Multi-Unit Franchising The Economy Articles

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Getting The Numbers Right: Dallas Multi-Unit Operator Builds Growth through Strong Unit Economics

AUG. 10, 2010 02:00:00 PM | BY KERRY PIPES

Cary Albert is sold on the value in unit economics. The Dallas, Texas-area multi-unit franchisee operates Schlotzsky's and Cinnabon locations and says there's no question his operation benefits from keeping an eye on unit performance numbers.

Living on the Edge: Evaluating the ROI on Customer-Focused Technology

JUN. 14, 2010 08:00:00 AM | BY DARRELL JOHNSON

The other night I told one of my daughters, who is in college, that I was going to the IFA convention and would be gone about a week. She asked me why even have conferences, and why business people travel anymore, because with all the technology out there people can communicate almost like it was in person (we Skyped with her for the last five months when she was in Argentina).

Unit Economics Rules!: How to Make Lenders Love You in 2010

MAR. 15, 2010 08:00:00 AM | BY EDDY GOLDBERG

The way to a man's heart may be through his stomach, but the way to a banker's heart is through strong unit economics.

Capital Access

MAR. 11, 2010 06:00:00 AM | MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE

Dustin Winkle was a victim of the dot-com crash a few years back. While pondering his next career move, he visited with family members who operated some dry cleaning stores. He liked what he heard and purchased his first Martinizing Dry Cleaners stores six hours away in Yakima, Wash. It was a long commute from his home in Boise, Idaho, but he loved the business. Three years later his family was ready to sell its dry cleaning stores and Winkle was more than happy to buy some units closer to home. Today he operates 10 Martinizing Dry Cleaning stores (and one non-Martinizing unit) in the Boise area.

Measure for Measure: Unit Economics Plays a Leading Role on Today's Economic Stage

MAR. 08, 2010 08:00:00 AM | BY KERRY PIPES

The most fundamental business strategy calls for black numbers on the bottom line. In simplest terms, it's proof the business is generating more cash than it is spending. All too often, though, entrepreneurs get involved in businesses without employing a proper system to help them keep a watchful eye on what they're earning and what they're spending. Managing day-to-day operations can be so time-consuming that it leaves little room for financial analysis. Or perhaps key individuals lack a basic understanding of how to read and interpret financial statements. Combine these factors with the down economy, and you'll likely wind up with a troubled business.

Capital Access

FEB. 10, 2010 11:00:00 AM | MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE

Gaining access to and securing capital is more important for franchisees today than ever. Every week we talk with multi-unit franchisees about how they are growing and the kind of financing it takes for them to achieve their goals and objectives. It's an important topic and sometimes we get some very candid responses.

Deal or No Deal?: Due Diligence Key to Buying Bankrupt Franchises

JAN. 12, 2010 12:00:00 PM | BY BARRY KURTZ AND NEVIN SANLI

Last issue we began the discussion of how buying assets out of bankruptcy court is time-consuming but usually easy - when done properly. But if you try to pick and choose, it can become more difficult. It's hard to determine a fair value for such assets. If you're not careful you could find yourself back in court fighting angry creditors who think you've cheated them.

History Teaches, But Do We Learn?

FEB. 04, 2009 12:00:00 PM | BY CAROL CLARK

I will never forget as we clustered around a single Quotron watching as market prices plunged more than 23 percent on that fateful day back in 1987. I was a rookie analyst in a trust department and distinctly remember the shock and horror that everyone, from newly minted analysts to gray-haired veterans, felt as we watched the seemingly impossible happen right before our eyes. Honestly, having survived one "500-year flood" event, I never imagined I'd still be in the business when another came along.

Economic Stimulators: Sheer Will And Smarts Help These Multi-Unit Franchisees Move Ahead In Challenging Times

FEB. 04, 2009 10:00:00 AM | BY KERRY PIPES

It was like a gut punch for Charlie Marshall. In less than a year's time, the Spring-Green Lawn Care multi-unit franchisee went from paying $12 per bag for lawn fertilizer to more than $25 per bag. "That will make you look for ways to streamline and cut costs," says Marshall. To add insult to injury, gasoline prices were skyrocketing, making it even more expensive to fire up his seven trucks and dispatch crews to care for his customers' lawns each day.

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