MARKETCORP and Francorp invite Franchisors to sell more Franchises through the “Own Your Own Business” Seminars, beginning in Atlanta, GA

MARKETCORP and Francorp invite Franchisors to sell more Franchises through the “Own Your Own Business” Seminars, beginning in Atlanta, GA

MarketCorp International, Inc. is teaming up with Francorp, the world’s largest Franchise Development Company, to assist Franchise companies in selling more franchise locations in the marketplace. Franchisors can now become part of the “Own Your Own” Business Seminar Program, making themselves available for increased sales to potential buyers, who want to own their own business.

The first seminar will be held in Atlanta, GA and is Free to the public, with no cost to the attendees.The “Own Your Own” Business Seminar is a (2) hour, 100 slide presentation, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the three major ways of owning a business:
1. Starting a business from scratch, 2.Buying an existing business, 3. Buying a franchise. All critical components of running a business are covered, such as advertising, taxes, licenses, employees, state & local laws, financing, sales, accounting, vendors, market trends, business statistics and much more.

This is the most powerful teaching tool in the industry. The event is held in a very prominent, professional hotel meeting room and heavily advertised in local newspapers, internet, direct email and by word of mouth.If you are a participating franchisor in the seminar, your company will be highlighted and discussed in detail, at the end of the slide presentation, with your accompanying marketing material handouts. MarketCorp will then set up personal interviews with each attendee, to discuss their franchise interests, usually held that evening and the next day. The ultimate goal of the seminar, is to match qualified buyers with franchisors, in a meeting to be held at the franchisors corporate office. Ultimately, MarketCorp will assist in closing the sale and getting a Franchise Agreement signed and a check for Franchise Fees. In addition, all participating franchisors will receive a list of the contact information for all attendees.We are limiting the number of franchisor companies to be represented in the seminar, to a total of (8). Our goal is to have (8) non-competing franchisors, in different offerings. Our long range goal is to take this seminar to several major cities throughout the U.S. in 2009.

It is our belief, that in this economy, now more than ever before, there are more people available who want and need to own their own business. The jobs they once had, are no longer available. Small business franchises are the answer and face-to-face presentations through education, will produce favorable results.

If you are interested in being a participating franchisor, please contact Kent Boxberger, President & CEO of MarketCorp International, Inc. on his direct line at: 678.462.8646 and visit their website at: http://www.marketcorp.net/

Time is of the essence, as we’re planning the first seminar in Atlanta, GA in late February 2009.

###

Francorp Goes Green - Step by Step

Employees taking public transportation, carpooling, working at home and staff members operating fuel efficient cars are just some of the things that the Francorp team is doing to be GREEN. Additionally, in our recently renovated office, we installed high efficiency lights, purchased bamboo furniture due to its renewable nature, and used paint free of VOC's.

Interestingly, our greatest impact on the GREEN movement in the world is in the work that we do. We have been helping many companies that are leaders in this organic / green movement with expansion via franchising. This is one small way that we can make a big impact. Through the initiatives of our environmentally responsible clients Francorp is helping them expand via a franchise model of distribution.

Franchising GREEN businessess during this current economic climate is a way to take advantage of the downturn in the economy and do something for mother earth at the same time. This not only has a large impact on the environment, but also allows people that are interested in getting into a business an opportunity to give back while they build a business for themselves and their family.

One of the clients which we are currently working with is Fisher Recycling. Founded by Chris Fisher out of his love for the great outdoors and his interest in preserving what was left, Fisher Recycling is a new age franchsie that will be offering green franchises soon. See http://www.fisherrecycling.com/ for more information.

Francorp has also been working with SynLawn, a company that has created a new way for people and businesses to enjoy green lawns without taxing the water system. Their website is http://www.synlawn.com/. They are the same company that has installed the high end artificial turf in the professional athletic facilities.

In addition, Francorp is working with a number of Solar companies on a franchise distribution strategy. One day, this may help lead us to energy independence.

Franchise Brokers

People often ask me about franchise brokers. On the surface, the idea of a franchise broker seems simple enough. Brokers put buyers and sellers together so whether a buyer or a seller, brokers would seem to be a very important component in the equation.

The fact is, brokers get paid to put buyers and sellers together. After all, they need to get paid too. Thus, by the pure nature of that relationship, they typically have a biased opinion. Odds are, they are representing a party that pays them upon procurement of a sale.

So, let us look at this from both perspectives, the franchisor and prospective franchisee.

For you franchisors or perspective franchisors - Brokers fill a void as a nice additional franchise sales outlet, but do not make the mistake in thinking that brokers are going to be your only source of sales for your franchise company. We have found that companies that sell their own franchises have the greatest success in the long run. The reason for this is that a company selling their own franchises has to live with them for the term of the contract. This causes in house sales teams to have more stringent criteria placed on them.

Thus, my advice is to first deploy an in-house sales initiative. In order to be successful with an in-house sales force, they will need to deploy a marketing program in order to generate leads for those sales people to follow up with. This strategy needs to address the following marketing opportunities:

1. Internet
2. Trade Shows
3. PR / Publicity
4. Print
5. Direct mail

Francorp believes that this multi-pronged approach is the best way to address franchise sales and marketing.

As a secondary plan, brokers can add additional prospects to the equation. Though, be weary of deploying a marketing program and sending all of your leads to outside brokers. I would not recommend that strategy. Your leads are then likely to be distributed among that brokers other franchisor clients in the event that they have a qualified franchisee prospect that is not interested in your particular business off hand. My advice would be to only use brokers that generate their own leads. In addition, be careful not to enter into an exclusive broker arrangement.

For those of you that are prospective franchisees, be weary of brokers steering you to a particular business in which they are obtaining a commission. Not all franchise companies pay commissions. What happens if you work with a broker and they do not show you a particular franchise that you are interested in learning more about? GO DIRECTLY TO THAT COMPANY.

There are many brokers that are great people and and help people find their dream business. Though, brokers are not for everyone. I am not aware of any large national brokerage networks that are paid directly by the buyer. All of the brokers that I have met are paid by the actual franchise companies upon the sale of a franchise. In a perfect world, you perspective buyers should work with a broker for a fee that you pay so that your interests are being represented, not those of a hand full of franchisors.

Now you sellers and prospective buyers are in a better informed position to be able to find the right opportunities that are out there for you all. You heard it here from Francorp, the franchising leader.