Arby’s franchisee finds formula for success The keys to their success can be summed up as: Hiring reliable employees, and nurturing them so they stay consistency of product quality (linked to employees) flexibility of franchisor to permit altenative and innovative store layout Below are direct quotes for the article: Lowe attributes much of the company’s success to hiring standards almost unheard of in the restaurant industry. The company has a turnover rate of slightly above 50 percent, unusually low for the industry. Before an employee goes to work for The Restaurant Co., they undergo a psychological profile, a drug test and a criminal background check, and that’s after having gone through several interviews. … Once the company hires someone, Lowe said, the processes in the restaurant are designed to help them be successful. The company conducts employee satisfaction surveys twice a year to help spot problems. Restaurant employees also have the authority to solve a customer problem, up to $100. … “We are full-service guys running fast-food restaurants, so we look at things differently,” he said. “We focused on dinner, where a lot of quick-service restaurants focus on breakfast.” The company supported that effort with innovative restaurant designs including carpet on the floors, softer lighting, granite countertops and wooden chairs. The Short Pump restaurant even serves beer and wine, although it’s a small part of the business, Lowe said. “If you are really trying to analyze why our average unit volume is so high, dinner has a lot to do with it,” Lowe said. “Our lunch/dinner mix is about 50/50.”

Quick service segment 4th quarter average same store sales: -4.7% Arby’s: -11% (only down 7.4% in January) Wendy’s: -3% Sonic:  -13% (blames the heavy snow) Carl’s Jr.: -2.6% Hardees: -6.2% McDonald’s: +.6% Casual dining segment 4th quarter average same store sales: -4.2% Buffalo Wild Wings:  +2.0% fun facts—-Buffalo Wild Wings essentially sells a neighborhood sports bar concept. It features Buffalo style chicken wings, burgers, and other “bar” foods. Takeout represents about 13% of sales. Another 22% of total sales are derived, not surprisingly, from traditional chicken wings. Boneless wings, which have better margins than the regular kind, were 19% of Q4 sales, up from 17% in Q4 2008. Famous Daves:  -6.3% for company-owned restaurants and -8.5% for franchise-operated restaurants. Morton’s: -11.6% Fast Casual segment 4th quarter average same store sales: -.08% Panera Bread: +7.4% Cosi: -11.9% Pizza segment 4th quarter average same store sales: +1.8% Domino’s: +1.8% Papa  Murphy’s +2.0% Family dining segment 4th quarter average same store sales: -2.7% Steak n Shake: +14.4% Frisch’s Big Boy: -.4% Cracker Barrel: -.2% Denny’s: -6.1% at corporate owned units, -7.2% at franchised units iHOP: -3.1%

  Thermostat controls help Arby’s cut costs But someone always forgot to shut off the air or would poke a straw or toothpick through the lockbox on the programmable controls to lower the temperature. If employees are so desperate for cool air conditioning that they will stick toothpicks through a locked thermostat, then you probably are keeping the temperature too high.  Yeah, you can cut costs by reducing the climate controls, but grumpy hot employees are not worth the savings, in my opinion. The restaurants now use Web-based controls accessible only to top managers, ensuring the air is on only during business hours and never gets cranked too high. Those moves saved $800 in a month at one location. I agree with automating a reduction in heat and cool air during non-operating hours.  But I am very skeptical of over-managing the temperature during operating hours for morale reasons.

Quiznos is helping franchisees renegotiate leases at no cost to the franchisee. Good move. Since the teams have been in operation, Quiznos has negotiated more than 40 leases thus far, with an average reduction of 15-20 percent in lease payments Here is one franchisee’s experience in the press release Thomas Mihailovich, a franchise owner in Rochester Hills, MI, participated in the lease renegotiation program in late February. Quiznos and a third-party team worked with Mihailovich and his lessor to arrange a reduction in rent of more than 20 percent, a cost savings of $50,000 over the term of the lease. “I began the process and within one week I was saving nearly $500 per month on my rent,” said Mihailovich. How do you renegotiate a lease? If you are currently leasing a space for your franchise and want to renegotiate the lease, you do have a few leverage points. First, the landlord doesn’t want to lose a tenant because it will usually mean unrecoverable expenses and vacant space for a period of time. Second, along the same lines, a long-term stable lease makes landlords smile, so offering to extend or renew a lease for a longer number of years is very attractive, even at a reduce price per square foot. Here is a sample approach. Find another space nearby that fits your needs equally well and is less expensive. Then approach your landlord and ask him to match the rent or you intend to move. See what the response is. From that point, ask permission to sublet. Depending on how long you have on your lease, ask also offer to sign a longer lease in exchange for reduced lease payments. Getting the assistance of a real estate broker or better yet an attorney is usually well worth the money …

