Franchise Information, advice and news.

The internet, social networking sites, VoIP phone calls and BlackBerrys are taking over the modern world, with technology usurping almost everything else as the motivating factor in business and enterprise.

But for all the eBays, Amazons and online website offering "cheaper than retail" prices, flashing gimmicks and the ultimate ease of use, there is an essential flaw in their plan to dominate global shopping - you can't fit a handbag down a phone line.

And this is where savvy investors can get hold of a good portion of the internet sector's profits without setting foot near a laptop. Delivery and mailing is still a necessity for most internet sites as well as high street shops and catalogue sales. Once a shopper has handed over his or her credit card details on the company's website, tip-toeing around the various malicious programs and hackers attempting to relieve them of their bank details, they then want the tangible item in their hands.

Delivery companies have not been slow to clock on to this surge in business and as online shopping increases, so do shipping, delivery and mailing company profits.

So whether you are looking to get into delivery via a fleet of vans and lorries or distribution by running a mail box or sorting centre, there is a huge scope for the savvy investor.

Getting involved in postal franchises, including mail and package delivery services to businesses and individuals, can also be one of the most high-energy and fast paced business to run. While many people have the desire to start up their own business but lack experience, this sector, and franchising in general, provides a huge amount of support and training for entrepreneurs looking to begin with a strong base for their business.

Mail and postal franchises can also be set up independently or as part of an already established business, meaning a warehouse or home improvement centre or company could utilise a mail franchising section to increase their profitability.

There are several options for those looking to start in the postal franchising sector, but getting the facts and figures before determining any concrete decisions is vital. The potential franchisee could also tailor their choice of postal franchise to suit themselves; outgoing businesspeople who prefer getting hands on could target the delivery aspect of the sector, focusing more on companies such as DHL and other package specialists, while those with a more organisational management style could consider the postal mailbox and distribution areas of the industry.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2007
http://www.franchisedirect.com

Far from being only the preserve of hippies, students, people in black-outs and Wee Willie Winkie, candles have surged in popularity over recent years and are now an essential part of fashionable interior designs for people's homes.

Originally, the wax sticks were used as the primary source of light until the mid 19th century when lamps and electricity began to take over, although they have also been used for centuries to give off colour and aromas as well as forms of decoration.

Candleholders, candlesticks and original chandeliers are all an essential part of many historical and retro-designed buildings and homes, and provide a huge amount of scope for manufacturers, artists, interior designers and retailers.

The boom in the candle industry has been largely down to the continuing trend for interior design and home improvement, with many homeowners seeing the humble candle as the ideal icing on the proverbial cake to add that finishing touch to a well-presented room.

And with the candle industry in the US growing over 650 per cent since the early 90s, growing from a $300 million market to one exceeding $2.5 billion in retail sales in 2002, according to one franchiser, there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this continuing trend.

Candleman, one of the most successful candle franchises in the world, puts much of its success down to the increase in global demand, as well as a tried and tested franchising model.

It said: "Initially beginning with one store in our local market, we quickly saw the industry potential and began expanding to include franchised stores in some of the finest shopping malls across the United States and Canada.

"Throughout our history, our two-part goal has remained the same - to assist individual business people to build a successful business of their own while gathering the broadest assortment of the most unique candles and candle accessories available."

This is, of course, good news for anybody looking to get involved in one of the easiest retail sectors available. While few business people and entrepreneurs will be keen to get involved solely in the candle industry at first, those with aspirations of success in retail, home furnishings, interior design and home arts and crafts could find the appeal more attractive.

With an initial investment ranging anything from $50,000 to $200,000, there is need for financial planning and research before diving into the industry, although with the help of several experienced franchisers, there could be a profitable business venture available for those prepared to burn the candle at both ends and put in the hard work.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2007
http://www.franchisedirect.com

There are few smells that make people stop short in their tracks, inhale as much fragrant air through their nostrils as possible and exhale with a loud and satisfied noise, but freshly baked bread must be one of them.

