1. IBM
The Franchise Consulting Group was retained by IBM to evaluate the performance
of their existing company owned and operated retail computer centers and
most important, to assess the viability of franchising these units. After
exhaustive analysis and evaluation of IBM’s objectives, corporate
culture and strengths and weaknesses, we strongly advised against franchising.
While franchising is often a most effective and profitable method of expansion,
it is not always ideally suited for all companies. Our recommendations
in this case helped a major company with a world renowned brand make a
decision which we believe helped avoid a costly franchise marketing and
expansion strategy which had little chance for success.
2. Marriott
At the time we were retained by Marriott, they were already a well known
multi branded organization involved in franchising. Like many other sophisticated
and enlightened franchise clients of ours, they only wanted to be better.
Our assignment involved examination of all aspects, structure and operations
of their franchise activities Our findings and recommendations included
a comprehensive strategic report that allowed Marriott to implement changes
and improvements which benefited both Marriott as a franchisor and all
their franchisees and set the tone for the companies expanded growth into
the 21st century.
3. Mobil Oil
After interviewing several franchise consulting organizations, The Franchise
Consulting Group was retained to help Mobil convert their network of over
7000 service station dealers to franchisees. The assignment included a
total review of Mobil’s retail business and expansion plans and
then to provide our input and recommendations for how best to implement
their conversion to franchising. Over a two year period, our consulting
team helped develop new concepts, materials and methods to best achieve
their franchising objectives. We additionally helped maximize revenue
streams from both their Mobil franchisees and their convenience store
business units, “On the Run”. The consulting services provided
to this division of Mobil eventually led to their retaining us for additional
consulting assignments with other divisions of Mobil to help them evaluate
and achieve their marketing and franchise goals.
4. Krispy Kreme
For many years Krispy Kreme was known and established in the southern
part of the United States. They had a legion of steady customers that
practically met “cult” status. We were retained by the company
when they were first considering an aggressive expansion through franchising
into other regions of the US. We worked with senior management to identify
key franchise issues, develop strategies to achieve their objectives and
outline all the essential elements of a professional franchise development
program. Extensive management meetings and discussions and many interviews
with long time existing franchisees, allowed us to understand their culture,
uniqueness and resources. Krispy Kreme has been one of the true success
stories in franchising.
5. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box operates nearly 2000 units of which 81% were company owned
in 2003. When the company decided it wanted to embark on a re- franchising
program, we were retained to help them achieve their new expansion strategy.
Possessing a well known brand and a very seasoned and capable management
team, we worked closely with them to first evaluate their existing franchise
organization and to assess the performance and relationship with their
existing franchisees. After extensive management interviews, in depth
interviews with franchisees and review of franchise documents and materials,
we provided a comprehensive report outlining our recommendations. Jack
in the Box management saw fit to immediately implement these recommendations
to help them achieve their franchising objectives.
6. Century 21 Real Estate
When Century 21 was reaching the apex of their incredible growth, having
achieved a dramatic conversion of 7500 independent real estate brokers
to franchises, our President and founder, Edward Kushell, was retained
to perform a highly confidential and sensitive assignment. As a then member
of their Board of Directors, he was immediately familiar with all aspects
of the company. As such, when the major shareholders and senior management
sought a merger & acquisition partner, we were successful in searching
for and ultimately finding the right partner for them. Our input and use
of our extensive network resulted in a most satisfactory exit for the
founders and senior management of the company.
7. California Pizza Kitchen
California Pizza Kitchen has been one of the true success stories in their
segment of the food service industry. When the concept was first conceived
by their visionary and dynamic founders, we consulted with them on a variety
of franchise and franchise related matters. As the company grew, largely
through company owned operations, many years later we were again retained
to assist them with various franchise operations and development issues
and the updating of certain programs and materials. Like many of our other
clients, CPK also positioned themselves to be acquired, to ultimately
buy back the company and subsequently arrange for another financially
rewarding transaction for their shareholders.
8. American Express
We were retained by American Express to evaluate the operations of one
of their subsidiaries engaged in franchising. The company was in the process
of developing the most appropriate strategy for maximizing the performance
of this subsidiary and determining their most desirable exit options and
strategy. As part of our evaluation and analysis, we conducted in depth
management interviews, franchisee interviews and review of financial data
and other relevant documentation in order to develop our findings and
conclusions. Our input provided American Express with the necessary strategies
and recommendations to allow them to make the correct decision for this
key subsidiary.
9. Hair Saloon for Men
The Hair Saloon for Men is an early stage franchisor that was established
in 1996. The Franchise Consulting Group was retained in 1999, when they
had only three operating units, to assess and evaluate the viability of
franchising. We developed a comprehensive evaluation with financial forecasts
and a plan for the best way to franchise this unique and exciting concept.
As the company grew to seven operating units, we worked with them to develop
all the required element of an aggressive area developer program and strategies
for raising additional capital to fuel their expansion. As they commenced
the sale of multiple units through an area development strategy, we have
been retained to work with the company on a long term basis
10. Miracle Ear
The name Miracle Ear did not exist when we were retained by this manufacturer
of hearing aids. They distributed their products through a network of
non-exclusive dealers. Our mission was to help them convert dealers to
franchisees and in the process, their brand was changed from Dahlberg
to Miracle Ear. We were involved in the strategies, planning and execution
of the entire process. Our unique methods and expertise in interviewing
dealers and franchisees allowed us to learn much about their perceptions,
concerns and needs. This along with our detailed discussions and understanding
of managements objectives and resources resulted in a most successful
franchise conversion assignment.
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