Yogurtini » self serve frozen yogurt

You Can Be Your Own Boss With Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise According to the Miami Herald!

Yogurtini — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:40:47 +0000

The Miami Herald

You Can Be Your Own Boss With Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise According to the Miami Herald!

Franchise opportunities are growing in South Florida, allowing new business owners to build on the strength of a proven brand.

“Folks underestimate themselves — with the great training they get in the corporate world, they are in a position to run their own business,” he said. “They don’t know it, but they come with a skill set. As long as they bring the same focus and attention into something that is of great interest to them, it gives them the tools to be successful in their own small company.”

To be sure, prospective franchisees should also do their due diligence and examine the company, including its track record, business model, competition, training and support, and reasons for choosing South Florida, Peña said.

South Florida entrepreneur Emilio Braun spent two years looking for a franchising opportunity in South Florida, before settling on frozen yogurt.

After researching various brands, he signed a master franchise development contract with Tempe, Ariz.-based Yogurtini, for Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

He and his brother, Javier, opened their first shop in Coral Springs about five months ago, another in Davie last month, and plan a third in Kendall, which will open in March. In all, they hope to open at least 10 within five years.

The brothers, who have businesses in industries such as television and real estate, sold their 80 mobile phone stores in Mexico and funded the yogurt shops with their own capital.

They decided that franchising was their next best bet.

“When I started doing research, I saw that competition is very high in the States, so if you don’t do it the right way you are going to go out of business very quickly,” Emilio Braun said.

Franchise rules that govern everything from the size of the space to the type of sound system installed end up being advantageous in the long run, he said, allowing him to “compete in a saturated market.”

“I have support from the franchiser in marketing, in publicity, in operations. We do a conference call every two weeks to see how things are going, and they come and visit every month or two,” said Braun, 37. “So that is the price you are paying. I believe it is worth it.”

Nevertheless, franchising is not for everyone. Starting your own business without the constraints and costs of buying a franchise is far more appealing for some entrepreneurs.

“You don’t have to pay for a mentor if you find the right one,” said Todd Fener, who lives in Key Biscayne and owns four coin laundries. He found his own mentor in John O’Brien, a Fort Lauderdale entrepreneur who owns 17 coin laundries.

For many, the biggest hurdle to opening a franchise remains access to credit, Caldeira said. Loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration, once considered the last resort, have become the first option, he said.

In fact, the SBA has guaranteed more than 500 loans during the past six years, totaling $242.3 million, for franchisees south of Orlando, said Althea Harris, assistant district director of marketing and outreach at the SBA office in Miami.

“In many cases, it is easier to get a franchise financed than other businesses,” Peña said, citing franchiser financing and the possibility of using your own retirement funds.

Pein, for example, was able to finance her first 7-Eleven franchise by taking out a $200,000 loan with Citibank, which, at the time, had an arrangement with the company.

Read full article here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/19/2650495_p2/you-can-be-the-boss-for-a-price.html#storylink=cpy

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha Nelson and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. The accelerated growth of the franchise has been recognized by the national press including Fox Business News, The Wall Street Journal and Inc. Magazine. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/yogurtini. For more information on Yogurtini® visitwww.yogurtini.com. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Yogurtini is now offering frozen yogurt franchise area development agreements. Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Missouri.

Yogurtini Self-Serve Franchise Owner Featured In The Denver Post!

Yogurtini — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:51:30 +0000

Franchise owner, Jen Cochran Lone Tree, CO Yogurtini Self-Serve was recently interviewed by The Denver Post.

Business Focus: Yogurtini, Lone Tree

Self-serving up a healthy treat

Owner Jennifer Cochran stands in front of the self-serve dispensers. Photo by Steve Shultz, YourHub

How did you get involved in this business? After visiting a self-serve frozen yogurt shop in Indianapolis two years ago, we decided it would be a perfect fit for the Lone Tree area. We began researching franchises, and Yogurtini was the perfect fit for us. We chose Yogurtini because of the great tasting yogurt, and the colors and ambience.

