Today’s blog post is especially geared towards readers in urban areas. The time is running to enroll in the SBA’s e200 program for 2010.
If you’re a small business owner or a franchisor launching an expanding concept out of an inner-city area, the SBA has bold initiative for you. Its [...]
Small business success is a challenging endeavor, but you are not alone.
For every entrepreneur out there, there are hundreds of small business counselors out there in most big population areas offering advice and insight how to get your business of the ground.
Everyone here at Franchise Direct would like to this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. We’ve had a lot to be thankful this year and we hope you have as well.
Enjoy the turkey and don’t eat too much it! Check in next week [...]
We’re firm believers that you can’t get enough good advice when you’re making the decision to buy a franchise. Many people have different perspectives on the best way to do it, and we’re happy to pass on the soundest wisdom so that you can take it all on board before [...]
While the reported calls for a small-business recovery plan were finally heeded last month by the Obama administration, in the aftermath, some financial analysts are asking this interesting question: who needs the federal government’s money anyway?
While the government stalled and stalled in getting relief to small businesses – they [...]
I think we’re probably all guilty of beating the ‘recession’ drum to death in the last year or so, but it is still staggering to witness the social changes that are occurring since people were forced to tighten their belts. Even where Thanksgiving is concerned.
Turkey Day takes place this [...]
Following on from a breakdown on the financial benefits of the Canadian market yesterday, we have happened upon more evidence that states that more American franchises are looking to Canada.
“A trend appears to be emerging among U.S.-based franchisors to target the Canadian market first for international expansion. A slow-to-recover [...]
Back in late May, Franchise Direct launched its sixth international franchise portal, Franchise Direct Canada. A few months in and we’re delighted to be playing a role in matching Canadian entrepreneurs with top business opportunities.
There is no questioning the value of the Canadian franchise market. As we found through [...]
“As McDonald’s goes, so to does franchising.” This might be an extreme overstatement, but nonetheless, the Golden Arches has had such a defining role in the evolution of franchising that many entrepreneurs and analysts will use it as a bellwether for how the industry is faring as a whole.
Those [...]
How does a local hamburger restaurant become the most popular restaurant on earth? Franchising, of course. But there is one subtle, yet critically important step in the process of franchising that can decide whether a franchise explodes into the popular consciousness or is simply left behind: the drafting of your [...]
It’s been a good month or two for Matt Shay.
Many IFA presidents have influenced the national debate on small business, but Mr Shay came through in a big way for small business owners and those in the franchise industry last month when President Obama announced the details of his small business [...]
Today is Veterans Day. It is impossible to properly state in a blog post how much we value the sacrifice that American military personnel make on behalf of ordinary citizens. We’d like to simply say thanks and wish you safety and health in all you do.
For those military veterans [...]
Discussion of buying home-based businesses seems to reaching something like what Malcolm Gladwell might call a ‘tipping point’.
Ever since Franchise Direct published its study on the home-based business sector, there has been a small explosion of stories about opportunities available with a home-based businesses. Of course, it’s most likely [...]
When you are a franchisee, you are not at the bottom of the corporate food chain. Far from it. You are the eyes and ears of your business, responsible for instituting the innovations that will drive the franchise forward.
This is not just corporate cheerleading. These are established lessons. Consider the [...]
We’d like to take a moment to congratulate the IFA which turns 50 years old this year.
Those people who started the International Franchise Association a half a century ago would hardly recognize today’s business landscape, but still their organization continues to provide advocacy and guidance to franchised businesses around [...]
It is easier than ever to develop your franchise into a top global business, thanks to Franchise Direct. The Atlanta-based, world-leading franchise portal recently compiled its rankings of the Top 100 Global Franchises. After a number of insightful follow-up interviews with ranked franchisors, Franchise Direct can now shed some light [...]
So, about 10 days later, exactly what effect has President Obama’s statements on the small business sector had on stabilizing confidence among entrepreneurs?
The answer seems to be mixed. If you’ve been following developments over on the You’re The Boss blog run by the New York Times, you’ll know [...]
