Cranston, Rhode Island: Meet Angelo DeLucia. He developed a franchise because he knew he could attract more talent by franchising than by simply hiring employees. You don't have to be MacDonalds or Burger King to franchise your business. But, keep this in mind; to be a businesses you must have a product, processes, and people. If you want to develop a franchise, the product and processes really have to be solidly in place.

Your franchisees supply the people and the management.

Angelo had his recipe, the family's old-world Del's Lemonade, and he had the processes meticulously defined. These processes are standard operating procedures so the product looks -- and in this case tastes -- the same no matter where a customer experiences it.

Del's franchise owners serve up the same delicious beverage in Tokyo as Angelo serves here in Rhode Island.

Franchising can be a great way to grow your business. It has worked for thousands of companies and can work for you too.

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Contact:
Del's Lemonade & Refreshments, Inc.
1260 Oaklawn Avenue
Cranston, Rhode Island 02920
Tel: 401-463-6190
URL: http://www.dels.com

We invite your questions or comments

• Can you LOOK AT STEP 1 and say:
  "I'm Going to Strat a Business. "Yes!" Well, then, work through these first four steps to become independent. Most people will stop there.
  
  LOOK AT STEP 7: GAZELLE. Very few founders of companies grow a business past 10 or 20 employees. For Angelo and Bruce, they are breaking out. For their ework in their community and state, they have been recognized. In this picture, Bernie Jackvony, the Lieutenant Governor honors Del's for their fifty years in business.

• JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations, strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.

• SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
  Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the Producers' Club ($1000).

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!

• GO FURTHER: Spend some time with the ten key points of the case study guide (just above in the green box) and each of the related transcript segments.

• SELECTION: Del's is an institution in Rhode Island. Everybody had this business on their list. The Lieutenant Governor gave them a citation from the state the day we taped the show on their 50th anniversary. The mayor of Cranston came by to give him the keys of the city.

• Franchisees are often family businesses and most often retailers: Open a store on Main Street! Franchising might make it easier for you. Here are other episodes about families in retail and other stories of franchisors. Also, learn more from the National Association of Beverage Retailers and National Retail Association.

• RESOURCE: The International Franchise Association, better known as the IFA, is the definitive resource about franchising. For more, go to their site at http://www.franchise.org

• NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS / LOCAL CHAMBERS. There are national trade associations for every industry and business sector. These associations are the most relevant resources for continuing education and networking for small business owners. We are not alone.
  
  Angelo is a member of the following professional trade assoications:
  • Rhode Island Small Business Association
  • International Franchise Association
  • Greater Cranston Chamber of Commerce

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.

• Successful Franchising Dr. John Hayes also writes and speaks about franchising. You can quiz yourself to see if you are a good candidate to own a franchise. It costs $19.95, but may spare you years of agony and wasted money on an investment not for you.Or, it may well give you the confidence to take that flying leap! Go on-line to Checklist.

• Work with your local office of the following organizations:
  • SCORE: Service Corps of Retired Executives can give you very strategic advice. Find a local SCORE person.
  • Chamber of Commerce: Your local, state and the national Chamber are well worth your time. Some of these people could be on your own board of advisors.
  • NFIB. An advocacy group for small business, the National Federation of Independent Business has been looking at legislation from the city to the state to the federal governments.
  • Small Business Development Center. Associated with the Small Business Administration (SBA), there are over 1400 in the USA and they are an excellent resource for help and continuing education.