MAKE & TAKE GOURMET: Flagship Closes

Less than a year ago, Make & Take Gourmet founder Michele Bellso sent out a blast email announcing the closing of two franchise stores of the chain’s 16 locations. 

Bellso’s nonchalant, cheery tone and characterization of the lost investment of her franchise owners as  business-as-usual prompted the first (Make & Take Gourmet: Meal Prep Franchisor Takes Failures in Stride April 28, 2008) of 20+ posts  I’d write on the ill-conceived and ill-fated meal prep chain.

“Interest and excitement in the Make and Take Gourmet concept has never been greater!” wrote Bellso in her email last April.  “We anticipated that as this new industry evolved, stores would need to adapt to emerging trends. We expected that this would include some store closures, and unfortunately our Camillus and Baldwinsville stores have closed. However, our Cicero, Fayetteville and Auburn stores will continue to operate 7 days…”

Her email concludes:  “Interest in franchise stores is continuing…I can honestly say that Make and Take Gourmet’s future is looking very bright…”

Do you smell something burning?

The email came on the heels of other franchise failures.  Rather than halt franchise sales and figure out why her stores were failing, Bellso continued to market and open Make & Take Gourmet franchises.  In a July, 2008 interview she blamed the failures on the unrealistic expectations of her franchisees (”Too many people think they’ll make a million in the first year”) and said “The only thing that may have changed for us is to make a better selection of our owners.”

In August, 2008, Bellso closed the corporate-owned (MAKE & TAKE GOURMET: Bellsos Closing Company Store, Blame Economy).

They also were sued for fraud by their early franchise owners (MAKE & TAKE GOURMET: 3 Franchisee Groups Reportedly Suing), and it was announced another franchise was “de-branding” (MAKE & TAKE GOURMET: New Hartford MTG to Defranchise)

In December, 2008, we reported the Securities Division of the Office of the Attorney General of Maryland charged Bellso & Make & Take Gourmet with the registration, disclosure, and antifraud provisions of the Maryland Franchise Law (Make & Take Gourmet, Michele Bellso Accused of Franchise Fraud (AG)).

Corporate stores closing:  Commence grieving.

This month, UnhappyFranchisee.com reported that Bellso has closed the corporate Cicero, NY flagship store, which Bellso had boasted sold as many as 3,000 meals per day and grossed as much as $1.7M yearly (MAKE & TAKE GOURMET: Flagship Cicero Store Closes).

Not surprisingly, Bellso’s email regarding the closing of her own store is “with much sadness,” a sharp contrast to the upbeat tone regarding her franchisee’s losses:

Dear Friends,
It is with much sadness that I announce that the Make and Take Gourmet store in Cicero is closing. We have really enjoyed helping you feed your families.
Unfortunately, tough economic times and rising costs have made it impossible for us to continue doing business. It was a difficult decision and not one that we wanted to have to make.
Saturday, March 28th will be our last day. Stop by and fill up your freezers with our Buy 2 Get 1 Free Blowout Event.
Thank you for all of your support over the last three years. We will miss you!
Michele

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Logo:  Make & Take Gourmet

MaidPro Recognizes Top Franchise Performers

At their franchise convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., on March 6-8, MaidPro had the opportunity to recognize the outstanding performers among their MaidPro franchise owners, managers and home office staff. The winners of MaidPro’s annual recognition awards were announced at the Radisson Fort McDowell Resort and Casino on March 7 by MaidPro President, Richard Sparacio. The winners are:

• Marketing Achievement Award – Janet Sklar, Carrollton, TX
• Customer Acquisition Award –Dan McGowan, Lake Elmo, MN / Brent Ashley, Maple Grove, MN
• Freshman Award – Kathy Ward, Phoenix – Central, AZ
• Right-Hand Award – Modesta Mejia, Carrollton, TX
• Mentor Award – Greg Ford, Tulsa, OK and Lee’s Summit, MO
• Woman-Owned Business Award – Maxine Kenefsky, Bellevue/Seattle, WA
• Male-Owned Business Award – Matt Sherman, Denver, CO
• Partnership-Owned Business Award – Rhonda Peege and Carla Stone, Louisville KY

With over 28 new offices open since last MaidPro’s last convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2007, this was a

new experience for a lot of the audience in Arizona. New owner, Michelle Hunter (MaidPro in Gaylord, MI) said “I love the small company feel. All the home office employees know us like we’ve been around forever.” Hunter states MaidPro is “very welcoming to newbies.” More than half of the MaidPro offices enjoyed the warm weather, networked, participated in roundtable discussions including profitability, management principles, social media and training among other topics.

