Franchisee Marketing

Here’s a great story about a Domino’s franchisee who has taken the initiative to learn about social media, and to use the many tools of Web 2.0 to build business.
I interact regularly with this franchisee on Twitter, and that’s how I learned about this blog story.

Check out the full post at Chicago Domino’s Gets Social Media Right!.

Here’s an excerpt:

Ramon De Leon (aka DPZRAMON) - King of Online Sales
Ramon has been engaged in online sales of Domino’s pizza since 1999 and has been engaged in social media since 2005 (long before the term it’s known by now). Ramon has long been a Facebook member and has connected with students for the past 4 years. His Facebook strategy is simple: Connect with local university/college students, give them the best service & pizza ever, and develop relationships that will last beyond their college years (as in delivering pizza to their place of business). According to Ramon, “it’s a social cycle.”

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A passion for pizza and social media.

If you speak with Ramon it is so obvious that he is passionate about Domino’s, customers, and social media. In fact, he constantly monitors social sites for mentions of his stores and he provides a flyer that includes all his social sites on a flyer, which is taped to all Domino’s pizza boxes leaving his stores just to make sure customers can find him online. He also attends a lot of social media conferences to keep up on the latest social media best practices….

So Ramon, we all want to know…is all this social media stuff increasing your bottomline? Ramon’s answer: YES!

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It’s called "Cause Marketing," and it’s a great way to truly "do well by doing good."

Create a regular event or promotion that benefits a worthy cause, and run it on a regular basis.  Do it right, and your investment will provide attractive returns in the form of great publicity, brand-building, goodwill, customer and employee loyalty, new customer trial and current customer frequency.

Wendy’s does a great job with their Halloween coupon promotion that benefits the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.  Dave Thomas, the late founder of both Wendy’s and the charity, was himself adopted, and made adoption his special cause. By creating the promotion as a yearly event, Wendy’s has gained efficiency by simply having to implement, and not design, a new program.  Here is the promotional release:

DUBLIN, Ohio, Oct 20, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Kids’ trick-or-treat bags will be filled with more than just sticky sweet candy this year, some may get a coupon for a free Wendy’s Jr. Frosty and help another kid find a home.

Since 1992, the Wendy’s Halloween Coupon Program fundraiser has generated millions of dollars for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, supporting the Foundation’s mission to move children out of foster care into forever families.

In 2007, the coupon program raised approximately $1.6 million for foster care adoption throughout the United States and Canada.

"Not only does the coupon program generate national awareness for the Foundation, but the support it provides has been extraordinary," said Rita Soronen, executive director of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. "Initiatives like the Halloween program provide the resources for the Foundation to continue to ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive in a loving and permanent home."

Wendy’s customers are encouraged to purchase the booklets as an alternative to passing out candy on during trick or treat festivities. One- dollar booklets can be purchased at a number of Wendy’s restaurant locations nationwide.

"Our Wendy’s restaurants really get behind the Halloween coupon program. It is a great way to give back to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and keep my dad’s legacy alive with our customers," said Wendy Thomas Morse, Thomas 5 Limited. "Giving kids a Wendy’s Jr. Frosty for trick or treat is fun and supports adoption… it doesn’t get any easier than that."

Booklet sales for the Halloween Coupon Program conclude on October 31, 2008. The coupons may be redeemed November 1, 2008 through February 1, 2009. For more information, visit www.wendys.com or www.DaveThomasFoundationforAdoption.org .

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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

For the third election in a row, 7-Eleven creates some creative election-time publicity buzz with its caffeinated in-store campaign poll.

Here’s one of the press releases they circulated with the publicity photo at left.
Presidential Perks: Americans Raise Their Cups to Candidates in Third 7-Election Coffee Cup Poll
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As election day nears, things are really heating up, especially at neighborhood 7-Eleven® stores. Today, the convenience store giant kicks off its third quadrennial 7-Election presidential coffee cup poll.

Unabashedly unscientific, the just-for-fun poll has proven remarkably accurate in elections past, with results closely mirroring the official surveys by the country’s top political pollsters. In the first 7-Election in 2000, only 1 percentage point separated the cup-counts of now-President George Bush and Democratic nominee, Sen. Al Gore. Likewise in 2004, President Bush out-cupped Sen. John Kerry, 51 percent to 49 percent.

