When most of us think about franchise ownership we think about the big names, the monster of franchising like McDonalds.  As such, most of us view franchise ownership as impractical, if not completely out of reach.  After all, to even be considered for ownership of a McDonalds one needs to have a net worth several times greater than many of us could realistically hope to achieve.

Fortunately, for those wishing to go into business and to still have the security and benefit that comes along with franchising, there are other options.  Though the big name franchises certainly are worth the investment if you have the capital, there are more affordable options for those of us with more average finances.  In fact, there are a great number of franchising organization that offer franchises that can be run right from the home.

When you hear “home-based business” you may be inclined to think of the numerous spam e-mails you have undoubtedly received which promise to make you rich by just licking envelopes or posting ads.  Any intelligent individual will quickly recognize such “get rich quick schemes” as the scams that they really are.  There are, however, very legitimate and very profitable home based businesses for those looking to, not necessarily get rich, but to get comfortable by putting honest work into running their own businesses.

There are a number of benefits that go along with owning a small, home-based franchise.  These benefits, of course, exist on top of the already evident benefits of franchise ownership over independent ownership.  For the investor looking to grow a business off of a limited amount of capital, some of these small franchise options can be very appealing indeed.

For starters, just as implied, small franchises are infinitely more affordable to establish.  Whereas a major fast-food chain can cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars, many small home-based businesses can be started up for well below $100,000.  These businesses are not just inexpensive to start-up, either.  For the most part they operate at much lower overheads as well.

A steady business that operates at a low overhead begins to show a profit much more quickly.  The sooner your business begins showing a solid return on your investment, the quicker you are on your way to financial independence and stability.  Most small franchises begin showing a solid profit after only a year or two, as opposed to larger businesses that may take 5 years or more to become fiscally sound.

Operating a business from home makes one eligible for a number of tax benefits as well.  As you may be aware, the expenses of doing business may be eligible for tax deductions.  When you run your business from home, then portions of your rent/mortgage, utilities and the like become eligible business expenses as well.
Small home-based franchises are generally much easier to administrate as well.  In fact, most are entirely owner-operated.  This means no employees and no employee paychecks.  The owner has only him or herself to worry about and is answerable only to his or her franchisor.

It isn’t any big secret that franchise owners command a greater advantage in the marketplace than independent business owners.  Franchise owners tend to have a much higher success rate and usually begin showing a profit sooner than their independent counterparts.  It is commonly understood that brand recognition, benefiting from a pre-established business model and having the marketing support and resources of their franchisors help franchisees succeed.

However, there are many other benefits of franchise ownership that may be more often overlooked.  For the individual who wants to go into business and is still unsure, it is important to look at every facet.  Only in this way can the investor make the decision most suited to his or her needs as to whether to purchase a franchise or to go it alone.

Many people claim that, though franchises tend to become more profitable sooner they also operate at a higher cost because of royalties and other fees.  While this may certainly be true in some instances, it is not always the case.  In fact, even taking royalties into account, there are several factors which may drive down the cost of doing business as a franchisee.

One of these cost reducing factors lies in the fact that franchise operations are streamlined over time.  The franchisor has a vested interest in helping its franchisees find better and more efficient ways of doing things.  The better their franchisees do, the better the franchisors do.  Whereas one independent owner may find numerous cost and time saving approaches over the life of his or her business, imagine the acceleration of tens, hundreds, even thousands of owners across the world all operating under the same franchisor and each helping to streamline operations in ways applicable by all the rest.

It is easy to see that a franchise may hope to develop more quickly and to eliminate more of the waste inherent in running a business more quickly than an independent owner.  Each advancement within the company helps to drive down costs for the individual franchise owner.  However, this is not the only way that franchising helps to reduce the cost of operating a business.

Most franchisees find that they are able to purchase the products they need for the daily operation of their businesses at costs much lower than the independent business owner can.  In many instances these supplies come directly through the franchisor.  In other instances, franchisors establish working agreements with suppliers who then supply all franchisees within a region at discounted bulk prices.  In any case, the individual owner can hardly hope to match the buying power of the franchisee.

It can easily be construed how the cost saving benefits of franchise ownership could quickly overshadow the cost of ongoing royalty fees, advertising fees and other costs not associated with independent ownership.  Of course, whether the savings outweighs the cost of franchise ownership will vary from franchisor to franchisor.  This is why it is important to thoroughly research a franchisor before become contractually commited.

