FRANCHISE REVIEWS »

Independent franchisee satisfaction reviews of today's top franchise opportunities

ADVERTISEMENTS



FBR FEATURES »

ARTICLE | May 21, 2012

Family Business: 10 Tips for Managing a Parent-Adult Child Business

A mother and her daughter, who will graduate in May from college, share ownership of a new Home Instead Senior Care franchise business, a partnership that seems tailor-made for these economic times. More college graduates are having a difficult time finding jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Teaming with a family member has proven successful. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, family-owned businesses account for 90 percent of all businesses in the U.S. (large and small) and continue to be a powerful force. And senior care franchising is one way to help new graduates get their careers off the ground. 
more >   comment

NEWS | May 18, 2012

Is Starting a Franchise From Home For You?

Fox Small Business Center offers tips and expertise on running a home-based franchise business.
more >   comment

SECTOR REPORT | April 26, 2012

Senior Care Franchise Report 2012

Franchise Business Review's special report Senior Care Franchises offers a high-level look at the senior care/home care franchising sector. We explore what services the sector provides, what’s involved from an investment standpoint, what the “typical” franchisee looks like, and how franchisee satisfaction in the sector has fared in the past year. We also identify the top senior care franchises based on our franchisee satisfaction research.
more >   comment

ASK FBR | March 19, 2012

How long have you been researching a franchise opportunity?

Franchise Business Review wants to know what you're doing in order to find that right "fit", and encourages all those interested in starting their own franchise to answer this simple question - how long have you been researching a franchise opportunity? (Click here to share) 
more >   comment
Home > Resources

The Ugly House Guy

by FBR ViewPoints

John Hayes is president, CEO and Chairman of the Board of HomeVestors of America, Inc., America's #1 home buying franchise. HomeVestors franchise owners are real estate investors who specialize in buying and selling houses as a business. Experts estimate that the market for undervalued real estate may be $10 billion per year in the United States alone. FBR caught up with John recently to talk about the HomeVestors franchise opportunity.

FBR: What is the single best reason you can give someone for investing in a HomeVestors franchise?

John Hayes: If your passion is to be a residential real estate investor, HomeVestors of America can help you. We are the only franchise of its kind; as such, we know more about how to help people succeed as residential real estate investors than any other organization to my knowledge.

FBR: Obviously, franchise ownership is not for everyone. What qualities do you look for in an ideal candidate? What is really going to make someone successful in this business?

Hayes: A passion to succeed as a real estate investor... and a commitment to work as a team player, using the system developed by HomeVestors of America, Inc.

FBR: Let’s say you are a new franchisee. You have a lot to do and only so many hours in the day. Where would you focus your energies?

Hayes: Every franchisee, regardless of their business, needs to answer this one question: How does my business make money? They then need to focus on that answer. Don't do anything that won't directly help the business make money.

FBR: How does HomeVestors compete and win against other companies at the consumer level? What makes your service offering more unique?

Hayes: Real estate investment is very competitive. Unfortunately, not everyone who gets into the profession is reliable and credible. HomeVestors franchisees are bound to abide by Standards which the franchisor enforces. These Standards are intended to protect consumers and the industry overall. Visit HomeVestors.com and read some of the many testimonials that consumers send to us. We have an outstanding and credible reputation.

FBR: Like all franchise systems, you have franchise owners that have “hit the ball out of the park” while others are struggling. What do you do for a struggling franchise owner to help get them to where they want to be?

Hayes: HomeVestors provides a Franchise Systems Manager to help franchisees succeed. Our FSMs "coach" the franchises, helping them establish their goals and work their action plans. The FSM becomes the franchisee's advocate. FSMs speak to their franchisees on a weekly basis and sometimes more often. HomeVestors also provides in-field support and a mentor program where successful franchisees "coach" less successful franchisees.

FBR: Starting a franchise business, like any business, requires a lot of hard work. If it were easy, everyone would do it. What do you tell prospective franchisees to help them have realistic expectations before going into this business?

Hayes: Have a passion to be a successful residential real estate investor. It's not good enough to just have an interest or to have the money to invest. Without passion, it's not likely a franchisee will get through the difficult days that occur in every business start-up.

FBR: We surveyed a lot of your franchise owners and they had some really great things to say about you and your franchise system. It must be hard work supporting all your owners and keeping them happy. What your secret?

Hayes: It all begins with a credible system that produces results. Then, we operate by a Code of Values. We are focused. We know what works, we know how to succeed, and we're extremely generous with our time when it comes to helping franchisees.

FBR: Any last thoughts or encouraging advice to all the people out there thinking about investing in a franchise?

Hayes: Franchising is not for everyone. In fact, it's not for most people. Those who are not willing to follow a franchisor's system will not succeed.

John Hayes is president, CEO and Chairman of the Board of HomeVestors of America, Inc., America's #1 home buying franchise. He has served for many years as an advisor to franchisors, franchisees and small business owners internationally. His areas of expertise include management development, marketing, public relations, customer service, training and strategic planning. He is the author of 17 non-fiction books including the Franchise pre-Investment Checklist, Franchising: The Inside Story, Start Small, Finish Big (with Fred DeLuca, founder of Subway), and You Can't Teach A Kid To Ride A Bike At A Seminar (with the late David Sandler, founder of Sandler Sales Institute). His articles about franchising have appeared in media worldwide including Reader’s Digest, Inc. Magazine, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, etc. He is an Adjunct professor at the University of Dallas where he teaches Franchising in the MBA program. Dr. Hayes leads a variety of seminars including The A To Zs of Buying A Franchise, How To Capture & Keep Customers, and strategic planning workshops for franchisors. He is a popular speaker and trainer at franchise conventions and meetings. He has provided services to more than 100 franchise companies. He resides in Frisco, TX.

 

You must register to post a comment. Registration is quick & easy. If you are already an FBR member, click here.
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Password:
Confirm Password:
Receive updates, notifications and special offers from Franchise Business Review
 
Comment:
Verification: CAPTCHA Image
[ New Image ]