Innholdsfortegnelse for Fall/Winter 2021 i Entrepreneur's Startups

I still remember the first time somebody tasted one of our sauces and I said, ‘Ugh, not for me,’ ” Lisa Tran says. It was 2017, and Tran had just made one of the biggest, most emotionally wrought decisions of her life. She’d created a line of Vietnamese sauces based on beloved family recipes, despite her parents’ disapproval, and set out to become an entrepreneur. That meant handing out a lot of samples in a lot of supermarkets, where she felt raw and vulnerable. So when this one customer just wrinkled her nose and walked away—leaving a half-eaten cup on the counter—it was a break-down moment for Tran. “I went to the bathroom and cried,” she says. “People can be so blunt, and I couldn’t help taking it personally, because…

Steve Roberts didn’t usually cover his son’s shift at the local Pie Five Pizza, but S the situation was dire. His son, Joel, had a medical emergency, and the shop was so understaffed that nobody else was available. But when Roberts arrived at the pizza shop in Ankeny, Iowa, he was appalled by what he saw. The place was dirty and in disarray. It lacked enough food product, and the machinery was broken. Who would want to work there, let alone eat there? “Oh, man, what a mess,” Roberts said to his son. “Give me your boss’s phone number right now.” When Roberts called the franchise owner to complain, the owner surprised him with an offer: Would Roberts want to buy the franchise? Roberts had no business experience; he’d spent…

ADVERTISING Coffee News Weekly publication distributed at restaurants and waiting areas BEGAN: 1988, Franchising: 1994 UNITS: US: 335, CAN: 209, INTL: 49, CO: 3 COST: $10.8K–$11.8K, Rty: $25–$80/wk. FINANCING: Yes Discovery Map Visitor-information maps and guides BEGAN: 1974, Franchising: 1993 UNITS: US: 127, CAN: 1, INTL: 1, CO: 1 COST: $35.95K–$45.95K, Rty: 10% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $50K–$100K liquid Fun 4 US Kids Family calendar/directory websites BEGAN: 2013, Franchising: 2017 UNITS: US: 13, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 8 COST: $8.3K–$46.3K, Rty: 0 FINANCING: Yes GetintheLoop Local shopping apps BEGAN: 2013, Franchising: 2018 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 90, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $17.5K–$37.5K, Rty: 27% FINANCING: Yes Money Pages Direct-mail advertising BEGAN: 2001, Franchising: 2012 UNITS: US: 13, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 15 COST: $82.5K–$148.5K, Rty: $3K/mo. FINANCING: Yes…

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH RESTAURANTS Eggs Up Grill Breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurants BEGAN: 1986, Franchising: 2005 UNITS: US: 46, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $492.9K–$660.3K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K net worth w/$150K liquid Elmer’s Breakfast Lunch Dinner/Egg N’ Joe Family restaurants BEGAN: 1960, Franchising: 1982 UNITS: US: 14, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 15 COST: $712K–$3.2M, Rty: 4% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $600K–$2M net worth w/$300K–$800K liquid Famous Toastery Breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurants BEGAN: 2005, Franchising: 2013 UNITS: US: 18, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 8 COST: $605.5K–$1M, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K net worth w/$250K–$400K liquid The Flying Biscuit Café Southern food and breakfast restaurants BEGAN: 1993, Franchising: 2006 UNITS: US: 16, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 4 COST: $442.5K–$737K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K…

CBD Discover CBD Hemp-derived CBD products BEGAN: 2015, Franchising: 2019 UNITS: US: 8, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 5 COST: $89.3K–$161.5K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $115.3K–$246.5K liquid HBCannU Herbal and nutritional supplements containing CBD BEGAN: 2016, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $109.9K–$165.5K, Rty: 10% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $150K net worth w/$50K liquid My CBD Health CBD products BEGAN: 2019, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $78.2K–$116.6K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $100K–$200K net worth w/$75K–$100K liquid Your CBD Store CBD stores BEGAN: 2018, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 236, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 2 COST: $66.4K–$82.5K, Rty: 2% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $75K–$250K net worth w/$60K–$100K liquid CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES AlignLife Chiropractic and natural health services BEGAN: 1999,…