What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category? Yogurtini self-serve offers more flavors and more toppings than any other self-serve yogurt shop. We have a premium product: nonfat and low-fat real frozen yogurt with more live and active cultures than the National Yogurt Association requires. We always offer one non-dairy and one no-sugar added option. Because you “serve yo self” at Yogurtini, you are in control. One can serve up as much or as little as they’d like and simply pay by the ounce. We are always introducing new and exciting flavors like Maple Bacon Donut, Caramel Macchiato, Blueberry Muffin or Green Tea Tartini. We also have more than 85 toppings so you can swirl up something new and exciting every time you come in. We also feature a “Flavortini” board. A Flavortini is an enticing combination of Yogurtini frozen yogurt and toppings that taste great together. We encourage our customers to create and share their own ideas.

What do you like best about your line of work? I enjoy the daily interaction with customers and the flexibility in owning a business. Since I have two children involved in many activities, the flexibility is important to our family.

What is your business’ biggest challenge? There is a lot of competition in the frozen dessert category. Our product is premium and healthy and we do our best to get that message out to everyone. Since people who live in Lone Tree tend to keep active and are health conscious, they appreciate that Yogurtini self-serve offers a healthy treat. In addition, during the cold weather months, a frozen treat isn’t always at top of mind. We try to keep reminding everyone how delicious our yogurt is and entice people with new flavors and specials.

Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business: Yogurtini offers fundraisers for schools, clubs, church groups, charities, sports clubs/teams and PTO organizations. Yogurtini Lone Tree is willing to donate 20 percent to any organization hosting a fundraising night. Yogurtini also hosts birthday parties, with the birthday girl/boy getting their yogurt for free. Also, Yogurtini offers a reusable stainless steel container for to-go patrons. It comes with a lifetime 10 percent discount, and the first fill is free.

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. http://www.facebook.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/yogurtini. For more information on Yogurtini® visit www.yogurtini.com. YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Yogurtini is now offering frozen yogurt franchise area development agreements. Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Nebraska, Arizona, Kansas, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Missouri.

Arizona’s KMLE 108 Listeners Vote Yogurtini Self-Serve the “Best Frozen Yogurt”

Yogurtini — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:57:04 +0000

Thanks to the KMLE listeners who voted Yogurtini Self-Serve for “Best Frozen Yogurt”! You can see the results on their site here. Willy and Andrea from the morning show came out today to meet their listeners at the Yogurtini in Tempe.

Andrea from KMLE 108

Willy and the KMLE team Yogurtini

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Yogurtini Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise Featured in the Wall Street Journal

Yogurtini — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:20:16 +0000

Yogurtini is making the news again, this time in the Wall Street Journal!

Yogurt Chains Give Power to the People

By JAIME LEVY PESSIN

A growing number of frozen-yogurt chains are trying a new strategy to keep business hot in a cool economy: do it yourself.

Some new chains—and some of the biggest existing ones—are letting customers portion out their own dessert, add toppings and then pay by the ounce. The idea: Snackers are lured in by the expanded choices the stores offer—and may end up digging deeper than they would otherwise.

“People are doing things on their own that they wouldn’t feel comfortable asking someone behind the counter to do,” says Tim Casey, CEO of Mrs. Fields Famous Brands LLC, parent of industry leader TCBY, which is on target to open nearly 100 self-serve stores this year.

With weight-based pricing, the average self-serve ticket is $6.32, compared with $5.61 at a traditional store, says a TCBY spokeswoman.

Of the 71 frozen-dessert franchises tracked by research firm FRANdata, at least 17 have self-serve options. All of those chains opened in the past five years. For TCBY, the growth in self-serve is coming as traditional shops shut down. The chain closed 33 stores in 2010, and will shut 11 more this year, says Mr. Casey.

Why the new focus? People want the freedom that self-serve brings, he says: “If calories are an issue or budget is an issue, they’re in control.”

Make-your-own also eliminates waiting for employees to handle each order, says Natasha Nelson, co-founder of self-serve chain Yogurtini, of Tempe, Ariz. “The lines are out the door at night, and the lines move quickly,” she says.

