Franchise Interviews

Cathy Deano and Renee Maloney, owners of a business called Painting with a Twist, had been friends for several years and were always coming up with new business ideas together. Six years after Hurricane Katrina, they've found great success with one that met a unique need in post-Katrina New Orleans — a place to kick back, relax and have fun with friends. "We talked about concepts ranging from architectural salvage to science fairs," said Deano. But when they came upon the idea of owning a business that hosted "painting parties" — where people come, learn how to paint, have a glass of wine and enjoy each other's company — they knew they had a good one. We wanted to do something to lift the spirits of people where we lived after Hurricane Katrina," Deano said. "Not only was New Orleans ready for a change, but so were we." The pair opened their store, called Corks N' Canvas, in Mandeville, La., in 2007. The business was quickly a success and the two opened three more studios in the New Orleans area.

How does Brain Balance Achievement Center describe themselves? We are brain-based, not drug based. We subscribe to the theory that the brain can be changed—something once thought impossible. That means your child’s problems aren’t permanent, and the situation isn’t hopeless.   We recognize that many childhood disorders are actually manifestations of a single underlying condition. Called Functional Disconnection—an imbalance in the connections and function between and within the hemispheres (sides) of your child’s brain—this condition is responsible for a host of behavioral, academic, and social difficulties.

Ambiance Radio Brings THE RIGHT MUSIC to Franchise Industry.  Fast-Growing Company Dashes onto Music Scene in Restaurants, Hotels, Resorts and Spas. Camarillo, CA - (July 18, 2011) - Combining science, technology and hospitality industry knowledge, a fast-growing new company is tapping into the missing link for increasing customer satisfaction and increasing revenues in restaurants, hotels, resorts and spas: THE RIGHT MUSIC. Ambiance Radio, founded and led by Bradley Newberger, a young hospitality industry entrepreneur, is the only background music service geared specifically for restaurants, hotels, resorts and spas. Ambiance Radio uses proprietary software and cutting-edge technology to deliver fully customized music feeds tailored to each site's specific business objectives, taking into account demographics, psychographics and traffic volumes, day-by-day, hour-by-hour.

Find out how franchising changed Tom Scarda’s life.  Not knowing how to start up or operate a business, Tom chose to buy a franchise. After consulting with FranChoice in 2000, Tom purchased a Maui Wowi Fresh Hawaiian Blends franchise and quickly expanded his operation to three locations. In 2002 Tom was named Maui Wowi’s Franchisee of the Year, and he was also awarded with the Outstanding Support of Franchise Owners honor in 2002

Right at Home, a privately held provider of in-home elder care and assistance, was founded in 1995 by Allen Hager, a hospital administrator who was concerned patients needed additional assistance after their discharge from the hospital. He sought to assist their return to good health by becoming a certified nursing assistant and then launching Right at Home. Today, Right at Home generates more than $170 million in annual revenue through its 200-plus offices across the United States, the United Kingdom and Brazil. Outlets are franchisee-owned and operated, and staff skilled professionals trained to provide home-based care for thousands of clients daily.

Great Play franchise - We are meeting with Keith Camhi, Co-founder, CEO - Great Play: Great Play first opened in Stamford, Conn. in 2006 by fitness buffs Jyl & Keith Camhi. The franchised gym concept for kids, offers fun-filled motor skill, sports skill and physical education classes for children ages six months through fifth grade as well as birthday parties. There are currently 7 locations with 4 gyms opening soon. About 20 locations are expected by the end of 2012. Great Play is redefining the youth physical development category, with an innovative new collection of programs delivered in a patent-pending Interactive Arena™ that makes developing skills fun and easy for children. And we've packaged it all into a step-by-step blueprint to help franchisees turn their passion for youth fitness into a thriving business!   The business press is calling Great Play "an innovative concept in a fast-growing industry" (see Small Business Opportunities article). The fitness industry is calling Great Play one of the most innovative brands in youth fitness worldwide (see IHRSA report). Parents are calling Great Play "a near magical experience" for their children, among many other wonderful things (see reviews). And we believe that you will call Great Play a fantastic business and lifestyle opportunity!

Fresh To Order franchise opportunity - We are meeting with Pierre Panos, Founder and CEO. Fresh To Order: f2o is an innovative, franchised restaurant concept that fuses quality American cuisine, gourmet fresh ingredients and fast service to offer incredible food served in less than 10 minutes for around $10. The company currently has six locations and projections call for signing at least five multi-unit franchisees in 2011 with a total commitment of 15 to 20 restaurants.

We are meeting with the Penn Station East Coast Subs franchise.  We will be speaking with Craig Dunaway, President of Penn Station East Coast Subs. PENN STATION: Fast-casual East Coast-style sub sandwich chain that has about 225 restaurants in 12 states. Projections call for 25 restaurants in 2011 - with 325 total restaurants open by the end of 2013. They serve hot and cold subs, fresh, hand-cut, made-to-order French fries, hand-squeezed lemonade and more. Consistently ranked as one of the top Franchise Opportunities in the U.S. by Entrepreneur magazine. Ranked #1 Restaurant Franchise Company by Success Magazine in its October 2000 Annual ranking of the top 200 American franchises. Ranked as one of the top 40 Movers and Shakers by Fast Casual in its 2007, 2008 and 2009 Annual Movers and Shakers listing. Recognized nationally as one of the Top Ten Restaurant Chains in customer satisfaction by Sandelman & Associates in their 2009 Quick Track Research Program.

We are excited to meet with  the Juice It Up franchise opportunity.  We will speak with Frank Easterbrook, CEO for Juice It Up! Juice It Up!: First launched in 1995, Juice It Up! is a franchised smoothie and juice bar chain with more than 90 locations. The company anticipates opening between six to 10 new locations by the end of 2012. Juice It Up! is a franchised smoothie and juice bar chain that specializes in blended-to-order fresh fruit smoothies, fresh-squeezed juices and other beverages served in a relaxed, family-friendly environment. Juice It Up! combines fruit, proprietary fruit juices, non-fat yogurt, sherbet and nutritional and vitamin supplements to create smoothies that are consistently voted “best tasting” in blind taste tests among the top smoothie and juice bar chains. Franchising World voted Juice It Up! as one of the top 25 Most Popular Franchises for Veterans.

Michael Stone and Tyoka Jackson will discuss the Professional Athlete Franchise Initiative.  PAFI educates professional athletes about franchising.  They recently had their summit in Atlanta. We will talk about what happened at the summit and what is in store for the rest of 2011 and into 2012.