ASPHALT MAINTENANCE Jet-Black/Yellow Dawg Striping Asphalt maintenance BEGAN: 1988, Franchising: 1993 UNITS: US: 113, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 8 COST: $55.1K–$125.3K, Rty: 1-8% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $25K liquid SealMaster Pavement maintenance products and equipment BEGAN: 1969, Franchising: 1991 UNITS: US: 40, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $579.8K–$924.5K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $800K net worth w/$200K liquid CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Chem-Dry Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Carpet and upholstery cleaning, tile and stone care, granite countertop renewal BEGAN: 1977, Franchising: 1978 UNITS: US: 1,940, CAN: 70, INTL: 1,567, CO: 0 COST: $68.1K–$191.2K, Rty: $414/mo. FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $70K net worth w/$50K liquid Heaven’s Best Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Carpet, upholstery, tile, and wood floor cleaning BEGAN: 1983, Franchising: 1983 UNITS: US: 843, CAN: 5, INTL: 1, CO:…

ADVENTURE PARKS/ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS Launch Trampoline Park Family entertainment centers BEGAN: 2012, Franchising: 2013 UNITS: US: 31, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $1.9M–$4.4M, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $1M net worth w/$600K liquid LOL Kids Club Indoor playgrounds and cafés BEGAN: 2014, Franchising: 2021 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $850K–$1.2M, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $250K net worth w/$250K liquid Safari Nation Indoor bounce houses and playgrounds BEGAN: 2015, Franchising: 2018 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $255.5K–$746.5K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes Sky Zone Trampoline parks/entertainment centers BEGAN: 2004, Franchising: 2009 UNITS: US: 127, CAN: 6, INTL: 29, CO: 26 COST: $1.3M–$2.8M, Rty: 6% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $1.8M net worth w/$500K liquid Urban Air Adventure Park Adventure parks BEGAN: 2011,…

ELECTRONICS REPAIRS/SALES CPR Cell Phone Repair Electronics repairs and sales BEGAN: 2004, Franchising: 2007 UNITS: US: 479, CAN: 23, INTL: 42, CO: 0 COST: $79.9K–$205.5K, Rty: 6.35% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $150K net worth w/$50K liquid Experimax Electronics resales and repairs BEGAN: 2009, Franchising: 2014 UNITS: US: 68, CAN: 3, INTL: 22, CO: 0 COST: $146.3K–$351.1K, Rty: $500+/mo. FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $60K liquid NerdsToGo Technology sales, repair, and services BEGAN: 2003, Franchising: 2006 UNITS: US: 26, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $133.7K–$217.2K, Rty: 8% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $300K net worth w/$80K liquid Phone Repair Guy Electronics repairs BEGAN: 2016, Franchising: 2019 UNITS: US: 1, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 4 COST: $124.95K–$207.9K, Rty: 4% FINANCING: Yes uBreakiFix Electronics repairs BEGAN: 2009, Franchising: 2013 UNITS: US: 414, CAN: 49, INTL:…

1 Start small “We ask potential vendors about their sustainability practices to make sure our values are aligned. If they are, we experiment with small-batch orders, when possible, to ensure that any wrinkles can get ironed out early without affecting the supply chain and customer experience too much. Clear communication from those earliest days is an important part of creating lasting relationships.” —JUSTINA BLAKENEY, founder, Jungalow 2 Build foundations “I take a long-term approach to all partnerships. For example, I had been talking to one technology platform for two years, and we finally closed a deal. I had established a trusting relationship with them over the years, and when it made sense for us to invest in that kind of support, I knew they were the right partner. On the…

