Jessica Wright
Work Plan
Professor Oldham
October 30, 2011
Work Plan
Statement of Purpose/Problem
To provide information to potential investors about five franchise options.
Purpose and Scope of the Work
The purpose of this report is to examine five franchise opportunities available to an investor
group. Primary research will focus on the nature of each business, the start-up costs, the support
offered by the franchiser, and my qualifications to run each franchise option.
1.) Merry Maids
a. Merry Maids is a leader in the residential cleaning industry. They currently have
over 900 cleaning franchises throughout the United States and Canada. Merry
Maids is a franchise that is well known in its industry and is well established with
more than 30 years of franchising experience.
b. Merry Maids is considered a low start up cost franchise. The franchising fee
ranges from $21,000 to $29,000 with financial assistance available for up to 80%
of the franchising fee. Any prospective franchise owner needs to have a minimum
net worth of $33,500 to $50,500 as well as a cash liquidity of $29,700-$44,300.
The geographical area you wish to open your franchise in is what determines the
price bracket you are in.
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c. Like with any Franchise, Merry Maids wants to see its franchisees succeed so
they will be there to assist with questions at every step. Merry Maids provides an
8 day training session at their headquarters, as well as some on-site training to
prepare its new franchise owners before they open their establishment. Following
the opening of a Merry Maids establishment additional training is available
regionally usually by an already established franchise owner. Merry Maids
furthers their support with newsletters, training manuals, videos, and toll-free
phone lines. Furthermore, Merry Maids have national advertising which
franchisees participate in to further brand awareness and reach potential clients.
d. As the previous owner and operator of a successful carpet cleaning business I am
ready to expand to new endeavors and feel this would be a great opportunity. I
worked as a manager at a busy Super 8 Motel for 4 years before starting my own
carpet cleaning company. After 6 years of running my business I decided to sell
and look for new opportunities. My management and business experience provide
me with a vast pool of knowledge to open and operate a Merry Maids franchise.
2.) Panera Bread Co.
a. Panera Bread Co. is a well-established franchise with 1310 units in operation and
over 20 years of experience. Over the past few years Panera Bread Co. has
expanded into new markets with strong consumer acceptance. Panera Bread Co.
offers an alternate casual dining option where customers can enjoy a comfortable
neighborhood setting with fresh food options. Panera Bread Co. offers a wide
range of fresh-baked sourdough breads, bagels, fresh-baked treats, and hearty
made-to-order sandwiches, salads and soups.
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b. Panera Bread Co. does not sell single-unit franchises; the franchise is instead sold
by market area. This requires the franchise developer to open a number of units,
usually around 15, in a period of about 6 years. For each individual location
opened the franchise fee is $30,000 plus a development fee of $5000 furthermore,
the franchise collects a royalty of %5 of gross sales. Due to this style of franchise
it is required that any potential franchise owner have a net worth of $7.5 million
and liquid assets of $3 million.
c. Panera Bread Co. is constantly involved in the development of each of its
franchises. When first entering the franchise owners receive 10 weeks of training
in St. Louis where they learn about all aspects of the franchise. Following the
training franchisees also receive assistance with site selection, field operation
evaluation, field training, initial store opening, inventory control and central
purchasing. For further support Panera Bread Co. holds both regional and national
meetings, performs field operation evaluations and offers a toll free telephone
hotline.
d. In addition to my MBA degree I offer more than 9 years of experience in training,
marketing, and management. Following graduation I worked as a restaurant
manager for 4 years at which time I began to look for other career opportunities. I
then became a management consultant at Booz and Company, a global
management and consulting firm, which is where I have been employed for the
last 5 years. At this point I feel my vast knowledge of good management as well
as my restaurant experience provide me with the understanding and abilities
needed to successfully operate and develop a Panera Bread Co. market area.
