Business Blogs: Trends, tips, and real-life anecdotes from industry experts.

The recent CIT Group news hit the franchise community late last week. One of the larger small business lenders announced, CIT Group announced it needed additional money from the government to stay affloat. The government denied their request but CIT was able to cut a deal with its creditors giving them a little more time [...]

I often get asked, “what is the hottest franchise?” or “what sort of business should I buy?” and my response is typically the same … Often is depends on your interests, skills, work ethic, location, and several other factors. But when pressed, I urge people to look at changing demographics, sites or other factors that [...]

The past 18 - 24 months have been tough on corporate America. I’m based in Charlotte (home of Bank of America and Wachovia/Wells Fargo) and many of my friends that work for the bank are always nervous. A lot of these people were also able to store up a nest egg and once they get [...]

As a way to to honor those men and women who have served in the U.S. military, the Veterans Transition Franchise Initiative, known as “VetFran,” was developed to help veterans of the armed forces transition to civilian life and go into business for themselves. VetFran is a voluntary effort of International Franchise Association member-companies that [...]

Jeff Elgin of FranChoice answered host Jenna Lee’s questions on “Franchising in 2009” on Fox Business Morning C-Suite Sit-Down. His message: Despite the economy, people can still find great opportunities in franchising.
Jeff Elgin of FranChoice on franchising

Earlier this month we discussed different options for those who are currently unemployed or recently heard they will be receiving a severance package and asked to look for different opportunities. While buying a franchise isn’t for everyone,  considering the idea is always a possibility after leaving corporate America.
Shortly afterwards, I read this article  in the [...]

I’m a big fan of Fast Company (both online and off). When I travel, the magazine is always in my briefcase.  If they offered an App for my iPhone (like The New York Times App) I would be a faithful subscriber. You get my drift …
So I was catching up on my Fast Company news [...]

Tough news in Charlotte, NC earlier this week. Wachovia Corp, one of the largest companies in Charlotte and the 6th largest bank in the United States, was purchased by Citigroup (Stock ticker C). 5,000 people were let go on Tuesday and I’m sure more will be before the end of the year.
When the unemployment rate [...]

It’s travel season … last week Washington, DC for Franchise Appreciation Day and this week Franchise Update’s annual Franchise Development Conference at the Drake Hotel in Chicago, IL. The conference agenda is helping owners of franchise organizations (in a peer to peer environment) understand the present franchise sales environment and gain valuable insight for improving [...]

Earlier this week I attended the International Franchise Association’s 9th annual Franchise Appreciation Day in Washington, DC. Over 500 people, franchisors, franchisees and industry suppliers, gathered together to discuss the current economic and political picture and visit Congressional men and women to present their views and stances on the major political issues facing small businesses [...]