Acctcorp - Debt collection services for businesses

Challenge
Acctcorp had 5 locations in operation and was looking at expansion options.

Solution
Acctcorp hired Francorp, as Franchise Consultants to analyze their growth options, and then designed a Full Development Franchise Program including all the services required by a business to create a comprehensive franchise program, launch a marketing and sales campaign, and effectively recruit, train, and service franchisees.

Ace Hardware - A co-operative network of independent hardware store owners. All owners operate under the Ace Hardware brand name and use collective buying power to offer competitive pricing

Challenge
Ace Hardware needed assistance in growing their organization internationally. They came to Francorp for help in examining international franchise options as well as international sales opportunities.

Solution
Francorp produced a feasibility study of the European market for franchise hardware distribution, examining the market, competition and development structure. Francorp further assisted in international brokerage and consulting, specifically, in the country of Japan. Francorp took Ace Hardware to Japan and arranged for meetings with Japanese buyers, resulting in a successful deal in that country.

On a Subsequent engagement several years later, Ace returned to Francorp for assistance with their domestic co-operative program. Francorp assessed the problems in their existing program and developed the strategy, marketing and legal materials to revitalize it.

Amoco Oil Company - Certicare - Automotive repair services franchise program, offered as an add-on to the Amoco gasoline sales units, or as a stand-alone business

Challenge
Enhance Amoco's existing franchise program and explore a new fast food concept as an add-on.

Solution
Francorp recommended methods to improve the franchise program through an extensive feasibility study. Francorp also critiqued the company's operations manuals, revised legal documents, designed franchise sales brochures, trained personnel in franchise sales and legal compliance, assisted with the franchisee selection process, and provided general consulting for implementing the new fast food concept.

Auntie Anne's Soft Pretzels - Retail sales of hand-rolled soft pretzels

Challenge
The company's founder, Anne Beiler, began with one pretzel stand at a local Farmer's Market. Within one year, she had opened several locations and started franchising. Her young company, Auntie Anne's, had been franchising for one year when they came to Francorp to strengthen their operational and support structure.

Solution
Francorp examined their program thoroughly. First, an operations manual was created, however, other suggestions for further improved support were suggested. Francorp then restructured other corporate materials, providing training to Auntie Anne’s staff on franchise sales techniques and produced a series of videos for training franchisees?employees. The company also retained Francorp to draft their legal documents and assist in state registrations and renewals.

This company is listed in "Entrepreneur magazine’s Top 100 Franchises" for the year 2003.

Champion Cleaners - Dry-cleaning Service Business

Challenge
When company founder, Ray Oldham, came to Francorp, Champion Cleaners had 2 local stores. They owned one unit, and one unit was licensed. The company was using separate, outside, legal and license sales assistance, and was unsatisfied with the results.

Solution
Francorp expanded upon the materials that had been used in licensing, and completed the company’s Uniform Franchise Offering Circular and Franchise Agreement. Francorp also structured a multiple unit owner program and created area development agreements. A sales brochure and operations manual were created to support the sales and expansion process. This Franchise Program provided the format that enabled Champion Cleaners to focus its efforts and grow its operations.

This company is listed in "Entrepreneur magazine’s 22nd Annual Franchise 500", a listing of today’s top franchise opportunities.

Coachmen Industries, Inc. - Manufacturer of Recreational Vehicles

Challenge
Coachmen found itself a captive of its chain of distribution by selling through conventional RV dealers who carried several lines of recreational vehicles at once, and Coachmen's marketing efforts were bringing in sales prospects to dealers who did not always sell the their products.

Solution
Francorp proposed creating a Franchise Dealer program that would create a new chain of distribution that would carry only the Coachmen line with a professional marketing plan, operations, and sales approach. Francorp created a strategy that built out a new dealer program without conflicting with the current chain of distribution.

Coachmen Industries, Inc. is a Fortune 500 company and Coachmen RV has outperformed the industry by 100% over the last five years.

Culver's Frozen Custard - Quick service, specialty restaurant featuring

Challenge
When Culver's contacted Francorp, they were operating one restaurant and considering expansion.

Solution
Francorp’s analysis revealed a franchisable opportunity. Francorp provided a Franchise Program that enabled Culver’s to accomplish its goal of U.S. Midwest regional expansion.

Culver's now has over 190 units in operation throughout the Midwest and Texas. This company also has been listed in "Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500", a listing of today’s top franchise opportunities

Hallmark Cards - Retail greeting cards and gifts

Challenge
Hallmark is a non-franchised network of licensed independent dealers. Hallmark sought Francorp's expertise for an assessment of several existing and potential program offerings.

