Fast-Casual has become Fast-Transition

Article by: Lynne D. Shelton & Madeline Jones

As our society transitions out of pandemic times, it seems some of our old habits are here to stay. While in person shopping and dining used to be the only options, delivery and curbside pickup options are remaining highly desirable to consumers even as government regulations lift. This trend is unlikely to change based on current market projections. The general …

Quick Serve Restaurant Doesn’t Always Mean Quick Profits

Article by: Lynne D. Shelton

It is not surprising that when most people think of franchising that they immediately jump to thoughts of McDonalds, Burger King and Subway. These quick service restaurant, or QSR style franchises have a big footprint in not only the restaurant market, but the franchise market as a whole. Although the QSR industry is slated to rake in over $226 billion …

Feeling Stimulated?

Article by: Christina McAmis

For many Americans, the latest round of stimulus checks gives a spot of color on a bleak landscape. For some, however, the stimulus has been, dare I say, more stimulating. If you are one of the fortunate Americans looking for a way to use your stimulus to both stimulate the economy and to stimulate your future; I propose investing in …

Off the beaten path – Pet Franchises

Article by: Christina McAmis

As we enter this new phase of normal, all portents point to a boom in the retail industry over the next year, and by many predictions beyond. COVID has led many of us to alter our “normal” and caused every single one of us to make changes to our daily lives. Whether those changes are small, like carrying hand sanitizer, …

The Journey to Franchise Ownership through Due Diligence, Part II

Article by: Lynne D. Shelton

In last month’s article, I discussed the basic terms and definitions associated with franchising, the influence franchising has in the U.S. economy, and how to perform a cost/ benefit analysis of a franchise purchase. This month’s article of our 3-part series will talk about analyzing yourself and how to evaluate the franchise after narrowing your search. When you are looking …

While You Were Masked: The Trademark Landscape Shifted

Article by: Christina McAmis

We have all been operating under the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-March. I feel like many of us, myself included, have been so occupied by everything COVID: lockdowns, hand sanitizer, face masks, and in-home schooling, that we haven’t really kept up with any of the other, normally interesting but not mind shattering happenings. Well, hey, that is completely understandable. Due to …

Get Creative: 5 Unique Ways to Raise Local Awareness

Article by: Lynne D. Shelton

It’s the one part of business that most of us don’t want to deal with, think about, or mention. It’s the tricky, it’s awkward, it’s painful. But it’s also necessary. No matter how much we may want to ignore it, the truth is this: Local Press is vital to the operation of your business. LOCAL PRESS Whether we like it …

Between Now and Normal – Turning the Franchise System Back On – Part 3

Article by: Lynne D. Shelton

We are concluding this 3-part series, on some best practices, or possibly let’s continue to say ‘anticipated best practices’ on how to Turn Your Franchise System Back On. So far in this 3 part series, we have covered Communications with the Franchisee; and Communications with the Public, in Part 1; and Communications with Prospective Franchisees and Communications with the Examiners …

Between Now and Normal – Turning the Franchise System Back On – Part 2

Article by: Lynne D. Shelton

We all thought 2021 would bring us “normal”, but this seems to be the decade that just keeps on giving. We are in the middle of this 3-part series, we will look at some best practices, or possibly let’s continue to say ‘anticipated best practices’ on how to Turn Your Franchise System Back On. As we look between Now and …