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Increasingly franchisors of health clubs, fitness centers and sports fitness franchises are looking at new ways to develop and grow their business concepts and to help retain existing customers and attract new customers.

As a franchisee of any franchise industry, the franchisee must always be thinking of new ways to develop and market the business concept- products and/or services- to existing and new customers. This is what helps to grow the business and make it consistently successful.

So what’s the new development in the health club fitness franchise sector?

Existing and new customers of fitness and health club franchises can avail of a new fitness club industry trend- that is the introduction of specialized fitness classes for the entire family. For example, mum and dad can attend their fitness classes and gym routine, while their kids can work out to fitness classes specially designed for children.

Parents and children get the added benefit of being able to work out at the same time and to go home together at the same time, while enhancing their wellbeing and fitness.

Creating a fun and exciting atmosphere within the gym, sports and fitness sessions will keep kids motivated. Classes could include swimming, dancing, kick-boxing, Tae Kwon Do and much more to help keep kids interested and parents happy. Also, children’s admission to the gym and use of equipment should be strictly limited to certain times during the day and evening and at weekends, so as not to alienate other members of the gym who do not have children and like the way their “gym” operates as it is.

This new trend is currently been adapted by fitness club franchisors in certain areas of the US and sets to rise throughout 2008.

Watch this space!

As a franchisee of a franchise business whether it be fitness, retail, accountancy etc, you should always be on the look-out for new improvements to your business concept- products and/or services- and actively encourage new customers to enter/buy into your business.

Franchise Reporter

Franchising is a complex business and it is often difficult to know where to turn for reliable advice. Well, you can ask me to begin with! If there is any question you may have relating to the franchise industry- from understanding a particular franchise industry, to legal or financial terminology and much more- I will research the question for you and write back with a comprehensive answer to your query.

View the following franchisee question and reply…

Q. “Room for Negotiation?”
Is there any room for negotiation when it comes to the franchise asking price?

Josie Mellanby

A:
Hey Josie thanks for your question and it’s an interesting one too!

There is no reason why you should not feel free to raise the issue, but I believe you will find that franchisors generally tend to decline to bargain with regard to setting up costs, which will usually include the initial franchise fee.

Their argument is that if some franchisees were to pay less than others within the system, word would spread quickly throughout the franchise network and ill feeling would inevitably result.

However, sometimes there can be room for negotiation depending on individual circumstances and so on. For instance, if you were to consider becoming the first “pilot” franchisee of a newly-established network, you might find the franchisor willing to agree to a reduction in price. Alternatively, you may be able to negotiate deferred terms instead of being required to pay in full at the outset.

In regards to franchise re-sales, the opportunity to purchase an established business from an out-going franchisee is continuing to grow within the US. This means the supply of franchise re-sales is outweighing the demand to take over existing businesses, therefore if you were to buy an established business you could have room to haggle with the franchisor in question.

Whichever route you might consider taking in becoming a franchisee, do keep in mind that price should not be viewed in isolation. More important is the comprehensiveness of the franchise package/Agreement, which should provide for everything you need to operate the business efficiently.

Franchise Reporter

The Franchisee of the Year Award sponsored by The International Franchise Association is now inviting franchisor-IFA members to nominate outstanding franchisees of his/her franchise network and to post applicants by August 15th 2008….

This award will not only honor the franchisee for its oustanding contribution to the franchise network and the franchise industry it represents, but it also honors the franchisor and its franchise operation. It is a great way to publicly announce how well a franchise is doing and how real-life individuals are making a genuine success of their franchise investment…

Awards will be presented during the 9th Annual “Franchise Appreciation Day: IFA’s Public Affairs Conference” in September 2008.

