On his YouTube channel, Dr. John P. Hayes offers honest advice about how to evaluate and purchase a franchise that makes sense for you.
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SEASON 3
Why Now May Be A Good Time To Buy A Franchise
If you are among those whose career has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and find yourself asking “what do I do next?” or “where do I go from here?,” this video is for you. In it Dr. Hayes discusses why franchising may be right solution for you, but, just as importantly, why it’s not for everyone.
SEASON 2
From corporate accountant to soccer mom to Big Frog Custom T-Shirts franchisee
In today’s episode, Jackie Pierce, franchise owner of Big Frog Custom T-Shirts, shares the story of her transition from accountant in corporate America to soccer mom to successful franchise owner.
Robin Autopilot is the world’s first robotic lawn service now offering franchises in the U.S.
Dr. Hayes interviews Justin Crandall, CEO and co-founder of Robin Autopilot, the world’s first robotic lawn service now offering franchises in the U.S. Robin Autopilot combines proven robot mower technology with highly-professional human crews to create a more eco-friendly, reliable and affordable lawn care experience.
SEASON 1
Fastest Labs franchise opportunity lives up to its name by increasing efficiency in a niche market
Former franchisee Dave Claflin cold-called a client who influenced him to examine the drug-screening industry. By eliminating the medical portion and specializing in drug-screening, Claflin developed Fastest Labs to compete against the existing providers, such as Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp. By eliminating the industry standard wait-time and collecting the sample and reporting to the employer within 10 minutes, Fastest Labs is able to outperform competitors. Claflin “proved the model” of Fastest Labs and began selling franchises.
This franchise is all about unique French fries
Chris Covelli, founder of #getfried, is creating a network of food units that serve made-to-order topped French fries. Franchising for about a year at the time of this interview, Covelli has sold units in New York and Texas. His first Texas franchisee, based in San Antonio, acquired rights to the entire state! Franchisees invest from $100,000 (for a mobile unit) to $275,000 (for a bricks and mortar unit). Mobile units can be parked and operated, or moved from site to site.
A business-to-business franchise providing payroll services
No business owner wants to worry about cutting payroll checks while also remaining compliant with ever-increasing rules and regulations from federal and state agencies. And every small business owner eventually realizes that doing payroll in-house just doesn’t make sense. It’s more cost-effective and safer to outsource the service. Enter Payroll Vault, a new franchise opportunity that doesn’t require a storefront and operates 9 to 5, five days a week.
Dr. John P. Hayes responds to your questions
Followers of the How To Buy A Franchise Show are always encouraged to submit their questions about franchising by leaving a comment on YouTube, on our website, or by emailing us. We thought these questions were important enough to record videos as the answer. Feel free to send us your franchise related questions!
Just Released: Take the Fear Out of Franchising
Dr. John P. Hayes’ newest best-seller now available on paperback and pre-order for eBook. Get your copy today at nofearfranchising.com.
Why buy Edible Arrangements?
Franchisors are changing the way they train franchisees – or they need to! “Everyone’s thinking about it . . . they know they have to change,” says Tariq Farid, CEO of Edible Arrangements. Today, technology makes it possible for a franchisor to train more effectively and for less money. Farid shares his experiences with Dr. John P. Hayes of the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Talking with the guru of franchise expos: Tom Portesy
Why are franchise expos popular, and how can franchise prospects get the most out of an online portal such as FranchiseExpo.com? Dr. John P. Hayes talks to Tom Portesy, president of MFV Expositions, about franchise expos in the USA and, FranchiseExpo.com, MFV’s online portal. MFV is the producer of the International Franchise Expo based in New York City, and two regional expos in the USA.
How much can you earn as a FASTSIGNS franchisee?
In just six minutes, Catherine Monson, CEO of FASTSIGNS, explains the six key things that FASTSIGNS does to support franchisees. Then she adds a seventh: Increase franchisee profit, which is the company’s #1 mission. FASTSIGNS is one of the few franchisors to include not only a financial representation in the franchise disclosure document, but actual numbers showing franchisee net income. Monson also tells Dr. John Hayes why FASTSIGNS makes such a great business opportunity in this quick interview.
How you behave as a prospect tells how you’ll behave as a franchisee!
FASTSIGNS is careful about who they allow to become a franchisee. CEO Catherine Monson tells Dr. John Hayes that this is not a business where franchisees can create their own wheel; franchisees must implement the franchisor’s wheel. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand or accept that concept and franchisors need to weed out those folks. That’s why FASTSIGNS tracks the behavior of every prospective franchisee. Prospects are told, for example, to contact at least 25 existing franchisees as part of their due diligence. But some will contact one and say that’s enough. They’re ready to buy! But that’s enough for FASTSIGNS to turn down their franchise application because the prospect’s behavior is an early indication that they will not follow the franchisor’s system. Franchisees who fail to follow the franchisor’s proven system are most likely to fail themselves.
