The Franchise King Blog

The JoelPost. Tuesday, April 29th, 2008. FREE Ice Cream Today-Ben & Jerry's

Today is Ben and Jerry's annual "Free Cone Day"! Ben and Jerry's is of course that edgy, franchised ice cream concept that always manages to get great publicity. Cool colors, great ice cream, and locations near you.

Wait in line a little. Enjoy some ice cream a lot. This year- "Cake Batter" Ice Cream. FREE Scoop.
That's the real scoop, today...

{Anyone want to nominate their website for the "Coolest Franchise Website Contest"?}

New Franchise Owner Set To Help Northeast Ohio Families

Allan Soirefman must have really liked my presentation on franchising he heard at a local outplacement office. That's because he signed up for a public seminar I held a month later, in conjunction with National City Bank, at their east suburban facility.
Allan, a downsized American Greetings exec....

This Cool Franchise Website Contest Is Cool!

As the nominations continue to roll in, it is becoming apparent to me that there are no shortage of Cool Franchise Websites, on the World Wide Web! So far, there are franchise websites that have to do with food, cosmetics, PR, butterflies, hair cuts, pets, and much, much more. Which franchise websites have you seen that should be nominated for The Coolest Franchise Website Contest? Nominating your favorites is easy. Just submit the name of the franchise, or the url of the website in the form of a comment on the contest website, or email it to: contest at thecoolestfranchisewebsite.com

Let's find The Coolest one!

"The Coolest Franchise Website" Contest Has Been Extended!

We have extended the Cool contest until May 19th. That means you can nominate your favorite franchise website until May 19th at 10:00PM. The nominees will be announced on June 2nd, and that is also when voting will start. Voting will be closed at 10:00AM June 9th!

Who can nominate websites? 

• Franchisors
• Franchisees
• Suppliers
• PR Firms
• Marketing Firms
• Consumers
• You!

Nominations can be sent, one at a time in the form of a comment on www.TheCoolestFranchiseWebsite.com or via email-contest at thecoolestfranchisewebsite.com

Breaking Franchise News! Arby's Gobbles Up Wendy's

Triarc Companies has just purchased Dublin, Ohio based Wendy's International for $2.34 Billion in stock. Pam Farber Thomas, daughter of Wendy's founder, Dave Thomas, said that their family was devastated over the news. Read NYT

Wendy's has been having some problems as of late, and hopefully some new leadership can right this ship. Problems.

Solar Franchise Update From The Franchise King Blog!

With Earth Day being celebrated around the planet yesterday, I thought this would be the time to update you on a very popular topic...Solar Energy-Franchising.....

Nominations For "The Coolest Franchise Website" Contest Are Rolling In...

As we start tracking The Coolest Franchise Website nominations, I have been thinking about just how much the internet has changed everything. I do mean everything. From how our children are starting to learn about the world, to how we, as adults, find stuff out. It is absolutely mind boggling....

Green Franchising On Earth Day 2008

Today is Earth Day! As more and more of us start to understand words like "sustainability, and "carbon neutral", it is becoming increasingly clear that things that are "green" are not a fad. Take Pizza Fusion, a pizza franchise out of Florida. I mentioned them in my guest column over at Small Business Trends last year, and they are starting to grow.

Entrepreneur magazine did a story on them in January. Read
The Coolest thing about them, for me, is that they use Toyota Prius's for their pizza delivery. It is quite refreshing to see a concept that it so well thought out! This is how to franchise something, folks. Some other suggestions for would be franchisors can be found here.

Interestingly enough, Pizza Fusion was just nominated for "The Coolest Franchise Website Contest!

Check out something else that is Green!

What Exactly IS a "Cool" Franchise Website?

What is the definition of a "Cool" website? My definition may be completely different than your definition. For me, a "cool" website will have some nice color combinations, stunning graphics, easy to follow navigation, and real contact information.{as opposed to when you go to the "about" section of a website, and it is totally general..you know, no names given, etc. I cannot stand those. They reek of nothingness.}

So, what is your definition of a Cool Franchise Website?  Why not nominate one, and show us?