Alongside cut grass and your mother's cooking, the smell of a good bakery wafting through the air is enough to send the average shopper wild and make them part with their money. This is one reason crafty supermarket chains allegedly pump through the smell of baking bread to their stores so shoppers will feel hungry and fill up their trolleys.

But for the traditional baker, there is little better advertising than the aroma creeping out of a busy shop and enticing consumers in.

But it is not only the smell that brings people back into the world of bread. The freshly baked loaf is often the staple of many people's daily shops, adding a healthy slice to the otherwise chemically-rich pre-packaged loaves normally found in your average grocery store. And bakers not only provide bread, but a range of rolls, cakes, baps, paninis, buns, stickies, pastries, doughnuts and sandwiches.

Bakeries are an age old tradition, conjuring up the image of small, family-run affairs with a jolly fat man in a white hat getting warm bread out of a huge oven. However, modern bakers are quite different from this ideal, even those in smaller bakeries often diversifying to meet the demands of their market.

Several franchising opportunities are available to those considering the industry, with huge variations across the sector. Bakers, bread makers, artisan breads, organic bread makers and cake stands are just some of the areas available, although many established bakeries with franchising opportunities will cover several options.

One franchise in the US, House of Bread, offers the benefits of a proven system for producing a variety of baked goods in a franchising model, with support from the company including technical assistance in store layout, bakery location selection, equipment and supplies lists and procurement sources, employee training and various other support functions.

But potential franchisees should also be aware that they will need to invest a fair amount for the initial start-up fee and have at least a vested interest in bakery. The role of managing a bakery is particularly suited to those with previous catering or cookery experience, although with persistence and a business mentality, the hard-working entrepreneur would be able to capitalise on those gorgeous smells and make a success of the franchise.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2007
http://www.franchisedirect.com

Anybody watching the recent London Marathon will have noticed the plethora of water refuelling stations and people scoffing energy bars as they sprinted, jogged or plodded their way around 26 miles of the fair capital.

And while human bodies certainly need a lot of refuelling, our four-wheeled friends are no different, meaning a strategically placed gas station could prove just as popular with motorists keen to be on their way as a sweating, thirsty marathon runner coming across a water pit-stop.

Location is everything when it comes to gas stations, but the industry learned long ago that a simple gas pump in the middle of the Arizona desert would be a lifeline to some, but hardly a money-spinning idea. This is why gas stations, whether located on a picturesque strip of Route 66 or around the corner from a housing estate, offer much more than simple petroleum in order to make the most of the customers that stumble through the door.

To most Americans, their car is like another member of the family. It helps them get from home to work and back, to go on vacation and to escape from the outside world when travelling around the city - and many treat their vehicles with respect. This means that gas stations are used as second homes, giving the car a drink and heading into the convenience store at the gas station to stock up on groceries themselves, grabbing a paper, having a chat to their neighbours and driving home in comfort.

And this method can be a highly efficient business model. Entrepreneurs looking for an easy to run, in demand and lucrative business would do well to find one as ready-packaged as a gas station. Franchising is the preferred method of running a station, although it is possible to organise it independently.

But potential franchisees need to be aware of the rigours of running a station, with long hours, repetitive regimes and huge start up fees all major considerations. Major gas station fees can hit around $1.5 million, although it is possible to obtain a small station with a c-store for as little as $50,000.

Nevertheless, while owning a franchise comes with the benefits of training, marketing and the corporate image of the franchiser, potential franchisees should weigh up their options before committing to a long term deal over a gas station business. Financial research as well as a high level of investigation into the industry and a day in the life of a gas station owner is highly recommended.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2007
http://www.franchisedirect.com/

Gardening is a favourite pastime for millions of people across the UK, with the English country garden a staple of the traditional image of the nation.

