franchise pos

Franchising is booming, both here and across the pond. FRANdata says demand for franchise units in the U.S. is expected to increase more than 12 percent in 2014, the highest rate of increase in five years. The UK has over 900 franchise operations. "The diversity on offer is substantial," writes Paul Stafford, public relations manager at the British Franchise Association...

Randy Vlasic and Alex Veinot have known each other since high school. After graduating from college, the two best friends ended up working together as sales executives for the same company. However, the two longed to open their own business. In a recent Franchise Players Q&A interview, Vlasic and Veinot talk with Entrepreneur.com's Kate Taylor about how they decided that...

The boom in franchising continues through 2014, but the past year also saw private equity play an important role. In a recent post in the Legal News section on JDsupra.com, Thomas Pitegoff says that private equity offers a franchisor with a growing franchise system a promising pathway to rapid growth. "An investment group can assist a franchise company strategically, tactically...

It was while working for the New York subway system that Tom Scarda found his own track to a career in franchising. As a first step, Scarda became trained as a FranChoice consultant and a certified franchise executive. Soon Scarda was New York's first Maui Wowi franchisee, in the New York City's Jacob Javits Convention Center, one of the hottest...

Franchising's boom includes Australia, according to a report from down under. Franchising Australia 2014, collated by Griffith University and sponsored by the Franchise Council of Australia, found there were 1160 business format franchisors operating in Australia, with the sector employing 460,000 people and having an estimated total sales turnover of $144 billion. Impressively, between 2012, while the overall number of...

One of franchising's strengths is the breadth of industries covered. The International Franchise Association there are currently more than 750,000 franchise establishments in the United States covering approximately 75 industries; so if you're wondering if franchising is right for you, the number of options won't be a problem. We spotted an interesting and informative blog post by Crystal Bedell about IT franchise...

A strategy to expand without significant capital expenditures has Steak 'n Shake franchising more aggressively. A recent Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) report on Steak 'n Shake's financial results notes that according to a 2014 annual report released by parent Biglari Holdings total earnings before income taxes fell nearly $2 million, to $26.5 million in 2014, from $28.4 million a year...

News about point of sale data breaches continues unabated but we also see convictions of those who would conspire to hack into point of sale (POS) systems. One such example is found in a post by Grant Gross on PCWorld.com's LEGAL business, security blog, "U.S. man sentenced for hacking POS systems at Subway." As the only full-service point of sale...

Success in franchising spreads to many others when one considers the key roles played by suppliers, and professional advisors. In a recent CPAPracticeAdvisor.com post, Hugh Duffy, Chief Marketing Officer for Build Your Firm, a marketing firm dedicated to the accounting industry, writes about Navjeet Chahal who started Chahal & Associates in 2003. Chahal has managed to share in the success...

For 34 years, Bryan Rhodes worked his way up the ladder in the fast-food franchise industry, from beginning behind the counter to ultimately become the vice president of operations at a Burger King franchise. Only then did Rhodes conclude that, well, the restaurant industry wasn't for him — but franchising was. In a recent Franchise Players Q&A interview, Rhodes talks...

It is encouraging to see a strengthening of the bonds between franchising and our military veterans. Since its launch last year, home services company Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) has signed twenty veterans to become franchisees through the Million Dollar Franchise Event (MDFE) initiative. We found news of the program in a recent post on the Daily Herald website HeraldExtra.com, "Local...

We love reading about how franchising can power growth for privately held companies. Any way you slice it, it's hard to imagine how the Achatz Handmade Pie Co. could establish 150 locations across the United States in the next five years without turning to franchising. Indeed, after 21 years the much-loved brand based in Michigan's Chesterfield Township has sold its...

Like many national chain restaurants, Buffalo's Cafe has a tagline: Buffalo’s Cafe – Where Everyone Is Family ™. Paul Dalrymple is one Buffalo's Cafe franchisee that took his tagline to heart. Before he said his "I do" Dalrymple and his future father-in-law had been partners in a Buffalo's Cafe franchise. Dalrymple now has three sons, and the family partnership now...

A number of once-thriving franchises are facing disgruntled franchisees, store closures, bankruptcies and never-imagined marketing scenarios. In their recent Better Your Business special report, "How To Steer Clear Of Franchise Financial Disasters," CNBC.com's Zac Bissonnette speaks with an unnamed Quiznos franchisee who summed up his experience: "There has been a decline in support. The corporate and field office support staff...

