Franchises work for some owners

Piacenza, 42, says he checked into many different companies before settling on Edible Arrangements, which sells bouquets made of fresh fruit.

The franchiser has 455 stores now or soon to be established throughout the United States, Canada, England and Puerto Rico, according to its Web site.

Piacenza, a Connecticut native whose college degree is in accounting, says he immersed himself in research, examining the company and its demographics and fleshing out his business plan.

To him, the benefits of franchising are obvious: He can profit from company support and expertise, a reputable name over his front door and a business idea that has proven successful.

"Edible Arrangements is top-notch," says Piacenza, whose store is at 6425 N. Oracle Road. "They have hired some of the best consultants out there."

After just a few weeks of cutting fruit into flowers and other shapes, and arranging them into bouquets, Piacenza says he is pleased with sales and that his customers are satisfied.

But making money using someone else's name and idea can come at a high price, according to Susan Kifer, director of the Small Business Development Center. The center provides free business consulting and workshops at Pima Community College.

Prices for franchises can reach several hundred thousand dollars, and that doesn't include the starting capital required to pay employees and other expenses.

Kifer recommends that owners save about six months' worth of living expenses before embarking on a business, and that they carefully review their franchise contract with an attorney to look for hidden drawbacks such as a non-compete clause.

"You lose control — you have to follow their procedures," she points out. "If you are an entrepreneur, franchises may not be right for you."

In a growing city such as Tucson, franchising opportunities are diverse. But even if a business is successful elsewhere, Kifer says, it won't necessarily take root at just any location in town.

Bari Boyd and her husband, David, started their Vino 100 store in March after searching for a franchise that would fit into Oro Valley, where they live. They looked into barbecue wagon sales and restaurant chains.

But they are now happy selling cigars and at least 100 wines for $25 or less and maintaining an "upscale" air at their business in San Jose Plaza, 10110 N. Oracle Road, Suite 160, Bari Boyd says. "We really wanted something that Oro Valley could use."

Sales have been somewhat slow, she says, because the enterprise was launched at the end of the busy season, when winter residents returned to their home states.

To make ends meet, the owners organize wine tastings and other events, showing that franchise owners need considerable business know-how.

But support from the franchiser is quick and reliable, Boyd says, adding that she became a wine fan through the training process and through her experiences with customers.

"I'm having a ball, and I couldn't have done it on my own," she says. "But if you don't do your research you can just lose it all."

Help for entrepreneurs

● The Pima Community College Small Business Development Center offers lots of help for entrepreneurs or would-be business owners.

Among the services:

l Free one-on-one consulting sessions are offered by appointment at the center, 401 N. Bonita Ave., Suite A250. Call 206-6404 or go to www.pima.edu/smallbusiness for more information.

l New-business resource clinics are held throughout the year. They are two hours long and cost $15 for people who register in advance, or $20 for those who show up the day of the clinic. They're held at the Small Business Development Center, 401 N. Bonita Ave., Suite A250. For a schedule and registration contact 206-6404 or go to www.pima.edu/smallbusiness.

l A free research class geared toward small business owners is held several times throughout the year at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave. Registration is required. Call the library at 791-4393 or send an e-mail to BizNews@ci.tucson.az.us.