Dick MC Mahon

Archive for the ‘Business Broker Franchise’ Category

Franchises are among the fastest growing business opportunities available. Once the purview only of those who could afford to invest many, many thousands of dollars – often as many as several hundred of thousands – franchise opportunities now exist that will fit almost any budget.

If you are looking to buy a franchise that carries a low price tag but can yield high profits, you’ve come to the right place. Here are ten top franchise opportunities that can be yours for right around $20,000!

GLOBAL BROKER SYSTEMS

You don’t have to be on Wall Street to earn a Wall Street-level income. Global Broker Systems offers the opportunity to do jus this by offering commercial loans to businesses.

With national name recognition, Global provides you with training and support so you are equipped to handle financial issues ranging from debt restructuring and business acquisition financing to accounts receivable and lease financing.

With a total capital investment is $19,950, you could be well on your way to a successful entrepreneurial career in finance.

FAST-TEKS ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICES

This unique opportunity places you directly in the manager’s seat. As a Fast-Teks franchisee, you do not repair or service any computers directly. Rather, you manage a team of trained technicians who travel to client sites to perform all repair and maintenance work.

The total capital investment is just $19,500, with an additional requirement of $6,000 to $10,000 for start-up expenses and advertising.

In return, you gain the benefit of working for yourself in a multi-multi-billion dollar industry. No computer experience is required, so check out Fast-Teks today.

BLUE COAST FINANCIAL GROUP

With a motto of “Bring Wall Street to Main Street,” this franchise opportunity allows entrepreneurs to become Blue Coast Advisors who offer “second opinion financial services” to businesses and corporations.

No financial experience? No problem! The parent company’s support staff of expert analysts provide you with all of the information you need to give the best and most accurate advice and guidance to your clients.

Additionally, Blue Coast offers service-provision options that make your services even more appealing to potential clients. Carrying a total capital investment of $19,995, this business franchise opportunity truly does make Wall Street Main Street-accessible.

J. BRANDT COMMUNICATIONS

No one likes to be on-hold, but the fact is that people today will spend a significant amount of time on-hold waiting for information, assistance, or conducting business. The good news is that, as a J. Brandt Communications dealer, you can capitalize on this by marketing Music and Messaging On-Hold (MOH) services to companies and corporations.

The benefit to your clients is that they gain an additional opportunity to market their products and services; the benefit to you is that you can establish a source of recurring income for today and for your future.

The start-up cost capital investment cost for this exciting opportunity is $20,000.

GUARD-A-KID – CHILD ID SYSTEMS

Oftentimes, people look into starting their own business so they can spend more time with their families and create a future for them. This franchise opportunity allows you to do exactly this while protecting your family in the process.

Guard-A-Kid is a child safety ID kit that provides parents with wallet-size and file-size printed IDs as well as a CDROM containing their child’s information. Because the information is in digital format, it can easily be sent to law enforcement personnel in the case of an emergency.

In addition to this basic package, Guard-A-Kid offers parents the option of purchasing additional safety accessories, including wearable IDs, Internet safety software, and more.

The capital investment cost is $19,900, and you can choose to operate your business either from the comfort of your own home or through a Guard-A-Kid kiosk.

CTI – CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY

Concrete isn’t just for sidewalks. Through CTI, you can become a business owner in the field of concrete restoration and beautification. Even if you’ve never worked with concrete before, you can succeed as a CTI dealer by benefiting from the company’s comprehensive training program and round-the-clock technical support.

CTI operates in the United States and in 22 countries around the world, and you can become a part of this exciting and growing market for just $19,500.

AMERICAN BUSINESS ADVANTAGE

With interest rates on the rise, more and more homeowners are finding they are unable to meet their mortgage payments, and, as a result, foreclosure looms on the horizon.

You can help homeowners avoid taking this difficult step by becoming a Certified Foreclosure Consultant (CFC) through American Business Advantage. Whether you want to work full-time or part-time, from an office or from the comfort of your own home, American Business Advantage allows you the freedom to choose.

You will receive training and complete support in this business venture for a total capital investment of $19,995.

