2023 Interview Series: TEA Aligns an Outplaced Executive to an Ideal Franchise Opportunity

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Jim Bauer may have been one of the most unlikely business owners when he got his start in franchising in 2009. For the prior 25 years, Jim had served in numerous high-level executive roles for a well-established homebuilding operation for a public builder in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. However, with the housing market collapse in 2008, Jim found himself without a job and wondering what his next move should be.

Fortunately, Jim found The Entrepreneur Authority (TEA) and the guidance of David Omholt, TEA’s CEO while going through his career transition with outplacement firm Right Management (www.Right.com).  He was immediately taken with the idea of self-employment through franchising when David spoke to a group of outplaced executives about the opportunities available in franchising. As Jim said, “David was awesome. He had a great awareness of where our heads were at as a group of outplaced executives, and the concerns, anxiety, and pressure we felt. I remember so vividly his presentation, his key points, and his message was spot on.”

Personal Experience Leads to Franchise Success

Due to Jim’s professional background and all other parameters lining up, David felt that he would be a good fit for a number of different franchises, but one that really resonated with Jim was PuroClean (www.PurocleanFranchise.com), a property damage restoration services business. This was partly due to the fact that Jim had previously experienced significant damage to his personal residence due to a water heater leak, which had to be serviced by a property restoration company. Unfortunately, the “industry leader” that had been hired to take care of the issue had left a lot to be desired in terms of quality and customer service.

Jim saw an opportunity to offer a better experience to other people going through similar situations. After carefully considering several options, he decided to become an owner-operator of a PuroClean franchise.

The Value of an Experienced Mentor

Flash forward to April 2023: Jim is now in the process of completing a successful exit strategy from his PuroClean franchise after 14 years of ownership. This is something that TEA always emphasizes in their franchise coaching and guidance; that is, for business owners to plan for the future and set up a strategy for exiting their businesses when the time is right.

Jim has said of his experience with TEA, “I am so thankful to David and to PuroClean for what they have afforded me. At a time when I had a lot of confusion and anxiety, David brought order out of chaos, and ultimately, introduced me to PuroClean, which became a vehicle for me to take my network, experiences, and skills, and adapt them into a much safer space.”

TEA offers no-fee consultations, in addition to complimentary webinars on franchising. To schedule an appointment with a Franchise Consultant or register for a webinar, call 866-246-2884 or visit https://eAuth.com/webinars/.

2023 Interview Series: From Disillusioned Executive to Franchisee Success Story

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Mark Scholz had come to a crossroads. With decades of professional experience in marketing leadership roles, he was looking for a change. He was great at what he did, having worked at high-profile organizations such as the legendary ad agency, Leo Burnett, and the information technology powerhouse, Hewlett-Packard, but had grown disillusioned with the traditional corporate world and was ready for something new.

Like many successful executives, Mark had been contacted by various franchise brokers but wasn’t totally sold on the professionalism and expertise of the people that had reached out to him. It wasn’t until he attended a JSN panel discussion and met David Omholt, President, and CEO of The Entrepreneur Authority, that he felt he had found the right partner to assist him with the franchise research and buying process. Mark was immediately impressed by David’s deep knowledge of the industry, credibility, and intelligence and felt confident that he had finally found someone he could trust.

A Trusted Advisor

Not long after initially meeting at the JSN event, Mark had his first conversation with David about franchising. “I just got a super great first impression of David. He’s a really smart, and credible, salt-of-the-earth guy,” said Mark. “That phone call, which should have been maybe a 15-minute conversation, went for over an hour, and I just felt I was in good hands.” From that point on, David got to work and put together a profile for Mark and introduced him to the many free resources available through TEA.

Learn more about all the free tools that TEA makes available at: https://eAuth.com/resources/.

Both David and Mark were pleasantly surprised by how many franchisors were interested in talking to Mark about their businesses. There were over a dozen opportunities that David presented to Mark, and the two worked together to whittle the list down to three franchises that best aligned with Mark’s goals, interests, and skills.

