Franchise Interviews

Look around. We're getting older. Fast. Every 24 hours in the United States, 10,000 people turn 60 years old. The increasing numbers of seniors represents a growth opportunity for companies of all kinds since older Americans control 70 percent of disposable income in the United States. As a result, numerous businesses are rushing to serve this fast-growing marketplace, but only one - 101 Mobility - has positioned itself in a unique market niche to capitalize on America's monumental shift in aging lifestyle. 101 Mobility, headquartered in Wilmington, NC, is the nation's first full-service sales, service and installation provider of a complete line of affordable, high-quality mobility and accessibility products and equipment including stair lifts, auto lifts, ramps, porch lifts, power wheelchairs and scooters and a wide variety of other medical equipment such as walkers, hospital beds and more. 101 Mobility just launched a franchise program and is seeking to become the only full-service dealer with a nationally recognized brand in the mobility products industry. We will be meeting with Dave Pazgan, CEO of 101 Mobility. 101 Mobility On The Incline: More than 90 percent of seniors have a desire to "age in place" by remaining independent and in their own home. As a result, according to MedTech Research, durable medical equipment is one of six homecare product categories expected to benefit from demographic and healthcare trends and is likely to experience significant market growth, expanding at a compound annual rate of more than four percent through 2012!

We are meeting with Ryan Zink, President of Complete Nutrition. Founded in 2004, Complete Nutrition is an upscale nutritional supplement store that features weight loss and sports nutrition products in a spacious, open and orderly setting. Unlike other stores where you already need to be an expert when you walk inside to decipherer exactly what is on the shelves, Complete Nutrition offers a more unintimidating experience for those not so familiar with the nutrition industry. What truly separates Complete Nutrition from others is the expert staff they employ. The staffs are certified personal trainers, former strength coaches and others experienced in health and fitness who offer knowledgeable advice and who see sports nutrition and weight loss as a long-term career. The use a consultative approach with their customers and continue to offer them support after they leave the store. Complete Nutrition’s success is evident in its rapid expansion. Opened 35 locations in less than 18 months, all of which have a 100 percent success rate. Deals signed to have 60 locations open by the end of the year. On pace to reach 100 franchises just three years after franchising the concept.

Marty and Don want to know about Beef ‘O’ Brady’s strategy to open restaurants in non-traditional locations such as hotels and why this is beneficial to the franchisee, franchisor and the non-traditional settings. About Beef `O’ Brady’s Beef 'O' Brady's is a fast-growing national chain of family sports pubs that achieves its success by building relationships with the local schools, youth sports leagues, and other community organizations in each and every Beef 'O' Brady's neighborhood market. The “kid appeal” of this unique concept is reinforced by a very moderately priced kids menu and video games. Ironically, despite what the name implies, Beef 'O' Brady's is actually best known for its Buffalo-style chicken wings. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s has more than 263 open restaurants throughout the Southeast and the Midwest

Yuen will be talking with Marty and Don about the How Do You Roll? franchise concept, the unique niche that the concept has found in the sushi industry and much more. Yuen can talk about how he and his brother founded the concept and his brother’s history of being a sushi chef for more than 10 years. ABOUT HOW DO YOU ROLL? How Do You Roll?, an aggressively expanding fast casual sushi franchise based in Austin, TX, is expecting more than 10 locations open by the end of 2010. The franchise concept offers high quality sushi at a reasonable price and is made within minutes using proprietary maki machines as the customer customizes exactly what they want. How Do You Roll? also offers authentic side items and a traditional Japanese dessert. To learn more about the franchise concept or about the exciting franchise opportunity, listen to the show!

Jerry Slover, Vice President of Development for Nexcen Brands, joins the hosts of FranchiseInterviews to discuss NexCen's portfolio of franchise concepts, opportunities with the company and more. NexCen Brands, Inc. is a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising. It owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes two retail franchise concepts: TAF® and Shoebox New York®, as well as five quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies, MaggieMoo's, Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time.

