EmbroidMe, rated by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one embroidery and promotional product franchise, has a particularly interesting position: there is already a profitable location in the UK so the Master License partner would be able to forgo the usual flagship store growth for a quicker launch. The existing store has already been in operation for several years and already has a vendor network and profit centres established.
EmbroidMe expanded its franchisee reach in 2014 and plans for an even bigger 2015, beginning with the focus on the UK. EmbroidMe President Mark Johnson says the region is a natural next step for the global brand: “The UK is definitely a growing marketplace with an incredible amount of potential for our brand,” says Johnson.
“Knowing that we already have a successful store in operation there makes it a natural target for growth. We would like to find a good candidate to add to our list of other Master License partners around the world,” he continues.
High ranking
EmbroidMe saw a number of changes in 2014 which preceded significant franchise growth worldwide. Based on that momentum, the brand looks to 2015 to redouble its growth as the industry-leading franchise as the promotional marketing partner for its clients, providing logoed apparel, promotional products and a wide variety of services. In 2014, 35 more EmbroidMe locations opened, including one in Mexico and one in Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to franchise growth, franchising authority Entrepreneur Magazine also ranked EmbroidMe 143rd in its annual Franchise 500 rankings, recognising the brand as first in its category.
On the international side, EmbroidMe has also been highly recognised. It was ranked number 39 in Franchise Direct’s Top 100 Global Franchises list. It was ranked 14th and 17th in Promo Marketing’s Top 50 Distributors list and the Advertising Specialty Institute’s Top 40 Distributor list, respectively. Rounding out the franchise’s commendations are EmbroidMe CEO Ray Titus and President Mark Johnson’s appearances on commercial embroidery magazine Stitches’2014 Power 75 list at number 36.
Global opportunities
In 2015, EmbroidMe is aiming for even greater growth, with plans to add 75 domestic locations and five additional international Master License partners. This, says Titus, will be made possible by continuing with programs that bore fruit in 2014. “In 2014, EmbroidMe continued to specialise in helping businesses manage and market their brands through custom embroidery, garment printing and a wide variety of promotional products,” he says. “We also had several locations, both domestic and abroad, expand their services by moving to larger locations and adding additional on-site decorating solutions like silkscreening and engraving. Our size and exposure to both national and international world-leading technologies will allow us to continue that success in 2015.”
To fuel this growth, Titus adds, EmbroidMe is filling a muchneeded role in what is estimated to be a nearly $600bn worldwide advertising industry in 2015. “As a recognised leader in the promotional marketing industry, EmbroidMe continues to add new locations to serve the needs of our marketing partners. Moreover, EmbroidMe is developing new programmes with our preferred suppliers to offer value-added marketing programmes, along with an emphasis on developing partnerships with global suppliers to help us with this growth. This strategy will allow us to live up to our promise to serve as a Promotional Marketing Partner to our customers.”
Looking to succeed
Serving as a Promotional Marketing Partner represents EmbroidMe’s focus on creating complete solutions for its customers. EmbroidMe is not just an embroidery company or a promotional products company; it is actually far more. Franchisees work closely and directly with their customers to create customised campaigns to help the local businesses to succeed and grow. “One of the great aspects about finding a Master License partner in the United Kingdom is that the right person will not only have the benefit of joining a growing brand with many financial benefits for themself. They will also have the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to grow and build other local businesses right in his community. The UK is a market that is ripe for expansion and EmbroidMe wants to be a part of that,” says Johnson.
SISTER COMPANY ALSO TARGETS UK GROWTH
As EmbroidMe looks to expand and leverage new programs in the estimated $600bn advertising industry, its sister brand is looking to expand in the UK as well. Plan Ahead Events is also part of the United Franchise Group. UFG has more than 1,400 locations is 73 countries and has several business opportunities to offer, including Plan Ahead Events, which is a full-service meeting and event management company.
Plan Ahead Events serves clients worldwide, with a strong focus on corporate event management and planning. Franchisees offer creative solutions for meetings, conventions, trade shows, special events and incentive travel. The event planning industry offers huge potential and is ranked as one of the top five business opportunities with $650bn spent annually worldwide.