During this promotion that runs through Tuesday, Nov. 4 (election day), 7-Eleven invites Americans to pour their favorite hot beverage into either a red 20-ounce cup for Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, or a blue 20-ounce cup for Democratic candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, and cast their cups for their preferred candidate. The colored cups also have the candidates’ names printed on them. Undecided customers need not choose sides – “unmarked” 7-Eleven hot beverage cups will still be available as well as a bipartisan red, white and blue Big Gulp® fountain drink cups featuring both the donkey and elephant party symbols. 7-Eleven customers may vote as often as they wish, although they may want to switch to decaf after a few cups.

“When 7-Eleven held its first 7-Election eight years ago, we had no idea what the final results would be or how popular the cup poll would become,” said 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto. “While we don’t bill this as a statistically valid study by any means, it does reach Americans in their hometowns, on their way to work, after school or just going about their everyday lives. 7-Election provides an interesting daily snapshot of the election.”

Depending on which of the 20-plus national polls one reads, Sen. McCain is leading by as much as 7 points … or Sen. Obama is leading by as much as 7 points, plus or minus 5 points, of course. 7-Election cups are instantly tabulated at the register when the sale is made. National and state results will be posted daily on www.7-election.com, a website created for the coffee cup poll. Major market area and store results are also available upon request. Poll tallies will reflect the percent of candidate cups sold to date, not including “undecided,” i.e., regular 7-Eleven logo cups. Participating 7-Eleven stores are encouraged to post the latest race results at their coffee islands.

“7-Election is a warm-up for the real election on Nov. 4,” DePinto said. “While awareness of this presidential election hardly needs to be raised, 7-Eleven is providing a not-so-subtle daily reminder to its citizen-customers about the importance of voting. Candidates might want to pay attention to this great coffee electorate, and even stop by a local 7-Eleven store to campaign or grab a great cup of coffee.”

Coffee marked 7-Eleven stores’ first self-serve beverage product, and the first time any retailer offered fresh-brewed coffee in to-go cups. It proved an instant success. Customers like fixing their coffee the way they wanted it – choosing cup size, regular, dark roast or decaffeinated, and adding sweeteners and creamers to suit their tastes. Today, 7-Eleven sells more fresh-brewed coffee than anything else – 1 million cups each day. That translates to approximately 10,000 pots of coffee brewed every hour. In each of the past 7-Election polls, more than 6 million cups were cast.

Coffee, a nonpartisan beverage choice for both Democrats and Republicans, does have deep political roots in American history. In 1607, Captain John Smith in Virginia introduced coffee in America, and it was named the national beverage by the First Continental Congress after the Boston Tea Party.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses approximately 7,600 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 34,800 stores in 17 countries. During 2007, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $46.6 billion. Named the #1 Franchise Opportunity for 2008 by Entrepreneur magazine, 7-Eleven is franchising virtually all of its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through its Business Conversion Program, acquisitions, building new and leasing existing properties.

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(Relentless Marketer)  Here’s a quick, easy, steady, effective and FREE way to build your blog traffic.
Each Tuesday & Wednesday about 500 bloggers gather at WordlessWednesday.com to post links to their photo-only posts.  Join the Wordless Wednesday gang and you build traffic in 4 ways:
1)  Increase your post count.  Putting up a weekly picture is an easy way to add 52 posts per year. 
2)  Increase in-bound links.  WW gives you a weekly link to your blog post.  Leave comments on other WW blogs for additional trackback links.
3)  Increase your comment count.  Participating in WW will add comments and new commenters to your site.  Even "Happy Wordless Wednesday" comments will boost your search engine rankings.
4)  It’s fun and adds to the overall interest of your blog.  Too many blogs are text-heavy and lack interesting visuals.  This will help you get more visual.
Here’s how to boost your traffic with Wordless Wednesday:
Every Tuesday: post an interesting or fun picture to your blog, preferably one that involves your business, products, employees or customers..
Tuesday evening: Go to www.WordlessWednesday.com.  Follow the instructions and post a comment and link to your picture post on Wordless Wednesday - Tuesday Edition.
EARLY Wednesday am:  Go to www.WordlessWednesday.com.  Follow the instructions and post a comment and link to your picture post on Wordless Wednesday.
Extra traffic tip:  visit a few other WW entries and leave comments.  Use your photo post URL when placing the comment.  Many times the blog owners will reciprocate with a comment on your blog.
Now go forth, blogger, and be wordless.
Here are a few of my favorites:
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Free Diner, Sign Not Included
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 12/19/07: Why We’re Fat…
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 12/26/07: Honest Advertising
WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 1/2/08: Hard Driving Message
Wordless Wednesday 1/9/08: The Big Boys
Today’s Franchise Pic: Cleopatra’s Value Meal
Relentless marketer Sean Kelly is a 20 year veteran of the franchise industry, and founder of the award-winning marketing firm IdeaFarm. In 2006, he founded the FranBest franchise network, best franchise opportunities, the top new franchises, franchise marketing, franchise public relations and small business marketing. Contact him at seankelly[at]ideafarm.net.

