
$70,000 83<br />
$125,000 738<br />
$10,500 179<br />
$80,000 –<br />
$190,000<br />
386<br />
“Wild Birds Unlimited is a<br />
tremendous organization<br />
and I am blessed to be<br />
a part of it!”<br />
– Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise Owner<br />
Walk-On’s Bistreaux and Bar<br />
Louisiana themed sports grills<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$1,214,000 –<br />
$4,033,700<br />
$90,000 46<br />
Weichert Real Estate Affiliates<br />
Real estate<br />
Sep.<br />
2019<br />
$62,500 –<br />
$324.700<br />
$25,000 482<br />
* Wild Birds Unlimited<br />
Nature retailer<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$170,382 –<br />
$281,606<br />
$40,000 –<br />
$50,000<br />
348<br />
Wings Etc.<br />
Fast casual<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$292,847 –<br />
$1,733,707<br />
$200,000 –<br />
$500,000<br />
74<br />
YESCO<br />
Visual business communications<br />
Feb.<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
$64,300 –<br />
$350,000<br />
$60,000 123<br />
Young Rembrandts<br />
Children’s art classes<br />
Oct.<br />
2019<br />
$41,250 –<br />
$48,650<br />
$40,000 96<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 19
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
<strong>FBR</strong>’s <strong>2020</strong><br />
Rock Star Franchisees<br />
The great Bill Rosenberg, founder of both Dunkin’ Donuts and<br />
co-founder of the International Franchise Association, once<br />
said, “You can’t have a successful franchisor without successful<br />
franchisees.”<br />
Rosenberg had a deep understanding and appreciation for the<br />
significant role that hard working, high performing franchisees played.<br />
These are the people that make franchising happen each and every day.<br />
At Franchise Business Review, we have a simple name for these<br />
successful individuals—we simply call them Rockstar Franchisees.<br />
What makes a franchise owner great is not easily defined, for each<br />
franchisee brings with him/her unique abilities and skills. But the most<br />
successful franchisees tend to have two things in common: a strong<br />
work ethic and a real commitment to their community. These success<br />
factors illustrate the true beauty of franchising; that with hard work<br />
and perseverance anyone can find success, no matter their background<br />
or previous experience.<br />
This year, we analyzed over 27,000 franchisee surveys, across more<br />
than 300 leading brands, to identify the best of the best in franchising<br />
today. We narrowed our search to just a few hundred candidates—<br />
successful franchise owners very much worthy of the title of Rock Star.<br />
“There are some many fantastic success stories out there; it was<br />
painful to narrow our list down to <strong>2020</strong> Rockstar Franchisees,” said<br />
Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review. “There<br />
were hundreds of deserving business owners. In the end, we picked<br />
80 individuals that really stood out. Franchisees that not only excel in<br />
their businesses but provide strong leadership within their franchise<br />
organizations and their local communities.”<br />
There were so many amazing stories, we can only share a few highlights here in our report.<br />
For our full list of this year’s Franchisee Rockstars, as well as expansive interviews with our winners,<br />
visit us at FranchiseBusinessReview.com.<br />
20 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
THE ZENERI TEAM<br />
Cruise Planners<br />
“Be sure you have a clear business plan, including<br />
short- and long-term goals. Be sure you understand<br />
the required time commitment needed to make<br />
your franchise a success. It’s not a “get rich quick”<br />
scheme, but rather an adventure you need to be<br />
willing to commit to for the long-haul.”<br />
DUSTIN BAKER<br />
Assisted Living Locators<br />
“The biggest challenges I have had to overcome<br />
as a business owner have been recognizing my<br />
strengths and weaknesses in my skill sets, and<br />
being able to delegate accordingly to continue to<br />
climb in an upward direction. I initially attempted<br />
to carry all of our duties on my own shoulders.<br />
However, now I have found that balance and have<br />
been far more productive and successful since I’ve<br />
been able to recognize these small shortcomings.”<br />
JD AND JEFF PENLAND<br />
East Coast Wings + Grill<br />
“We identified what types of management styles<br />
would work for us. We scouted many employees<br />
who wanted more than the average... and once we<br />