Solution
Francorp consulted on strategic issues and conducted dealer surveys to help guide decisions. Francorp’s financial modeling was used to determine fee structure. To fine tune programs, Francorp drafted legal documents and reviewed marketing documents.

On a subsequent engagement, Francorp conducted market research to identify possible member benefits and services for Hallmark’s current and new concepts.

Jacki's Aerobic Dance - Aerobic dance instruction

Challenge
Jacki's Aerobic Dance already had an established license program in place with numerous operators, but revenue was not at a sufficient level to allow for the continued growth and vitality of the system.

Solution
Francorp developed a strategy to that allowed Jacki's to convert instructors to franchisees. This created a more efficient business model to support existing operators and to sell additional franchises. Francorp developed the legal documents needed for both the conversion and new franchise sales and provided consulting on implementing the program successfully.

Jersey Mike's Subs - Submarine sandwiches and salads

Challenge
30 years of company-owned expansion had brought Jersey Mike's to 5 units. The company sought a faster and more aggressive growth strategy.

Solution
Francorp analyzed Jersey Mike’s existing operations and resources available for franchising and provided a Franchise Program that allowed the company to initiate a more aggressive growth strategy consistent with their goals for expansion.

This company is in the Top 100 Franchises of "Entrepreneur Magazine’s" list of today’s top franchise opportunities in the 22nd Annual Franchise 500. Also, "Success Magazine" chose it as a winner in the Franchise Gold 200.

Jollibee Foods - Jollibee Foods is the leading Asian-based fast food chain, headquartered in Manilla, Philippines

Challenge
Jollibee founder, Tony Tan, owned several fast food hamburger operations in Manilla, Philippines. He wanted to expand the business into other countries in Southeast Asia.

Solution
Francorp created a Franchise Program for the company. Through this franchise strategy, the company experienced rapid growth into numerous countries throughout Southeast Asia. The company eventually went public and maintains a dominant brand and position in the fast food business in that region.

Mad Science Group - Science edu-tainment shows for children; at parties, theme parks, and on cruise ships

Challenge
This home-based business began in Canada, and came to Francorp with one location in operation. Brothers Ariel and Ron Schlien saw that expansion was possible, but they needed the tools to do so.

Solution
Francorp developed a franchise strategy to allow for expansion in both Canada and the US. Legal documents and earnings claims were drafted, as well as an operations manual for franchise owners. Francorp designed comprehensive sales tools, including franchise brochure copy, advertisement layouts, public relations work, and franchise sales training.

This company is listed in "Entrepreneur magazine’s 22nd Annual Franchise 500", a listing of today’s top franchise opportunities. "Entrepreneur magazine" also chose them as one of America’s Top 101 Homebased Franchises.

Norwalk Furniture - Retail specialty stores, offering upscale upholstered furniture

Challenge
Norwalk was a mature company, with over 80 years in business, when they contacted Francorp. They operated three manufacturing units, and wanted assistance in finding a method to increase distribution of their products.

Solution
In order to plan for both current distribution channels and future opportunities, Francorp provided a Franchise Program for individual, multi-unit, and conversion franchises. This new structure allowed for the development of new stores through which Norwalk could sell its proprietary line of furnishings. Francorp created all the legal documents required to suit varying franchise profiles and documented retail operations. Francorp then designed a franchise sales brochure, advertisements, and a comprehensive marketing plan.

Omni Hotels - A top hotel management company, operating upscale, full-service hotels

Challenge
Over its 28 years in business, the company had been involved with franchising to varied degrees. When they came to Francorp, they wanted selective franchising agreements as a means of expanding distribution and enhancing customer awareness of Omni Hotels as a growing company.

Solution
Francorp assisted Omni Hotels in upgrading their franchise program. Francorp amended the existing franchise documents and helped build the Omni Hotels brand to attract new investors. To that end, Francorp revised contractual agreements and offerings amd submitted all legal documents for filing and registration with the state agencies. Francorp reviewed existing advertisements and franchise sales lead processing techniques to offer a well-rounded revitalized franchise program and marketing strategy.

Primrose Schools - Education-based child care Services

Challenge
In their eight years of company-owned operation, Primrose Schools had grown to 3 units. They needed assistance with the direction of expansion.

Solution
Francorp suggested a Franchise Program for growth. Francorp helped to focus the expansion, providing general consulting and business structure, including a plan for multiple unit ownership. Legal documents and state required registrations were completed. Francorp planned franchise marketing, and wrote brochure copy. The franchise program was completed with Francorp’s sales training for Primrose Schools staff.