The Process Works

For Mark the advantage of working with David and TEA was clear. “The difference with The Entrepreneur Authority is how professional, thorough, and methodical their process is,” he said. “David gave me great guidance to narrow down my choices and then vet those out to make a decision.” With David’s guidance, Mark eventually settled on a franchise called Zoom Room – an exciting franchise that specializes in dog training. For Mark, it was the perfect opportunity to pursue his love of dogs and be involved in an industry that is growing rapidly.

Since becoming a franchisee, Mark has nothing but praise for David and the process that he went through with TEA. “I’ve been very, very happy with the decision,” said Mark. “I just think the world of David, and I would recommend him and TEA to anyone who’s serious about franchising.”  Meanwhile, Mark should have three Zoom Room locations open within the next year.  What a neat reinvention story!

TEA offers no-fee consultations, in addition to complimentary webinars on franchising. To schedule an appointment with a Franchise Consultant or register for a webinar, call 866-246-2884 or visit https://eAuth.com/webinars/.

2023 Interview Series: Scott Vermillion with Yellowbee Marketing

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As is oftentimes the case, Scott Vermillion’s path to business ownership is a story of being in the right place at the right time. For close to 15 years, Scott had worked in the ministry as an Executive Pastor. When it came to the church, most of the conversations centered on individuals’ personal and spiritual lives, but there was a void when it came to discussing vocations. Coming from a family of business owners, Scott was always interested in learning more about what people’s work lives were like – and he found they were eager to have those conversations as well.

Over time, Scott discovered that he had a natural aptitude for guiding people – specifically business owners – in optimizing both their business and the joy they received from the work they did. Finally, “Divine Providence,” as Scott describes it, intervened when he helped out a friend who was holding a job seekers networking conference, and David Omholt of The Entrepreneur Authority happened to be a guest speaker, presenting on entrepreneurship and franchising opportunities.

Scott Vermillion of Yellowbee Marketing

TEA Provides a Spark

That initial presentation by Omholt sparked Scott’s interest in franchising and was integral in helping him take that initial first step, “Sometimes you need help to get through those initial barriers,” Scott said, “And David was a great source of wisdom and experience. The more he talked, the more I learned.” Scott dove in and decided to take TEA’s assessment tools, and it was quickly apparent that franchising was a great option for him.

Learn more about some of the free tools that TEA makes available at: https://eAuth.com/resources/.

At that point, David began guiding Scott through the discovery process, helping him explore which opportunities might be the best match – and there was no shortage of solid options, given Scott’s versatile skillset. The two worked together and narrowed his options down to six, then two, and finally to a business opportunity that most closely aligned with Scott’s background, skill set, interests, and most importantly, allowed him to follow what he felt called to do, which is helping people.

A Mentor is Key

One of the biggest pieces of advice Scott has for anyone considering franchising or a business opportunity is to find a mentor. “I think it’s so important to have somebody who’s been around the block; who’s seen what franchises are worth getting involved with and which aren’t…those are things that you don’t know unless you have a guide,” Scott said. Another valuable lesson he learned was the importance of having a mentor there to not only guide you through the process but also to be someone to bounce ideas off. As Scott describes it, the vetting process with TEA was very diligent. “What was very helpful was how specific David was about the options available to me,” he said, “I had a lot of questions, and he was there to answer all of them.”

On-Going Relationships are Much-Favored

When Omholt founded TEA back 20 years ago, he wanted the business to not be so transactional.  He wanted enduring relationships with the folks he came across.  He calls it building success TEAms. And, Scott is a perfect example of that – the two have continued to collaborate in the market.  Omholt loves to refer business his way as he can and try to help connect him into target-rich markets.  Most contemporary, the two will be part of a panel discussion on business ownership at the same Church they met at…all aimed at helping others.  See a pattern here?

TEA offers no-fee consultations, in addition to complimentary webinars on franchising. To schedule an appointment with a Franchise Consultant or register for a webinar, call 866-246-2884 or visit https://eAuth.com/webinars/.

2022 Interview Series: Safer Franchising — Experienced Franchise Attorney Discusses How to Avoid the Biggest Legal Landmines Before Investing!

