Since 1996 the Filta Group has been gaining more and more notice as a provider of top-quality service to commercial kitchens.  Most recently, the Filta Group was honored with the 2009 U.S. Commerce Associations “Best of Local Business” Award in the category of Green Business.  This is because Filta’s products and services are just great when it comes to saving their customers time and money, the Filta services are also great for the environment too.  Filta firmly believes that green business is good business and that shows in every Filta product and service offered by every Filta franchise across the world.

Therefore, it was only natural that when Vancouver was selected as the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Filta was called on to make sure that the food needs of millions of visiting participants and spectators could be met with the least amount of negative environmental impact and waste.  During the coming Winter Olympics, Filta representatives will be working diligently to provide the acclaimed FiltaFry cooking oil micro-filtration service to all of the deep fryers in use around BC Place where the opening ceremonies are to be held and GM Place, one of the main sites of the Olympic competitions.

For those who are not yet aware, FiltaFry operates by using a specialized micro-filtration system to purify even the most microscopic particles from cooking oil.  As a result of the process the oil remains usable for twice as long without sacrificing quality and taste.  Oil that lasts twice as long mean half as much oil used.  In this instance, that amount is truly staggering.

Initially planning estimated that around 600,000 gallons of cooking oil would be used over the course of the event.  That is enough cooking oil to completely fill an Olympic sized swimming pool.  FiltaFry hopes to drastically reduce that amount, substantially lessening the waste created by the monumental event.  Furthermore, because FiltaFry maintained fryers run more efficiently, the fryers running at BC Place and GM Place will be able to keep up with demands while using a lot less electricity.

Local Vancouver Filta franchise owner, Steven Hughes, has already expressed his excitement at getting to provide Filta services for this historic event.  Steven already has plenty of practice providing FiltaFry services for large sports venues.  He currently filters the cooking oil used in the fryers at GM Place during the National Hockey League season when it also serves as the home arena of the Vancouver Canucks.

Just like the thousands of Olympic competitors hoping to win fame and glory at the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Olympic games will be an exciting chance for Filta to show the world just what FiltaFry can do on such a massive scale.  Unlike any other Olympic hopeful, Filta does not represent just one country though.  Filta has found a home in 27 of the countries that will be competing for gold in the 2010 Winter Games.  Filta’s involvement in the 2010 Winter Olympics is a prime example of just how far Filta has come since its start as a single oil filtration business in the UK just over a decade ago.

Each day several million of Americans get up and trudge off to unrewarding and unsatisfying dead-end jobs.  Most have dreamed of getting out of the rat race and going into business for themselves doing something rewarding .  Many won’t make that happen because they don’t have practical education, skills,  investment capital, or the motivation to make it happen.  On the other hand, for those really genuine in their longing to go into business themselves, Filta may be the answer to their prayers.

Why Filta?

Filta is the top business when it comes to environmentally safe, cost saving industry solutions for food-service businesses.  Filta franchises provide 3 excellent services which are performed on site at restaurants, sports venues, hospitals and anywhere commercial fryers and coolers are used.  The goal of Filta owners is to help their customers save money by creating less waste and improving their environmental impact.

The 3 service provided by Filta franchise owners are FiltaFry, FiltaBio and FiltaCool.  Each of these service provide customers with great benefit in their own right.  When combined it adds up to big savings for customers and a big difference in the environment.

All Filta service are proven to be 100% eco-friendly.  These services have been proven effective in the industry and have received awards and mention throughout the business and food-service communities.  This means that Filta franchise owners will find their services in high demand now and tomorrow as more business seek for ways to cut cost and embrace green business practices.

No Degree Needed

You don’t need a degree in Business Management to be a Filta franchise owner.  You don’t have to have gone to trade school.  You don’t need any prior experience working with fryers or walk-in coolers.  All you need is a strong work ethic and the desire to be your own boss.

Filta provides all of the training that you need to handle all of the business aspects of your Filta franchise as well as training in how to operate equipment, provide Filta services to your customers.  Since most Filta franchises are owner-operated, Filta understands how important it is that Filta franchise owners be knowledgeable in every aspect of the Filta business.

To help Filta franchisees succeed with their businesses, Filta provides an in-depth training program.  All new Filta owners are provided with a formal training course in a classroom setting with courses in Filta services and in business management taught by knowledgeable professionals.  Filta also connects new franchisees with experienced Filta franchise mentors who guide new owners in a real-life hands-on experience providing all of the Filta services in the real world.

Filta Affordable

Not only do you not need a lot of education to be a Filta owner, you don’t need a lot of money either.  Filta franchises start at around $80,000 for a single unit.  That includes all of the equipment and materials needed to start a Filta business right away, as well as the cost of all classroom and infield training.  A Filta business can be up and making money quicker than many franchises that cost twice as much and take twice as long to get started.

