The West Coast Franchise Expo featured a number of interesting upcoming franchise ideas. The companies which were part of the expo offered products and services ranging from sweet potato fries to body art. Here are ten of the companies which put forth some interesting and innovating franchising plans:
1. Phins Water Sports Club (phinsclub.com)
The president of Phins Water Sports Club, Amy Phinny, opened the first club in Marina del Ray, California. The club already had more than 1000 members. Post an introductory class, the club offers its members the facility to book slide-seat rowing boats or paddle boards at any time.
2. Potato Corner (potatocornerusa.com)
The Potato Corner was started in 1992 in Philippines. This flavored-fry franchise has already opened stores at more than 200 locations in countries like Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Panama. It offers potato fries and chips, sweet potato fries and tater tots seasoned in different flavors like sour cream and onion, barbeque, chili and cheddar.
3. Ice House America (icehouseamerica.com)
Ice House America is into the ice and water vending business. This company was started in 2003 and is based in Jacksonville. The company is already present in more than 2400 locations and expects to continue expanding its franchise operations to another 1000 locations in the next three years.
4. Office Evolution (officeevolution.com)
Started in 2003, this company caters to small businesses by offering mail services, office space, phone answering services and other virtual office services which help the SMBs present a professional image. Office Evolution mainly focuses on clients in Colorado’s Denver and Boulder area. The company’s founder, Mark Hemmeter, thinks franchising is a natural extension to the company’s goal of helping entrepreneurs.
5. Gem & Bead Mall (gemandbeadmall.com)
The first Gem & Bead Mall store was opened by Vincent Mao in San Diego in 2005. The store’s clients are professional and hobbyist jewelry makers. A second store was opened in Las Vegas in 2007. The company plans to venture into franchise business from the current year.
6. Ziba Beauty/Sumita Beauty (zibabeauty.com)
These beauty studios offer personal care services inspired by Indian traditions like: eyebrow threading, waxing, facials, massages and the temporary body art of mehendhi. Although the company has been in business for 25 years and is present in 16 locations across Nevada and California, it is a new entrant into franchising.
7. Jinya Ramen Bar (jinya-ramenbar.com)
Jinya’s tonkotsu ramen was named as one of the top ten dishes of 2010 by LA Weekly after the Tokyo based company’s U.S. debut. It has opened four more company-owned restaurants, and moved into the franchise business in May.
8. The Brass Tap (brasstapbeerbar.com)
This bar founded by Jeff Martin offers live entertainment, 300 plus varieties of imports, 60 craft beers on tap, local craft beers, and a selection of wines and cigars. The founder and his partners own eight Beef ‘O’Brady’s franchises. Since December, Brass Tap teamed up with Beef ‘O’Brady’s for expansion.
9. Hypoxi America (hypoxi.com)
Hypoxi was started in the ‘90’s by Dr. Norbert Egger of Austria. The company’s main product is the red-and-white body-shaping equipment. It has already established its presence in 40 plus countries. The company is all set to begin franchising its futuristic studios in the U.S.
10. WeMonitor (wemonitorhome.com)
WeMonitor sells and installs smartphone linked remotely managed home automation systems. These systems can track energy usage to issue alerts and tips for reducing costs.
References
Herold, T. (2012). 10 New Franchises to Watch. Entrepreneur. Retrieved 6 March 2015, from www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/225004
I’m interested in Potato Corner