When the economy seems to be fluctuating and unsure, many people look for ways to ensure that they can stay on firm financial footing. Most people do not consider investing or starting up a new business, when in fact- this can be exactly what they should be looking at. There are many different options for self employment and reasons why it is a good alternative. Looking at the unemployment rates in recent years, it is no wonder that some are choosing to become self employed. Doing so ensures that they know exactly what is going on with their business and their finances, so there are no surprise lay offs or closings.
“In the past few years we have seen more than 6 million American jobs lost and unemployment rates rise to more than 10%. Unemployment is typically a lagging indicator coming out of an economic recession. After the recession in the early 90’s it took an entire year for unemployment rates to peak.” Said David Nilsson, the co founder of the Guident Financial Group. His company provides funding for small businesses. “ If this trend continues during the current recession, unemployment rates could continue to rise until the end of 2010 or early 2011. For this reason, we feel it is important that some individuals investigate self-employment opportunities.”
One of the most stable means to become self employed is in buying or starting up your own business. Many people feel intimidated by this as they are not certain as to how to go about this, and for them, franchising may be an option that makes more sense. Looking at the options available to potential franchisees is a great way to scout out a potential solution to uncertain financial times and there are a number of advantages to franchising over independent business that really show truer during a difficult economy.
The first advantage to buying a franchise is that the start up is much easier, more efficient and faster than independent business. Because most franchises already have a system in place, they tend to go from signing to start up in much less time than independent business, and more often than not, franchises also have a great support system in place. Finding suppliers, equipment and other things is usually a part of the deal, but it is not in all. Franchises are up, running and drawing a profit very rapidly and tend to have the benefit of a recognized name that people trust behind them, as well.
New funding options are available through recent programs, or traditional means of financing are available. Because most franchises have a proven system and the numbers to make for a much more accurate prediction on profitability- it’s easier to produce a business plan that makes for a very strong argument in funding through banks or other institutions.
It has never been a more critical time to consider ways to become self sufficient. As more and more companies close their doors and more find themselves unemployed, it may not seem the time to invest- but for some in the position to do so, this may be a solution.
There are numerous concerns about the environment and about the US dealing with foreign oil. As these concerns grow, so too do different camps that all have some sort of alternative. Bio diesel is emerging as one of the best alternatives, and for every sort of lifestyle there is another way of doing things. There are many reasons to explore alternative fuels, and here we will go into a few of them and why they may appeal to you, as someone who may be contemplating a switch. Firstly, the list of alternative fuels is growing all the time. Currently, there are several that are showing great potential.
Alternative Fuel Sources:
•P Series: P Series is an alternative fuel that is used in flex-fueled vehicles. This colorless, odorless fuel sits between 89-93 octane.
•Hydrogen: Though most hydrogen is used by refining petroleum, it can also be produced via water. By passing electricity through water, also known as electrolysis, hydrogen is also produced.
•Propane: A natural by product of petroleum and crude oil refining.
•Electricity: Currently on the market there are numerous hybrid cars that utilize both electricity and petroleum based gasoline.
•Bio Diesel: made from vegetable or animal fat, is considered a viable alternative to diesel fuels.
•Blends: These are becoming much more common. These are generally mixes of traditional fuels and alternative fuels such as B20, or E85.
One of the biggest reasons that people make the switch is the environmental impact. Reducing your carbon footprint has become a very big issue and many people seek out alternative fuel as a means to doing just that because they are generally lower in pollutants. As we continue to strive to make the world a better place, another benefit is that use of bio diesel and other alternative fuels helps set the stage for a much more sustainable future. Taking these steps now, ensures a better future for generations to come and alternative fuel sources is just one big step.
Another reason is agriculture. Most of the more environmentally friendly alternative fuels are very agriculture supportive- bio fuels are dependent by and large on the crops that farmers grow- this supports the agriculture industry in a big way. Also, the benefit of it being a sustainable source of fuel, as well as one that replenishes yearly means less dependency on fossil fuels, or fuels that cannot be readily replaced.
