Franchise
Newsletter
The Franchise 50 Index
Franchise
News
People,
Places and Things
Taking
Stock of Franchising
Want
a quick look at how things are going
in the world of franchising? Check out
the new stock market index that tracks
the performance of the top 50 public
franchisors in the United States. The
Franchise 50 Index, created by the University
of New Hampshire's William Rosenberg
International Center of Franchising
at the Whittemore School of Business
and Economics, was created to provide
industry analysts with a key tool to
evaluating the performance of the nation's
top franchisors. The 50 franchisors,
which include heavy-hitters like McDonald's,
Bally Total Fitness, Blockbuster
and Applebee's, were selected
from the 140 public franchisors listed
in the Rosenberg Center's Global Franchisor
Database. These 50 companies represent
more than 98 percent of the market capitalization
of all the companies in the U.S. that
rely on franchising to grow their businesses.
"The
Franchise 50 Index is the first measure
of its kind for evaluating, on a monthly
basis, the financial performance of
franchise companies," said Udo
Schlentrich, associate professor of
hospitality and director of the William
Rosenberg Center of Franchising. "The
database will allow the center's researchers
to investigate in greater detail not
only the global franchising industry,
but its different sectors."
The
William Rosenberg Center of Franchising,
named for the founder of Dunkin'
Donuts, was established 11 months
ago to study the economic contributions
made by the franchising industry. The
center, which is the first of its kind
in the U.S., has created several senior-level
college courses that cover the history,
evolution and current practices in franchising.
Franchising
2004
Make plans to attend the 44th annual
International Franchise Association
(IFA) convention from March 6th to 9th
at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas. You'll have the opportunity
to mingle with none other than former
President George Bush and his First
Lady Barbara Bush. President and Mrs.
Bush will serve as keynote speakers
during this year's convention.
According
to the IFA's press announcement, President
and Mrs. Bush will highlight the opening
general session of the IFA convention
on March 7th. They will discuss the
current business environment and the
challenges faced by today's executive.
They will also provide unique insights
into the upcoming presidential election,
the present political landscape and
their own White House experiences.
Overall
the IFA's 44th Annual Convention, "Franchising
2004: Partners in Prosperity,"
will salute the sustained growth and
success of franchising in what has been
an extremely challenging time for the
global economy.
Butterfly
Life Tests Its Wings
How hot is the women's fitness franchising
sector? Just ask the executives of Butterfly
Life which sold five franchises
in its first two weeks of business.
The Butterfly Life fitness franchise
offers a "first of its kind"
concept in women's health and weight
management. The company blends a designed-for-women
fitness environment with carefully selected
resources that promote the nutritional,
fitness and psychological aspects of
healthy living. Butterfly Life
members participate in a comprehensive,
yet easy-to-follow, exercise program
that involves a 30-minute circuit, custom
fitness equipment and group exercise
classes with nationally certified instructors.
Members also view "Life Vision"
features which are 15 minute informational
and motivational lectures created by
members of the Butterfly Life
advisory board. Butterfly Life's
state-of-the-art, variable resistance
equipment, designed and manufactured
specifically for women, distinguishes
it from other "for women only"
fitness companies.
Butterfly Life is offering franchise
opportunities for as little as $29,500
in start-up capital. Franchises are
typically ready to open their doors
within six weeks after purchase. New
franchisees attend a five-day Butterfly
Life University, receive three days
of on-site training and have access
to 24/7 business support.