We enjoy reading Jason Daley's Franchisors posts on the website Entrepreneur.com, and wish to share, in particular, "How I Grew My Wheelchair Ramp Company Into a Franchise," about the experience of franchisor Julian Gordon. In his Q&A with Entrepreneur.com, Gordon shares how after twenty years running a metal fabrication shop, he became disheartened with the boom-or-bust cycle of the construction...

For Affordable Homes of South Texas (AHSTI) director Bobby Calvillo, whose job it is to help his organization build enough homes to meet the needs of low-income South Texan families, creating the means for having a constant positive cash flow was a top priority. So in 2012, Calvillo convinced the AHSTI board to build a Blimpie restaurant in Weslaco, Texas. In...

Changing budgets and tastes, the growth of online shopping and security at the point of sale all represent challenges, and opportunities, for retailers. In the last year, mobile point of sale (mPOS) has also continued to grow and evolve. Industry researchers point to the advent of tablets and powerful apps as driving the revolution in how organizations serve their customers...

More people are dreaming of franchising, ready for a life change as the market is once again heating up. But before you take the plunge, make sure your due diligence includes working with a franchise attorney, someone who knows franchising inside and out. We strongly agree with a SmallBizTrends.com post we spied, "The Importance of Hiring A Franchise Attorney," by...

When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that's amore; and investors seeking a bigger slice of the surging fast-casual restaurant market are in love with pizza. Just as we share our vast point of sale experience and expertise with startup owners in order to help them make the best decisions from the very beginning, we at...

We enjoy reading the Q&A posts in the Franchise Players section on the website Entrepreneur.com, and wish to share, in particular, the one recently with seasoned franchisee Binoy Kothari. In his Q&A with Entrepreneur.com, Kothari shares how he sought opportunities in the restaurant industry and became a franchisee, beginning with Subway in 2002. In 2010, he purchased three struggling Baskin-Robbins...

Texas Roadhouse, the steakhouse franchise, has been rounding up sales as it grows out its footprint, according to the Motley Fool in a recent Top Franchises post on Nasdaq.com. Given the strong presence Sintel Systems has in the retail, restaurant and service industries' point of sale marketplace, we share these service sector growth trends with our customers and franchise hopefuls...

Nothing succeeds like success, so it's natural that persons interested in franchise opportunities strongly consider those companies at the top of their game. In a recent blog post, "The 12 Best Fast-Food Franchises To Own," Forbes.com lists the top twelve performers with the most sales per individual restaurant. Given the strong presence Sintel Systems has in the retail, restaurant and...

The recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruling, that McDonald's is considered to be a co-employer along with the owner of a franchise, continues to send shockwaves in the fast-food sector of the economy. As one example, California is expected to pass S.B. 610, called the California Franchise Relations Act, which will bolster the rights of franchise owners and give...

The nation's pivot toward better-burger restaurants continues to gain momentum as rumors surface that Danny Meyer's Shake Shack is considering an IPO this year. In her online post, "Shake Shack Considering An IPO," Nation's Restaurant News editor and restaurant finance expert Lisa Jennings says, "The news follows an earlier rumor that the parent to the West Coast’s Habit Burger Grill chain...

Many businesspeople today are considering frozen yogurt franchising, and it can be helpful for them to read the story of how someone else found success in that arena. Brian Trager, for example, spent 20 years as an international businessman, a producer-exporter in Costa Rica, consulting in Vietnam and working in New York City startups before getting into frozen yogurt franchising...

In one of our recent posts, "NYC To Host International Franchise Expo (IFC)," we recommended the June, 2014 event as an excellent way forward into the world of franchising.  Recently we noticed a short video, made at the IFC, in a post on Entrepreneur.com, "Would You Make A Good Franchisee?" Because franchisees are a unique breed of entrepreneur, the three-minute...

On July 29, 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled that McDonald's, which for over a year and a half has been the target of protesting workers and lawsuits over low wages and questionable labor practices, is considered to be a co- employer along with the owner of the franchise. In the run-up to the ruling, McDonald's has been...

The franchise formula has a proven track record, but many potential entrepreneurs may be wondering if they have exactly what it takes to become a successful franchisee. To find answers, consider Joel Libava's "10 Habits of Highly Successful Future Franchisees" post at Entrepreneur.com. "In order to be a successful franchise owner, you have to do a lot of things right...