groomed them, we took care of them. A winning<br />
team has a good culture that constantly evolves.”<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 21
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
SHADOW<br />
& REBEKAH<br />
SKAGGS<br />
FirstLight Home Care<br />
“FirstLight Home Care has<br />
felt like a family since the<br />
first day we walked into<br />
their corporate office. They<br />
embrace the same morals<br />
and ethics that we do as<br />
a family. They provide us<br />
with a business model and<br />
support system to help<br />
us be successful business<br />
owners.”<br />
MARK SCUDERI<br />
Motto Mortgage<br />
“Pick a brand that you are passionate about and<br />
become a brand ambassador. That is, do everything<br />
in your power to help your brand succeed. As a<br />
franchisee, you not only represent your business,<br />
but you represent the businesses of every other<br />
one of your franchises in the world.”<br />
PAUL DURANT<br />
Junk King<br />
“Franchising allows us to operate independently,<br />
with little red tape. I like mentoring the younger<br />
employees in our organization and recycling/<br />
donating a large percentage of our work. Both are<br />
ways of giving back to the community that are<br />
woven into our culture.”<br />
22 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
KRISTEN MARTYN<br />
& CAMERON HOGARTH<br />
Wild Birds Unlimited<br />
“I love birds and I am obsessed with<br />
bird watching,” Martyn said. “I had been<br />
looking for a way to combine my love<br />
and passion and background with my<br />
dream of owning my own business.”<br />
MICHAEL DWYER<br />
Image One Facility Solutions<br />
“Giving back is huge! Being a business owner is<br />
being a leader, and as leader you are always helping<br />
people. I like watching the people that I employed<br />
grow in personal lives and in the business.”<br />
MICHAEL RAUEN<br />
& JASON JACKSON<br />
TSS Photography<br />
“Your team has to trust that you mean what<br />
you say and that you’re looking out for them.<br />
As leaders, we need to be able to trust that<br />
our team is going to perform and uphold the<br />
values we present to our customers.”<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 23
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE<br />
<strong>2020</strong><br />
TOP 200<br />
FRANCHISES<br />
ADVERTISING & SALES<br />
* Our Town America — more on p. 28<br />
N2 Publishing<br />
Town Money Saver<br />
Welcomemat Services<br />
Discovery Map<br />
AUTOMOTIVE<br />
* Christian Brothers Automotive<br />
* Snap-on Tools<br />
* Fibrenew<br />
Mighty Auto Parts<br />
Tint World<br />
RNR Tire Express<br />
Grease Monkey<br />
Ziebart<br />
BUSINESS SERVICES<br />
* Sandler Training<br />
* FASTSIGNS<br />
Sanford Rose Associates<br />
Network in Action<br />
* Minuteman Press<br />
* ActionCOACH — more on p. 30<br />
* Brightway Insurance<br />
* Supporting Strategies<br />
YESCO<br />
The @WORK Group<br />
Remedy Intelligent Staffing<br />
Dale Carnegie<br />
FPC National<br />
InXpress<br />
Office Evolution<br />
CHILD SERVICES<br />
* Soccer Shots<br />
CompuChild<br />
* TSS Photography<br />
Amazing Athletes<br />
JumpBunch<br />
Young Rembrandts<br />
The Little Gym<br />
Snapology<br />
— more<br />
on p. 25<br />
Today’s leading brands based<br />
on <strong>FBR</strong>’s owner satisfaction data.<br />
*Full Satisfaction Report Available<br />
at FranchiseBusinessReview.com<br />
KidsPark<br />
TGA Premier Sports<br />
High Touch High Tech<br />
College Nannies, Sitters + Tutors<br />
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE<br />
* MaidPro<br />
Anago Cleaning Systems<br />
Aire-Master of America<br />
* 360clean<br />
* Office Pride<br />
* The Maids<br />
* Image One<br />
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning<br />
Molly Maid<br />
Cleaning services<br />
You’ve Got MAIDS<br />
City Wide Maintenance — more on p. 31<br />
Executive Image Building Services<br />
EDUCATION<br />
* The Goddard School<br />
* Mathnasium<br />
Online Trading Academy<br />
Huntington Learning Center<br />
School of Rock<br />
Creative World School<br />
* The Learning Experience<br />
Best In Class Education Centers<br />
FINANCIAL & TAX<br />
* Payroll Vault Franchising<br />
Motto Mortgage<br />
Family Financial Centers<br />
We Insure<br />
* ATAX — more on p. 30<br />
FITNESS<br />
Planet Fitness<br />
Orangetheory Fitness<br />
Fitness club<br />
* 30 Minute Hit<br />
The MAX Challenge<br />
Burn Boot Camp<br />
AUTOMOTIVE<br />
Christian Brothers Automotive<br />
