Liberty Tax CEO Expects Major Boost This Tax Season from Affordable Care Act

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Written by Accounting Today

John Hewitt, the president, CEO and chairman of Liberty Tax Service, is anticipating increased business for preparers this tax season thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the boost in employment from the increasingly robust jobs market.

Hewitt founded Liberty Tax Service in 1996 after leaving Jackson Hewitt, another major tax prep chain that he co-founded back in 1982. He built them into the second and third largest tax prep chains in the country, right behind H&R Block, where he worked his way up from tax preparer to regional director.

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Women in Franchising - Quick Chat with Kathleen Kuhn, president of HouseMaster Home Inspections

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Written by Mike Marshall

Since its inception in 1979, HouseMaster Home Inspections has grown to nearly 400 franchises that have performed over two million home inspections. Recently, company president Kathleen Kuhn was nice enough to spare time in her busy schedule for an interview with Franchise Direct. She spoke in great detail about the future of HouseMaster and the real estate industry in general. She also gave advice on what prospective franchisees should look for in franchises as well as insight into what franchisors look for in potential franchisees.  

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Are You An Ideal Franchisee?

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Written by Franchise Direct

How do you quantify an ideal? It’s like the pursuit of perfection. It might be ultimately impossible, but the effort typically leaves you with the best possible outcome. In franchising, franchisors attempt to locate the best candidates for their systems by listing their specific qualifications.

The qualifying factors for franchises can be divided into three general categories: financial, business, and personal. The most obvious is the financial aspect. Can you afford to properly get the business started and run the business until it turns a profit? This is extremely important.  The #1 reason for new franchisee failure is “uncapitalization” – not having enough money. Remember when doing your research, the figures disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document are simply a guide. Everyone’s situation is different. Instead of the three months of working capital suggested, an incoming franchisee may need a year’s worth of funds saved in advance to take care of life and business expenses until the franchise is producing a livable wage.

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The Ins and Outs of Franchising

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Written by Albert Roman

ANAHEIM –The West Coast Franchise Expo sought to connect national and international franchises with like-minded business professionals.

AAMCO Transmissions, Inc., Dunkin’ Donuts, and Basking Robbins were present along with less well known franchises like Louisiana-based Smoothie King and Instant Imprints, based in Ontario, Canada, which offers comprehensive marketing services from shirt embroidery to car wraps.

Collectively, franchises contribute significantly to the U.S. economy by providing, directly and indirectly, 18 million jobs, according to a study published in 2004 by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

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