Gourmet Hamburgers Fast food burgers are, well, done. In "Americans Are Totally Over Fast Food Burgers," the title of an interesting online article on The Huffington Post, Jillian Berman writes, "Some day soon, a burger and fries will no longer be the quintessential American fast-food meal." Berman's claim is supported by a recent report from analysts at Janney Capital...

What lessons may be learned from the problems plaguing Sbarro, RadioShack and Quiznos? In their recent post, " Why These Once Thriving Franchises Have Fallen on Hard Times," Entrepreneur.com looks at how the once-thriving franchises are facing bankruptcies, store closures, disgruntled franchisees and nightmarish marketing scenarios. "There are many aspects of franchising that have nothing to do with chance, such...

Restaurant franchising continues to be an attractive career change consideration for many Americans, in part because of proven business plans and methods. Therefore, it is imperative that potential franchisees understand what it takes to be successful within a given restaurant chain's franchising framework. Just as we happily share our vast point of sale experience and expertise with startup owners in...

You're dreaming you heard about a hot "Product X" franchise opportunity. You see your future and follow your gut instinct. In the dream, you're a freshly minted franchisee, standing proudly in front of your new business beneath beautiful, crimson banners. In their post, the experts at BlackEnterprise.com suggest that, if you're dreaming of franchising, it's time to wake up to...

In what may be another sign of continuing growth and dynamism in the restaurant sector of the economy, Patrice & Associates Hospitality Recruiting (PAHR) has introduced a regional development franchising program. Given the strong presence Sintel Systems has in the retail, restaurant and service industries' point of sale marketplace, we share these service sector growth trends with our customers and...

One important consideration before entering into a franchise agreement is determining exactly how search engine optimization (SEO) and social media matters are to be handled. Writing in her regular column in HuffingtonPost.com, Allie Gray Freeland, Public Relations Director at iAcquire, says that when it comes to SEO and franchises, the same standard rules apply, but the way you go about...

Dreaming of franchising? Fantastic! You're ready for a life change and the market is heating up. But before you take the plunge, make sure your due diligence includes interviews with existing franchisees who can say, "Been There, Done That." We strongly agree with an Entrepreneur.com post we spied, "Interviewing Existing Franchisees," and subtitled "When investigating a franchise, don't forget to...

Franchises can fail, but how and why? And how may failure be avoided? Franchising, licensing and intellectual property lawyer Tony Wilson shares some thoughts on the subject in an online report, "Why So Many Franchises Fail," at TheGlobeandMail.com. Just as we happily share our vast point of sale experience and expertise with startup owners in order to help them make...

Retailers have been tracking traffic and measuring conversion rates for decades, but are franchisors and their franchisees on the same page? And if so, who pays for it? Author Mark Ryski, CEO and founder of HeadCount, says, "I see a consistent disconnect between franchisors and franchisees when it comes to analytics, especially store traffic and conversion analytics." As the only...

Along with our customers, we're buoyed by news from several sources that franchise growth is increasing at the fastest rate in five years. In a recent blog post, "Two Reports Show Franchise Growth Expected to Increase at Fastest Rate in Five Years," TravelandTourWorld.com provides an excellent summary of the key findings in two major reports from economic consulting firms specializing...

The Franchiser/Franchisee relationship is a lot like a marriage. Do You Take This Franchiser?Before you say, "I do," you may want to hear yourself say, "Due Diligence." We spotted just that sentiment in the article titled "Franchisees: Don't Say 'I Do' to a Franchisor Unless the Chemistry is Right," posted on Entrepreneur.com. Just as we happily share our vast point...

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) has released a new version of its Restaurant TrendMapper, an online subscription service that helps interested parties keep up-to-date with the latest economic indicators and trends in the restaurant space. We spotted the news in an item titled "NRA Releases New Version of Trend Mapper," at QSRMagazine.com (QSRM). Just as we share our vast point...

It was in 1993 when TCBY declared sponsorship for its national Frozen Yogurt Month, National Frozen Yogurt Week (the first week of June) and National Frozen Yogurt Day (the first "Sundae" in June). Along with that 11-year-old tradition, we've also come to anticipate the June frozen yogurt trend analysis by InternationalFrozenYogurt.com. Given the strong presence Sintel Systems has in the...

All too often, when movies portray an entrepreneur, he or she (OK, let's face it, it's usually a he) is young, unkempt and dressed in jeans and a hoodie. This Mark Zuckerberg-inspired stereotype is just one part of the entrepreneurship story, however. In a recent post, Entrepreneur.com asks, "Think You're Too Old To Be An Entrepreneur? Think Again," and backs...

