SPECIAL REPORT – FRANCHISE APPRECIATION DAY · PDF fileRob Carpenter, Mr. Handyman of...

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NOVEMBER 2006 FRANCHISING WORLD 39 P olitics, they say, is a contact sport. And nowhere in the world is the sport practiced with more ferocity than in the cool, quiet, marbled halls of Congress. But it was with welcome relief that hundreds of members of Congress and their staff members opened their office doors to find the smiling faces of enthusiastic franchising community leaders who were delivering a message of hope and opportunity. More often than not, those who flock to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers arrive ready for confrontation with sharply-worded statements in hand. But the hundreds of International Franchise Association members who visited the nation’s capital for the Seventh Annual Franchise Appreciation Day sessions came bearing evidence of the sector’s economic benefits and promise for future genera- tions of entrepreneurs and small-business owners. Their message: franchising works. Yes, they expressed their concerns about the struggle to provide adequate, affordable health insurance for themselves, their employees and their families. Yes, they noted the potentially-negative impact that raising the minimum wage could have on job creation and business profitability. Yes, they urged Congress to reform the nation’s immigration laws and help thwart the dangers of frivolous litigation. But their messages were delivered in the spirit of cooperation and in the form of education, not confronta- tion. And Congress listened. Franchising’s Voice Rings Through the Halls of Congress By Hilary Strahota Eric Abercrombie, Mr. Appliance Kay Marie Ainsley CFE, Michael H. Seid & Associates Matt Alden, Franchise Solutions Corp. Bill Anderson, The UPS Franchisee Advisory Council Elizabeth Anderson, E.H. Anderson Public Relations Michael A. Andrews, Law Office of Michael Andrews Lou Arab, Meineke of Neptune Beach, Fla. Donald Averitt, United Marketing Solutions, Inc. Michael Baker, Mr. Electric of Tucson, Ariz. Scott Ball, Dunkin’ Donuts of Coral Springs, Fla. Michael Bamrick, Jack In The Box, Inc. Barry Barnes, UPS Store of Houston, Texas Bradley Barnett, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc. Paul B. Baron, Sage Software, Inc. Ken Bartell, ServiceMaster Building Service Howard Bassuk, FranNet Roger Baumgart, Home Instead Senior Care Lou Beccarelli, Dunkin’Brands, Inc. Chris Beer, Our Town of Atlanta Mark A. Belanger, Dunkin’Brands, Inc. John Bennett, Appliance of Brockton, Mass. Ron Berger, Figaro’s Italian Pizza, Inc. Jeffrey C. Bevis CFE, Comfort Keepers Warren C. Bickers, Meineke Car Care Centers Mike Bidwell CFE, The Dwyer Group Adam Biedenbender, Dunkin’ Donuts Nancy Bigley CFE, Dunkin’Brands, Inc. Susan E. Black-Beth CFE, Super Wash, Inc. Sean Blickle, The UPS Store Bruce V. Bloom CFE, FranChoice Robert Bonsutto, The UPS Store Andrew D. Bratzel, The ServiceMaster Co. David Brethen, Wireless Toyz of Chevy Chase, Md. Neils Brooks. Mr. Handyman of Williamsburg Chris Brown, The Parable Group Bo Bryant, McDonald’s Corp. Dennis Burke, Mr. Electric of Southeast N.H. Janet Burke, Fran-Systems LLC Linda L. Burzynski CFE, Liberty Fitness for Women David L. Cahn, Franchise & Business Law Group Shawn M. Caric CFE, Dunkin’Brands, Inc. Michael Carlet, Meineke Car Care Centers Rob Carpenter, Mr. Handyman of North & West Central Md. Stacey Carroll, Dunkin’ Donuts David Castella, Learn.com, Inc. U. Gary Charlwood CFE, Uniglobe Travel International Limited Partnership Charles E. Chase, CertaPro Painters Josie Cicerale CFE, Decor & You, Inc. Lawrence Cohen, CFE, DOC & Associates, Ltd. Mitch Cohen, Dunkin’ Donuts Dennis Colaitis, Dunkin’ Donuts of Brooklyn Matt Cole, mUrgent Corp. Douglas Collins, America’s Best Franchising, Inc. Patrick Connealy, National Cooperative Bank Victoria Conte, The Victoria Group Marketing, Inc. Terry Corkery, FRANCHISEWORKS.com Jerry L. Crawford CFE, Jani-King International, Inc. Roger Cross, Meineke of Amarillo, Texas Carol Crossland, Dunkin’Brands, Inc. Ryan Cunningham, Javelin Solutions George Curis, Dunkin’ Donuts of Brooklyn, N.Y. Matthew Cutler CFE, Two Men And A Truck International, Inc. Brent Cutlip, Two Men And A Truck of Orlando, Fla. Tom Cyr, National Cooperative Bank Anthony D’Amico CFE, Dunkin’Brands, Inc. Cesar J.De Leon, Fransmart Peter DeSarno, Dunkin’ Donuts Don DeSmith, Servant Systems, Inc. Sharon Dietrich, Franchise Solutions Corp. Joseph Dondero, Rolly Pollies International, Inc. Kevin Drudge, Valpak Direct Marketing Daniel M. Dugal, Remote Data Backups, Inc. F. Joseph Dunn, FisherZucker LLC Donald J. Dwyer, Jr. CFE, The Dwyer Group Janice M. Dwyer CFE, Luce, Smith & Scott, Inc. Dina Dwyer-Owens CFE, The Dwyer Group Robert Earl, Express Personnel of Marlton, N.J. Jack Earle, Earle Enterprises Patrick Edd, PostalAnnex+, Inc. William Edwards CFE, Edwards Global Services, Inc. William J. Ehrig, Yum! Brands, Inc. Neil Eidel, Mr. Appliance of Tempe, Ariz. Craig Eldridge, BFC Kimberly M. Ellis, BISON Advertising, Inc. Tom Epstein, Franchise Payments Network Tim Evankovich, The Cleaning Authority Mark Fagan, Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP Joe Farmer, Express Personnel of Salem, Va. Coy Faucheux, Baskin-Robbins of Slidell, La. Steven B. Feirman, DLA Piper Sid Feltenstein, Sagittarius Brands Lane Fisher, FisherZucker LLC Brad Fishman, Fishman Public Relations Franchise Appreciation Day Participants: SPECIAL REPORT–FRANCHISE APPRECIATION DAY 2006 From left, Massachusetts delegation of Dunkin’ Brands, Dunkin’ Donuts Brand Officer Robert Rodriguez (background), Legal Officer Steve Horn, Senior Vice Pres. and Brand Officer Ken Kimmel, franchisee George Zografos, IFA Public Relations Manager Hilary Strahota and Dunkin’ Brands Communications Expert Kari McHugh head to appointment with Sen. Ted Kennedy. Zacker Images For this year’s Franchise Appreciation Day, Dunkin’ Brands epitomized the phrase “strength in numbers.” As recipients of the All-Star award recognizing them for the largest attendance, the group ventured around Capitol Hill for a fun-filled day of grassroots lobbying and overall shared memorable experiences with each other. After two days, their hard work paid off as they strengthened the relationships within their own franchising system, and contributed to the strength and recognition of franchising as a whole.