Initial Investment: $461,250 – $566,400<br />
Cash Requirement: $85,000<br />
Total Units: 229<br />
Christian Brothers Automotive is a full-service<br />
auto repair franchise committed to operating<br />
with honesty and integrity. Our focus on superior<br />
customer service and “loving your neighbor as<br />
yourself” has allowed the company to grow with<br />
100% store success in 20 years of franchising.<br />
At Christian Brothers, franchise owners have the<br />
benefit of owning their own faith-based business,<br />
with extensive support from the home office<br />
not only during start up but long term as well.<br />
You do not need previous automotive industry<br />
experience—our thorough training program and<br />
home office coaching will direct you with tools<br />
toward success.<br />
For more information on Christian Brothers<br />
Automotive opportunities, call (855) 866-9222<br />
or visit www.christianbrothersfranchise.com.<br />
BUSINESS SERVICES<br />
FASTSIGNS<br />
Initial Investment: $218,596 – $298,679<br />
Cash Requirement: $80,000<br />
Total Units: 741<br />
FASTSIGNS International, Inc. celebrates its 35th<br />
anniversary in business in <strong>2020</strong> as the leading<br />
sign and visual communications franchisor in<br />
North America, and is the worldwide franchisor<br />
of more than 735 independently owned and<br />
operated FASTSIGNS¨ centers in 9 countries<br />
including the United States and Puerto Rico, the<br />
United Kingdom, Canada, Chile, Grand Cayman,<br />
the United Arab Emirates, Malta, France and<br />
Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE¨).<br />
FASTSIGNS locations provide comprehensive<br />
signage and graphic solutions to help companies<br />
of all sizes and across all industries attract more<br />
attention, communicate their message, promote<br />
their products, help visitors find their way and<br />
extend their branding across all of their customer<br />
touchpoints.<br />
See page 26 for additional top franchises.<br />
Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com for brand details.<br />
For more information on FASTSIGNS<br />
opportunities, call (214) 346-5679, email<br />
mark.jameson@fastsigns.com or visit<br />
https://www.fastsigns.com.<br />
24 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
Helping others has never been so rewarding<br />
FEATURED<br />
Franchisee<br />
Cal and Lenka Pascanu<br />
Christian Brothers Automotive<br />
Locations in Peoria and Surprise, AZ<br />
Franchise owner since 2018<br />
Our commitment to the highest standard<br />
of in-home healthcare provides franchisees<br />
with multiple revenue streams that generate<br />
an annual average of $1,925,681*.<br />
877-689-6898<br />
brightstarfranchising.com/home-care<br />
* 2019 average unit revenue for all first franchise locations that were open 12+ months as<br />
of 12/31/2019 per our 4/1/<strong>2020</strong> FDD - Item 19. A new franchisee’s results may differ from<br />
these represented performances. There is no assurance that you will do as well and you<br />
must accept that risk. This offering is made by prospectus only.<br />
Why did you invest in this franchise?<br />
The first thing that drew me to Christian Brothers<br />
Automotive was their faith-based approach.<br />
Also, they split the profit with you after they pay<br />
you (as an owner) an initial salary and health<br />
insurance. This gave me the assurance that they<br />
would be invested in my success. In comparison<br />
to other franchise models, CBA really took the<br />
time to learn about me and my family and also<br />
gave me the opportunity to learn about them.<br />
I felt the transparency was there from the<br />
beginning.<br />
What do you like most?<br />
Christian Brothers has the best customer<br />
service—something you don’t get at the big<br />
dealerships. CBA coaches us as franchisees to<br />
serve our customers. We go to the home office<br />
annually for a refresher training. The way they<br />
serve us at the corporate office is no different than<br />
the coaching we receive to serve our guests. It<br />
feels too good to be true when you experience it.<br />
Being at the shop allows me to interact with<br />
many customers, build relationships, and make<br />
friends. It’s rewarding to offer my team good<br />
compensation and a five-day work week with<br />
weekends off so they can maintain a balance<br />
between their careers and family lives.<br />
Congratulations to our Rockstar Franchisee,<br />
Rob Felcher.<br />
Make your move and join the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® family! Offering local and long-distance<br />