By now you probably have a pretty good understanding of what Filta is.  You have seen what the FiltaFry and FiltaCool products and services have to offer commercial kitchens, and understand the benefits that they offer.  You have also read about the many benefits of Filta franchise ownership and about how the Filta Group can help you realize your dreams of business ownership and financial security.  Now let’s take a look at some of the common questions asked by individuals contemplating Filta franchise ownership.

What is the Filta Business Plan?

The objective of Filta Franchise owners is to provide customers with the environmentally friendly FiltaFry and FiltaCool products and services, which serve to reduce expenses, decrease customer liabilities, and improve the quality of their food products.  FiltaFry offers a comprehensive fryer management service, focusing on fryer maintenance and cooking oil filtration.  FiltaCool provides a cooler filter service that regulates humidity, controls odor, reduces gas buildup and extends the life of perishable food items.

How Long Do Service Calls Take?

The average call time to provide the FiltaFry service ranges between 45-60 minutes.  Of course, the actual time required to filter oils and clean fryers is dependent on the number of fryers in use at any given location.  FiltaCool services require much less time.  It takes about 25 minutes to initially install the FiltaCool filter brackets.  After that, filters take only a couple of minutes to switch out, and only need to be changed every 3 months.
How Much Does it Cost to Start a Filta Franchise?
The current cost of start-up for a single unit Filta Franchise is $79,500.  This is broken down into 3 distinct fees:  The territory fee, to establish a franchise’s area of operation is $31,000.  The Opening Package, which includes everything needed to operate the franchise, as well as all of the initial classroom and in-field training runs at $43,500.  There is an also an additional $5,000 marketing fund fee.

What Are the Ongoing Costs of Running a Filta Franchise?

There are certain monthly costs associated with Filta franchise ownership.  There are monthly franchising fees of an 8% royalty fee and 2% advertising fee.  There are also ongoing costs of $46 for intranet/Quickbook fees and a $408 cartridge fee (per MFU).  Filta owners are also responsible for van and equipment maintenance, gas and other travel expenses, office expenses, insurance, lease payments, etc.

What Support Does Filta Offer?

As part of the Opening Package, new Filta owners are provided with a comprehensive 2 week training course.  This training includes both classroom education, as well as real life in-field training with an experienced Filta mentor.  Filta also assigns a Business Development Manager to the franchisee.  This BDM works alongside the franchisee during business start-up to establish a strong repeat customer base within the franchisee’s territory.  Filta also provides technical support through its toll-free helpline, and provides the full support of a Regional Developer to help franchisees along the way.  Lastly, Filta’s superb web resource, FiltaNet, puts a world of knowledge and practical peer support at the fingertips of each Filta franchisee operating in the U.S. and Canada.

The often quoted maxim behind franchising, “In business for yourself, not by yourself,” sheds a lot of light on the real appeal of franchising.  You get all of the perks of being your own boss – calling the shots and taking control of your destiny.  However, you also get all of the benefits of  having a pre-established name and business plan, marketing support and most importantly a strong network of support.   All too often, though, franchise owners fail to take advantage of the support that is available to them.  Sadly, these franchises often fail when perhaps they could have succeeded if only the owner had sought out the resource of knowledge and practical experience available.  How you can you avoid making the same mistake with your Filta franchise?  Where can you look for support when you get stuck?

Pick Up the Phone

Obviously your first line of defense when you run up against one of the inevitable roadblocks on your road to success is to avail yourself of the toll-free help line.  This number keeps you in direct contact with your Filta Family in Orlando, Florida.  Don’t ever feel that your association with headquarters ends at your business transactions.  Your franchisor wants you to succeed and will offer you any assistance it can to see that happen.  What is good for you is good for the brand name.

Talk to Your Peers

Another invaluable resource available to you as a Filta owner is a vast network of peers.  These are all individuals who have established their Filta businesses and have seen them flourish.  However, they didn’t become successes overnight.  They have all seen many of the same issues that you are seeing as a fledgling Filta franchise struggling to get off the ground.  As such, they are an extremely valuable source of practical, real-world experience in all aspects of running a Filta franchise.  Whether you are having some technical concerns, need tips on marketing your business to new customers, or just need some words of encouragement, your fellow Filta owners can help see you through the worst of times and can be a source of inspiration.

FiltaNet

FiltaNet may be the single most valuable tool available to Filta franchisees.  This comprehensive online resource puts the collective knowledge of Filta HQ and the many flourishing Filta franchises across the United States and Canada right at your finger tips.  Filta offers a number of ways for you to educate yourself and find solutions to whatever problems arise over the course of you day-to-day operations.
Filta not only provides you with access to all of the Filta literature and documentation, but also provides you a with access to the FiltaNet forums.  Here you can touch base with you peer Filta owners.  You can ask questions and get feedback from multiple owners, each having a unique perspective on the business and many whom have dealt with the exact issues that are concerning you.  You can also get information regarding major restaurant chains, to assist you in courting a local franchise as a potential customer.  Whatever issue you are facing, you can probably find a solution on FiltaNet.