Franchising offers a lot of benefits to investors looking to go into business.  The many positive aspects of franchise ownership can all be essentially condensed into one simple core benefit – the assumption of less risk by the investor.  This isn’t to say that franchise ownership is completely risk free.  As with any investment, there is a chance of loss.  However, the chances of succeeding with a franchise and of turning a business into a profitable venture quickly is much greater than the chances of doing so with an independent business.
Over one half of businesses fail within the first 5 years.  By and large, the majority of new businesses that do not make it through those first critical years are those that operate independently.  Franchises succeed more often and begin showing profits earlier.  So just what is it that gives franchises so much of an edge over those independent businesses?
There isn’t just one reason that franchises are usually safer investments than going into business independently.  Rather it is an accumulation of several contributing factors that, when put together, create a picture of a safer and more solid investment.  While each of this factors contribute in their own right, it is only when all are well represented by a franchising organization that the effects are felt most by the franchisee.
Probably one of the best known benefits to franchising is brand recognition and loyalty.  When an independent business is started up, the owner has to work very hard to reach his or her intended customers, to let them know what products and services are offered by the new business and to arouse interest in them.  The franchise owner has little of this concern.  If the franchisor has been around for any period of time then the public is most likely well aware of the products and services offered and probably has a good impression of the business.
This good impression engenders brand loyalty.  It’s a simple product of human psychology.  People are more amiable to what they know and less inclined to try something they are unfamiliar with.  This means that when confronted by a decision to use a franchise of a known and trusted name or to use an unknown independent, the average customer will go with the familiar franchise.  This means the franchise owner has to work much less to bring in customers than the independent does.
Brand recognition and brand loyalty are created by means of another benefit of franchising – marketing.  Franchisors are usually able to advertise on a much grander scale than any independent owner could ever hope to.  In essence it is very much as if all franchisees were pulling their resources to advertise together.
Franchise owners also benefit from buying into a solid business plan.  Much of the failure that occurs during those first tumultuous 5 years of business ownership occurs because of owner error in establishing a business model.  Even someone with a lot of business sense can make an error in judgment.  For the franchisee, those errors have already been made and overcome by previous franchisees and by the parent company.  What remains is a tried and true plan of business.

filtafry

You may have seen the vans around, or wondered about the various flyers you have seen at a franchise expo. Or perhaps you’re just looking into starting up your own franchise and started to wonder about Filtafry, as it’s been noted for being a more environmentally friendly franchise. There are many different reasons that people ask questions about Filtafry, whether they are food service professionals interested in the services provided, or perhaps regular people just looking into a new franchise option. No matter who you are, understanding just what Filtafry does is important- this is no ordinary franchise. Filtafry has been on the forfront of green innovations since the 90’s and they continue to grow and change with the times.

You may have really wondered what exactly Filtafry does- and that answer is a fairly simple one. Filtafry service is something that almost every food service establishment can use- waste oil and fryer maintenance. The oil is removed completely from the deep fryer, run through a micro filtration system which purifies it, making the oil both taste better and last longer. Most restaurants or other food service establishment noted a fifty percent reduction in the amount of cost spent towards waste oil once starting to use the Filtafry service. As the fryer is deep vacuum cleaned and temperatures are checked, it continues to be filtered and all debris removed. As you can see, this is something that would benefit most businesses that use a fryer, if not all, and that does suggest a strong client base, especially when you consider that most businesses will need a once or twice weekly visit. Once the oil reaches the end of its then extended life, it is disposed of by the Filtafry technician in a way that complies with all local standards for waste oil disposal.

For so many people who have been looking into making it on their own, being their own boss and stepping into being self employed- Filtafry has already groomed more than one or two success stories. Often, if you ask yourself a few key things prior to looking into perhaps buying a Filtafry franchise you will find the answer to the question: Can I succeed?
If you can answer yes to the following, you definitely have what it takes to be a successful FiltaFry Franchise Owner:
•Are you self motivated and hard working, wanting to see things through until you feel satisfied with the outcome?
•Do you understand that there’s much, much more to running your own business with Filtafry apart from simply servicing the restaurants? Though there is an extensive business and sales training portion of the four part training session, not everyone is cut out for the sales part, even with the impressive free demonstration available.
•Are you driven and willing to put in some long hours during those critical start up times?

These are just a few of the common questions that really, before starting any small business one should consider, but certainly, buying a franchise with Filtafry is no different.

