Though not born into royalty, Gene Nifenecker II decided to create his own kingdom by opening Balloon Kings®, a balloon-supplying franchise that offers customizable arrangements. In his domain, Nifenecker goes by “The King” and upholds the royalty theme throughout the business, even dubbing his first franchisee, Asia Castro, “The Queen.” By Kelsi Trinidad
Sean Sarrami and his partners knew there had to be a better breakfast restaurant out there than what was currently available – one that emphasized fresh ingredients, variety and great portions. With experience in hospitality, Sarrami saw an opportunity to create a breakfast and lunch franchise concept that could accommodate customers of all dietary restrictions and serve tasty dishes. In 2016, Pür & Simple® was born. By Kelsi Trinidad
Adria Hartwig, franchise development director at City Wide Facility Solutions, has noticed a shift in the motivation behind franchise ownership: Parents are more dedicated to helping their children find quality long-term employment. By Erika Ortega
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has held a significant place in the heart of Schooley Mitchell, an independent cost-reduction consulting firm, for a long time. For many years, employees at the corporate office have participated in fundraising events such as The Big Bike, Ride for Heart and the foundation’s annual walk. By Kelsi Trinidad
Back when I was learning to drive in the late 1980s, to get from your starting point to your destination, you needed a road map. You could only get road maps at gas stations. Once obtaining a road map, you had to go through the process of unfolding it and reading all the fine print, hoping it was the latest edition. Talk about taking your eyes off the road! By Don Clayton
Considering this issue’s low-cost brands special section, there’s no better business opportunity to discuss than FranServe, Inc. This home-based business consulting model enables owners to create profitable businesses, using coaching and relationships to introduce and place clients into franchise opportunities. By Nancy E. Williams
During the 2020 pandemic, Mahmood Bitaraf and Adib Baghdadi were living in Houston and, like the rest of the world, were wondering what to do for fun amid public restrictions. With most businesses closed, the only place to go was outdoors. By Kelsi Trinidad
Vice President of New Franchise Development at Floor Coverings International® Alan Dickherber has focused on driving significant changes to the brand’s franchise program. The results have surpassed expectations by expediting ramp-ups and growing revenues. Dickherber has been leading the franchise development program for eight years after a successful career as owner and operator of CertaPro Painters. By Erika Ortega
Kim Porter and her husband, Ken, launched their Ace Handyman Services® franchise in Shorewood, Illinois, in late 2022. However, their journey was unique because Kim previously worked for the Ace Hardware corporate marketing team for several years. By Nancy E. Williams
With a support center composed of experts in business growth, office location selection, staffing requirements and marketing, City Wide Facility Solutions prides itself on providing a streamlined experience for new and existing franchise owners. By Erika Ortega