World Franchising
September 2007 Newsletter
 
Domain Names/URLs for Sale at www.FranchisingURLs.com!
 
Last week, Source Book Publications launched a new website - www.FranchisingURLs.com. The initial listing included over 80 domain names that are particularly well-suited for the franchising industry. Since that time, we have been inundated with both interested buyers and sellers. The current list has grown to 217 domain names. They run the gamut from www.FranCity.com ($500) to www.MonsterFranchising.com ($5,000) to an industry icon www.Franchising.org ($20,000).
 
To browse the complete list of domain names/URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) that are available for sale, please visit www.FranchisingURLs.com. In addition, we have set up separate lists that are specifically appropriate for New Lead Generation Sites, Attorney Sites and Lender Sites. Lastly, for those companies that wish for a turn-key Lead Generation portal site that includes numerous and specific sub-industry categories, we have cobbled together numerous URLs that would provide exceptional domain names for the “Best Franchises” (includes 29 separate URLs that start with Best, as well as 31 separate URLs that start with Best-Franchises) and numerous URLs that would provide exceptional doman names for the “Great Franchises" (includes 34 separate URLs that start with Great).
 
Most of those listed have been warehoused by various franchise industry companies either to protect their own websites or secure a potentially valuable domain name for the future. Few have been activated. Hopefully, some URLs will strike your creativity and result in a profitable, well-visited website. My guess is that most domain name holders expect potential buyers to negotiate over the suggested selling prices noted on the site.
 

If, after looking at the listing, you have any questions, please contact Christine Kimmel at (800) 841-0873.

 
 
Where Do the Major Lead Generation Websites Rank on the Major Search Engines?
 
NEW FEATURE IN THE LEAD GENERATION REPORTER ™
 
The reality is that there are over 150 lead generation sites ready to provide you with the freshest, most qualified and best-heeled prospective franchisees. Are you advertising on a lead generation site that is aesthetically designed, user-friendly and informative? That's great, but if that site doesn't have clout (through Search Engine Optimization, purchasing key words, etc.) with the search engines, it probably doesn't justify your investment. We're living in the age of internet search, where potential investors turn to the Google Toolbar, rather than Consumer Reports, as their primary research source.
 
Picking the optimal lead generation websites on which to advertise is both time consuming and, ultimately, a test of faith. There are no guarantees as to the number or, more importantly, the quality of the leads generated. The best lead generation websites do a good job of “screening” prospective franchisees. Some do no qualifying whatsoever.
 

What this means for you as a franchisor is simply the following: if the site you're advertising with doesn't show up in the first 30 search results, the likelihood that potential investors will peruse that site (and, accordingly, your franchise) is woefully slim.

 

Realizing the importance of advertising with a lead generation site that ranks highly on the major search engines, Source Book Publications has added a new feature to the Lead Generation Reporter™ - Search Engine Rankings. Upon ordering the Lead Generation Reporter™, you'll gain access to the Lead Generation Search Engine Rankings Report, which will detail where various lead generation sites land on major search engine search results lists when prompted by nine, frequently-used keywords/terms. By studying this Report, you'll be further equipped to decide where you ought to place your advertising dollars.

 

Please click here to learn more about this new feature.

 
You can download a sample Search Engine Rankings report here. Please click here to order the Lead Generation Reporter ™.
 
 
Earnings Claim Hall of Fame: LearningRx
 

Source Book Publications has long argued (with very modest success) that all franchisors should be required to submit an earnings claim statement (Item 19) in their UFOC. Given that submission of an Item 19 is entirely voluntary, only 20% of franchisors choose to do so. The reasons for non-submission range from the ludicrous to vaguely plausible.

To us, it seems entirely one-sided to ask a prospective franchisee to invest in excess of $200,000 (on average) to “buy” a franchise without providing him or her with a clear understanding what he or she might earn from the investment. Although there are numerous variables that preclude franchisors from coming up with an exact projection of future Net Operating Income, the franchisors clearly have the ability to determine the historical sales and related expenses for operating units currently within their system. At a minimum, they can work backwards from royalty payments to come up with a gross sales figure. To the extent that they closely monitor and support their franchisees, they should have a good sense of average operating costs as well. Given this information and the latitude they have to provide as much detail as they see fit, they can break out summary operating data for those franchisees or company-owned units that have been around for say 5 years, 10 years, etc.

Our sense is that the FTC will ultimately acknowledge the need for a mandatory Item 19. Given the difficulty from industry to industry to provide a workable template for the submission of information, the FTC will continue to allow franchisors to provide as much or as little information as they deem necessary. Those franchisors that do in fact provide real, in-depth information will clearly enjoy a competitive advantage over those that do not. At any rate, those franchisors that go to the trouble of including an Item 19, even if only cursory, should be acknowledged and applauded.

As an on-going feature of future newsletters, World Franchising will publish an exemplary Item 19 each month. This month, we honor LearningRx for the exceptional detail that they provide in their Item 19. My guess is that the rapid growth and success of their system has a great deal to do with the forthrightness with which they celebrate the success of their existing franchisees. To view their Item 19, please click here.

Those companies who feel they provide exceptional disclosure in their Item 19s are free to submit their Item 19 electronically for consideration in subsequent newsletters.

 
 
Industry Focus: Staffing Services
 
Today's fast-paced world allows companies little time to effectively fill the gaping holes left by former employees. Consequently, staffing and personnel services franchises have become invaluable resources for a multitude of employers. Read on to learn about specific franchise opportunities in this dynamic industry.
 
 
 
Source Book Publications Video Feature

Prompted by the increasing importance of Web 2.0 media and the desire to keep all of us from becoming too serious, we thought we would add a monthly feature that highlights an incredible new on-line video each month.

To view this month's video, click here.

 
 
Source Book Publications
1814 Franklin St., Suite 440, Oakland, CA 94612

(800) 841-0873; (510) 839-5471; Fax (510) 839-2104; www.worldfranchising.com

In This Issue
URLs for Sale at www.FranchisingURLs.com!
New Feature in the Lead Generation Reporter!
Earnings Claim Hall of Fame
Industry Focus
 
Franchise Spotlight

Express offers an opportunity to be successful with a proven business model. Our owner-operator model lets you create your own definition of success by designing what engages and excites you. This business-to-business franchise with weekday operating hours and no out-of-town travel has four service lines in one agreement.


Established in 1962, Glass Doctor is the largest chain of full-service glass replacement providers in the nation. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its "Franchise 500," Glass Doctor franchisees offer complete glass replacement, service and repairs to the automotive, residential and commercial markets at more than 400 locations in the United States and Canada. Glass Doctor is part of The Dwyer Group family of companies, which also includes Rainbow International, Mr. Rooter, Aire Serv, Mr. Electric and Mr. Appliance.


IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) is the world's global hotel company. Operates or franchises more than 3,700 hotels and 558,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries. Franchisor of INTER-CONTINENTAL HOTELS, CROWNE PLAZA HOTELS, HOLIDAY INN, HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND STAYBRIDGE SUITES HOTELS, CANDLEWOOD SUITES and HOTEL INDIGO.



World's largest quick-service restaurant with a chicken-dominant menu. KFC offers full-service restaurants and non-traditional express units for captive markets.



The RE/MAX real estate franchise network, now in its 33rd year of consecutive growth, is a global system of more than 5,455 offices worldwide, engaging more than 116,800 members. RE/MAX sales associates lead the industry in professional designations, experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, relocation and asset management. For more information visit www.remax.com.