Many businesses are making changes to the way that they do things so that they can adopt more environmentally friendly ways of doing things. Some people also, are looking for ways to build a more stable financial future. Others still yet are business owners, trying to find a way to reconcile going green with cutting costs and the amazing thing is, there is one franchise out there that has been doing all of this and more for quite some time now. Many people in the franchising industries are aware of Filtafry- actually, quite a few very well known hotel chains across the nation already use the services provided by Filtafry in their own food service areas. After reading all of this, you may be wondering how such a green company has kept such a low profile. It’s simple, Filtafry technicians are too busy succeeding in their own green businesses.

The core concept behind Filtafry is eliminating waste- and this starts with the oil that is used in most restaurants and food service establishments. Think about the last time you were in a fast food restaurant- did you sit down to fries that tasted just a little off, or perhaps found some kind of little unidentifiable something in your fried foods? That comes of poorly cleaned and maintained fryers. But the side note on that is, often, these oils are pretty pricey by the gallon and have to be disposed of in special ways, adhering to local law. This is where Filtafry comes in, and the approach is rather simple. A microfiltration system is used to clean the oil, which does give it a much longer life span- one area of cost reduction in food service, right there. While this is being done, the technician thoroughly cleans the fryer itself and makes sure that the temperature is appropriate, and general maintenance. When you consider the number of restaurants out there, the implications of this are pretty impressive. Each and every one a potential client.

As a FiltaFry franchisee, you may find that your services are in hot demand.  Filtafry supports its new franchisees in ways that not many at home franchises do- from a comprehensive and deep training addressing many of the different aspects of running your own franchise, to exact details about the Filtafry business itself, that it just the first step. Then, you are coached and advised by experts in the business who know what it takes to be a success and are looking out for you, and your new business to ensure that you not only build up a great, stable client base, but that you’re well on your way to the success you want. Each and every day, during those critical first weeks, you’ll have constant support and education from Filtafry so that you can begin your own business with a solid foundation that leads into a great way to be your own boss for the long term.

You probably already know that since 1996, Filta has been offering amazing, eco friendly services to many large businesses. Aramark has this to say about their experience with the powerhouse franchise:

“Since using your FiltaFry service we have noticed a decrease in our incidents that have occurred due to the deep fryer.”

- Aramark, managing a University in TX

And it’s very little surprise that food service establishments that specialize in fried foods, like Chik Fil A are also very impressed with their weekly or biweekly visit from their friendly Filtafry technicians:

“In general, FiltaFry’s unique filtering system has earned high marks for consistent cleanliness, cost-effectiveness, and safety improvement and performance. I would, and have, recommended this service to other accounts, as well as other businesses in the local area.”

- Chick-Fil-A, GA

But that isn’t all. Areas you may not expect are also benefiting from this franchise that has been gaining steam since its inception in 1996, and shows no sign of slowing down, yet. An executive chef from Central Florida Regional Hospital sent the following glowing endorsement. Sodexo, is also a client of a Filtafry franchise. Here is what their chef had to say:

“This letter is to commend The Filta Group on the ingenuity and creativity of the product line they bring. I was introduced to FiltaFry through a sister account at Orlando Regional Healthcare Systems, who had been using the service and were looking for other size operations to join the service testing process. The representatives came out to do a lengthy demonstration of the filtering and cleaning systems and I have been a fan from that first day.”

“Benefits that I see:

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Oil usage – is cut 50% with a cost benefit of $ hundreds of dollars
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Labor Cost – the labor cost alone pays for the FiltaFry service
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Safety Factors – No chance of client or contract employee being harmed doing
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General Taste Satisfaction – oil is never “burnt” tasting and allows product to fry totally on lower temperatures.”
“In general, FiltaFry’s unique filtering system has earned high marks for consistent cleanliness, cost-effectiveness, and safety improvement and performance. I would, and have, recommended this service to other accounts, as well as other businesses in the local area.”

- Executive Chef; Central Florida Regional Hospital

On the whole, good things are buzzing with Filtafry- and many would be franchise owners are seeking new information about the company itself. Finding an environmentally friendly, cost effective at home franchise is a very important thing for many who are seeking to run their own business these days and, as the above testimonials will tell you- Filtafry is definitely well known and respected. If you have done any general reading on franchises, you are well aware the importance of having a solid reputation backing the franchise that you choose to buy into- and Filtafry is definitely a well known leader in not only satisfied customers, but very happy and successful business owners, as well.

