Love is Always in the Air The market goes up, the market goes down. The weather’s too hot, too wet, too cold or too dry. The world’s at war. Times are peaceful. It’s baseball, basketball, hockey or football season. The only constants these days seem to be death, taxes and, of course, love. Regardless of what’s going on around the world people are always looking for “The One.” Whether it’s a soul mate or a lunch date, we want to connect with each other. Unfortunately that’s getting hard to do these days. Our jobs are demanding and time is always running short. Where do we turn to find love and companionship? Luckily there are an array of franchises that specialize in bringing people together, either for an afternoon or for a lifetime. And, since love never goes out of style, a matchmaking franchise might be the best match for your entrepreneurial talents. It’s Just Lunch Sometimes we need to take baby steps before taking a dramatic plunge, especially if that plunge is taken with a significant other. It’s Just Lunch (IJL) is a franchise system that looks to move the dating process along for busy professionals. The company doesn’t arrange first “dates” but instead specializes in friendly introductory lunches. IJL has been around for a dozen years and has the business of setting people up down to a science. Interested professionals are scheduled for confidential interviews. They are then sent out on casual “short and sweet” non-dinner dates with compatible people. The premise is that a casual setting like lunch, brunch or after-work drinks (and not dinner) removes some of the stress and formality surrounding a first date. Franchises are based in metro areas where professionals are more likely to work and eat. The company prides itself on the relationships it has established with some of the best restaurants in town. There are currently more than 50 IJL franchises throughout the U.S. The company is presently interviewing potential franchisees to operate outlets in another 35 cities around the world. Eight at Eight If having lunch is supposed to downplay some of the first-date anxiety, dining with a group of like-minded people should also remove even more dinner date apprehension. Eight at Eight is a relative newcomer to the singles scene (launched in Las Vegas in 1999/began franchising in 2003) and its concept is rather innovative. The service operates as a dining club. It arranges dinner parties of four single men and four single women who share common interests and have similar backgrounds. Gone are the one-on-one dates which can be ghastly if the connection just isn’t there. Eight at Eight encourages its members to meet at dinners and other group events like cocktail parties, weekend brunches, concerts, dinner theatres, wine tastings and sporting events. The events are hosted by an Eight at Eight representative who buys the first round of drinks, makes introductions and promptly exits the restaurant at eight o’clock when the party is seated for dinner. The company is fairly adamant about the fact that it is not a dating service. Its stated purpose is to introduce single professionals with similar interests who enjoy a good time, good food and good conversation. Eight at Eight is looking to expand its operations beyond its home base of Las Vegas and is currently targeting 29 U.S. metropolitan areas. MatchMaker International With 30 U.S. locations (and growing) MatchMaker International knows that its clients are looking to find that “special someone” and do not wish to waste time or money. In most cases they have already squandered enough time in online dating chat rooms and dropped significant dollars in singles bars. With that in mind, the pros at MatchMaker International have streamlined their compatibility surveys to get clients started right away. Clients fill out confidential preliminary questionnaires before meeting with a MatchMaker rep for a more in-depth conversation about who that person is and, more importantly, who that person would like to meet. For as serious as MatchMaker is about finding the right matches for their clients, the company is also out to find their own perfect franchisee matches. MatchMaker is seeking candidates with strong leadership abilities and good interpersonal skills who are willing to commit their time and attention to a MatchMaker International franchise. Having existing business/management skills is a real plus. The company is currently looking for franchisees to open new locations in the U.S. and Canada. The Right One and Together Dating Service For The Right One, the right move was to get together with Together Dating Service. The two companies merged in 1999 creating the largest dating service franchise system in the U.S. Although they both fall under one corporate umbrella, the two companies have retained their original brands and identities. The folks at The Right One are on a mission to make sure that all single adults have the opportunity to find the right one, for fun or for life. The company walks its clients through an extensive evaluation and interview process to help them build accurate profiles of themselves and to form realistic expectations of what they are looking for in the right match. Once clients have gone through the evaluation and background checking processes, potential pairings will each receive confidential envelopes with the names, bios and contact information of those thought to be the perfect fit. It is up to the individual parties to contact each other and set up their first date (The Right One supplies all of its members with a handy guide to arranging and surviving first dates). If the match made by The Right One turns out to be all wrong, they will happily find another suitable member for another first date. Together Dating Service has been in the dating game for more than 25 years. The membership-based service aims to match compatible individuals through its ten-step application, screening and evaluation process. Throughout the duration of a client’s membership with Together, the company strives to treat all members with respect, encourages them to meet new friends and companions and provides members with honest feedback and assistance. Together’s consultants work very closely with their members to ensure that introductions are made between people looking for the same level of relationship. There are currently more than 80 franchises in the Together Dating Service/The Right One system. Both companies are looking for franchisees who have a “little bit of Cupid in their souls” to open additional locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Many franchisees wonder what happens after they sign on the dotted line . There are so many unknowns, especially for those who are new to franchising. From wondering what steps it takes, and the time frame involved in getting their franchise open, to concern that an important step will be missed, and it will be detrimental to a smooth opening. Each franchisor will have a different set of responses to these concerns, but there are some very basic events ANY new franchisee can expect once they have decided to purchase the franchise of their choice. System Documentation. As a new franchisee, you can expect to receive a large amount of printed information very quickly. Most franchisors know that the sooner they get the information to you, the sooner you can start learning, gaining confidence, and taking the necessary steps toward your business being operational. Franchisors want the franchisee to be up and running successfully in as little time as possible. Most of these papers will consist of things like training manuals, marketing and new business setup. Sometimes the information will be presented on video, Audio CD s and sometimes personal visits from franchisor employees. Critical Path Items. Franchisors will be able to identify and communicate the necessary steps to take toward opening your franchise quickly and with as little mistakes as possible. Some of these subjects could include finding an ideal location, and how to handle the zoning or permit issues that you could encounter, employee interviewing and hiring processes, building/outfitting your franchise with the necessary equipment and sometimes even the requirements for any training which all new franchisees must participate in. During this part of the process, the franchisor will communicate which part of the process takes the longest, and will help you get started on that process immediately. This helps to keep delays at bay. Checklists. Opening a franchise is a detailed process, and also a time of highs tress. One of the best ways to keep on track is with checklists, and these are usually provided to you in great detail in your information packet. Most franchisors will include approximate time-spans for each task, so that franchisees can be sure they are staying on schedule. This takes a lot of the stress out of the process. Each franchisor will have a different time line recommendation for their unique franchise, and each checklist is designed to help new franchisees stay on track. Sometimes this is done in weekly checklists, and other times in a more flexible time schedule. Every franchisee wants to know how long it will take to get their franchise up and running. There are no black and white answers to this, as every situation and every franchise opportunity brings new variables to the table. Here are a couple of general guidelines. Finding a location. If a location is found already mostly built, it will take between 3 and 6 months to have it completed. If it needs to be built, it can take approx. 24 months. Training. Training generally can take between 1 and 3 months to complete. Financing. Again, there are many variables surrounding this process, but it usually falls somewhere between 6 weeks and 6 months. As with any new business venture, or major life decision, buying a franchise can be fraught with a lot of anxiety about unknowns. It is very important to ask as many questions as you need to understand and receive the amount of support you need to be successful. Best of luck on your franchising adventure!

Franchisee sued after fumes kill trucker
St. Petersburg Times - SANFORD - The family of a truck driver who died while unloading carbon dioxide at a McDonald’s is suing the restaurant’s franchise holder. George Torres, 49, of Apopka, was delivering the ingredient used to carbonate soda to the restaurant Jan. 8.