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3.) Kumon Math and Reading Centers
a. For over 50 years Kumon Math and Reading Centers have helped children with
the fundamental skills that are so important to their overall academic
achievements. Kumon Math and Reading Centers is a large and well established
franchise with more than 1500 individually owned and operated centers
throughout the U.S. and Canada enrolling nearly 130,000 students.
b. Kumon has a franchise fee of only $1000 dollars but due to other fees and
expenses it is required that any potential franchise owner have a net worth of
$150,000 with $50,000 to $70,000 liquid cash available. Once the center is open
franchisees pay an ongoing royalty fee of $32 to $35 per student, per month.
c. Kumon offers 3 months of training at their headquarters prior to the centers
opening. During opening and operating ongoing support is offered at the regional
offices. Regional offices will assist with the centers grand opening as well as offer
continued support with newsletters, meetings, and a toll-free phone line. Kumon
offers regional and co-op advertising to help franchisees with marketing.
d. After working in the business world for 7 years I then switched to teaching and
eventually became an assistant principle which is where I have been for the past 5
years. Kumon Franchise is a perfect opportunity to put my business experience to
use in a franchise that also lets me pursue my passion for educating children. My
past experiences provide me with the background necessary to own and operate a
successful Kumon Math and reading Center.
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4.) Smoothie King
a. Smoothie King offers a unique franchising opportunity that pleases guests with
delicious smoothie options while also offering a wide selection of branded
nutritional supplements. Smoothie King is a well-established franchise now
operating more than 550 stores in 32 states in the U.S. and 66 stores in South
Korea.
b. Smoothie Kings franchising fee is $20,000-$25,000. The financial requirement to
open a Smoothie King in the United States is a net worth of $150,000 with a
minimum of $75,000 in liquid assets.
c. Smoothie King offers support every step of the way for its franchisees.
Franchisees will first attend a one-day introduction session to discuss and learn
about budget, business planning, financing, site selection, construction and
equipment ordering. Smoothie King also has a twelve-day management-training
program where they provide hands-on, and classroom training that covers core
product knowledge and operative systems. In preparation for your grand-opening
a Smoothie King Representative will be sent to your location to assist with your
opening and to conduct seven days of in-store training. During this time they will
take you step by step through every aspect of running your Smoothie King
franchise. Once your franchise is open, Smoothie King offers ongoing operational
and marketing support, in-store evaluations and business training classes.
d. I offer over 5 years of experience in a field of sales & marketing. After working 5
years for a marketing consulting firm I am ready to use my MBA to run a
franchise and feel Smoothie King is a perfect opportunity.
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5.) Doctors Express
a. Doctors express is a newer franchise opportunity but it is already well established
across the U.S. with over 40 locations. Doctors Express was founded in 2005 and
began franchising in 2008. Doctors Express offers a more efficient, accessible,
and affordable system for patients in need of urgent care.
b. The franchise fee for Doctors Express is $55,000 and the ongoing royalty fee is
%6 of gross sales. In order to be considered for a Doctors Express franchise, you
should have a net worth of at least $700,000 and $350,000 of liquid cash.
c. Doctors Express supports it Franchisees from day one. They provide 5 days of
corporate training in Baltimore, Maryland where franchisees will learn about
running a Doctors Express and also receive on-site training. Doctors Express
continually offers updated training through webinars, conference calls, written
modules, flash tutorials and other media. Doctors Express also provides module
based training to their center staff to enhance the skills needed to deliver superior
patient experience.
d. I believe I offer the expertise needed to operate a successful Doctors Express
franchise. I offer 7 years leadership experience as a physician executive with
significant accomplishments in developing managed care strategies, improving
quality and utilization management programs and coaching medical staff on
healthcare business and practice issues.
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Works Cited
"Doctors Express | Franchise Support." Welcome to Doctors Express. Web. 28 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.doctorsexpressfranchise.com/support.html>.
"Training Program : Smoothie Business : Smoothies Franchise : Health Franchises : Smoothie
King Franchises, Inc." Health Nutrition : Wellness Vitamin : Juice Bar Franchise :
Smoothie Business : Smoothie Franchises : Smoothies Franchise : Smoothie King
Franchises, Inc. Web. 25 Oct. 2011. <http://www.smoothiekingfranchise.com/trainingprogram.php>.
Kumon Franchise | Change the Life of a Child Through Education. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.kumonfranchise.com/>.
"Panera Bread › Franchise Information." Panera Bread › Home. Web. 27 Oct. 2011.
<http://www.panerabread.com/about/franchise/>.
"Franchises | Merry Maids." Merry Maids | Maid Service, House Cleaning Services. Web. 27
Oct. 2011. <http://www.merrymaids.com/88/franchises>.