BRUEGGER’S BAGELS: An Interview With VP Chris Cheek
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
CHRIS CHEEK, BRUEGGER’S BAGEL’S: At Bruegger’s, we want to provide each franchise candidate with a realistic view of life as a franchise owner BEFORE they join our system. It’s in both our best interests if they enter the franchise relationship with their eyes wide open.
Chris Cheek,
Vice President of Franchise Development
Bruegger’s Franchise Corporation
Concept Name: Bruegger’s
Franchisor Corporation Name: Bruegger’™s Franchise Corporation
Year Founded: 1983
Year Franchised/licensed: 1992
Number of units, company: 177
Number of units, licensed: 97
Initial investment: $300,000 to $550,000
Net worth/Financial Req.: $200,000 per bakery
Priority Markets for Expansion: Continental US and Canada
Website: www.brueggers.com
Contact information for franchise/license program: Chris Cheek- phone: 919-342-6094
Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc., an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., is a leader in the quick, casual restaurant segment. Bruegger’s and its GUEST-focused team of employees are dedicated to serving delicious, healthy food that brings guests back again and again. Famous for authentic boiled and baked bagels, Bruegger’sbakers lend their expertise to
crafting a variety of other stone-hearth baked breads, such as Ciabatta and the exclusive Softwich, a softer, square bagel ideal for sandwiches. In approximately 270 neighborhood bakery-cafes in 22 states, including Alaska, Bruegger’s offers a warm, comfortable setting for guests to enjoy a wholesome meal with family and friends.
FranBest: How do you describe the franchise concept?
CC: Bruegger’s is a fast casual bakery-cafe franchise that offers our franchisees an opportunity to participate in the fastest growing segment of the restaurant franchising segment. Our cafes deliver breakfast and lunch day parts as well as catering opportunities so our franchisees have no late night requirements. We are one of the lowest cost of entry franchise concepts in the entire restaurant category.
FranBest: Describe your products and/or services.
CC: Famous for authentic boiled and baked bagels, Bruegger’s bakers lend their expertise to crafting a variety of other stone-hearth baked breads, such as Ciabatta and the exclusive Softwichâ„¢, a softer, square bagel ideal for sandwiches. In approximately 260 
neighborhood bakery-cafes in 21 states, including Alaska, Bruegger’s offers a warm, comfortable setting for guests to enjoy a wholesome meal with family and friends. Guests can count on innovative menu items, including fresh-made salads, whole wheat wraps, hearty soups, specialty and deli-made sandwiches, desserts, unique Fair Trade coffee blends and original cream cheese flavors. Founded in 1983, Bruegger’s is headquartered in Burlington, Vermont
FranBest: How did the concept start? What need did it fill?
CC: The concept was founded with the idea to create national awareness and market share as an authentic New York bagel bakery.
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Tags: bakery franchise, bruegger’s, Bruegger’s Bagels, Bruegger’s franchise, cafe franchise, quick casual franchise
How to Open a Health Club for Half the Cost
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
Are you considering opening a 30 minute circuit training club like Curves for Women, Contours Express or Butterfly Life? Are you concerned about the franchisee struggles you’re reading about here… but still think you could make it work in your town?
Well there’s a way to open a new fitness club at half the cost and without the restrictions and ongoing fees of the national franchises. Simply take advantage of the bargain-priced equipment available from the franchisees of the many clubs that have closed. You don’t need to feel bad about taking advantage of their misfortune; you are relieving them of monthly storage bills and putting a little of their investments back in their pockets. Just don’t beat them up on price. They’re already pricing it at a bargain, and you don’t need the bad Karma coming back on you after opening.
Is it foolhardy to try a concept where the franchises have failed? Maybe. Maybe not. Remember, these franchisees bought everything new, paid a franchise fee, advertising fees, ongoing royalties and made required inventory purchases. With a lower cost of entry, you may be able to achieve profitability with a lower member and revenue base.
A new site called Your Town Health Club provides franchise owners with a low cost way to advertise their club and/or equipment for sale… and it offers would-be club owners like-new equipment and fixtures at bargain basement prices. For example, the Richmond, VA franchisee of Contours Express is offering his full equipment package, signage, and even franchise rights to 2 territories for more than 50% off. Of course, he’s also willing to sell the equipment package without the sign & territories to a future independent club owner:
VA Contours Express Franchise Pkg: 8 Piece Fitness Circuit, Signage, 2 Territories
Email Inquiries to: cerichmond@gmail.com
Fitness Club Equipment For Sale: Eight Piece Contours Express Weight Circuit
Original Price: $17,000
Location: Richmond, VA
Condition: Great condition. Looks brand new.
