Tue, 09/22/2009 - 04:53 — simhof
 
A strong Franchise organization is one where the Franchisor and Franchisees maximize synergies. One area of synergy that Case Handyman and Remodeling is employing is in Area Representation. Area Representation involves the Franchisor and the Franchisee teaming up to build the Brand in specific market areas. The Franchise Community benefits in many ways from this type of effort. So what does an Area Representative do?
 
The Area Representative functions as a local recruiter and screener for prospective franchisees. Once a qualified candidate is found and becomes a franchisee, the Area Representative provides localized training and mentoring to the new franchisee, which includes start up support, training, business planning and resource leveraging on an on-going basis on things such as marketing. The Area Representative does not get involved in the legal or compliance side of the equation.
 
The benefits of such a program are enormous. First and foremost, a program of this kind shows that our Franchise Organization works collaboratively. It also shows that our development efforts are transparent. The Area Representative has a hand in who his “neighbors”” will be and thus the process ensures compatibility in local markets. It goes without saying that having successful franchisees as mentors and trainers is a huge benefit for a new franchisee, who then has a successful franchisee mentor to guide him or her through the murky waters of starting a dynamic business like ours. It also offers nearby Case franchisees a built-in network of potential buyers as franchisees consider their exit strategy. All of these benefits combined make our organization attractive to prospective franchisees.
 
I credit Our Charlotte, NC Case Franchisee, Brad Little with helping us get this effort going and with working through the details of establishing the parameters of the program. I also am excited that Jim Kabel, Case Franchisee in San Jose, CA is now the West Region Area Representative for Case Handyman and Remodeling. We will be working together to locate qualified franchisee candidates in the Counties surrounding Santa Clara County California.    
 
To that end, Case will be featured at the San Mateo California Chamber of Commerce Expo on Wednesday, September 23rd, , 2009 at the San Mateo Event Center. Jim Kabel will be on hand and at our booth to answer questions and share his experience as a Case Franchisee. Also assisting Case in the development effort is BAI Franchise Consultant Keith Bateman of Evergreen Business Advisors. Keith Bateman will also be available and will be in the Evergreen Business Advisor’s Booth.  Case has asked for Keith’s help as a franchise broker to help us optimize the recruiting process.  
 
We look forward to working alongside our Franchisees in this new endeavor and while it will no doubt take some time and refinement, we believe that Area Representation is a win-win strategy for all concerned in our Case Handyman and Remodeling Franchise Community.