The following Maryland companies, which represent about half the Maryland companies expanding by franchising, will take part in the International Franchise Expo in Washington this weekend, according to the International Franchise Association.
The expo will be held 9 a.m to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Washington Convention Center. Tickets are $15 at the door, $25 for all three days.
Parcel Plus
Annapolis, (410) 266-3200
Established: 1986
Company-owned units: 4
Franchised units: 51
Specializes in packaging, mailing, business support services and big-cargo shipping.
Franchise fee: $15,500
Initial investment: $50,000 to $60,000
Chief executive: David Campbell
Decorating Den Systems
Bethesda, (301) 652-6393
Established: 1970
Company-owned units: less than 12
Franchised units: 1,200
Geographic range: International
Home decorating services and products, offered by professional decorator, brought to the customer's home or business in a specially equipped van.
Franchise fee: $8,000 to $18,000
Initial investment: $18,000 to $28,000
Chief executive: James S. Bugg
A Choice Nanny
Columbia, (410) 730-2356
Established: 1983
Company-owned units: 2
Franchised units: 30 awarded, 24 open
Geographic range: 9 states
Computerized nanny referral service that matches families with caregivers for children or elderly parents.
Franchise fee: $24,900
Initial investment: $40,000 to $50,000
Chief executive: Jacqueline F. Clark
General Business Services
Columbia, (410) 290-1040
Established: 1962
Company-owned units: 0
Franchised units: 400
Geographic range: National
Trains management, business and tax counselors serving small business owners and professionals on a continuous basis.
Franchise fee: $19,500
Initial investment: $19,500 plus year's living expenses
Chief executive: Robert Pertle
Signs By Tomorrow
Columbia, (410) 992-7192
Established: 1986
Company-owned units: 2
Franchised units: 19
Geographic range: 8 states
One-day delivery of computer-generated signs for businesses.
Franchise fee: $17,500 (first), $12,500 (subsequent)
Initial investment: $40,000-$60,000
Chief executive: Joe McGuinness
Sandler Systems
Stevenson, (410) 653-1993
Established: 1967
Company-owned units: 0
Franchised units: 76
Geographic range: 35 states
Provides sales and sales management training for businesses, using a proprietary system.
Franchise fee: $30,000
Initial investment: $30,000 plus three months' living expenses
Chief executive: David Sandler
All Tune and Lube
Millersville, (410) 621-7779
Established: 1985
Company-owned units: 1
Franchised units: 264
Geographic range: 29 states
Tune-ups, engine performance work, preventive maintenance and other automotive services.
Franchise fee: $22,500
Initial investment: $119,000
Chief executive: Thomas B. Howell
Botanical Environments
Fort Washington, (301) 248-4222
Established: 1989
Company-owned units: 16
Franchised units: 1
Geographic range: N.A.
Interior "plant-scaping" for businesses.
Franchise fee: $20,000
Initial investment: $30,000 to $40,000
Chief executive: Mark Fisher
Candy Express
Silver Spring (301) 587-5500
Established: 1988
Company-owned units: 1
Franchised units: 32
Geographic range: U.S. and Canada
Retail candy and confections, offering more than 1,000 items in each store.
Franchise fee: $25,000
Chief executive: Joel Rosenberg
Boardwalk Fries
Ellicott City, (410) 465-5020
Established: 1981
Company-owned units: 10
Franchised units: 70
Geographic range: 22 states
Fast-food: carry-out french fries, hamburgers, barbecue, hot dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade and other items.
Franchise fee: $20,000
Initial investment: $150,000
Chief executive: Dave Diferdinando
Choice Hotels International
Silver Spring, (301) 593-5600
Established: 1939
Company-owned units: 13
Franchised units: approx. 2,800
Geographic range: International
Largest franchised hotel chain in the world, operating under seven names including Sleep Inn and Quality Inn.
Franchise fee: Average is 7 percent of revenue
Initial investment: $500,000-up (new hotel)
Chief executive: Robert C. Hazard, Jr.