Franchise Interviews

An annual Chicago event coming up at the end of August (August 25 to August 27) is the answer that many franchisors are looking for.  Three years ago, a business-powerhouse saw a problem and did something about it by creating the Franchise Capital Exchange (FCX). Franchise Capital Exchange is the only event of its kindwhere franchisors present their business opportunities to potential investors in an effort to secure capital to fuel their future.   This event is a one-stop-shop where brands and capital partners come together and can pitch themselves to multiple parties. The event allows for cost and time efficiencies as well as encourages networking and learning opportunities. The brain behind this revolutionary idea is that of Susan Black-Beth, Chief Operating Officer for Super Wash, Inc., who was literally born into the business world.  Susan comes from a family of entrepreneurs and grew up in a family business and started working when she was 4 years old. Susan’s Background: Susan bought her first business (Super Wash rehab) when she was 19 yrs oldSusan was a multi-unit franchisee for 9 yearsShe started a professional speaking business in 2010 (33 yrs old)She started Franchise Capital Exchange (originally known as "Dealmakers' Summit) in 2012 (35 yrs old)Overall, Susan started 3 companies by the time she was 35  In segment 2, you will hear Marty McDermott, the President of Franchise Interviews, on WVOX radio discussing franchising and branding.

We are meeting with with Shannon "The Cannon" Hudson, Founder of 9Round.  9Round fitness is a 30 minute full body kickboxing program. Their workouts change every day and our circuit training model allows members to come in any time of day and start their workout. A certified 9Round Trainer is with the trainer each and every workout to motivate and encourage. Their business model is small. Each location is between 1000 and 1500 square feet and can be run with one to four employees.

We are meeting with with Matt Barker, the cofounder of the Totally Nutz franchise. Founded in 1992 and franchising since May 2014, Totally Nutz’ has attracted thousands of customers with its delectable flavors and varieties of cinnamon glazed nuts, including almonds, pecans and cashews Both Yvette and her husband, Matt, were marketing executives who drew tired of the rat race and started looking for their “next big thing.” That light bulb moment came as they recalled all the conventions they used to attend and the thousands of people walking around each show with some kind of handout. Under the name Barker’s Olde Fashioned Almonds, Matt and Yvette started roasting Cinnamon Glazed Almonds in 1990 and began selling their product at various festivals and fairs. Over the years, their customers would tell how much they enjoyed the product and wished more variety would be offered. Matt and Yvette started experimenting and came up with several delectable flavors and varieties.

A Thousand Bucks to Become a Franchise Owner- Have your heard of crowdfunding?  It is possible through crowdfunding to own part of a franchise for $1,000.  We are meeting with Mandy Calara, the CEO and Founder at  CrowdFranchise, Forever Brands, and Forever Yogurt.  Founded in November 2013, CrowdFranchise is a crowdfunding platform full of savvy community investors interested in owning a piece of a brand in their local community. As opposed to traditional crowdfunding sites, CrowdFranchise will award franchises to the investors, thus providing them with active equity versus just donations. CrowdFranchise plans to have 1,000 units up for crowdfunding by the end of 2014.

We are meeting John Blair, Director of Marketing for Frannet. FranNet is North America's most respected leader in matching individuals with franchise opportunities. Based in Louisville, Ky., FranNet has more than 100 consultants across North America and Europe who use a proprietary profiling and consultative process to determine a business model unique to each client's goals, skill sets and interests, and has matched thousands of entrepreneurs to rewarding small business opportunities. FranNet has been recognized by INC. magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in America for the last four years.

We are meeting with franchise veteran and expert Chris Simnick. Chris Simnick is Founder ofFranchiseTeacher.com which is part of the Synergy Franchise Group Network. Chris is also President and Founder of Synergy Franchise Development, Inc, and is Managing Member and Founder of Synergy Franchise Group, LLC; a Florida based Limited Liability Company. Their "Teach! Coach! Consult! Advise!" is more than a phrase; it is at the heart of their core values. FranchiseTeacher.com along with Synergy Franchise Group, LLC specializes in the creation and implementation of key strategies and business plans for concepts looking to enter franchising, franchise systems that are getting ready to launch as well as young and mature systems looking to "take the next step" in the growth of their systems. Chris has over 30 years of business and franchise experience, as an independent business owner, franchisee and franchisor. His experience is at many levels and he has held numerous positions. Chris' people & sales skills along with his support, operations and management style, have allowed him to put together systems and mentoring teams in franchise development, recruitment, support, financial and operations which are respected throughout franchising. In part 2 and 3 of today’s show, you will hear several interviews with franchise systems FranchiseTeacher.com has worked with. The first interview you will hear is with British Swim School.   This interview was from a couple years ago and Rita Goldberg, the founder of British Swim School was a wonderful guest.  The next show was also from over a year ago with J Dog Junk Removal.  J Dog Junk Removal is a full-service junk removal company that removes almost anything. They offer junk removal services for your home or business.  Find out what makes them unique by listening to segment 3.

We are meeting with Mike Rotondo, CEO of Tropical Smoothie Café... What began as a single location on a beach in Destin, Florida has grown to be a lifestyle brand for people looking for healthy alternatives to fast food. Every day we serve up great-tasting, nutritious food and smoothies at more than 350+ locations in the U.S., with more in development.   Find out more by listening to the show!

This week (June 19 to June 21) is the yearly International Franchise Expo in Manhattan at the legendary Jacob Javits Center. Numerous franchise experts refer to this event as the Super Bowl of franchising. Today you will hear several interviews from experts in franchising on attending the shows and get 7 tips.  First you will hear our interview with Tom Portesy, president of MFV Expositions --- producers of franchise events worldwide.  Tom will talk about what people can expect from these shows and what can be gained in attending. Next your will hear our interview with the founder of FranchiseWorks.com Terry Corkery who gives his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to buy a franchise as well as some fantastic tips on attending franchise shows. The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, or Javits Center is a large convention center located on Eleventh Avenue, between 34th and 40th streets, on the West side of Manhattan in New York. http://www.ifeinfo.com/

We are meeting with World Pizza Champion Glenn Cybulski, Co-Founder of Persona Neapolitan Pizzeria.Persona Pizzeria offers a delicious and truly authentic Neapolitan Pizza at a great value without the long wait. The pizza industry, once dominated by delivery and take out concepts, is now in the midst of reinventing itself to fit into the fast casual mold. And while there are a number of pizzerias jumping on the fast casual trend, none is more innovative than Persona Neapolitan Pizzeria, a create-your-own, hand crafted authentic Neapolitan pizzeria and only concept of its kind in the country with an Italian trained Pizzaiolo. Having opened its first location in Santa Barbara, California in February 2013, Persona has since become the #1 pizzeria in the region and recently announced plans to expand its national footprint with a one-of-a-kind franchise opportunity. We follow segment 1 up with clips from of our interview on CBS Radio and with the franchise king Joel Libava.

We are meeting with Ron Green, CEO of Another Broken Egg Café. Another Broken Egg Café is a full-service breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant. Currently, they just launched their National Egg Month Giveaway and are quickly expanding. In the first quarter alone they opened 9 new locations and are targeting more areas for growth. In part 2, we discuss the expression, people don't buy drills because they need drills and apply it to franchising.  Listen to the show to learn more.