Subject: FRANCHISING DECOR?
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 98 12:47:01 +1000
From: THE DIXONS <balloons@magna.com.au>
To: "The Balloonheadquarters" <balloondeco@fooledya.com>

G'Day from Downunder,
When I was in Chicago many, many people commented how they knew of me 
from (quote)"always seeing my name on the list". I thought that maybe 
there was a "hidden message" there somewhere, and I should post less 
often. So... have you noticed?

I want to ask a balloon business related question to those that live and 
work in the land of free enterprise, capitalism and "FRANCHISING"! 

It appears obvious to me that many retail PARTY SHOPS in the USA are now 
national franchise operations . From what I see and read, the large 
franchises are pretty much wiping out the small family business stores. 
It was inevitable in a country where franchising is so dominant. But what 
about BALLOON DECOR businesses? I don't mean a string of stores with one 
owner. I mean bonifide franchising of independents.  ????

Are there any specialist balloon decor franchised operations? If so, how 
big? If not.... why not? I reckon that if you guys can franchise painting 
finger nails ....... you will franchise anything! I have my own thoughts 
on this topic, but I figure, "Best ask the ones at the heart and sole of 
the US balloon business." Hence.... to the BHQ. 

I do not wish to know any details about fees and contracts. Once again, 
please keep names and $$$$ figures out of it - in the interest of 
avoiding embarrasment or litigation. Just whether it has begun to blossom 
as yet, and if not, your thoughts why not. Too deeply entrenched in home 
based business??? Too easy to copy??? Too difficult to trace accurate 
records of turnover? Would you like to franchise? Or ... be one of a big 
franchise group? Any thoughts on this one?  

Don & Dolly Dixon
Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Don's web site     www.balloondecorating.com/bizballoons
Dolly's web site   www.citysearch.com.au/syd/celebrating