To fuel development, Smoothie King is offering candidates 40 percent off its initial franchise fee for the first 40 agreements of 2013—a savings of $10,000. Since the start of the year, many new franchisees have taken advantage of the latest incentive program, in addition to more than 50 existing franchisees that have committed to opening additional units this year.

“Smoothie King’s aggressive expansion is driven by our impressive results, a strong indication of the growing demand from consumers for our high-quality smoothies, vitamins, supplements, and healthy snacks,” says Smoothie King global CEO Wan Kim. “We are confident that our brand has great potential for further development in the New York, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore markets, and we look forward to building a stronger presence in these areas.”

The New Orleans–based smoothie chain has seven stores in the New York City Metro Area and 25 in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore metro areas.

Smoothie King aims to develop an additional 10 locations in each of the markets over the next two years, including new stores in Yonkers, New York, and the Locust Point neighborhood of Baltimore.

To help fuel growth, the company’s executive team will host a Discovery Day on May 23 in New York City and May 24 in Washington, D.C., sharing the benefits of opening a Smoothie King with potential future franchisees.

“The health and wellness industry is exploding as people become more educated about what they put in their bodies. Smoothie King is a strong business opportunity to offer healthy alternatives,” says Romica Brashear, who owns a Smoothie King franchise in Maryland with her husband, David, and took advantage of the latest incentive program. “We opened our first store two years ago and had been discussing the possibility of opening a second. This was the right time and the incentive helped us get the ball rolling on expanding our business.”

Smoothie King franchisee Joe McDonald, who owns two locations in Rye and Dobbs Ferry, New York, and will open a third location in Yonkers this summer, says, “My first Smoothie King franchise opened seven years ago in the middle of winter during a snowstorm, and we still had a line out the door on opening day. We got a loyal following very quickly because people love the quality products Smoothie King provides. Smoothie King is a strong business opportunity not only because of the great products, but also because of its 40-year history and solid infrastructure.”

Smoothie King plans to add 1,000 new franchised and corporate locations domestically over the next five years. Even with more than 500 locations in the U.S., the brand still has smoothie franchise opportunities available in the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions, as well as in Texas.

International development includes master franchise and corporate expansion in Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia, with 50 new stores planned in South Korea and 10 in Singapore in 2013.

The Carpet and Rug Institute is the authority on carpet manufacturing, installation and maintenance in the United States. Since it was founded, the organization has been focused on advancing the industry through research, legislation and maintaining a strict set of standards and practices for each aspect of the carpet industry.

For service providers, these standards include a series of difficult tests that examine every aspect of a company’s cleaning system, from the pH levels of their products to the stress it places on carpet fibers over the course of multiple cleanings. Companies that pass the CRI tests become Approved Service Providers.

Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning officially passed these tests on Friday, March 8th. Robert White, the Director of Cleaning Systems at Oxi Fresh, said that “the CRI’s testing policies are among the strictest in the industry, and passing them can be a challenge. Oxi Fresh has an incredible system, and we’re thrilled that the CRI awarded us their Seal of Approval.”

Jonathan Barnett, the president and CEO of Oxi Fresh, was equally satisfied with the results. “I can’t tell you how pleased I was to hear about the CRI’s decision to list Oxi Fresh as one of their approved vendors. We take great pride in both the power and safety of our cleaning system, and to see it recognized like this is a great honor.”

This year, “Khantestants”dedicated themselves for 60 days to eating Genghis Grill’s healthier meal options every day, for free and for a chance to win $10,000.

Khantestantsshared their journey online by completing social media tasks. The public also participated in each Khantestant’s journey, where they were able to see where Khantestants ranked.

Steve Ellis, a real estate agent in Albuquerque, won based on a percentage of weight lost and completed social media tasks.

Ellis walked eight miles a day, to and from his house to his Genghis Grill in Uptown Albuquerque.

He maintained a strict low-calorie diet with few starches and no sauces in his bowls. For 60 days straight, Ellis was the first customer upon opening.

“I loved eating at Genghis Grill every day,” he says. “One of the frustrating things about most diets is the food gets pretty mundane. Genghis Grill features 80 fresh ingredients and thousands of different options for your bowl, all fresh and healthy. I loved doing all of the daily social media tasks during Health Kwest.”

Sixty of the 100 Khantestants finished the Health Kwest. They lost a total of 2,217 pounds and averaged an impressive 5 percent weight loss as a group.

The campaign generated more than 900 blog and Twitter posts, 600 YouTube videos, and more than 400 Instagram photos. Genghis Grill also saw an increase in more than 5,000 likes on its Facebook Page, helping the brand reach its 100,000 fans milestone.

“We wanted to show that you can have a great restaurant experience while eating responsibly,” says Chiara Granado, social media/PR marketing manager of Genghis Grill. “Health Kwest was a campaign that encompassed social media and adopting a healthier lifestyle, so eating healthy while having that accountability was huge; it made the contest exciting.”