moving, packing, and unpacking services for home and business customers. There’s never<br />
been a better time to join the nation’s first and largest franchised moving company.<br />
96% customer referral rate • 8 million moves & counting<br />
$2.2 average unit volume • Ongoing year-over-year growth<br />
888.519.0843 | franchise.twomenandatruck.com<br />
This advertisement is not an offering to sell a franchise. An offering can be made only by Franchise Disclosure Document that has been registered with and<br />
approved by the appropriate agency in your state if your state requires such registration. Individual franchise performance will vary. *$2.3 million is the<br />
average annual gross sales in 2019 for franchises that have been in operation at least five years. 76 of the 187 franchises in this group (41%) met or exceeded<br />
this average. New franchisees’ results may differ from the represented performance. See Item 19 of the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK FDD.<br />
Any advice for prospective franchisees?<br />
My biggest advice is to embrace the<br />
recommendations of the home office. If you<br />
decide to join the brand, follow their model, and<br />
don’t try to reinvent the wheel. You should be<br />
open-minded, coachable, and follow their<br />
system. CBA does a great job selecting their<br />
owners. They have more than 200 stores and<br />
have never had to close a store down.<br />
For more information about Christian Brothers<br />
Automotive opportunities, call (855) 866-9222<br />
or visit www.christianbrothersfranchise.com.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 25
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE<br />
<strong>2020</strong> TOP 200<br />
FRANCHISES<br />
FOOD<br />
* Kona Ice<br />
Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar<br />
Pizza Ranch<br />
Captain D’s<br />
Tropical Smoothie Cafe<br />
LaRosa’s Pizzeria<br />
Nothing Bundt Cakes<br />
* Chicken Salad Chick — more on p. 27<br />
A&W Restaurants<br />
Fazoli’s Restaurants<br />
The Wendy’s Company<br />
Wingstop<br />
Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs<br />
Wings Etc.<br />
Pizza Factory<br />
Lennys Grill & Subs<br />
Donatos Pizza<br />
Simple Simon’s Pizza<br />
* Firehouse Subs<br />
* Bruster’s Real Ice Cream — more on p. 27<br />
Golden Corral Buffet & Grill<br />
* The Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Company — more on<br />
p. 31<br />
Rising Roll (Franchising Concepts)<br />
* Checkers & Rally’s<br />
Straw Hat Pizza<br />
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe<br />
BIGGBY COFFEE<br />
Penn Station<br />
* PJ’s Coffee<br />
Dash In Food Stores<br />
* East Coast Wings + Grill<br />
Nathan’s Famous<br />
Jason’s Deli<br />
HEALTH & PERSONAL SERVICES<br />
Palm Beach Tan<br />
The Drybar<br />
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers<br />
Miracle-Ear<br />
Sola Salon Studios<br />
Sport Clips<br />
My Salon Suite<br />
101 Mobility<br />
HOME SERVICES<br />
* HouseMaster<br />
Budget Blinds<br />
Surface Specialists Systems<br />
* DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen<br />
House Doctors Handyman Service<br />
Mr. Appliance<br />
* Kitchen Solvers<br />
Miracle Method Surface Refinishing<br />
The Patch Boys<br />
Mr. Handyman<br />
WOW 1 DAY PAINTING<br />
ASP — America’s Swimming Pool Co.<br />
ShelfGenie<br />
Shack Shine<br />
The Grout Doctor<br />
Closets By Design<br />
Bloomin Blinds<br />
Custom blinds and window coverings<br />
The Honey Do Service<br />
PET SERVICES<br />
In Home Pet Services<br />
Sit Means Sit Dog Training<br />
Pet Supplies ‘PLUS’<br />
* Dogtopia — more on p. 28<br />
REAL ESTATE<br />
NextHome<br />
Sotheby’s International Realty<br />
Weichert Real Estate Affiliates<br />
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate<br />
ERA<br />
* HomeVestors of America — more on inside<br />
front cover<br />
HomeSmart International LLC<br />
Help-U-Sell Real Estate<br />
Showhomes Home Staging<br />
United Country Real Estate<br />
PropertyGuys.com<br />
RECREATION<br />
American Poolplayers Association<br />
Freedom Boat Club<br />
* Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park<br />
Goldfish Swim School<br />
Streamline Brands<br />
RETAIL<br />
* Pinch A Penny — more on p. 29<br />
* Wild Birds Unlimited<br />
Rhea Lana’s<br />
Learning Express<br />
Just Between Friends<br />
* Big Frog Custom T-Shirts<br />
NYS Collection Eyewear<br />
See page 27 for additional top franchises.<br />
Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com for brand details.<br />