When Jean Brownhill walked into her Brooklyn home in 2007 and she knew she was dealing with a renovation gone wrong. Brownhill had built a career in architecture and construction—and if she struggled to find a reliable general contractor, then she knew other homeowners must really struggle. To seize the opportunity, she launched Sweeten in 2011. It’s an online marketplace that matches homeowners with vetted general contractors and helps manage the relationship and the project. Consumers get transparency; reliable contractors get more business. Since launching, Sweeten has raised $20 million, completed thousands of renovations across the country, and has $1.8 billion worth of projects in its pipeline. But to succeed, Brownhill knew she’d need to do more than just create a smart service. She’d need to build trust in a very…

Why the Brand Seeks Multi-Unit Owners America runs on Dunkin’, as the slogan goes—and Dunkin’ runs on multi-unit franchisees. The company has around 2,300 franchisees within its system, and an estimated 85 percent are multi-unit operators. A handful even qualify as “mega” franchisees, with more than 200 stores within their networks.“There are many pros to working with multi-unit operators,” says Grant Benson, senior vice president of franchising and development at Inspire Brands, parent company to Dunkin’. “One is that as you bring forward business opportunities to franchise networks, you really only need to gain endorsement from that operator to make a big impact.” Benson points to new marketing initiatives or operations-based programs and changes, which the company invests in and vets before asking individual franchisees to implement. Getting buy-in from…

CHILDCARE Adventure Kids Playcare Childcare/entertainment centers BEGAN: 2004, Franchising: 2006 UNITS: US: 12, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 4 COST: $344.3K–$589K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $350K net worth w/$100K liquid Building Kidz School Preschool/educational childcare BEGAN: 2002, Franchising: 2015 UNITS: US: 29, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $214K–$867K, Rty: 7% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K net worth w/$100K liquid Children’s Lighthouse Childcare BEGAN: 1996, Franchising: 1999 UNITS: US: 55, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $4.3M–$6.3M, Rty: 7% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $600K–$950K net worth w/$300K–$500K liquid College Nannies, Sitters and Tutors Nanny placement, babysitting BEGAN: 2001, Franchising: 2005 UNITS: US: 188, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $105K–$158K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $350K net worth w/$60K liquid Ducklings Early Learning Center Early education and childcare…

ACAI BOWLS Acai Express Superfood Bowls Acai bowls, smoothies, juices BEGAN: 2013, Franchising: 2014 UNITS: US: 15, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 6 COST: $107.9K–$359K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $50K–$75K liquid Bahia Bowls Acai and other fruit bowls, smoothies, salads, wraps, coffee, kombucha BEGAN: 2017, Franchising: 2018 UNITS: US: 3, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 2 COST: $178.8K–$249.8K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $120K net worth w/$63.8K liquid Bowl Boss Acai Acai bowls, smoothies, espresso, waffles BEGAN: 2018, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $154.95K–$363K, Rty: 5.5% FINANCING: No Frutta Bowls Acai, pitaya, and kale bowls, and fruit smoothies BEGAN: 2016, Franchising: 2017 UNITS: US: 34, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $162.7K–$384.9K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $250K net worth w/$100K…

CONCRETE COATINGS Concrete Craft Decorative concrete coatings BEGAN: 2006, Franchising: 2008 UNITS: US: 60, CAN: 2, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $150.1K–$241.1K, Rty: 4-7% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $200K net worth w/$110.1K liquid Granite Garage Floors Garage floor coatings BEGAN: 2011, Franchising: 2013 UNITS: US: 13, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $128K–$236.7K, Rty: 6.5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $50K–$150K net worth w/$50K–$150K liquid Steel Coated Epoxy Floors Epoxy coating for concrete floors BEGAN: 2018, Franchising: 2018 UNITS: US: 29, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $32K–$112.5K, Rty: 8% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $15K liquid FLOORING Floor Coverings International Flooring BEGAN: 1988, Franchising: 1989 UNITS: US: 159, CAN: 11, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $154.3K–$223K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $200K net worth w/$50K liquid ProSource Wholesale Wholesale kitchen, bath, and…