Seller says: “We are selling an eight piece Contours Express circuit weight equipment for $8000. This is less than half of what we paid for it 18 months ago. Everything is in great condition and looks brand new.”
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[Click on photos to enlarge]
Contours Express Channel Letter Neon Sign
Contours Express channel letter neon sign available;
18 months old and in perfect working condition.
Original price: $6000
Eight Piece Contours Express Weight Circuit
Original Price: $17,000
“We are selling an eight piece Contours Express circuit weight equipment. Great condition. Everything is in great condition and looks brand new.”
Circuit includes:
- Shoulder Press,
- Arm Curl,
- Triceps Press,
- Chest Press,
- Lat Pull Down,
- Leg Press,
- Leg Curl,
- Leg Extension
- Extra seat pads
Contours Express Exclusive Franchise Territories*
Mechanicsville, VA CE Territory normal price: $18,000
Midlothian, VA CE Territory normal price: $18,000
Finally, we have two Contours Express franchise territories available for sale in Mechanicsville and Midlothian, VA. These are generously sized territories in two of the prime suburban areas of Richmond, VA. Contours Express territories are currently being sold by the franchisor for $18,000 each; however, we are willing to accept a best offer for them. Could be a great deal for someone looking to get in at a significantly reduced price.
* Subject to corporate approval by Contours Express
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DO YOU HAVE A HEALTH CLUB, FITNESS CLUB FRANCHISE OR EQUIPMENT TO SELL? VISIT YOURTOWNHEALTHCLUB.COM. CLICK HERE FOR CLUB AD PRICING, HERE FOR EQUIPMENT AD PRICING.
Tags: contours Express for sale, fitness equipment for sale, fitness franchises, health club franchise, open a health club, start a fitness club
FAIRWAY DIVORCE SOLUTIONS: Divorce is Now a Franchise
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
Yes, breaking up is hard to do… not to mention expensive.
Divorce is also a booming business… especially for those with a better alternative to the traditional messy, contentious & costly break up process.
Enter Fairway Divorce Solutions, the first-of-its-kind alternative to the traditional system of divorce that provides a new divorce paradigm that saves money, time, stress and protects the children. Charging a flat fee, Fairway Divorce Solutions uses a common sense step-by-step proven approach called The Fairway Process™. The Canadian company began franchising in 2008, and the response has seemed to be very promising.
Read about the Fairway Divorce Solutions franchise at Top New Franchises.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? CAN DIVORCE BE FRANCHISED?
Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities
Tags: canadian franchise, fairway divorce solutions franchise, new franchise, top new franchise
FAIRWAY DIVORCE SOLUTIONS FRANCHISE
July 31, 2008 by Sean Kelly · Comments Off
Established in 2006, Fairway Divorce Solutions offers a first-of-its-kind alternative to the traditional system of divorce by offering a new divorce paradigm that saves money, time, stress and protects the children. Charging a flat fee, Fairway Divorce Solutions uses a common sense step-by-step proven approach called The Fairway Process™. Growing rapidly, the Company began franchising in spring 2008.
Founder Karen Stewart is touted as a national “divorce guru” by media and supporters alike. Stewart is the author of the newly released book Clean Break: How to Divorce with Dignity and Move on with Your Life. She is also the founder and CEO of Fairway Divorce Solutions®, the first real alternative to the traditional divorce process. With Fairway Divorce Solutions, she has created another category that fairly represents both parties when dealing with all issues of divorce.
Today, Fairway Divorce Solutions, Ltd., announced the opening of its first two additional franchises. One has opened in Edmonton and a second in Calgary, rolling into action a strategic plan to aggressively expand its operations throughout Canada and the United States.
The Fairway flagship office opened its doors in 2006. “We are extremely pleased to grow our successful Fairway Divorce Solutions® franchise beginning right here in Alberta. The new Edmonton satellite and second Calgary offices are the first of many to be opened throughout Canada and eventually the United States.” said Karen Stewart, President and CEO, Fairway Divorce Solutions.