Television programmes such as Ground Force and Grand Designs have given homebuyers and homeowners the added inspiration needed to help them transform their outside spaces into enjoyable areas, with decking, water features and mountains of exotic plants all hugely popular over recent years.

But while pottering around in the sunshine attending weeds and planting bulbs is ideal escapism for many, for most it can be very hard to find the time to keep their garden tidy, let alone sculpt it into a beautiful haven for flora and fauna. But if ordinary home owners struggle to keep their lawns short and their trees trimmed, commercial organisations and land owners find it extremely difficult.

Commercial landscaping and landscape management covers a great deal more than simply cutting the grass, with professional landscapers planning and creating an area which provides an aesthetic and functional purpose. Everything from plant material selection to irrigation systems is expertly assessed and worked out, using computer-aided design to help create a professional design for an organisation's open spaces.

And the market is a busy one. Image is everything in today's corporate world, and having beautifully landscaped gardens outside an office is the equivalent of carefully manicured nails for a salesman. Many professional landscapers have been successful in a certain area of the country, with franchising proving a popular method of expanding the business.

Scenic Blue, one of the UK's only landscaping franchises, is an example of just how successful the method can be.

The company scooped four gongs at the 2005 BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) Awards, after competing against several big names in the industry. Speaking to the Which Franchise website, Tony Mundella, franchise director, said: "These successes validate the power of franchising.

"The extensive business resources which are made available to our franchisees have not only enabled them to establish a thriving business in a relatively short space of time, they have also played a significant role in allowing entrepreneurial individuals to flourish and demonstrate a level of competency which would have been impossible to achieve as an independent trader."

And potential franchisees have a great deal of scope to play with when considering entering the market, although there are certain attributes and skills needed to succeed in the industry. As well as a solid financial base, potential franchisees need to be prepared to quite literally get their hands dirty, have a passion for gardening and have either the ability or knowledge to create and design commercial gardens, or employ someone who does.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2007

http://www.franchisedirect.com

We are frequently getting told that the dreaded global warming is taking control and the world is becoming a hotter place, meaning longer summers and warmer days, yet also the threat of impending doom from rising sea levels.

However, while most of us wait for Armageddon and enjoy the sunshine outdoors, playing sports in the open air, there is still the fact that the weather may turn at the most unexpected times and games of all kinds can be ruined by snow, wind and rain, with players left in tears and championships lost.

As such, indoor facilities are a must for sports enthusiasts, allowing a plethora of games and activities to take place in the relative warmth and comfort of an indoor arena, regardless of the outside conditions and temperatures.

From netball and soccer to athletics and tennis, indoor centres are fast becoming an essential part of the sports enthusiast's life, capitalising on the adaptable nature of the sports centre and, often, its location. The centres are now regularly springing up in inner city and suburban areas where green space is restricted, allowing sports which would otherwise need huge areas of space, such as cricket, to take on a new form in an indoor variation.

One US developer, Doug Miller, has seen his indoor sports complex chain take off in the New York area, where adult and youth leagues for several sports are able to take place in all weathers under the huge domes.

One expert told the Business Review that "kids don't play in backyards anymore" with more organised activities meaning recreation now comes through sports practice sessions and fitness regimes. Indoor centres allow young players to take sports more seriously, said the expert, with those wanting to stay in shape and develop their skills throughout the course of an entire year able to do so with modern facilities close at hand.

However, setting up an indoor sports centre for the novice businessperson is a tricky prospect. The enterprise requires a great deal of capital and funding, although an initial investment with a franchise is often the easiest route.

Franchising can alleviate many costs and essential skills, such as training, marketing, professional support and can provide an established corporate image, although initial investments are also not cheap.

Running an indoor sports centre also requires any potential franchisee to have a vested interest in the sports world, but also a great deal of business savvy, interpersonal skills and the ability to run a large business with several members of staff.

Copyright Adfero Ltd 2007
http://www.franchisedirect.com