Franchising in New England

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.

NEFA members, The Entrepreneur’s Source, TES and Business Advisers International, BAI had the honor of sponsoring and presenting ‘The Entrepreneur of the Year Award’ at the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) National Convention held in Orlando, Florida last week in front of over 3000 franchise industry executives.

The Entrepreneur of the Year award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the “entrepreneurial spirit” that franchising represents, has a unique vision; are willing and eager to take the risks that traditionally accompany new endeavors, and possess the key management skills to create a successful business enterprise through franchising. He or she must demonstrate innovative management skills and be in operation for at least three years while remaining active in their community.

The 2008 “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” was presented to Brian Scudamore, CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, the World’s Largest Junk Removal Company. As CEO of the Vancouver-based company, Scudamore began franchising his brand and in just five years guided the company to expand to more than 275 franchise locations. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is now the world’s largest junk removal service with more than 330 locations in three countries, 45 U.S. states and nine Canadian provinces.

“This is the fifth year The Entrepreneur’s Source, along with its affiliate company Business Advisers International, have sponsored the IFA award ceremony and luncheon honoring an outstanding member of the franchise industry,” said Brian Miller, president of The Entrepreneur’s Source. “As huge advocates for business ownership and franchising, our association with this awards program underscores our passion and belief in the ability for anyone to reach the American dream of business ownership,” he added.

EmbroidMe, a NEFA member, announces that the EmbroidMe store located at 72 Portsmouth Ave., Suite 101, is now under the ownership of local residents Cheryl and son, Billy Arsenault.

Before becoming EmbroidMe franchisees, Cheryl was a professional bookkeeper for 12 years and Billy is a recent graduate of the Thompson School of Applied Science, earning a degree in Business Management.

Cheryl says that the opportunity to own an EmbroidMe store has made a tremendous difference in their lives. “Discovering EmbroidMe came at a perfect time in my life because my children are grown and it is something I’ve always wanted to do,” she says. “EmbroidMe is a perfect fit for our family.”

Billy has wanted to be an entrepreneur since he could pronounce the word,” Cheryl says. “We are thrilled to be taking on this endeavor as a dynamic mother and son team.”

Ken Cheo, of Winfree Business Growth Advisors, a NEFA Member, will be giving a presentation on how to give and get referrals at the: It’s time for a change… It’s Time to Move Up! Meet Up at Fuji on Hancock Street in Quincy.

“It’s time to move up!” metowrking events are designed to be unique by combining business, networking social networking and continuing education.

Come meet some influential people, have some sushi and learn how to get and give referrals. Register Today

Price: Free. When? Monday, Feb 25, 2008, 6:00 PM
Where? Fuji - 1546 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169, (617) 770-1546
Event Agenda
6:00pm - 7:00pm - Open Networking
7:00pm - 7:10pm - Introduction
7:10pm - 7:30pm - How to Get and Give Referrals - Ken Cheo Winfree Business Growth Advisors
7:30pm - 9:00pm - Open Networking

Appetizers will be served…
Check out Fuji website for more information.
This event is sponsored by Maxima Mortgages
Description: Come meet some influential people, have some sushi and learn how to get and give referrals.
Space is Limited! For more information call Ken at 781-353-6493 or email kcheo@winfree.org.

Cartridge World New England, a NEFA member, is thrilled to announce the signing of another new franchise agreement! The newest Cartridge World location, currently planned for Norwood, MA, will be the 21st franchise in our region, the 10th in the state of Massachusetts, and the 800th in the Unites States!

The owners are Nilesh and Neha Ganatra.

Congratulations to the Ganatra’s and Cartridge World New England.

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.

New Position Helps Lead Company’s Expansion of Operations and Marketing of Emerging Brand Nationwide

DoodyCalls a NEFA Member,  has appointed Chris Brown as Director of Franchise Support. This new position is a key element in the company’s strategic move to become a dominant player in the multi-billion dollar pet service industry.