“We have responded quickly to heightened demand. Since our inception, it became apparent clients valued our revolutionary new system for divorce, which uses a practical, step-by-step process to dramatically reduce time, reduce costs, the emotional pain of traditional divorce and, most importantly, to protect the children.”
Margot Gyorgy, owner of the new Calgary franchise, has worked closely with owner Karen Stewart at Fairway’s flagship office as Executive Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, for almost two years and jumped at the opportunity to grow the company. “It was apparent working at Fairway that Karen’s new divorce paradigm, The Fairway Process™, was a clear winner. I am thrilled to be one of the first to take the company to a new level and offer this efficient service to more people looking for a sensible alternative to the traditional divorce.”
The new Calgary franchise is located in south Calgary, making it more accessible to clients in that area. The phone numbers for both locations are: Additional franchises are scheduled to open across Western Canada in fall 2008. Movement into Eastern Canada will begin in late 2008 and traction into the United States will commence in 2010. Cameron Herold, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development for Fairway Divorce Solutions, is the driving force behind the franchising growth. Prior to Fairway, Mr. Herold was a leading force behind 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s explosive success, growing from a start-up in Vancouver to a franchised company in virtually every major city in North America and Australia.
As the beacon for a “new alternative divorce,” Fairway Divorce Solutions is Changing the Way Divorce Happens™ by saving people money, stress, time and most importantly children from needless financial and emotional pain. It is an alternative to the traditional process of divorce, whereby a couple is taken step by step through The Fairway Process with a trained negotiator, who facilitates resolution on all issues in divorce.
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COLD STONE CREAMERY: Ex-Franchisee’s Scathing Indictment
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
(FranchisePick.Com) …this “golden child” of the ice cream industry continues to go undetected in their ruthless business practices, their flawed business model and their total disregard for the profitability of the franchisee.
If you are thinking about buying a [Cold Stone Creamery] franchise – DON’T DO IT!!!
J.B. Montgomery, ex-franchisee, from his Cold Stone Creamery complaint at Unhappy Franchisee
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Over at Unhappy Franchisee, a reader named J.B. Montgomery has left a scathing indictment against Cold Stone Creamery and Kahala Corp., alleging that he is an ex-franchisee victimized by franchisor “churning.”
In franchising, the term “churning” refers to the practice of reselling the same failed franchise or territory over and over for profit. It’s about as serious an allegation against a franchisor that can be made.
J.B. Montgomery alleges that he tried to sell his Cold Stone Creamery franchise, but each time he found a qualified buyer Cold Stone Creamery execs would find an excuse not to approve them. When Montgomery was finally forced to close his doors, it took Cold Stone less than two weeks to resell his failed store for a $42,000 profit.
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photo credit: Yanec License: Creative commons
Tags: churning, COLD STONE CREAMERY, failure, franchise, franchise resale, franchisee, franchising, kahala
DUNKIN’ DONUTS: Time to Make the Healthier Foods
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
(FranchisePick.Com) At Dunkin’ Donuts, it’s time to make the donuts healthier foods. Looking to entice those hungry for healthier choices, Dunkin’ Donuts will begin offering a some better-for-you menu items this month. According to this article in
The new menu will be called DDSmart and will include all current and new items that either have 25 percent few calories, sugar, fat or sodium than comparable products or contain ingredients that are “nutritionally beneficial,” the company said. The menu includes two new flatbread sandwiches made with egg whites. Customers can also choose either a turkey sausage egg-white sandwich or a vegetable one. Both will be under 300 calories with 9 grams of fat or less, the company said.
Dunkin’ Brands Inc. will spend several million dollars marketing the new menu.
Over the years, Dunkin Donuts franchise locations have been adding healthier options.
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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
PHOTO CREDIT: by The Consumerist, licensed underCreative Commons
Tags: breakfast franchise, donuts, DUNKIN’ DONUTS, franchise, healthier menu
The Queen is Dead! Long Live the Queen!
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
H
ere’s a self indulgent personal post with nothing to do with franchising, but Moneypenny, a friend of our blog, is retiring Digital Money World. The queen is dead.
However, Moneypenny arises from the ashes (to mix metaphors) to rule from a new blogging throne at Wise Queen.
Since Wise Queen has not yet established its brand identity, Franchise Pick has decided to give her a choice of the following two decorative blogwarming presents.
Which she chooses to display shall speak volumes as to the future direction of WiseQueen.Com.
Here you go, my Queen.
These are for your new joint.