May 9 – Murietta, CA
May 20 – Wallingford, CT
June 1 – Austin, TX
June 19 – Rochester, MN

The San Jose, California–based sandwich chain aims to develop an additional 25 new restaurants in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Flagstaff, Tempe, and Tucson, Arizona, among other metropolitan areas across the state.

“Togo’s has experienced great success in Arizona, so we’re boosting our expansion plans to include additional Arizona towns,” says Tony Gioia, chairman and CEO of Togo’s Holdings. “Togo’s is seeking new franchisees to help fuel our expansion efforts in this great state. We bring a fantastic business opportunity, as well as plenty of local jobs in real estate, construction, and service industries. Our growth is great for Togo’s and for Arizona.”

Local residents and Togo’s franchisees Monty and Diana Coury are set to open their second Togo’s location in Maricopa County this fall, with a third location early next year.

“The local reaction to Togo’s has been fantastic,” Gioia says. “People want Togo’s in Arizona and see our brand as a step above the other sandwich chains. At Togo’s, we never skimp on quality meats and cheeses. Our sandwiches are always big, fresh, and meaty. We welcome additional franchisees to help grow out the Arizona market with us.”

Togo’s, which has experienced 11 consecutive quarters of same-store sales increases, is seeking qualified multiunit franchisees that have a passion for the brand and deep connection to their community.

Both new and existing Togo’s franchisees will benefit from $10 million for remodels and transfers, as well as $5 million to build new restaurants in the state.

At Togo’s, 51 percent of its traditional restaurants experienced average unit sales in excess of $600,000, with 25 percent over $800,000.

To become a part of the Togo’s team, candidates should possess liquidity of $150,000 for a single restaurant and a net worth of $300,000.

Area developers looking to develop three or more restaurants should have liquidity of $450,000 and net worth of $900,000. Special incentives are available for qualified franchisees interested in opening three or more restaurants.

“Our goal when we opened in 2010 was to exceed our customers’ expectations, becoming the top, friendly provider for window cleaning needs,” said owner Don Stormoen.  “Being recognized by Angie’s List shows that all of our staff takes our Customer Pledge of Satisfaction to heart, providing superior service to every customer every time.”

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Fish Window Cleaning in Hales Corners earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality. Members can find the 2012 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

For the third year in a row, Fazoli’s is getting in on the celebration. In each participating market, the Italian restaurant chain is crowning one lucky mom—or in Italian, mamma—“Fazoli’s Mamma of the Year.”

The prize includes free meals from Fazoli’s for a year.

Those looking for a way to honor mom can become a fan of Fazoli’s on Facebook and then write what makes their mom so special on the entry page. Everyone who enters will have the chance to send their mom an e-mail sharing what they wrote.

On May 10, Fazoli’s will select one mom in each participating market to receive free meals at Fazoli’s for a year. Deadline to enter is May 7, 2013.

Cathy Hull, chief marketing officer for Fazoli’s, says moms deserve to be celebrated.

“Our moms take care of us 365 days a year, year after year,” she says. “That’s why we wanted to continue the tradition of honoring mom with a prize that will allow her to sit down and enjoy a quality meal with her family each month for a year.”

According to WhitePages.com, there are approximately 21,687 people in the United States with the last name Burger and 1,530 named Hamburger.

Either way, burger lovers with variations of Burger—or Berger, Weinberger, Rosenberger, etc.—in their names will receive one free Classic Smash in recognition of the holiday that celebrates America’s favorite food.

This offer is valid for redemption at all Smashburger locations in the United States. Proof of last name is required (i.e. valid driver’s license, passport, or picture ID). Limit one Classic Smash per ID.

“Burgers are an iconic American food. We’ve been eating them for generations, and burgers are America’s favorite food,” says Tom Ryan, founder of Smashburger. “But just in the last five years or so, we have seen an explosion in people’s interest to eat higher-quality burgers than the typical fast-food fare. And with the average person eating 43 hamburgers per year, there is cause for celebration of a national holiday or ‘National Burger Day.’”

The brand recently opened its 200th restaurant and is now in four international countries, says David Prokupek, president and CEO of Smashburger.

“We saw the consumer trend in demand for quality burgers in the fast-casual segment a few years ago,” he adds. “Our timing to introduce Smashburger couldn’t have been better.”

Opening its first restaurant in 2007, Smashburger came on the scene and now reports that growth and demand in this better-burger segment has never been stronger.

“We see a lot of runway ahead for more growth as people catch on that there is a better way to eat burger,” Prokupek says.

At Smashburger, the secret is in the smash. It starts with 100-percent fresh, never frozen, Certified Angus Beef that is smashed on a 400-degree flat grill to sear in itsjuicy flavor.

To further the better-burger experience, its burgers are served on a toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of the freshest produce, cheeses, and highest-quality condiments.

Smashburger’s juicy burgers are served alongside its hand-spun Häagen-Dazsshakes, local craft beers, sides, and regional menu items.