As the economy seems to be having many Americans tightening their belts, others still yet are thinking ahead to the future, to what they can do to ensure not only a more stable financial life, but a long term commitment to taking back control of their finances and time. Looking into a Filtafry franchise, one of the very first things you’ll notice is, compared to many other franchises, the start up cost is surprisingly low. Another thing that many new Filtafry franchise owners notice, is that there is a genuine commitment to their success- from start to day to day operations, Filtafry does every thing in its power to ensure the education, training and success of each and every franchisee under their umbrella. If you have dreamed of working on a winning team, one that genuinely cares about the financial well being of their team members- then Filtafry just might be right for you.

The total average start up for a Filtafry franchise is an amazing bargain. Included in the total cost is of course the equipment package which does include everything you need to get started and begin your journey towards successful self employment, but also, an intensive training, one on one support, and many other support aspects for use for the duration of your business, class room training, and even having a seasoned Business Development Manager come to your exclusive territory and help you get things kicked off and on the right foot. There are not many franchises that include such a comprehensive training, let alone equipment and support the way that Filtafry does, and there is even a bigger package. For those who are ambitious and wish to really start something big, Filtafry also offers the Premier Package- which also includes three adjacent territories. Many franchise owners find that once they’ve got the hang of things, they’d like to branch out and the Premier Package gives them the opportunity to have those territories locked in from the beginning and so, if you’re the sort of person who has the drive and ambition to make it happen, this may be an option for you.

The prospect of owning your own business, as you can plainly see- it’s not unrealistic at all, as a matter of fact, the Small Business Administration puts out a list of franchise failure rates. This can be found at www.frandata.com, and the latest list- which goes from October 1, 2000 until September 31, 2008 showed that Filtafry was actually doing better than ever. What this means, is that Filtafry franchise owners were thriving- even during some of the most uncertain economic times seen in years. Remember, during that time frame there were whispers of another Great Depression and recession was on the lips of everyone, and yet, Filtafry franchisers were still thriving and continuing to succeed in their business. That’s a pretty big claim to make and one that is easily backed up. So it seems clear that when you have exceptional franchise owners and Filtafry, you’ve got a winning team.

For a franchise already known for its vast guidance and support in the industry, you’d think that Filtafry would be resting on its laurels a bit. However, not so, as this is one franchise that franchisees can always trust to keep them informed, educated and in the loop on the latest in company goings on. There are several offerings from Filta that make this franchise one of the most involved in its franchisees initial acclimation to the system but also to their continued success.

Training Like No Other

The Filta system of training is all encompassing. The initial training prepares you to face all manner of things involved in how the franchise is run, but also technical, general administrative, service, health, safety, marketing and finance. Initially, franchisees have a one on one visit from a Business Development Manager that works with the new business owner, getting their territory ready to have a solid base of customers. This is in addition to the full week working with an already established business under the guidance of a trainer that is also a Filta success story themselves. They will show the franchisee the ropes as they take them through the course of their day, helping them learn about all the different operating styles of the customers and their fryers, oils and every manner of running a successful Filtafry franchise.
This is generally done directly after your training courses at the facility if possible, but also made to be as close to your own location as possible for convenience.

Super Support

When there isn’t someone right by your side to help, there is always the exclusive, toll free number that will be able to help you to speak with someone at headquarters who will help you with your needs. In addition to that, there is also Filtanet, a Filta Franchisee Support Intranet which came to be in June of 2004. This gives you a direct line into just what’s happening in the Filta Group and also, the ability to interact with other franchisees just like yourself. With Q and A sections, topic oriented discussion forums, an extensive business document library and useful business links, as well as online lists of chains already being served by Filtafry technicians and on line monthly reports, you will always have the information you need right at your fingertips.

The Filta Group knows that many of the franchisees they help to succeed are in business for the very first time and this is not something that goes unnoticed. They do everything in their power and go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that this is a mutually beneficial and profitable business, not just for them, but for the franchisees as well. After all, if you don’t succeed, they don’t succeed, and from the Initial Support Commitment right on through your successful franchise running smoothly- Filta is with you every step of the way.

In the current economic climate, financing your new franchise may be more challenging than it once was.  With less easily available credit, it is more important than ever to take stock of what is available to you from the onset.  Work together with your franchisor to find what options will work best for you to ensure that your business is established on a firm financial foundation.