As if the sub sandwich category wasn’t crowded enough, Domino’s Pizza is adding sub sandwiches to its menu and delivery service.  The $4.99 oven-baked sub sandwiches will include classic favorites like Philly Cheese Steak and Chicken Bacon Ranch. The move comes five months after Pizza Hut began delivering baked pasta dishes as well as pizzas. And it will be a wake-up call for sub shops Subway and Quiznos, which find themselves competing with pizza chains. For the pizza giants, the message is clear: If pizza sales aren’t growing in a sour economy, maybe something else will. Besides the hot subs and baked pasta, some pizza chains also deliver chicken wings. “It’s an attempt by the pizza players to try to get back into being a growth industry,” says Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a restaurant research firm. “They’ve all lost their mojo.” They also are further conflating a fast-food world that’s grown jumbled. McDonald’s (MCD), Burger King (BKC) and Wendy’s sell salads and chicken. Subway and Dunkin’ Donuts have tried pizza. Arby’s, once roast-beef-only, now makes a killing on Market Fresh deli sandwiches and sells toasted subs. Domino’s U.S. same-store sales fell 5.4% in the second quarter after a 5.2% decline in the first quarter. Brandon says the move should boost Domino’s lunch business and expects lots of calls from groups of office workers. (The minimum delivery order is $8 to $10, depending on location, and delivery fees are $1 to $2.) Rivals are unimpressed. Pizza Hut delivers hot sandwiches regionally but is focused on growing its national pasta delivery sales, says Brian Niccol, marketing chief. Tony Pace, marketing chief of the Subway Franchisee Advertising Fund Trust, says, “Domino’s is watching our success and wondering how to get a piece of the action.” Half of Quiznos’ locations deliver, and …

I believe that self-service ordering kiosks will be a fixture at many big-name restaurants and fast food outlets in the next decade, much as the self-checkout in grocery stores have become common place.  It makes sense for customers and it makes sense for the restaurant owners.  These self-service kiosks are aimed at increasing the average transaction and speedier service.  At this point I’d be satisfied with a “refill my drink” button at my table. The extreme evolution of this concept is the Baggers restaurant in Germany where guests choose their meals from a touch screen at their table and food is delivered by a “mini-railway” from the kitchen located on the floor above.   The inventor’s gravity feed rail system is patented in Germany and he is seeking protection for the invention internationally so that he can license it to restaurants abroad.  You have got to watch this quick BBC video showing how the restaurant works.

Potential buyout offer has support of family of founder Dave Thomas COLUMBUS, Ohio – It was reported in the Mansfield News Journal 6 that the owner of 134 Wendy’s franchises wants to make a bid for the nation’s No. 3 hamburger chain with two private-equity firms. David Karam, president of Cedar Enterprises Inc., said Wednesday that he and his partners have been invited by Wendy’s International Inc. to a second round of talks. He is backed by Kelso & Co. and Oak Hill Capital Partners. “I’ve been involved in the brand,” he said. “I see the great potential of it.” Cedar Enterprises, based outside Columbus, owns Wendy’sfranchises across the country that have a combined annual revenue of $200 million. Karam’s first-round proposal was enough to garner entry into a second round next month, where bids are expected. He would not disclose how much he is willing to pay for Wendy’s, but said the company’s current stock price is rich. Wendy’s shares rose 20 cents to $33.26 Wednesday. “Fundamentally, there’s great upside with the brand, but the reality is no one wants to overpay,” he said. Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz has said his company, Triarc Cos., is prepared to offer $37 to $41 per share for Wendy’s in a deal that would peg Wendy’s total value between $3.2 billion and $3.6 billion. Triarc owns the fast-food chain Arby’s and is also a major Wendy’s shareholder. Peltz said in July that he and his allies had increased their Wendy’s stake to 9.8 percent of all outstanding shares. Wendy’s formed a committee in April to determine how best to boost its stock price, including a possible sale. Wendy’s spokesman Denny Lynch and Peltz’s spokeswoman Carrie Bloom declined to comment Wednesday. In the past year, Wendy’s has spun off its Tim Hortons coffee-and-doughnut …

