Franchise Interviews

The Edible Arrangements franchise concept was first launched in East Haven, CT in 1999. The company began franchising in 2001 in Massachusetts with additional stores quickly following in Connecticut, Georgia and New Jersey. Today there are over 800 locations operating or coming soon throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, UK and the UAE. Edible Arrangements stores specialize in designing fresh fruit bouquets overflowing with juicy strawberries, pineapple, grapes, oranges, and cantaloupe

Live 2 B HealthyTM Senior Fitness franchise opportunity seeks to inspire older generations to live longer, healthier lives. Our company has been at the forefront of the senior fitness movement since 2008. Working with residents of all shapes and ability levels, the Live 2 B HealthyTM Senior Fitness Team has witnessed miraculous social and physical benefits for elder care residents. We’re proud to bring senior fitness services to residential residential communities, allowing them to support a healthier lifestyle for residents. We are meeting with with Cory Czepa, CEO to Live 2 B Healthy

From pizza and doughnuts to personal training and massages Jeff Jervik, president and CEO of Fitness Together Franchise Holdings, Inc. Jervik is a franchise industry maven, which ultimately brought him to his current position, which he's held since 2008. He's the head of the world's largest wellness company, which includes Fitness Together and Elements Therapeutic Massage. Before this position, he had a rather different route in franchising - selling pizza and doughnuts. Jervik's career began as an hourly employee selling pizza at Pizza Hut. He worked his way up within the PepsiCo company, spending 14 years there, and ending with his title of national vice president of operations of Pizza Hut. He was responsible for the operations of over 1,000 Pizza Hut restaurants with sales of approximately $800 million and over 25,000 employees. Jervik came to the realization that despite the temporary satisfaction a pizza or doughnut might bring for someone, he wasn't changing anyone's life. He wanted to help people, which brought him the wellness industry with Fitness Together and Elements. Helping people lose weight or relieve pain would actually better people's lives, he concluded. With over two decades in the franchise industry, Jervik is a polished expert in the field, despite making a complete industry change from pizza to wellness.

Excerpt How many would like more success? How many would like more success faster? Anybody not? Well you have come to the right place. My name is Danny Lyon and the colour of my underwear is...........BLUE! The name for this book came about from his own business experience and presentations to fellow business owners, groups & associations and individulas. Coming from a business owning family in a small town plus over 20 years in telecommunications, Danny has spent the last 13 years in his business. Part of his business entails helping other people get into business for themselves and then supporting them in their business operations and growth. Danny stated, "It has been an amazing learning experience for me and an honour and a privilege to see people from so many walks of life create such diverse levels of business success."

Tasty Image began mid 2003 in Jupiter, Florida. After becoming a part-time affiliate to sell printed chocolates, I saw rather quickly that there was income waiting to happen within the chocolate industry. I quickly moved forward with the purchase of my first Food Imaging System and began to promote and sell printed personalized chocolates out of my home. Business grew as did demand. Customers requested a variety of chocolate items which, at that time, were not available through Tasty Image. It didn’t take very long to realize that there was a need, a market and a void that needed to be filled. Why NOT increase product line? Why NOT incorporate molded chocolate? Why NOT bring in chocolate fountains? The natural progression to expand, to create, and to satisfy more customers. Before I knew it, I was providing chocolate fountains to weddings and parties, packaging up handmade truffles, and designing gift baskets for each and every major holiday. Thus, today you have the first full retail Chocolate Shop Franchise that features a unique Food Imaging System! Today, Tasty Image is a one of a kind chocolate boutique! It all started with a school teacher’s dream and is now a worldwide phenomenon! Derri Cerbone, Founder

Jaime Brenkus   Founder/America’s Premier Weight Loss Coach and Fitness Trainer Jaime has dedicated his life to providing time-oriented approaches to enhancing one's lifestyle through proper nutrition and fitness. For the past 25 years, Jaime has trained with thousands of clients on a personal level, and has helped millions of people with his famous, nationally acclaimed 8 Minute Abs Workout Series. Jaime designed supermodel Kathy Ireland's videos as well as featured on radio, TV, and publications. Jaime was awarded a Fitness Advocate for the President's Challenge. Brenkus maintains certification as a Health and Fitness Instructor from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

BannaStrow’s, a quick-service crepe franchise, is gearing up for expansion in the QSR industry by bringing taste, price and portability to an un-touched marketplace in America; crepes. With four locations throughout Florida, the brand is set to add 25 locations in 2011. BannaStrow’s has created a model that is based on expanding through non-traditional venues such as kiosks in airports and malls, college campuses, and they also have a truck model. To fuel the brands growth process, BannaStrow’s is forming relationships with larger developers and institutional partners (such as arenas, concessions, etc.) to build awareness in high traffic areas to spur growth regionally. We are meeting with Mauricio Acevedo, CEO and Founder of BannaStrow’s

We are going to discuss the state of the restaurant industry in the new economy.  Restaurants suffered their biggest declines in a generation in 2009 (7 percent below 2007 levels), and sales increased just 0.1 percent in 2010 according to Technomic, a Chicago-based restaurant consultancy. While many sectors of the restaurant industry continue to struggle, the fast-casual segment is driving the industry's growth. In fact, leading fast casual dining chains have grown in sales during the last three years, and total visits grew by 17 percent according to RestaurantsNews.com.  Moreover, fast casual is expected to remain the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry in 2011.  We are meeting with Paul Damico, President of Moe's Southwest Grill. Moe's, the fast-casual franchise known for fresh made-to-order burritos,quesadillas and more, posted 5.4 percent same-store sales growth in 2010 and is opening 65 units in 2011.

This franchise rewind edition is a bit different.  We talk about surveillance.   The technology provided by DTT is truly amazing and very helpful to franchisors and franchisees.  If you have been in a McDonalds, Burger, Subway or Taco Bell, you have probably been viewed through DTT Surveillance’s technology.  You are going to hear some very interesting stories on this show.  There is a great story discussed about a woman that claimed to fall inside a Subway.   Next week, Thursday, June 9 we are going to discuss the state of the restaurant industry in the new economy.  Restaurants suffered their biggest declines in a generation in 2009 (7 percent below 2007 levels), and sales increased just 0.1 percent in 2010 according to Technomic, a Chicago-based restaurant consultancy. While many sectors of the restaurant industry continue to struggle, the fast-casual segment is driving the industry's growth. In fact, leading fast casual dining chains have grown in sales during the last three years, and total visits grew by 17 percent according to RestaurantsNews.com.  Moreover, fast casual is expected to remain the fastest growing segment of the restaurant industry in 2011.

Over the last 4 years, Marty and Don have referenced the Aarons Sales and Lease Franchise Opportunity. Find out why on tomorrows franchise rewind. Find out what we mean when we say...date a little.