MaidPro is a Boston-based franchisor of housecleaning services with more than 100 offices in 33 states, in addition to the District of Columbia and Canada. The company, which began franchising in 1997, takes pride in its strong owner community, cutting-edge technology and creative marketing.

Congratulations to all the winners from FranchisePick.com

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH MAIDPRO?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Images:  MaidPro

Why Franchise Times is Essential Reading

I’m a fan of the Franchise Times magazine and the people who publish it.  I consider it essential reading for franchisors, franchisees and, perhaps especially, prospective franchisees.  Franchise Times is an inside-the-industry publication and, as such, gives a much truer picture of what’s really happening in franchising.  You won’t find Franchise Times on the newsstand, but it’s readily available by subscription or by accessing the Franchise Times website.

Newsstand Entrepreneurial Press:  Hype, Fluff… or Fraud?

Tuesday I was quoted in the Wall Street Journal about my motivation for creating the controversial UnhappyFranchisee.com blog:

Mr. Kelly says he was put off by the promotional hype he had read in the franchise trade press about numerous concepts. “Almost nobody was writing anything bad,” he says, “and I wanted to give those with negative experiences a voice.”

Actually, “franchise trade press” was a poor choice of words.

Some interpreted that as a slam on FT, which it wasn’t.  I was actually referring to the newsstand entrepreneurial and small business opportunities magazines that target prospective first-time business owners.  These magazines portray a small business fantasyland where lovely, energetic entrepreneurs all enjoy  personal fulfillment and reap huge financial rewards as owners of their very own pooper scooper,  chewing gum removal, home mailbox decorating and mobile pet repair franchises.

As a marketing guy, I don’t mind a bit of fluff or some well-crafted spin now and then. And I’m certainly sensitive to the need to create an editorial environment that’s conducive to the needs of ones advertisers.  But these newsstand entrepreneurial publications & their much-touted Hottest Franchise! rankings push – if not cross – the line between spin and fraud.

These magazines portray a small business fantasyland where lovely, energetic entrepreneurs all enjoy  personal fulfillment and reap huge financial rewards as owners of their very own pooper scooper,  chewing gum removal, home mailbox decorating and mobile pet repair franchises.

The Dangers of Newsstand Hype

For example, a couple of years ago these publications hyped the ebay drop-off store concept as the hot new franchise opportunity.  Entrepreneur magazine named the largest, iSold It, as the #1 new franchise opportunity of 2007.  At the same time, iSold It franchise owners sent us proof that more than 60 franchisees had already failed, that many had defaulted on their $200,000 loans and were losing their homes, and the franchisor itself was teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.  Yet the printing presses were still pumping out the exciting success story for people ready to dream the impossible dream. (Read: Is iSoldit a Great Franchise Opportunity?)

iSold ceased franchising shortly after we (or rather their franchisees) broke the story.  Most of the stores have closed. The owner is reportedly enjoying his $2M house.  The only press the ex-franchisees are getting is their nameless inclusion in the loan default and home foreclosure statistics on CNN.  (Read:  iSold It Dropped from Entrepreneur 500, Loses Top New Franchise Crown)

Entrepreneur magazine is a useful publication with a lot of good content and a large franchise directory.  However, they sometimes hype both unproven, questionable, and often doomed “hot new concepts” and praise huge, heavily litigated and contentious franchise giants with nary a mention of the controversies and downsides of these undoubtedly large advertisers.

Why Franchise Times Couldn’t Get Away with That Nonsense.

Franchise Times serves the same basic advertiser base, but they couldn’t get away with such nonsense for a couple of reasons.  The first is that they are based in Minnesota.  Anyone who has watched Fargo knows that Minnesotans (think Marge Gunderson) are not wired for deception  and, if they try, they are not good at it (think Jerry Lundegaard).  In fact, part of new employee orientation at Franchise Times involves repeatedly watching Fargo, outdoor fishing and snowmobiling DVDs, and memorizing the best News From Lake Woebegone segments.

