In July, 2009, Franchise Pick explored the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of franchising.  I’ll let you decide which is which.

Do you know a franchise company, franchise opportunity, franchise vendor or issue you’d like to recommend for us to feature?  Email Sean Kelly at info[at]ideafarm.net.

Here’s what we covered in July, 2009:

July’s Featured Franchise:  Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning

Featured Opportunity: Oxi Fresh Franchise 33 Comments
Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Franchise Profile
Interview with Jonathan Barnett, Oxi Fresh
OXI FRESH Pt. 2: The Green Franchise 22 Comments
OXI FRESH Franchisees Happy to be Green (1)
OXI FRESH Franchisees Happy to be Green (2)

July’s Featured Franchise Vendor:  Contour Creations Inc.

Contour Creations Inc. is Colorizing Curves

July’s Top New Franchises

BECOMING MOM Pregnancy Spa & Imaging Centre
CREATIVE TUTORS: A Franchise for Educators
Just Between Friends Sells 95th Franchise

July’s Featured Franchise Controversies

Ricky’s Candy, Cones & Chaos Franchise
ACTIONCOACH: Brad Sugars Battles Bloggers
Anthony Reza Solhi: “I am not a crook!”
ONLINE OUTPOST Craigslist Scam. Beware!
LEASE ONE: Failed Brokers Say It’s a Scam
Beware of the Franchise FranBogies!

July’s Featured Topic:  Fast Food Sex Fest

The Fast Food Sex Fest Continues
BURGER KING Pulls A Boner With Ad
HARDEE’S: A-Holes vs B-Holes Commercial

Franchise Marketing:  Michael Jackson, KFC & More

KFC: Paid Plug at Michael Jackson Memorial? 6
Magic Johnson Criticized for MJ KFC Story 10
Michael Jackson, Magic Johnson & KFC 8
CHIPOTLE Promotes Food Inc. Documentary
HUDDLE HOUSE: CEO Griefield on Franchising

More Fluff & Drivel

Sarah Palin Resigns to Open Franchise (?)
Happy Independence Day from Franchise Pick

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

Post from: EveryJoe

Franchise Pick Blog Posts: July, 2009

(Best Franchise Opportunities)  In April, 2007, I posted a question:  Is Snappy Auctions a Great Franchise Opportunity?  15 months later, the comment count has passed 1000 and it’s still going strong.  The question has long since been answered, but a mini-community has continued to discuss, debate, vent, whine, insult, scream, commiserate, console, instruct and debate the implications.

While 1000 comments on a post may be old hat for some of the b5 heavy hitters and legends, it’s an amazing milestone for me… mostly from what I’ve learned from this and other heavily commented posts on Franchise Pick.

To be honest, I knew the answer to the title question when I posted it;  I was experimenting with the role of blog host as provocateur (instead of the default blog host as know-it-all windbag). 

The result is an interesting chronicle of the fall of a “hot new franchise concept” after the hype has faded away, and the survivors try to keep surviving while figuring out what just happened.

It contains some depressing exchanges as those who realize they picked the wrong company and concept deal with the financial and emotional consequences.

It contains some inspiring exchanges, as those who have survived their lost investment continue to return to offer advice, support and guidance to those who are still in the earlier stages.

It’s inspiring how those who have had to deal with hardship are willing to take the time and energy to help educate and warn others not to make the same mistakes they did – as well as continuing to hold those they believe mislead them accountable.

To me it’s also been a bit inspiring to see how people – as well as blogs covering the same topics – can work together to help create and spread understanding.  In the case of Snappy Auctions, iSold It and the other eBay drop-off franchises, FranchisePick.Com relied heavily on its predecessor and subject matter expert resource AmITheOnlyOne.org.

Thanks to all who commented, contributed and read this and the related posts.  And thanks to Debbie Gordon and Snappy Auctions, and Ken Sully and iSold It for providing

Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.

Information provided by the franchise company.  FranBest has not verified every statement or claim, and does not endorse any specific franchises, franchise companies or specific franchise opportunities.  We recommend thorough investigation before investing.

Post from: EveryJoe

The Post That Launched a 1000 Comments

(FranchisePick.Com)

In a March 13 comment on Cuppy’s Coffee, Elite Manufacturing Franchise Complaint on Rip-off Report, Robert wrote

I am also having problems with Cuppy’s / Elite similar to Chip, Daniel, and Steve. My financing for a Cuppy’s franchise was denied almost a year ago… Cuppy’s / Elite now insists on repaying the monies owed me over 31 months which is unreasonable and unacceptable. Unfortunately I am beginning to believe that this issue will not be resolved… without the assistance of further legal action.

On April 8th, he wrote:

…I am still in limbo and have not received any offer other than the original that proposed to repay me over 2 1/2 years….

On April 11th, he posted some good news:

Just to let everyone know, I have settled with Cuppy’s / Elite and the check has cleared the bank. I wish everyone the best of luck in these trying times and thank all for their support and interest. Sean, you provide a much valued service with this website and do help a great many who feel that they otherwise might not have a voice.

To be honest, it was Robert’s $40,000 day.

And after negotiations, legal bills and more, it was surely less than $40,000.

While I’d love to take credit, what helped Robert get his money back was the power of tens of thousands of readers each month, whose visits, links and hundreds of monthly comments have given FranchisePick.Com prominence in search engines and widespread influence.

One last admission: $40,000 isn’t really our record. We’ve had several people thanks us for saving them literally hundreds of thousands of dollars they were about to give to dubious companies until they saw your comments and insights.

So hang in there and don’t give up. There’s hope for the little guy yet.

In blogging veritas!

WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

__________________________

Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.

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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

Post from: EveryJoe

FranchisePick.Com Blog Celebrates a Record $40,000 Day

Entering Blogosphere.  Instant reports are all the rage.

According to Ellen Shubart:

…during the past five years, savvy business people have recognized the potential and moved blogs front and center into the commercial realm. Seeking to engage potential buyers, franchisors or franchisees, franchise leaders are using blogs as quick and inexpensive ways to reach people—lots of people – with information that is more up-to-date and a bit edgier than what’s found on a Web site alone. Blogs, in short, are the hottest, newest marketing tool in the U.S. today and quickly are becoming a business necessity.

We couldn’t agree more, and appreciate the recognition Franchise Pick received in the article.

Post from: EveryJoe

Franchise Times: Blogs are hottest new marketing tool