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Franchising has become an increasingly popular way for entrepreneurs to start and grow a business of their own. With a multitude of benefits, including access to a proven business model, franchisor support, brand recognition, and lower risk than starting a business from scratch, franchising can be an attractive option for those looking to become their own boss.

However, like any investment, there are also risks associated with franchising. One of the biggest is getting caught up in legal landmines that can end up costing time and money. In this article, Ryan Whitfill, Chair of the Franchise Practice Group at Culhane Meadows, PLLC, describes the three biggest legal pitfalls associated with franchising, and the specific steps potential franchise investors can make to help minimize these risks and protect themselves from a legal standpoint.

Do Your Homework

The first and most important thing a potential franchisee can do is make sure to do their due diligence upfront. There are a lot of potential franchisees out there that are looking for an investment opportunity and have the money but not the experience. In Ryan’s opinion, the best way to do this is to find a mentor to help guide them through the process. Franchise consultants are invaluable in helping potential investors identify legitimate, well-run franchises.

As Ryan describes, “If an individual decides to move on with a franchise, they’re going to be signing a contract, and will be bound by that contract,” he said, “So if they’ve got someone guiding them, it’s an excellent way to start, and it’s great because it doesn’t cost the franchise prospect anything.”

According to Ryan, this is why The Entrepreneur Authority (TEA) is such a valuable resource.  Not only do they guide interested parties through the process of identifying the right franchise for their specific goals, but they also provide several helpful tools to assist potential franchisees early in the discovery process. Learn more about all the free tools that TEA makes available at: https://eAuth.com/resources/.

Get a Thorough Understanding of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

Another potential legal landmine that potential franchisees need to be aware of is failing to read the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) thoroughly. The FDD is required by law to be given to potential franchisees before they sign any agreements, and it contains a wealth of information about the franchisor, as well as what the franchisee is obligated to and bound to. Ryan describes that people will sometimes mistakenly believe that verbal, or even email correspondence may be binding. Not so. The FDD supersedes any prior verbal or written agreement, so Ryan believes it’s critical to have a clear understanding of this document before signing anything. “Getting an attorney who knows what they’re doing to help potential franchisees read through that document and really understand what the agreement obligates them to do as a franchisee, as well as what their rights and obligations are under that contract is very helpful, to understanding what they’re getting into, from a legal standpoint,” Ryan said.

Speak to Current and Past Franchisees

Lastly, Ryan recommends speaking to as many current and past franchisees as possible. This is a great way to get a sense of what the day-to-day life of a franchisee is like and to get some inside information on the franchisor. When an investor finds a franchise concept that they want to move forward with, it’s essential to talk to as many franchisees as possible, because there will be a variety of experiences.

“It’s a big part of understanding the system from the people who are already in it,” Ryan stated, “They may be able to advise potential investors of things that they didn’t realize they were going to be obligated to do, or maybe aspects of the franchise that aren’t clearly enunciated in the agreement.”

According to Ryan, if an individual does these three things, they’re going to be in a much better place when it comes to understanding and avoiding any legal landmines that may exist prior to investing in a franchise. “Based on the business advice, the legal advice, and then the inside advice from existing franchisees,” Ryan said, “you put those three things together, and a potential franchisee will have a good understanding of what they’re getting into and can feel confident that they’re making a fully informed decision.”

Ryan Whitfill is Chair of the Franchise Practice Group at Culhane Meadows, PLLC. He has over 20 years of experience providing legal counsel to individuals exploring investing in franchises. He also works closely with TEA, an organization that specializes in helping people navigate the process of finding the right franchise fit. TEA offers no-fee consultations, in addition to complimentary webinars on franchising. To schedule an appointment with a Franchise Consultant or register for a webinar, call 866-246-2884 or visit https://eAuth.com/webinars/.