FINANCIAL/TAX<br />
Motto Mortgage<br />
Initial Investment: $48,000 – $68,000<br />
Cash Requirement: $12,000<br />
Total Units: 82<br />
“Trendsetter” isn’t a word you often hear in the<br />
mortgage industry. But as the very first national<br />
franchise of mortgage brokerages, our unique<br />
mortgage brokerage-in-a-box concept is gaining<br />
momentum. Why? Because it just makes sense.<br />
From a dedicated business support team, to<br />
state-of-the-art tech and training, to brand<br />
marketing (and everything in-between), Motto<br />
Mortgage gives you all the pieces you need to<br />
hit the ground running as a mortgage broker.<br />
It’s everything you need to get started—we just<br />
need you.<br />
For more information on Motto Mortgage<br />
opportunities, call (866) 668-8649,<br />
email franchise@mottomortgage.com<br />
or visit https://go.mottomortgage.com/<br />
<strong>FBR</strong><strong>2020</strong>-Motto.<br />
HOME SERVICES<br />
The Glass Guru<br />
Initial Investment: $72,750 – $179,500<br />
Cash Requirement: $64,150<br />
Total Units: 89<br />
The Glass Guru is the neighborhood glass shop<br />
you can count on! Since 1997 The Glass Guru<br />
has been the leading provider of glass, window,<br />
and door repair and replacement services for<br />
residential and light commercial customers.<br />
The company continues to be one of the fastest<br />
growing brands in the industry, and has even<br />
seen record revenue numbers during the<br />
COVID-19 pandemic! In addition to offering a<br />
proprietary, money-saving restoration service<br />
for failed insulated windows, the company’s<br />
75+ full-service franchise locations across<br />
North America are a one-stop solution for all<br />
of your residential glass needs. Get started in<br />
the economically resilient home services<br />
category today!<br />
For more information on The Glass Guru<br />
opportunities, call (916) 865-4875, email<br />
franchise@theglassguru.com or visit<br />
theglassgurufranchise.com.<br />
26 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
®<br />
WHERE PASSIONS<br />
ARE SHARED &<br />
Success is Served.<br />
MADE FROM SCRATCH EVERY DAY -<br />
NO STOVES, NO OVENS, & NO FRYERS!<br />
$1,138,652 AUV (BASED ON A 6-DAY<br />
WEEK MODEL) *<br />
13 CONSECUTIVE QUARTERS OF SAME-<br />
STORE SALES GROWTH (& COUNTING!) **<br />
FAMILY-ORIENTED & PURPOSE-DRIVEN<br />
CULTURE<br />
Fast Casual's Top 100 Movers & Shakers [2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019]<br />
Franchise Times' Fast & Serious List [2018 & 2019]<br />
Inc. 5000’s Fastest Growing Private Company List [2016, 2017, & 2018]<br />
IFA's "Franchising Gives Back" Newcomer Award [2017]<br />
Nation’s Restaurant News "Next 20" Restaurant Brands List [2017]<br />
Restaurant Business Future 50 List [2017]<br />
For Franchising Information:<br />
Email: Franchising@ChickenSaladChick.com<br />
Or Visit: www.ChickenSaladChick.com<br />
*This figure represents a total of 67 franchised restaurants at the end of 2017, with 49 of those in<br />
operation the entire year as published in our May 15, 2018 franchise disclosure document.<br />
**Based on performance of franchised restaurants represented in our 2019, franchise disclosure<br />
document.<br />
SENIOR SERVICES<br />
* Visiting Angels<br />
* Home Instead Senior Care<br />
Right at Home<br />
* FirstLight Home Care<br />
Home Care Assistance<br />
Assisting Hands<br />
* Qualicare<br />
* BrightStar Care — more on p. 25<br />
Homewatch Caregivers<br />
* Amada Senior Care<br />
* Senior Care Authority<br />
* Assisted Living Locators<br />
Home Helpers Home Care<br />
* CarePatrol<br />
SERVICES<br />
Weed Man<br />
Precision Concrete Cutting<br />
* Two Men And A Truck — more on p. 25<br />
* Fish Window Cleaning<br />
FRSTeam<br />
Mr. Electric<br />
Five Star Painting<br />
Paul Davis<br />
College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving<br />
Complete Weddings + Events<br />
* Truly Nolen of America — more on p. 30<br />
* The Glass Guru<br />
Mr. Rooter Plumbing<br />
NaturaLawn of America<br />
* PuroClean — more on p. 29<br />
Aire Serv Heating And Air Conditioning<br />
* Mosquito Joe<br />
Window Genie — more on p. 15<br />
Property Damage Appraisers<br />
* U.S. Lawns<br />
The Mosquito Authority<br />
MarbleLife<br />
Precision Door Service<br />
Critter Control<br />
Glass Doctor<br />
Service Team of Professionals<br />
TECHNOLOGY<br />
TeamLogic IT<br />
TRAVEL SERVICES<br />
* Cruise Planners — more on p. 31<br />
* Dream Vacations<br />
Expedia CruiseShipCenters<br />