FITNESS: BARRE The Bar Method Barre fitness studios BEGAN: 2001, Franchising: 2008 UNITS: US: 100, CAN: 2, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $218.96K–$427.4K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $125K net worth The Barre Code Barre fitness classes BEGAN: 2010, Franchising: 2013 UNITS: US: 41, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 4 COST: $190.5K–$411.8K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $200K–$420K net worth w/$100K–$225K liquid Pure Barre Barre fitness classes and apparel BEGAN: 2001, Franchising: 2009 UNITS: US: 589, CAN: 3, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $202.5K–$461.5K, Rty: 7% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K net worth w/$100K liquid FITNESS: BOXING/KICKBOXING CKO Kickboxing Kickboxing fitness classes BEGAN: 1997, Franchising: 2007 UNITS: US: 64, CAN: 1, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $125K–$252K, Rty: 7% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $110K–$130K net worth w/$65K–$85K liquid Jabz Boxing Boxing fitness…

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES Apricot Lane Boutique Women’s clothing, accessories, gifts BEGAN: 1991, Franchising: 2004 UNITS: US: 70, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $137.2K–$361.8K, Rty: 5.5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $250K net worth w/$80K liquid Clothes Mentor Women’s clothing and accessories resale stores BEGAN: 2001, Franchising: 2007 UNITS: US: 135, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $198K–$362.5K, Rty: 4% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $400K net worth w/$90K liquid Mainstream Boutique Women’s clothing, accessories, gifts BEGAN: 1991, Franchising: 1998 UNITS: US: 76, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $160.8K–$306.4K, Rty: 7.5% FINANCING: Yes Plato’s Closet Teen- and young-adult-clothing resale stores BEGAN: 1998, Franchising: 1999 UNITS: US: 450, CAN: 31, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $250.7K–$389.6K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $400K net worth w/$90K–$105K liquid Style Encore Women’s clothing and…

A couple of years ago, I started to talk to strangers. That’s not to say that, because I had. I’m the son and brother of highly social small-business owners, and I’m a journalist, so talking to strangers has been both a way of life and a livelihood for me. And yet, a few years ago I noticed I wasn’t doing it much anymore—if at all. Between balancing a demanding job and a really demanding small child, I was often tired, distracted, and overscheduled. The prospect of striking up conversations with random strangers in coffee shops, or bars, or on the bus started to feel daunting. Eventually, I just stopped doing it. This was a coping strategy, of course. I was overwhelmed, so something had to go. And talking to strangers can,…

Every industry can be disrupted—and Yousuf Ali knows that well. He spent decades as an old-school marketer, until he got outmoded by new digital tools. That’s why, as he sought a career in franchising, he decided to bet on a forward-thinking brand that embraced new technologies. My Eyelab fit the bill. It has 120 locations across the United States, sells eyeglasses, and uses telehealth technologies to give customers easy access to eye exams and prescriptions. Ali appreciated that My Eyelab was fusing tried-and-true retail with innovative technology, and now he’s going all in: After opening his first location in 2019 in Irving, Texas, he recently opened two storefronts in nearby Dallas suburbs, with two more in the works for later this year. You spent 20 years in marketing before becoming a…

BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES BooXkeeping Bookkeeping for small businesses BEGAN: 2011, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $40.2K–$65.2K, Rty: 10% FINANCING: Yes CPA Moms Virtual accounting and tax services BEGAN: 2020, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 5, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $39.6K–$64.8K, Rty: 10% FINANCING: Yes Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) Business financial consulting BEGAN: 1984, Franchising: 1993 UNITS: US: 117, CAN: 7, INTL: 554, CO: 0 COST: $59.9K–$85.9K, Rty: 15% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $150K net worth w/$100K liquid Flaherty Solutions Bookkeeping and accounting services BEGAN: 2012, Franchising: 2019 UNITS: US: 4, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $50.6K–$67.6K, Rty: 7% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $100K–$1M net worth w/$50K–$300K liquid Lendio Small-business financing BEGAN: 2011, Franchising: 2016 UNITS: US: 64, CAN: 0, INTL: 0,…