I believe this is a McDonalds China TV commercial for teaching the gestures of Beijing Olympic Cheering Children election applicants in China.

Be forewarned: This commercial contains potentially toxic levels of cuteness.

Tags: Mcdonalds advertising commercials tv China Beijing Olympic

WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.

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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

(FranchisePick.Com) This over-the-top Beijing 2008 Olympics tagged McDonald’s commercial pits two Chinese children in a martial arts battle over the last remaining McNugget. (In America, there would just be a lot of hair pulling and punching in the back seat.) But the question remains: Do they really eat McDonald’s with chopsticks in China? Do they come in a plastic bag with a napkin salt, pepper and soy sauce?

Lest you think the connection between theatrical martial arts and fast food is a bit of a stretch, consider the Bruce Lee Fast Food restaurant pictured below:

According to the photographer edwick:

“Well, I found the place (Zhen Gongfu, or “Real Kung-fu”) just outside the New World Shopping Center south of Chongwen Men.

Apparently, it’s a fast food joint.

McDonald’s was right around the corner, but I gotta ask which restaurant you’d rather eat at: the one with a clown for a mascot or the one with Bruce Lee as the mascot?”

(photo by edwick; License: Creative Commons)

WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHARE A COMMENT BELOW.

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Visit FRANBEST’s: Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.

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Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

Source: Palm Beach Post Sunday, July 27, 2008

In her article Tequesta business owner brings in the bucks for Sir Speedy, Staff Writer Alexandra Clough reveals some of the secrets to quick printing success of Tequesta, FL Sir Speedy franchise owner Richard Goldberg. Goldberg recently won the Sir Speedy Century Club award, for the fifth year in a row. The award recognizes the 100 highest-grossing franchises in the company’s worldwide network of 800 print shops. The elite Century Club award is based on 2007 revenues.

Here are some excerpts containing ideas from which you can steal , borrow learn:“Goldberg says he tries to do is serve as more than just a vendor slapping ink on paper. Goldberg often takes it upon himself to act as a business consultant and a marketing executive for his customers… the extra time he spends talking about a business’ goals…will come back tenfold as the business grows - and needs more printing services.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“…Goldberg says he doesn’t advertise himself.

“One hundred percent of my business is referrals,” he said. “When customers come in here, for the most part, they know what they’re in for.”

* * * * * * * * * *

“So when a customer comes in wanting a brochure, Goldberg veers the conversation in a different direction.”Let’s talk about your business,” he says he’ll ask. “What’s your budget? What’s your competition? Do you want to be at the high end or the low end of the market?”

“If I can get them to make money, that’s when I make money,” he said. “Many of Goldberg’s customers, from Stuart down to Palm Beach Gardens, are small to mid-sized businesses that can’t afford a marketing or ad agency. No problem. Goldberg says he freely hands out extra advice that he thinks will help grow his customers’ business...

What do customers say about Goldberg’s approach?

Hobe Sound Chamber of Commerce executive director Jennifer Ferarri:

“‘If I’m doing a fund raiser, I can call him and within seconds he’ll give me five brilliant ideas that are so creative,” said . For instance, last year’s chamber event, the Hobe Sound Hoe-Down, was enhanced by Goldberg’s suggestion that the chamber create “Wanted” posters for the event.’”

Another idea: Creating a raffle ticket as part of the event’s invitation. That way, even people who could not attend the event still were able to contribute money, she said.

Rob Kairalla, founder of JIC Realty:

Goldberg is “more of a business partner than a printer.”

“‘It’s almost like he has an investment in our success… He’s smart. He knows the more we do, the more we’re going to use him.”

Franchisees: Goldberg is successful by using the Karma principal: Help others succeed and that success will be returned to you.

What do you think? How do you add consultative value to your clients? How does it pay off for you?

Share a comment below.

