As we continue to learn more about the impact the tornadoes in Oklahoma have had on families, homes and businesses, there are many ways the franchise industry can offer support to those most affected.  The American Red Cross is already on the ground providing shelter and hot meals to those in Moore, Oklahoma and surrounding areas and there are various outlets for people to give their time or contribute to the recovery process that is already taking place.

 How to help the community:

• Red Cross of Central Oklahoma is asking people to donate by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to give a $10 dollar donation that will automatically be applied to your next phone bill.  The donation will go to those directly affected by the storms.
• The Salvation Army Arkansas-Oklahoma Division has dispatched disaster response teams throughout the area and donations can be made through the following ways.
  • The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, P.O. Box 12600, Oklahoma City, OK 73157. Designate Oklahoma Tornado Relief on all checks.
  • Donate by phone:  (800) 725-2769
  • Donate online: donate.salvationarmyusa.org/uss/eds/aok

Express Employment Professionals has created The Expressions of Hope Relief Program, which is managed by the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, to provide financial assistance to Express employees in times of need or emergencies like this.  If you would like to donate to the Expressions of Hope Relief Program, please see below for one of two ways:

• Mail Checks
  Payable to: Communities Foundation of Oklahoma
  2932 NW 122nd Street Suite D
  Oklahoma City, OK 73120
  (877) 689-7726
  In the memo line include: Expressions of Hope
• Donate Online
  You can donate to the fund online by visiting https://www.cfok.org/donate/. From the drop down menu, be sure to select the “Expressions of Hope Relief Program Fund” for the fund name.

If there is anything IFA can do for all affected by the storms, please let us know as we continue to keep everyone in Oklahoma in our hearts.

Retired Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris is no stranger to the IFA, having spoken at IFA’s Public Affairs Conference in 2011 and featured as a personality at the 2012 IFA Convention. He’s a Wounded Warrior, veteran of the U.S. Army, motivational speaker and now, WIN Home Inspection’s newest Strategic-Partner. Working alongside his son and wife in San Antonio, Harris has embarked on his recent role as a franchise business owner and has not looked back.

While serving in Iraq in 2007, his patrol vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (I.E.D). Harris was in a coma for 48 days, had third-degree burns on 35% of his body, lost his ears, the tip of his nose and three fingers, and has since undergone roughly 50 surgeries. Harris recognizes that everything that happened while serving has helped him to become who he is today.

As a 2012 recipient of WIN’s “WIN for America” program, Harris’ franchise fee was waived as WIN worked hand in hand to ensure the success of Harris in terms of securing financing and facilitating training. WIN committed $1.2 million dollars to honor veterans through the “WIN for America” program and are honored to add Harris to their roster, in which 25% of the company is comprised of veterans.

“At WIN, we believe in leveraging the training and skills veterans are taught in combat, to achieve civilian world accomplishments,” says Steve Wadlington, President of WIN Home Inspection. “Shilo regards core values, commitment, and teamwork, thus making him ideally positioned for success within our system.”

Harris is quick to say that family comes first and is thrilled to be in business with his son as his partner, and his wife as his marketing hand. “Through WIN, I’m able to provide for my family, alongside my family,” says Harris. “I’ve been given an opportunity to move forward in life and while my new role as business owner is the next step in my journey, I will never stop advocating for other veterans and Wounded Warriors to let them know there are options beyond service and combat.”

By Scott Lehr, CFE, Senior Vice President, U.S. & International Development, International Franchise Association

IFA, Franchise Times and the US Commercial Service hit the 2^nd stop on the trade mission in Dubai, UAE after successful visits in Abu Dhabi the day before.

The group which included Robert Shaw from Greenberry’s Coffee, Brad Siniscalchi and Matt Ladd of Hertz Equipment Rental,  Marc Mushkin of Pollo Tropical, Rogelio Martinez of Tutor Doctor, KL Fredericks of the US Commercial Service, Nancy Weingartner of Franchise Times and Scott Lehr with IFA began the day with a briefing at the U.S. Consulate in Dubai.  Robert Bannerman and Ashok Ghosh updated the group on the economy and the opportunities available for franchisors in the market.  The group discussed Dubai’s achievement of becoming the 2^nd busiest airport in the world and the opportunities that provides for the city on the world’s stage.

The exposure of U.S. Brands at the first rate malls such as the Dubai Mall complete with an Ice Skating Ring and Emirates Mall with its own indoor Ski Area allow these smart franchisors and their franchisees to reach millions of potential customers that extends their brand presence deep into the Middle East and Africa because of all the traffic flowing through Dubai today.  Their “Free Zones” are allowing companies to set up regional offices in Dubai to serve customers throughout Africa.  Mr. Bannerman stated that there are more flights to India from Dubai then from within India itself.  He also reported that U.S. exports more to UAE than to India.