Transcript of SPECIAL REPORT – FRANCHISE APPRECIATION DAY · PDF fileRob Carpenter, Mr. Handyman of...

Page 1: SPECIAL REPORT – FRANCHISE APPRECIATION DAY · PDF fileRob Carpenter, Mr. Handyman of ... Terry Corkery, FRANCHISEWORKS.com Jerry L. Crawford CFE, ... SPECIAL REPORT – FRANCHISE

NOVEMBER 2006 FRANCHISING WORLD 39

Politics, they say, is a contact sport. And nowhere inthe world is the sport practiced with more ferocitythan in the cool, quiet, marbled halls of Congress.

But it was with welcome relief that hundreds of membersof Congress and their staff members opened their officedoors to find the smiling faces of enthusiastic franchisingcommunity leaders who were delivering a message ofhope and opportunity.More often than not, those who flock to Capitol Hill to

meet with lawmakers arrive ready for confrontation withsharply-worded statements in hand. But the hundreds ofInternational Franchise Association members who visitedthe nation’s capital for the Seventh Annual FranchiseAppreciation Day sessions came bearing evidence of thesector’s economic benefits and promise for future genera-tions of entrepreneurs and small-business owners.Their message: franchising works.Yes, they expressed their concerns about the struggle

to provide adequate, affordable health insurance forthemselves, their employees and their families. Yes, theynoted the potentially-negative impact that raising theminimum wage could have on job creation and businessprofitability. Yes, they urged Congress to reform thenation’s immigration laws and help thwart the dangers offrivolous litigation.But their messages were delivered in the spirit of

cooperation and in the form of education, not confronta-tion. And Congress listened.

Franchising’s Voice Rings Throughthe Halls of CongressBy Hilary Strahota

Eric Abercrombie, Mr. ApplianceKay Marie Ainsley CFE, Michael H. Seid & AssociatesMatt Alden, Franchise Solutions Corp.Bill Anderson, The UPS Franchisee Advisory CouncilElizabeth Anderson, E.H. Anderson Public RelationsMichael A. Andrews, Law Office of Michael AndrewsLou Arab, Meineke of Neptune Beach, Fla.Donald Averitt, United Marketing Solutions, Inc.Michael Baker, Mr. Electric of Tucson, Ariz.Scott Ball, Dunkin’ Donuts of Coral Springs, Fla.Michael Bamrick, Jack In The Box, Inc.Barry Barnes, UPS Store of Houston, TexasBradley Barnett, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc.Paul B. Baron, Sage Software, Inc.Ken Bartell, ServiceMaster Building ServiceHoward Bassuk, FranNetRoger Baumgart, Home Instead Senior CareLou Beccarelli, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Chris Beer, Our Town of AtlantaMark A. Belanger, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.John Bennett, Appliance of Brockton, Mass.Ron Berger, Figaro’s Italian Pizza, Inc.Jeffrey C. Bevis CFE, Comfort KeepersWarren C. Bickers, Meineke Car Care Centers