Fast approaching its 40th birthday, Schlotzsky’s, the home of The Original®, round toasted sandwich, has decided to shake things up in a big way. The 350+ unit fast-casual restaurant has introduced an entirely new brand image that is attracting new kinds of guests and refueling franchise growth around the country. The brand reinvention, which is literally and figuratively “All ‘Round ‘Lotz Better,” includes a new prototype restaurant featuring vibrant colors, playful slogans, contemporary furniture and artwork, and a partnership with sister company Cinnabon that offers franchisees two brands under one roof. Schlotzsky’s also introduced a new service model where crew members hand-deliver food to the tables. Everything, from tables and chairs to circular-themed local photography featuring tongue-in-cheek phrases is contemporary and … round. Schlotzsky’s President Kelly Roddy will be able to discuss the rebranding process, as well as chain’s recent partnership with Cinnabon. About Schlotzsky’s Since 1971, Schlotzsky's has been the home of The Original® toasted sandwich. The menu has evolved with customers' tastes to include the highest quality sandwiches, pizzas, salads, and soups available today. With more than 350 locations worldwide, Schlotzsky's is the fast-casual choice for a quick, healthful, and fresh dining experience. Schlotzsky’s is enjoyed around the world, with restaurants in Turkey, China, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Costa Rica, Jordan and Kuwait. Schlotzsky’s is owned by FOCUS Brands Inc.®, the franchisor and operator of over 2,200 Carvel®, Cinnabon®, Schlotzsky’s®, Moe’s Southwest Grill® locations and Seattle’s Best Coffee® on certain military bases and in international markets. We also have Nancy Weingartner of Franchise Times Magazine calling in on segment 1!

October 2009, LED Source launched a franchise program and gained the recognition of becoming North America's first and only franchisor of LED lighting, leveraging its huge buying discounts to provide discount pricing and cost-saving retrofits to customers as it seeks to play a key role in a fast-growing marketplace with unlimited potential. LED Source is seeking to put LED lighting in businesses and homes throughout Canada and the United States by building a network of more than 150 LED Source franchise offices within three years. LED (light-emitting diode) lighting is the most energy-efficient lighting solution currently available. LED lights are mercury and toxin-free, 300 percent more energy-efficient than compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) and about 1,000 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs while using up to 90 percent less energy to run and lasting 50,000 to 100,000 hours.

This week we are meeting the HomeWell Senior Care Franchise Opportunity. The founder Joshua Hoffman started as a caregiver when he was 19 years old and then went on to start his own company! They started franchising in 2003 and today have more than 30 offices in 13 states and Canada. We are meeting with CEO Joshua Hoffman along with NJ-based franchisee Louis Romano.

Smart Tax is a franchise opportunity that differentiates itself from the rest by delivering top-quality, professional services, while allowing franchisees to focus more on quality of life. It allows its franchisees to own a tax preparation business without requiring a background in finance, accounting, or tax law – it’s a business that is easy to start up and operate, just by following the established and comprehensive Smart Tax system. We are meeting with the founder of Smart Tax Nick Rizzi.

Jonathan and Josh can tell Marty and Don about the Oxi Fresh franchise and their franchisor/franchisee relationship. Also, Josh owns his own photography business in Tulsa, OK and runs his Oxi Fresh franchise in Springfield, MO at the same time. Marty and Don would like to know more about how Josh can maintain both businesses at the same time. ABOUT OXI FRESH CARPET CLEANING® Using innovative products and technology, Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning®, the nation’s fastest-growing carpet cleaning franchise, offers oxygen powered cleaning, which cleans all the way down to the bottom of the carpet pile, transforming the carpet right before a customer's eyes. Founded in 2006, Oxi Fresh currently has more than 120 units in 184 territories throughout the United States, and has more than 50 locations in development. Oxi Fresh is committed to being an environmentally friendly business by using efficient and low energy solutions. The non-toxic carpet cleaning agents are applied with a low moisture process and are safe for children and pets. Oxi Fresh is ranked #9 as a Top New Franchise and #30 as a Fastest Growing Franchise by 2010 Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500, and has been awarded the franchisee satisfaction award from Franchise Business Review for three consecutive years