Financing your franchise business: means of securing capital

Black Enterprise, Sept, 2004 by Mark N. Howard

Coverall

DEDICATION, DETERMINATION & DRIVE

The Keys to Success for Anthony Long Coverall Cleaning Concepts[R] Franchise Owner

Five years ago, Anthony Long, was planning his retirement from the Marines, but had always dreamed of owning his own business. A friend referred him to Coverall Cleaning Concepts[R] one of the nation's leading commercial cleaning franchising companies. He was immediately impressed with its training programs, and the company's success in the commercial cleaning industry.

Long became a Coverall Franchise Owner in 1998, opening an office in Washington D.C. He started as a one-man show, purchasing the smallest franchise package available, which made about $600 a month in revenues.

Long's franchise was immediately successful. He developed excellent relationships with his clients, which led to many referrals and high retention rates. In just five years, Long, at 43, had experienced tremendous growth, grossing upwards of $80,000 a month in revenues. Now with over 45 employees, he sees tremendous potential in his future. His D.C. office is the top Coverall producer in the region, and is in the top five percent overall. Additionally, in September of 2002, Long opened his second Coverall franchise in his hometown of Virginia Beach, VA.

Coveralls' contacts in the industry were essential in developing my customer base," stated Long. "In addition, the training I received from Coverall, especially in the areas of customer relations, has been a key contributor to my success."

Since its inception in 1985, Coverall Cleaning Concepts has offered individuals the opportunity to join the best team in the industry by offering financial independence and opportunity for unlimited growth. For more information, please visit www.coverall.com or call (800)537-3371.

Golden Krust

Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill is the home of the World's best-tasting Jamaican Style patties and delicious Caribbean meals. Our franchise offers forty-three high quality Caribbean food items that customers can enjoy for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In 1996 Lowell Hawthorne decided to parlay the success of Gulden Krust into franchises, becoming the first and only Caribbean baked goods producer to hold this distinction.

Today, Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill operates a chain of 73 stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Florida. There are currently 6 other stores under construction and the company plans to open an additional 250 stores within the next five years as it moves from being a segment industry to a major player in the quick service industry.

The success of Golden Krust has led the company to be featured on Fox 5 News, New York Views on WABC-TV-Channel 7, New York One and on CNN. Extensive features have also been written about the company in Forbes Magazine, New York Times, New York Daily News, Emerge, BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine, Crains New York Business Magazine and several local and community newspapers. In 2002 Lowell Hawthorne was named Entrepreneur of the Year for the Tri-State area by the accounting firm Ernst & Young. BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine named Golden Krust as one of the "Top 100 National Black-owned Companies" in the United States and in 2003 the company made Entrepreneur Magazine's list of top 500 franchise opportunities.