Mike Bidwell CFE, The Dwyer GroupAdam Biedenbender, Dunkin’ DonutsNancy Bigley CFE, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Susan E. Black-Beth CFE, Super Wash, Inc.Sean Blickle, The UPS StoreBruce V. Bloom CFE, FranChoiceRobert Bonsutto, The UPS StoreAndrew D. Bratzel, The ServiceMaster Co.David Brethen, Wireless Toyz of Chevy Chase, Md.Neils Brooks. Mr. Handyman of WilliamsburgChris Brown, The Parable GroupBo Bryant, McDonald’s Corp.Dennis Burke, Mr. Electric of Southeast N.H.Janet Burke, Fran-Systems LLCLinda L. Burzynski CFE, Liberty Fitness for WomenDavid L. Cahn, Franchise & Business Law GroupShawn M. Caric CFE, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Michael Carlet, Meineke Car Care CentersRob Carpenter, Mr. Handyman of North & West Central

Md.Stacey Carroll, Dunkin’ DonutsDavid Castella, Learn.com, Inc.U. Gary Charlwood CFE, Uniglobe Travel International

Limited Partnership

Charles E. Chase, CertaPro PaintersJosie Cicerale CFE, Decor & You, Inc.Lawrence Cohen, CFE, DOC & Associates, Ltd.Mitch Cohen, Dunkin’ DonutsDennis Colaitis, Dunkin’ Donuts of BrooklynMatt Cole, mUrgent Corp.Douglas Collins, America’s Best Franchising, Inc.Patrick Connealy, National Cooperative BankVictoria Conte, The Victoria Group Marketing, Inc.Terry Corkery, FRANCHISEWORKS.comJerry L. Crawford CFE, Jani-King International, Inc.Roger Cross, Meineke of Amarillo, TexasCarol Crossland, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Ryan Cunningham, Javelin SolutionsGeorge Curis, Dunkin’ Donuts of Brooklyn, N.Y.Matthew Cutler CFE, Two Men And A Truck

International, Inc.Brent Cutlip, Two Men And A Truck of Orlando, Fla.Tom Cyr, National Cooperative BankAnthony D’Amico CFE, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Cesar J.De Leon, FransmartPeter DeSarno, Dunkin’ DonutsDon DeSmith, Servant Systems, Inc.Sharon Dietrich, Franchise Solutions Corp.

Joseph Dondero, Rolly Pollies International, Inc.Kevin Drudge, Valpak Direct MarketingDaniel M. Dugal, Remote Data Backups, Inc.F. Joseph Dunn, FisherZucker LLCDonald J. Dwyer, Jr. CFE, The Dwyer GroupJanice M. Dwyer CFE, Luce, Smith & Scott, Inc.Dina Dwyer-Owens CFE, The Dwyer GroupRobert Earl, Express Personnel of Marlton, N.J.Jack Earle, Earle EnterprisesPatrick Edd, PostalAnnex+, Inc.William Edwards CFE, Edwards Global Services, Inc.William J. Ehrig, Yum! Brands, Inc.Neil Eidel, Mr. Appliance of Tempe, Ariz.Craig Eldridge, BFCKimberly M. Ellis, BISON Advertising, Inc.Tom Epstein, Franchise Payments NetworkTim Evankovich, The Cleaning AuthorityMark Fagan, Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLPJoe Farmer, Express Personnel of Salem, Va.Coy Faucheux, Baskin-Robbins of Slidell, La.Steven B. Feirman, DLA PiperSid Feltenstein, Sagittarius BrandsLane Fisher, FisherZucker LLCBrad Fishman, Fishman Public Relations

Franchise Appreciation Day Participants:

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From left, Massachusetts delegation of Dunkin’ Brands, Dunkin’Donuts Brand Officer Robert Rodriguez (background), Legal OfficerSteve Horn, Senior Vice Pres. and Brand Officer Ken Kimmel,franchisee George Zografos, IFA Public Relations Manager HilaryStrahota and Dunkin’ Brands Communications Expert Kari McHughhead to appointment with Sen. Ted Kennedy.

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For this year’s Franchise Appreciation Day, Dunkin’ Brandsepitomized the phrase “strength in numbers.” As recipients of theAll-Star award recognizing them for the largest attendance, the groupventured around Capitol Hill for a fun-filled day of grassrootslobbying and overall shared memorable experiences with each other.After two days, their hard work paid off as they strengthened therelationships within their own franchising system, and contributed tothe strength and recognition of franchising as a whole.

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40 FRANCHISING WORLD NOVEMBER 2006

The Voice Rings OutFranchising World was there. We wanted to see, up close, the franchisingcommunity’s version of grassroots political contact. We wanted to hear theactual voices of franchising as they rang out through the halls of Congress.That’s why we followed the largest contingent from one company—Dunkin’Brands—which sent 57 representatives, a mix of corporate personnel andfranchisees from 15 states.Dunkin’ Brands Inc., which consists of Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and

Togo’s, began life as Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950. Its founder, William (Bill)Rosenberg, was among the founders of the IFA and for all of his life was almostas active and energetic in association activities as he was in building thecompany.His untiring mission, often expressed in full voice, was one of building and

strengthening franchisor-franchisee relations. He would have been proud towatch as the Dunkin’ group moved en masse from one congressional appoint-ment to another—especially knowing that longtime Dunkin’ franchisee GeorgeZografos was helping carry the torch.Zografos, CEO of the 10-store Z Donut Co. headquartered in South

Yarmouth, Mass., has annually embraced the personal and professionalbenefits of Franchise Appreciation Day since its inception.“I think it’s pretty exciting to be on the Hill and do some lobbying,” saidZografos. “What other venue do you have the opportunity to do it?”Whether it’s reuniting with friends made over the years at the confer-ence, getting together with like-minded fellow franchisees to sharebusiness insights, strengthening the relationships between franchisorand franchisee, or getting to personally know members of Congress, thebenefits of the event are countless.“I have so many wonderful friends from around the country I get to seetwo to three times a year,” he added. “We have a great time. We shareinformation.”

