Franchise Interviews

AlphaGraphics, Inc. plans, produces and manages visual communications for businesses at nearly 300 owner-operated, locally based business centers worldwide. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, the AlphaGraphics network, a 41 year-old brand, continues to be at the forefront of the printing franchise industry. Backed by state-of-the-art technology, the world’s highest quality standards and a global network, the company’s trained and experienced team members are committed to delivering creative solutions that enablecustomers to increase their reach.  We are meeting with the President of Alphagraphics Art Coley.  AlphaGraphics recently unveiled AG Alliance, which is an exciting new new program to spur network growth.

We are meeting with Jeremy Kwaterski, CEO of  CPR - Cell Phone Repair Franchise Systems, Inc. CPR – Cell Phone Repair Franchise Systems, Inc., is the most widely known and respected brand in the cell phone and gadget repair industry. CPR® – Cell Phone Repair Franchise Systems, Inc. (CPR®) – an independent service organization dedicated to the on-premises repair of cell phones, iPods, and electronic devices. Our conveniently located retail outlets offer “while-you-wait” service and speedy on-site repairs for every smart phone conceived.   In part 2, we discuss the book that should be read by anyone interested in franchising.  We meet with the legendary Michael Gerber to discuss The E-Myth Revisited.

American consumers are starving for a healthier pizza that allows them to indulge without the guilt, and one passionate, hungry entrepreneur out of Florida has the ideal product, franchise model and market "power" to satisfy their craving.       In fact, after unveiling the Power Pizzeria franchise opportunity at the Miami Franchise Expo earlier this year, and offering samples of his whey protein-packed power dough and fresh all-natural ingredient toppings, EJ Martinez already has franchisees lined up to get a piece of the "next big thing" in the $30 billion pizza segment.     Power Pizzeria is geared up to grow the franchise in the Southeast before expanding nationally and internationally over the next five years.       While the franchise opportunity may be new to market, Martinez has been perfecting the Power Pizzeria brand, products and business model for more than six years, with four corporate locations operating successfully in the South Florida market and another one soon to open in Brickell in downtown Miami. The first franchise location in Florida is scheduled to open this summer.     In part 2, we are meeting with franchise expert Jim Cohen from our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.

Amramp is taking drastic measures in supplying the mobility-challenged population an alternative to the costly hospital stays and homecare prices they are constantly bombarded with. After witnessing the utter collapse of the real estate industry in the 1990’s, Julian Gordon, founder and president of Amramp, which provides quality wheelchair ramps and other accessibility solutions for the mobility-challenged, decided to re-brand his metal manufacturing business into a recession-proof company that shifted its focus to the aging baby boomer population. By using the established design and operating system already in place, Gordon re-branded his business to provide this demographic with an affordable, comfortable alternative to nursing homes with safe and reliable wheelchair ramps and accessibility equipment. With the cost of living in a nursing home averaging a staggering $100,000 per year, more and more individuals prefer to age in their homes as long as safely possible – resulting in a pent up demand for accessibility solutions for the home. Using a patented, low-cost modular metal ramp system, Amramp has developed affordable products and services to make living at home possible for the mobility-challenged. We also speak to Kevin Hein in our Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast.  Kevin talks about the Hallmark of Franchising.

In this interview, we discuss two recent books with the popular Dr. Scott Shane.  They are  "Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders" and "The Illusions of Entrepreneurship." Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders is the first book to review the entire range of scientific literature on genetic effects on organizational behavior and explain in a practitioner-friendly manner, how your DNA affects your workplace behavior.  The Illusions of Entrepreneurship challenges the myths we hold about entrepreneurs in America - who they are, what they do, and how they succeed.  The book shows that the reality of entrepreneurship is decidedly different from the myths that have come to surround it.  Scott Shane, a leading expert in entrepreneurial activity in the United States and other countries, draws on the data from extensive research to provide accurate, useful information about who becomes an entrepreneur and why, how businesses are started, which factors lead to success and which predict a likely failure.

