Fit After Fifty Inc. Partners with Amerifund to Finance
Business Wire (press release), CA -
Centage Corporation Announces New Fortune 500 and Mid-Market
Business Wire (press release), CA -
Analysts: Choice Chooses Well
Hotel interactive, NY -
Choice Hotels Acquires Suburban Franchise Systems; Acquisition
Finanzen.net, Germany -
Brooke Franchise Corporation Acquires Toyne and Associates
Franchise Wire (press release), New Zealand -
Pros and cons of opening a franchise
Fauquier Times-Democrat, VA -
Music, Maestro, Please!
In this segment of our newsletter, we’ll take a look at how the
world of franchising and the world of music interact. There are
many types of businesses which involve music and some use
franchising as their business model.
Music Instruction
Today, many people want music lessons and training for their
children or themselves! The advantage of franchising such
services is that name recognition can often attract clients.
The Ontario Conservatory Of Music has been training aspiring
musicians since 1939 and has expanded, through franchising, for
over 40 years. They can therefore offer their franchisees the
advantages which come with a known, recognized and respected
name. The Ontario Conservatory Of Music has 30 locations across
southern Ontario in Canada.
Wendy’s Music is an Australian company who currently have three
franchised locations in that country but are actively seeking
franchisees to further expand their operations. They offer music
instruction, rent and sell instruments and provide music for
churches.
Playtime Piano Corps recently began franchising after its owners,
a husband-and-wife team of piano teachers, found there was a
greater demand than they could comfortably handle themselves!
Located in Baltimore, Maryland, their main area of expertise is
teaching piano to children. They hope to expand throughout the
U.S.
Record Sales
CD Warehouse, Inc. sells used CD’s through a worldwide chain of
franchised stores located across four continents. Although most
cities have one or more dealers in used CD’s, this chain has the
advantage of name recognition. Even though much music today is
exchanged over the Internet there is still a demand for used
CD’s, especially those no longer in print!
Kids’ Juke Box franchisees operate kiosks in shopping centers or
at portable locations which can be set up at special events. All
they require is a current computer with a CD-RW drive (”CD
burner”) and the hardware to print and attach labels to them.
Franchisees are supplied with copyrighted songs and software
which enable the CD’s they create to be personalized with
children’s names. This is something which sells well to many
parents today!
Instrument Sales
Music Go Round franchisees sell musical instruments (both new and
used) and offer musicians the opportunity to search all their
locations for some specific instrument, amplifier or piece of
musical gear. This is a definite advantage for all involved for
musicians are often very particular about wanting a specific
item! Music Go Round operates 41 locations across the U.S. and is
known as the “Worlds Largest Used Musical Instrument Dealer.”
Music services
Complete Music operates over 100 franchised locations across the
U.S. and Canada. Its franchisees provide “deejay” services for
special events such as weddings, parties and corporate functions.
The firm trains its franchisees who then can (but are not
obligated to) purchase equipment and recordings from the parent
company. Since most companies of this type are local, one-person
operations with small budgets for promotion (if any), Complete
Music gives its franchisees a definite advantage when it comes to
advertising and name recognition.