What the Media is Saying About Franchising

China 's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual investors face a wealth of business opportunities as increasing numbers of international franchisers make inroads into the nation. International Franchise Association President Sidney J. Feltenstein said: " China is one of the leaders in terms of franchise business growth...many international franchisers have put China at the top of their list. China 's franchise industry is on the verge of enjoying explosive development," declared Feltenstein.

The New York Times
A Growing After-50 Trend: Becoming a Franchisee

"It does give an investor who has a reasonable amount of capital to put to work, the opportunity to invest in a business but not be required to be the master of that business and know every aspect of it because of the support and training provided by the franchise system," said Matthew Shay, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the International Franchise Association, an industry trade group in Washington. "It's a lower barrier of entry."

The Orange County Register
Veterans get a break on home front

.The International Franchise Association resurrected the program, called VetFran. "It's mostly a way for franchising to give back to people who are risking their lives for this country," says Dwyer's daughter Dina Dwyer-Owens, chairwoman of IFA's VetFran task force.

LifeTimes
A franchise just might be for you

"If you do your homework and start up a franchise business, your chances of success are much higher than if you go into business cold," says Don DeBolt, president of the franchise group.

There are 760,000 franchise units owned in the United States . An economic impact study done by the association shows that the nation's gross income from franchise businesses is $1.53 trillion (larger than the gross domestic product of China ).

Crain's Chicago Business
Franchising can drive fast growth

There are 760,000 franchised businesses worldwide, employing nearly 9.8 million people and generating $1.5 trillion in annual economic output, according to a study commissioned by the association in March. Illinois ranks fourth in the nation, with franchised businesses accounting for $79 billion in annual economic output and creating 854,000 jobs, the study showed.

The Orange County Register
U.S. Franchises create$1.5 trillion

Franchised businesses account for $1.53 trillion, 9.5 percent of the private-sector economic output in the United States , according to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation.

New England Real Estate Journal
With its multiple opportunities franchising has a powerful influence on the U.S. economy

There are many resources to investigate business in the franchise industry. The best place to start is the IFA (International Franchise Association) website: www.ifa.org. This site has a wide array of information pertaining to franchising from news and events to discussion forums to education and government regulations and even a bookstore that lists a multitude of books related to all aspects of franchising and more.

Detroit News
Judgment favors Ziebart dealers

Major disagreements between franchisers and their licensed offshoots are uncommon said Matthew Shay, executive vice president of the International Franchise Association in Washington , D.C.

"It's a highly interdependent relationship," Shay said. "Neither can be successful unless the other is successful. The key ingredient of a healthy franchise relationship is a well-established level of communication, in which both parties recognize and understand they need to work together in a cooperative way to make the venture a success for both parties."

Business Journal Phoenix
Valley franchising hot as economy sparks demand

Don DeBolt, president of the Washington, D.C.-based International Franchise Association, said current trends indicate that food services, home repair businesses and elder care franchises are becoming more popular.

The Orange County Register
Insurance tops list of worries

The newest edition of "Franchise Opportunities Guide," from the International Franchise Association, lists more than 900 franchises.

Inc.
Your personal consultant answers questions about the franchise business

[John Barry, President and CEO, Expense Reduction Analysts] Mr. Barry, who has been active in the franchise community for 15 years, is a staunch supporter of the International Franchise Association's VetFran program, which provides financial incentives to veterans.

Business Journal Phoenix , Rick Robinson Editorial
Franchising is an industry with biggie-sized impact

The International Franchise Association has done a wonderful job representing franchising and small businesses in general. It has a very strong political action group that has fought diligently to ensure that lawmakers don't strangle the goose that lays the golden eggs.

The Herald - News ( Joliet , Ill. )
International Franchise Association

It was 1960, said association spokesman Terry Hill, when a group of people in franchising decided to get together and improve the reputation and standards for what was still a misunderstood form of business.

"The organization was created to provide prospective investors and people interested in franchising with information about how to buy a franchise in the right way and to educate government about franchising," Hill said.

Los Angeles Business Journal
Rights to Region's Ben & Jerry's Offered as Holder Cools on Idea

"In general, there has been a tremendous uptick in enthusiasm for all of the franchise concepts in this sector, and of course Ben and Jerry's has always had very high name visibility," said Don DeBolt, president of the International Franchise Association in Washington, D.C. "The market is going to determine the price on this, and I think the market in California for an ice cream concept is going to be much stronger."

Restaurant News of the Rockies
Chris Cannon: IFA legislator of the year

"On important IFA priorities such as litigation reform and immigration policy, Congressman Cannon has fought hard for what he believes is right at great political risk," said IFA President Don DeBolt.

Restaurants & Institutions
Inside Job

Don DeBolt, president of the Washington, D.C.-based International Franchise Association, says the cooperative makes sense given the increasing involvement of franchisees in restaurant chain operations. He believes the success of franchisee-owned cooperatives in other industries bodes well for the 65-unit chain. "I would say the odds are in their favor," he says.

Laredo ( Texas ) Morning Times, September
Coffee Talk: Franchise guide may help those who want self-employment

Recent college graduates, new retirees and those seeking to transition from the corporate world will find a variety of new career choices in the International Franchise association's fall-winter edition of the Franchise Opportunities Guide.

Rocky Mountain News ( Denver )
Something for Spo t

There were other doggie day-care centers, including a Camp Bow Wow in San Jose , Calif. , which is not affiliated with (Camp Bow Wow Pres. Heidi) Flammang's company. "But no one was franchising, so I saw a huge opportunity."

She got involved with the International Franchise Association. She hired lawyers, a bigger expense than employee salaries, she said. In May 2003, the first Camp Bow Wow franchise opened.

Daily Camera ( Boulder , Colo. )
Welcome to McPuppy: Booming pet industry spawns franchise businesses

Laura Fenwick, a spokeswoman for the International Franchise Association, believes the combination of increasing disposable income and the decreasing national birthrate lends to an atmosphere in which more attention is focused on seeing pets as part of the family.

"The reason for growth in pet-related franchises has to do with the fact that entrepreneurs who are starting businesses are aware that people love their pets and are meeting consumers needs," Fenwick said.

Total Food Service
Off The Grill Announces Tri-State Franchise Pact With Pair Of Connecticut Units

Demographic research is essential in a chain restaurant's success, said Terry Hill, spokesman for the International Franchise Association in Washington , D.C.

"They don't randomly select a place to start up. Connecticut is an expensive market, but I'm sure they've done some good research," Hill said.

Duncanville ( Texas )Today
Studies show children need art to develop

Don DeBolt, president of the International Franchise Association, described KidzArt as one of its top three "new and unique" franchises, and also noted KidzArt's emphasis on "creating confidence through drawing" for kids.

Franchising brings biz opportunities