Financial Services Franchise Industry News & Announcements

West Hampton resident provides cash flow to Long Island small businesses.
West Hampton, NY (PRWEB) June 19, 2013 - Leaving behind a 30-year career on Wall Street, Steve Curry traded the fast pace and cutthroat atmosphere of Manhattan for a simpler existence in the Hamptons. Slowing down for his wife and three children was an adjustment, but Curry has adapted to his idyllic life – managing a private brokerage office with a seven-person staff and, more recently, opening an Interface Financial Group franchise.
When he first left Wall Street, Curry wasn’t looking for a franchise opportunity but had a friend in the franchise consulting business. Out of curiosity, the pair profiled Curry and he matched with the IFG franchise...

Leading business and career coach provides five key tactics for planning a relaxing vacation away from the office, work email, etc.
Southbury, CT (Grassroots Newswire) June 17, 2013 – Vacations are supposed to be all about letting go, getting away from everyday problems, and enjoying the company of friends and family. However, for small-business owners, taking a vacation can cause more stress than relaxation. In fact, a recent survey on vacation time commissioned by Sam’s Club shows that nearly half of all small-business owners restrict vacation days to major holidays only, if they take any time off at all.
Business owners lose all of the physical and mental health benefits of taking a vacation if they spend most of the time worrying about work...

Doylestown, PA (Business Wire) – June 13, 2013 - Family Financial Centers, LLC, is pleased to announce that they have been selected as one of the “Hot 100 Franchises” as seen on RedHotFranchises.com. Additionally, Family Financial Centers was also chosen as one of “America’s top Franchises” for 2012 as featured in Entrepreneur Magazine. “Our singular goal is to make Family Financial Centers the best personal financial service enterprise in America,” observed Paul Eckert, President and CEO of Family Financial Centers. He continued, “In a day when most organizations ‘over’ promise and ‘under’ deliver, Family Financial Centers will always stand out as the industry leader in service and integrity...

CPA Express Service being offered to CPAs and Accountants who wish to expand their business without the cost.
June 13, 2013 // Franchising.com // CINCINNATI, OHIO – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently opened its first office in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving businesses throughout northeast Cincinnati. Today, owner Chris Lee, announced that area accountants and CPAs will be able to start taking advantage of an innovative ‘CPA Express Program’ so that they can get back to focusing on their core competencies; like analyzing numbers, growing their business, increasing client retention, and keeping clients compliant while offering a bookkeeping service that drives additional revenue...

Real Property Management Franchise Booms with Rise in Renters, Accidental Landlords
June 13, 2013 // Franchising.com // SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Since the U.S. housing market crashed in 2008, the number of households that rent versus own has jumped to a whopping 38 million, and that number is expected to steadily rise to 41 million in the next two years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The data shows that renter-occupied housing makes up nearly 34 percent of U.S. households overall, reaching up to nearly 70 percent in some major cities.
In addition, with housing prices still depressed, a staggering number of Americans are finding themselves in the position of “accidental landlord” – either having been forced to relocate for a job and unable to sell their house, or, in some cases, they moved to a new home, but are holding on to their previous house in hopes that prices will miraculously rebound before they decide to sell...

Doylestown, PA - (Business Wire) – June 13, 2013 - Family Financial Centers is thrilled to announce that on June 8, 2013 they hosted their First Annual “Gala for ‘CHOP’” at The Standard Club in Doylestown, PA. The company brought in Broadway performers Jeremiah James, Paul Elkin, Denise Payne-Worley, and Carrie Nelson along with many local dance students from Dance Elite of Horsham. The evening consisted of wine and appetizers followed by several top-notch singing and dancing performances. Family Financial Centers in partnership with Dance Elite of Horsham is very pleased to be presenting a $5000.00 check from ticket sales and donations that will go entirely to General Diabetes Research at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia...

KANSAS CITY, MO - (Marketwired) - 06/12/13 - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB)

Earnings per share(1) from continuing operations of $1.69, up 46% from prior year(2)
Total revenues increase 0.4% to $2.9 billion
Successful cost reduction initiatives contribute to $126 million, or 22%, increase in pretax earnings from continuing operations
EBITDA increased 15% to $874 million, or 30% of revenues(3)

H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest consumer tax services provider, today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2013. Earnings per share from continuing operations increased 46 percent to $1.69. On an adjusted non-GAAP basis, earnings per share from continuing operations increased 25 percent to $1...

