Timestamp:
0:00:41 Jim Richardson Introduction
0:03:15 Segment 1 - Get to know Jim Richardson
0:16:58 Bonus Segment: Franchising 101
0:40:00 Segment 2 - Franchising is a Partnership (Business/Branding)
1:05:44 Segment 3 - Quick Draw Questions
Show Notes:
Segment 1 – Get to know Jim Richardson
Recorded on location at Jim Richardson’s house in Parker, Texas – just a few miles away from the famous Southfork Ranch (Who shot JR?)
Born in Rockwell, Iowa
Jim’s first real job was as a grocery man
Studied chemistry and finance.
Small town boy makes it big – Ford Motor Company, Pizza Hut, and Panda Express
Bonus Segment – Franchising 101
Franchising allows you to expand your concept by utilizing the resources of others.
Money
The franchisee pays his part of the investment capital that is necessary to expand in exchange for the majority of the revenue.
People
In many cases, people is a more constraining resource than money
The franchisee will source the people that will make them and your brand successful
Time
A franchisee can duplicate you, working on his/her side of the expansion investment as you continue to grow your business form the franchisor side.
Connections
In this conversation the term connections refers to real estate connections. A franchisee will have a closer tie to the local market in order to maximize potential from the real estate selection. This is particularly important with international franchising.
When is a good time in the lifecycle of a business to start franchising? How do I know it’s time?
When you attempt to franchise before you have all of your systems in place then you are asking a prospective franchisee to take bet on you when you have taken only a limited bet on yourself.
Don’t franchise until you have the answer to all of the questions:
Do I have what it takes to be a franchisor?
What is your leadership style?
What is your growth strategy?
Segment 2 – Topic Segment
Franchising as a Partnership
Franchising is an extreme relationship and your franchisees will need your attention
Franchising is a bilateral relationship where each party should be able to learn from each other.
How to find the best franchisees: When you build a solid reputation, the people that you want will come to you.
Just because a prospective franchisee has something that you want (access to prime real estate or lots of money) doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be a good franchisee.
Look deeper into a prospective franchisee before you decide to accept of decline them. It is not just about access to money. It is about character and integrity. You want franchisees with the following characteristics:
The relationship between franchisor and franchisee must me complimentary. If they knew and had everything that you know and have then why would they need you? If you knew and had everything that they know and have, why would you need them?
If all you are looking for in franchisees are carbon copies, then don’t franchise. You probably already have that in your corporate staff.
After you have brought in franchisees that are unlike you, then don’t forget that they are unlike you.
Examples of how franchisees with complimentary management styles can benefit the organization:
Success in franchising takes more preparation than success in your own business.
Segment 3: Quick Draw
Jim’s favorite book – The Hobbit
Jim would love to travel back in time to see Leif Ericson – he is fascinated with archeology
Whataburger versus In & Out – WHATABURGER WINS!!!!!! Take that Mike!
Favorite movies: The Matrix and The Jason Bourne series.
iPhone all the way – Yahoo Sports is his most used app
If Jim had $1 billion, he would give it to his wife. Go figure.
Jim Richardson Contact Information
Kit Vinson’s Contact Information
e-mail: kit.vinson@franman.net
Phone: 214-736-3939 x1
Website: www.franman.net
Listener Highlight
Angela Cote
Angela Cote Consulting Inc.
Business growth and franchise specialist
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Books Mentioned in the Episode: