The 8 | September 8, 2017

1. Frantastic: We have some pretty Frantastic news for those eager for fall—the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back. Starbucks’ signature drink is officially on menus across the country, unofficially marking the start of the fall season. Since the product made its debut over 14 years ago, it’s become a clear fan favorite. But we want to know, are you on board? Are you happy about the return of the #PSL, or is it too early? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

2. Franlebrity: To kick off 1851’s latest issue—The Awesome Franchise Suppliers Issue—we’re highlighting one of our favorite Franlebrities, Steve Beagelman. It was clear that the man behind SMB Franchise Advisors* was going to make a name for himself in the industry from a young age—he entered college with Hagstrom maps marking franchise development sales that he was working on or completed. Today, he’s known for helping emerging franchisors successfully get their growing concepts off the ground. You can check out his full story on 1851.

3. Frash Money: It’s no secret that security is a top priority among consumers right now. That’s why Signal 88 Security* is bringing in Frash Money—the brand reported 15 percent year-over-year growth in the first half of 2017. That means that Signal 88 is meeting a growing demand across the country. And it also boasts a high level of expertise in the industry—over 70 percent of the brand’s franchisees bring police or military experience to the table.

4. Frant of the Week: Have you ever been scrolling through your Facebook timeline and spot a headline that you know can’t be true? Well, that recently happened to No Limit Agency* CEO Nick Powills, and it’s the subject of his latest Frant. The headline that stood out to him as BS was “You Can Buy These Franchises for Under $10,000.” There’s no doubt that’s strong clickbait, but how true is it when you take operating capital into account? These types of headlines may send the wrong message to prospective franchisees.

5. Franch Forward: It’s no secret that in order for a brand to Franch Forward, it needs passionate franchisees. But franchisees aren’t the only team members who contribute to a brand’s growth—a concept’s success also depends on its employees. For Sport Clips*, that means recruiting the best stylists into its system. In order to do that, the brand has recently enhanced its applicant tracking system. Sport Clips also utilizes social media to paint a clear picture of what life is really like as an employee.  

6. Fran Funny: I used to be afraid of hurdles, but then I got over it.

7. Franspiration Misquote: “If you fell down yesterday, stand up today. If you started a business that needs to grow, consider expanding through franchising.” – H.G. Wells

8. Franemies vs. Frands: The supplier on the cover of 1851’s latest issue—Franchise Business Review—is definitely one of our Frands. The company, which was founded by Eric Stites, has redefined the term “credibility” in the industry. Franchise Business Review was founded with the idea that validation is everything in franchising, and that a neutral third party could become an invaluable resource when securing franchisee testimonials. Today, having worked with more than 1,000 franchise brands, it’s clear that Franchise Business Review is on the right track.