How do I learn more about the franchise
opportunity?
The fastest way to receive additional information
is to complete our online Contact
Form. Once we receive your form, we will send additional information
to you. A few days later, we will contact you by phone to discuss the
franchise business in more detail and answer any questions you may have.
Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make an
informed decision, and to be available to answer your questions as they
arise. We recognize that purchasing a franchise is a major decision so we
will do everything we can to make the process as stress-free as possible!
I’ve never
looked at franchises before. What should I know about the
process?
Franchise companies must comply with certain laws and
regulations related to the offering of franchises. On the federal level,
franchising is regulated by the FTC. In addition, certain states (15 in
total) regulate the offering of franchises in their state. These states
require franchise companies to register and receive approval from the
state prior to offering franchises. All of this is done to protect
individuals who are considering purchasing a franchise.
You will find that
all “compliant” franchise companies follow similar procedures in
introducing prospective franchisees to their franchise. For example, you
must receive the company’s UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular)
document at the first face-to-face meeting to discuss the franchise. The
document includes the UFOC, Franchise Agreement and additional Exhibits
(such as the company’s financial statements and the Operation Manual Table
of Contents). The UFOC provides information about the franchise company
and discloses various terms that are part of the franchise agreement. You
will learn a great deal about the company and the franchise through your
review of the documents.
What
qualifications are required to become a My Pool Pro
franchisee?
First and foremost, a strong work-ethic and a
willingness to follow a proven system of operation are both a must. The My
Pool Pro partners have been successful in the industry in an extremely
competitive market for more than 20 years. They have been successful due
to their operating methods and their dedication to providing the best
service possible.
Second, you must be
self-motivated. The entrepreneurial life can be a great one, but it
requires the ability to manage oneself. My Pool Pro can provide the tools
and systems necessary for you to achieve the level of success you desire,
but at the end of the day, you alone are responsible for using them.
Finally, you must
have the minimum financial qualifications necessary to fund the startup of
the franchise and the first few months of operation. One of the best
aspects of our system is the relatively low startup costs required to
begin operating the franchise. Our investment is roughly one-fifth of the
average franchise opportunity.
What type of
training do you provide?
Franchisees complete five days of
training at our Corporate Office in LA County. During training, we
cover all aspects of the franchise business including sales, marketing,
and operations, in addition to providing hands-on service training.
Following your initial training session, we provide up to three days of
training and support in your territory during your first few weeks of
operation to ensure you get started right.
What type of
support do you provide?
A franchise company’s success is
measured by the success of each individual franchisee. My Pool Pro is
committed to providing quality support services that positively impact our
franchise network. For example, from the beginning we committed a
great deal of resources to the development of the My Pool Pro corporate
identity package, (such as our full-color car wrap) that sets our
franchisees apart from the competition. Another example is our customized
bookkeeping system that was specifically designed for the My Pool Pro
franchise business.
In addition, we
regularly provide franchisees with sales and marketing materials that make
growing their business much easier. We also maintain, and continue
developing relationships with suppliers to ensure that our franchisees
receive the best possible pricing on their supplies and products.
Finally, our extensive Operations Manual serves as an ongoing reference
guide for important operational processes and procedures, including
information regarding hiring and training employees. The Manual is updated
from time to time as enhancements to our system are made.
You may also wish to
review the My Pool Pro Training
& Support Programs.
Can I
schedule a visit to the corporate office?
Yes, we definitely
encourage a visit to our office in L.A. county. This will permit us
to provide you with a total overview of our business and operating system.
We can schedule either a half-day or full-day visit based on your
preference. Please contact us by phone or email if you are interested in
scheduling a personal visit.
How long
does it take to begin operating a franchise?
Once we sign the
Franchise Agreement, you can be operating in your territory in as little
as 30 days. This includes the time necessary for you to complete our
initial franchise training program.
How much
money can I earn?
We do not make specific earnings
claims. Instead, we assist you and your financial advisor in
preparing a pro forma based on factors specific to your territory (i.e.
the number of pools, competition, etc.). In addition, you will have the
opportunity to review our financial statements provided in the UFOC.
Will I need
to rent an office?
Only if you choose to do so. Provided that
you have an area in your home that you can devote for an office, you
should not require lease space.
How large is
a franchise territory and will I have an exclusive area?
We
grant exclusive, protected franchise territories. Each franchise territory
has a minimum of 50,000 privately owned swimming pools within the
territory. As part of the process in evaluating the My Pool Pro franchise,
we will work with you to determine the size and geographic boundary of
your territory.
Do I need to
hire employees?
Hiring employees is ultimately the decision of
each franchisee. If you plan to operate the business yourself, you will
not require employees initially unless there are certain aspects of the
business that you would rather have an employee complete, such as
bookkeeping or general office work. As your business grows, you may
need to hire employees to provide additional maintenance and/or repair
services.
Can I be an
absentee owner?
Yes, provided that we approve your manager and
they successfully complete the initial training program. Your manager is
not required to have an equity interest in the franchise business.
However, we encourage caution in putting your franchise business in the
hands of an employee, who may elect to move on to a different opportunity
at some point in the future.
How do I
obtain a copy of your UFOC?
During your visit to the Corporate
Office, we will review the UFOC document with you and provide you with a
copy to review with your attorney or business advisor. It is out desire
that you fully understand the legal documents and by reviewing them with
you during your visit, your initial questions can be answered.
I live in a Franchise Registration State*, how soon can I receive information about the franchise?
There are 15 “registration states” in the U.S. and we must first be registered by each state before discussing the franchise business with residents of those states. Currently, we are registered in the state of California. If you would like to know the status of our registration with your state, please Contact Us and we will respond with additional information. Once we have received approval from your state, we can provide additional information to you and begin discussing the franchise business in more detail.
The information
provided on this website is not intended as an offer to sell, or the
solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information
purposes only. Currently, the following states in the U.S. regulate the
offering and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana,
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode
Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a
resident of, or desire a franchise in one of these states, we will not
offer you a franchise until we have complied with applicable presale
registration and disclosure requirements in your state, which includes
providing you with the approved Uniform Franchise Offering
Circular. |