Economically speaking, these alternative fuel sources are just as big of a break for the wallet as they are the planet. Not only are alternative fuels generally cheaper to produce, as well as use, but they are also usually easier on equipment. This means longer engine life, which again is an added benefit. On the whole, use of alternative fuel just makes a great deal more sense. As newer techniques for refining come out, making it more convenient, there is no real reason not to make the switch.
Since it has become much more popular, it is now easier than ever to obtain the waste vegetable oil needed to make bio diesel. However, you still may need to follow a few simple guidelines in order to get the waste oil, so that you can then either convert it or have someone do it for you. There is a great deal of talk about how to obtain the basic vegetable oil, and about the best ways to go about asking but most people find being direct is key. Simply make sure that you are showing that there is benefit to both you and the food service owner or management. For you, it is a very economic fuel source, for them, it is a way to get rid of the oil without having to pay fees or deal with local regulatory hassles. When you are striking the deal, be sure first of all that it is straight vegetable oil and not a shortening mix. While shortening mixes will work, they are not as beneficial as vegetable oil and both shortening and animal fat based grease have a harder time making good reactions.
If you have made an arrangement with a supplier restaurant, make sure that you are very prompt in pick up. When you say you will pick it up a certain time and day- do not cancel or be late. Make sure that it is as trouble free as possible so that you can continue to maintain a good working relationship. Many places will put the oil into barrels or jugs that you can use- and if you do find a food service establishment that will, you do not want to lose that.
If you ever want to find out how beneficial that is, just try picking it up from one who won’t- you’ll appreciate those all the more. Above all, be sure that if you decide that you do not want to continue picking up, you let the management know. Keep things very professional and make sure that you are openly communicating with the people from whom you’re getting your waste oil.
The best means of transport is one that keeps spillage nonexistant or low- waste vegetable oil is very hard to clean out of upholstery or other fabrics, and you need to have tight lids and a tight space. Keeping barrels, jugs and other transport containers tightly closed and wedged into a close space prevents spillage. Many people make use of crates- a few large buckets with tight lids such as disposed of pickle buckets will fit into a crate, firmly packing the buckets so that they cannot move- which is best if you want to avoid spills in your transport vehicle.
Once you have it to a place where you store it, home or garage, be sure that the lids are still tight when you move them from your vehicle. These are the first steps to making sure that you start off your journey to bio diesel in the right way, and one that will work for you.
For some, the franchising fee can seem a little bit intimidating when considering a franchise versus an independent business. However, taking into account now that recent studies have proven almost half of all consumer purchases were through franchises, and less than five percent of businesses currently operating in the US are franchises- the odds look really well in favor of the franchisee. That aside, another thing to remember is that with the franchise, you are purchasing much more than just a business, but an overall package- and one that can be set up and running much more quickly than independent businesses usually can be.
The franchising fee is often confused with royalties- but the two are not remotely the same. Royalties are usually either a percentage of the gross revenue or a set rate that’s paid on a more often than not monthly basis throughout the life of the franchise. The franchise fee itself is a one time fee that basically takes care of the things outlined above and further in the article- this is the rights to the brand, the business model and often access to equipment and other things you would not have on your own.
A look through the disclosure document that the franchiser provides you will make it easier to understand both their franchising fee, but also any other fees or on going payments you will be required to make and why. The franchising fee itself, however, is a one time fee, in most cases, and this ensures that you have the right to use the franchisers’ name and their system of business. It may also include other things, however, that is the sort of thing that the disclosure documentation will tell you, as well, likely the representative you’re talking to about purchase.
The cost of the franchising fee often depends on the franchise itself. While buying into a hotel franchise, you may find the initial investment pretty steep- around four to six million, but the high rate of profit, and the quick way that most of these are set up well makes up for that and any ongoing costs. If you were looking into a full service, more sit down establishment type of restaurant, it may be a price tag of up to 3.5 million dollars, but again- the same applies and this is generally true of any franchise you may be considering. Typically, though, there is a franchise that can suit the needs of anyone looking to buy in, and for those looking for something a little less large scale, home based franchises offer a much less expensive buy in.