2022 Biggest Mistakes Franchise Investors Make…and What to Do About It!

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In the last couple of years, one of the outgrowths of the COVID-19 pandemic has been what most people are now familiar with as “The Great Resignation.” As a direct result of this, franchise ownership has become a more popular option for those individuals looking to take more control over their lives and become their own boss. With over 700,00 franchises in the United States, it’s no wonder that franchising is seen as a viable business model. That being said, there are some big mistakes that investors make when buying into a franchise. In this article, Jason Killough, a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and the owner of Thriving Solutions, LLC, an independent Affiliate with The Entrepreneur Authority (TEA) talks about the three biggest ones.

Know Thyself!

When it comes to franchising, the ancient Greek aphorism, “know thyself” is quite apropos. A common mistake potential investors make is jumping into franchise ownership before doing some honest introspection on themselves to determine if it’s really an appropriate opportunity for them. According to Jason, before investing in a franchise, it’s critical that potential franchisees ask themselves why they want to be their own boss.

“Purely from a DNA perspective, you need to know if you even have what it takes to own your own business or franchise,” Jason said, “It takes a certain type of profile.”

Jason and The Entrepreneur Authority (TEA) help potential investors in determining this through their Entrepreneur Quiz (E-Quiz), which helps them understand their appetite for risk, for example. It also helps provide insight into if a franchise – with its established systems already in place – is the right fit or if an investor is more suited to owning his or her own business outright because they don’t want to conform to a specific system.  This tool, among others he administers free-of-charge, is critical to solving one of the first parts of the puzzle – the YOU piece.

Know Thy Potential Partner!

Another mistake that franchise investors make is simply not doing their homework and due diligence when vetting a franchisor or their current franchisees. Doing so provides an insider’s perspective on what the culture of the franchise is like and if it’s a good fit for you. Talk to both newly-established franchisees and those that have been around a while to get a good idea about what their experience has been like. What kind of support do they receive from the franchisor? How much control do they have over their business? How is the communication? And, of course, Would they do it all over again?  There are many other not-so-obvious questions TEA franchise consultants will coach their candidates to ask – it’s all part of a thorough discovery process.  To learn about all the complimentary tools TEA has in their coaching arsenal, go to https://eAuth.com/resources/.

Know Thy Financial Constraints!

One of the biggest mistakes that franchisees make is investing in a franchise that’s outside of their financial parameters. There’s a broad range of investment levels when it comes to franchising, anywhere from $50,000 up to $2M+, so it’s important to be clear from the beginning what is within your budget. There are also costs that need to be considered outside of the franchise fee, such as marketing and hiring staff.

“You simply do not want to be undercapitalized,” Jason said, “The last thing in the world you want is to buy a franchise, pay a franchise fee, and then you’re about to open, and you’ve run out of money.”

That’s where Jason and The Entrepreneur Authority play a crucial role as consultants. They help would-be franchisees find a franchisor and franchise opportunity that matches their financial capabilities and long-term goals.

So, if you’re thinking of investing in a franchise, make sure you avoid these three big mistakes and consult with a qualified franchise consultant. Doing so can save you time, money, and aggravation down the road.

Jason Killough is a Certified Franchise Executive with nearly 30 years of experience in the franchise industry. He offers no-fee consultations and regularly hosts webinars on franchising. To schedule a complimentary appointment or register for his next webinar, call 800-390-3726 or visit https://eAuth.com/webinars/.

2022 Top Post-Pandemic Franchising Trends: Insights from a Certified Franchise Executive

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Have you been wondering how franchised businesses will fare in a post-pandemic world? You’re not alone. With the rollout and acceptance of vaccines, the end of the COVID pandemic is on the horizon. Businesses are eager to adjust to this new reality, but how can you be prepared with so much uncertainty? We gain insights from Charlie Bever, Certified Franchise Executive. He discusses what his experiences have been during this pandemic, and what trends to look out for. 

Charlie Bever conducting a seminar

Mr. Bever owns The Career Transition Authority® (CTA), which is an affiliate of The Entrepreneur Authority, the leading franchise brokerage firm in the United States. Before founding CTA, he was the Director of Business Development for Miracle-Ear, Inc. and was responsible for over 25% of the franchise’s current owners. His extensive experience includes franchising and executive experience at Sears, Roebuck, & Company, and management positions at other well-known retailers like Macy’s and Montgomery Ward.

