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What do you pack for nutritious and tasty lunches? Trying to get out of the house on time with backpacks in hand seems challenging enough. Healthy, well-proportioned meals, including lunch, not only feed the body, but also the mind. Several scientific studies have found that the effects of hunger, even temporary hunger, like skipping a meal, can affect your child&rsquo;s attention span, ability to concentrate and cognitive performance. According to the American School Food Service Association, fourth grade students who had the least protein intake in their diets had the lowest achievement scores.

Here are some simple, healthy lunchbox ideas that don&rsquo;t require refrigeration. To avoid choking, remember to cut your child&rsquo;s food into bite-size pieces and don&rsquo;t give preschool age children chips, uncooked carrot sticks, broccoli or other difficult to chew foods.

<ul>
	<li>
	Peanut butter in a pita, cheese cubes, applesauce
	</li>
	<li>
	Mini bagels with pizza sauce and cheese, melon pieces
	</li>
	<li>
	Mild salsa and chips, cheese sticks, cut grapes
	</li>
	<li>
	Bran muffin, small yogurt, strawberries
	</li>
	<li>
	Soup in a thermos, peanut butter on a mini-bagel, cantaloupe pieces
	</li>
	<li>
	Tortilla wrapped around cheese sticks, cucumber sticks and dip, plum
	</li>
	<li>
	Hummus on pita bread with sprouts, carrot sticks, blueberries
	</li>
	<li>
	Cheese and apple slices on cinnamon raisin bread, yogurt
	</li>
	<li>
	Turkey cubes, crackers and cheese, apple slices
	</li>
	<li>
	Mini rice cakes with cream cheese, broccoli, cheese chunks
	</li>
	<li>
	Peanut butter on banana bread, yogurt, peaches 
	</li>
	<li>
	Soup in a thermos, crackers and cheese, box of raisins
	</li>
	<li>
	Cream cheese bagel, celery and carrot sticks and dip, orange wedges
	</li>
</ul>

It looks simple and easy, but you&rsquo;re thinking, &ldquo;My child will never eat food that healthy.&rdquo; How can you encourage your child to eat what&rsquo;s in their lunchbox even when you&rsquo;re not at school? Read more to learn tips for getting your child to eat, quick packing ideas and using your child&rsquo;s lunchbox as a &ldquo;kid connection.&rdquo;

Getting Your Child to Eat

Given the array of prepackaged convenience foods, it&rsquo;s often hard to get your child to make healthy lunchbox choices. The best way to encourage your child to eat healthy is to make them a part of the shopping and choosing experience. Let your child make soup, bread, sandwich spreads and fillings and fruit and vegetable choices. 

It&rsquo;s also important to pack the right amount of food. Most parents pack too much food in their child&rsquo;s lunchbox and children tend to eat the &ldquo;sweet stuff&rdquo; first. Although it&rsquo;s often more expensive, many individual serving foods like pretzel sticks, applesauce, cheese sticks or cubes, vegetable dips and yogurt are healthy, easy to pack and attractive to children because of the packaging.

Try making gradual changes to pack a healthier lunch. You can pack the usual sandwich and add vegetables and dip instead of chips or put in half of the child&rsquo;s usual sandwich and add half of something new. Try white bread on one side and whole wheat on the other.

When making food choices for your child or guiding them to make their own healthy choices, be aware of food allergies. Speak to your pediatrician before serving anything new like peanut butter or strawberries, especially for children under a year.

Soup choices: lots of good canned soups, look for low salt

Bread choices: whole wheat, muffins, crackers, English muffins, bagels, mini-bagels, raisin bread, rolls and tortillas

Filling choices: peanut butter, cream cheese, apple butter, hummus, American cheese, mozzarella, turkey, ham

Vegetable choices: carrot sticks, cucumber slices, green beans, tomato wedges, broccoli, celery

Fruit choices: apple wedges, banana, orange slices, melon pieces, applesauce, peaches, small plums, pineapple chunks, kiwi slices

Drink choices: milk, water, 100% fruit juice

Getting Organized

Learning menu alternatives is helpful, but actually getting the food packed and out-the-door can be the real challenge for busy parents. Shop for the week. Invest some time cutting all the fruit and vegetables for the week. Refrigerate in individual serving size bags. Avoid pre-cutting apples, pears, and bananas that turn brown easily. Although the fruit is still good to eat, kids just don&rsquo;t seem to like brown food.

Making the lunch the night before really is helpful. Try preparing your child&rsquo;s lunch after dinner when the kitchen is already a mess. Put the whole lunchbox in the refrigerator. In the morning, grab and go! School-age children can make their own lunches. Remember to do a quick lunch check to make sure they actually put food in there.

