Wright, Lori

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices3-1-2006With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters ForWomen EntrepreneursLori WrightFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationWright, Lori, "With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women Entrepreneurs" (2006). UNH Today. 1237.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/12379/13/17, 1(19 PMWith Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women EntrepreneursPage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/march/lw_060301franchise.html With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For WomenEntrepreneursContact:  Lori Wright 603-862-0574UNH Media RelationsMarch 1, 2006DURHAM, N.H. -- Where can a woman who has been out of the workforce raising childrenstart her own business with minimal financial investment and have a higher likelihood ofsuccess because she is working with a proven business model?Franchising may be the answer, says Udo Schlentrich, director of The William RosenbergCenter of International Franchising at the University of New Hampshire. “Women who were ina career may have faced layoffs, outsourcing or taken a hiatus to raise a family. Many havevery solid skills and they are saying ‘What do I want to do now?’ They do not want to be anemployee again. They want to control their own destiny and franchising is perfect for them.”Women-founded franchise companies are an impressive group: Anne Beiler (Auntie Anne’s),JoAnne Shaw (The Coffee Beanery), Ann Rosenberg (RoseVine Winery), Debbi Fields (Mrs.Fields Cookies), and Mary Ellen Sheets (Two Men and a Truck). The number of women whooperate a franchised business is even higher.According to Schlentrich, franchising is attractive to women for a number of reasons.Franchising allows women to be their own boss on terms that can fit well within their familyand social structure. Many franchises require a minimum initial capital investment, but even ifa loan is required, having a proven business model is a huge benefit when trying to obtainfinancing.“If you start a business, the bank wants a proven business model before it will loan money. Bypurchasing a franchise, women gain an existing marketing concept, and development andoperational assistance from the franchisor,” he says.Franchising offers a wide range of business opportunities. With more than 75 differentbusiness segments, from hospitality to retail services, women can find a franchise that fitswell with their wants and needs. “Women are very creative. They have wonderful people skillsand know how to run a business, but they don’t need to reinvent the model,” Schlentrich says.Ann Rosenberg agrees. Her late husband Bill Rosenberg founded Dunkin’ Donuts and theInternational Franchise Association, and she became a franchisor in 2004 when she startedRoseWine Vinery. Franchisees offer customers the opportunity to make and private label theirown wine, as well as purchase bottled wine with customized labels. The Rosenberg Center willpresent a case study on Rosenberg’s business to franchising industry professionals later thisyear.“For women, being a franchisor or franchisee is a great opportunity because there is no glass9/13/17, 1(19 PMWith Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women EntrepreneursPage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/march/lw_060301franchise.htmlceiling,” Rosenberg says. “If people want to work for themselves but are nervous aboutstarting something brand new without support, buying a franchise is a good idea. Businessformat franchising offers an opportunity to be in business for yourself but not by yourself, andthere is a huge selection of successful concepts and a wide range of cost of entry.”According to Rosenberg, she knew the franchising model was the best way to quickly growRoseVine Winery. “When Bill founded Dunkin' Donuts, he wanted to expand rapidly but didn'thave the funds to do so. Observing how Howard Johnson's had thrived via franchising, hedecided to try the same approach to growth. So it only made sense to me that if I wanted myconcept to become a household word quickly, franchising was the way to go,” she says.EDITORS AND REPORTERS: Udo Schlentrich is available at 603-862-0137 orudo.Schlentrich@unh.edu. 

With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women Entrepreneurs

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Media Relations Administrative Offices
3-1-2006
With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For
Women Entrepreneurs
Lori Wright
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Wright, Lori, "With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women Entrepreneurs" (2006). UNH Today. 1237.
https://scholars.unh.edu/news/1237
9/13/17, 1(19 PMWith Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women Entrepreneurs
Page 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/march/lw_060301franchise.html
 
With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women
Entrepreneurs
Contact:  Lori Wright 
603-862-0574
UNH Media Relations
March 1, 2006
DURHAM, N.H. -- Where can a woman who has been out of the workforce raising children
start her own business with minimal financial investment and have a higher likelihood of
success because she is working with a proven business model?
Franchising may be the answer, says Udo Schlentrich, director of The William Rosenberg
Center of International Franchising at the University of New Hampshire. “Women who were in
a career may have faced layoffs, outsourcing or taken a hiatus to raise a family. Many have
very solid skills and they are saying ‘What do I want to do now?’ They do not want to be an
employee again. They want to control their own destiny and franchising is perfect for them.”
Women-founded franchise companies are an impressive group: Anne Beiler (Auntie Anne’s),
JoAnne Shaw (The Coffee Beanery), Ann Rosenberg (RoseVine Winery), Debbi Fields (Mrs.
Fields Cookies), and Mary Ellen Sheets (Two Men and a Truck). The number of women who
operate a franchised business is even higher.
According to Schlentrich, franchising is attractive to women for a number of reasons.
Franchising allows women to be their own boss on terms that can fit well within their family
and social structure. Many franchises require a minimum initial capital investment, but even if
a loan is required, having a proven business model is a huge benefit when trying to obtain
financing.
“If you start a business, the bank wants a proven business model before it will loan money. By
purchasing a franchise, women gain an existing marketing concept, and development and
operational assistance from the franchisor,” he says.
Franchising offers a wide range of business opportunities. With more than 75 different
business segments, from hospitality to retail services, women can find a franchise that fits
well with their wants and needs. “Women are very creative. They have wonderful people skills
and know how to run a business, but they don’t need to reinvent the model,” Schlentrich says.
Ann Rosenberg agrees. Her late husband Bill Rosenberg founded Dunkin’ Donuts and the
International Franchise Association, and she became a franchisor in 2004 when she started
RoseWine Vinery. Franchisees offer customers the opportunity to make and private label their
own wine, as well as purchase bottled wine with customized labels. The Rosenberg Center will
present a case study on Rosenberg’s business to franchising industry professionals later this
year.
“For women, being a franchisor or franchisee is a great opportunity because there is no glass
9/13/17, 1(19 PMWith Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women Entrepreneurs
Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/news_releases/2006/march/lw_060301franchise.html
ceiling,” Rosenberg says. “If people want to work for themselves but are nervous about
starting something brand new without support, buying a franchise is a good idea. Business
format franchising offers an opportunity to be in business for yourself but not by yourself, and
there is a huge selection of successful concepts and a wide range of cost of entry.”
According to Rosenberg, she knew the franchising model was the best way to quickly grow
RoseVine Winery. “When Bill founded Dunkin' Donuts, he wanted to expand rapidly but didn't
have the funds to do so. Observing how Howard Johnson's had thrived via franchising, he
decided to try the same approach to growth. So it only made sense to me that if I wanted my
concept to become a household word quickly, franchising was the way to go,” she says.
EDITORS AND REPORTERS: Udo Schlentrich is available at 603-862-0137 or
udo.Schlentrich@unh.edu.
 


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With Franchising, The Glass Ceiling Shatters For Women Entrepreneurs

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