No matter what sort of franchise you are looking into, the chances are good that you will be paying a franchising fee. The best way to asses if the investment is one that will pay off for you is to pay careful attention to the projected earnings or those of nearby locations or territories. Couple that with a strong look at yourself and if you feel that you can do all it takes to succeed, and sometimes, the fee makes more sense.
Originally slated to end with the new year itself, Congress has extended a number of Small Business Association loans. For the time being, they are only extended until February, but for any small business owner, including franchisees, this is great news. The loans themselves were created through last year’s Recovery Act and guarantee the SBA loans from seventy five percent to ninety percent- a move which is going to enable many to move forward when things were looking most dire in recent years. Many who had been placed on a waiting list are going to be able to get help that they had perhaps been afraid would not come, and many more may benefit from this as well.
The Recovery Act itself created a couple of provisions that were quite popular- but they are very temporary. There is talk about the House’s Jobs for Main Street Act, which was passed mid-December and will potentially extend the deadline until September. Tony Wilkinson, president of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders in Stillwater, Oklahoma states that, “The conventional credit market will not near normal until sometime in 2011 because the typical small business will walk in with negative trends on his financial statement,” commenting on the recent issues amongst small business owners in regards to access to credit, “But that’s why the SBA programs are important, because lenders can say, ‘Hey, this is a survivor who will probably make it.’”
The program, which originally began in February of 2009 has already made a great deal of progress. Bringing $16.5 billion to small-business owners and brought more than 1,200 lenders back into SBA loan programs, the benefit is clear, but it is not without its downside. By Mid November, the funds were almost gone, and lenders began to react- approving as many loans as they could under the provisions. This lead to a lengthy waiting list which the extension seeks to remedy. The waiting list itself contained 1,069 small businesses, for a total of 530 million dollars in loans. Those people that felt that they’d missed the deadline and had been put on the waiting list can now breath a sigh of relief with this extension.
For many, these provisions are going to help in ways that are too numerous to count, but the implications on those seeking start up funding for small businesses and franchises are great. It does seem as though this is one of the programs that really shows potential for helping small business owners make it through the credit crunch and be able to give back to the economic cycle. A number of small business owners already helped by the provisions are working their way back to financial stability and if these funds prove beneficial- it seems that other such programs may be on the table for review as well. The extension also brings a bit of hope to that, because it does show that the government is taking into account the needs of small business owners, and their vast impact on both the local economies and on a national level.
Usually, someone becomes a restaurant manager through experience. Many start out as wait staff or cooks, and work their way up through the business. In cases of fast food establishment, this is usually the norm, and no post secondary education is needed. Many management professionals have less than a bachelors, but in more recent times, this trend is turning around.
Some specialized degree programs are out there and available to people who want to pursue a career in restaurant management, but it is not always necessary. However, having said that, it is important to note that most food service establishments do require a fairly in depth training program for the position of manager. It’s usually more on the job but occasionally involves some sort of class room type training.
Through this, trainees generally learn things that are more geared towards the operation of the restaurant itself- personnel management, record keeping, security, sanitation, food prep, and reporting to the main office or higher management. It may also require a different sort of training for the point of service terminals, and after a time, the employee may be promoted to assistant manager and go from there.
There are a number of schools, universities and colleges that now offer four year restaurant and food service management programs. As increasing demand rises, many have options for two year degrees or other certifications that may help someone intent on this as a career path.
Either choice in higher education will offer a firmer understanding of things that typically aren’t learned on the job- for example, most have a comprehensive business law and management portion, as well as an accounting course, coupled with sanitation, food nutrition and planning. A number of these options can make it more likely for an experienced waitstaff or chef to get the position they are seeking out above other, less educated candidates. In addition to this, a number of the larger chain restaurants or higher end restaurants offer compensation or other options from within to increase the education of their management staff.
Another thing that is often taken into account when promoting from within, however, is employee performance thus far. Many businesses know which employees will be better suited for management and often groom specific employees for this. Overall initiative, hard working, and personality are usually key factors, as well as a neat and tidy appearance and punctuality. They may also seek out more diplomatic employees, those that would be well suited, calm and comfortable dealing with conflict and able to maintain composure. Business owners know that recruiting management often is a long term investment on their parts- whether they pay for further education or not. As promotion from within is the most common means of gaining a management position, this is typically something that those looking to get into will need to be aware of in how they present themselves. Owners and upper management will look for and actively seek out employees who seem the most motivated to move up and succeed within their restaurant.