Expect to see more FASTSIGNS franchises
With 540 locations already operating in the USA, FASTSIGNS has determined there are another 300 locations where they can place franchises without negatively impacting their current franchisees. In Canada, where they have 30 locations, they’ve found room for 35 more. CEO Catherine Monson tells Dr. John Hayes how the company pursues these opportunities, and what FASTSIGNS is doing to expand internationally as well.
Is buying a franchise right for you?
With 8 franchise brands at United Franchise Group, CEO Ray Titus says it can be “daunting” to match the right person to the right brand. Not every business is a fit for every person. Titus suggests prospects begin by asking themselves some key questions. The brand you want to buy is less important than the fit. Titus tells the How To Buy A Franchise Show how prospects should begin the process of evaluating a franchise opportunity. And what new franchisees need to do for the first six months!
The real reason franchise businesses fail
At United Franchise Group, which is approaching 1,500 franchisees in nearly 80 countries, CEO Ray Titus says there’s a concentrated effort to eliminate two types of franchise failures: franchisees who are “under capitalized” and franchisees who are “under educated.” For each of UFG’s 8 brands, the company provides up to two weeks of initial training, followed by two to three weeks of field training. In addition, some franchisees are mentored by seasoned franchisees. This level of education, along with vetting the franchise prospect financially, helps eliminate failures.
Buy a franchise to resell it!
One of the smartest things a franchisee can do is begin with an exit plan in mind. And yet, few franchisees ever do so. They’re more focused on “now” says Ray Titus, CEO of United Franchise Group, with 8 franchise brands. However, Titus shares the story of one franchise couple that invested in a Signarama with one major goal: to sell it for a lot of money. And they did – more than $1-million! Tune in as Titus speaks with Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Why buy a franchise?
Tipton Shonkwiler, Brand Leader at SuperGreen Solutions, discusses the process of selecting franchisees at United Franchise Group. It’s not just about “gut” reaction, and it includes the input of numerous people. Shonkwiler also talks about the importance of executing on the franchise system, and the franchisee getting out of his or her own way to succeed!
The franchise discovery day
Tipton Shonkwiler, Brand Leader at SuperGreen Solutions, discusses the process of selecting franchisees at United Franchise Group. It’s not just about “gut” reaction, and it includes the input of numerous people. Shonkwiler also talks about the importance of executing on the franchise system, and the franchisee getting out of his or her own way to succeed!
When product drives franchise sales
Tipton Shonkwiler, Brand Leader at SuperGreen Solutions, discusses the process of selecting franchisees at United Franchise Group. It’s not just about “gut” reaction, and it includes the input of numerous people. Shonkwiler also talks about the importance of executing on the franchise system, and the franchisee getting out of his or her own way to succeed!
When Chad Hames discovered the franchise concepts Border Magic and Boulder Designs, he loved the products, but he really loved the idea of paying a flat fee royalty instead of a percentage based on his gross sales. Chad shares his experiences as a franchisee during this interview on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Chad Hames tells Dr. John P. Hayes how he investigated Border Magic and Boulder Designs before he committed to buying both concepts at $70,000 each. He said the reception of the franchisees motivated him and the franchisor’s Discovery Day gave him a “warm, fuzzy feeling” that led him to decide to buy both businesses.
You might think that boulders and borders don’t have much to do with social networks, but franchisee Chad Hames says otherwise. He says that a selling point of both Boulder Designs and Border Magic is that the franchisees feel they are part of a family. Chad shares his experiences as he continues his interview on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Inside a Border Magic and Boulder Design franchise
Tipton Shonkwiler, Brand Leader at SuperGreen Solutions, discusses the process of selecting franchisees at United Franchise Group. It’s not just about “gut” reaction, and it includes the input of numerous people. Shonkwiler also talks about the importance of executing on the franchise system, and the franchisee getting out of his or her own way to succeed!
Chad Hames at 38 has been a satisfied and profitable franchisee of two brands for 10 years and he’s hoping to continue working another 20 years and then see his sons take over. Chad tells the How To Buy A Franchise Show that the first step to success in a franchise is asking an all-important question. Hear what he has to say in this segment of his interview with Dr. John P. Hayes.
Who qualifies to own a master franchise?
Tony Foley of United Franchise Group tells the How To Buy A Franchise Show about UFG’s process for finding master franchisees. He also explains the differences between master franchises and area development agreements. Foley visits as many as 25 countries annually and has sold master franchises in nearly 80 countries. If you’re interested in owning a license to expand an American brand in one or more countries, or regions of the world, this is an important lesson to help you understand key basics about international franchise development.