Source: Galesburg Register-Mail

Congratulations to Vista Lodge franchisees Raj and Pina Kshirsagar who have won another award for their inspiring turnaround of a troubled motel property, and successful conversionto a Vista Lodge.

Here are some excerpts from a recent story on them in their local paper:

Raj Kshirsagar and his wife, Pina, believe hard work is the fuel that powers the journey to that elusive destination — success.

The couple, owners of Vista Lodge, 565 W. Main St., give credit to those who helped them win the Sales & Marketing award from Vista Hospitality Solutions of Tennessee the past two years. But, they feel the work must start with them.

“Don’t put 100 percent,” said Pina Kshirsagar, who, along with her husband, came to the U.S. from India in 1993. “Put 110 percent. What I believe, everybody has to work hard.”

The hard work has paid off. Raj and Pina ran a convenience store in Spartanburg, S.C., to make enough money to make it possible two years ago to realize their dream of owning a motel.

The 55-room motel at one time was part of the Travelodge system. It had deteriorated over the years — both physically and its reputation — until most families would bypass it.

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When he bought what was then the Traveler’s Rest Inn, Raj bought a franchise from Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Vista. He replaced the furniture, bed spreads, sheets and had all the rooms painted. All rooms now have the new energy-efficient light bulbs, as part of his effort to “go green.”

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High-speed Internet access is available, along with free local calls. A fountain in front of the motel is part of the effort to upgrade the exterior look.

Working hard also means paying attention to detail, Raj said. Walking into the bathroom in one of the rooms, he showed off some of the toiletries.

“I tried to improve the shampoo and soap,” he said. “What I do, I do so I do better. Next year I want to do something better so I can get that award again. … The last year I saw my business going up. The economy is down, but my business is improving.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Pina is a great believer in hard work and honesty. She tries to learn from past generations, while hoping young people will learn from the example she and her husband set.

“People, if they don’t want to work hard, they are not going to have success,” Pina said. “If your goal is to be a millionaire, work hard.”

She said if people do that, they do not have to brag about their accomplishments.
“You work hard, people notice,” she said. “The city notices, the whole world notices you. Let your work speak up.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK? DO YOU KNOW OF ANY GREAT FRANCHISE TURNAROUNDS? SHARE A COMMENT.

In a recent post on BrandCurve, Susan Gunelius wrote:

How to you convince people from middle-America to visit their local McDonald’s for a latte? Build a giant cornfield maze in Nebraska!

This campaign is meant to create a buzz about McDonald’s new McCafe brand (the copy says, “Taste what the buzz is about”). According to AdFreak, each person who makes it through the 42.6 acre maze will receive a coupon for a free latte, mocha or cappuccino specialty coffee from McDonald’s.

The A-maizing McDonald’s ad is a year-long promotional sponsorship of The Maize at Benson Farms. A short drive from Lincoln, NE, the owners claim The 35-acre Maize at Benson Farms is the largest corn maize in the world. Secondary sponsor is Froggy 98, Lincoln’s Best Country.

For information about 2009 sponsorship Information, contact maze[at]bensonfarms.com

WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT.

One redeeming feature of using a catchy vehicle wrap to promote your retail location: You don’t have to drive it (or burn gas) to get attention.  Adam & Eve franchise stores benefit from having a 3 dimensional billboard with 360 degree (almost) visibility 24/7.  Plus, they can drive it to pick up inventory whenever they’re running low on whatever it is they sell in those places… which neither you nor I would know.

Incidentally, the tough economy hasn’t softened Adam & Eve’s growth.  According to a story on FranBest, Adam & Eve franchise stores (part of the retail division of adult industry giant Adam & Eve) has doubled its number of franchise stores in the past two years. Adam & Eve currently have 27 stores and have agreements in place for 70 more, Adam & Eve Stores. The company plans to open an additional 12 stores in 2008, and to have 50 stores open by the end of 2009. Read more about the Adam & Eve franchise at FranBest.

With competition fierce for quality franchise prospects, it pays to stand out. What are you doing to set your concept apart from the pack?

WHAT DO YOU THINK? LEAVE A COMMENT.

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Unbiased franchise information, franchise interviews and detailed, searchable information on 400 franchise and business opportunities.

Franchisees, customers & experts vote for their favorite new franchises at Top New Franchise: Who’s hot. Who’s not.

Unhappy Franchisee: Franchising rumors, rants, controversies, issues, complaints & gossip… hopefully not about you.

Image source: Adam & Eve