Franchising in New England

NEFA Announces: Panel Discussion November 18th, Marriott Hotel Quincy

Keys to Financing Success in the Current Economic Climate!

The financial lending crisis has reached Main Street and NEFA is planning a panel discussion for the next NEFA Meeting November 18th, 2008 at the Marriott Hotel in Quincy, to explore the ramifications of the crisis and how to obtains financing for franchisees and franchise systems.

In today’s economy one of the biggest concerns of a franchise system is how and where to get capital for franchisees to start their business or ways for franchisees to keep it running or to finance their growth.

This panel discussion is very valuable for each member of your finance and franchise development team as well as for existing franchisees, or prospective franchisees interested in expansion.

You will learn how banks and other lending organizations evaluate franchisee loan applications, and the types of funding that is available, even in these unsettled financial times.

Panelist

Anne Rice Hunt, Finance Chief, U.S Small Business Administration

Barbara Arena, CIT Small Business Lending, Senior Regional Account Manager

Bill Rowland, Equity America Mortgage Services

Itamar Chalif, Atlantic Capital Solutions

Tom McDonald, IRA Rollover Solutions

Moderated by: Constantine (Dean) Fournaris, Partner, Wiggin and Dana, Franchise and Distribution

Register Today

Sponsored by:

• Franchise financing
• Hospitality financing
• Business Acquisitions
• Medical practices
• Restaurant Financing
• Commercial Real Estate

Bankers One Capital is a nationally recognized finance firm that specializes in the debt and equity placement for start-up, business acquisition, and commercial real estate transactions. Our industry focus is franchise, hospitality, medical, restaurant, and commercial real estate investments. Our clients include both new single and multi-unit franchise system operators, real estate developers and investors, medical professionals and general business owners.

Bankers One Capital provide comprehensive financing advisory services to franchise operators, single asset and portfolio hotel investors, real estate investors, restaurant owners, medical professionals, and general business owners. We also work closely with the senior management team of established franchised systems to arrange sale / leaseback financing on corporate stores to raise strategic capital and the development of a turn-key plan solution for re-franchising corporate owned and operated units. The firm has unique access to an abundance of capital sources through its significant relationships with some of the most competitive and largest financial resources in the country, as well as with many small to regional bank partners and institutional investment banking firms.

Bankers One Capital continues to be one of the most highly referred firm by industry professionals and takes pride in being one of the top preferred choices that they send their valued clients to obtain  project financing. The firm’s superior capital relationships and exceptional analytics and structuring capabilities are combined to deliver swift execution on the best possible financing solution for its clients.

Reginald Heard, CEO and President of Bankers One Capital recently joined NEFA and is the sponsor of NEFA’s May 20th Meeting with featured speaker Darrell Johnson of FRANdata.

Thank you, Reginald, we appreciate your support!

Bankers One Capital
Reginald Heard
10 South Street - Unit #71
Danbury CT 06810
203-791-9998
rheard@bankers1capital.com
www.bankersonecapital.com

Sponsorship of dinner meetings by NEFA members is important to NEFA because it allows NEFA to maintain reasonable prices for its dinner meetings.

To be a NEFA Sponsor please contact Jim Coen, jimcoen@nefranchise.org, or 617-469-3002.

Founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1934, Wiggin and Dana LLP, NEFA Member, provides first-class legal counsel to an international client base of major corporations and institutions, as well as to private businesses, entrepreneurs, individuals, and families.

In addition, Wiggin and Dana represents national, regional and start-up franchisors and distributors in numerous industries. The firm regularly assists these clients in regulatory, transactional and litigation matters. Wiggin and Dana lawyers assist franchisors in every step of the franchise process – from the creation of the franchise program, regulatory compliance, drafting of franchise-related documents, day-to-day business counseling, enforcement of the terms of the franchise agreement in litigation or arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.

Wiggin and Dana also offers expertise and consultation in a variety of legal areas that relate to franchising and distribution, including employment law, antitrust, vicarious liability, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, intellectual property, and secured transactions.

The firm has an enviable record in handling the most demanding legal matters, including sophisticated corporate transactions for international clients and complex administrative proceedings, arbitrations, litigation and enforcement actions across the United States. Wiggin and Dana remains committed nonetheless to providing every client, large and small, with the personal attention and expertise of the firm’s partners.

Wiggin and Dana partners take the time to understand each client’s needs and goals and assign to each matter a sensible number of lawyers with appropriate experience and skills. This focused approach enables the firm to provide intelligent, practical and cost-effective counsel.

iggin and Dana is the sponsor of NEFA’s November 11th Meeting.

Sponsorship of dinner meetings by NEFA members is important to NEFA because it allows NEFA to maintain reasonable prices for its dinner meetings.

To be a NEFA Sponsor please contact Jim Coen, jimcoen@nefranchise.org, or 617-469-3002.