Customers can also enjoy a selection of tender, marinated grilled chicken sandwiches, fresh-tossed signature salads, and a variety of sides, including rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries, haystack onions, and veggie frites (flash-fried carrot sticks and green beans).

This unique service simplifies the otherwise daunting process of looking for assisted living and other care services, saving your clients time and money while helping to eliminate the stresses associated with this transition. Earnings come from the commissions paid by residential care homes, assisted living and memory care communities.

Industry Points

- About 70 percent of individuals over age 65 will require at least some type of long-term care services during their lifetime – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

- In 2050, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to be 88.5 million, more than double its projected population of 40.2 million in 2010 – U.S. Census Bureau

- Between 2010 and 2030, the age 75-84 group will increase by more than 86 percent, the age 85+ group by 57 percent, and the overall age 75+ group by 77 percent – U.S. Census Bureau

Business Model Points

- Flexibility in the training program
- Option of numerous support services and pay only for those services
- No long-term contract or non-compete clause

Training Taught by Industry Professionals

Our trainers have extensive experience in the senior care industry including nursing, geriatric care, assisted living, in-home care, dementia consultants and more. Combining the training with actual situations is an important part of the learning process.

Recorded Online Format – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
This enables you to view the training at your own pace. You are able to stop and start again, making the program even more flexible for your needs.

Phone Support and Ongoing Consulting

Combining the online training with actual situations is an important part of the learning process. That is why a member of our management team will consult with you on specific issues. Examples include answering questions about setting up Provider Agreements and local marketing initiatives. Complimentary phone support is available for 90 days and one-on-one visits to your location will have an additional charge.

Ideal Candidate

- Self Starter
- Enjoys networking with other people
- Passion to help the elderly
- Wanting to be part of the “silver tsunami” at a lower investment than other senior care models

Investment

- $10k-$15k total investment required

Would you like to learn more? Use the form below to request additional information:

There are a few things to consider before applying for a loan to open a Franchise.

1: The Franchise Fee is not financable. When you buy a Franchise you have to pay the Franchisor (Home office) a one time fee called a Franchise Fee. That fee will usually cost you around $25k or so. That fee can not be financed, you must pay for that fee out of your own capital.

2: If you are opening a Franchise that is location based like a retail Franchise or office based Franchise keep in mind that anything you have to do to the location that is permanent is not financable. For example, if you have to install another bathroom the toilet would not be able to be financed. However the pizza oven could probably be financed. Almost all equipment can be financed when you open a Franchise.

3: You must have good credit. Gone are the days of marginal credit to get a loan to open a Franchise. A good credit score would be anything above a 680-700. If your credit is lower than that you can still sometimes secure a loan to open a Franchise you will just have to put more of your own capital into the business up front.

4: The general rule of Franchise financing is 30%. That means you need to invest about 30% of the total in order to qualify for financing to open a Franchise. For example, if the total investment is $100k you would need to invest $30k of your own money and have good credit to secure the other $70k to open a Franchise.

(The Franchise Fee can be counted as part of your 30% investment)

5: SBA Loans don’t exist. However SBA secured loans do. Your regular commercial bank can take you through the process to apply for a commercial loan to open a Franchise. If you don’t qualify for a conventional commercial loan then they may be able to help you apply for an SBA Secured loan to open a Franchise. That loan would still go through your bank though, the SBA does not lend money directly to consumers for starting a Franchise. Talk to your bank, they can explain it to you quickly.

6: Government Grants are not available to open a Franchise. Visit sba.gov and look in the grant section, you will see where it clearly says that the government does not offer grants to open a Franchise. Small grants are sometimes available to expand a local business if you are creating jobs or are in the scientific community etc… but those are generally available through different organizations not the government.

7: When to apply is an important thing to know when you want to open a Franchise. The quick answer is that you will apply for a loan to open a Franchise after you have signed the Franchise agreement and paid your Franchise fee to the Franchisor.

At that point you will then have the information you need to apply for a loan to open a Franchise. You can apply before that however you will not get approved and remember there is no pre-approval available for most commercial loans. When you apply the bank you work with will give you a list of items they need before they can approve you. Here is a partial list:

- Signed Franchise Agreement
- Signed lease
- Complete business plan
- 2 or 3 years of your personal tax returns
- Franchise Disclosure Documents
- Loan Application
- etc….

The problem that you will run into if you apply before buying the Franchise is that you won’t have access to most of this. Talk to a Franchise Consultant and they can explain how the process works.

Rest assured, the Franchise company won’t approve you to buy the Franchise if they don’t think you can get financing.

Some Franchises don’t require any financing depending on the total cost of opening a Franchise with them.

If you are seriously considering opening a Franchise business you should talk to a Franchise Consultant for free. A good Franchise Consultant can help you find Franchises that match the type of business you want to own and will help you find Franchises that fit within your budget.

Click here to request a Free Franchise Consultation.