Lunchbox Extras and Kid Connections

School-age children don&rsquo;t always have a chance to wash their hands before lunch, so throw in a wipe. All children, with the exception of infants, need a napkin, and young children enjoy colorful party napkins. Use your leftover birthday or holiday napkins as a lunchbox treat.

Make a &ldquo;kid connection&rdquo; with your child by adding a lunchbox note for them or a picture for your pre-reader. Pre-readers enjoy a letter, shape or color of the day drawn on an index card. You can also cut out magazine pictures or drop in a photo your child can put their fingerprints all over. For readers, print messages for the month on your computer cut them into small notes and add a handwritten signature. Lunchbox notes can include words of encouragement, including, &ldquo;I know you&rsquo;ll do great on your spelling test,&rdquo; or reminders like, &ldquo;Pick you up for karate after-school&rdquo; or even simple love notes saying, &ldquo;You&rsquo;re a great kid!&rdquo;

Simple, Healthy Lunchbox Choices

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As back to school season begins, Lightbridge Academy President and COO Gigi Schweikert offers insight into lunchbox choices.

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Name:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-fagan">Katelyn Fagan</a> Role: Marketing Director Brand:&nbsp;<a href="https://bricksandminifigs.com/franchise-opportunities/">Bricks &amp; Minifigs (BAM) Franchising</a>Katelyn Fagan discovered franchising immediately after earning her MBA, joining Zerorez Carpet Cleaning as its marketing director. Having run her own business, coached other entrepreneurs and even worked for ServiceMaster Clean as a young adult, she found deep fulfillment in helping franchise owners succeed.Today, at Bricks &amp; Minifigs, the LEGO franchise opportunity, she applies that same passion — balancing data-driven strategy with empathy for franchisees — to help operators grow, become more profitable and make meaningful local impact.<h2>Q&amp;A With Katelyn Fagan, Marketing Director, BAM Franchising</h2>1851 Franchise: How did you find your way to franchising and franchise marketing?Katelyn Fagan: After my MBA, I landed a job at Zerorez Carpet Cleaning, an international franchisor, as the marketing director. I was drawn to the position because I loved the idea of supporting small businesses. As a small business owner myself — and someone who had worked with small business owners through coaching and courses — I loved that I could continue helping others find success running a business.As a young adult, I even worked for ServiceMaster Clean as a cleaner!1851: What makes franchise marketing uniquely challenging (and rewarding) compared to corporate-only marketing?Fagan: The hard part is that you can’t do the marketing on behalf of the franchisees. You can’t force them to follow your beautifully designed and thoughtfully developed marketing plans. They don’t have to follow best practices.They’re also often hesitant to spend money on marketing — especially anything that isn’t directly attributable to dollars earned. So they sometimes negate brand-awareness campaigns that help grow their user base.But it is so rewarding seeing franchisees become profitable, seeing them enjoy their business and knowing the greater impact they’re having in their communities.1851: What is the single most powerful lever a marketing team can pull to directly impact franchisees’ profitability at the unit level?Fagan: I’m not sure I know the answer yet — there are always so many factors that go into profitability. The easiest answer is always raising prices, but that’s not always the right decision or even feasible.I would probably lean into targeted lifecycle marketing — getting existing customers to shop again and spend more.1851: What is an untapped marketing opportunity you see for franchise brands?Fagan: Content and blogs. While not an immediate or high-conversion tool, if done right, blogs can drive thousands of extra impressions of your brand and your services every single month, month after month.It’s free advertising once it’s live on your website, and it can be repurposed across socials and emails.1851: What’s your boldest franchise marketing take?Fagan: I love the grand impact of franchising. Franchises have a larger impact, serving more people in more places and making a difference in individual lives every day.Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and see what we can do for you.

