Mission

My unique mission is to (i.) identify those entrepreneurs that have ideas, concepts, inventions, technologies, and businesses that can be accelerated using franchising and/or licensing as a distribution method; (ii.) educate entrepreneurs about how franchising can be used as a financing and exit strategy; (iii.) participate in early-stage investment and strategic planning; (iv.) facilitate third-party financing to complete project development and enter the marketplace, and (v.) arrange a profitable “exit” from the investment in 5-years for the principals.

You can learn more about my franchise development mission and philosophy by visiting www.FranchiseManifesto.com and requesting a copy of the Franchise Manifesto.

I have implemented the following initiatives to support my mission and philosophy.

FranchiseRight. I am the Founder and Thought Leader at FranchiseRight (www.franchiseright.net) an organization dedicated to providing educational, strategic planning, and funding resources. Entrepreneurs using the FranchiseRight System, a proprietary approach to successful franchise development and operation based on the consistent application of “best practices,” are better positioned to attract third-party investment. FranchiseRight workshops offer “hands-on” knowledge on how to use the FranchiseRight System to create “best-in-class” franchise companies and FranchiseRight trained project managers can expedite system development.

Franchise Advisory Board. FranchiseRight has assembled a Board of Advisors to provide oversight to operations and educational curriculum. Members have been selected from numerous business disciplines and include some of the best minds in the franchise industry. As the chairman, I am responsible to recruit new members, organize the board’s efforts, set the meeting agenda, and ensure that directives are implemented. The board also has responsibility for reviewing applications for FranchiseRight Boot Camp and interviewing candidates for the FranchiseRight Incubator and FranchiseRight Partnership Program.

The FranchiseRight Supplier Network. This unique membership-based group of pre-qualified franchise industry professionals and suppliers, collectively provide exceptional franchise development, operational, and support services consistent with the FranchiseRight System. As one of the qualified professionals to whom FranchiseRight work is outsourced, I specialize in business planning (for franchisors and franchisees) and serve as a Franchise Buyer’s Agent.

New Book on Franchising. After creating the course curriculum and materials for advanced franchise workshops and home study courses for both franchisors and franchisees, Mr. Kriss is currently in the process of writing a book about the franchising from three perspectives. First, if you have a unique business concept, plan to leverage franchising as your expansion and exit strategy! The book explains what you need to know about franchising before you engage the professionals to develop your system. Second, if you want to have your own business, the book explains why you should consider the purchase of a franchise (according to Michael Gerber, author of the E-Myth Book Series (www.e-myth.com), “Purchasing a franchise can be the most efficient way to achieve success.”). Third, if you are an Accredited Investor (particularly if you have lost money in the stock market or real estate market) consider investing in franchise companies. Franchising has not only established a track record for business success, Franchise systems are prime acquisition targets! The average franchise concept sells at 6.7 times earnings after 5-years of operations (hot franchise concepts often sell at 10x multiples). The book is titled “Franchising, the New Wealth Strategy.”

Angel Investor Groups. As an accredited investor, I have become a paid member of or actively participate in a number of Angel Investor Groups and venture capital organizations on a monthly basis. In every case, my enthusiasm, attendance record, and contribution, particularly in the investment analysis process (post entrepreneur presentation), has allowed me to demonstrate my expertise to the group. As a result, I have become an invaluable resource and a trusted peer investor that has been invited to share my passion for franchise investment and initiate deal flow — in particular the deals that I have invested in.

Here are some of the Angel Investor Groups that I have attended

• Keiretsu Forum (www.keiretsuforum.com)
• San Diego Venture Group (www.sdvg.org)
• Maverick Angels (www.maverickangels.com)
• TIE (The Indus Entrepreneurs)(www.tie.org)
• The Angel Investment Forum of Florida (www.aiffl.org)
• Gold Coast Venture Capital Association (www.GCVA.org)

Business Incubators. I put a lot of time into assisting entrepreneurs with developing viable concepts into start-up businesses that have the potential for equity funding. Often I find that the repositioning of the concept as a franchise or licensing company can make a critical difference in the appeal to investors. An effective way for me to educate entrepreneurs about franchising as well as raising equity funding for their business in compliance with SEC guidelines is to contribute my expertise to the country’s leading business incubators. As a result, I can direct valuable resources to the companies that I invest in and I often generate new opportunities for investment and franchise development for associated companies. Following the development of FranchiseRight’s co-incubation program, introduced at the 2010 annual convention of the National Business Incubation Association of which I am a member, I am currently working with FranchiseRight to open an Orlando-based franchise incubator facility in 2011.

Here are some of the Florida-based Incubators I work currently with:

• FranchiseRight Incubator – Orlando
• The Center for Technology, Enterprise, & Development – Delray Beach  www.tedcenter.org
• TRDA Business Innovation Center – Melbourne, Florida www.trda.org
• Disney / SBA National Entrepreneur Center – Orlando www.disneyec.com
• University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program – Orlando www.incubator.ucf.edu