BigLeo

It is in the March 2005 issue of Sun Island Times. GOod read. Sorry, but I do not own a HT franchise. But, I did speak with them a while back when they were fairly new, less than 100 franchisees, but now they are just growing like crazy. I think this is the chain that will dominate. They are already talking about running national TV ads. You got to have significant size to afford national TV ads.

exectans110

Am also a franchisee -- not HT -- and have found more ++ than --. Two independents near us went under -- we're the only ones that survived.

soapking

According to the ITA, less than 10% of the tanners surveyrd would use a standup. I have an HT in my neighborhood. Always appears empty.

Personally, I would never go the franchise route. You become committed and obligated under a heavy contract with long-term obligations. Don't forget during slow times, and we are headed there industry wide, those franchise roylaties NEED to be paid each month. Like rent/insurance/salaries/taxes/utilities etc, you have additional fees that become harder to meet. Plus you do not get the feel of true entrepenurial satisfation. Like loan sharks, you better PAY..or have your franchise sold under you...better read ALL fine print.

Ezliving_Jim

I'm glad I don't have to send 15% of my gross sales to somebody every month. And only be allowed to buy product and supplies from one source at whatever price they want to sell it to me. And only be allowed to carry the PL lotion they sell. And have someone always telling me how to run my business.

Steve Underhill

While a franchise can be a very good idea in some industries like restaurants, video stores and coffee shops, where name recognition and advertising will make you very successful. In the tanning industry to give thousands of dollars up front and pay monthly fees is the worst thing you could possibly do. In this industry you can get assistance with every aspect of opening and operating a successful salon without having to pay for it. If you must go with a franchise it would be better to go with one that is targeting 100% of the potential market rather than creating a niche business within a niche industry. It is a statistically proven fact that only a small percentage of tanners are stand-up tanners. To design a salon that targets the smallest percentage of an already narrow industry is not the best idea. The smart salon owner targets 100% of the potential tanners. Hollywood Tan leaves a very large portion of potential income on the table.

BigLeo

Stephen,

You made some good goints, but HT disagrees with you. They claim that clients like the idea of standing up instead of lying down for health reasons. Personally, I enjoy tanning standing up and dancing while I listen to my stereo. LOL. I think the salon pro would appreciate standups because they take up less space and don't require as much cleaning as a horizontal bed. I think if you are going to go the franchise route, you better talk to lots of franchisees and get their feedback. Personally, if you are a newbie, it makes sense to go the HT route because of the support that they offer. You know the franchisor is gong to be there answering your questions, providing training and marketing support and excellent prices on lotions and equipment. What's wrong steve, are you afraid to miss out on your consulting fees? LOL I doubt that TanAmerica provides that kind of support. I bet you don't.

BigLeo

Stephen,

You made some good goints, but HT disagrees with you. They claim that clients like the idea of standing up instead of lying down for health reasons. Personally, I enjoy tanning standing up and dancing while I listen to my stereo. LOL. I think the salon pro would appreciate standups because they take up less space and don't require as much cleaning as a horizontal bed. I think if you are going to go the franchise route, you better talk to lots of franchisees and get their feedback. Personally, if you are a newbie, it makes sense to go the HT route because of the support that they offer. You know the franchisor is gong to be there answering your questions, providing training and marketing support and excellent prices on lotions and equipment. What's wrong steve, are you afraid to miss out on your consulting fees? LOL I doubt that TanAmerica provides that kind of support. I bet you don't.

Neon Beach

Franchises suck the blood out of you with fees, royalties etc.. Many control what units you use and the lotions you buy/sell. And you have to buy said items from them.

Be your own boss IMO. Decorate the way you want, sell the lotions you want, and use the equipment you want. As stated above franchises are great for national fast food restaurants, but if you are in a town that has no idea what Hollywood Tans is, what good is the name you are paying to have?

soapking

Big Leo: You say HT advertises that standup taning is healthier. And they DO say that. I visited an HT and that is what I was told, when I asked if there are any laydown beds.

Who says they are healthier??? Is there a proven fact?? How are they healthier? And why would anyone want to support a company who is out to desroy itself with such blatant lies and embellished facts??? The CDC has already stated you can not catch aids/viruses from tanning beds. UV rays kill them, besides most viruses, like aids are killed off when exposed outside the body. I would bet you any HT employee could not give 10 reasons tanning is medicinal and theraputic. Can YOU!!!??

Shnerez420

Big Leo, where can I find that article you spoke about? Id love to read it.
Ezliving_Jim, i dont think its 15%... it seems to me that franchises ask for about 6-9% of gross sales. Buying product and supplies from a company like HT could offer great benifits and price reduction, I mean, they manufactur all of their own stuff so there should be some sort of savings, should there be?
Steve Underhill, thanks for the email...
Neon Beach, they might "suck the blood out of you" but... wait... do they?? nooooo! anyway... they dont control what level of units you use or the breakdown of them but you are limited to what line of units you must use. HT offers their own units, but from within you can choose from a nice selection.
Soapking, It sounds like you have more info on the health aspect. Can you enlighten me alittle? Im told that because your not laying in a pool of someone elses sweat, germs are not spread so easily. Ok, your not sitting in the pool, but people sweat tremeandously in beds and they are sometimes poorly cleaned afterwards, which leaves a possibility of germs being spread. With a stand-up, it doesnt seem the same.
Forgeting about AIDS, theres thousands of other germs, are any possibly passed through from tanner to tanner in a bed?
Also, HT employees seemed to ve very well educated compared to most any other salon Ive visited.. and Iv visted many!!
So please reply soapking, bc Id love to hear more from you.