Anyone who has watched Fargo knows that Minnesotans (think Marge Gunderson) are not wired for deception  and, if they try, they are not good at it (think Jerry Lundegaard).

The second reason is that Franchise Times is read by real life franchise professionals, franchisors, franchisees and service providers.  While Franchise Times maintains a pleasant and upbeat tone, and is not above fluff (or, in some cases, fluffy) stories about their own pets, they also cover controversies, disputes, litigation and other challenges in franchising.

Their cover story on Quiznos a couple of years back was one of the first and most comprehensive accounts of that embattled company.  They have kept tabs on the story, and updated the woes of Quiznos franchisees as recently as the current issue (Quiznos update, Quiznos weighs in).  They are still the only major publication that has touched the Cuppy’s Coffee debacle (Franchise Times Recounts Cuppy’s Coffee’s “Blog Attacks,” Scoble Incident, Attacks from the blogosphere).

These are pretty bold editorial moves for a publication supported by franchisor advertising dollars.  Franchise Times should be applauded [insert applause here] for being willing to cover controversial and relevant topics.  Readers should encourage them to do more of it in the future.

Two Recommended Industry Events

Franchise Times also hosts two major industry events.

The Franchise Finance & Development Conference
May 4-6, 2009—The Palms, Las Vegas, NV

“The Conference is a proven educational and networking forum designed specifically for owners and executives of franchise companies who want to expand the rate of growth in their franchise systems.”

The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
November 9-11, 2009—Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

“The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference is the largest industry event that is exclusively focused on the finance side of the restaurant business. Designed for multi-unit restaurant operators and senior executives…”

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.

Images: Franchise Times

Full professional disclosure: I sometimes write for Franchise Times, they sometimes write about me, I am a regular listener of A Prairie Home Companion and am part-owner of a mobile pet repair franchise.

The Wall Street Journal on Franchise Blogs

Blogs and blogging is transforming the way franchise opportunities are researched, marketed and selected by franchise buyers.  Blogs are also giving franchise owners a chance to interact as they never have before.  And the mainstream business media is starting to take notice.

Today, the Wall Street Journal published Richard Gibson’s story Blogs Provide Insight to Would-Be Franchisee. While FranchisePick.com escaped mention (undoubtedly because the Wall Street Journal is nervous we’re eclipsing them ), Gibson featured one of my other blogs, Unhappy Franchisee.  Here’s my 84 words of WSJ fame:

Unhappy Franchisee (www.unhappyfranchisee.com). Franchisees with gripes about their business can post them at this Web site, run by multisite blogger Sean Kelly. The site sorts anonymous concerns and complaints by brand. Mr. Kelly says he was put off by the promotional hype he had read in the franchise trade press about numerous concepts. “Almost nobody was writing anything bad,” he says, “and I wanted to give those with negative experiences a voice.” The site encourages visitors to post closures of franchises in their communities.

Like FranchisePick.com, the purpose of UnhappyFranchisee.com is not to be “gripe site,” but to have frank and honest discussions about the real nature of the sometimes turbulent franchise relationship.

Other sites featured in the article include Blue MauMau (www.bluemaumau.com), Franchise-Chat (www.franchise-chat.com), The Franchise Pundit (franchisepundit.com), & Rush On Business (www.rushonbusiness.com).

Notable sites that escaped mention include FranchisePick.Com, FranBest.com, TopNewFranchises.com, Michael Webster’s The BizOpp News, and Joel Libava’s The Franchise King blog. While not a blog, Richard Solomon’s Franchise Remedies also includes a wealth of information and insights.

Thanks to Richard Gibson for including our humble site, and thanks to all you who have contributed through your comments, information and insights.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? HOW IS BLOGGING IMPACTING FRANCHISING?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

graphic:  unhappy franchisee

FranTwits: Franchise Resources on Twitter

Newsweek states:  “Suddenly, it seems as though all the world’s a-twitter.”  The franchise world certainly is.  The online conversation is getting increasingly lively and useful as franchisors, franchisees, franchisee prospects, franchise vendors, pundits, pr firms, and franchise media interact 140 characters at a time.