As a restaurant manager, you will be responsible for daily running of a food service establishment. This means having to be able to multitask various facets of the business, not limited to just making the schedules. Other duties restaurant managers typically take on are making sure that the kitchen, wait staff and other departments in the restaurant are all running smoothly.
Another facet of the duties that a restaurant manager takes on are ordering of equipment, food, inventory and other supplies needed for the business, as well as making sure that things are well maintained and all facilities are in good order.
Usually, this is an administrative job that requires a great deal more hands-on attitude, from hiring, to training, and keeping abreast of all employee performance.
One of the many duties that a restaurant manager takes on is hiring, training or even the termination of employees based on poor work performance or other factors. Being able to keep a good staff on hand is a serious challenge in an industry known for high turn over rates. More often than not, this is done via advertising and extensive interview processes. It is usually the manger that trains the employees, or who delegates the responsibility to someone within the staff- a trainer who may be a more seasoned wait staff personnel.
Another part of this is scheduling hours and making sure that there are enough staff on hand to best take care of the volume of customers. This may mean being able to have alternates to step in when in cases of call ins, or even in many cases, taking care of that shift themselves. You may often see restaurant management waiting tables or helping out around the restaurant when it is busy.
Management will also usually deal with employee performance, making sure that customers are not only greeted in a friendly fashion, but served promptly and in a predetermined way. More often than not, it is the restaurant manager who will handle customer complaints, looking into them and resolving them about the quality and service they receive. This generally means taking care of things behind the scenes as well, ensuring that the kitchen is running smoothly and quickly- often times having to fill in and help out if there is a great deal of customer need. It is definitely a major part of a manager’s job to make sure that both the customers and the staff are able to enjoy a safe environment. This usually means making sure all employees are acting in a professional way, and that health codes and liqueur laws are adhered to.
The career path to restaurant management may mean a degree, it may mean being promoted from within. However, one thing is certain, there are a number of traits that are key to being an effective manager. The ability to adapt, multitask and pay attention to detail all in a diplomatic way are definitely a plus when working in this particular field.
Jan
Before you decide to look into purchasing a franchise, one of the best things to do is to sit down and do a self assessment. Franchising can be a really great opportunity, but it is also something that not everyone can do- some are not really cut out for certain types of franchises, as well, so this may be something that goes deeper than just franchising itself. Dig a bit deeply and ask yourself if you feel that you are really ready to take the next steps needed and if you feel that you are able to work through the start ups and all of the different aspects of business ownership. Thinking about franchising as anything less than an investment that will require work may be the wrong path to go down.
The next thing that you need to have in place is a five year plan. This may or may not include the potential franchise you are looking at- but what this does is to map out your lifestyle and this way, you can sort of cross reference it to the various franchise options you are looking into and decide if the franchise is a good fit. This will help you to narrow your choices down quite a lot and help you to really find a franchise you feel good about for the long term. In addition to this, at this time you may want to consider talking to the people at the franchise, looking into it more deeply and getting more informed so that you know exactly what this will entail and what your responsibilities and rights will be. Again, you do this in order to see if the franchises you are looking into fit into your life, and if they can stay a stable part of that long term.
Once you have this in place, you probably already have a good list of prospective franchises. The next thing to do is analyze start up cost. It’s a good idea to have not only enough for start up but enough set aside to get you through start up and keep you afloat until you have your feet on the ground a bit. Sit down and working with your five year plan, consider the long term, and consider which franchises fit into that long term budget and what you feel comfortable with. This should narrow the list even further.
Basically, the very best thing you can do is to begin with a list of prospective franchises, and then, weigh the information your receive on them as it comes in, against your own goals and dreams. One of the bigger mistakes that some people make is not going into a franchise sure that it will fit in with their lives- remember, going into business for yourself is also about quality of life. Make sure that you are reasonably aware of what the job is, what parts of it you’ll have to be very involved in, and if that franchise really is for you.