IRA Rollover Solutions a NEFA member, offers a program that creates a self-directed retirement structure that permits individuals to actively invest their retirement funds into a franchise or business without taking a taxable distribution or incurring early withdrawal penalties.

Using a IRA as a funding source for new or existing businesses adds significant advantages over debt type financing. Because retirement funds can be structured as an investment into the business, there are no corresponding debts that can increase business overhead.

For more information about using this vechicle to fund a franchise or business purchase contact: Tom McDonald, 877.765.5636, to @irarolloversolutions.com or Rick Cox, 877.765.5636, rick@irarolloversolutions.com.

IRA Rollover Solutions is the sponsor of NEFA’s September 16th Meeting.

Sponsorship of dinner meetings by NEFA members is important to NEFA because it allows NEFA to maintain reasonable prices for its dinner meetings.

To be a NEFA Sponsor please contact Jim Coen, jimcoen@nefranchise.org, or 617-469-3002.

Ed Teixeira, was scheduled as the featured speaker for the May 20th, NEFA meeting. Mr. Teixeira was recently appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Vehicle Tracking Solutions VTS, a leading provider of vehicle tracking and fleet management systems. Because of that appointment, Mr. Teixeira, will not be able to join us for the May 20th NEFA, he states, “I’m so sorry I can’t make it. I was looking forward to be there before a group that understands the lingo, I appreciate the offer, and I’m hopeful to come speak to NEFA in the future.”

NEFA wishes Ed Teixeira the greatest success in his new position, and we look forward to hearing more about in the future.

NEFA is pleased to announce that Darrell Johnson, of Arlington, VA, and the President and CEO of FRANdata will be joining as the featured speaker for the May 20th NEFA meeting.

Founded in 1989, FRANdata is the franchise industry’s number one source for objective information and analysis. FRANdata receives no advertising or other fee arrangements that might influence its unbiased nature. Using its proprietary software to access data from various sources, including its library of more than 15,000 Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars, FRANdata supports the research and competitive intelligence functions of franchisors, helps franchisees evaluate different concepts, provide information and analysis for legal and financial organizations, and provide marketing access to franchisors and franchisees.

The following article The Making of a Regional Franchise Association by Jim Coen was featured in the recent FranchiseHelp Newsletter.

Owning your own business is part of the American Dream. The pursuit of that dream has always been a part of the United States called New England. New England has a rich history of invention, innovation, strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a highly supportive network of institutions that has made New England a great place to launch a business.

Since 1932, when Howard Johnson franchised the first Howard Johnson’s Restaurant in Orleans, MA, franchising has played an important role in the New England economy.

Franchising, more than ever before, has an unprecedented opportunity to make a major positive impact on the future New England economy. A 2004-05 study conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoppers, on behalf of the IFA, found that in New England over 750,000 jobs are a result of franchising; the total output is over 70 billion dollars a year; and there are over 32,000 franchise establishments in the six New England States.

The seed for the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) was first planted about 20 years ago when the International Franchise Association (IFA) started the First Tuesday Program. The First Tuesday Program was a way for IFA Members to interact locally on the first Tuesday of each quarter of the year. The IFA saw the First Tuesday Program as a way to make a “high touch” connection to members at a local level.

Later the IFA created the Franchise Business Networks (FBN) to help the IFA grow membership and also help IFA Members network locally. At some point the IFA decided to merge the two groups together. That is when the New England Franchise Business Network (NEFBN) was formed. In January 2007 NEFBN become NEFA.

The mission of NEFA is: “Promoting the responsible growth of franchising throughout New England by fostering positive communication, learning and best practices.” NEFA is an association dedicated to the entire franchise community in New England, including: franchisors, franchisees, investors, vendors, and customers.

NEFA is a 501c (6) non profit corporation and is governed by a Board of Directors, with Steve Dubin, of PR Works as President, Suzanne Cummings of the Law Offices of Suzanne Cummings, as Clerk. The writer, Jim Coen, is the Executive Director.

As the Executive Director of NEFA my role is to provide the management and support for NEFA to continue its mission and continue to build its membership. NEFA currently has over 125 members and has just scratched the surface of the potential membership. NEFA membership is open to everyone. Franchisors from all over the country are invited to join; the only stipulation is that the franchisor have at least one unit open in New England.

Some of the largest and most respected franchise brands in the world are headquartered in New England including: Subway, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Fantastic Sams, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, Brueggers, Friendly’s, Pizzeria Uno’s, Au Bon Pain, and Edible Arranngements, to name a few.

Members of NEFA include franchisors, franchisee associations such as the Dunkin Donuts Independent Franchise Owners (DDIFO), attorneys that represent franchisors as well as attorneys that represent franchisees, area developers, vendors, and franchisees.