Now FranchisePick.com and FranBest.com are compiling the Who’s Who in Franchising on Twitter in our directory of FranTwits.  See our list of franchise resources on Twitter below;  to be added to the list, leave your Twitter ID and a comment

To see the full list, visit FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory .

FRANCHISE RESOURCES ON TWITTER

@FranchiseKing @FranchisePick @iFranchiseGroup @joncarlston @McWebmaster @balihoo @john_lilley @paul segreto @katrynharris @twinterstein

@FranchisingLaw @RushNigut @FranchiseLawyer @franlawyer @hklawtwits @drjohnhayes @Rieva @egennicks @doughexpress @mcdarling

@GRIPCOMMPR @KwesiRobertson @mstrategiesinc @franchisingplus @libertyharper @FranchiseMaven @terrycoker @valpakcoupons @danatligero

@TopNewFranchise @FranchiseHdbk @gaeblerdotcom @franchisefinder @fran_foundry @JeffreySummers @franchise @RecruitMilitary @danec

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign). For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick

DO YOU TWITTER?  WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?  SHARE A COMMENT AND YOUR ID BELOW.

Twitter Graphic:  VincentAbry

FranTwits: Snack Franchises on Twitter

Twitter is the Internet’s – and franchising’s – fastest-growing and most powerful social networking and communications tool.  Whether you’re a franchise buyer, seller, vendor or student, you’ll find a wealth of opportunity and information on Twitter.

Food and snack franchisors are early adopters in using Twitter to communicate and network.  We’ve put together the list below of ice cream, yogurt, pretzel, and coffee franchise companies actively using Twitter.

Also check out: FranTwits: Restaurant Franchises on TWITTER

To see the full list, visit FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory

SNACK FRANCHISES ON TWITTER

@BaskinRobbins @RitasItalianIce @ColdStoneCream @tastifranchise @tastidlite

@MaggieMoos @Marble Slab @froyoswirl @redmango @RedMangoCEO @pinkberryswirl

@CoolCycles @Caribou_Coffee @BiggbyBob @Pretzelmaker @NexCenBrands

@sunshineshannon @cookiesbydesign @vintnerscircle @BWCookieCompany @rebbejoshua

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign). For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick
DO YOU USE TWITTER? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Follow us at @FranchisePick, @TopNewFranchise, and @FranTwits

Twitter Graphic:  VincentAbry

FranTwits: Restaurant Franchises on TWITTER

What’s Twitter?  The New York Times calls it “one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet.”

TIME magazine says “Twitter is on its way to becoming the next killer app.”

Newsweek states:  “Suddenly, it seems as though all the world’s a-twitter.”

FranchisePick.com exclaims:  “Twitter is the Internet’s – and franchising’s – fastest-growing and most powerful social networking and communications tool.”

Now FranchisePick.com and FranBest.com are putting together the definitive list of franchise companies, vendors, and resources on TWITTER.  Below is a list of the most active restaurant and fast food franchises promoting via Twitter.

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign). For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick

To see the full list, visit FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory

RESTAURANT FRANCHISES ON TWITTER

@PopeyesChicken @Hardees @CarlsJr @DunkinDonuts @HuddleHouse @ChurchsChicken @caltort

@tacojohns @jackbox @GetCulverized @Smashburger @GreatWraps @pancheros @HotBoxPizza

@NYPDPizzeria @goodfellaspizza @Firehouse_Subs @BurritoEmpire @theBKlounge @whoppervirgins

@beckhamcafe @PizzaFusionSea @DominosPizzaMgr @McDonalds_NWOH @MySanDiegoMcD @Rubios_BeachMex

DO YOU USE TWITTER? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.
Follow us at @FranchisePick

Twitter Graphic:  VincentAbry

FranTwits on FranBest: Twitter Franchise Directory

The definitive list of franchise companies, vendors, and resources on TWITTER.

TO JOIN THE TWITTER FRANCHISE DIRECTORY, LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR TWITTER ID & FRANCHISE INDUSTRY CONNECTION BELOW!

“It’s one of the fastest-growing phenomena on the Internet.” New York Times

“Twitter is on its way to becoming the next killer app.” TIME Magazine

“Suddenly, it seems as though all the world’s a-twitter.” Newsweek

Twitter is the Internet’s - and franchising’s - fastest-growing social networking and communications tool.  Here’s the definitive yet always updated FranTwits directory of the franchise industry on Twitter.