What’s more, Yogurtini shops generally need just two employees to cover a shift, keeping labor costs relatively low, Ms. Nelson says.

Do-it-yourself does have drawbacks. For one thing, it can mean higher start-up costs for franchisees. FRANdata estimates the initial investment at about $277,000 to $521,000, compared with about $234,000 to $482,000 for a full-service shop. A large chunk of that comes from yogurt machines. They can can cost $15,000 apiece, and self-serve shops often offer more flavors than traditional stores.

Another major expense is space. With customers moving around the stores to get what they want, self-serve shops need 1,325 to 3,700 square feet, compared with 900 to 1,225 for counter-service models, FRANdata says.

Edith Wiseman, FRANdata’s vice president of client solutions, says sticker shock may end the trend. Snackers love all the choices, she says. But “humans aren’t known for self-control, so after loading up on toppings, the price shocks many consumers.”

Ms. Pessin is a writer in New York. She can be reached at reports@wsj.com.

About Yogurtini ®, and YHI, Inc:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses. For media inquiries please contact Orange County Public Relations agency,www.nnpublicrelations.com

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program including www.facebook.com . Or follow us on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/yogurtini .For more information on Yogurtini® visitwww.yogurtini.com.

YHI, Inc is the franchise development company for Yogurtini. To learn more about being awarded a Yogurtini franchise visit www.yogurtini.com/franchise . Additional Yogurtini franchises are currently under construction and development in Florida, Colorado, Arizona and Missouri.

Thinking of buying a self-serve frozen yogurt franchise? Bloomberg has a great video posted here on buying a franchise.

Yogurtini — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:43:03 +0000

Bloomberg News on Franchising

Have you thought about buying a franchise? Considering buying a self-serve frozen yogurt franchise? The pros and cons of going out on your own or going with an established brand and franchise? I think Bloomberg News did a great video segment about just these questions.

Bloomberg on Franchising

About Yogurtini®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson,Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini®’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

FOR MORE INFO ON BEING AWARDED A YOGURTINI FRANCHISE PLEASE VISIThttp://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. www.facebook.com/yogurtini , www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini.

New Summer Flavors for Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt!

andrea — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:20:33 +0000

Beat the summer heat and try one of Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt’s newest summer flavors- Thin Mint Cookie and Angel Food Cake! These flavors are currently being served at all franchise locations in Arizona, Missouri and Kansas. Enjoy the Flavortini recipes we’ve created or come up with your own using some of over 70 toppings offered. We’d love to hear about yours!

About Yogurtini:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the national press including Fox Business, MARCH Magazine, the Arizona Republic, 944 Magazine where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini®’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

YHI, the franchising company for Yogurtini began franchising in 2009. The popularity of the brand and the business opportunity has Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt franchise grand openings planned across the country at an astounding rate. The company currently has over 30 locations under agreement and construction.

FOR MORE INFO ON BEING AWARDED A YOGURTINI FRANCHISE PLEASE VISIT http://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. www.facebook.com/yogurtini , www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini.

Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt Announces Orange Creamsicle!

andrea — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 17:01:12 +0000

Now in Stores!! Visit any Yogurtini Self Serve Frozen Yogurt franchise location and try Chelsey’s latest flavor creation, Orange Creamsicle! The recipe for this flavor will surely bring back fond memories of childhood. It’s creamy and refreshing… Let us know what you think!

About Yogurtini®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson,Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the press in its native Arizona, where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” in 944 Magazine and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini®’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

FOR MORE INFO ON BEING AWARDED A YOGURTINI FRANCHISE PLEASE VISIT http://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. www.facebook.com/yogurtini , www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurt.

GET READY KANSAS, YOGURTINI® SELF-SERVE FROZEN YOGURT FRANCHISE READY TO MAKE ITS DEBUT IN OVERLAND PARK, DERBY AND SALINA

Yogurtini — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:27:25 +0000

Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt comes to Kansas

Thanks to Reuters for picking up our release on our new grand openings. Click here or see below for details on what is new with Yogurtini in the state of Kansas.

