There are many big personalities in franchising, but none perhaps as large as Shaquille O’Neal.
The former Orlando Magic and LA Lakers just wrapped up one of the most decorated careers in NBA history last summer, but he is not resting on his laurels. You’ll see him on the TNT pre-game and post-game coverage of NBA games, of course, but Shaq has put a lot of his energy into developing his franchise brands. Not only does he already own 24-Hour Fitness and Five Guys Burger and Fries franchises, but he’s taken a big stake in Soupman.
Asked about why he was interested in the franchise by Franchise Times, Shaq spoke pretty directly “I tasted it one day,” he said. “It’s a good product with a great team. My favorite is the lobster bisque…it has lobster chunks.”
Shaq joins the likes of Reggie Jackson, Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld) and Lloyd Sugarman of Johnny Rockets to play role with the soup franchise. Soup has a relatively small share of the food franchise market but with the muscle of Shaq behind it, perhaps The Original Soupman might turn soup franchises into the next sandwich franchises.
“Shaq brings the fact that he likes the soups enough to bring his fame to the endorsement,” Sugarman told the magazine. “He could endorse anything,” so endorsing The Original Soupman is a big plus for the brand, he adds.
President Obama addressed the nation this week with his State of the Union address. Since this is an election year, it was a closely watched affair with the President’s words parsed over and over again. One of the most-discussed aspects of the speech was the President’s claims to reform the tax system. Some proper changes to America’s tax regime could really make a difference for the small-business world.
President Obama made the following eye-opening comments on tax the other evening: “You can call this class warfare all you want, but asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.” Obama preceded these statements with calls for millionaires to pay as much as 30% tax a year.
Now, serious reform to the tax system is required. We were interested to learn that the IFA had sent a letter to the President’s office nearly as soon as the speech was finished.
“Franchise businesses could grow significantly faster if the President and Congress offered solutions for long-term certainty on tax reform that do not raise taxes on small business, create additional credit access and a less burdensome regulatory climate that enables, rather than stifles, job creation.”
Will the President take the steps prescribed here between now and November? We can’t say but we’re pretty sure they’d ensure him four more years.
The calendar’s turned over again and wouldn’t you know it, 2012 is here. The Franchise Direct team would like to wish you a very Happy New Year’s and remind to stick with Franchise Direct in the coming year. You’ll find the best franchise opportunities, exciting multimedia reports and host of other features that bring you closer than ever to the world of franchising.
We’d like to take a minute to wish our readers a Merry Christmas. We hope you have a healthy and hearty Christmas. Keep in touch with Franchise Direct in 2012 for the best franchise opportunities in America and beyond.
Back in the autumn, Franchise Direct published its child education franchise report. It was a pretty in-depth examination of the sector and revealed how much the industry has grown in recent years.
Franchise Direct’s report predicts the future growth of the industry in coming years. We’re seeing direct evidence of that at the moment, as leading child education franchise Kumon has revealed it will be opening a number of new franchises in the coming months. According to a press release, “opportunities for potential franchisees to open Kumon Centers have doubled in prime Midwest and Southern locations as a result of more parents seeking academic support.”
Kumon is now seeking franchisees in Chicago, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.
“We are recruiting candidates with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and desire to help children develop a love of learning,” said Mino Tanabe, general manager of the central region for Kumon North America. “Supplemental education has proven to be an industry not shaken by the economy. It remains a top priority for parents who want to secure a successful future for their children.”
If you’re ready to open a Kumon franchise, you’re only a click away.
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