The franchise model of business became one of the most successful strategies ever employed and for a multitude of reasons. Sure the franchise licenser might help you secure a location, and yes it helps to have a “name” behind you, but the real joy of running a franchise business is that it’s “your” business, but you aren’t out there in the world alone trying to make it on your own. The entire organization is pulling for you because the better you do, the better everyone does. It’s like business teamwork.
This is why the success rate for a franchise is literally 40 times better than someone starting out on their own, EVEN if they are competing in the same sector, selling a similar product. That’s the power of a good franchise pulling for you. So, when one evaluates a franchise, what’s the major decision points that will sway you towards one, versus another? Naturally profitability, but then the hundreds of intangibles come into play. Ease of staffing, ease of managing, desirable product, minimal training periods, a short learning curve, a fast growth rate, etc. All of it adds up to making the right choice.
As an investor, there have been many incredibly successful franchise businesses that went public that would have rewarded you handsomely if you had “gotten in” near the beginning of the growth period. The single most well known of them all was Ray Kroc’s “McDonalds”, but you’ll recognize Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Dominoes pizza and a score of others that “had you known” you could have made a fortune simply by buying into them when they were nothing more than little growth stories. If only you had known.
Well maybe it’s time to know now. Welcome to Famous Uncle Al’s Hot dogs and Grille. Famous Uncle Al’s Hot Dogs and Grill, publicly trades under the symbol (OTCBB: FDOG) and they own the exclusive worldwide rights to franchise Famous Uncle Al’s Hot Dogs & Grille restaurants. The original Famous Uncle Al’s restaurant was opened in 1985 and then expanded throughout the Virginia Beach, VA area.
So what makes the Company all that special? First it’s Al himself. Although one could talk about the ease of operation, the beauty of a smaller sized outlet, the fact it can be run with very few people, etc etc, we have to start with Al to get a good idea of the dream that turned into the reality. Al hails from Brooklyn New York and as anyone who’s ever been to the Big Apple knows, Hot dogs are a staple diet there, and each year hundreds of companies fight for bragging rights to the “best hot dog”. Well Al grew up eating hot dogs at the world famous Coney Island boardwalk as a kid, and then went on to actually grilling hot dogs in his grandparents boardwalk hot dog stand alongside the ocean at Far Rockaway. As far as Pedigree goes, if you can make and sell hot dogs in New York, you’ve got a winner on your hands, because the competition is fierce.
By having New York style hot dogs shipped down to the grille’s in Virginia, he created quite a buzz and the buzz has gotten louder. Now Famous Uncle Al’s franchise locations are popping up in Florida, Virginia, Nevada and there are many more in various stages of completion across the country. The hot dogs are of the highest quality available, and private labeled for his exacting standards.
It’s a good concept, even if all they did was make darned good hot dogs, but Al’s got an eye for “what works” and what works comes from those same roots beginning at the ocean side boardwalks. Hot dogs, hot sausages, grilled cheese, hamburgers and cheeseburgers, Grilled chicken, and the right compliment of “sides” to go with them. Sure the name says famous Al’s hot dogs, but there’s something there for everyone, and all of it is of uncompromising quality and taste.
For the investor that’s looking for a high growth company, with all the right components for success, Uncle Al’s hot dog and grille has all the right ingredients. But to start with, consider the basics first. It’s a franchise, and they tend to do very well. Second, it’s about good old fashioned comfort food, food that brings up fantastic childhood memories. Third it’s already successful as Al’s has sold millions of hot dogs to date and knows a thing or two about getting it right. Just that trio alone should be more than enough to warrant a look at Famous Uncle Al and his hot dogs, and it wouldn’t be hard to see your portfolio “heating up” soon enough just like his next hot dog order.
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