Tempe, AZ (Mar. 11, 2011) – Yogurtini® and YHI, Inc, a national and quickly growing self-serve frozen yogurt franchise originally established in Tempe, Arizona in 2008, announced today the migration of its popular serve-yo-self® concept to Kansas.

“We have had an amazing and wonderful response to the Yogurtini concept at our Midwest franchises in Missouri. The demand in Kansas has been overwhelming and we are excited to be entering this new market,” said Perry Kessler, CEO of YHI, Inc. (Yogurtini). “The love for the product, concept and experience at Yogurtini has been what I believe has made us so popular and in demand across the country,” he continued.

Yogurtini will be opening in early April in Overland Park at the intersection of 119^th and Metcalf next to 24 Hour Fitness and Five Guys Burgers. The Derby shop will be located next to the Rock River Water Park and will be announcing its opening date soon as well as the Salina location.

The self-serve frozen yogurt shop has become a sensation with locations in Tempe, Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona and three locations in Kansas City, MO, building a devoted following of its non-fat, real yogurt, pay by the ounce model. The serve-yo-self® concept allows customers to make their own frozen yogurt creation, creating blends and concoctions just like a signature martini or favorite cocktail. At Yogurtini, Flavortini recipes are created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings like the famous “Extra Dirty”, “Scouts Honor” and “The Peanut Butter and Jelly” are a favorite among their loyal following. Current new spring flavors rotating at the grand openings will be “Carrot Cake” and “Kiss Me I’m Irish Mint.”

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and up to 75 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the national press including Fox Business, MARCH Magazine, the Arizona Republic, 944 Magazine where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini®’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

YHI, the franchising company for Yogurtini® began franchising in 2009. The popularity of the brand and the business opportunity has Yogurtini franchise grand openings planned across the country at an astounding rate. The company currently has over 25 locations under agreement and construction.

For more information on the Yogurtini® self-serve frozen yogurt franchise opportunity please visit: http://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/ . Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through social networking. http://www.facebook.com/Yogurtini, http://www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini.

Yogurtini® Self-serve Frozen Yogurt Franchise Announces New Store Grand Opening in Scottsdale, AZ With a Free Fro-Yo Party

Yogurtini — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:47:19 +0000

Yahoo! just posted our press release about the Grand Opening of the Scottsdale Yogurtini this Saturday. Free fro-yo from 4-8!serve yo self at Yogurtini.

TEMPE, Ariz., March 10, 2011 — Yogurtini®, a quickly growing and popular self-serve frozen yogurt franchise, today announces the grand opening celebration of its fifth frozen yogurt franchise opening at the newly remodeled Pavilions at Talking Stick location next to Ultra Star Cinemas and the new Salt River Fields Spring Training Stadium.

To celebrate Yogurtini’s franchise expansion, Yogurtini’s Scottsdale location will be giving out FREE self-serve frozen yogurt on Saturday, March 12th from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Yogurtini is partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the number one children’s cancer hospital. Donations will be accepted.

“This is the biggest party I’ve ever thrown. We are so excited to be opening a Yogurtini self-serve franchise. We love the product, the concept and mostly we love the excitement the Scottsdale community is showing us,” said Sue Kinworthy, co-owner of the new Scottsdale franchise location. “We are expecting a big turnout for the grand opening and we are so happy to be partnering with St. Jude Children’s Hospital to do all we can in their mission to help children with cancer,” she continued.

The self-serve frozen yogurt shop has become a sensation with locations in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona and three locations in Kansas City, MO, building a devoted following of its non-fat, real yogurt, pay by the ounce model. The serve-yo-self® concept allows customers to make their own frozen yogurt creation, creating blends and concoctions just like a signature martini or favorite cocktail.

Yogurtini® offers a rotating selection of 16 flavors and up to 75 toppings daily. At Yogurtini, Flavortini recipes are created by mixing an array of frozen yogurts and toppings like the famous “Extra Dirty”, “Scouts Honor” and “The Peanut Butter and Jelly” are a favorite among their loyal following. Current new flavors for March rotating at the grand opening will be “Carrot Cake” and “Kiss Me I’m Irish Mint.”

