Entrepreneurship through Franchising

Hear the word “franchise,” and you probably immediately think McDonald’s. But franchising is so much more than fast-food chain restaurants. With the chance to build on a proven system, franchising can be an excellent path to entrepreneurship. This event will explore: what is the current environment in franchises, what are the rewards and risks, how do you decide whether or not to buy into a franchise, when is it appropriate to consider franchising your existing business, etc.

Event is presented in partnership with Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) (http://www.cianj.org/).

Panel:
Guy Falzarano (http://www.montclair.edu/entrepreneur/our-team-and-philosophy/guy-falzarano-2/), founder and CEO, Lightbridge Franchise Company (http://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/)
John Helm, owner, Jersey Mike’s Subs (https://www.jerseymikes.com/)
Dana Kline (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-kline-cfe-52686a31/), owner, Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa (http://www.handandstone.com/)
Theresa Wolf, owner, Muscle Maker Grill (https://musclemakergrill.com/)

Moderator:
Adam Siegelheim (https://www.stark-stark.com/attorneys/adam-siegelheim/), shareholder, Stark & Stark (https://www.stark-stark.com/)

Agenda:
6:00-6:45 p.m. Networking with pizza
6:45-7:00 p.m. Welcome remarks, 30-second pitches from audience members
7:00-8:30 p.m. Panel discussion

Join the conversation on social media with #MSUmeetup

Directions and parking info:
Park in the Red Hawk Deck on campus, exit the deck on Level 5 and proceed straight up the walkway (soccer field will be on your left). At the new Feliciano School of Business building, go up the outdoor staircase. University Hall will be straight ahead once you reach the top of the steps. Campus map with directions. (https://www.montclair.edu/conferencecenter/campus_parking_directions.pdf) (Please note the map in that link is old--the tennis courts shown on the map is where the Feliciano School of Business building now stands.)

Speaker bios:
Gaetano (Guy) T. Falzarano (http://www.montclair.edu/entrepreneur/our-team-and-philosophy/guy-falzarano-2/) is the Founder and CEO of Lightbridge Franchise Company (http://lightbridgeacademyfranchise.com/). Over the past twenty years, Guy and an exceptional team have built Lightbridge Academy, a family of child care centers expanding throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Built on a solid foundation of core values and their Circle of Care philosophy there are currently 28 centers in operation employing over 700 people and serving over 3,000 children. In 2011 the company launched into franchising and now has sold over 90 franchises in six states. In 2017, Lightbridge Franchise Company was ranked #279 by Entrepreneur magazine in the Franchise 500 list and Top 50 High Investment Franchises.

Jersey Mike’s Subs (https://www.jerseymikes.com/) is a national franchise with more than 1,200 locations throughout the U.S. John Helm has led the pack when it comes to franchising with Jersey Mike’s. He is New Jersey’s largest franchisee, owning and operating 13 Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants, with another five restaurants currently in development. Helm is also the Jersey Mike’s Certified Trainer for the tri-state area. All new franchisees in the area train 360 hours in his stores prior to opening. He was also elected to represent the entire northeast in a National Advisory Council position, advising the franchise on future initiatives and overall direction of the company. Helm has built a team of top performers. His team is so strong, that it won a national sub making competition that Jersey Mike’s held at its national conference last year. There were hundreds of contestants and they were the best of the best! John embodies Jersey Mike’s values and mission to make a difference in the lives of others. His stores have raised and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities throughout New Jersey.

Dana Kline (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-kline-cfe-52686a31/) is the owner of Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa (http://www.handandstone.com/) in Haverford and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. She previously was VP, Operations for Goddard Systems. Kline has more than 20 years’ experience with franchising, from start-up to mature organizations. She has managed all aspects of operations, opening, quality assurance, training, customer service and marketing. Kline has a strong background in developing franchise relationships and working closely with franchisees to improve their bottom line. She has a bachelor’s in Social Work from Temple University.

Adam Siegelheim (https://www.stark-stark.com/attorneys/adam-siegelheim/) is a shareholder and member of the Business & Corporate and Franchise Groups at Stark & Stark (https://www.stark-stark.com/). His practice includes the representation of companies and non-profit organizations on a variety of issues including entity formation, financing, intellectual property, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, and insurance coverage matters. Siegelheim’s franchise practice includes the representation of franchisors and master franchisees in various matters, including the preparation of disclosure documents and franchise agreements, state registrations, compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, and international expansion. Siegelheim is a member of the International Franchise Association, the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising and is the Chair of the New Jersey Bar Association Franchise Law Committee. He has a bachelor’s in Political Science and a JD from University of Pittsburgh.

Muscle Maker Grill (https://musclemakergrill.com/) is a national franchise with over 50 locations throughout the US. The MMG brand promise is "Providing Healthier Fuel For Your Active Lifestyle" and focuses on preparing a variety of menu items in a healthier manner. Theresa Wolf is the owner/operator of three MMG locations in New Jersey. Theresa opened MMG Oakland, N.J., in 2010, expanded to Wayne, N.J., in 2014, and most recently acquired the third location in S. Plainfield, N.J., in 2016. Theresa is a hands-on owner and manages the day-to-day operations of the three restaurants. Theresa also serves a president of the MMG Franchise Advisory Council (FAC), working closely with fellow franchisees and the MMG corp team on product development, training, marketing, public relations, and community outreach.