If you would like to know specifically which non-franchise websites I think are "cool", look at these:
{I cannot nominate any franchise websites, since it is my contest!}

1. www.JimKukral.com
2. c-class Mercedes Benz
3. www.Quicken.Intuit.com
4.www.goodthingsshouldneverend.com

Also, I am now allowing nominations for "The Coolest Franchise Website" to be submitted right on the Contest website, in the form of a comment. So now, you have two ways to nominate your favorite Franchise websites:

1. In comment form on the Contest site

2. In email form- contest@thecoolestfranchisewebsite.com

Which Franchises Are Great At Web Marketing????

Nominate Your Favorite Franchise Website!

Nominations for "The Coolest Franchise Website Contest" can be submitted now! State Franchise Centers.com, in conjunction with The Franchise Engine, and Sanderson PR, are searching for the franchise websites that really stand out. Is the franchise industry fully engaged in all things internet? Let's find out!

The nomination portion of the contest runs from April 21st through May 5th, 2008. All nominations must be submitted by 10:00PM EST on the 5th of May. Please go to www.TheCoolestFranchiseWebsite.com for details on how to submit your nominations, and to find out about the Cool prizes being offered!

 
Sanderson PR

National Small Business Week! Shout Out Your Successes, Franchise Owners!

Monday, April 21st starts of National Small Business Week, an event that has been celebrated since 1963... This year, in keeping with all things technology, Cisco Systems is co-sponsoring a webcast, and has an internet portal all set up, that will provide all types of coverage, for this week long celebration.

Go Here for Cisco's Web Portal

Go Here for special Small Business Administration Website

Go Here for the event schedule

If you are a franchisor, or a franchisee, pat yourself on the back for being part of the American Dream!

The Role Of a Franchise Broker-Consultant. Wall Street Journal Style

I wrote an op-ed this week concerning Kelly Spors story on franchise brokers-consultants. Spors, a Wall Street Journal reporter, got some quotes from Mr.Michael Seid, a non-supporter of our little portion of the franchise industry.

In my piece, and in my usual blunt style, I challenged Kelly Spors to finish the story by interviewing franchise company execs that use us, to find out how they feel about our services. I also now challenge her to find someone besides Mr. Seid to get some opinions on the services we provide to franchisors, and prospective franchisees....

Nominations For "The Coolest Franchise Website" Contest open This Monday!

The Coolest Franchise Website Contest, sponsored by State Franchise Centers.com, The Franchise Engine, and Sanderson PR starts this Monday, April 21st! Please remember to pass this Cool contest information on to franchise companies that should know about it...

                                     


Here is the specific information on the prizes, and when and how to enter!

Sanderson PR Added As Sponsor For "The Coolest Franchise Website" Contest

The great folks at Sanderson PR, a franchise Public Relations firm, have agreed to be a sponsor for the Cool contest, which starts this Monday. Thank You Sanderson!

Remember to nominate your favorite franchise websites by sending your picks {ONE per email, please} to: contest at thecoolestfranchisewebsite.com.

No entries can be accepted until Monday the 21st of this month, so there is still time to let others know of this. Good Luck!

Go here to learn more

Franchise Website Contest Announcement!

                                   
Which North American based franchise company has the coolest website?

Starting Your Search For A Franchise To Own

If you are thinking about becoming your own boss, and the business model of franchising is intriguing to you, where do you start your search for a franchise?

A Shout-Out To FranchiseInterviews.com

FranchiseInterviews.com. A member of BlogTalk radio!

I want to thank the guys over at FranchiseInterviews.com for adding my E-Book, to their cool website. "The Essential Steps To Researching a Franchise Opportunity", gives those looking at opportunities in franchise ownership, instant access to proven research techniques.

In my book, I show readers how they can become experts in franchise research, in an easy to follow, step by step format. Because it is an E-Book, it can be saved on one's PC or Mac,  for instant reference, or it can even be printed out as a take-along guide.
{As a matter of fact, readers of the book should print it out, and take it with them when they visit franchise owners, and even when they visit the franchise company's headquarters for their Discovery Day.}

Don and Marty, thank you so much for your support. To learn how to buy this book,  go here!

Thank You, Michael Seid

Thanx,
Michael. Really. The folks that are in the tiny little niche of franchise consulting-brokering really  appreciate the general remarks concerning how we conduct business. In The Wall Street Journal, there is an article that describes how we work.

With the title of "Franchise Matchmaker's Real Clients", Seid says "the extensive interviewing process gives a prospect a sense of false assurance that the broker is really working for them." Seid is a franchise adviser." In reality, "the broker's job is to bring as many good leads to the franchisors it represents as possible."