Doylestown, PA  (Business Wire) – June 13, 2013 - Family Financial Centers, LLC, is pleased to announce its newest location in Atlanta, GA. This is the third location in Georgia for the franchise and a new business venture for owner Curtis Fields. “Curtis is a highly qualified professional and is excited about this current opportunity to grow his Family Financial Center in Atlanta,” observed Paul Eckert, President and CEO of Family Financial Centers. The new center is located at 2740 Greenbriar Parkway, Suite #B17, Atlanta, GA 30331. The phone number is (404) 346-9568.
About Family Financial Centers
Family Financial Centers is the "Quantum Leap" forward in the evolution of the alternative financial service center...

June 11, 2013 // Franchising.com // BARBOURSVILLE, W.Va. – Barboursville-area residents have another option for purchasing used cars now that a new J.D. Byrider location is open at 6018 U.S. Route 60. The new location is the fifth for franchisees Bill Rowland and Mark Morris and the sixth dealership in West Virginia.
“We’re excited and eager to be a part of the Barboursville community, and we’re looking forward to being able to serve customers who are looking for good cars with affordable financing options,” said Morris. “Like all of our locations, superior customer service is our top priority.”
The 10,000 square-foot location will offer used car sales, 7 service bays, a 36-month/36,000-mile warranty for those who qualify to purchase a vehicle, affordable pricing on parts and labor, a customer service center and J...

KANSAS CITY, MO - (Marketwired) - 05/30/13 - H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest consumer tax services provider, today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20 cents per share, payable July 1, 2013, to shareholders of record as of June 17, 2013.
The July 1 dividend payment will mark H&R Block's 203rd consecutive quarterly dividend since the company went public in 1962.
About H&R Block
H&R Block, Inc. (NYSE: HRB) is the world's largest consumer tax services provider. More than 600 million tax returns have been prepared worldwide by and through H&R Block since 1955. In fiscal 2012, H&R Block had annual revenues of $2.9 billion with 25.6 million tax returns prepared worldwide...

H&R Block Tax Experts to Help Expats Meet Deadline and Foreign Accounts Compliance
KANSAS CITY, MO  - (Marketwired)  - 05/30/13  - The United States is the only developed country that levies income taxes based on citizenship versus just residency. For the more than 6 million "expats" -- Americans living abroad -- the world's largest tax preparation company launched a new remote service to help these taxpayers comply with their federal tax obligations. H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is the only company that can serve this unique taxpayer in an office abroad or via a new remote service by their June 17 filing deadline.
H&R Block also launched a microsite for expats that answers many questions and outlines the filing responsibilities for those with dual citizenship and those who are working or retired abroad...

May 29, 2013 // Franchising.com // Jacksonville, Fla. – The 2013 hurricane season begins on June 1st and it is predicted that this will be a very active season. The major weather services are predicting 16-20 named storms with 7-9 becoming hurricanes. Two to four will reach major hurricane status with category 3 to 5 winds. After Hurricane Sandy losses topping $50 billion last year, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) launched its hurricane safety theme for 2013 as a “Pledge to Prepare.”
Paul Davis Restoration, Inc., a national franchise company and leading provider of water damage cleanup and fire damage restoration services for residential and commercial properties, encourages families and businesses to prepare for the worst and offers the following tips for safety during hurricane season:
Pre-hurricane season preparation:

Build an “Emergency Ready Kit” and prepare a family communications plan...

May 29, 2013 // Franchising.com // KATY, TX – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently announced the opening of its first office in Katy, TX serving businesses throughout Katy, Richmond and portions of Houston. BookKeeping Express offers a much-needed service to businesses, so they can get back to doing what they do best.
“We help business owners to achieve three key objectives: lower their taxes, optimize cash flow, and increase their profits,” said Byron Davenport, Director of Business Development of BookKeeping Express in Katy. “I am excited about serving the local business community and this opportunity to help small businesses survive and grow. BookKeeping Express has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, and its proven, efficient business model will provide me with the support needed to help grow the business, thus allowing me to help my clients grow theirs...

May 28, 2013 // Franchising.com // MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently announced the opening of its first Minnesota office in Minnetonka serving businesses throughout southern Minnesota. BookKeeping Express offers a much-needed service to businesses, so they can get back to doing what they do best.
“We help business owners to achieve three key objectives: lower their taxes, optimize cash flow, and increase their profits,” said Patrick Maloney, owner of BookKeeping Express in Minnetonka. “We are excited about serving the Minneapolis business community and this opportunity to help small businesses survive and grow. BookKeeping Express has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, and its proven, efficient business model will provide me with the support needed to help grow the business, thus allowing me to help my clients grow theirs...