To access individual pages, use the format http://www.twitter.com/TWITTERID (no @ sign).

For example, to see the tweets of @FranchisePick, visit http://www.twitter.com/FranchisePick

FRANCHISE COMPANIES ON TWITTER

RESTAURANTS @PopeyesChicken @Hardees @CarlsJr @DunkinDonuts @HuddleHouse @ChurchsChicken @caltort @tacojohns @jackbox @GetCulverized @Smashburger @GreatWraps @pancheros @HotBoxPizza @NYPDPizzeria @goodfellaspizza @Firehouse_Subs @BurritoEmpire @theBKlounge @whoppervirgins @beckhamcafe @PizzaFusionSea @DominosPizzaMgr @McDonalds_NWOH @MySanDiegoMcD @Rubios_BeachMex @catercfa @1901HotDogs @shanesribshack @CaptainExtreme @natures_table PETS @OUTUGO @amynichols @Dogtopia @PetDepot	SNACKS @BaskinRobbins @RitasItalianIce @ColdStoneCream @tastifranchise @tastidlite @MaggieMoos @Marble Slab @froyoswirl @redmango @RedMangoCEO @pinkberryswirl @CoolCycles @Caribou_Coffee @BiggbyBob @Pretzelmaker @NexCenBrands @sunshineshannon @cookiesbydesign @vintnerscircle @BWCookieCompany @rebbejoshua @ddmantx @spoonme @mauiwowiwave @MarkAZarr (Junga Juice) @planetsmoothie MISC. SERVICES @MarriottIntl @sipsnstrokes @sacramentogrape @10minmanicure @SportsImage @RacingLimosInc	RETAIL @FootSolutions @TheAthletesFoot @ShoeboxNewYork @GameOnGames @_GamerDoc_ @Max_Muscle @MaxMuscleSN @centralbarkusa @flipflopshops @711Franchise @childorch @potomacbeads @beadfranchise @batteriesplus BIZ SERVICES @HRBlock @ronideutch @Cybertary @BEITRAINING @bbconnection @PakMailFremont @upsstoreaz @BuyerAdvocate @greenbroker @GinaCarr @jerivespoli @ActionCOACHCEO @ChuckTeamLogic @advicoach @esourcecoaching * * * * * * * Are you a FranTwit? Post your Twitter ID below. * * * * * * *	KID’S @edubiz @SeekingSitters @Grins2Go_Photo @Grins2Go @KnoxSStrides @YoungRembrandts @LisaTalkingTots @DebCE @CorpTeam @KidsCuliChefs HOME SERVICES @nutrilawn @ShowhomesThomas @CynthiaGartman @CertaProPainter @DenverJunkHunk @rocketrobin2 @maidpro @TrulyNolen @solaruniverse @1800GOTJUNK @HCAFranchise @thecleanerspot @seniorcareguy @GarageTownUSA @franstayhome @ecomaids @DwyerGroup @TheDecorGroup @mollymaidsales @decorandyou Business Opportunities @ValcorUSA @BernardAherne

FRANCHISE RESOURCES ON TWITTER

Bloggers @FranchisePick @FranchiseKing @Rieva @danec @jackmonson @HBRHomeBusiness Misc. @McWebmaster @john_lilley @katrynharris @twinterstein @DanDTwitR @franchisingplus @libertyharper @FranchiseMaven @terrycoker @RecruitMilitary @devoncallan @SEO_Doug_Kelly @findyourfran @breichley @FranchiseMogul @TribeBuilder @sallieburnett @franchisingnet

Directories @TopNewFranchise @FranchiseHdbk @franchisefinder @gaeblerdotcom @franchisesale @franchise @franchiselookup @franchisefarm @franchising_com @FranchiseMall @franchiseinfo Consultants @iFranchiseGroup @Restaurantcfo @joncarlston @danatligero @paulsegreto @egennicks @drjohnhayes @JeffreySummers @franchseadvocat @MikeSobol @yourowncfo @GregNathanFRI @FranchiseMogul @LorneFisher @stevewhiteside