The structure of the event was very conducive to buildingcamaraderie and making key relationships. The first day was spent ina variety of concurrent sessions where participants attended IFAcommittees meetings and met other stakeholders like themselves. Itwas a great opportunity to establish relationships and gather newideas from other people knowledgeable in the same field. Day Onealso served as a good time to prepare for the following day ofmeetings on the Hill.

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Lela Foust, Baskin-Robbins of Pensacola, Fla.John Francis, PostNet of Minn. & Wis.Philip Friedman, McAlister’s Corp.Stan Friedman, Wing Zone Franchise Corp.Melissa Froehlich, Marriott InternationalAndrew Fuld, 4 Color PressWilliam Gabbard, Navis Logistics NetworkGlenn Gallas, Mr. Electric of Hot Springs, Ark.Cynthia Gartman CFE, iFranchise GroupRaymond Gaspart, The Philly Franchising Co.William Gellert, Cinnabon of Hillsdale, N.Y.Stewart Germann, Stewart Germann Law OfficeRobert Gerstenfeld, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Raj Ghosh, G & P, Inc.Jeff Goebel, Comfort Keepers of Sheboygan, Wis.Charlie Goff, Mr. Appliance of Austin/Bastrop, TexasSeth Goldstein, Dunkin’ DonutsMichael Gornet, Handyman of San Rafael, Calif.Dwight Gould, Aviatech, LLCJoe Grana, ADP Small Business ServicesMichael R. Gray, Gray Plant MootySteve Greenbaum CFE, PostNet International Franchise

CorporationNathan Greenberg, Siegel Capital, LLC

John Gregory, ADP Small Business ServicesSanjay Gupta, Dunkin’ Donuts of Richboro, Pa.Fred Guttenberg, Dunkin’ Donuts of Coral Springs, Fla.Charles Hackman, National Cooperative BankRick Hagan, IDENT-A-Kid Services of AmericaMarcia Hales, My Girlfriend’s KitchenNoel Halgreen, Sona MedSpa of HoustonArt Hall, Mr. Electric of Southern Minn.William G. Hall, CFE, William G. Hall & Co.Sam Hammons, Express Services, Inc.Linda C. Haneborg CFE, Express Personnel ServicesScott R. Haner CFE, Yum! Brands, Inc.James Hansen, North American Association of Subway

FranchiseesTom Harrington, First Data Merchant Services Direct

Business GroupChristine Harris, FRANdata Corp.Kent Hart, UPS Store of Richmond, Ind.Rosemarie Hartnett, Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art

EducationLaryssa Hauswald, Pacific Marketing ServicesRoberto Heckscher, Baskin-Robbins of San FranciscoShub Hegde, Dunkin’ Donuts of Lakewood, N.J.Kevin P. Hein, Snell & Wilmer, LLP

Kevin Hicks, Blackman & AssociatesParks H. Hicks, Hicks & AssociatesDonald Higginson, The UPS StoreGeoff Hill CFE, FOCUS Brands, Inc.Sean Hilly, PostalAnnex+, Inc.Algie Hodges, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Woody Holloway, Mr. Appliance of Birmingham, Ala.David E. Holmes, Holmes & Lofstrom, LLPPeter D. Holt, Great Hill PartnersHarvey Homsey, Express Personnel of Oklahoma City,

Okla.Stephen Horn, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Ray Howell, Meineke of Gloucester Point, Va.C. Keith Hudson, La Paletera Franchise Systems, Inc.Paul Hulett, UPS Store of Reno, Nev.David Hunt, Two Men And A Truck of Lakeshore, Mich.Michael M. Isakson, The ServiceMaster Co.Earsa R. Jackson, Strasburger & Price, LLPRam Javia, Eight P CPL, LLCMark Jenkins, Planet Beach Franchising Corp.Randy Jessup, UPS Store of Roseville, Minn.Darrell M. Johnson, FRANdata Corp.Jerome Johnson, JBAR, Inc.Brian D. Jones, BD Jones

Terry Jones, The Dwyer GroupSteve Katz, The Cleaning AuthorityMichael P. Kearns, Jani-King of Raleigh/DurhamMariruth Kennedy, Our TownAslam Khan, Falcon HoldingsKen Kimmel, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Mark King, PostNet of Scottsdale, Ariz.Mike King, Express Personnel of Union, Mo.Kirk Kinsell CFE, InterContinental Hotels GroupKris Kirk, Our Town of Frisco, TexasPaul and Saunda Kitchen, Mr. Rooter of Santa Rosa,

Calif.Gaylen L. Knack, Gray Plant MootyBill Knight, Lenny’s Franchisor, LLCJeffrey E. Kolton, Franchise Market Ventures, LLCBob Kueny, Mr. Electric of Central Okla.Gary Law, UPS Store of Mesa, Ariz.Dawn Lawin, Hot Dish AdvertisingWilla Levin, UPS Store of Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.Mark Levis, Gatti’s L.P.Tim Lightner, Two Men And A Truck of Madison, Wis.Mark Liston CFE, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, Inc.Benjamin C. Litalien CFE, Social Franchise Ventures,

LLC

Z Donut Co. CEO and IFA board memberGeorge Zografos and Sen. Ted Kennedy’sLegislative Assistant Ilana Kachorisdiscuss minimum wage issue.

