Resources
As the industry leader in Franchise Education, FranchiseRight is privileged to work with and recommend some great resources for entrepreneurs. We especially salute the efforts of the following organizations and continue to support their tireless efforts.
Note: FranchiseRight Development Network Members (recommended professionals and suppliers) are listed on a separate password-protected Website available only to those entrepreneurs that attend FranchiseRight educational events. If you are a franchise industry professional or supplier, please click the “Affiliate” tab at the top of this page to find out how to receive quality referrals for franchise-related projects. If your organization is a resource for entrepreneurs, please “Contact Us” so we can determine how best to work together.
Industry Organizations
International Franchise Association (IFA)
The International Franchise Association, founded in 1960, is the leading membership organization of franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers.
Each franchise that Mr. Kriss invests in is required to join. Mr. Kriss regularly attends the IFA Convention and exhibits at IFA sanctioned franchise shows. The FranchiseRight Institute prepares candidates for the IFA’s “Certified Franchise Executive” program.
FranchiseRight was recently selected to teach the Franchisee education track at the franchise shows officially sponsored by the International Franchise Association.
National Business Incubation Association (NBIA)
The National Business Incubation Association is the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. Each year, it provides thousands of professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies. An elected, voting board of directors representing the world’s leading incubators governs the association.
FranchiseRight is a member of the National Business Incubation Association. Fred Kriss, the founder of the FranchiseRight Incubator (the first franchise incubator worldwide), earned his “certified incubator manager” credentials at the 2009 and 2010 annual conventions. FranchiseRight exhibited at the 2010 International Business Incubation Conference in Orlando, where it introduced its co-incubation program, the first franchise-specific incubation system available through local incubators.
National Association of Women Business Owners
Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of America’s more than 10 million women-owned businesses representing the fastest growing segment of the economy. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all industries; and boasts over 7000 members and 80 chapters across the country. With far-reaching clout and impact, NAWBO is a one-stop resource to propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. The organization prides itself on being a global beacon for influence, ingenuity and action and is uniquely positioned to provide incisive commentary on issues of importance to women business owners. Everything NAWBO undertakes leverages the unique attributes that women business owners bring to the table and is designed to illuminate, transform – and ultimately harness – the nation’s wide-ranging community of entrepreneurial women into an ever-more-influential voice and increasingly dynamic leadership roles.
FranchiseRight has been instrumetal in helping women business owners discover franchising as a means of expanding their entreprenural businesses. Fred Kriss has been a guest speaker on franchising at NAWBO events.
Florida Small Business Development Center
The SBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties. The SBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Florida Small Business Development Centers provide one-on-one counseling (free of charge) and training. SBDC workshops, seminars and conferences provide practical, up-to-date information on business topics ranging from the basics to more advanced business management skills. Instructors include SBDC Certified Business Analysts, faculty from higher education, government experts and private-sector professionals.
Fred Kriss has been a guest speaker for the Florida SBDC.
Business Incubators
University of Central Florida Incubator Program – Orlando
www.incubator.ucf.edu
The UCF Business Incubation Program sets the standard for business incubation worldwide. This is an exemplary university-driven community partnership providing early stage companies with the enabling tools, training and infrastructure to create financially stable high growth/impact enterprises. Since its founding in 1999, the UCF Business Incubation Program has helped more than 140 emerging companies (including 90 current clients) create over $800 million in annual revenue and more than 1600 new jobs with an average salary of $59,000. With eight facilities across the Greater Orlando community, the Incubation Program is a collaboration in economic development between the University of Central Florida, Orange County, the City of Orlando, Seminole County, City of Sanford, the City of Winter Springs, Lake County, the City of Leesburg, Osceola County, The City of Kissimmee, the City of St. Cloud, Volusia County and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council. The construction of additional incubators has already been announced.
The Center for Technology, Enterprise, & Development
www.tedcenter.org
The TED Center (Delray Beach, Florida), a non-profit corporation, was founded in 1992 as a charitable and educational Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a professional technical development and support center (business incubator). It has now become Florida’s leading incubator and a model for similar organizations throughout the country. The TED Center, sponsored by Office Depot, also operates the Florida Women’s Business Center.
Fred Kriss (founder of FranchiseRight), a long-time member of the Incubator Advisory Board, was instrumental in creating the business plan for the growth of the organization. A referred service provider, Mr. Kriss has conducted classes and seminars in franchising and capital raising at the center to assist new entrepreneurs organize, fund, and launch their start-up ventures.
TRDA Business Innovation Center – Melbourne, Florida
www.trda.org
Florida’s Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) is dedicated to making technology work for America. As an Independent Special District of the state of Florida, the TRDA leverages funding from federal, state and private resources to develop and implement technology-based programs across four target areas (i.) education, (ii.) business, (iii.) energy, and (iv.) technology transfer. By infusing new technology into Florida businesses and schools, the TRDA helps to strengthen the economy and education throughout the state and nation. In addition to serving the regional business community, the 30,000 sq. ft. facility provides office facilities and business services to 35 new companies located on premises.
At the request of the director, Fred Kriss was slated as a keynote speaker at a TRDA-sponsored meeting of the Founder’s Forum (www.foundersforum.com) in Melbourne Beach, Florida.
Disney / SBA National Entrepreneur Center – Orlando
The Disney Entrepreneur Center is a community partnership dedicated to the support and success of entrepreneurs. They bring together a network of service providers and other resources to offer entrepreneurs a one-stop shop for small business services including counseling, training, financial assistance, and a software lab, providing the tools and research needed to facilitate business success.