Bennigan’s: Franchise Owners Shocked by Bankruptcy, Closings
July 31, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
(FranchisePick.Com) Related: Bennigan’s Files For Bankruptcy, Closes Company Locations
Larry Briski, president of the Franchise Operators Association for Bennigan’s, was taken by surprise Tuesday morning by reports that Bennigan’s parent Metromedia Restaurant Group was shuttering company stores and declaring bankruptcy in order to to liquidate its assets and shut down, citing $550 million in assets and about $150 million in debt.
According to an article in the Post-Tribune, franchisee Briski learned more on a conference call tuesday afternoon.
Briski said a Tuesday afternoon conference call with company officials affirmed Bennigan’s name and franchise operation would be sold to an Atlanta-based company. The firm, he said, is in the restaurant business and plans to continue the Bennigan’s franchise.
“This will assure us we will have longevity,” Briski said.
He said the new owners will do what it takes to build the brand. He does not anticipate major changes in the franchise operation but does expect to see better marketing and more innovative menu items.
“This is a very good thing for the franchisees,” he said.
…After meeting with corporate officials on several occasions, he said it was his understanding the company would close some underperforming corporate units.
“I was surprised by what they did today. I thought I was more or less in the loop,” he said.
Franchises that remain open still have access to franchise support, such as menu items, purchasing and the supply chain. Briski said his franchises will also welcome corporate coupons.
Briski said he wants to make sure customers understand only the corporate-run Bennigan’s restaurants have closed. “We are open,” he said.
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America’s Next Top Franchises.
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Unhappy Franchisee: Franchising rumors, rants, controversies, issues, complaints & insider information you’re not supposed to know.
Tags: bankruptcy, BENNIGAN’S, chapter 7, franchise owners, franchisee, metromedia group, STEAK & ALE
PURE WEIGHT LOSS: Bankruptcy Letter Mailed by Mistake
July 30, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
(FranchisePick.Com)Today’s post on Pure Weight Loss over at Dear Vahan says that a recent letter sent out from the the bankruptcy court was sent by mistake and is misleading.
The letter implied that there was a resolution to the bankruptcy case and basically, members owed thousands of dollars are out of luck.
However, a bankruptcy trustee said that wasn’t accurate.
Read: Pure Weight Loss Bankruptcy Update at the Pure Weight Loss watchdog site DEAR VAHAN.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHED THOSE UNWANTED COMMENTS BELOW.
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
PHOTO CREDIT: Marchivist. Licensed under Creative Commons.
THANKS, L.A. WEIGHT LOSS! Identity Thieves Catch a Break
July 30, 2008 by sean · Comments Off
(FranchisePick.Com) Related posts:
IS PURE WEIGHT LOSS VIOLATING HIPAA PRIVACY LAWS? (Part 1)
IS PURE WEIGHT LOSS VIOLATING HIPAA PRIVACY LAWS? (Part 2)
Pure Weight Loss Members Ask: Where Are My Confidential Records?
LA Weight Loss Tosses Client Files in Dumpster
The tough economy has put a strain on all small business owners, identity thieves notwithstanding.
Luckily, they’ve caught two breaks this year. The first was when the 400+ Unit Pure Weight Loss (formerly LA Weight Loss) chain closed its doors in January. While Pure Weight Loss left thousands of customers and employees stranded without the services and products they paid for, and without the paychecks they were due, identity thieves were most appreciative of the chain’s thoughtfulness.
There were widespread reports of confidential member records, containing HIPAA protected medical records, personal data and financial information, either abandoned in or behind closed centers or tossed in dumpsters. Identity thieves probably though this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
It turns out there’s ANOTHER L.A. Weight Loss chain that loves identity thieves just as much. History seems to be repeating itself as L.A. Weight Loss centers are reportedly closing… and following in their predecessor’s crack security protocols.
According to Weight Loss watchdog site Dear Vahan (named affectionately for Pure’s CEO Vahan Karian, currently being sued by the PA Attorney General) in a post entitled LA Weight Loss Tosses Client Files in Dumpster, two recently closed L.A. Weight Loss franchises closed abruptly, leaving their members stranded without their prepaid services or their prepaid products.
They did, however, have the thoughtfulness to leave their confidential records for them… conveniently located in their unlocked dumpster.
On behalf of identity thieves everywhere: Thanks, L.A. Weight Loss!
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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.
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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.
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