Dunkin’ Brands Legal Officer Steve Horn (second fromleft) speaks on behalf of his colleagues about secret ballotunion voting with Sen. John Kerry’s Legislative AssistantJames Hunter (foreground) as Dunkin’ Brands GlobalCommunications Manager Susanne Norwitz, Senior VicePres. and Brand Officer Ken Kimmel, Dunkin’ DonutsBrand Officer Robert Rodriguez and franchisee GeorgeZografos listen.

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NOVEMBER 2006 FRANCHISING WORLD 41

Time to Head for the HillDay Two started on a good note for Dunkin’ Brands. In recognition of their strongattendance numbers, the group was honored with the All-Star award during thekick-off breakfast. Then it was off to The Hill for joint appointments with their legis-lators.While most appointments were scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m., Zografos got an

early jump on the day with a meeting at noon. In the lobby of the Capital Hilton, hewas joined by Susanne Norwitz, Dunkin’ Brands global communications manager.The duo piled into a cab, whizzed through the historic streets of the city for their firstappointment, Massachusetts Congressman Michael Capuano.Energized and excited about their upcoming meetings on the Hill, Zografos and

Norwitz reflected on what they had learned about the lobbying experience over thepast day and prepared for their presentation, divvying up talking responsibilities.A majority of the concerns that franchisees face, such as policies on immigration,

small-business health plans, minimum wage and secret ballot union voting are thesame ones with which franchisors and suppliers grapple. Whether a franchisesystem sent representatives from their corporate office or from their front lines, onFranchise Appreciation Day, all formed an Army of One to combat these issues andcreate the best environment possible for their systems to thrive.

“One in 7”Helping the attendees of Franchise Appreciation Day stand out was a bright yellowbutton with red lettering that read “One in 7,” which referred to the fact that one outof every seven jobs in the United States is related to franchising.Both Zografos and Norwitz reflected on the powerful statistic. The message they

were determined to share with Congress: franchising creates jobs and has a hugeimpact on the economy. They understood the big picture. The grassroots lobbyingthey were doing could affect the livelihoods of the thousands of other franchisesystems out there like them. The trickle-down effect would also make a differencein the millions of job-holders in the sector as well.“We are very much in synch with what IFA supports,” said Norwitz, who

expressed much appreciation of IFA’s government relations work on behalf of thefranchising sector.As they neared the Longworth House Office building, Zografos noted that he and

Capuano were actually old neighbors. “It’s all about the relationships,” saidZografos.Last year, Capuano wasn’t on his appointment schedule but when he had down

time, Zografos decided to drop by to meet since they hailed from the same town.Since he established that relationship, he has made it his task to keep in touch.“When there’s a time of need and they know who you are, it makes a real differ-ence,” the Dunkin’ franchisee said.

Carol I. Littell, U.S. Small Business AdministrationRobin Lowe, Golden Corral Buffet & GrillBret Lowell CFE, DLA PiperKevin M. Lundy, Wendy’s InternationalG. Thomas MacIntosh, Krass Monroe, P.A.Julie MacPherson, Baskin-Robbins of El Cajon, Calif.Ron Madera, The Dwyer GroupArun Mandi, Dunkin’ Donuts of Pleasantville, N.J.John Mann, Rolly Pollies International, Inc.Robert W. Marquardt, The Retrofit CompaniesEileen Marrison, Two Men And A Truck of Omaha, Neb.Dan Martin, IFX International, Inc.Joseph Mathews, Franchise Performance GroupStuart Mathis, The UPS StoreVonzell Mattocks, Express Personnel of Camp Springs,

Md.Kevin Maybury, Dunkin’ DonutsAdrian Mayer, UPS Store of Clermont, Fla.Nigel J. Mayne, FranmatchStephen McLean, UPS Store of Columbia, Md.Eric McCarthey, The Coca-Cola CompanyFaith McCutcheon, UPS Store of PittsburghKari McHugh, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Matthew W. McKay, Oreck of Stevensville, Md.

Linton McKnight, Birthflowers.comLinda McKnight, Birthflowers.comJohn McLellan, Service Brands InternationalMyles McNamara, Comfort Keepers of Santa Clarita,

Calif.Deepak Mehta, ADP Small Business ServicesAl Mekaw, Meineke Car Care CentersChuck Merin, BKSH & AssociatesDavid Messenger CFE, The ServiceMaster Co.Jeff Meyers, Mr. ElectricCharles Meyers, Jr., The UPS StoreBarry E. Miller, NBM Management, Inc. Sylvan Learning

CentersKeith Miller, North American Subway Owners CouncilRick Milner, UPS Store of Gainesville, Va.Judy Milner, UPS Store of Gainesville, Va.Scott Minghenelli, Meineke of Voorhees, N.J.Bob Minkert, Mr. Electric of Metro AtlantaDavid Mlotkiewicz, Lawn Doctor of Toms River, N.J.James Molloy, Merrill Corp.Catherine Monson, PIP Printing & Document ServicesRay Moore CFE, Snap-on-Tools Co., LLCJane Moore, FranConnect SoftwareBarbara Moran, Moran Industries, Inc.