NEFA produces at least 5 events per year. The events include time for networking, a speaker, dinner, and a legal and legislative update, which is provided by Michael Radin of Tarlow, Breed, Hart & Rodgers, P.C. The speakers scheduled for 2008 include: Peter Birkeland, Birkeland Consultants; Leonard Swartz, iFranchise Group; Ed Teixeira, Franchise Know How; Fred Berni, Dynamic Performance Systems and Michael Isakson, ServiceMaster.

NEFA has also started a weblog entitled: Franchising in New England (http://www.nefranchise.org/blog). Franchising in New England features news and announcements from and about NEFA and its Members.

To learn more about NEFA visit: www.nefranchise.org

About the Author: Jim Coen is Executive Director of the New England Franchise Association (NEFA). You can reach Jim at 617-469-3002 or email him at Jimcoen@nefranchise.org

Barbara Arena a long time director on the NEFA Board of Directors has taken a leave of absence for personal reasons. The NEFA Board of Directors have graciously accepted Barbara’s request, and have also agreed to allow Jean Jackson to stand in Barbara’s place on the NEFA Board until Barbara returns, hopefully sometime in March.

Jean C. Jackson is a Regional Account Manager for CIT Small Business Lending, the # 1 SBA 7A lender since 2000. Formed in 1908, CIT has over 70 billion in owned and managed assets with over 7000 employees worldwide and is a Preferred (PLP) lender for the SBA.

Jean is responsible for generating SBA 7A, SBA 504 and conventional commercial mortgage loans in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont.  She brings 25 years of commercial lending experience to her customers and prospects and has held the position of Vice President a several commercial banks prior to joining CIT. Jean holds a B.S. Business Administration/Marketing from Quinnipiac University, 1980.

Jean has extensive experience in structuring financing, evaluating rapidly growing companies, and has a proven track record on credit and management issues. Leading teams is a passion of Jean’s as she is a Board of Director and Chair of the Audit Committee for Sullivan Tire Company, Former President of the South Shore Economic Development Corporation, Past Treasurer for the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, Past Executive Committee and Board of Director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Facilitator for The Board Forum: CEO Roundtable. Jean is a long time volunteer in her home town of Duxbury, MA where she has served on the Fiscal Advisory Committee, North Hill Golf Course Committee, Town Manager Search Committee, and 20 year member of Rotary.

The NEFA Board of Directors is proud to have Jean serve on the board.

Peter Birkeland will outline “Ideas, Tactics, and Tips to Grow Your Company” at the New England Franchise Association (NEFA) meeting on Tuesday January 15th, 5:30-9:00 PM to be held at Lombardo’s Conference & Function Facilities 6 Billings St. Randolph, Mass.

Peter Birkeland is one of today’s leading experts on franchising, distribution channels, and growth platforms. He is the author of Franchising Dreams, and was named by Fortune Small Business as “One of the top ten minds in small business.”  He founded Peter Birkeland Consulting to help companies create and execute growth platforms that increase productivity.

The evening includes a cocktail and networking session beginning at 5:30 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM, and the presentation. The entire business community is urged to attend. Reserve Today!

Registration Fee is $60 per person and includes dinner. Membership in the NEFA is NOT required. Reservations are required. Members receive $10.00 off. Join NEFA!

Peter has executive management experience as a CEO of a steel manufacturing company, research experience in strategy to world-leading strategist Gary Hamel, and management consulting experience with Accenture and Bridge Strategy as Research Director of Change Management. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and continues to lecture at the University of Chicago Graham School.

Birkeland has appeared on over 100 radio and television broadcasts and his ideas and articles have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Monthly, Chicago Tribune, Entrepreneur, Fortune, Fortune Small Business, Dallas Morning News and other leading publications. The Restaurant Finance national convention, and franchisor national conventions.

The 2008 NEFA logo is now available for all NEFA members in good standing to use on their websites and printed materials.

For a high resolution verson you may access it  at NEFA 2008 Member Logo

NEFA announces its 2008 list of the 10 fastest growing Franchise systems based in New England. The list contains some of the most prestigious brands in franchising and illustrates the vibrant franchise community that exists in New England.

NEFA only considers number of units as its criteria, and the franchise must be based in any of the 6 New England states.

New England Franchise Association 2008

10 Fastest Growing Franchise Organizations Based in New England

Ranking Company City, State % Growth in # Units

1 Edible Arrangements Hamden, CT 91%
2 Wings Over Agawam, MA 83%
3 American Ramp Systems South Boston, MA 32%
4 Snip-Its Natick, MA 30%
5 MaidPro Boston, MA 25%
6 Rooterman North Billerica, MA 21%
7 Coffee News Bangor, ME 20%
8 Lapels Dry Cleaning Hanover, MA 13%
9 Ronzio’s Lincoln, RI 10%
10 Hannoush Jewelers* West Springfield, MA         9%

Notes:

Information on number of units are compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine, Franchise 500, January 2008 Isuue & January 2007 Issue.
* This companies’ unit numbers were not compiled by Entrepreneur Magazine, but were gleaned from information available on their websites.