StevenVDubin's blog

New England Franchise Association (NEFA) will present " Franchise Financing: Keys to Success in the Current Economic Climate" on Tuesday

Here is a very innovative and timely franchise/licensed program - StilMee, The Leader in Alzheimer Coaching (please see full press release embedded below).

How do you make the phone ring? What gets new customers to walk through the door?

The law firm of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers (TBHR) announces the formation of a new Franchise and Distribution Group.

In an effort to enhance communication and create a forum for franchisee representation and negotiation, SuperCoups franchisees have formed the SuperCoups Franchise Owners Association (SCFOA) as a chapter of the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD).

The goal of SCFOA is to empower, educate, and passionately represent the franchisees of SuperCoups. A former member of the SuperCoups Advisory Board, Jim McCann, who has been a franchisee (SuperCoups of Mercer County) of SuperCoups for 12 years, reflected on the transition.

McCann noted, “The advisory council fostered communications between the management team of SuperCoups and the franchisees.  Recently the parent company was undergoing an ownership change and the franchisees felt it was important to form an association to make sure there was a forum to communicate among ourselves and directly with the parent company while providing the Advisory Board with added support.” 

Ron Benedetti, one of the first franchisees of SuperCoups, who is excited about the SCOFA as well as joining the AAFD, states, “The AAFD offered an efficient vehicle and expert direction and assistance in helping us create the SCFOA quickly and affordably.” 

Over the last three years, BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT LLC, based in Nashua, NH, has spent just as much time repairing the public’s perception of the asphalt maintenance industry as mending worn-out, cracked driveways and giving them a black-as-night new coating. With the awarding of the Merrimack Valley franchise to Pete Christman, BLACK DAWG will have reinforcements in its efforts to show southern New Hampshire and now Massachusetts residents how a superior asphalt maintenance company operates.

“What makes BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT different is that we truly believe in earning the trust of our customers. We do that with first-rate customer service (real people answer the phone) and state-of-the-art sealcoating technologies and we put that philosophy to work every single day.” said Jack Child, BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT’s owner. “We’re positively thrilled to have Pete aboard to bring that level of quality and service to the Merrimack Valley, particularly as our initial entry into Massachusetts.”

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) announced a new program for new and emerging franchise systems to earn AAFD Accredited Contract status.   The new initiative provides accreditation to franchise systems that do not have an established track record of great franchise relationships, but whose franchise agreements substantially conform to AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards.  This new program provides a great tool for prospective franchisees to identify franchise opportunities that respect the rights of franchise owners.

Upon request by a franchisor, the AAFD will conduct a review of the franchise agreement and identify areas in which the franchise agreement needs to be amended to conform to AAFD’s rigid Fair Franchising Standards. Franchise agreements that conform earn AAFD Accredited Contract Certification.  Prospective franchise buyers now have objective criteria by which to judge the fairness of a franchise agreement. This is a strong asset in setting a franchise apart from the many that a prospect is likely to be considering. 

In addition, Franchisors with AAFD Accredited franchise agreements have the opportunity to promote the fact that their franchise agreements comply with AAFD’s Fair Franchising Standards.

For every cracked, beat-up, worn-out driveway, there’s a story. Perhaps it’s a tale of neglect, Nor’easters and New England winters, or perhaps an unfortunate incident involving a monster tractor pull looking for a place to turn around. With its "World’s Ugliest Driveway Contest," BLACK DAWG SEALCOAT’s Owner and Operator, Jack Child, is looking to add another: how having an ugly driveway can win a homeowner a limo ride to the best restaurant in town for a free meal.

McGrowth – it is everywhere you look. Franchising is the fastest growing segment of our economy. To take advantage of that trend, the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) has selected PR Works, a Kingston, Mass. firm to make them even more famous.

The AAFD is a national non-profit trade association based in San Diego, California and representing the rights and interests of franchisees and independent dealers throughout the United States. Formed in 1992, the AAFD is focused on market driven reform to achieve its mission to define and promote collaborative franchise cultures that the AAFD describes as Total Quality Franchising. Since its formation the AAFD has grown to represent more than 50,000 franchised businesses throughout the United States. The AAFD currently has members in all 50 states and represents more than 100 different franchise systems.

"Fair franchising, the idea of individual franchisees and corporate franchisors collaborating for more harmonious growth is the hallmark of the AAFD. We are excited about reaching out to both established and emerging organizations with that sensible message," noted Robert Purvin, CEO of the organization.

Dr. Keith Winfree, founder of Winfree Business Growth Advisors, recently announced the awarding of a franchise to Pete McDowell of Clyde Hill, Washington. Located across the United States, Winfree Business Growth Advisors franchises help sales professionals and small business owners maximize growth potential and take their respective businesses to a higher level through cutting-edge sales coaching, training, and seminars.

"While we're always thrilled to add franchise owners, bringing Pete in is particularly gratifying because he'll be covering a major market in the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton area," said Dr. Winfree.

"Simply put, the philosophies and systems we espouse for sales professionals and the small business owner work, which is why, unlike other sales training programs, we can guarantee results. It's one of the big reasons why graduates of our programs, like Pete, have become franchise owners."

A resident of Clyde Hill, Washington, McDowell received a bachelor's degree in industrial design from Purdue University. Prior to becoming a Winfree

Business Growth Advisor, he held sales and senior management positions in the industrial packaging, graphic packaging, and commercial printing industries.