CRUISE PLANNERS FRANCHISING LLC/AMERICAN EXPRESS

For the past several years, this award-winning franchise opportunity has consistently been ranked #1 in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine. And it isn’t hard to see why.

With a price tag of just $9,995-$19,950, franchisees can capitalize on the growth and success of the cruising industry.

Cruise Planners Franchising LLC/American Express offers top commission levels, the latest in technology, training and support, and unique industry programs and benefits, among other things. If this exciting opportunity sounds like it could be for you, cruise over to the above website for more information.

INFINITE MARKETING

Every business needs marketing collateral, so why not go into the business of providing marketing collateral to businesses?

For a total capital investment of just $14,900, you can become the owner of your own Video Business Card Distributorship. Video Business Cards (VBC) are the new wave of business promotions, and they include personal messages from the business professionals as well as printable marketing materials and e-mail and website links.

Small businesses want to stand out among their competition, and VBCs allow them to do just this. As a VBC business owner, you can earn an income while helping other small businesses succeed at the same time.

DVDNOW KIOSKS

Today’s society is all about convenience. People want to accomplish more in less time. And DVDNow Kiosks allows them to do just that by providing automated DVD rental kiosks so renters can pick up a Friday-night movie without ever stopping at the video-store.

DVDNow Kiosks can be found in grocery stores, convenience stores, office buildings, or any location prone to high foot-traffic. As a DVDNow Kiosks distributor, you earn income every time someone rents a DVD from one of your kiosks. This means that your earning potential continues even when you are not actively working.

This industry is set for an exponential explosion, and for a start up capital of $20,000, you can secure a piece of this pie.

As you can see, low-cost franchise opportunities exist in a variety of industries. Whatever your budget and your area of interest, it is almost a sure thing that there is a franchise that’s perfect for you. So what are you waiting for? Start building your future today with one of these top franchise opportunities.

Okay, so you’ve been investigating a franchise opportunity that has you both eager and excited at the prospect of becoming an entrepreneur.   Your franchise consultant has discussed the business in depth with you, including your role as a franchisee, the financial requirements, skill set needed, and you’ve been introduced to the franchisor. You have received a copy of the UFOC, which you have carefully investigated with an advisor.  Your family is behind you 100%.  So far, everything looks great!  What’s next?

A very crucial next step in the process of selecting the right franchise is to call some current franchisees.  The franchisor will openly provide you with a list of franchisees, and it should be a diverse list, meaning, for example, that your list will consist of 5 of the franchisors top producers in sales, 5 average producers, and 5 bottom producers.  Keep in mind that there are many factors and variables for the answers you receive.  For example, if a franchisee is currently on the lower end in terms of sales for that franchise, it could very well be that way because the franchisee just opened their location a month ago.

This list is extremely valuable to you, the potential franchisee, as you are able to solicit answers to key questions from franchisees that are currently conducting business in the franchise you are considering.  Usually, you’ll receive the most “raw”, honest, un-edited feedback from franchisees, which is invaluable in assisting you in your decision making process.

That being said, lets review some key questions that a potential franchisee should ask a current franchisee.

1.  How long have you owned your franchise?

2.  Is your franchise profitable?

3.  How long did it take to reach your cash flow breakeven point?

4.  Were opening costs consistent with the original projections?

5.  What was your background prior to buying your franchise?

13.  Have any franchisees had disputes with the franchisor?

14.  If so, what was their nature? Were they resolved fairly?

17.  What is the company’s biggest competitive advantage?

18.  What is the company’s biggest competitive disadvantage?

Satisfactory answers to the above set of questions may very well put you on the road to franchising with a company that is not only in line with your values, but will also enable you to attain the lifestyle you’ve dreamed of for you and your family.

Find Your Perfect Business

Check out before you buy is the road to purchasing a franchise. If this is done first, then there will be no surprises or regrets later. Any good businessman or woman would find out as much about a franchise and its operation before purchase as humanly possible. Not all franchises operate the same and each has its mandatory rules that are part of any purchase contract. The contract other than stating how the franchise will be paid for and when, will also lay out in detail what the franchiser has agreed to do and what the buyer must do after becoming the owner.

