Upcoming Seminars and Webinars

	Webinar - Aug 06, 2014: Franchisor Spotlight: Emerging Franchisor in a Recession-resistant Industry Whether you are looking to make a career change, recently retired or simply interested in becoming your own boss, FranNet invites you to explore business ownership. In this Franchisor Spotlight, learn about an emerging franchisor in an industry that has seen positive growth over the last 10 years. This franchise is positioned in a category that sees improved technology and new applications being introduced daily. REGISTER NOW
	Seminar - Aug 20, 2014: Franchising as a Career, an Investment, or Both Presented in collaboration with SCORE Grand Rapids at Northwood University's Grand Rapids Campus, this exclusive event will get all your franchising questions answered!  During the program, FranNet will discuss the details on franchising such as industry categories, costs, funding, the regulations governing the industry, and how to find a great fit.  REGISTER NOW
	Webinar - Aug 20, 2014: Is Buying a Franchise Right for You? Stop climbing the corporate ladder and create one! For many people, starting a business is a once-in-a-lifetime event. But with FranNet, you can make starting a business a once-for-a-lifetime event. Join us to find out how! REGISTER NOW

An inside look at the "Hyper-Local" Business Marketing Services Industry

With Special Guests:

Wednesday, July 23rd - 5pm

Learn the in the outs of the only national company laser-focused on local, community-based, neighborhood businesses!

Money Mailer has re-invented marketing for local business owners by leveraging the proven effectiveness of targeted direct mail with cutting edge digital components so businesses can reach existing and potential consumers at home, on the go, with or without a physical coupon or redemption.

Attend this exclusive local event to hear more from corporate Money Mailer representative, Jeff LeBlanc, on this single or multi-unit, recession resistant model with territory available in virtually all of West Michigan.  Highlights of this opportunity include:

• B2B model with repeat customers
• Full-time, owner operator model 
• Home based and requires few employees
• Offers recession-resistant services catering to small and medium sized businesses
• Low cost investment.
• Extremely fast start-up.
• On-going and initial lead generation provided by corporate.

Hosted By: FranNet of Michigan
Brigitte Betser
Franchise Placement Specialist
616.891.1374 • bbetser@frannet.com
www.frannet.com/bbetser

To Register:
www.frannet.com/bbetser
616.558.2514

Non Food Concepts DOMINATE Franchise 500

Entrepreneur Magazine just released its Franchise 500 rankings, which attempts to show you the top 500 franchises (regardless of size) based on objective, quantifiable measures of a franchise operation.  For more details how the ratings are determined, please visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/franchise500/about.html.

Let’s take a look at the Top 25 in this list, based on CATEGORY – not the franchise itself.  You’ll notice I’m not mentioning any specific company’s name, just the category.

1. Fitness
2. Hotels
3. Fast Food
4. Personal Care
5. Fast Food
6. Convenience Stores
7. Disaster Restoration
8. Casual Dining
9. Casual Dining
10.  Fast Food
11.  Fast Food
12.  Commercial Cleaning
13.  Hotels
14.  Fast Food
15.  Tax Preparation
16.  Fast Food
17.   Rent-to-Own
18.   Supplemental Education
19.   Travel Agents
20.   Fast Food
21.   Tax Preparation
22.   Postal and Business Services
23.   Commercial Cleaning
24.   Professional Tools
25.   Auto Repair

Out of the top 25 – only 7 are Fast Food franchises and 2 are casual dining franchises.  If you look at the next 25 – an additional 7 have food operations (2 of them being in the ice cream business).

So, if you are thinking of starting your own business – think franchising!  It’s more than just fast food or dinner chains.  There is a bit of everything!

And if you want to learn more about franchising, I have two FREE events coming for you ---

1)  SEMINAR:  Business Ownership Options - Tuesday, July 15Learn franchising basics, including the array of categories and investment levels available (starting at around $50K), and how to go about defining your own personal vision, matching that up with viable choices, and conducting proper due diligence to make sure your selecting the RIGHT fit for YOU!MORE INFO          RSVP

2)   WEBINAR:  Semi-Absentee Opportunity in the Health & Wellness Sector - Wednesday, July 16The featured franchise comes from one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. This is a great opportunity to join the second largest concept in its industry where you’ll find a business that has seen rapid revenue growth at more than 20% in franchises open more than a year. Repeat and referral business will drive your growth, and residual revenue will bring cash flow at the beginning of each month.
MORE INFO          RSVP

You can always contact me at 616-891-1374 or bbetser@frannet.com if you have any questions or would like to talk more about starting your own business.