Jeanne Morin, The Jefferson GroupRobert Moschorak, Bally Total FitnessJohn Motta, Dunkin’ Donuts of Merrimack, N.H.Janet C. Muhleman CFE, re:group, IncCindy Neal, Express Personnel of Peoria, Ill.Dirk Nelson, Allegra Network, LLCCheri Nelson, Express Personnel of Kalispell, Mont.Anne Nemer, Mr. HandymanRobert Nevadomski CFE, Golden Corral Buffet & GrillHolly Noel, Baskin-Robbins of Victorville, Calif.Kevin O’Brien, Constant ContactMary Ann O’Connell, O’Connell & Co., Inc.Maurice Ojeda, Wireless ToyzJenn Onnen, Hot Dish AdvertisingAmit Pamecha, FranConnect SoftwareElaine Papadopoulos, Citrin Cooperman & Co., LLPSteve Parascondola, Meineke of Staten Island, N.Y.Harry Patel, Dunkin’ Donuts of Elkridge, Md.Parag Patel, Dunkin’ Donuts of Odenton, Md.Jack Pearce, Handyman Matters, Inc.Herb Perlich, Cookie Baker Partners, Inc.Barbara Perlich, Cookie Baker Partners, Inc.Annette Perzan, FransmartMichael Plummer, Our Town

Michael Plummer, Jr., Our TownJohn D. Pollock CFE, The Philly Franchising Co.Karen Powell CFE, Decor & You, Inc.H. Scott Pressly, Roark Capital GroupDon Rauch, Meineke Car Care CentersTodd R. Recknagel, Mr. HandymanBrian Redden, Our TownDarryl Reed, United Marketing Solutions, Inc.Richard B. Rennick CFE, American Leak Detection, Inc.Russ Reynolds CFE, Batteries PlusGene Rhodes, ServiceMaster Quality ServicesIrwin C. Roberts CFE, Golden Corral Buffet & GrillRichard A. Robinson, Jani-King SouthwestRobert Rodriguez, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Doug Rogers, Mr. ApplianceMary Rogers, Abrakadoodle Remarkable Art EducationMichael J. Roman CFE, ExxonMobil Corp.Steve Romaniello CFE, FOCUS Brands, Inc.Jeff Rosa, Dunkin’ Donuts of Easton, Pa.Heather Rose, Sona MedSpaAnn M. Rosenberg CFE, D’Vine WineBernard Rubenstein, Franchise Benefit SolutionsCesar Saldivia, Two Men And A Truck International, Inc.James Salerno, FOCUS Brands, Inc.

Slugger Awards: From left, UPS Store Pres.Stuart Mathis (MVP), Dunkin’ Brands’ LegalOfficer Steve Horn (All-Star) and ComfortKeepers’ Exec. Vice Pres. of FranchiseDevelopment Jeff Bevis (Rookie of the Year)earn kudos for outstanding efforts to boostFranchise Appreciation Day, as IFA ChairmanCohen looks on.

FranPAC Wine Raffle: IFA ChairmanCohen presents a bottle of 1986 ChateauMouton Rothschild to raffle winner JanMuhleman, president of re:group. The raf-fle raised nearly $12,500. Other winnersincluded: William (Bill) Hall of William G.Hall & Co.; Rick Anderson, general mgr. ofFranchise Finance; Brian Schnell, partner,Faegre & Benson LLP; and Dawn Lawinpresident of Hot Dish Advertising.

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Agree to DisagreeAfter walking through the metal detector and greeting the security guards, the excite-ment mounted. Their appointment list read “1530 Longworth Building” which theythought meant the 15th floor, but as they searched the elevator buttons looking for“15,” a young staff member nearby piped up and mentioned that all congressionalbuildings are labeled so that the first number of the address designates the buildingand the second number indicates the floor number. Oh, fifth floor, not 15th.Zografos and Norwitz arrived and were met warmly by congressional staffers,

then escorted into Capuano’s office to meet with him face-to-face—an opportunityIFA staff and guest speakers had mentioned might be a rarity, due to the extremelybusy legislative schedule that Congress was facing close to an election adjournment.And, as they were informed by the government relations professionals during theirbriefing, even if they were able to meet with the legislator in person, the chance thatthey would agree on every position presented would be slim.The oft-debated topic of immigration was Zografos’ first topic of discussion.

Capuano listened intently but interjected with a glaring reality—nothing was going tohappen before the election. After all, it was the final week Congress was in sessionbefore adjourning for a number of weeks. Norwitz continued the conversation andbrought up the issue of health care, urging support of bill HR 525 that would allowfranchisees to band together to have their own health insurance and provide to theirmembers. She noted that franchise systems struggle daily to provide affordablehealth insurance for their employees, themselves, and their families. With a lack ofreasonable alternatives, many franchisees opt for no coverage at all.Capuano said he would not support the measure. “I think it’s cherry-picking. The

problem comes when everyone creates their own association with only 15 membersand it becomes a problem. I’m not wanting to help or hurt anyone. Healthcareshould help everyone.”Norwitz and Zografos nodded, not because they agreed, but because they under-

stood the issue was a very complex one. The two parties disagreed, but they agreedon their disagreement. The rest of the appointment went smoothly. At the end,Zografos reached out to Capuano more personally and shared stories of his son whojust started his first year at Boston’s Northeastern University. Both talked about thehappenings back home.The experience was an empowering one. Zografos and Norwitz left the

meeting with a good feeling. They both worked well as a team and they had apositive and well-engaged discussion. This meeting certainly set the bar for theirnext two Massachusetts appointments: One with Sen. Ted Kennedy and one withSen. John Kerry.