These are the elements that should be looked into before purchase of a franchise. Examples are: Who can you buy supplies from and is there a requirement to pay so much a month for advertising controlled by the franchiser.

Are there mandatory meetings and training for the owner or his staff. Each major franchise has different elements like this in the contract they make with the buyer. These are the details that should be looked into before purchase. How do you do this and where are good places to seek the answers?

Other owners

Owners of similar franchises that you are considering are great sources of information when you can find one that will speak with you. If you get them talking try to find out what they like and what they do not like about running the franchise they own. Do they have any suggestions for you as to how to negotiate the purchase or is it cut and dried as far as the franchiser is concerned. Why did they end up picking this franchise out all of them that are available?

Would they do it again?

Did they buy from a previous owner or direct from the franchise company. This is an important question, as their answers will shed light on detail that could be valuable to you in your discussions with an owner or the franchise company.

Find out about the help that they really got from the franchise when they first started. What did they think of it?

If they are successful, what do they contribute their success too. Do they just have a terrific location or are they just great business people. This answer could help a prospective owner evaluate what they could do if they owned a franchise.

Franchise for direct answers

Most people who buy a franchise get most of their answers direct from the franchise people. Major franchises have a very detailed plan they go through when talking with a potential owner. They have very specific criteria that the possible owner must meet in order to continue the discussion. They have minimum financial requirements that the buyer must meet or they will not go further in the discussion. If you meet their criteria then that is a plus, as they know what is needed for a new owner to be successful. It also means that they have a live one on the line. Remember this is a sales situation and the details will be presented in the best possible light they can use. Your part of this discussion should be in two parts. Listen very carefully to what they say and ask every question you can think of. Find out in great detail what they provide after you become an owner. Find out what is required of you after you make the purchase. Find out about current help as well as future help in running the franchise. There really should be no question that they cannot give a detailed answer too since this is their area of expertise.

In this situation there are no dumb questions, there are just questions that you do not know the answers too. The worst mistake you can make is to not ask and assume you know the answer. Your assumption could be absolutely wrong and you need to find that out before the purchase. Ask about the success stats they have on new owners and what caused the failures that have occurred. Major franchises have a very high success ratio with new owners. Lesser franchises may have a very spotty record in this area. You need to know before you buy.

Business brokers as a source

Reputable business brokers are a great source for getting good information as will as finding solid businesses that are for sale. An experienced broker in this area will have a sixth sense about deals that he has listed. They will know the real reason for the sale, which may not be what is given at first. They also will have inside knowledge about franchises and how they operate. Pick their brain and let them earned your business.

The Internet source

With today’s Internet, there is very little that a serous searcher cannot find out if they are willing to spend the time and effort on the Net. You can read all sorts of sites that supposedly will tell the inside information about franchises. You can find success stories and how to do things on the Net. This is one source that should be checked out thoroughly by a potential buyer. One thing you will find when looking on the Net, is that you never knew there were so many businesses that a person could consider as a franchise buyer. It does not matter what your interest are, there is a franchise that will use that interest to become a business.

You will notice that these little known franchises have low starting purchase prices. If there is one that strikes your fancy, make sure you ask what you get for the money that they want you to pay out. If it amounts to just a business plan, then it may not be worth the expense. This is the reason to ask lots of questions.The questions will ferret out the sweetheart deals and the potential winners.

Conclusions

Due diligence is a necessity. When thinking of buying a business, this should be the first step toward a possible purchase. Ask questions; seek out solid information from sources that you know to be reliable. Do your homework, as this is the only way to make sure that you do not become the proud owner of a white elephant. Use all of the sources listed here and any you can think of or find while doing your research. Quality information allows the buyer to make superior decisions.A serious buyer of a franchise should be willing to spend the time and effort to check out the deal. This will do one of two things, make the buyer run away like he is on fire or make buyer ready to do the deal without any reservations. The latter is always preferable when the sale has been put to bed.

The check out may lead you to consider a different type of franchise than the one you first thought would be for you. This must be a match to work out well for the buyer, both financially and emotionally. A thorough study of the franchise and what it entails to own one is the only way to make a decision that you can live with. Check first before you write the check.