Competition is heating up the frozen yogurt world with a joint announcement by the International Frozen Yogurt Association (IFYA) and FrozenDessertSupplies.com regarding the Creative Froyo Flavor Awards. We spotted the press release for the contest on PRLog.com titled "IFYA and FrozenDessertSupplies.com Launch Contest to Find Best Creative Frozen Yogurt Flavors." Designed to recognize and promote frozen yogurt shops that produce...

New York City will play host to over 450 top franchise brands at the International Franchise Expo from June 19-21, 2014, where individuals may gather to meet hundreds of full-time and part-time franchise opportunities in every industry and investment level. The confab takes place at the Javits Center at 36th and 11th Avenue in Manhattan. Just as we happily share...

Fornino chef Karl Wilder, writing for HuffingtonPost.com on "How To Franchise With Integrity… and Control," discusses a recent experience that gave him new insight into how a franchise may adapt and grow in diverse cultures. Known for his three artisanal New York City pizza establishments, Wilder was recently given the opportunity to consult with the Magnolia Bakery franchise to create...

The Seattle City Council unanimously voted to raise the city's minimum wage to $15 per hour. The measure, championed nationwide by labor advocates, including fast-food franchise employees, also had overwhelming public support, as well as validation from academics and economic theorists. And yet, the devil is in the details of the rollout, as reported by Entrepreneur.com in a post titled...

Managing the time, money and resources you need to start your own business is not easy. From deciding on a business, creating a business and marketing plan to finding a location and getting a loan, securing an entrepreneur's rewards means first taking on plenty of risk. Or does it? For many individuals seeking to become their own boss, a better—and...

The appeal of franchising includes the fact that there are many, many franchising options available for consideration. That simple fact also means that the process of finding the right opportunity can be time-consuming. Fortunately, for an article titled "The Top Franchise in Every Industry," Entrepreneur.com has prepared what it refers to as its "Best of the Best list: the 97...

Not exactly a ringing endorsement of the upcoming work week: According to a recent poll conducted by Monster.com, nearly 60 percent of Americans say they get the Sunday Night Blues "really bad."  In a recent post titled "New Study – Why People Who Run Franchises Are Happier," FranchiseHelp.com asks, "So what happened to Sundays?" Their answer is, "In short, as...

Along with our customers, we're buoyed by news that Americans, having emerged from winter hibernation, have relaxed their purse strings at quick service retailers. In a recent blog post, "Report: Consumer Spending at Quick Serves Grew in April," QSRMagazine.com points to analysis by First Data Corporation which compared year-over-year sales data for April, 2014.  FDC's SpendTrend report tracks same-store POS...

Evidence is mounting that, as baby boomers exit their professional careers, they're turning to franchising to achieve the level of autonomy that comes with being your own boss. We at Sintel Systems found this of particular interest, as it matches the momentum we've witnessed in mid-life career changes and older entrepreneurs entering into the franchise sector, a major area of...

The International Franchise Association (IFA) VetFran program to recruit and hire veterans into franchising opportunities has been a resounding success. One example is landscaper Hector Rodriguez, a franchisee with The Grounds Guys in West Hartford, Connecticut. Rodriguez was recently featured in Entrepreneur.com's Franchise Players Q&A interview, titled "Franchise Players: Why Vets and Franchising Go Hand in Hand." Just as we...

Bloomberg news is reporting that the recent infamous data breach was the last straw for Target Corp. Chief Executive Officer Gregg Steinhafel. As the only full-service POS provider — from software development to franchise incubator to ongoing support — part of Sintel's commitment to our customers and business community is to share relevant ideas and industry information. Here are some...

Gift Card Reports Today Sintel Systems is addressing what happens to your money and your reports when you sell gift cards. If you've made any gift card sales today you won't be receiving any of that money when you make your settlement for the night. Gift cards are a liability and should be looked to as a different entity from...

Image courtesy of FastCompany.com of article Starbucks's Shoddy Square Rollout Baffles Baristas, Confuses Customers Are you making plans to open up your prospective business? Sintel Systems understands that clients are always looking for the most cost efficient ways to open up their store by cutting costs where it is necessary. Many times clients come to us describing that they...

Dunkin' Brands CEO Nigel Travis officially announced this Monday that the company plans to launch a new loyalty program later this January. Members will earn 5 points for every dollar spent. Once a member reaches 200 points they receive a medium-size beverage. According to The Wall Street Journal DD article (found here), competitors like Startbucks and Panera Bread have already...