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News Bytes:
What's Happening in the World of Franchising
EDITOR'S NOTE: News Bytes reports on topics of interest to everyone involved in franchising. Short items are invited for submission but cannot be acknowledged nor returned.
| Franchise Consulting Firm Sees Opportunity in Canadian Market |
Leading Franchise Consulting Firm Joins CFA
to Further Support New and Existing Franchisors in Canada
HOMEWOOD, IL – The iFranchise Group (www.ifranchisegroup.com), a leading franchise consulting firm based near Chicago, announced that it recently joined the Canadian Franchise Association. Company executives believe that the Canadian franchise market is one of great opportunity and potential for businesses of all types and sizes.
“We are proud to have recently become a member in good standing of the Canadian Franchise Association, as it helps convey to franchisors and other companies in the Canadian market that we stand for ethical franchising, per the CFA’s Code of Ethics,” states iFranchise Group CEO, Mark Siebert.
“We have already worked with a number of Canadian start-up and existing franchise organizations, across a broad range of industries,” adds Siebert. “We hope to continue to develop relationships with Canadian companies going forward, as they expand in Canada and across borders into the U.S. and beyond.”
Since its inception in 1998, iFranchise Group has dedicated its efforts to establishing long-term, strategic relationships with franchisors, both new and established, and other companies seeking consultative guidance with business expansion strategies.
With a staff of franchise consultants with a combined 450+ years of experience in franchise development and implementation, iFranchise Group has worked with over 30 Fortune 2000 companies and with 98 of the world’s top 200 franchisors as rated by Franchise Times magazine. Clients include companies from the United States and Canada, as well as a number of countries in Latin America and the Middle East.
The iFranchise Group and its team of franchise consultants expects to continue to provide services to Canadian companies on an ongoing basis. “The Canadian market has not been nearly as hard hit as the United States in this current recessionary period,” says Siebert. “That means some of the biggest challenges that have faced U.S. entrepreneurs, most notably tightened credit lending, aren’t seen to the same extent in Canada. This leads to more favorable conditions for both Canadian franchisors and franchise buyers, and we are excited to be part of the development efforts of many companies – both now and in the future.”
Learn more about iFranchise Group |
| BrightStar Announces International Expansion Into Canada |
Full-service healthcare staffing agency signs first international area development agreement, calls for 23 locations throughout British Columbia and Alberta
GURNEE, IL – After nearly six years of exponential franchise growth in the United States, BrightStar, a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides both medical and non-medical homecare, announces its expansion into Canada with the awarding of a Master Franchise.
“The growing demand for private home care services provides a tremendous opportunity for BrighStar franchise growth throughout Canada and the world,” Shelly Sun, CEO and Co-founder of BrightStar said. “Having already anchored ourselves as the premier healthcare franchise in the United States now is the perfect time for us to develop our brand and our presence in the competitive international market.”
As part of an aggressive international expansion initiative targeting Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, BrightStar is pleased to announce that Jim Jacoboni from Burnaby, British Columbia has been awarded the master franchise for British Columbia and Alberta.
Jim Jacoboni, will oversee and support the development of franchise locations throughout the two western provinces. Jim is a veteran business executive with more than 25 years of experience in the health care industry. Prior to making a decision to embark on his own business venture, Jim was most recently employed with Praxair Canada Inc. Medigas, a global Fortune 300 company and held senior management positions.
Home healthcare has taken on a more significant role in Canada's healthcare system in recent years. According to the Canadian Home Care Association, there has been a significant increase in Home Care Services since 1997. Restructuring in hospitals and shortages of long-term care facilities has resulted in much needed healthcare services being delivered within the home environment. As a result, home care has emerged as an integral part of the healthcare system and is essential to its sustainability. Today, seniors make up over 13% of the general population and by 2036, there will be almost 11.5 million seniors in Canada.
Founded in 2002, BrightStar is a full-service healthcare staffing agency that provides the full continuum of care, from homecare to supplemental staffing for corporate clients such as hospitals, nursing homes, and doctors offices. In August 2005, BrightStar began franchising, and became the first franchising company in the United States to specialize in both medical and non-medical care and healthcare staffing.
Today, BrightStar has grown from one company-owned store to over 160 locations in 31 states and will reach 400 franchise locations sold by the end of 2011. BrightStar opens 7-12 territories each month and has experienced 811% system-wide revenue growth between 2006 and 2008.
For more information on franchise opportunities in Canada, Australia and the U.K please visit www.brightstarcare.com. |
| Black Enterprise Ranks Liberty Tax Franchise A Top Pick |
One of the” 40 Best Franchises for African Americans” in 2010
(Virginia Beach, VA) Black Enterprise magazine has recognized Liberty Tax Service as one of the most affordable and best franchise opportunities for minorities for a seventh time since 2001. The magazine researches franchise opportunities annually to compile a superlative list for its readers of the best franchises for African Americans, and to measure the pulse of the franchise industry. The September 2010 issue’s “40 Best Franchises for African Americans” compilation is based on the International Franchise Association’s recommendations on growth sections of the franchising industry, “affordability, revenue potential, effectiveness of diversity, and marketing advertising support.” Liberty Tax is the only tax service named.
“We are honored by this accolade as we continue striving to keep the American dream of business ownership an affordable reality in these challenging economic times,” said John Hewitt, CEO and Founder of Liberty Tax Service.
Liberty Tax Service is a member of the International Franchise Association, and its Minority Fran initiative (www.franchise.org/minorityfran).
Learn more about Liberty Tax |
| PuroClean Sees Three-Year Sales Growth of 182%, Ranks No. 1579 on Inc. Magazine’s 2010 List of 5000 Fastest- Growing Private Companies |
Tamarac, FL (August 31, 2010) -- Inc. magazine ranked PuroClean No. 1579 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs.
“The leaders of the companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have figured out how to grow their businesses during the longest recession since the Great Depression,” said Inc. president Bob LaPointe. “The 2010 Inc. 5000 showcases a particularly hardy group of entrepreneurs.”
PuroClean has been named among Inc.’s 5000 fastest-growing private companies every year since the ranking’s inception in 2006. The company moved up in rank this year from No. 2058 in 2009 and is also the fastest-growing franchise in the property damage restoration industry.
“It’s the strength and dedication of our franchise network that allows us to grow exponentially year over year,” said Lauren Reid, CEO and President of PuroClean. “We’re honored to be named among this list of esteemed, rising companies.”
Last year alone, PuroClean opened 89 new franchise locations and reported more than $90 million in system-wide revenues, up from $68 million in 2008. Most impressive were sales gains at existing franchise locations, up an astounding 31 percent from 2008 to 2009. The company also debuted a new Canadian headquarters, opened its 300th franchise location and achieved the highest customer experience performance rating in the industry, with a 93 percent Net Promoter Score®.
With more than 300 franchise locations in the United States and Canada, PuroClean’s technicians specialize in the mitigation and restoration of property damage caused by water, mold, fire, trauma events and other types of losses. Known as the “Paramedics of Property Damage™”, PuroClean arrives at the scene of a loss, and takes the necessary steps to bring the situation under control, preventing it from becoming worse, and finally providing restoration services to help put the property back to pre-loss condition.
Methodology:
The 2010 Inc. 500|5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2006 to 2009. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by June 30, 2006. Additionally, they had to be based in the United States, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2009. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2006 is $80,000; the minimum for 2009 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. The top 10 percent of companies on the list constitute the Inc. 500, now in its 29th year.
Learn more about Inc. at www.inc.com |
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