So let’s dive in and gain insights from the past, present, and future to learn what we can expect from the franchising industry.

TREND #1: Passive (aka Semi-Absentee) Ownership

The pervasive attitude that stood out, as we interviewed Charlie, was the sense that people did not want to be caught off-guard, professionally. The pandemic was a wake-up call to people and franchises that did not prepare for unforeseen career situations. Here’s what Charlie had to say about how people are adapting. “The current trend is towards passive or semi-absentee ownership. Many folks lost their jobs in Corporate America during the onset of Covid. They’ve now re-landed employment, however, they want to protect themselves by owning a franchise that can be owned and managed passively .” He noted that there was a “seismic shift to passive ownership. People don’t want to get caught flat-footed should they lose their job again.” The trend of more hands-off ownership indicates that people are switching over to franchises that offer passive responsibilities. The reason for this is clear, because of the pandemic, they realized a backup plan was crucial. The franchise industry is realizing that putting all of your eggs in one basket is no longer as certain as it once was. “Passive ownership opportunities are on the rise. Many people I work with don’t realize this is an option when selecting a franchise. This puts them at ease and creates excitement to earn incremental income.”

TREND #2: People want to control their own destiny

With the abundant loss of employment experienced during the recent past, people have grown tired of relying on upper management to dictate their job status, and have embarked on entrepreneurial journeys. Many are calling it The Great Resignation. Statistically, Franchising can offer an entrepreneur a lower risk and faster way to own his or her business compared to buying a chain store outright. Mr. Bever has identified that “W-2 employment opportunities will continue to dwindle, while self-employment opportunities are trending in popularity. Average tenure rates in the US sit at 3 years. Nobody likes looking for a new job. Franchising offers them the opportunity to have more control over their professional destiny.” This is one of the many things that is driving the interest in buying franchises, and it’s a trend that will likely continue for both entrepreneurs and investors.

TREND #3: Unprecedented supply of options demands people get experienced counsel prior to investing

The last decade or so has seen a proliferation of franchise options hit the market. It makes the research process rather daunting at times to the uninitiated. That underscores the importance to work with a trusted advisor who has been around the franchise block a time or two. “There are many more options industry-wise these days than ever before. So, the trend is more, and more unique brands are entering into the pool to select from.” This increased pool means that education and finding the right fit are vital to your decision-making. Mr. Bever’s solution for franchisees is, “by working with a trusted CFE, only then can the mind-boggling search be simplified through education – without any pressure or obligation and without feeling sold. A CFE is an expert in franchising and can really match the candidate up with the best-fit opportunities.” This time has created a unique opportunity for new and experienced people in the franchise industry, and making the right decisions is the most important step. 

The adoption of virtual technologies has also increased opportunities for potential buyers. “Virtual discovery days have almost become the norm, and I have talked to many franchisors who have decided to permanently go to virtual sessions. Artificial intelligence is also now widely being used to recruit candidates, and many franchisors and franchisees have highly sophisticated CRM systems in place.”

Final Thoughts

We can see that as the sun sets on the pandemic, owning a franchise can open a lot of doors. Franchises offer stability, brand name recognition, and management systems. We hope that understanding these trends will encourage you to dive deeper into this industry.  If you would like to learn more about franchising in a safe and non-committal way, attend one of TEA’s webinars. You can register by going to: www.eAuth.com/webinars. Happy and safe investing!

2021 Franchising Trends: Diving Into The Talent Pool

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A glimmer of hope is on the horizon.


With the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines in full swing and another from Johnson and Johnson on its way, many of us are holding our breath to see if this is really the end of the pandemic. We’d sure like to hope so!


There have been a lot of changes made to our businesses, day-to-day interactions with customers, friends, and family, and even our employee relationships. While also revealing our weak spots, the growing pains from the pandemic have made us stronger in many ways.


As we go into this new phase of optimism and hope, we must remember as business leaders not to leave anyone behind. We must stand up as leaders in our communities and remember what unites us.