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

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Is franchising better than starting a business from scratch? For many&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/a-beginners-guide-to-franchising-how-the-model-works-2724686">prospective entrepreneurs</a> weighing the idea of ownership, the answer to that question can be both yes and no. Franchising offers a proven system and built-in support. Starting from scratch allows greater flexibility and control. And a proper understanding of the trade-offs can help potential owners decide which path is most aligned with their business goals.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://drymedicfranchise.com/">DRYmedic Restoration</a> franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-carlson-29b0a930/">Keith Carlson</a>, the appeal of franchising often starts with structure. “The yes is that you have an automatic blueprint,” he said. “You’re in. You don’t have to think of everything. You don’t have to come up with your business plan or your marketing plan.”As Carloson noted, franchisors generally provide detailed guidance on everything from licensing and certifications to business structure. “All of those things are done. Or they’re in a list or part of a large checklist,” he said. “From that perspective, it’s simpler on the back end.”<h2>Franchising Vs. Starting From Scratch: Key Considerations</h2>So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/buying-a-franchise-vs-starting-from-scratch-2725815">is franchising better than starting a business from scratch</a>? Here are five areas to consider:1. Built-In Systems Vs. Total Control Franchising provides a tested playbook. But it comes with rules. “If you’re in a franchise, every time you want to do something that’s outside their playbook, you have to ask permission,” Carlson reminds. Independent owners, on the other hand, can pivot freely but must build systems from the ground up (which takes time and resources).2. Fees and Royalties Franchise fees and royalties are part of the deal. It’s important to both understand and plan for them accordingly.3. Experience and Support One of franchising’s biggest advantages is access to experienced operators. Carlson recalled his first job after signing his initial work order: “I was nervous. But I had somebody on the phone within 10 minutes saying, ‘You’ve got to do this, this and that,’” he said. “It was so easy to get through that first job because there was no guesswork.”4. Following The System (With Local Flexibility) While local nuances aren’t always captured in a national system, the strength of a proven system remains a franchising hallmark.5. Long-Term Upside Starting a business from scratch can be more lucrative. “But it depends on the level of effort you want to put in,” Carlson reminds potential zees.<h2>The Bottom Line</h2>So, is franchising better than starting a business from scratch?&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/franchising-and-the-american-dream-2730380">Franchising</a> can reduce risk, shorten the learning curve and provide critical support (especially early). Independent startups can offer more autonomy and, potentially, greater long-term rewards. Therefore, an honest assessment of tolerance for structure, fees and self-direction can help those considering entrepreneurship to properly assess the ownership situation best aligned with one’s goals for success in the business opportunity.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

Is franchising better than starting a business from scratch?

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When evaluating a franchise opportunity, there’s an important early step: how do I research franchise complaints? Understanding the issues both current and former franchise owners have experienced can help prospective franchisees make better-informed decisions that increase the likelihood of selecting a brand aligned with their business goals.Franchise consultant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/franchise-guru/">Lisa Welko</a> of&nbsp;<a href="https://integrityfranchisegroup.com/">Integrity Franchise Group</a> emphasizes the importance of validating information through direct research. “The most important thing about researching any franchise is the opportunity to validate with franchise owners personally,” Welko said. “Use the reviews to formulate your questions and opinions. And then validate those findings with actual owners in the system.”<h2>Start With The Basics: Public Records And Online Tools</h2>How do I research franchise complaints?&nbsp;It starts with sources that are accessible and objective.<ul><li>Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD):&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/understanding-item-3-of-the-franchise-disclosure-document-litigation-history-2703061">FDD Item 3</a>, litigation history, lists pending litigation or past legal issues involving franchisees that can be potential&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/red-flags-to-look-out-for-when-doing-franchise-research-2723769#stories">red flags</a>. &nbsp;</li><li>State Regulatory Agencies: Many states publish franchise or business complaints (including the Attorney General’s office). &nbsp;</li><li>Online Reviews and Forums: While helpful for providing additional context, they should not be used as the only source of research. “Just like anything on the internet, we need to remember ‘Buyer Beware,’” said Welko. “Online reviews can be a helpful tool. But we need to remember that it’s one tool in the arsenal. So, don’t let one bad review torpedo your research.”</li></ul><h2>Speak Directly With Franchise Owners</h2>Nothing replaces firsthand insights. Contacting current – and former – franchise owners to ask about their experience with franchisor support, operations and growth potential is a critical part of the validation process. It’s essential to pay attention to recurring themes in their feedback, both positive and negative, to identify potential risks (or opportunities) correctly.&nbsp;<h2>Practical Takeaways For Evaluating Franchise Complaints</h2><ol><li>Verify Patterns, Not One-Offs – A single complaint may be an isolated incident. Look for repeated issues that may indicate systemic challenges. &nbsp;</li><li>Check The Age Of Complaints – Older complaints may reflect resolved issues or changes in leadership (while recent complaints can indicate ongoing issues). &nbsp;</li><li>Ask Specific Questions – When speaking with franchisees, ask about areas like training, corporate support and general operational challenges. &nbsp;</li><li>Evaluate The Brand’s Response – How a franchisor addresses complaints can reveal the level of transparency, responsiveness and commitment provided to franchise owners. &nbsp;</li><li>Integrate Findings Within Decision-Making – Use complaint research as part of a larger due diligence process (along with financials, market analysis and personal goals).</li></ol><h2>The Takeaway</h2>So, how do I research franchise complaints?&nbsp;Doing so is essential. Utilizing a combination of public records, online insights and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-the-value-of-franchisee-validation-in-the-franchise-sales-process-2703208">direct validation with franchisees</a> (past and present), potential franchise owners can better evaluate both risk and opportunity. By following a structured approach, actionable insights that build confidence in the franchise decision-making process can be identified.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How do I research franchise complaints? In this guide with expert tips, learn how to uncover patterns, validate insights with franchisees and make informed franchise investment decisions.

Simple, Healthy Lunchbox Choices

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