Every day thousands of pounds of waste oil are produced by restaurants and other commercial kitchens across the country.  Since it is unlikely that fried foods will fall out of favor with the public anytime soon, much of this waste can be viewed as a necessary evil.  However, nearly half of this waste oil in unnecessary and could be prevented with proper filtration.  FiltaFry understands this pressing issue facing the food service industry and offers a way to reduce waste and improve efficiency in the kitchen.  Filta has been reducing waste oil production for over a decade, in most cases eliminated as much as half of the waste oil produced by its customers and saving them hundreds of dollars on cooking oil expenses.

How Efficient Are Your Frying Practices?

Most restaurant owners and managers never really assess the issues of efficiency in regard to their fryers, because most do not fully grasp the intricacies of their equipment and how its use affects the quality and longevity of their cooking oil.  Using a professional service, such as FiltaFry, can drastically increase the usability of your oil.  However, there are practical measures you can take on your own to improve the life of your cooking oil.

It is crucial that you never overfill you fryers.  When in use, make sure that you are heating the oil to a temperature that is appropriate for the food item being prepared.  Never overheat your oil, as this accelerates it’s decomposition and creates an extremely dangerous work environment.

Fryer oil should be strained regularly to prevent small pieces of food that break off in the oil from burning. Keep the fryer heat turned low when fryers aren’t being used.  Your FiltaFry technician will evaluated your setup and use to establish the optimum operational procedures for your restaurant.

Food Handling Concerns

Anything that you put into your fryers affects the quality of your oil.  Moisture getting into your oil can have dire effects.  Any food items being fried should be thawed in advance and dried.

If you process your own food, emphasize uniformity and care.  Equally sized food items will fry more evenly without burning.  Never season foods near the fryers, to avoid small particles falling into the oil.  Though FiltaFry’s micro-filtration system can remove these small contaminants, your factory installed filters will not.

Caring For Your Fryers

How you maintain and operate your fryers also has an effect on your oil usage.  Make sure you staff is well trained on proper frying techniques, as well as how to replace oil.  Shortening should always be packed tightly into the lower section of the fryer, taking extra care that no air pockets are left around the heating coils.  Shortening should be melted at low heat (applied only after the shortening has been packed).

Fryers should be cleaned by staff daily, to minimize risks of contaminants coming in contact with oil and to reduce safety risks.  If possible, have your staff skim the oil at least once at the end of every shift.  Your FiltaFry technician can help identify instances where your staff could improve your fryers functionality by altering routine and improving procedures.

It seems these days that you can hardly turn on the television or pick up a newspaper without seeing dire predictions about the environment and mankind’s effects on it.  There can be no denying any longer that our actions on the face of the globe have led to drastic consequences.  As more and more people take up the call to make the changes necessary to ensure a future for ourselves and our decedents, it is important that we find ways to improve the ways that we do business as well as the making the small changes required in our daily lives.

For those in the food-service industry, it isn’t always easy to find ways to become more environmentally conscientious.  Many seem to feel that there is little need to alter the way that we run our restaurants and commercial kitchens.  However, there are wastes and excesses that often go overlooked in these sectors.  Fortunately, businesses such as FiltaFry, offer a way to reduce this wastage and lessen the impact of dining establishments on the environment in a way that is economical and beneficial to the restaurant.

What is FiltaFry

FiltaFry is a comprehensive waste oil management service that utilizes an advance micro-filtration process to purify and clarify the oil used in a kitchen’s fryers.  The advanced FiltaFry filtration system can remove up to 99% of particulate matter, including microscopic carbon fibers accrued from burnt food particles, from cooking oil.  The end result is leaves cleaner and better tasting oil that lasts twice as long.  As a result, most FiltaFry user see their cooking oil usage drop by an average of 50%.

A More Efficient Kitchen

When you use FiltaFry, your kitchen will not only see a reduction in cooking oil waste, but you will significantly improve your energy efficiency as well.  Your FiltaFry technician will work with you to evaluate your fryer use and find ways to run your fryers more effectively and efficiently.  These skilled and highly trained professionals are intimately familiar with all aspects of fryer use and maintenance.  Far beyond just keeping your oil clean and usable, FiltaFry can provide you with invaluable tips for running your equipment more safely and efficiently.  By implementing your FiltaFry technicians recommendations you can start seeing some immediate savings on your energy bill and rest easy knowing that you are doing your part to lessen your negative environmental impact.

Saving the World, Saving You Money

FiltaFry is much more than just a waste oil management service.  When you use FiltaFry you are making a statement that you care about the environment and want to do your part in reducing waste and conserving resources.  However, the benefits are much greater than just being able to claim a “greener” way of doing business.  You will save a lot of money over the life of your business by eliminating waste.  You customers will love your more environmentally conscientious stance, but even more they will love how great your fried foods taste from being fried in FiltaFry micro-filtered oil.