Master Franchise Model for Empire Builders

Wednesday, JUNE 18  |   2:00 - 3:30 p.m. Online Seminar - NO CHARGE   This Franchisor Spotlight features a start-up company that has over 100 years of combined franchise experience on its senior management team.  The business is situated in a $48 billion industry and growing consistently on average at 5.5 percent year-over-year. This franchisor spotlight will focus on master franchisee opportunities. Ideal candidates can enjoy a steady, repeat and cash business while also helping members of the community. The executive franchise structure is two-tiered, with a decentralized management model that allows for a more predictable business and flexible hours. As a recession-resistant concept, the franchisee can add additional units as the business grows. There are long-term multiple revenue streams and on-going support and training from the franchisor. The executive business model is positioned for a mid to upper-level executive looking to maintain a family-focused lifestyle and a Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Ideal candidates should be comfortable with sales and marketing and have excellent leadership skills. The owner’s focus will be on hiring a small staff to assist with the building of the organization and supporting unit operators. Features of the business:   Recession-resistant industry Simple organization with few employees Multiple revenue streams and no receivables On-going franchisor support and training  Flexible schedule allowing for more work/life balance Reservations for this No Fee Webinar can be made at frannet.com/bbetser, bbetser@frannet.com, or 616-891-1374.

Literally Examining the Definition of Success (with the Help of FranNet)

Ask the next three people that you see, “What is Success?”  You will probably end up with three completely different answers.  It’s a hard thing to define, so let’s turn to Dictionary.com.

Let’s go step by step.

1.  Favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors. The accomplishment of one’s goals. 

How do you know if you are successful if you don’t know your goals?  If you have ever thought about starting a business, this is one way that FranNet can help you.  We use a proprietary Personal Franchise Assessment tool to help get to know you, your strengths and your preferences better… and then meet with you face-to-face to further examine what your goals truly are.  Let’s figure out where you want to go before we talk about how to get there.

2.  The attainment of wealth, position, honors of the like

So, after step 1, you know where you are going.  In Step 2, you have to figure out how to get there.   I’m here to get you going in the right direction.  We will talk about potential franchises that fit with your goals.  Is there a particular role that you love?  Do you want to make an investment, yet only put in minimal hours per week?  I can help match you up with the companies that structurally fit your Model of Success.  I can also connect you with finance and other business professionals that you may need in your journey toward becoming a franchise business owner.  Finally, I will give you a true and honest assessment as to whether I think that business ownership is right for you.  No one can guarantee that you will be a success, however gaining a thorough understanding of what it take to be successful in a particular franchise is an important element of increasing your likelihood of success.

3.  A performance or achievement that is marked by success, as by the attainment of honors.

After getting pointed in the right direction, time to start heading down the path. I am here to coach you through the process of selecting and buying the franchise.  I’ll be advising you of questions to ask and specific things to look for, and reminding you to consider your goals that we talked about in step one. 

Here’s an entrepreneur that was once in your shoes … read their success story.  Can you picture their success?  Do you want that success?

And, I invite you to attend my upcoming seminar “Business Ownership Options”.  This is a free session that takes a further dive into franchising and gives you the chance to ask questions about franchising.  The seminar takes place on June 17 at Michigan Works on Leonard in Grand Rapids.

You can also contact me at 616.891.1374 or bbetser@frannet.com as well!

It’s hard to be successful all by yourself.  That is why FranNet is here!  We’re your coach on the road to success.

Franchises Are Creating Jobs - What Industries Are In The Top Five in Job Creation?

ADP’s March 2014 National Franchise Report has been recently released to the public.  According to its data, national employment added 220,000 jobs in March.  Franchises are responsible for 30,830 (just over 14%) of those jobs.

According to ADP’s historical data (dating back three years), franchise job growth has only seen a loss in one month in the past 36 (January 2012).


The biggest adders to the payrolls were the restaurant industry and the auto & auto repair industry.  Restaurants added 13,900 jobs (compared to only 600 in February 2014).  Auto & auto repair tend to seasonally add jobs this time of year, coming off of harsh winters.  In March 2014, the industry added 8,500 jobs.

Rounding out the Top 5 industries (in franchise job growth) were Accommodations (1,990), Business Services (1,450), and Food Retailers (590).

As you can see, there are a variety of different franchises out there.  One of the most important things to know when you are debating about starting a business is your industry trends.  This comes with doing your research.

One of the ways to find out what you need to know about starting a franchise is by attending “Franchising 101:  Business Ownership Options”  At my free workshop, I’ll talk about the basics of franchising and how to determine what businesses and industries could FIT YOU

This workshop takes place on May 20 at 9 am in Grand Rapids, MI.  For more information and to RSVP, please visit frannet.com/bbetser.  You can also contact me at bbetser@frannet.com or 616-891-1374.

FRANCHISING 101: A Free Event on May 20

Franchises are everywhere. Restaurants, tax preparers, oil change locations.  Don’t forget about day care academies, hair salons and pet supply stores. These are businesses started by everyday entrepreneurs like me and you, but rely on a concept developed by someone else.

So, why use another’s idea to start a business?

• Using an established brand can give you a jump start, compared to trying to create success from scratch.
• Combined buying power from several franchisees can give you an advantage and keep your costs low.
• A fraternity of franchisees that want you to succeed, providing an immediate support system.

This is just a few reasons to open up a franchise location. Find out more, including the questions to ask a franchisor, at my upcoming seminar on Tuesday, May 20.  This free session goes over various business ownership options and examines if business ownership is right for you.

For more information or to RSVP, please visit frannet.com/bbetser. You can also email me at bbetser@frannet.com or call me at 616-891-1374.

May 20, 2014 – 9am to 10:30am
Franchising 101: Business Ownership Options
Michigan Works
1560 Leonard NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505