As more and more people latch on to the idea of environmentally friendly practice, many businesses find that they are having trouble keeping up. Running business as usual is no longer acceptable and many businesses that thought they could succeed still going the way they were- old, tired practices that were hard on the earth and big on waste- are finding that their profits dip, or they end up having to close their doors all together. But not one franchise. Filtafry began with an eco conscious vision- so for the franchise to continue to improve upon that in recent years comes as very little surprise.
As a matter of fact, many of the franchise owners that are currently quite successful with Filtafry also adhere to higher standards of green friendly business practices. For Filtafry, this isn’t just a new marketing idea- this is the way things have been done since the very start. Filtafry’s commitment to the environment is often seen in sponsorships and education on a local level, but as a business itself, Filtafry offers a much better service that benefits both business owner, and the environment.
Environmentalism is at the very core of everything that Filtafry does, to be sure. But what does this mean for a potential franchise owner? If you will have a look at current market trends, it is obvious that the Green trend isn’t something that is simply going away. As a matter of fact, this trend is still climbing and becoming less of a trend and a more daily part of life for most people. This means that many businesses are going to begin to take a hard look at the way that they do things and what areas they can trim the fat and cut the costs while eliminating a great deal of the waste their establishment puts out. This is where that great sales training comes in during the first days of your FiltaFry franchise ownership. One demonstration is often all it takes to convince restaurant and food service owners that a Filtafry service is something they could use to take the green aspects of their business a step further and promote a better bottom line.
If you have a passion for the environment, are a hard worker who would love to own their own business, Filtafry is definitely right up your alley. Take for instance Richard Hamilton, a former Alltel Corp work in Arkansas. He knew that he wanted to take control of his financial future, as well as a genuine concern for the economy and the environment. What did Richard do with all of that passion and drive? He started Eco Services of Arkansas Inc. But that is not where he stopped. Now, the vans that Richard drives in his business- he also fuels, with an aspect of his business. You know by now that one of the many benefits to food service places is waste oil disposal? Richard turns his collected waste oil into valuable biodoesel. Now, that’s commitment!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in control of your own financial future? Perhaps you have been giving some thought to becoming self employed, but between steep start up costs and not being all together sure how to make it all happen, you’re a little intimidated. Having a look into franchising options may be a good idea, but you may also notice that many franchises also have rather high start up costs, and you’d rather do something a little smaller, perhaps from the home. If someone told you that you could essentially run a very profitable business out of a van, you would likely be a little surprised to hear that. However, this is just how Filtafry has been doing business for over ten years, now. More and more people who are looking into franchising have decided that Filtafry is the way to go for them, and there are many reasons why. Filtafry is a well known leader in the franchise world, one that is seen as being a very all inclusive and supportive franchise, integral in helping new business owners make it through start up and beyond.
The Filtafry commitment to supporting new franchisees is widely known and accepted. In an uncertain economy- you want a brand that you can trust, because risk taking during shakey financial times is trepedacious enough, a solid reputation is definitely key. Of course, any franchise you are going to have a small group of detractors, and for whatever reason there are always those with negative things to say. However, when you balance the negative with the positive- specifically in the case of Filtafry, you’ll notice the scales tip quite a bit in favor of Filtafry. There are many very big name, respected clients who depend on Filtafry’s services, not only as a means to keep their fryers sparkling clean, but in a cost reduction capacity as well. One look at the testimonials list will tell you that these are satisfied customers of a much needed service, one talk with a successful current Filtafry franchise owner will assure you that there are many who are definitely benefiting from that.
Another unique factor in Filtafry’s continued commitment to the success of their franchise owners is Filtanet, Filtafry’s exclusive, Franchisee Support Intranet. First launched in June of 2004, this keeps all franchise owners directly in the loop with any changes, developments and other information. As well, Franchise owners can participate in group discussions, offering each other both technical, sales and friendly support. Filtafry has said that they really like to make their franchisees feel like family, and Filtanet definitely provides that round table, every one is included sort of feel. With many features, links, q and a sections and news sections, Filtanet is a franchise owner’s one stop, twenty four hour link to the support they need to really feel like they are a strong part of the Filtafry team.