With unemployment skyrocketing, many people are thinking of starting a new business. However, the risks can be high (many new businesses die within the first couple years).

So, to help boost the odds of success, another option is to get a franchise. After all, there is already a system in place to get started quickly. Also, you will get the support from the brand, advertising, and leverage with suppliers.

But, before you do this, it's a good idea to consider the following:

Continue reading Entrepreneur's Journal: What about starting a franchise?

Entrepreneur's Journal: What about starting a franchise? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He is also the founder of BizEquity, a valuation website

Franchises feel the pinch originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A franchise can be a great way to start your entry into self-employment -- and strong income. Yet, there are still risks -- such as with site locations and hiring employees -- and lots of upfront costs.

But there is another approach; that is, purchasing an existing franchise (which is known as a "resale"). What are some things to consider? Well, let's take a look:

Track Record: With some due diligence, you can determine whether a franchise is successful or not. Besides getting the financials, you can talk to customers as well as vendors.

Continue reading Entrepreneur's Journal: Jumpstarting things by purchasing an existing franchise

Entrepreneur's Journal: Jumpstarting things by purchasing an existing franchise originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 24 Aug 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

McDonald's

McDonald's (MCD) dumps Boston Market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Buffalo Wild Wings-(NYSE: BWLD) August volatility Elevated at 98 into 7/31 EPS. The company owns, operates and franchises 445 restaurants featuring chicken wings. BWLD is recently up .28 to $39.54. It will report EPS after the close on July 31st. BWLD August option implied volatility of 98 is above its 26-week average of 42 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Indymac Bancorp-(NYSE: IMB) August volatility Elevated at 110 into 7/31 EPS. Indymac, the 7th largest savings and loan and the 9th largest mortgage originator in the nation, will report EPS on July 31. Shares are recently down .48 to $22.61 on subprime mortgage concerns. IMB call option volume of 4,261 contracts compares to put volume of 13,489 contracts. IMB August option implied volatility of 110 is above its 26-week average of 44 according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

Disney-(NYSE: DIS) August volatilities up as expected into 8/1 EPS. Disney is expected to report EPS of .55 cents after the close on 8/1 according to Thomson First Call. CIBC has a $40 price target on DIS. DIS August option implied volatility of 27 is above its 26-week average of 21 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Time Warner-(NYSE: TWX) August volatility Elevated at 31 into EPS & Outlook. TWX is expected to report EPS of .21 cents on 8/1. TWX August option implied volatility of 31 is above its 26-week average of 21 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Daily options Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Option update 7-30-07: Buffalo Wild Wings-BWLD August volatility Elevated at 98 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The CEO of Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) has decided that the only way to get his bottlers around the world to do a better job of making and selling Coke is to get in there and run them himself.

Coke has begun a program [subscription required] to buy local bottlers and change their management or load their boards with Coke allies. Although some Coke bottlers are independent, others are majority or minority owned by the big soft drink operation.

Coke's program has paid off. Operating profits from bottlers where Coke has a stake are up from $1.6 billion in 1999 to $4.1 billion last year. But, Coke thinks that there is more improvement on the horizon.

The company's plan to improve sales, marketing, and manufacturing is not unlike programs at fast food chains, auto companies, and retailers like Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX). Large local operations in important markets can be critical to the financial health of the parent. Coke is being more aggressive than most and it would appear that it's getting results.

Douglas A. McIntyre is a partner in 24/7 Wall St.

Coke's slow fix originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Franchising has been the saving grace for many small business owners who would like to launch their own businesses while getting help on key start-up decisions like location, equipment, inventories, sales and marketing, and operational logistics.

In fact, many franchises are extremely affordable (all things considered) ways to go into business for yourself, from home-based franchises (like Jani-King), to location-based franchises (like Jackson Hewitt or McDonald's). (Check out Entrepreneur Magazine's 2007 list of the top 100 franchises if you're in the market for a new business.)

If not, a far easier and lower cost way to get involved with some of these top franchises is to buy the stocks. I looked at Entrepreneur's list with an eye toward figuring out which ones would have also been good investments for your portfolio.

Continue reading Top franchises -- are they also good stocks to own?

Top franchises -- are they also good stocks to own? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is written as part of AOL Money & Finance's Best & Worst of 2006. Vote for meal prep companies as the up and comer of 2006, or check out the other nominees in the category.

Continue reading Best & Worst: Make-and-freeze dinner businesses sweep the suburbs

Best & Worst: Make-and-freeze dinner businesses sweep the suburbs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.