About Yogurtini, and YHI, Inc ®:

YHI, the franchising company for Yogurtini began franchising in 2009. The popularity of the brand and the business opportunity has Yogurtini franchise grand openings planned across the country at an astounding rate. The company currently has over 25 locations under agreement and construction.

For more information on the Yogurtini franchise opportunity please visit: http://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/ . Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. www.facebook.com/yogurtini, www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini.

Franchises Poised For Stronger Growth in 2011 – Have you thought of a self-serve frozen yogurt franchise?

Yogurtini — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:55:12 +0000

The International Franchise Association put out this press release recently and we thought it would be interesting to share with anyone who is considering owning a Yogurtini self-serve frozen yogurt franchise.

The Yogurtini Bell Road in Phoenix location

Franchise Businesses Poised For Stronger Growth In 2011

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2011—Franchise businesses are poised for stronger growth in 2011, according to a report prepared for the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation by PwC*. As the economy recovers from the “Great Recession,” the 2011 Franchise Business Economic Outlook forecasts a rebound in the number of establishments, jobs and economic output in the franchise industry.

The 2011 Outlook estimates that the number of franchise establishments will grow 2.5 percent in 2011 from an estimated 765,723 to 784,802—an increase of 19,079 new establishments. The number of direct jobs is projected to grow 2.5 percent from an estimated 7,614,000 to 7,808,000, creating 194,000 new jobs. Economic output—the gross value of goods and services a business produces—is projected to grow 4.7 percent or $33.3 billion from an estimated $706.6 billion to $739.9 billion.

“The forecast of stronger growth in 2011 for franchise businesses is good news for our country. When franchise businesses are stronger, so is our economy as a whole,” said IFA President and CEO Stephen J. Caldeira. “However, while the forecast reflects a stronger outlook for the franchise industry and the overall economy, franchise businesses will continue to struggle with accessing sufficient credit that would enable business expansion and job growth.”

The 2011 Outlook reflects a new base year (2007), the latest year for which comprehensive estimates of franchise business activity are available. The baseline data was drawn from the first ever U.S. Census Bureau’s 2007 Economic Census Franchise Report, which contains information on franchise and non-franchise establishments, sales, employment and payroll in selected industries for businesses with paid employees. For the 2011 Outlook, PwC supplemented these data with estimates of franchise activities in additional industries and in businesses without paid employees (primarily self-employed individuals operating small, unincorporated businesses). Estimates of franchising activity in the 2011 report supersede previous editions.

“The U.S. economy is expected to experience stronger growth in 2011. The Franchise Business Economic Outlook for 2011 anticipates economy-wide real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.0 percent, while economy-wide employment is projected to expand by 2.4 million jobs in 2011,” said Drew Lyon, principal in PwC’s National Economics & Statistics practice. “With improving economic factors predicted for 2011, including increasing consumer spending, we expect that franchise businesses will expand at their fastest rate since 2007.”

Different Effects on Franchise Business Sectors: The accelerating economic recovery expected in 2011 is projected to have different effects on growth in the number of establishments, employment and output within the 10 business format franchise business lines reviewed in the Outlook.

Establishments: With the exception of Business Services, the number of establishments in each business format franchise line is estimated to increase in 2011. The largest gains are expected in Lodging (4.4 percent), Automotive (3.9 percent) and Retail Products and Services (3.9 percent).

Employment: All franchise business lines except for Business Services are projected to experience employment growth in 2011, ranging from 1.1 percent to 4.4 percent, with the largest increases occurring in Lodging (4.4 percent), Automotive (3.9 percent) and Retail Products and Services (3.9 percent). The Business Services line is projected to experience a modest decline in employment of 0.2 percent in 2011.

Output: Output is forecast to increase in all 10 franchise lines of business in 2011. The three franchise business lines projected to see the largest percentage increases are Automotive (7.2 percent), Commercial and Residential Services (6.9 percent), and Personal Services (6.5 percent).

Franchise Business Leaders Optimistic for 2011, Access to Credit Remains Top Concern

The report’s overall forecast aligns with the results of a new IFA Franchise Business Leader Survey, conducted in November 2010. Franchise business leaders are optimistic about how the U.S economy will perform in the next 12 months. According to the survey, one-half of franchisors say the outlook for the U.S. economy will be “better” in 2011, but 47 percent say it will be “about the same,” and only 3 percent say it will be “worse.” More than 40 percent of franchisees surveyed say the U.S. economy will be “better” in 2011, one-half say the economy will be “about the same,” and 7 percent say the economy will be “worse.”

Both franchisors and franchisees say the tight credit market has severely limited their ability to expand their business. Nearly one-third of franchisors report that more than one-half of their franchise prospects and current franchisees were unable to get financing in the past 12 months. Only 8 percent say that their prospects and franchisees have had “no problems with financing.”

Two-thirds of franchisors report that they have seen “no improvement in credit access in recent months.” Forty-two percent of franchisors report that lack of credit has “significantly impacted their ability to expand,” 45 percent say it has “moderately impacted their ability to expand” and only 12 percent say it has had “no impact.” Fifty-five percent of franchisees report that the lack of credit has had a “significant” or “moderate” impact on their ability to expand their business.

“We believe that lending to franchise businesses in 2010 was down 40 to 50 percent,” said Caldeira. “For 2011, the credit gap between supply and demand should show some improvement, but we are a long way off from the pre-recession, more robust appetite for business investment and lending.”

Caldeira said that an updated small business lending analysis of the lending environment for franchise businesses will be released in spring 2011 in conjunction with an IFA sponsored Franchise Business Lending Summit. The Summit will bring together franchise business leaders, lenders and government officials to identify solutions to improve capital flow to small businesses and to stimulate business growth and job creation. A copy of the 2011 Outlook and the Franchise Business Leader Survey can be viewed here.

In addition, Caldeira said that while the recently enacted tax and unemployment benefit package including extension of the current tax rates for two years contributed to the stronger outlook for 2011, IFA urges the new Congress to implement a pro-growth agenda to help small businesses grow.

“It is widely acknowledged that small businesses, including locally owned franchise businesses, contribute greatly to job creation in the U.S.,” said Caldeira. “To keep the recovery going, we urge the new Congress and the Obama Administration to adopt policies that help, not hamper businesses’ ability to grow and expand, including making the current tax rates permanent and addressing provisions in the new health care law that are onerous, costly and potentially devastating to the franchising community.”

About the International Franchise Association
The International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. Celebrating 50 years of excellence, education and advocacy, IFA protects, enhances and promotes franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs. Through its awareness campaign highlighting the theme, Franchising: Building Local Businesses, One Opportunity at a Time, IFA promotes the 21 million jobs and $2.3 trillion of economic activity generated by franchising. IFA members include franchise companies in over 90 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law and business development.

About Yogurtini:

Created by Tempe, AZ natives and sisters, Natasha and Chelsey Nelson, Yogurtini® Self-Serve offers up to 16 rotating healthy and fat-free frozen yogurt flavors and over 70 toppings. Yogurtini® only serves real yogurt that contains live and active cultures approved by the National Yogurt Association. The popularity of Yogurtini® and the brand has been recognized consistently by customers and the national press including Fox Business, MARCH Magazine, the Arizona Republic, 944 Magazine where readers recently voted Yogurtini® as “Favorite Place to Chill” and “Best Sweet Spot” in College Affair Magazine. Yogurtini® was also nominated for “Best Frozen Yogurt” by The Phoenix New Times. Yogurtini® boasts having some of the most knowledgeable yogurt innovators in the industry. Yogurtini®’s top quality, taste, original flavors, and extensive toppings have been praised by the masses.

FOR MORE INFO ON BEING AWARDED A YOGURTINI FRANCHISE PLEASE VISIT http://www.yogurtini.com/franchise/

Yogurtini® keeps in touch with its customers through its social networking program. www.facebook.com/yogurtini , www.myspace.com/yogurtini or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/yogurtini.