Massachusetts Customer Given Free Car in Celebration of Milestone
May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // CARMEL, Ind. – J.D. Byrider, the country’s leading used car sales and finance enterprise, reached a major milestone this month, selling its one millionth vehicle. Katelyn Wilson of Natick, Mass., won a 2006 Hyundai Tiburon for being at the right place at the right time!
“I was in complete shock!” said Wilson, 20, who is employed at a child care center. “I didn’t believe it at first.” Wilson purchased the vehicle May 14; however, J.D. Byrider has paid off her contract and refunded her down payment, enabling her to have the car for free.
Dealership owner Lance Vachon was thrilled to sell the millionth vehicle and be able to give it to Wilson in celebration of the milestone...

CPA Express Service Being Offered to CPAs and Accountants Who Wish to Expand their Business without the Cost
May 24, 2013 // Franchising.com // Katy, TX. – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently opened its first office in Katy, TX., serving businesses throughout Katy, Richmond and portions of Houston. Today, Director of Business Development, Byron Davenport, announced that area accountants and CPAs will be able to start taking advantage of an innovative ‘CPA Express Program’ so that they can get back to focusing on their core competencies; like analyzing numbers, growing their business, increasing client retention, and keeping clients compliant while offering a bookkeeping service that drives additional revenue...

Liberty Tax Service, a subsidiary of JTH Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX), is offering free tax preparation along with distribution advice to the winner(s) of Saturday night's $590.5M Powerball jackpot.
Virginia Beach VA (PRWEB) May 20, 2013 - Liberty Tax Service, a subsidiary of JTH Holding, Inc. (NASDAQ: TAX), is offering free tax preparation along with distribution advice to the winner(s) of Saturday night's $590.5M Powerball jackpot. The winning numbers on the ticket, purchased at a supermarket in Zephyrhills, FL, are 10, 13, 14, 22, 52 and 11. With such an enormous influx of income, Liberty Tax is offering professional tax advice for the winner(s) at no cost.
Lottery winnings are considered “gambling earnings” by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and are therefore taxable income, regardless of whether the winner takes a lump sum or a series of annual payments...

May 16, 2013 // Franchising.com // CINCINNATI, OHIO – BookKeeping Express, the first U.S. franchise focused solely on bookkeeping services, recently announced the opening of its first Ohio office in Loveland serving businesses throughout northeast Cincinnati. BookKeeping Express offers a much-needed service to businesses, so they can get back to doing what they do best.
“We help business owners to achieve three key objectives: lower their taxes, optimize cash flow, and increase their profits,” said Chris Lee, owner of BookKeeping Express in Cincinnati. “I am excited about serving the northeast business community and this opportunity to help small businesses survive and grow. BookKeeping Express has more than 20 years of experience in the industry, and its proven, efficient business model will provide me with the support needed to help grow the business, thus allowing me to help my clients grow theirs...

May 16, 2013 // Franchising.com // In the March 2013 Issue of Entrepreneur Magazine, Property Management Inc. (PMI) was selected in the Entrepreneur Top New Franchises List for 2013.
The article explained that franchises that were started in the last five years were ranked “according to Entrepreneur’s objective, quantifiable criteria, including financial strength and stability, growth rate and system size. “ Other factors were also considered.
About Property Management
PMI was founded in 2008 and provides complete commercial and residential property management solutions for franchisees that include revenue generating products and services, proprietary Search Engine Optimization (SEO), lead generation systems, property management and accounting software, and marketing materials as well as training and ongoing support...

May 16, 2013 // Franchising.com // Property Management Inc., an international property management franchise company based in Lehi, Utah, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Dangerfield as Vice President of Development.
Dangerfield comes to Property Management Inc. (PMI) with years of experience in real estate franchise services as former Vice President of Franchise Relations for Help-U-Sell Real Estate. He was also the Director of Corporate Communications, an operations consultant and Regional Training Manager for the Mid-Atlantic States for Help-U-Sell. He trained new franchisees in marketing, business operations, and sales management.
He has been in the real estate business for the past 30 years as a licensed real estate agent in both residential and commercial real estate...