For further information, please contact the IFA, or to download a franchisee award application form, please click on the link provided here: Franchise of the Year Award 2008 Forms…

If you are an existing franchisee and have made a significant contribution to your franchise network, be sure to let your franchisor know about this award and how it can benefit both you and your franchisor…

Franchise Reporter

Baskin-Robbins co-founder Irvine Robbins died from old age this week at the age of 90 leaving behind him a lasting legacy- 31 innovative ice-cream flavors and 500 ice-cream franchises that has changed the lives of so many Americans since the 1940s…

Irvine Robbins started his own ice-cream business in the early 1940s after he had served his time in the American army during World War II. He set up his ice-cream store “Snowboard Ice Cream” in Glendale in 1945. He was one of the first entrepreneurs to set up a store selling ice-cream and ice-cream only! His brother-in-law Burton Baskin who married Robbins sister Shirley, and would later become Robbins partner in business, set up his own ice-cream store “Burton’s Ice Cream” in Pasadena.

Following the advice of Robbins father, both men had decided not to go into business together from the beginning, but to operate as seperate ice-cream stores in the hope of evenetually going into partnership together. This partnership was created in 1948 under the new business name of “Baskin-Robbins”.

History was made…

Baskin-Robbins had 43 stores by the end of 1949; a 100 more stores by 1960 and 500 stores in total when the ice-cream store was sold to United Fruit Co. for an estimated $12 million dollars in 1967. Six months later, Baskin died from a sudden heart attack leaving his legacy behind to be continued by Robbins. Although Baskin-Robbins had sold their business in 1967, Robbins continued to work for the new company for a further 11 years, helping to create and develop 100’s of new flavors of ice-cream…

Most historic flavors:

(a) Baseball Nut- Created for the arrival of the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958;

(b) Lunar Cheesecake- Created after man had landed on the Moon in 1969;

(c) Beatle Nut- Created after the arrival of iconic band The Beatles during the 1960s.

Other flavors that didnt quite make it!

(a) Grape Britain;

(b) Ketchup

(c) Lox & Bagels

What remains to this day and forever more is Baskin-Robbins lasting legacy of innovative ice-cream flavors and ice-cream franchise stores and its ability to spread the enjoyment of ice-cream concept worldwide…

Deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the late Irvine Robbins…

Franchise Reporter

Last week I posted a blog on how going green is good for franchise businesses and guess what… it has just been proved for fact! Pizza Fusion announced in 2006 that it was going to take the world by storm “saving the earth, one pizza at a time!” with its implementation of eco-friendly business measures and in 2008 it is quickly on its way to becoming America’s “greenest business“.

Consumers love the winning combination of eco-friendly business measures and innovative organic and healthy fast food alternatives. This combination has ensured Pizza Fusion’s success but it also encouarges others to think about how they can help the environment. A truly winning formula!

Since launching as a franchise program Pizza Fusion has enjoyed enormous success selling 70 franchises nationwide in 10 states while meeting consumer demand for “greener business measures” and organic/healthy food alternatives to traditional pizzas, burgers and other fast food products.

So what measures have Pizza Fusion introduced that makes its pizza franchise more successful than any other?

1. Food…

Pizza Fusion’s signature dishes include oval-shaped gourmet pizzas, house-salads, tasty sandwiches and refreshing drinks made from natural ingredients. It’s menu also caters to consumers with specific dietary needs and this has helped the franchise brand become extremely successful…

2. Pizza Delivery…

Pizza Fusion delivers its pizzas in specially designed environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles. With gas prices rising all the time, the company’s hybrid vehicles is not only saving the planet from carbon omissions but is also saving the company money for gas supplies…

3. Interior…

The interior of every Pizza Fusion franchise echoes greener living! The furniture is made from reclaimed wood, the ceiling is made from recycled aluminum cans, insulation from recycled blue jeans and the restrooms are designed using bamboo!

All aspects of this franchise business reinforce its commitment to eco-friendly business measures and customers love this concept. This winning combination is ensuring Pizza Fusion continues to rise in the fast food pizza industry!

If you would like to know more about Pizza Fusion and its franchise opportunity, click on the profile link provided…

Franchise Reporter