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Ever Santana, Dunkin’ Donuts of Totowa, N.J.Mario C. Sardinha, Dunkin’ Donuts of Laconia, N.H.Jodi A. Sardinha, Dunkin’ Donuts of Laconia, N.H.Lori Satterfield, ServiceMaster of Fishers, Ind.Brian B, Schnell, Faegre & Benson LLPSteve Scully, Express Personnel of Tuscaloosa, Ala.Michael H. Seid, CFE, Michael H. Seid & AssociatesNikki Sells, CFE, Express Personnel ServicesRobert J. Sells CFE, Express Personnel ServicesNikki and Jerrod Sessler, HomeTask Handyman

Service, Inc.Pramodkumar Shah, Dunkin’ Donuts of Yardley, Pa.Alan Sheiness, ADP Small Business ServicesLinda Shunk, CFE, Oreck Franchise Services, LLCMark Siebert, iFranchise GroupBernie Siegel, Siegel Capital, LLCSteve R. Siegel, Brookside ConsultingTristan B.L. Siegel, Gray Plant MootyKathiryn Sikkema, ADP Small Business ServicesStefan Silverman, Mr. Handyman of SW MinneapolisJim Simmons, Mr. Electric of Olympia, Wash.Richard Simtob, Wireless ToyzDerrick Skogsberg, FranFundMark Slagle, Handyman of Trenton, Mich.

Don Slifer, Merry Maids, Inc.David Sliman, Our Town of Phoenix, Ariz.Jonathan Smith, DirectCapital Franchise GroupBrig James Sorber CFE, Two Men And A Truck

International, Inc.Jon Sorber, Two Men And A Truck International, Inc.Rod Southwick, Baskin-Robbins of PhoenixShawn Spencer, Fran-Systems LLCKaren Spencer, Fran-Systems LLCBarry J. Spiegel, Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins of

Coral Springs, Fla.Brian Spindel CFE, PostNet International Franchise

Corp.W. James Squire CFE, HoneyBaked Ham Company and

CafeMichael St. Jacques, St. Jacques Franchise MarketingPhilip St. Jacques, St. Jacques Franchise MarketingLinda Strauss, ADP Small Business ServicesDoug Sudell, Social Franchise Ventures, LLCIan Swain, Wireless ToyzLeonard N. Swartz, iFranchise GroupLarry Tate, Golden Corral Buffet & GrillBarron L. Teagle, Mighty Distributing SystemMike Thompson, Two Men And A Truck of Augusta, Ga.

Syam C. Thotakura, Dunkin’ Donuts of Bensenville, Ill.Ronald Tranquill, Dunkin’Brands, Inc.Steve Truett, The Dwyer GroupSteve Uhl, Our Town of BaltimoreRick Urso, Meineke of Hickory Hills, Ill.Lee Vala, The Quizno’s CorporationLenny Valentino, Rita’s Water Ice Franchise Co., LLCJohn Vitagliano, Meineke Car Care CentersKenneth Voelker, Mighty Distributing SystemRonnie Volkening, 7-Eleven, Inc.James L. Walker, DataPreserveJeffrey Walker, Two Men And A Truck of Colorado

SpringsKenneth D. Walker, Meineke Car Care CentersPatrick Walls, McAlister’s Corp.Iric Wexler, The Cleaning AuthorityPhillip L. Wharton, Spherion Corp.Mike White, Dunkin’ Donuts of Woodstock, Ga.Steven P. White, Signs NowRichard Whitley, Valpak Dealers AssociationDenis Wickham, Meineke Discount Muffler Shop of

Groton, Conn.Larry Wilburn, Hicks & AssociatesRhonda Williams, Express Personnel of Lufkin, Texas

Jim Wills, Wills Cookie Co.Donn R. Wilson, Pay By TouchJenni Wisniewski, Snell & Wilmer, LLPSteve Wood, UPS Store of Kennewick, Wash.Sam Wright, Cendant Corp.Glenn Yanow, Baskin-Robbins of Springfield, Ill.Ralph Yarusso, Meineke of Castle Rock, Colo.Amy Yendall, Our Town of Montgomery CountyPhilip Zeidman, DLA PiperDavid Zillig, Jani-King of Clearwater, Fla.George Zografos, Z Donut Co.Carl E. Zwisler III, Haynes and Boone, LLP

� � �

Where’s the senator from New Zealand?Auckland attorney Stewart Germann notesthe similarities and differences between hiscountry’s Parliament and the U.S. Congress.

N.C. Rep. Walter Jones: HomeTaskHandyman Pres. and CEO Jerrod Sessler’sdaughter Farrell meets Rep. Jones duringthe Congressional Reception.