Many hardworking Americans have been out of a job for several months. These are people who are good at what they do but were in the right place at the wrong time. It can be daunting for these folks to get back onto their feet and out into the world without business leaders who are willing to take a chance on long-term unemployed candidates. We want to encourage you not to ignore the talent pool in front of you.


Here is why hiring long-term unemployed candidates is worth it.

Hidden Gems

Don’t think about it as charity. When hiring employees who have been down on their luck, chances are you’ll both benefit overall.


Employees who were formerly unemployed for the long-term are more appreciative, loyal, hardworking, and committed to the place that gives them a chance. This is great news for your bottom line because productivity is through the roof. Some of the best employees you have ever had might be hiding in the talent pool.

Hiring Pays

Who says doing the right thing doesn’t pay? According to the US Department of Labor, entrepreneurs who hire “individuals from 10 targeted groups,” such as the long-term unemployed, “who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment,” can get a tax credit through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.


Although the WOTC technically expired on December 31, 2020, expiration is not unusual for this policy. It regularly “expires” and then Congress renews it again, oftentimes retroactively. So, keep an eye out for the next renewal, or be proactive and start hiring now to reap the benefits retroactively. It’s a worthwhile investment.

2021 Franchising Trends: Building Relationships

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It comes as no surprise that the most important things we realized in 2020 had to do with our relationships. With social distancing, quarantining, and stay-at-home orders going away, we hope, we must now look to rebuilding our relationships with franchisors, employees, and customers.

Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships

It’s vital to have a healthy relationship with your business partners. Every franchisee knows that working with franchisors is different from working directly with a normal “boss” or manager. As a franchisee, you are a business owner yourself. However, that does not mean that it is not important to maintain a good relationship with your franchisor.


As we move into the rest of 2021, keep in mind that your franchisor is an ally, and an asset – not a burden. Things might have been touch and go between you during the hardest parts of last year. Working with others is not always easy, but maintaining these personal connections, especially while moving into what may be the best year for franchises yet, is of the utmost importance.

Keeping a close relationship with your franchisor can help you stay up to date on industry trends, learn more about the business and customer relations, and benefit you both down the road.

Employer-Employee Relationships

Keeping up with our employees during the pandemic has looked different for each business owner. In a lot of ways, we have stayed connected more about personal health and safety than ever before – asking about symptoms, and even looking after our employees’ mental states through high seasons, long hours, sickness, and quite often the loss of someone they knew.


As we move back into the normal, chances are these specific details will no longer be shared in your regular interactions with employees. But this does not mean that it isn’t important to maintain a healthy relationship with your employees.


Ensure they feel appreciated and valued, especially as life returns to normal. Remember to thank them for toughing out challenging times and overcoming the negativity. Being there for your employees reminds them to be there for you. Encourage loyalty, engagement, and employee satisfaction by continuing to remind your employees that they matter, long after the hardest days are over.

Customer Relationships

Chances are, you were there for your customers when they needed it most. Franchises did exceptionally well in 2020, despite the overall economic downturn of most of the market. So, your customers will be thinking of how you were there for them when they needed it the most.

As you move forward into a post-COVID world, be sure to show your customers that the feeling is mutual. Offer rewards programs, or customer appreciation tokens to show that you value their loyalty and patronage.

Maintaining positive relationships with customers is always a good thing, but even when things are going well, a relationship can suffer due to a perceived lack of appreciation on one party’s behalf. People naturally want to be appreciated, even in a customer-business relationship. Recognizing these things will help your customers to continue to feel valued. A good business relationship is good for everyone involved.

2021 Franchising Trends: Make Your Mark

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Why should someone go to your location? In 2020, franchises proved to be longstanding and held strong to the footholds they had carved out in their communities. But as life gets back to normal in 2021, your customers are going to need a reminder for why your location is the one they should go to.
Make your mark on your community, so that long after the pandemic is over and COVID-19 is a distant memory, your franchise location will still be the place to be.

Create a Robust Social Media Presence

Nothing says free advertising like word of mouth. By creating a robust social media presence for your location, you can encourage your customers to interact with your business daily. This will not only increase the frequency that your business is brought to the front of your customers’ minds, but it also creates an excellent platform for engagement and growth.