Visit FranchiseBusinessReview.com<br />
for brand details.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 27
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE<br />
REAL ESTATE<br />
HomeVestors of America<br />
Initial Investment: $96,000 – $426,250<br />
Cash Requirement: $70,000<br />
Total Units: 1,100<br />
“ Dogtopia has the best kind of<br />
support and I have access to<br />
experts, it frees you up to focus<br />
on what you want to focus on,<br />
in business or outside business.”<br />
– Stefani Ballard<br />
DOGTOPIA MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE<br />
Dogtopia.com | Contact Alex Samios at 602-730-6000 ext. 2<br />
THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS NOT AN OFFERING OF A FRANCHISE.<br />
AN OFFER OF A FRANCHISE CAN ONLY BE MADE BY A FRANCHISE DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.<br />
HomeVestors ® franchise is a way to make<br />
life-changing revenue in a system with proven<br />
success, while solid home-buying knowledge<br />
and marketing of the well-known ‘We Buy Ugly<br />
Houses’ brand limit risks. Training covers what<br />
HomeVestors franchisees have learned buying<br />
over 110,000 houses nationwide since 1996.<br />
Tools to make smart investment decisions,<br />
including our ValueChek ® software, and customer<br />
management program. Learn in the field<br />
with your own coach, an experienced, proven<br />
franchisee; your mentor as you learn and grow<br />
your business. HomeVestors is consistently<br />
top-rated and Best in Franchisee Satisfaction,<br />
Real Estate, Leadership, Low-investment, Fastest<br />
Growth, and Veterans, year after year.<br />
For more information on HomeVestors of<br />
America opportunities, call (800) 230-0385<br />
or visit www.homevestorsfranchise.com.<br />
Supporting Your Local Community Has<br />
NEVER FELT BETTER<br />
Connect local business owners with new customers through niche<br />
direct mail marketing with the #1 Advertising Franchise in the country<br />
• Quick Ramp Up<br />
• Home-based<br />
• Flexibility<br />
Quality of Life<br />
• Scalable Business<br />
• Residual Income<br />
• Low Overhead<br />
No Employees Needed<br />
• Sales & Service<br />
No Production<br />
• Enhanced Mobile App<br />
800.497.8360 x236 • OurTownAmerica.com<br />
Jane McElhaney<br />
Columbia, SC Franchise Owner<br />
Veteran Discount available<br />
Our Town America, A Franchising Corporation • 13900 US Highway 19 N | Clearwater, FL 33764-7238<br />
MN Residents: Minnesota Franchise Registration No: F-6498 (Unit); F-7645 (RD) NY Residents: This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by<br />
aprospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. * FranchiseBusinessReview.com<br />
28 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
RETAIL<br />
TRAVEL<br />
Wild Birds Unlimited<br />
Initial Investment: $170,382 – $281,606<br />
Cash Requirement: $40,000 – $50,000<br />
Total Units: 348<br />
Wild Birds Unlimited franchise store owners<br />
are the community resource for backyard bird<br />
feeding products, services and nature education.<br />
Who we are goes far beyond the products<br />
we sell. Each day our owners deliver a joyful<br />
experience to their customers while helping<br />
them purposefully engage with nature. A typical<br />
day involves customers swapping stories about<br />
latest bird sightings and sharing excitement<br />
about attracting new birds with our vast array<br />
of proprietary products.<br />
For more information on Wild Birds Unlimited<br />
opportunities, call (888) 730-7108 or visit<br />
www.wbufranchise.com.<br />
Dream Vacations<br />
Initial Investment: $3,245 – $21,850<br />
Cash Requirement: $3,500<br />
Total Units: 1,540<br />
Are you ready to chart a new course? The future<br />
in travel is bright with a home-based Dream<br />
Vacations travel franchise. The pent-up demand<br />
for vacations is at an all-time high and now<br />
more than ever, consumers are turning to travel<br />
agents to help pan their next getaway. Turn your<br />
passion for travel into your own home-based<br />
business. Dive in immediately with our virtual<br />
training and discover how you can start planning<br />
Dream Vacations today! Join us for an upcoming<br />
webinar to find out how you can own your own<br />
travel agency.<br />
For more information on Dream Vacations a<br />
opportunities, call (800) 650-5576 or visit<br />
OwnaTravelBiz.com.<br />
SERVE YOUR<br />
COMMUNITY,<br />
SECURE YOUR<br />
FUTURE<br />
Be a hero of home & business<br />
restoration while building<br />
a lasting career in a real<br />