Quiznos CEO puts turnaround skills to work The former Burger King boss is applying his turnaround expertise to the troubled sandwich chain, whose dissatisfied franchise owners have complained about low profits, company operating requirements and the franchisee recruiting process. Since jumping into the fray in January, Brenneman has worked to reduce food costs by as much as 4 percent, improve communication with franchisees and test new products, like a Quiznos taco, to boost profits. … Last year, private equity firm J.P. Morgan Partners became an ownership partner, and Brenneman later became a partner through his company, Turnworks. Through the roller-coaster ownership ride, the chain expanded quickly, to at least 5,000 stores. Today it’s ranked third behind Subway and Arby’s by Technomic, an industry analyst firm.  Although Quiznos does not release much information, Technomic restaurant industry analyst Darren Tristano said Quiznos has average sales of about $425,000 a year per store while Subway has average sales of about $375,000. Quiznos’ success has come with growing pains. Lawsuits by franchise owners in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin allege the company draws in prospective owners, who pay $25,000 for a franchise, but doesn’t give them complete facts about restaurant locations and business operations. … Lawyer Justin Klein contends many franchisees sign contracts only to wait a year or more for the company to build a restaurant. The suits also accuse the company of requiring franchise owners to buy all supplies from Quiznos at higher prices than if they bought locally. The company denies the allegations and filed motions to dismiss the suits. Brenneman, meanwhile, has reached out to franchisees and targeted their food and other costs. If he can cut food costs by 3 percent and coupon discount offers by 4 percent, Brenneman believes he can add $25,000 to $30,000 in franchisees’ profits. …

Franchises (particularly restaurants) are slow in incorporating efficiencies and technology. We’re all aware of the new technology out there (gaming, wireless, Internet, flat-panel TVs, handheld devices), but now think of your typical Subway or Arby’s? High-tech and fresh? I haven’t noticed a change in 10 years! A few recent examples of streamling that should have caught on much fast are in the high-tech Alternative Payments, Ordering & Entertainment space: fast-food accepting credit cards offering “fast pass” or other radio transmitter payment options to speed payment (like gas stations). Centralized call center for drive thrus, touchscreen self-ordering ordering systems for customers (in both fast food/casual and sit-down restaurants (like movie theaters), gaming, internet, television and other entertaining activities while you eat, wireless handheld ordering systems for waiters/waitresses. automated/robotic fountain drink dispensers Small, but annual high-tech improvements that refreshes the customer experience with convenience and entertainment goes a long way in generating repeat customers and word-of-mouth buzz. While the menu and customer service must be at least average, the main differentiator in attracting customers is atmosphere and theme. Having a high-tech reputation will create a premium perception and enable the charging of corresponding premium prices. Herein lies a weakness in most franchise systems – Franchise Agreements do not require the speedy adoption of innovative improvements. Additional capital expenditures in most franchising systems beyond what is required to startup are typically only mandatory when the Agreement is up for renewal in 10+ years. Without uniformity in a product offering, customers will become frustrated and resentful when only 65% of the restaurants stay on the cutting edge. Advice? Can the franchise you are thinking of buying survive a store with similar quality food but top-notch systems like the ones described above? Look for franchise offerings that quickly adopt, incorporate and promote their focus …

Burger King forecast still looking stale Triarc Cos., owner of the Arby’s restaurant chain, said Friday same-store sales were up 4% Fatburger system-wide same store sales for the first quarter increased .5% over 2005 results Cosi: Comparable restaurant sales, as measured for restaurants in operation for more than 15 months, increased 5.3 percent, Cosi’s 18th consecutive quarter of increases. Factors driving the continued growth included a 2.1 percent increase in transaction count and a 3.2 percent increase in average guest check. The higher average guest check was primarily due to a 1.6 percent favorable shift in sales mix and a 1.6 percent increase in pricing. Good article on the 5 Mistakes a small-business owner should never make…I agree with them all. too little cash thinking small skimping on technology underestimating the important of sales losing focus T.G.I. Friday‘s same-store sales up 3.3%