When you use social media to engage your customer base, you also leave room for them to tag your location on their visits, take and share photographs and videos when they visit your location, and encourage organic growth from their followers, encouraging more business for you.
Social media in its most basic form is free. And with paid promotional content on Instagram and Facebook, you can quickly get posts in front of thousands of people within seconds. It isn’t even necessary to hire a social media manager, but if you’re interested, there are plenty of college and high school students looking for a side job that have the youthful advantage to know what they’re doing.

Look at the Competition

All’s fair in love and war. Sure, belonging to the same franchise doesn’t mean you are at war with one another – not in the least. However, when you’re aiming to stay relevant and competitive, it’s vital to see what other locations and even competitors in your area are doing to attract customers. Perhaps it’s their lighting fixtures that have people swooning. Or maybe modern décor, vending machines, or other slight details that just make that much of a difference for convenience and comfort.

There’s no shame in playing it smart. Check out the competition to make sure you are staying on your game.

Benefit Nights, College Deals, and Charity

You’re a business leader, so people look up to you. Make sure to use this to everyone’s advantage by helping out your community. If your location is in a college town, this the perfect opportunity to link up with organizations from the college campus. Greek fraternities and sororities are philanthropic organizations based on charitable giving and brother/sisterhood.


Some of these groups have philanthropies like St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and have a fundraising threshold to meet each year or semester. By working with these students when they ask, or proactively offering it upon request, you can donate a portion of the proceeds to the organization’s chosen charity on college nights.


With cheaper deals for college students, and a portion of the proceeds going to charity, your location will become known as a do-gooder in the community and people will be more likely to support it in the future.

2021 Franchising Trends: Changing Tides

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Hello, 2021

As we ring in the new year, a sense of calm is in the air. We may still have to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as we are closing in on almost a year of living with the virus, we’re using what we have learned to overcome and move forward into a new normal. Within our brick-and-mortar franchises, we are back on our feet and ready to take new initiatives and make changes to keep our franchises growing.

While life is finally getting back to normal, we might not ever go back to the old definition of “normal.” We’ve had to adapt to survive and will continue to innovate to stay competitive. Here are some ways to make sure that you can carry your business high above the waves of these changing tides.

Reevaluate 

Whether you own a restaurant, packing and shipping branch, barbershop, hotel, or gas station, many parts of your business should be re-evaluated during these challenging times.

In a restaurant consider which menu items are readily available for delivery from your food suppliers. Think about changing the menu to fit these new adjustments. Add a theme night event allowing you to keep the numbers in your restaurant within CDC guidelines but also making the smaller group of patrons more intimate and interesting. Upcharge during these theme nights. This allows your restaurant to reinvent itself and grow.

If you own a branch of a franchise in the packing and shipping industry learn more about which shipping companies are delivering on time and which companies are generally delayed. Inform your customers and allow them to make choices that fit their needs. 

Safety

As a franchisee, you want to create a safe environment for your customers and clients.

If you own a barbershop, follow your state’s guidelines, and you may also want to offer special times designated for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.

Attract a new clientele by hosting a small number of clients while adding unique upgrades such as beverages and music.

For restaurant owners start offering curbside pickup and adding outdoor seating. This brings more business and offers a safe way for restaurant patrons to enjoy their favorite restaurant foods. 

Personal Connections

Within all brick-and-mortar businesses, it’s important to remember that personal connections are the key to a successful brand and business. During these times, guests staying in hotels want to feel especially welcomed.

Place a welcome card in their rooms addressing the guests by name. Host smaller private hotel social events and recognize guests by name with decorative place cards on tables and announcing anniversaries, birthdays, and special occasions.

If you own a gas station start a new incentive program. Give each customer that brings in 5 receipts showing they have filled up a free coffee or pastry.

Awareness and understanding of new circumstances will always help your business to grow and succeed. Making the necessary adjustments will prove to keep your clientele happy and your business sustainable. You may even be surprised by exponential profits if your new adjustments take off. Always keep an eye out for ways to reinvent and adapt.