CANDY Candy Food Truck Candy food trucks BEGAN: 2017, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $76.6K–$104.2K, Rty: $800+/mo. FINANCING: No QUALIF: $75K net worth w/$50K liquid Kilwins Chocolates, fudge, ice cream BEGAN: 1947, Franchising: 1982 UNITS: US: 145, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 3 COST: $346.7K–$870.98K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $150K–$500K net worth w/$50K–$125K liquid Peterbrooke Chocolatier Specialty chocolates, gelato, gifts BEGAN: 1983, Franchising: 2006 UNITS: US: 18, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 5 COST: $212.8K–$333.5K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $150K–$1.5M net worth w/$100K–$1M liquid River Street Sweets Savannah’s Candy Kitchen Candy and confections BEGAN: 1973, Franchising: 2015 UNITS: US: 6, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 13 COST: $458.1K–$920.5K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K net worth w/$150K–$190K liquid The Rocket Fizz…

CAMPGROUNDS Kampgrounds of America (KOA) Campgrounds and RV Parks BEGAN: 1962, Franchising: 1963 UNITS: US: 453, CAN: 33, INTL: 0, CO: 33 COST: $30.3K–$9.2M, Rty: 8% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $500K–$3M net worth w/$500K–$3M liquid Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts Family camping resorts BEGAN: 1969, Franchising: 1969 UNITS: US: 73, CAN: 5, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $63K–$5M, Rty: 3.5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: to $250K net worth w/up to $100K liquid HOTELS & MOTELS AmericInn by Wyndham Hotels BEGAN: 1987, Franchising: 1987 UNITS: US: 205, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $285.9K–$8.1M, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes Baymont by Wyndham Hotels BEGAN: 1974, Franchising: 1987 UNITS: US: 521, CAN: 3, INTL: 1, CO: 0 COST: $209.1K–$7.2M, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes Candlewood Suites Suite hotels BEGAN: 1995, Franchising: 1996 UNITS: US: 411,…

DOG TRAINING Bark Busters Home Dog Training In-home dog training BEGAN: 1989, Franchising: 1994 UNITS: US: 123, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $67.7K–$99.5K, Rty: 10% FINANCING: Yes Dog Training Elite Dog training BEGAN: 1995, Franchising: 2015 UNITS: US: 59, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $75.7K–$248.9K, Rty: 8% FINANCING: No QUALIF: $150K net worth w/$50K liquid Leader of the Pack Canine Institute Dog training, boarding, daycare, grooming, retail BEGAN: 2009, Franchising: 2018 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $341.7K–$647.3K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $250K–$500K net worth w/$150K–$500K liquid Sit Means Sit Dog Training Dog training BEGAN: 2006, Franchising: 2009 UNITS: US: 138, CAN: 1, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $24.3K–$123.9K, Rty: $600–$900/mo. FINANCING: No QUALIF: $50K net worth w/$20K liquid Zoom Room…

DRY CLEANING & LAUNDRY SERVICES Lapels Dry Cleaning Dry cleaning and laundry services BEGAN: 2000, Franchising: 2001 UNITS: US: 102, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 0 COST: $91.5K–$710.1K, Rty: 5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $100K–$500K net worth w/$80K–$250K liquid LaundroLab Laundromats BEGAN: 2016, Franchising: 2020 UNITS: US: 0, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 1 COST: $321.3K–$482.7K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $750K net worth w/$350K liquid Oxxo Care Cleaners Dry cleaning and laundry services BEGAN: 2001, Franchising: 2002 UNITS: US: 41, CAN: 0, INTL: 10, CO: 3 COST: $169.5K–$672K, Rty: 6% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $800K net worth w/$280K liquid Tide Cleaners Dry cleaning BEGAN: 2008, Franchising: 2009 UNITS: US: 171, CAN: 0, INTL: 0, CO: 14 COST: $681.1K–$1.6M, Rty: 6.5% FINANCING: Yes QUALIF: $2M net worth w/$1.1M liquid WaveMax Laundry Laundromats…