Yeah it's funny how people see the "result" of something and think that's what they want. They have no idea what goes into building that "something". Once they realize what a person has to do to live the way they live and the risks they have to take, they realize it's not for them.
$100 Per App for PCIP - Whooppie!
- Thread starter Ann H
- Start date
- 14,808
Yep. I was actually looking into the restaurant biz as a career quite a long time ago, until I did a short stint as a bar manager. What a complete nightmare.
I'm sure there are people who only dream of owning a bar and possibly some actually love it. But the problem with dreaming about something is you don't get a chance to experience it first hand.
I realized it wasn't for me and got paid. I couldn't imagine spending "500K" to open a bar only realize that I hated it months down the line.
I used to talk to the owner of our local Cold Stone. I said "used to" because when it first opened here she was fun and upbeat. Now she barely ever smiles and is non-conversational. A classic case of a business running someone instead of someone running a business.
I'm sure there are people who only dream of owning a bar and possibly some actually love it. But the problem with dreaming about something is you don't get a chance to experience it first hand.
I realized it wasn't for me and got paid. I couldn't imagine spending "500K" to open a bar only realize that I hated it months down the line.
I used to talk to the owner of our local Cold Stone. I said "used to" because when it first opened here she was fun and upbeat. Now she barely ever smiles and is non-conversational. A classic case of a business running someone instead of someone running a business.
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- 630
Have researched franchises, and Cold Stone comes up as one of the ones that people warn you to run away FAST from. Apparently they are a nightmare for little money. We looked at Allstate but have spent too many years being indy. Now I read somewhere on this forum that they are going to 8/8?
- 14,808
"Searching for franchises" to me violates the "do what you love" but more importantly it violates "do what you know."
Am I an ice cream expert? Any background in ice cream? Even food service? If not, why in the world would I consider Cold Stone.
I'm also not really a fan of getting into anything that's a "fun" or "side" item for people. When the economy is down less people go to Cold Stone, but I betcha McDonalds does just fine.
Too many of these franchise outfits have a poor vetting process. With some, if you have the dough then congratulations. However, McDonalds did it right. You could be 500 million liquid and get denied.
They also get it right that successful franchise owners are...well, already rich. I believe you need about 1.5M liquid (not borrowed) to be in the running. This is where insurance franchises, like Allstate fall short. Take the "200K" they say you'll need and multiply that times three.
Am I an ice cream expert? Any background in ice cream? Even food service? If not, why in the world would I consider Cold Stone.
I'm also not really a fan of getting into anything that's a "fun" or "side" item for people. When the economy is down less people go to Cold Stone, but I betcha McDonalds does just fine.
Too many of these franchise outfits have a poor vetting process. With some, if you have the dough then congratulations. However, McDonalds did it right. You could be 500 million liquid and get denied.
They also get it right that successful franchise owners are...well, already rich. I believe you need about 1.5M liquid (not borrowed) to be in the running. This is where insurance franchises, like Allstate fall short. Take the "200K" they say you'll need and multiply that times three.
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I have a friend that had an ice cream shop on International Blvd in Orlando, right in the middle of the tourist area. He lost money for years even after putting in a grill to offer hot dogs and hamburgers.
If you can't make money selling ice cream in Orlando to tourists you can't make it anywhere.
Subway is the number one franchise.
Chick-Fil-A is a great franchise if you can make the cut.
- 14,808
Love Chick-Fil-A....and they make it even being closed on Sunday. Subway also rocks.
Problem with ice cream is it's a very low ticket item which means you need very heavy volume. Ironically, high quality ice cream is expensive to make as a percentage of the sales price.
We have a Rita's which seems to do quite nicely. Always a line and appears to be a rather simple business to run. Big difference there. We'll go to Rita's three times a week but only Cold Stone twice a month. And there you see the problem.
I just watched a cable special highlight Cold Stone's franchise problems - some discussed here: Whose Fault is the Coldstone Fiasco? | Business Pundit
More detailed: The Inside Scoop - WSJ.com
I highly suggest looking into an online business. It's not perfect but if you have the right concept you can earn much more than any franchisee with a fraction of the cost and headache.
Problem with ice cream is it's a very low ticket item which means you need very heavy volume. Ironically, high quality ice cream is expensive to make as a percentage of the sales price.
We have a Rita's which seems to do quite nicely. Always a line and appears to be a rather simple business to run. Big difference there. We'll go to Rita's three times a week but only Cold Stone twice a month. And there you see the problem.
I just watched a cable special highlight Cold Stone's franchise problems - some discussed here: Whose Fault is the Coldstone Fiasco? | Business Pundit
More detailed: The Inside Scoop - WSJ.com
I highly suggest looking into an online business. It's not perfect but if you have the right concept you can earn much more than any franchisee with a fraction of the cost and headache.
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- 5,058
I like chick fil a cause they dont hire the kind of riff raff that mcdonalds burger king and wendys employ..
- 14,808
Very well noticed. To not get into an ugly discussion they do indeed hire a completely different group of people.
- 630
There are lots of self-serve yogurt shops popping up around here. Took my daughter and her friend the other day, and the friend loads up on yogurt and toppings and it was $7. I gave my daughter the stink-eye to be careful with the heavy toppings so hers wasn't too bad. There were two employees, one stocking and one running the cash register. Seems like a money maker unless I am missing something.
- 5,058
It's only ugly for people who like to believe in pretty little lies they deceive themselves into believing are fact and not fiction.
Went to Muvico over the weekend, nice good looking girls and clean cut guys running the theater from box office to concession $9.50 or so for a ticket, I can go to AMC 20 min away and its a joke.
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like a barber shop they are probably selling weed
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