Iowa Feature Articles

Looking for a franchise opportunity in Iowa? Whether you're a first-time business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, Iowa offers exciting potential for franchise success. With thriving markets in key cities like Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, there's a perfect environment to launch and grow a franchise. From food and beverage to retail and services, the diverse economic landscape in Iowa is ripe for franchise opportunities. Explore the best franchise options today and take the next step toward business ownership in Iowa.

Informative articles to support business buyers, franchisees, and franchisors in Iowa.

STAR Power: Franchise Update Recognizes the Best in Franchise Recruiting

When it comes to generating leads and identifying prospects, it's important to act effectively and efficiently. It's a competitive market, with quality leads difficult to come by. Franchisors with aggressive recruiting strategies and practices are more likely to find the best candidates and turn them into successful franchisees. They're also more likely to be recognized as winners of Franchise Update Media Group's Annual STAR (Speaking To And Responding) Awards.

Kerry Pipes
8,378 Reads 1 Shares

A journey back th 20 years of legal precedents

So Franchise UPDATE is now 20 years old! When Ripley Hotch asked me to reflect upon developments in franchise law over the last two decades, I was honored. After all, I was there - the whole time and much before! I have been fortunate enough during my career to have served as a member of, a contributor to, or observer for, many of the groups that have influenced the direction of franchise law, and I have read hundreds of precedents that have made franchise law what it is today.

Rupert M. Barkoff
4,303 Reads 1,014 Shares

Don't overlook property taxes, the biggest expense in most businesses

Despite all of the attention recently focused on income taxes, it is the property tax that is the biggest expense in most businesses - and the most difficult to manage. According to the Council on State Taxation, a Washington, DC, think tank, American businesses shell out more on property taxes than for any other type of state or local taxes.

Mark E. Battersby
4,615 Reads 4 Shares

Area Developer 50: Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza

In some parts of the country, Papa Murphy's is still unknown. The typical reaction, according to Senior Vice President of Development Kevin King is, "You've got a thousand stores?"

13,142 Reads 1,015 Shares

An American Tradition Goes Upscale

"A hot dog at the ball park is better than steak at the Ritz." That's what Humphrey Bogart, American icon, said way back when. Today, the once-lowly hot dog has become an icon of its own, especially at sporting events around the world.

Eddy Goldberg
6,586 Reads

Groomed For Success: Hair Salon Multi-unit Operator Grows In Style

"Our first salon was a real struggle," explains Doug Barnes. "There were times when we didn't know if we'd have enough money to get through the next day." But those hard times helped forge a determination that he and his wife Elizabeth rely on still today. And it must be a formula that works because today, Barnes operates 26 Cost Cutters and three Supercuts locations throughout Nebraska and Iowa, and Regis Corporation, the parent company of Cost Cutters and Supercuts, just recognized him with its 2005 Multi-Concept Franchisee of the Year Award.

Kerry Pipes
6,160 Reads 192 Shares

Hair Salons: They're Not Just for Women Anymore

The hair care industry is a $50 billion annual business in the U.S. Seems as though there's a hair cutting niche for every type of American. There are salons for guys, gals, kids, even pets. It's a highly fragmented industry composed of mom-and-pop shops as well as franchise operations. And in 2006, it continues to be a strong area for franchising.

2,786 Reads 7 Shares

GEFF Offers MUOs More Than Just Financing

Capital fuels growth, and multi-unit operators know how important growth is to their success. One finance company making growth happen for many area developers is GE Commercial Finance, Franchise Finance (GEFF). With more than $12 billion in served assets, GEFF has more than 6,000 customers and 21,000 property locations, mainly in the restaurant, hospitality, branded beverage, storage, and automotive industries.

Joan Szabo
4,865 Reads 1 Shares

Cost-Cutters' Evans Family Starts Small, Grows Big

But with a father who was a barber-turned-businessman and franchise owner, and a mother who was a stylist herself, they knew something about the hair business.

Tom Steadman
16,870 Reads 12 Shares

New Franchise Concepts Impact Small Businesses

Franchisors in search of new concepts have discovered a rich market in small businesses that could benefit from the perks that larger companies enjoy, but cannot justify or afford them. Having access to these professional services can have a profound impact on the success of small businesses.