The group then headed off to another full day of one-on-one visits, this time visiting the candidates at their offices in the Dubai area.  The Franchise Executives reported solid interest from the prospects.  That evening the trade mission participants met up at the Ritz Carlton in Dubai for a reception sponsored by the American Business Council of Dubai and Northern Emirates.  The group mixed with local business people and many American expats working for U.S. companies in Dubai.

Franchising is becoming big business in a smaller world.  Robert Moschorak, president and general manager of Ace International Holdings which is the international division of IFA Member, Ace Hardware, was in town meeting with the local franchisees in Dubai and reported that business for ACE in the UAE is experiencing tremendous growth!

Day two and three of the mission in Dubai brought the group to meet with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce led by Mr. Atiq Juma Faraj Nasib, senior director of the Commercial Services Sector to discuss “Doing Business in Dubai”. The Chamber is excited about working with the IFA and its member companies to grow the franchise market in Dubai.  The message was delivered loud and clear – Dubai is the perfect hub for activity and commerce in the Middle East and Africa for Franchise Brands.

The trade mission participants were than off to Dubai Airport for their flight to Cairo and the beginning of the 3^rd leg of the mission in Egypt!

On May 10^th VetFran is staging a daylong program for 150 veterans at McDonald’s Hamburger University outside Chicago.  The free program is designed to enable veterans to assess franchising and its opportunities and will cover the fundamentals of franchising, legal issues, and franchise finance.  Speakers will include industry leaders and Board members of the International Franchise Association

Please click here to register.

Download the Flyer

Featured speakers:

John Kujawa, (Coast Guard veteran) Vice President, Global Franchising, McDonald’s
Steve Caldeira, President and CEO, International Franchise Association
Marc Heuermann, (Illinois Air National Guard veteran), RadioShack franchisee
Richard J. Morey, General Counsel, International Franchise Association, Partner, DLA Piper
Michael Seid, (US Army veteran) CEO, MSA Worldwide and co-author of Franchising for Dummies (Wiley, 2006)
Mary Kennedy Thompson (USMC veteran), President, Mr. Rooter, former franchisee
Joe Lindenmayer (USMC veteran), President & COO, TSS Photography, IFA VetFran Chairman
Rich Bradshaw (USAF, USNR veteran), Senior Vice President of SBA Lending, TD Bank

Agenda

10:00 Welcoming remarks and brief introduction to franchising (John Kujawa, Steve Caldeira)
10:15 – 10:30 A Veteran’s perspective (Marc Heuermann, RadioShack)
10:30 – 11:45 Franchise Finance 101 (Richard Bradshaw, SVP, SBA Lending, TD Bank)
11:45 to 12:15 Lunch
12:15- 2:30 Franchising 101 (Michael Seid, MSA Worldwide, Richard J. Morey, Partner DLA Piper)
2:30 – 3:30 VetFran and veterans in franchising (Joe Lindenmayer, President & CEO, TSS Photography, Mary Kennedy Thompson, President, Mr. Rooter)
3:30 Q&A
4:00 Adjourn

Veteran attendees will be able to join IFA as subscribers and get free admission to the International Franchise Expo.

To learn more pleas visit: http://www.vetfran.com/mcdonaldsfocusonveterans/

At a time when growing and expanding your business can be challenging, one moving franchise continues to create jobs in its home state of Michigan and across America.  The family owned franchise business, Two Men And A Truck, announced it will expand into 300 new U.S. markets with franchised operations and will grow its presence to 500 sites, while also bringing 125 new jobs to its Lansing, Mich. headquarters.

In a press conference held on Feb.27, which included Two Men And A Truck executives and Gov. Rick Snyder, the governor stressed the importance of growing local businesses.

“Quite often, people spend their time saying we’re hunting for out-of-state companies, we’re trying to bring them in here, and we’re doing a fair amount of that,” Snyder said.  “The fundamental comeback in Michigan is by having successful companies right here in Michigan grow and flourish, and there’s no better example than the company right here.”

Two Men And A Truck experienced 36 consecutive months of growth, are projecting a 23 percent growth for this year and on target to achieve $325 million in sales.

“We believe in the brand, we believe in staying in Michigan and we believe in the growth we’re seeing, but we’re going to need great people here,” explained Two Men And A Truck President Randy Shacka.

Two Men And A Truck, which has placed greater emphasis on customer service and marketing efforts, has logged 390,000 moving trips in 2012 and currently has 234 locations in the U.S., 19 in Canada and one in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“Even though the housing market has not returned to prerecession levels and the economy isn’t booming, our numbers continue to demonstrate growth,” stated Shacka.