“Being an event planner is one of the hottest careers today and Plan Ahead Events is at the forefront of this exciting trend, offering the most complete business opportunity in the industry,” says Tipton Shonkwiler, Plan Ahead Events President. “Recent research shows a trend in corporations outsourcing their meeting planning functions so there has never been a better time to capitalise on the benefits of a Master License opportunity in the United Kingdom,” he continues. “Plan Ahead Events would be a perfect fit for the culture and business climate of the UK, and we hope to find the perfect person to lead our efforts in this area,” says Shonkwiler.
Do your homework
With its launch in January 2008, Plan Ahead Events became one of the event planning industry’s first franchise opportunities, and added the training, expertise and negotiating power of reputable global players to the United Franchise Group strong family of business service companies. Plan Ahead Events received instant recognition, and in the first year of operation was named in the Franchise 500 annual listing, Entrepreneur Magazine Top 500 listing, and in Business Opportunity World magazine as one of the top home-based businesses. The ranking has grown year on year. Plan Ahead Events is very easy to start as a home-based, low cost business and no experience is necessary for the franchisee. Plan Ahead Events offers a turn-key franchise with an extensive training programme and all the technology, hardware and software needed to run the business successfully.
“Event Management Specialists work with clients to achieve company event objectives,”continues Shonkwiler. “Our specialists handle all the details through each step of the event planning process, from concept to completion. We provide innovative ideas and utilise the latest trends in the industry to ensure that every event is an outstanding success. In addition, we provide creative solutions for meetings, conventions, trade shows, special events, and incentive travel, bringing enthusiasm, experience and fresh ideas to every occasion, whether it be a corporate party, sales meeting, convention, trade show, reception, grand opening, or incentive trip.”
TWO GREAT OPPORTUNITIES FROM ONE GREAT FRANCHISE COMPANY
Plan Ahead Events and EmbroidMe are both part of Florida-based United Franchise Group, which also has regional offices in other locations around the world. Training as a Master License partner begins at those headquarters where masters learn the basics of running the brand. This comprehensive education includes everything needed to run the business and the industry knowledge needed to succeed.
After the flagship is established (which has already happened for EmbroidMe in the UK) and once the master understands the basics of the industry, it’s time to start selling franchises. Masters return to the corporate offices for a Master License sales training class. This training is specifically designed to prepare them for presenting and selling franchises, so that they can develop and sell the concept in their country.
Master License partners have access to a team of support personnel to guide them. They benefit from decades of experience in sales, marketing, research and development and technical expertise.
Support on demand Through the exclusive and easy-toaccess intranet system, masters stay in constant contact with the corporate office as well as other successful Master License partners. This allows United Franchise Group to always be available to help with sales growth and franchisee support so you can effectively run and manage the brand in the UK.
The United Franchise Group Master Summits and World Expos provide additional training, ideas, and motivation, and the opportunity to interact with more than 1,400 United Franchise Group Master License partners and franchisees from around the globe.
While the United Franchise Group business models have been proved in dozens of countries worldwide, there are geographic, cultural and business nuances that vary from one country to the next. “The best Master License partners understand the local market, business dynamics and tendencies of the local people,” says Johnson. “They recognise your ability to bring this experience with you and combine it with our proven formula for success. This part has already been done for the EmbroidMe model in the UK, fast-tracking the journey to Master growth.”
A flexible approach
Flexibility is the key to international expansion. United Franchise Group brands can be seen on busy streets in large metropolitan areas around the globe, in the outback of Australia, and right in view of the Eiffel Tower: United Franchise Group is everywhere. Master License partner opportunities offer franchisees the potential for numerous and varied profit centres and incoming generating revenues.
The Master License Partnership provides multiple revenue streams within a fully developed system that has a proven track record for success. Master partners gain exclusive access to successful operating systems, training, marketing and sales concepts, technical expertise and a branded name with trademarks. The license becomes an active ‘asset’ that grows over time. Masters can build equity in the business at a much faster rate than a normal business. Once a few franchises are sold, the value of the business increases significantly: not only is there an existing business with cash flow, additional franchise opportunities to sell, which gives the Master franchise a higher value.