Public Relations @ACory @BrittSnapp @GRIPCOMMPR @KwesiRobertson @ginidietrich @DBlazek @debraprgirl @mstrategiesinc @lisee24 @FranTwits International @Sparkleminds * * * * * * * Are you a FranTwit? Post your Twitter ID below. * * * * * * * @PamelaTheWriter @buzzbuggies @GMarketingGuy @cwmmarketing @bizreadyforsale @CoachFloSchell @No1Mentor

Attorneys/Law @FranchisingLaw @RushNigut @FranchiseLawyer @franlawyer @lanardlaw @hklawtwits Vendors @shubee @TheDataDoc @valpakcoupons @balihoo @doughexpress @susytelecapture @fran_foundry @coreyspencer @cfaulconer @urbaninterns @aunderwood @GO_4_FAPS @kevinpobrien @SpecialOpsLLC @GMKTG @Audigence

Want to be added to the FranTwits on FranBest directory? Post your Twitter ID below and tell us what you do. And don’t forget to follow @FranchisePick and @FranTwits.

Follow FranchisePick on TWITTER

Do you Twitter?

If so, follow FranchisePick at @FranchisePick

Follow TopNewFranchises.com at @TopNewFranchise

Don’t Twitter yet?  Dive in, it’s easy.

Sign up at Twitter.com and “follow” us… we’ll follow you back.

Twitter Graphic:  VincentAbry

DO YOU TWITTER?  WANT MORE FOLLOWERS?  ADD YOUR TWITTER ID BELOW?

Diversified H&F Acquires Butterfly Life

The “assets” of Butterfly Life, one of the ailing Curves women’s express fitness knock-off concepts, have been sold to Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc.

Diversified was founded by Roger Wittenberns in 2007, and has acquired a number of seemingly struggling, dying and/or comatose fitness franchise chains since then.

Diversified’s fitness holdings now include Liberty Fitness, Fit For Her, ShapeXpress, Access Fitness, Fit Zone, The Blitz, The Zoo, Sedona and others.

Here’s the company press release announcing the asset purchase:

FORT LAUDERDALE COMPANY ACQUIRES BUTTERFLY LIFE

Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc. of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida announces its acquisition of Butterfly Fitness, Inc., a National Chain of Health Club Franchises and enters the Japanese market.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Diversified Health & Fitness, Inc., chaired by fitness industry pioneer, Roger Wittenberns, announced today that it has acquired the assets of Butterfly Fitness, Inc., a franchising company engaged in marketing and servicing women-only health club franchises.

Diversified’s franchise portfolio currently consist of approximately 150 fitness clubs in 40 states and three countries and over 500 active licenses to build new clubs. The Butterfly acquisition will push Diversified’s holdings to nearly 200 clubs and will dramatically increase its market share in the women’s fitness club franchise business.

This acquisition has also allowed Diversified to enter the Japanese market with 6 locations. The Japanese market is one of the fastest growing fitness markets in the world

The asset purchase included the acquisition of Butterfly’s franchise agreements, FDD registrations, area developer agreements, manuals, trade names and other intellectual property.

“Diversified will bring much needed corporate support and marketing and operational experience to our franchisees,” said Mark Golob, CEO of Butterfly. “This is a great opportunity to reinvigorate one of the best brand names in women’s fitness.”

Diversified Chief Executive Officer, Roger Wittenberns, said “This is a great step forward for Diversified and for Butterfly. We welcome our new franchise partners to our family and we are excited to bring our experience and knowledge to such a promising organization.”

Diversified Health and Fitness, Inc. is a franchise holding company for multiple fitness franchise concepts. The company was founded in 2007 and is the brainchild of thirty-seven year industry expert Roger Wittenberns.

The struggles of the Butterfly Life chain and the discontent of its franchisees have been lively topics on Franchise Pick.

The post IS BUTTERFLY LIFE A GREAT FITNESS FRANCHISE? generated 400+ comments, and Will the REAL Butterfly Life Franchise Please Wave Its Wings? generated more than 160 comments.  Also read Butterfly Life Franchise Lawsuit in Forbes and Franchise Dreams Becoming Nightmares for Many Fitness Club Owners for more on Butterfly Life and founders Mark Golob and Tom Gergley.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  SHARE AN INSIGHT BELOW.

graphic:  FranBest

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