recession-proof industry.<br />
WHAT A REFRESHING CHANGE TO BE YOUR<br />
OWN BOSS. FRANCHISE WITH PINCH A PENNY.<br />
WITH $1.2M* IN AVERAGE UNIT SALES,<br />
YOU COULD BE SWIMMING IN BUSINESS.<br />
PROVEN BUSINESS<br />
MODEL<br />
250+ FAMILY-OWNED<br />
LOCATIONS ACROSS THE<br />
SOUTHEASTERN U.S.<br />
AND TEXAS<br />
MULTIPLE REVENUE<br />
STREAMS<br />
YEAR-ROUND BUSINESS IN<br />
RETAIL, SERVICES, REPAIRS,<br />
AND MAINTENANCE<br />
FRANCHISEE<br />
SATISFACTION<br />
CONSISTENTLY RANKED IN<br />
THE TOP 10% FOR FRANCHISEE<br />
SATISFACTION, FRANCHISE<br />
BUSINESS REVIEW<br />
PINCHAPENNYPOOLFRANCHISE.COM<br />
727-263-2302<br />
*For the year ending December 31, 2018, Pinch A Penny had 248 stores open. Of those stores, 238 have been open at least one year.<br />
Of those open at least one year, the average annual gross sales was $1,257,388. 88 stores (37%) had annual gross sales that exceeded the average.<br />
Your results may differ. There is no assurance that you will do as well. See our 2019 Franchise Disclosure Document for more information.<br />
This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. If you are a<br />
resident of a U.S. state or a country that regulates the offer and sale of franchises, are receiving this message in one of those states or countries,<br />
or intend to operate a franchise in any of those states or countries, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with any<br />
applicable pre-sale registration and/or disclosure requirements in the applicable jurisdiction.<br />
©<strong>2020</strong> Pinch A Penny. All Rights Reserved.<br />
Visit DiscoverPuroClean.com<br />
or call (855) 947-0470<br />
Each PuroClean office is independently<br />
owned and operated.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 29
<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT // MARKETPLACE<br />
FEATURED<br />
Franchisee<br />
Join Us Now & Help Us<br />
Serve the Trillion Dollar<br />
US Latino Market! *<br />
Juan Ortega<br />
ActionCOACH<br />
Fort Lauderdale, FL<br />
Franchise owner since 2012<br />
Background prior to becoming a franchisee?<br />
I had 20 years in hospitality where I gained<br />
experience in running businesses and leading<br />
people. During the last ten years in my corporate<br />
career, I was in charge of sales and marketing<br />
which became extremely valuable when I started<br />
my own business with ActionCOACH.<br />
Why did you choose ActionCOACH?<br />
I was looking for a business that would allow me<br />
to play on my strengths and where I could spend<br />
my time doing things that I find exciting and<br />
enjoyable.<br />
What do you like most?<br />
The freedom to work as I please, call the shots,<br />
and be in charge of my own success. I can create<br />
a business that will ultimately deliver the<br />
lifestyle I chose to live.<br />
Be part of our rapid nationwide expansion in serving the thriving<br />
Latino community, both the individual taxpayer and business owner.<br />
Low Startup Investment - Dedicated On-Going Training & Support<br />
Powerful Marketing System - Easy to Operate Franchise Model<br />
Proud to be a<br />
member of<br />
*According to a Forbes Magazine publication.<br />
Take the First Step Toward Building Wealth & the Lifestyle You Deserve!<br />
ATAXFRANCHISE.COM 1(866)999-2829 FIND US ONLINE<br />
Any advice for prospective franchisees?<br />
I would tell them to get ready for what could<br />
very well be the most exciting new chapter in<br />
their career. One that will be filled with ups and<br />
downs and everything in between. There are no<br />
guarantees with anything in life but with a<br />
proven system like ActionCOACH, our chances<br />
of success are much greater.<br />
What else would you like to share?<br />
Eight years ago, I was frustrated in a career,<br />
putting in long hours, fighting for every step of<br />
advancement and not seeing an impact on the<br />
work that I did. My quality of life was poor, and<br />
I was not able to live the life I imagined. Today,<br />
I can see how the work that I do changes the lives<br />
of others and I am handsomely compensated for<br />
it. I get to spend more time with my family, do<br />
cool stuff, and it was all because I had the<br />
courage to make a change. If I did it, I know<br />
anyone can do it!<br />
For more information on ActionCoach<br />
opportunities, call (702) 795-3188 or<br />
(888) 488-2828, email info@actioncoach.com,<br />
or visit actioncoach.com.<br />
30 | For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
FEATURED<br />
Franchisee<br />
Jenny Reed<br />