The Franchise King Blog Intros The Australian Franchise King

Ever since Tom Sudow, the former director of The Beachwood, Ohio Chamber Of Commerce, coined me "The Franchise King",  I have noticed some other Franchise Kings.  When I use Google's
wonderful Google Alerts for The Franchise King, all sorts of cool, and weird stuff comes up... daily.

Everything from Cleveland's LeBron James being called "The Franchise King", to this down under green franchise dude, it just keeps getting weirder and weirder. No need to give King James {See!} any PR, today. Let's just go down under , and see what Jim Penman does to grass, and how he became The Franchise King of Australia. Here!

Interesting Franchise Concept. Tackling Infectious Diseases in Africa!

Wow!

From "The what will they think of next category."

In 2002, Ghana  Social Marketing Foundation founded a franchise called "CareShop." This concept was started  to help get medicines out to the people in Ghana. Their mantra seems to be get it out there, make it affordable, and make it accessible! All for profit. Is the franchise business model possibly more important than we think?. Thanx Mr. Kroc.... 

{Would you like to keep up to date on all things related to franchising and small business? You can subscribe to this incredible blog-right side area of this page, and/or follow me on Twitter. Here} 

The Franchise King. Are There 2?

JML    LBJ

Well, it seems like there are 2 Franchise King's.
When I set my Google Alerts to "The Franchise King", I usually get an assortment of interesting posts that come up. There is this one rather wealthy and talented dude that keeps coming up, and even more times than me! NOW, he even has his own little Blog.
What should I do?

Take a look at the 2 Franchise King Blog's.
Which one looks better? Which one is cooler?
Your opinions are appreciated.
Wonder how much he will pay for THE domain name??

His    Mine

Michael Gerber In Cleveland For Cose/Key Entrepreneur Center

Preeminent Small Business guru, Michael Gerber, was in Cleveland this week,  promoting his new book, and attempting to get local entrepreneurs off their butts. He succeeded with this one! He spoke at Corporate College.........His new book shows one how to create and grow a real business. How to find something that our world needs! He also discussed "The Dreaming Room." Buy the book, and find out about this life-changing concept!

Michael mentioned that thousands of people get to shake his hand every year, and all of them tell him what a great book The E-Myth was. They continue to go on and on..and on {Like I did, when I spent a few special one on one moments with Michael at the event} about how his famous book, changed their way of thinking towards entrepreneurship. During his one hour and twenty minute energetic presentation, he challenged us to actually follow the principles he outlined in The E-Myth. You know, that working on the business, as opposed to working in the business.

How many of you are working on your business?

Duct Tape Marketing Author John Jantsch Speaking At Corp. College! Win a Free Ticket To The Event!

John Jantsch, the author of the hugely popular book, Duct Tape Marketing is the keynote speaker at the Cleveland Corporate College E-Marketing event on May 2nd.  I met John  the last time he was here, and he signed his book for me. John and I have corresponded several times, and he is a smart dude. He is interviewing me this week for one of his podcasts as a matter of fact, and will discuss my new eBook during part of that interview.

Would you like to win a FREE Ticket? Keep Reading!

Small Business: What Do These 10 Cities Have In Common?

Here is a list of 10 US Cities? Can you figure out what they have in common?



1.   Bellevue
2.   Georgetown
3.   Buford
4.   Marina Del Rey
5.   Bethesda
6.   Portland
7.   Denver
8.   Charlotte
9.   Ft. Worth
10. Franklin

These 10 US Cities are part of the Top 100 Cities to launch a new small business in-according to Fortune Small Business, and are also great places to live... Read about all of them, here.

Friday Franchise Poem

There once was a Franchise that became smelly,
Folks found out thanx to Kelly,
The players of that franchise were pissed,
As Kelly is certainly one that can diss,
More digging, and lots of new store deposits amiss,
Who is Elite
Who Is Cuppy's
Do they really think folks are a bunch of Guppies?

Read Sean Kelly's story,
Sorry, nothing rhymes with that word.
Here

Dun & Bradstreet Recognizes This Savvy Blogger!

The recent purchase of AllBusiness.com, a wildly popular business focused website, for $55 million by Dun & Bradstreet, was done to enhance D&B's internet presence. It has, thanx in some part to it's industry savvy blogging team....