What’s the cost of a master franchise?
The job of the master franchisee is multi-faceted, explains Tony Foley, of United Franchise Group, and it usually involves more than one person. UFG likes to see a master franchisee develop a team that can handle the development of a pilot store, then the recruitment, training and support of franchisees. What’s it cost to buy a master franchise? Every region or country is different and the fees are based on specific metrics. However, Foley explains what would be required to purchase a master franchise for a country the size of New Zealand or Kuwait.
Can you finance a master franchise opportunity?
If you’re the right fit to become a master franchisee at United Franchise Group, Tony Foley says you may discover that UFG is willing to help you finance the payment of the master license fee. But long before UFG even decides to award a master franchise to an individual or group, Foley will spends months developing a relationship with the candidate/s. In fact, for every 10 prospects, he says he’s likely to find only one who will make the cut to become a UFG master franchisee. Getting to know people, however, is part of what excites Foley and keeps him engaged in a career approaching 30 years.
Why would a successful Cartridge World master franchisee also decide to build more than 20 Liberty Tax franchise markets in Manhattan as an area developer? And how does an area development opportunity differ from being a master franchisee? Greg Carafello, who is both a master franchisee and an area developer, explains his roles in this segment of his interview on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Trials and tribulations of a master franchisee
Master franchisee and area developer Greg Carafello talks about the importance of “trust” and “chemistry” when buying a franchise. He’s building Cartridge World in six states and the District of Columbia, and Liberty Tax in Manhattan. He was interviewed by Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
What happens when franchisees fail? Any why do some fail? Jim Tatem, veteran franchise brand executive and trainer, talks about the transition process for failed franchisees but also explains how franchisees can avoid failure.
Six Steps for Successful Franchisees at United Franchise Group. Veteran brand leader Jim Tatem explains UFG’s approach to training franchisees in both the startup and ongoing stages of development. Includes a mentoring program called First Contact. Here’s how the franchise fee is re-invested in franchisees!
Understanding the franchise royalty fee
Jim Tatem, brand leader of Signarama, and master trainer for United Franchise Group (UFG), talks about franchise royalty dollars. How are they spent? How are they re-invested in the franchisee’s business? What does a major franchisor like UFG do with the franchisees’ royalty money? Highlights the importance of research and development on behalf of the franchise network.
Value of the franchisor/franchisee relationship
Master franchisee and area developer Greg Carafello talks about the importance of “trust” and “chemistry” when buying a franchise. He’s building Cartridge World in six states and the District of Columbia, and Liberty Tax in Manhattan. He was interviewed by Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
From auto sales to computer sales via franchising
Master franchisee and area developer Greg Carafello talks about the importance of “trust” and “chemistry” when buying a franchise. He’s building Cartridge World in six states and the District of Columbia, and Liberty Tax in Manhattan. He was interviewed by Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Jim Muir turned his hobby – collecting Apple products – into a thriving online business that he initially launched from his home, in a gated community. However, when 8,500 customers showed up to buy his products in one month, his HOA told him it was time to find a retail location! He did and soon thereafter discovered Accurate Franchising which helped him franchise his concept. The business – now known as Experimac – now has more than 100 locations worldwide!
Why Jim Muir chose Accurate Franchising to franchise his business
Master franchisee and area developer Greg Carafello talks about the importance of “trust” and “chemistry” when buying a franchise. He’s building Cartridge World in six states and the District of Columbia, and Liberty Tax in Manhattan. He was interviewed by Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
Jim Muir, founder of Experimac, explains his partnership with United Franchise Group and Accurate Franchising. From the beginning, the business was treated as a partnership largely because Muir wanted to take advantage of UFG’s expertise and UFG wanted to tap into Muir’s ideas. In this video interview he explains his approach to customer satisfaction and how it complements the development of the Experimac franchise, now in more than 100 markets.
Experimac: America’s new “hot” franchise opportunity
Master franchisee and area developer Greg Carafello talks about the importance of “trust” and “chemistry” when buying a franchise. He’s building Cartridge World in six states and the District of Columbia, and Liberty Tax in Manhattan. He was interviewed by Dr. John P. Hayes on the How To Buy A Franchise Show.
How to become a franchisor
“Sales is my business,” says Experimac founder, Jim Muir, and that suits him fine as a new franchisor. In this short video he discusses how he’s helping people get into the business of repairing and selling Apple products through Experimac outlets. His target is to open more retail locations than Apple, Inc. and plans to be at the 500 store level in about five years.