So, you bought a franchise and it’s been successful for a few years and now you want to sell it.  The franchisor reserves some influence and financial discouragement.  The two biggest considerations given to the franchisor are: Right of first refusal – the franchisor can match your highest legitimate offer and buy your franchise Transfer fee – a fee you must pay to the franchisor for the privilege of transferring your licensing rights and obligations to another party Sample Transfer fees: FOOD: Pizza Factory: $12,000 Quizno’s: $5,000 Dominic’s of New York: $1,000 + 6% of sales price Submarina: $1,000 Cheeburger Cheeburger: $12,250 Pizza Patron: $5,000 The Dugout: $5,000 Arby’s: $13,500 Doc Green’s Gourmet Salad: negotiated at time of sale Jerq’zine:  $10,000 Original Hamburger Stand: $250 Sub Station II: $5,000 Steak-Out: $18,750 Fazoli’s: Reaonable attorney, accounting, training and other related costs OTHER: Bartercard: 10% of sales price Herman’s World of Sports: $12,500 Sears Carpet and Upholstery: $3,000 – $6,000 (depends on market size) Stone Mountain Carpet Mill Outlet: $2,500 Screenz:  $5,000 Tax Centers of America: $1,000 Sports Clips: $25,000 Fantastic Sams: $20,000 or 10% of sales price (whichever is greater) Hair Cuttery: $5,000 ($0 if franchisee for 5+ years) Fastframe: 5-10% of purchase price  

VERY OUT OF DATE.  Do a search instead.  This was manually updated March 21, 2006 Companies Mentioned in Posts (likely incomplete):Automotive 1-800 RADIATORS Oil Butler Lube N’ Go On-Site-Lube Business & Home Services 1-800-WATER-DAMAGE Bartercard Garagetek Help-U-Sell Home Instead Homewatch Caregivers My Girl Friday PropertyGuys.com Sears Carpet & Upholstery Tax Centers of America Cleaning & Maintenance none Computer & Internet (some are listed in “Retail”) Screenz Food and Restaurant Arby’s Auntie Anne’s Blimpies Cheeburger Cheeburger Chipotle Dippin’ Dots Dream Dinners Doc Green’s Gourmet Salad Dominic’s of New York The Dugout Durango Grill Fazoli’s Fire of Brazil Fogo de Chao Goldstar Chili Jamba Juice Jerq’zine Krispy Kream Lenny’s Sub Shops Mauwi Wauwi Original Hamburger Stand Panaderia Taza Papa John’s Pizza Factory Pizza Patron Pretzel Time Quiznos Red Rock Chili San Francisco Soup Co Shane’s Rib Shack Skyline Chili Smoothie King Smotthie Planet Soup Nazi Steak-out Subway Submarina Sub Station II Super Suppers The Soup Box Supercuts Suzanne’s Kitchen We’re Rolling Pretzel Company Wetzel’s Pretzels Z Pizza Zoup! Fresh Soup Co (List all sub franchises) Health & Fitness Curves Liberty Fitness Home Building & Repair Services See “Business and Home Services” above Personnel & Staffing none Pet Retail and Services Camp Bow Wow Doody Calls The Pet Pantry Wag My Tail Interquest Detection Canines Pets Are Inn Retail Franchises Ace Hardware AuctionDrop Battery Plus Best Cuts GNC Educational Outfitters Fantastic Sams Fastframe Foot Solutions Friendly Computers Geeks on Call GNC Hair Cuttery Herman’s World of Sports Imagine This Sold Orbit Drop Play It Again Sports QuikDrop Roosters Men’s Grooming Centers Screenz Snips Its Sports Clips Stone Mountain Carpet Mill Tom’s Foods We the People Categories: eBay drop offs (generally) Hair Travel & Hotel none Industry Lists & Research 2004 Same Store Sales Growth of QSRs (quick service restaurants) Royalty and Advertising …

I found this story interesting. It tells the story of a working family ditching their jobs for the life of a franchisee. Are they making more money? No. Are they working less hours? No. Are they happier? Yes. They’re living on less, spending more hours at work and couldn’t be happier. They are saving money on business clothes, gas and travel costs, food, and other work related expenses. How do they market and advertise the business? With no advertising budget, the couple do their own marketing. Don and Kasey tour the nearby residential neighborhoods dropping off menus sporting their Z Pizza address. Don delivers small pizza boxes to nearby businesses with an invitation to bring it to the restaurant in exchange for a free pizza. I find many franchisees are making less money but are more happy in the end.

Sames store sales growth during 2004 of quick service restaurant franchises are doing OK: