FBR Issue 2 - 2018
Top 50 Multi-Unit Franchises; Rockstar Franchise Owners; Emerging Franchises
Top 50 Multi-Unit Franchises; Rockstar Franchise Owners; Emerging Franchises
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<strong>FBR</strong> SPECIAL REPORT<br />
FEATURED<br />
Franchisee<br />
Pete Wilson<br />
Window Genie<br />
West Chester, OH<br />
Franchisee since 2015<br />
— An <strong>FBR</strong> Franchisee Rockstar! —<br />
What was it about the franchise model and/or<br />
leadership that led you to purchase it? I liked<br />
the business model of home services and being<br />
able to offer multiple services for the home<br />
owner to keep their home looking great. We<br />
offer window cleaning, pressure washing, gutter<br />
cleaning, window film installation, and holiday<br />
lighting.<br />
What type of business experience, education,<br />
and/or skills did you have prior to becoming<br />
a franchisee that you have found particularly<br />
helpful? I had tremendous leadership training<br />
and experience while serving in the Marine<br />
Corps, and I coupled that with several years of<br />
corporate experience and also receiving an MBA.<br />
What do you like most about your job? I most<br />
enjoy interacting with our wonderful customers,<br />
making their homes look amazing through our<br />
services, and helping my employees reach their<br />
goals in life.<br />
How did you fund your franchise? Did you<br />
receive any discounts/incentives? I used an SBA<br />
veterans loan, and received a discount through<br />
the franchisor for being a veteran. Window<br />
Genie, as a member of VetFran, offers additional<br />
territory, a $7,500 value, at no cost to veterans.<br />
What advice do you have for prospective<br />
franchise buyers? What do you wish you had<br />
known prior to going into franchising? Take your<br />
time and do your research to find the right brand<br />
that fits you best and ask a lot of questions. Be<br />
prepared to work hard, make good decisions, and<br />
trust yourself.<br />
For more information about Window Genie<br />
opportunities, call (800) 700-0022 or visit<br />
www.windowgeniefranchise.com.<br />
Kona Ice franchisees tap into the popularity of the frozen dessert industry.<br />
several very strong franchise companies that<br />
have crossed the 100 unit mark over the last<br />
decade. These franchises include FirstLight<br />
Home Care, Mosquito Joe, Better Homes<br />
& Gardens Real Estate, Crunch Fitness,<br />
Pinot’s Palette, CarePatrol, 101 Mobility,<br />
and Brightway Insurance.<br />
UPSTARTS WITH STRONG PROMISE<br />
Looking at companies that just started franchising<br />
in the last few years, we found a handful<br />
that show a lot of promise. Senior Care<br />
Authority, who started franchising in 2014,<br />
has already grown to nearly 50 locations, and<br />
is outpacing many of their competitors in the<br />
home healthcare industry. Bloomin’ Blinds is<br />
another 2014 franchise upstart with a lot of<br />
promise, poised to grab their share of the<br />
multi-billion dollar window treatment market.<br />
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WITH<br />
EMERGING FRANCHISES<br />
No matter what type of business you open—<br />
franchise or independent, up and coming or<br />
50 years old—there’s risk involved, but buying<br />
a franchise from an emerging brand can come<br />
with more risk if you don’t do your homework.<br />
Emerging franchises (and smaller brands)<br />
often come with a smaller corporate office and<br />
fewer resources, which can equate to less support<br />
for operators. Franchisees may struggle as<br />
the first in their market. With no prior brand<br />
recognition, it’s completely up to them to market<br />
their business, gain brand recognition, and,<br />
for franchisees of new concepts, they constantly<br />
have to explain what it is they do.<br />
On the other hand, franchisees new to a<br />
market have the opportunity to establish their<br />
reputation and image with no preconceived<br />
ideas of what they do or how they operate.<br />
Franchisees and franchisors both told us<br />
there’s more openness to franchisee input at a<br />
new brand, which might be an advantage for<br />
someone looking for the stability of franchising<br />
with the entrepreneurial feel of a start-up.<br />
“There’s a growing community of independent<br />
health and beauty professionals<br />
nationwide, and with MY SALON Suite,<br />
I’m meeting their demand for luxury, private<br />
working spaces,” said Aaron Gillaspie, a multiunit<br />
franchisee with MY SALON Suite, which<br />
started franchising in 2012. “I’ve opened<br />
multiple units throughout Houston and San<br />
Antonio with the corporate office’s ongoing<br />
marketing support, educational opportunities,<br />
and ambitious culture. Their top notch amenities<br />
have proven to be exactly what stylists in<br />
my region are looking for.”<br />
20 | For more information on this report, visit: www.FranchiseBusinessReview.com
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