Cruise Planners<br />
Cumming, GA<br />
Franchise owner since 2001<br />
B2B sales and<br />
management model<br />
20+ services to manage<br />
Recurring, compounding revenue<br />
in a recession-proof industry<br />
No hourly employees, equipment, inventory, or travel<br />
City Wide Average Unit Volume: $3.9 Million (Per 2019 FDD Item 19)<br />
City Wide Average Top Quartile: $8.8 Million (Per 2019 FDD Item 19)<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON AVAILABLE MARKETS<br />
IN THE U.S. AND CANADA:<br />
(214) 674-5480 | citywidefranchise.com<br />
Why did you invest in this franchise?<br />
My husband and I love (and still love) to<br />
cruise and wanted a business I could grow. The<br />
flexibility of working from home was appealing<br />
to me, too. I took my business full-time within<br />
6 months of purchasing it and have never<br />
looked back!<br />
What do you like most?<br />
I love the flexibility! Seven years into my<br />
business, I became a mom and could work from<br />
home but still be present. I enjoy being my own<br />
boss and providing a service in an industry that I<br />
love. I also take advantage of educational<br />
opportunities to try new ships, resorts, and tours.<br />
I love my Cruise Planners family and the support<br />
I receive from the home office.<br />
How did you fund your franchise?<br />
Because the initial franchise fee was so low<br />
compared to other franchises, I was able to<br />
purchase it in full on my own.<br />
What else would you like to share?<br />
This year has been one of the most challenging<br />
years we’ve faced in our industry, but the<br />
challenges are not new to anyone who owns a<br />
small travel business. I purchased my franchise<br />
just prior to 9-11 and have weathered SARS,<br />
H1N1, hurricanes, and more—but the industry<br />
has always been resilient. I have seen this<br />
industry change and grow and have expanded my<br />
specialty beyond cruising--into land-based<br />
vacations, resorts, and all types of travel. I’ve<br />
been honored to have been designated as an<br />
American Express Travel Insider for Caribbean<br />
Cruises and Alaska and have traveled the world<br />
doing what I love. Running a small business has<br />
its challenges, but I have no regrets.<br />
For more information on Cruise Planners<br />
opportunities, call (888) 582-2150, email<br />
franchising@cruiseplanners.com, or visit<br />
www.cruiseplannersfranchise.com.<br />
For more information on the companies in this report, visit www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com | 31
a Nextaff franchisee, you will help<br />
As<br />
Identify, Evaluate and<br />
companies<br />
quality talent using our<br />
Acquire<br />
X-FACTOR model. You<br />
proprietary<br />
backed by our impressive track<br />
are<br />
and incredible support<br />
record<br />
By using our proprietary<br />
channels.<br />
you’ll be able to set<br />
X-FACTOR,<br />
apart from the<br />
yourself<br />
competition.<br />
you’ll gain access to our<br />
Next,<br />
technology, back office<br />
expertise,<br />
recruiting, marketing and<br />
support,<br />
development sources. You<br />
business<br />
enjoy all the benefits of being<br />
will<br />
of a large, national<br />
apart<br />
while retaining the<br />
organization,<br />
to control and start your<br />
flexibility<br />
S T A R T Y O U R<br />
O W N S T A F F I N G<br />
A G E N C Y<br />
F R A N C H I S E<br />
W I T H N E X T A F F<br />
own staffing agency.<br />
“Nextaff provides excellent back office support eliminating the need for us to be an expert in<br />
areas that do not add to our bottom line, which is ideal for those of us who are tired of working<br />
for someone else, this business model really allows you to take control of your future.”<br />
John S, Phoenix franchisee<br />
“Being a business owner has been a dream come true for us because it has given us the<br />
opportunity to be both full-time moms who are actively involved in our children’s schools and<br />
extra-curricular activities and business owners.”<br />
Beth K and Rachel R, Raleigh franchisee<br />
“Ground floor opportunity, support, new franchise, support, working on my business and not in<br />
my business, were all the words that were important to me when choosing a staffing franchise.<br />
Our Support Office was right there to lend me a hand, and for that I am grateful. I have never<br />
felt like just a number at Nextaff, I have always felt like I was part of a family.”<br />
Buffy B, Miami franchisee<br />
w w w . n e x t a f f . c o m<br />
( 8 0 0 ) 5 8 1 - N E X T