Fred Kriss is a regular speaker at the DEC providing educational lectures and workshops on franchising and capital raising.
Angel Investor Clubs
Keiretsu Forum
Keiretsu Forum is the world’s largest angel investor network with 850 accredited investor members throughout nineteen chapters on three continents. Since Keiretsu Forum’s founding in 2000, its members have invested over $200 million in 260 companies in technology, consumer products, healthcare/life sciences, real estate and other segments with high growth potential. Forum members collaborate in the due diligence, but make individual investment decisions, with rounds in the range of $250,000-$2 million. Keiretsu Forum’s community is strengthened through education on angel investing, as well as charitable giving. Forum members have donated over $1 million to over 100 non-profit organizations.
Fred Kriss is recognized as the leading franchise expert in the group and regularly attends all four Southern California monthly meetings and social gatherings. Mr. Kriss also routinely participates in the three northern California meetings.
The Gathering of Angels
Tarby Bryant founded the Gathering of Angels in 1996 to provide seed and early stage capital to young entrepreneurial companies across the USA. Since its inception, the Gathering of Angels has helped facilitate more than 375 capital fundings ranging from $50,000 to $2.2 million. The Gathering of Angels is a monthly assembly of accredited investors (often called Angels) who gather together at one of the private clubs in Atlanta, Hilton Head, or Santa Fe to hear from 5-6 companies seeking funds to grow and expand their entrepreneurial business. The Gathering of Angels has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, NY Times, The Wall Street Journal, INC. Magazine, Worth Magazine, and numerous other periodicals.
TIE Florida
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. There are currently over 12,000 members and more than 1600 charter members in 48 chapters across 11 countries. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education. Dedicated to the virtuous cycle of wealth creation and giving back to the community, TiE’s focus is on generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs.
Besides its flagship event, TiECon–the largest professional conference for entrepreneurs, TiE now has a wide range of programs including Special Interest Groups (SIGs), TiE Young Entrepreneurs, TiE Mentoring Programs and TiE VC Forums.
Fred Kriss, a leading franchise expert, has been selected as a keynote speaker for meetings of the TIE organization. He periodically attends monthly meetings in Southern California and Florida. .
Networking Groups
Lasting Legacy Entrepreneur Club
www.lastinglegacyclub.com
This networking meeting and workshop, designed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, meets weekly to discuss issues affecting small business. Entrepreneurs get valuable input from their peers – other local business people facing the same challenges of being in business! Attendees can talk to franchise experts, consultants, CPAs, and attorneys who attend and share their insights and expert advice. The Lasting Legacy Club is FREE to all entrepreneurs. The meeting begins with a brief overview from our national sponsor, FranchiseRight, outlining the array of business support services and franchise educational opportunities available within the FranchiseRight Incubator. Following that, a different guest speaker each week will share their knowledge and insight of a particular aspect of business — providing a valuable opportunity to learn from experts on a wide range of subjects – all for free. The meeting is not geared to franchising, every small business person will get valuable information!
Meetings of the Lasting Legacy Entrepreneurs Club are strictly for entrepreneurs — they are not sales events. But suppliers are welcome to attend one meeting (at no cost) to introduce your company and network with our members and guests. Thereafter, we offer a “supplier-membership.” If you join, your monthly membership fees will help our sponsors support local entrepreneurship and give you ongoing access to members via our directory. Supplier-members get a directory listing and can attend our special monthly combined entrepreneur/supplier meetings. We also offer the opportunity for sponsorship. Our sponsors get recognition at each meeting and are promoted on all materials including print, online, and press releases. Lasting Legacy Club supplier-members, guest speakers, panelists, and guests may also be invited to become FranchiseRight approved vendors (part of the FranchiseRight Development Network).
FranchiseRight is proud to sponsor the Lasting Legacy Club. FranchiseRight provides administrative support, meeting facilitation, speaker selection and logistics, and catering services to help ensure that our guests enjoy each meeting and receive significant value for taking time out of their evening to attend! Our thought leader Fred Kriss, and our other staff members routinely attend meetings to make a contribution and be available to answer business questions.
Kerry’s Network
Kerry’s Network is a membership-based organization geared toward helping business owners with Lead Generation and Marketing opportunities on our website, in our publication and on our talk radio show. Kerry’s Network offers different levels of membership to cater to any business owner’s budget and needs. Everyone is welcome to read the publication and blog and listen to the radio show.
Fred Kriss has been a keynote speaker at Kerry’s Network Events and Radio Shows several times per year since 2004.
Orlando Coffee Club
Orlando’s Number One Networking Group, Coffee Club is a great way to spend Thursday mornings. Coffee Club is a completely free-to-attend, informal, small business networking/mentoring group designed to help grow you and your business. In fact, since January of 2007 more than 3,000 businesses of all sizes (small and large, local and international) have walked through the Coffee Club doors. Hosted by Jennifer Thompson, president of Insight Marketing Group, each week provides networking opportunities with roughly 70 Central Florida business professionals, an expert guest speaker to educate and enlighten, great prize giveaways and a guaranteed laugh.
FranchiseRight actively supports the Coffee Club and is proud to have been a multi-month sponsor. Jennifer Thompson, a marketing expert and the host of Coffee Club has conducted a Marketing Course during FranchiseRight Boot Camp Week. Fred Kriss has been a guest speaker at several meetings of this excellent networking group.