Franchise For Sale
This home based business is primarily seasonal, selling ad spaces of varying sizes for this publication. Our coverage area runs from fast growing Viera down through Palm Bay Florida. There is one printing per year (250,000) with 2017 being its 13th year. The sales & renewals of advertising spaces takes place the latter half of January through March. Customer renewals average 75%. In April publication changes are made, new ads uploaded, web site updated, proofing and printing all take place. Newly printed publications arrive approximately May 15th. Distribution is sub contracted to a woman that has been a part of the business since day one. She is well received by customers and does an excellent job. Additionally, the owner usually does a “Victory Lap” with new and special customers when the new publication arrives.
While the printed publication is our mainstay, the home office keeps the brand current with technology through our individual & national web sites. These are used on computers, iPads and a Mobile Guide for smart phones. All included as part of the print program. Our printed publications appeal to older folks while younger folks enjoy the smart phone & iPad programs.
The remaining 8 months of the year requires only monitoring of emails & phone calls, and a small amount of monthly billing all of which can be done from Anywhere USA. The majority of the business, short of sales, is accomplished electronically.
Some franchisees opt to undertake a 2nd or more franchises to make a full time career out of their businesses. They can either purchase an existing franchise or start a new one.
The Franchise, established in 1981, is a national company with currently 150 franchisees across the country and growing. This quality, fun to use publication is widely recognized and well received by all. The main Franchise home office is excellent, there when you need them and offers monthly training conference calls as well as other events when warranted. Their Operations Manuel is excellent. And Publication School is offered to new franchisees through the main office.
In 2015 Forbes named this franchise one of the top 10 franchises to buy with an initial investment under $150,000.
Gross Sales: average $68,000 annually, 2012 – 2017, Customer Renewal Rate averages 75% for the same time period.
Requirements: greatest need is a people type person able to communicate and sell an honest value to business owners; modest computer skills for communication, managing computer files, updating ads etc; small home office and transportation. All new franchisees are vetted before the sale, through our main office. There is a onetime Franchise Transfer Fee of $5,000 paid to the home office, commonly split by seller and buyer.
My Home Office Includes: laptop, iPad, smart phone, HP Printer, HP Scanner and QuickBooks. I run a cash business based on the calendar year. All customer pay either by check or credit card which I run through my QuickBooks. Most customers pay up front. Those requesting payment terms I only do so with a credit card.
State of Business: our publication is well received throughout our coverage area. I have worked hard to be honest and friendly with all customers and prospects, never pushy. A friend made one year many times will turn into a customer a following year. I prefer to do my new sales and renewals face to face. We provide outstanding customer service with a 75% renewal rate, 13 Years of proven track record and years of refining internal business systems to ease sales and production. Links to our web site are found in every publication and local chambers. There is no real competition. The business is in great shape with a bright future, invaluable “Goodwill” and minimal risk for a new owner.
Price: $105,000
Assets provided with sale:
· Current Distribution team will continue if new owner wishes; while I am away she provides monthly updates of new businesses and other happenings
· Current Ad Designer will continue with new owner
· Actual Production is handled by home office
· Printing Contractor in place if desired
· Computer Files containing 8 years of: Ad Files, Ad Proofs, Customer Logos, Customer Sales Agreements, Sales Order forms, Sales Flyers & Media Kits for both print & electronic delivery and Distribution Lists. My office currently runs 95% paperless
· Current Prospect lists broken into 9 geographical areas
· Owner will provide training with his sales program and systems used in his office
· The home office will provide two days of Digital Production System & Publication Production training at no charge. Also, they will provide an online sales training course, again at no charge.
· Invaluable “Goodwill”
Growth Potential: 37 additional ad spaces are available in the publication with a base price of $660 generating an additional $24,400, ad space is overdue for a price increase due to the additional services being provided - enhanced web site, Facebook integration to web site, Mobile Phone Guide, Etc. all of which are recent improvements.
There are many major corporations in our area, Harris Corp., Lockheed Martin, GE Aviation, that are growing and aggressively hiring. The space program being reenergized is also drawing more employees to the area. Housing is in heavy demand. All of which means there are new businesses growing to supply this demand which in turn is good for advertising sales. Currently three new hotels are being constructed to accommodate the demand of the incoming USSSA programs to be headquartered in Viera at the Space Coast Stadium, which is within our map coverage area. They are planning to hold at least 180 days of events in the stadium in 2018. This will draw many visitors as well as local people. The out of town visitors and athletes and their families will be looking for Places to Stay, Places to Eat, Where to Shop & Have fun. This is all good for our marketing business.
Why Selling?
· We purchased our Florida home for the winter season 11 years ago, only one of our three children was married, today we have four grandchildren and wish to spend more time with them by staying in New England year round
· Florida has been a Great run for us both business wise and personally but it is time for a change
· I have been pursuing existing franchises in New England