Later, in a related engagement, Francorp was hired by a Venture Capital Group to assess the health and sustainability of the Primrose franchise company. This assessment included discussions with key management personnel, a review and critique of the company’s materials and assessment of the potential for long-term growth on a larger scale. Francorp advised that the company was a strong choice for investment and expansion.

"Success" magazine chose Primrose Schools as a winner in the Franchise Gold 200.

R. J. Boar's Barbecue - Casual family dining, Barbeque Restaurant

Challenge
When Ross and Jim Murty met with Francorp, they wanted R. J. Boar's to be a regional chain, but were concerned the business might be too capital intensive to franchise.

Solution
Francorp's formal study of the business showed it to be franchisable. Francorp developed a Franchise Program that included both individual and area development franchise strategies. Francorp crafted the legal documents, operations manual, brochure design, and marketing plan for franchised expansion. Sales training classes were conducted for sales personnel and implementation consulting was provided.

Sterling Optical - Full-service, optical retail

Challenge
Sterling Optical/IPCO came to Francorp with 194 company-owned units and 6 franchised units. They wanted to convert company-owned units to franchises, and embark on a more aggressive franchise program.

Solution
Francorp developed a strategic marketing plan for selling additional franchises and converting company-owned units. Francorp advised that trade shows be included in this plan and designed trade show brochures, and a sales video. Francorp also worked on operations manuals and state franchise registrations. Sterling Optical first offered and sold company-owned units as franchises to existing managers. On average, sales at each location increased 32% after managers converted to franchisees.

Texaco Europe - Integrated global energy

Challenge
Texaco wanted to look at their operations in 10 European countries to determine which of 5 different operations (convenience store, car wash, caf?restaurant, flower shop, quick lube) were franchisable and, assuming some were, in which countries they should roll out a franchise program. A second project involved studying Eastern European countries and the potential for franchising quick lubes and/or convenience stores in these markets.

Solution
Francorp has conducted several feasibility studies on behalf of Texaco Europe. As a result of these studies, Texaco launched a pilot franchise program of its convenience store operations in the United Kingdom. Francorp's Eastern European study indicated that, while feasible, this would be a long-term project (20 years) for Texaco.

Texaco USA - Integrated global energy

Challenge
Texaco wanted to examine the option of franchising a quick lube concept.

Solution
Francorp developed a feasibility study with a conclusion that they should move fast or not at all. Texaco moved fast, and engaged Francorp to qualify prospects for the business opportunity. Francorp developed and implemented telephone scripts, prospect questionnaires, letters, and mailings for that purpose.

The Brickkicker Home Inspection - Home/property inspection service

Challenge
When BrickKicker contacted Francorp, they had started a small regional expansion, and needed assistance in ensuring legal compliance.

Solution
Francorp provided general consulting to facilitate the initiation of a franchise program. Francorp prepared legal documents, including the Franchise Agreement and Uniform Franchise Offering Circular. Francorp’s legal department guided the client through the many state required franchise registrations, and reviewed franchise brochure copy to make certain it would pass state examinations.

This company is listed in "Entrepreneur magazine’s Annual Franchise 500", a listing of today’s top franchise opportunities. The company was also chosen by “Entrepreneur?magazine as one of America’s Top 101 Homebased Franchises.

The Brickkicker now has over 160 units in operation.

The Hair Club For Men - Non-surgical Hair replacement & Treatment Centers

Challenge
The existing franchise program for The Hair Club For Men was not producing desired the results, and the company was not selling franchises to its satisfaction.

Solution
To revitalize the franchise sales program, Francorp conducted a strategic analysis of the company's materials and methodologies. Francorp updated their legal documents and then, provided a review and critique of the effectiveness of their operations manual and marketing materials. Francorp made several suggestions for improvements to these materials that were implemented and further fortified the program.

USA Baby/Baby's Room - Retail children's furniture and accessories

Challenge
When Alan Levine came to Francorp, he had grown The Baby's Room to 6 company owned stores and $12 million in annual sales, all in 8 years. A trademark search revealed that The Baby's Room could not be used for national growth. However, Mr. Levine wanted to expand the business further.

Solution
After an analysis of the market, investment and potential franchise buyers, Francorp advised that growth could be best achieved with Multi-unit Franchise Agreements, and Master Franchise Agreements. A new name, USA Baby, was established for national growth. On an ongoing basis, Francorp’s Legal Services prepare the company’s state franchise registration applications and renewal documents.

On December 5,1999, USA Baby President Al Levine, presented Francorp with an award for excellence in continuing commitment to the success of USA Baby.

This company is listed in "Entrepreneur magazine’s 22nd Annual Franchise 500", a listing of today’s top franchise opportunities.