Franchise Interviews  

Don and Marty will talk with Andy Cucchiara, VP of Franchise Operations, about how ZIPS is reinventing the dry cleaning industry to appeal to the fast food generation. Zips is a cash only, pre-paid business. Every garment, every time is only $1.99 – no gimmicks, no exceptions. Because the cleaning machines are in-house you can drop off your garments at 9am and have them by 5pm. Because of the pre-paid model customers are more likely to pick up their garments faster. Have you ever had your dry cleaning sit at the drycleaners for weeks? I have! Also, by having the cleaning machines in-house the franchisees are able to do higher volume at a quicker rate. Andy can explain why ZIPS is a successful franchise in any economy, how the franchise builds from a strong support system and how they keep costs down by keeping inventory down. About ZIPS ZIPS, founded in 1996 and began franchising in 2006, has 18 locations on the East Coast. The company offers a fixed price of $1.99 for any garment to be dry cleaned and $1.19 for any shirt to be laundered. ZIPS offers same day service “In by 9 out by 5” with the motto, “.We take the sting out of dry cleaning.”

Mary Jo Larson, Publisher/VP at Franchise Times and Express Medical Transporters, was founded in 1995 by its President/CEO, Bernard A. Squitieri. With more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, Mr. Squitieri started the company with one vehicle. Today, Express Medical Transporters, . is the largest for-profit non-emergency transportation company in the state of Missouri. By completing thousands of trips per year with more than 150 vehicles on the road, Express Medical Transporters, . is able to provide the very best in price, quality and efficiency when it comes to transportation anywhere in Missouri. Because Express Medical Transporters, . owns all of its vehicles, equipment and has its own maintenance facility, we are able to eliminate the middle-man, thus reducing costs and controlling other transportation variables. These circumstances make our transportation services less expensive than using a broker or even a taxicab, while providing a higher level of service. Our drivers, and the drivers for our franchisees, are trained to assist non-emergency patients, who may be confined to wheelchairs or other mobility aids, to and from necessary medical appointments including dialysis, in getting home after a hospital stay or an emergency room visit. Our drivers, and our franchisees' drivers, are D.O.T. certified and trained in first aid and CPR. In addition, every driver is subject to random drug testing and extensive background checks to insure the highest level of care by our personnel. By being able to provide all types of vehicles including wheelchair accessible vans, minivans, sedans and even busses, Express Medical Transporters, or one of EMT USA's franchisees, can be your total transportation solution.

THEY STARTED SIMPLY AS A FRESH IDEA First Watch was founded in 1983 in Pacific Grove, CA on the simple concept of putting customers first. In other words, we strive to provide unexpectedly extraordinary experiences everyday. It’s all part of our “YOU FIRST™” service philosophy—our commitment to doing whatever it takes to make our customers’ visits memorable. They begin each day at the crack of dawn, slicing fresh fruits and vegetables, baking muffins and whipping up our French toast batter from scratch. We’re committed to freshness—using some of the finest ingredients available—never compromising quality. Their unique Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch creations are freshly prepared to each order. When customers arrive, we welcome them with a pot of our coffee, complimentary newspapers and Wi-Fi Internet access. Today, First Watch Restaurants, Inc. is one of the largest privately owned, daytime-only restaurant companies in the country. Headquartered in Bradenton, FL, and operating more than 75 restaurants in 11 states, First Watch offers something for everyone, from traditional Breakfast, Brunch and Lunch favorites to our signature creations. Business or pleasure, we take pride in meeting the special needs of our customers.

Tony Lamb is the founder of Kona Ice, which provides a bright, welcoming and professional alternative to the typical ice cream truck. Kids line up to buy shaved ice and get to use a patented “Flavor Wave” where customers can pour their own flavors onto the ice—with literally thousands of combinations—making it a fun, interactive experience for kids. Kona Ice, a national franchise, now has 63 franchises in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Its crisp, clean trucks and revolutionary design certainly are changing the way America thinks about the stereotypical ice cream truck. The franchisor anticipates 500 Kona Ice franchises nationwide in the next five years alone. Tony can discuss how Kona Ice was formed and turned into a franchise. Some possible questions include: About Kona Ice Launched in 2007 by Tony Lamb, Kona Ice provides a bright, welcoming and professional alternative to the typical ice cream truck. Kona Ice is committed to the community and has donated more than $250,000 to local organizations since its inception. Kona Ice has quickly become a desirable franchising opportunity due to the low overhead, flexible hours, quick profit margins and low royalty fee, fixed at $3,000 per year.

Franchise Interviews is having their first senior care franchise symposium. Hear from some of the top franchise senior care franchises in the country for this special two-hour edition. Some of the franchises that can be heard in the symposium are Visiting Angels, Always Best Care, and AristoCare. You can hear the live and recorded shows by going to FranchiseInterviews.com or BlogTalkRadio.com/Franchise-Interviews. For the very first time, listeners can also hear the live show from their cell phones! Just call 347-838-8238. Franchise Interviews 's radio show is dedicated to educating & motivating aspiring entrepreneurs on franchising and features interviews with experts. Hosted by Marty McDermott & Don Johnson.

On Thursday, September 24 at 10AM EST, Franchise Interviews will meet with Nancy Weingartner, Executive Editor of Franchise Times Magazine & Dan Frey, the CEO of The Glass Guru Franchise Opportunity. If you are a frequent listener to our weekly radio show, than you know what fans Don and Marty are of Franchise Times Magazine. Marty recently stated it is the only magazine he reads from cover to cover. We are excited to have Nancy Weingartner, Executive Editor of Franchise Times Magazine on part one of the show. Nancy is going to discuss what is new in franchising and what stories she is working on for next month’s edition. On parts two and three, cutting-edge window restoration technologies combined with traditional glass shop services make The Glass Guru a one-of-a-kind franchise opportunity. Every home has windows, doors, screens, mirrors and shower enclosures. As these critical components age and require repair or replacement, every homeowner needs someone to call. Every year, hundreds of thousands of windows in the US lose their integrity due to seal failure. Pioneers in the emerging window restoration industry, The Glass Guru was the first company in the US to offer moisture removal for failed (foggy) thermal pane windows. Our process involves the installation of a patent-pending Micro-vent system that permanently eliminates moisture while restoring the window's clarity and insulation.