Winner of
3 Coveted
Davey Awards
Promotional Branding
Business
Marketing
Consumer
Packaging
Upside Group has walked in your shoes. With more than 25 years of experience in the franchise industry, we have not only seen it all but have also experienced the exact steps and scenarios you are likely going through now. In the early 2000s, we took over a distressed service brand, revamped its systems, and after increased franchise growth and a large jump in revenue, it was acquired and eventually sold to Home Depot. We also developed our own restaurant brand from scratch, built it up, and eventually the assets were acquired by Kraft Heinz. Our in-house experience managing our own brands, combined with decades of consulting with our clients, puts us in a unique position to help shepherd your franchise to tremendous success. So, whether you are a start-up considering franchising or an established brand needing change to reach your goals, we have the knowledge and expertise to assist you.
Emerging Clients
Yolo Mentoring
- Established 2012
- Began Franchising 2024
- First Franchise Sale 2024
YOLO Mentoring works with youths in foster care and other government programs to teach them life skills. Although not a requirement of today’s franchise environment, YOLO had over a decade of operating experience before making the leap into franchising. YOLO is looking for consistent quality growth, adding five units in year two and then doubling growth in year three. Yolo secured its first franchise after only six months from the start of the franchise process and has completed franchise training and the new franchisee(s) are thrilled with their experiences with the new franchise company.
Marbles Brain Body Fitness
- Established 2022
- Began Franchising Mid 2024
- First Three Franchise Sales 2024
Marbles Brain Body Fitness provides its members with cutting-edge technologies to help maintain and enhance mental acuity. Marbles has had fast franchise growth, with three sales in year one and additional units coming aboard. Goals for year two are eight new units followed by 25 in year three. Marbles chose to launch their franchise business off of concept without initially building a flagship location. While there are different challenges to the franchise process without having operated a corporate unit, success can be found if the proper steps are taken. Marbles three initial sales came quickly within the first seven months of offering franchises and they are on the precipice of explosive expansion.
C2 Tactical
- Established 2013
- Began Franchising 2021
- First Franchise Sale 2023
C2 Tactical is a high-end gun range offering training and extensive retail products. C2 had the unfortunate timing of navigating the fallout from the 2020 pandemic. The subsequent challenges in the economy followed by aggressive inflation made for a challenging environment for a franchise, costing between $5.5 and $6.5 million to open. With strategic adjustments to the franchise model and the development program, C2 was able to establish their first franchise unit leading to additional growth. Because of the significant franchise investment, C2 is looking for steady, controlled growth with high-end entrepreneurs and sport investor groups.
Testimonials
Upside Group Franchise Services
Upside Group assists businesses wanting to franchise, emerging brands, and established brands with strategic decisions, competitive analysis, industry review and positioning, and creating the tools and documentation necessary to carry out effective franchise expansion. Upside focuses on developing systems that grow efficiently while managing cash flow and creating a strong foundation capable of supporting strong growth of even the fastest-growing franchise systems.
Upside Group has been on the cutting-edge of franchise materials, utilizing modern tools and technology to ensure our clients’ franchise documentation is relevant and useful to their franchisees. Upside understands the tremendous benefit of creating proactive franchise support systems that lead to increased royalties, lower support costs, and greater franchise satisfaction.
Franchise development, often referred to as franchise sales, is more complex than just selling new franchise units. The franchise development process sets the path for the entire franchise relationship. Having a detailed, step-by-step process focused as much on setting expectations with new franchisees as screening prospects to find the most qualified, compatible individuals is paramount to long-term franchise success. Upside Group has developed industry-leading custom franchise development processes for our clients, leading to increased growth while maintaining the lowest cost per sale in the industry. Upside prides itself on franchise sales systems that create a seamless transition from sales to operations, leading to lower costs, higher royalties, and greater overall franchise success and satisfaction.
The FDD is a required legal component of the franchising process. Upside Group collaborates with our clients to make key strategic decisions and gather the necessary information to provide to the chosen franchise attorney for drafting of the document. Upside works hand in hand with the franchise attorney to ensure the FDD is drafted accurately and concisely to protect our clients and serve as an effective partner during the franchise development process.
Commonly Asked Questions
How to start a franchise? How do I become a franchise?
Typically, these types of questions are posed by business owners looking to turn their flagship business or concept into a franchise business built on the success of the original unit/concept. There are some key components to franchising a business including the operations manual(s), a franchise disclosure document, and a financial audit of your franchise entity. While those are some standard components, there are exceptions and also grave differences between what are the minimum requirements and what is the best way to franchise. For most businesses to be successful in franchising a custom set of materials including manuals, guides, sales strategies, brochures, presentation materials, legal documentation, and education are needed to grow effectively and efficiently.
Do I need a franchise lawyer? What are the specific required Franchise Laws?
The short answer is “yes”. If you want to be successful in franchising it is important to have an experienced franchise attorney to guide you through both the federal and state franchise laws. Some may believe the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), is a templated document, although that is not wholly accurate. Yes, the FTC governs franchising and does dictate the required sections of the FDD but based on your specific business the Franchise Disclosure Document will vary greatly. There are a variety of key decisions to be made that affect the information and legal language within the document. Once the strategic decisions are made a skillful franchise attorney will craft legal documentation including a Franchise Disclosure Document, Franchise Agreement, Compliance forms, and other necessary legal franchise documentation.
What is a franchise consultant? What do franchise consultants do? Do I need a franchise consultant to franchise my business?
Unfortunately, the term franchise consultant has become skewed over the years. Originally, the term referred to an experienced franchise businessperson who would guide burgeoning businesses through the franchise process. The term was co-opted by brokers, and salespeople who were selling franchise units to prospective franchisees and those who brokered leads to franchise brands. Traditional franchise consultants work hand in hand with brands to make strategic decisions, educate, create necessary franchise materials, and in the case of Upside Group Franchise Consulting assist in the franchise sales process. While it is not a requirement to hire a franchise consultant to start a new franchise brand, the chances of success when collaborating with an experienced franchise consultant is exponential. A highly skilled franchise consultant will save you money by eliminating waste and money lost on inexperienced decisions; as well as shortening the timeline to success and positive cash flow. Working with an experienced consultant will result in a quicker path to short-term success built on a solid foundation that allows for long-term success without surprises and frustration.
