Franchise Interviews

The show is an encore edition that will discuss everything K-9 Resorts, a doggie daycare and overnight boarding franchise, and the unique entrepreneur story of founders, Jason and Steven Parker.

The show will discuss everything K-9 Resorts, a doggie daycare and overnight boarding franchise, and the unique entrepreneur story of founders, Jason and Steven Parker. After recently launching as a franchise, the Parker brothers have already signed on their first franchisees, who have been longtime customers of K-9 Resorts. K-9 RESORTS DAYCARE & LUXURY HOTEL was founded in 2005 by brothers Steve and Jason Parker in Fanwood, N.J. When in their early teens, their parents denied them a dog of their own, so the entrepreneurial pair opened a professional pet-sitting business to prove they were not only willing, but ready to care for a dog. That business not only became a highly profitable enterprise that they sold for a six-figure sum in 2006, that revenue became the expansion fuel for their burgeoning K-9 Resorts business. The business, which is the only facility in New Jersey to have been rated Number 1 by multiple major publications, is now positioned for franchise growth throughout the Northeast U.S. K-9 Resorts was ranked Number 1 in its category by the Courier News and by New Jersey Monthly Magazine.

Marty had the opportunity to meet Derek several years ago.  Derek Henze, 28, is a franchisee with Toppers Pizza. He has signed for 3 stores in Minneapolis, MN market, expecting to open his first store in July 2011. Derek served in the US Army for eight years as a Field Artillery Specialist and Army Paralegal, serving one tour in Iraq from 2003-2004. He is a college graduate from University of Wisconsin - Whitewater double majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. While in college, he worked full time for Toppers Pizza corporate office, headquarters in Whitewater, WI, as their national marketing coordinator. He is also a participant in the International Franchise Associations VetFran program. He has started several non-profit businesses while in college and was the founding president of the UW-Whitewaters Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization chapter, one of the most highly awarded and recognized chapters in the world.

Bagger Dave’s Legendary Burger Tavern: This is new franchise concept in the ‘better burger’ category that was founded by Michael Ansley, a very successful Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee who owns and operates 14 BWWs in Michigan and 7 in Florida. He currently operates four company-owned Bagger Dave’s restaurants in metro Detroit/Ann Arbor and was recently approved to franchise in his home state, as well as Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Plans call for opening three Bagger Dave’s locations in 2011 and a total of up to 24 new locations over the next five years. Bagger Dave’s has found its own niche in the burger sector by offering a full-service restaurant and bar that serves freshly ground beef hamburgers and turkey burgers, milkshakes and local craft beers – which are very popular right now. We are meeting with Michael Ansley the founder on as well as Bill McClintock, their head of development.

Kilwin's has been a celebrated part of Northern Michigan since 1947, and has earned a reputation for its quality products and excellent service. Each shoppe shares the traditional values of quality, service and enjoyment, and are designed, equipped and trained to provide this first-rate experience. Founded in 1947 by Don and Katy Kilwin, it is now owned by Don and Robin McCarty of Harbor Springs, Michigan. They have been the principal owners since 1995, previously having operated stores and having held key management positions. Without question, they represent the Kilwin's team culture and operating philosophy. We are meeting with Steve Titus of Franchise Development.

Guy Falzarano, President & CEO of Rainbow Academy.  Entrepreneur Magazine listed childcare as one of the top 10 franchising trends for 2011.  Between 2006 and 2010, the percentage of parents reporting child care as a necessity rose from 49 percent to 57 percent. 65 percent of mothers with children under age six are in the workplace.* An estimated 14.5 million children in the U.S. are in some form of child care arrangement and fees for these services have been rising steadily.** At the same time, there has been a continued shift toward a more formal educational orientation in preschools. *As reported by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) in 2010. **As reported by Marketdata Enterprises, Inc.   In short, the demand for educational child care is extensive, trending upward and there is a tremendous opportunity for an early learning center that can successfully serve the needs of the dual-income families in its area.

We are excited to meet with the UFood Grill franchise opportunity.  The most important thing at UFood Grill is taste, hands down! Their chef has designed a broad menu of better-for-you versions of traditional favorites and innovative original creations. They take a back-to-basics approach to tasty, healthful cooking, where everything we serve is rooted in quality—from choice meats, to natural and organic ingredients, fresh produce, whole grains, and light cheeses and dressings. All of their menu items are baked, grilled or steamed. Nothing is fried—we don't even have fryers in their restaurants!   We have the pleasure of speaking with George Naddaff – Chairman and CEO to UFood Grill. George Naddaff is considered by many to be the “Guru of Franchising”. He developed Boston Chicken/Boston Market into a national franchise brand and in 1992 sold it to a group of Blockbuster Video executives. In 1993 he shared in its record-setting IPO (143% first-day increase). Naddaff has founded and/or been significantly involved with several other successful concepts including: Mulberry Child Care Centers, which had over 90 company-owned childcare centers when it was sold to KinderCare; Sylvan Learning Centers, the nation’s leading after-school learning facilities; Ranch*1, a New York-based chain of grilled chicken sandwich restaurants; Living and Learning Schools, which operated more than 50 upscale childcare facilities and was sold to KinderCare; VR Business Brokers, the nation’s largest business brokerage franchise with over 350 offices, which was acquired in 1986 by Christies, London. Naddaff began his career in food service when he co-founded International Foods, which operated 19 KFC franchises in the Boston area and was sold in 1970.

We are meeting with Alex Roberts, the President of Protect Painters. Protect Painters is a professional painting contractor franchise specializing primarily in exterior, residential painting projects. The brand’s strong foundation is built on franchisee training and support created by founder Wayne Scherger, who started the company in 1994. Just recently, ProTect Painters was acquired by Service Brands International to join its forces with Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman, and 1-800-DryClean brands. Under the SBI umbrella, ProTect Painters is expected to grow to 200 units during the next five years

Effective golf fitness improves your body. Improving your body by lowering your Golf Fitness Handicap improves your golf swing. A better swing leads to more consistency, distance and lower golf scores. Training activities include mobility, stability, strength, speed, power, explosiveness, and control exercises. Golf Fitness research shows that more able bodies move more efficiently and more consistently, providing improved control and power on the course.

Over the years we have had some fascinating franchise opportunities on the show. Bad Ass Coffee is one of those shows. It is a great story of how they got started as well as a great conversation on the Bad Ass Coffee franchise opportunity. Marty and Don got to try their coffee at the International Franchise Expo in Washington, DC a couple of years back and it is out of this world. Look out Starbucks. Here comes Bad Ass Coffee. Enjoy this show.