“Chris is a proven leader in the franchising industry, and we are thrilled that he has taken on the role to help us support DoodyCalls franchisee operations to continue to grow and strengthen their presence and services to their markets and communities,” said Jacob D’Aniello, Founder and CEO of DoodyCalls.

Brown will be responsible for building relationships with DoodyCalls franchisees to help boost and support their franchise operations and marketing of DoodyCalls.  Brown is a seasoned veteran in franchise systems and with his previous positions in operational support, sales and marketing he is eager to share his experiences.

“I am thrilled to work with a proven franchisor and to be a mentor for the franchisees,” Brown said. “I come to DoodyCalls with a team concept approach and the desire to positively impact and support the existing business model and to foster enormous growth in operation and marketing of DoodyCalls as the world class leader in pet waste removal.”

New England Franchise Association is pleased to present Leonard Swartz of The iFranchise Group, Homewood, Illinois.  Over the course of a 43 year career in franchising, Mr. Swartz has been the president of 6 different firms and a senior executive at 4 more, including prominent franchisors Dunkin’ Donuts, a division of Snelling & Snelling, ADECCO (Adia Services), Dunhill Personnel, Postal Instant Press (PIP Printing), Chicken Unlimited, and a division of ITT.

Reserve your spot.

After spending some 30 years in senior franchise management positions, Mr. Swartz spent a decade heading the franchise practice of Arthur Andersen. He was also the head of the international franchise practice of Horwath International. Mr. Swartz has provided consulting services to dozens of Fortune 2000 businesses, as well as to hundreds of smaller franchisors.

The iFranchise Group is comprised of the nation’s leading professionals in the field of franchising. Senior consultants for the iFranchise Group bring over 250 years of experience to their clients. Services: include franchise feasibility, franchise structure, legal documentation, operations and training materials and assistance with franchise sales and franchise feasibility.

This meeting is sponsored by CIT Small Business Lending.

Enjoy networking and knowledge on Tuesday, March 18th, 5:30PM- 9:00PM at the Marriott Hotel Burlington, One Mall Road, Burlington, MA (Alert - locations for NEFA meetings change from meeting to meeting). Reserve your spot.

We hope to see you there!

Constant Contact, NEFA Member and a leading provider of email marketing and online surveys for franchise systems and small organizations, announced that United Franchise Group, another NEFA member, has joined the Constant Contact Franchise Program. United Franchise Group is the developer of award-winning franchise services, including such industry-leading brands as SIGNARAMA, EmbroidMe, Billboard Connection, FranchiseMart, and Plan Ahead Events.

United Franchise Group, which consists of more than 1,400 franchise locations in 50 countries, will use Constant Contact to create email newsletters specific to each brand. Franchisees, both domestic and international, will now have a more effective way to communicate with their customers. Along with Constant Contact’s industry-leading customer service, franchisees will be equipped with professionally-designed email templates that incorporate fixed logos, images, and brand messaging and have areas that can be populated by the local franchises to incorporate content for their particular markets.

“Constant Contact is an easy-to-use, affordable solution that will enable all of our franchisee brands to communicate at the local level,” said Ray Titus, president, United Franchise Group. “In order to be successful as an organization, we need to ensure that we’re aligned with the goals of our franchisees. The Constant Contact self-service model enables our team to easily include local messaging within the branded templates without the need for IT support.”

“United Franchise Group is a proven leader in the franchise industry and provides its franchises with the resources they need to not only start a business, but grow one,” said Kevin O’Brien, senior manager, franchise partner programs, Constant Contact. “We are pleased that United Franchise Group has joined our Franchise Program and look forward to helping this global organization and its members deliver consistent and compelling communications to their audiences.”

Constant Contact’s Franchise Program helps franchises build stronger and more profitable relationships with their customers through email marketing. Using templates pre-populated with brand logos and content, franchises in a wide variety of industries including retail, hospitality, professional service, and child-focused franchises, can cost-effectively promote their brand and local operations. Constant Contact develops professionally-designed and branded formats that allow franchisees to add content targeted to the specific interests and needs of their customers.