Franchise Appreciation Day Participants:

N.C. Sen. Richard Burr: From left, Dunkin’Brands Dir. Anthony D’Amico, MeinekeRegional Vice Pres. of Operations WarrenBickers, Sen. Burr, Golden Corral Sr. VicePres. of Franchise Sales Larry Tate and VicePres. of Franchise Sales Irwin Roberts.

Page 5: SPECIAL REPORT – FRANCHISE APPRECIATION DAY · PDF fileRob Carpenter, Mr. Handyman of ... Terry Corkery, FRANCHISEWORKS.com Jerry L. Crawford CFE, ... SPECIAL REPORT – FRANCHISE

FranPAC Congressional Dinner

Featured as the final segment of the Seventh Annual FranchiseAppreciation Day, the FranPAC Congressional Dinner was again a

success. More than 100 franchise leadersga the red a t the popu la r Equ inoxRestaurant where $21,000 was raised tosupport pro-franchising candidates for theU.S. House and Senate. Proceeds from awine raffle also supported FranPAC.Congratulations to winners William (Bill)Hall of William G. Hall & Co., Rick Anderson of Franchise Finance, Brian Schnell of Faegre &Benson LLP, Janet Muhleman of re:group, Inc. and Dawn Lawin of Hot Dish Advertising.

During the event, participants listened to such featured guests as Reps. Marsha Blackburn ofTennessee, Thelma D. Drake of Virginia and Pat Tiberi of Ohio. The dinner was sponsored byMarriott, Dunkin’ Brands and Franchise Payments Network. �

NOVEMBER 2006 FRANCHISING WORLD 43

A Little ExcitementNo visit to Capitol Hill is complete without a trip to theLongworth Cafeteria, a massive, hubbub of a place buried deepwithin the old building’s basement. The cafeteria was teemingwith life. Droves of young Hill staffers swarmed the room eatingquickly before returning to their work-filled days.After lunch, Zografos and Norwitz decided to walk to their

next meeting, which was a bit of a hike to the other side ofCapitol Hill in the Dirksen Senate Office building. They strolledby the Library of Congress, then through a park betweenConstitution Avenue and the Capitol and plopped down on acast-iron bench to soak up the scenery.

“Having a franchisee voice, we get to make our point of

view and have a dialogue which is not only good for us

but good for all of franchising.”

Suddenly the clamor of police sirens jarred the air. Policemotorcycles, squad cars, two black limousines, and a number ofblack SUV’s sped up to the steps of the Capitol. A presidentialmotorcade perhaps? Unable to tell, but excitement nevertheless.Soon reality appeared in the form of a pack of Franchise

Appreciation Day attendees walking toward them, easily identifi-able with their yellow “One in 7” buttons.The rest of the Massachusetts group had arrived. From

Dunkin’ Brands was brand officer Robert Rodriguez, communi-cations expert Kari McHugh, senior meeting planner CarolCrossland, senior v.p. and brand officer Ken Kimmel, legalofficer Steve Horn and G & P Inc. president Raj Ghosh, a PretzelTime franchisee, who greeted Zografos and Norwitz withenergized smiles. The throng moved on to the Senate, wherethey encountered a familiar face, Ilana Kachoris, the samelegislative assistant with whom several members of the groupmet with last year.

Disappointed that legislative business prevented Sen.Kennedy from joining the meeting, they trekked to the senator’sconference room and shared positive stories and statistics offranchising with the staff member who would soon be taskedwith briefing the boss.Horn kicked off the meeting, then one by one, each area of

concern was highlighted and supported with anecdotalevidence. Zografos and Rodriguez shared experiences fromboth the franchisee position and the franchisor side, which gavethem unique perspectives.

Giving Franchising a VoiceAs the day neared its end, the group navigated the Russell buildingin search of their next appointment with Sen. Kerry’s office, againdividing up talking responsibilities and enjoying anothersuccessful meeting. Their success was defined by their ability tocommunicate as a group and effectively with the congressionalstaff and characterized by the number of good, positive relation-ships that resulted from two days in the nation’s capital.Meetings completed, it was time to participate in another

time-tested Capitol Hill grassroots lobbying exercise, the fabledCongressional Reception. More relaxed, but still “on,” theDunkin’ Brands crew cruised into the ornate Cannon BuildingCaucus Room, flush with success, filled with a new awareness ofthe legislative process and eager to rub elbows with their peersand compare stories of the day’s activities. Already, talk of nextyear’s event was heard above the buzz of the crowd.Although the registration list for Franchise Appreciation Day

2007 has yet to be created, one of the first names likely to appearwill be that of a grassroots activist who knows how to deliver themessage that franchising works. “I like having a franchiseevoice,” George Zografos reflected. “Having a franchisee voice,we get to make our point of view and have a dialogue which isnot only good for us but good for all of franchising.” �

Hilary Strahota is manager of public relations for theInternational Franchise Association. She can be reached [email protected].

Va. Rep. Thelma Drake:ServiceMaster Co. Pres., COOMichael Isakson, Rep. Drakeduring the FranPACCongressional Dinner.

Ohio Rep. Patrick Tiberi: From left, NBMManagement Exec. Dir. (Sylvan Learning franchisee)Barry Miller joins Univ. of Texas Longhorn fansRep. Tiberi, Meineke Pres. Ken Walker and WilliamG. Hall (Dairy Queen franchisee) Pres. Bill Hall dur-ing the FranPAC Congressional Dinner.