Personal Resources

If you happen to be fortunate enough to be sitting on enough capital to start your business and float it through the rocky terrain of start-up then so much the better.  However, that ideal situation is not a reality for most, nor should you be constrained by it.  Nevertheless, the more capital you can generate on your own, the better off you will be.

Take a look at what you can realistically bring to the table.  Home equity is always a good start and can be leveraged as collateral for a loan to start your business.  Creating a C corporation from your 401k or (other type of retirement fund) can also provide you with a source of funding.  Rallying the support of personal private investors is also an excellent way of generating capital for your business.

Lenders for Business

Traditional lenders are still an option for starting up your business.  In the wake of the subprime collapse, many major lenders shut their doors, but those gaps in available credit have begun to be filled by alternative lenders.  Gaining the backing of the Small Business Association can dramatically improve your chances of finding a loan for your business.  If you haven’t committed to a franchisor yet, the SBA’s Franchise Registry also offers a great starting point and can help you find a franchise with strong credibility.

Site Specific Sources

If you have already committed to a franchisor, you might wish to explore sources specific to your state, area and even specific site.  Many states and cities offer financial incentives to encourage new business in the interest of economic development and job creation.  If you already have a site in mind, you would be wise to explore what financial incentives might be available through your landlord during the lease negotiation stage.

Other Sources

There are other available sources of capital targeting specific groups of business owners.  There is a wealth of support to be had by veterans, minorities and women (much of which is offered by the International Franchise Association).  These programs exist to increase the presence of these under-represented groups in the business community and to promote diversity.

Regardless of your financial background or situation, if you are determined and realistic in your approach to new business ownership, then you stand a reasonable chance of being able to fund your business venture.  Bring the same enthusiasm to your quest for capital that you intend to bring to the operation of your business.  Commit yourself to the same level of diligence and research in your investigation of available financial sources as you did in your search for the perfect franchise.

You rely on your managers to not only keep your restaurant running smoothly, but to keep it moving forward according to your vision of growth and development.  As such, it is essential to your business’s success that your managers be effective and proactive leaders.  Here are some issues and weakness to watch for and to correct to ensure that your management staff is the strongest and most capable leadership possible.

Communication

Effective managers must know how to communicate clearly and consistently.  Even the most motivated employee is going to miss the mark if he or she is unclear exactly what is expected.  Not only is healthy communication vital for establishing good relationships with staff and a positive work environment, but it is absolutely necessary in effectively conveying what is expected as far as employee performance.

Encourage your managers to discuss every aspect of the work environment and daily procedures with the staff.  Keep open lines of communication promote receptivity in  the general staff, and makes it easier for management to address the minor issues that come up along the way.  It is important that managers are able to offer gentle corrections as well as positive feedback for work well done.

Manager-Employee Relationships

Beyond the task of keeping up good lines of communication with employees, it is important that managers be able to maintain healthy and positive relationships with the staff.  By virtue of the very nature of the job, managers cannot be “best pals” with the staff and still be effective managers.  However, they can and should be able to keep professionally positive relationships with their employees.

Managers should treat their employees equally.  There is absolutely no room for favoritism in the workplace.  Managers should also be able to properly motivate the staff.  This entails being able to correct and critique without being unnecessarily harsh, balanced with the capacity to properly praise and reward good work.   In situations where necessary correction threatens to become an emotional issue, a good manager should be able to distance themselves from the employee’s emotion based response and maintain a calm and professional front.

Leading by Example

Your management staff should exemplify the highest ideals that you would like to see embodied by the entirety of your staff.  Encourage them to raise the bar for everyone by constantly challenging and improving themselves.  They will then be more able to convey this attitude of self-motivation to the rest of your restaurant staff.

A good manager should have an eye on the future of the business, not just an eye on surviving each shift.  To keep your company moving forward each manager should be motivated and capable of effective time management.  This means an ability to delegate responsibility when applicable so that the manager has the time to dedicate towards not only maintaining the establishment, but improving it.  Just as with the general staff, managers should be motivated to ask questions.  As your eyes, ears and mouth on the floor, they should feel compelled to make sure that they fully comprehend both the needs of the staff and your goals and standards for your business.

A strong management staff is the glue that holds your business together.  It is important that you, the owner, keep an eye out for weaknesses and address them.  It is up to you to make sure that your vision for your business is adhered to even when you are not on site.