About FASTSIGNS   We are meeting with Catherine Monson, the President and CEO of FASTSIGNS to discuss the FASTSIGNS franchise opportunity.    FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor for the more than 530 FASTSIGNS® sign and graphic centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®). FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers leverage sign and marketing knowledge, state-of-the-art technology and innovative thinking to solve customers’ marketing and communications challenges—from the simple… to the simply impossible™. Centers provide consulting, file transfer, design, production, delivery and installation for a full range of custom sign and graphic solutions. FASTSIGNS was ranked number one for the second year in a row in the sign and graphic category in the 2012 Entrepreneur Magazine annual Franchise 500.  Catherine discusses FASTSIGNS AND her experience on the successful show "Undercover Boss" which will air Friday, May 4 at 8PM EST.   In part 2, we speak to the legendary Michael Gerber on Awakening the Entreprneur Within from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Brian Gross, President of Bach to Rock Bach to Rock is a music education school for students of all ages from early childhood through high school and beyond. The B2R method is based on the belief that learning music is fun and students learn best when they play music they enjoy. Weekly ensemble instruction and jam sessions lead to public concerts, Battle of the Bands and recording sessions in B2R's professional recording studios. B2R builds technique, fosters teamwork and enhances self-esteem through private lessons, band instruction, and public performance. In part 2, we are meeting with one of the top franchise experts in the country....Steve Beagleman.

We are meeting with Rita Goldberg and she is the founder of British Swim School, a swimming school concept that she started in the UK and has since brought over to the U.S.  British Swim School teaches children as young as 3 months with a technique based on water survival skills first, and swimming technique second. The concept was widely popular in the UK and is receiving the same attention here. The great thing about the school is that there is no build-out required for franchisees. The school is taught in locations with pools already built-in such as recreation centers, hotels, fitness centers, etc. This requires a significantly lower start-up cost for franchisees as compared to other schools.

We are meeting with Rod Arreola, president and co-founder of Teriyaki Madness.  Teriyaki Madness is a franchise opportunity that provides its customers with healthy, made to order Teriyaki dishes prepared with fresh ingredients, that are served quickly at a reasonable price in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Consumer interest in Asian food, fueled by its reputation for being exotic and healthful, has chains carving out a new fast-casual niche. According to a 2011 study by reports research firm Technomic, the Asian dining segment brings in$18.4 billion annually. In addition, according to The NPD Group, 23 percent of consumers say they are interested in more Asian-type flavored foods. Teriyaki Madness is providing an alternative to traditional fast food with its fresh, Asian-inspired dishes, such as chicken teriyaki and spicy chicken, both served with made-from-scratch sauces and a secret blend of spices. The average ticket price for lunch ranges from $10-$12 while dinner is around $13. We will also hear from a legend in franchising Jim Rudolph as he discusses the 5 Cs in franchising.

Seva is a franchise concept that specializes in the art of brow shaping, facial hair removal and waxing. Their signature offering is eyebrow threading – a relatively up-and-coming concept that more and more people are seeming to utilize for its various benefits. Here are some of the most unique aspects of this franchise concept:   Seva grows within retail stores, and has established an exclusive partnership with Walmart to begin with. There is also opportunity to grow in other retail stores such as Walgreens, Sephora and Ulta. By using a growth model of a store within a store, the Seva opportunity guarantees entrepreneurs foot traffic in the thousands per week. Seva doesn’t utilize traditional marketing tactics to sell its product, making start-up and success very easy for entrepreneurs. One of the only marketing tactics Seva utilizes is handing out coupons in front of the store. Seva utilizes a technological strategy to ensure success for each Seva salon. Seva’s proprietary iPad-based POS technology is installed in every location to enable its franchisees to easily run and monitor their stores in real time from anywhere in the world via any computer, web-enabled phone, or iPad. Seva has designed a complete turnkey “Salon-in-a-Box” delivery system which handles all aspects of the design, construction, delivery, and coordination of build out of every new Seva salon. Entrepreneurs do not need to know a thing about eyebrow threading, waxing or beauty to be successful with a Seva concept. This is a concept that can easily be run by an absentee owner. We are meeting with Vas Maniatis, founder of Seva.   In part two we are meeting with tha author of Franchise Times Guide to Selecting, Buying and Owning a Franchise Julie Bennett from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.