Franchise Investing

The Wall Street Journal writes an insightful article that if you are thinking about investing in a franchise, make sure that you read the [franchise] disclosure document and speak with franchisees.It goes on, "Most of what you need to make an informed decision about a franchise system is readily available. Franchisers are required by  federal law  to provide prospective buyers with disclosure documents at least 14 days prior to a sale." That makes it sound as if speaking with franchisees...Read Full Story

CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder/CKE photo CARPINTERIA, Calif. –  Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc. and the recipient of numerous leadership awards, speaks with Blue MauMau on the art of leading franchise owners.  No stranger to being plunged into a firestorm, the former attorney led the about-face of the troubled CKE Restaurants and Hardee's brand nearly a dozen years ago as a new CEO. In a Wall Street conference over two years ago, I listened for two days to CEOs of...Read Full Story

February 11, 2012 - Business Press Release   Francorp Inc. Herbies has teamed up with Francorp, a franchise consulting and development firm, to expand their services nationwide through a franchise distribution model. Greeley, CO- Herbies Auto Sales has teamed up with Francorp , a franchise consulting and development firm, to expand their services nationwide through a franchise distribution model. Founded by...Read Full Story

Nah-ah says Century 21.Ex-franchisee can't use logo once he is terminated, even if he feels wronged. Court agrees, big time. (Photo/Century 21) LAFAYETTE, Indiana – A district judge ruled last month that a terminated Century 21 franchisee’s continued use of the franchisor’s trademark constituted not only trademark infringement but also counterfeiting. As a result, a court ruled that Century 21 was entitled to collect treble damages and attorney fees. In highlighting last week’s...Read Full Story

Multi-unit franchisee Aziz Hashim ATLANTA —Franchisee Aziz Hashim, a recipient of franchise awards and a well-known leader in the industry, speaks about what a good franchisor leader looks like from the vantage point of a franchise owner.This is part of Blue MauMau's ongoing series seeking to understand what sort of leadership and environment it takes for franchise owners to flourish. Named as the National Restaurant Association's "Franchisee of the Year," to name just one of many...Read Full Story

February 08, 2012 - Business Press Release   American Association of Franchisees & Dealers New outlets offer additional opportunities to enhance franchisee engagement SAN DIEGO, CA, February 2,2012 - The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) has launched new social media outlets to connect with its community of franchisees and dealers who share similar interests. The launch of these...Read Full Story

Domino's CEO Doyle at a franchisee convention. Photo/Domino's Pizza ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Patrick Doyle, president and chief executive officer of Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE:DPZ), speaks with Blue MauMau about why he pays so much attention to franchise owners and what style works best in leading them. Doyle, a University of Chicago MBA, served as corporate finance officer at First Chicago Corporation and subsequently as head of baby food stalwart Gerber Products before joining Domino's...Read Full Story

( This is a guest post from Nellie Akalp, Founder and CEO of Corpnet ) Buying a franchise , whether it’s a restaurant or a bed bug removal service , is one of the most popular and fastest ways to start a business. Buying a franchise gets you up and running with a proven model, support from the franchisor, and a clear-cut marketing plan to bring in new customers. But along with the excitement of becoming a franchisee , there are a few risks as well. When you start as a franchisee, you...Read Full Story

Integrity is what you do when nobody is watching! Some franchisors appear to believe that when a person asks for the franchisor's FDD they need not give it. Why? Here is, slightly edited a franchisor's broker's answer,  which appeared on a major business social network. "Because they [franchisor] are not required to provide an FDD upon request. Here is the excerpt from the FTC 2008 updated ruling: "Upon reasonable request, franchisors also must furnish a disclosure...Read Full Story

The side of a franchised A&W restaurant in Kentucky, photo/bmm LEXINGTON, Ky. — The sale of Yum Brands' franchising company A&W Restaurants was finalized on Monday, December 19 for an undisclosed amount. The firm was bought by the National A&W Franchisee Association and See Ci Kiong of Indonesia, the chain's largest international franchise owner. Franchisees have appointed Kevin Bazner to be the brand's new CEO. He was president from 1999 to 2003 of A&W Restaurants, Inc. On Monday...Read Full Story