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Seth Buechley, owner of franchises Cold Stone Creamery and Pizza Schmizza in Roseburg.
Seth Buechley was more an entrepreneur than a restaurateur. He had been in telecommunications and real estate.
When he decided to pursue a new venture a few years ago, he wanted one that could reach more people. Those previous businesses had a limited customer base, he said.
Buechley looked into the food service industry. Specifically, he looked at the Cold Stone Creamery and Pizza Schmizza franchises.
“Any person could be a possible client,” he said. “Every person can experience your product.”
Buechley partnered with childhood friend Travis Sheppard to start the two businesses in Roseburg in 2004.
They became part of a business community that has been filling with franchises.
Since 2004, franchises like Schlotzsky’s Deli, Big Town Hero and Taco Del Mar have opened in Roseburg. National chains like Lowe’s have started, with Home Depot on the way and Costco considering the city.
A Red Robin is also currently going in near the Roseburg Valley Mall. Across the street, Neil Hummel, owner of Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate, has watched that development progress. He’s also watched the development of franchises progress all over Roseburg over the years.
His business joined the nationwide Century 21 company four years ago. He said people associate with brand names like Burger King, McDonald’s or Sears.
It also gives people an association to the community.
“I knew Roseburg was on the map when we got a McDonald’s,” he said.
When he decided to pursue a new venture a few years ago, he wanted one that could reach more people. Those previous businesses had a limited customer base, he said.
Buechley looked into the food service industry. Specifically, he looked at the Cold Stone Creamery and Pizza Schmizza franchises.
“Any person could be a possible client,” he said. “Every person can experience your product.”
Buechley partnered with childhood friend Travis Sheppard to start the two businesses in Roseburg in 2004.
They became part of a business community that has been filling with franchises.
Since 2004, franchises like Schlotzsky’s Deli, Big Town Hero and Taco Del Mar have opened in Roseburg. National chains like Lowe’s have started, with Home Depot on the way and Costco considering the city.
A Red Robin is also currently going in near the Roseburg Valley Mall. Across the street, Neil Hummel, owner of Century 21 The Neil Company Real Estate, has watched that development progress. He’s also watched the development of franchises progress all over Roseburg over the years.
His business joined the nationwide Century 21 company four years ago. He said people associate with brand names like Burger King, McDonald’s or Sears.
It also gives people an association to the community.
“I knew Roseburg was on the map when we got a McDonald’s,” he said.
<b>LEARNING ABOUT FRANCHISES</b>
Starting a franchise is more than putting up a nationally known sign and opening the doors. Terry Rost has been providing workshops on the topic for 11 years.
Rost will be in Roseburg Tuesday hosting just such a workshop, sponsored by Umpqua Community College.
He doesn’t recommend specific franchises; he just provides information for those interested in starting one.
Rost said there are thousands of possible franchises out there in countless industries.
“You don’t have enough years of your life to look at that many,” he said. “You’ve got to get focused or you’ll just flounder.”
Rost discusses laws, many of which benefit franchises, during his workshops. He covers how to research a franchise, as well as where to find financing.
Rost also compares opening a franchise to starting an independent business.
He said an obvious benefit is having a structure in place with a franchise. He said franchises come with national contracts, strategic marketing plans and always-available support.
“It’s a huge, huge help in your chances of survival,” he said.
At the same time, Rost warns that franchise ownership is not for everyone.
While the structure of a franchise can be beneficial, for certain personalities it could be more of a hassle.
He said those wanting to run a business “their way” should probably not venture into franchises.
“If you want to do it that way, it would fail for what they’re looking for,” he said.
A franchisor also looks at a community before granting a franchise. He said a company might be initially leery with the population base of Roseburg, when compared to Portland or Eugene.
Rost said it’s most important that the business will work for both sides.
“The goal of this thing is to find a good franchise,” he said. “A good one that’s a good fit for you.”
<b>“HOME-RUN OPPORTUNITY”</b>
Buechley said his interest in Pizza Schmizza and Cold Stone Creamery began with the products.
They are both “premium,” he said. The pizza, for example, is made with hand-tossed crust and high-quality ingredients.
“The product is one thing, but the expectation is you have a whole system that is behind the brand,” he said.
The brand was important. He said Cold Stone has a national presence with 1,300 locations.
Still, Douglas County already had ice cream and pizza. Buechley said that while Roseburg was certainly showing signs of expansion in 2004, “changing people’s behavior takes time.”
Buechley graduated from Glide High School in 1989, but had been living in the Portland area. He said his wife and four children were a factor in wanting to start a franchise in Roseburg.
So was reconnecting with Sheppard. The pair grew up in the Glendale-Azalea area together. Sheppard has remained in Douglas County over the years.
The outdoor opportunities and way of life were appealing for Buechley in deciding to move back. He learned that the way of life also made for a different kind of customer.
In Portland, for example, Buechley said people are more interested in getting their food and getting out quickly. In Roseburg, his experience has been that people aren’t in as big of a hurry.
That’s one reason Pizza Schmizza recently implemented delivery locally. Buechley said the Roseburg franchise is one of only a few in the company that offers the service.
Attracting customers is also different. Instead of advertising with “big media,” Buechley said they have taken a more “grass-roots” approach, including working concessions at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
A benefit of the area, Buechley said, has been the labor pool. The two businesses currently employ 20 people and haven’t had any trouble keeping a solid staff.
Buechley said he understands what kind of job opportunities the businesses offer, saying, “we don’t expect people to retire with our company.”
Instead, “the goal is to be their best first job.”
Working with employees and customers best illustrates what franchises have in common with other businesses.
Management still needs to lead a successful operation to have a successful business, Buechley said.
Buechley and Sheppard have opened another Pizza Schmizza in Eugene. They planned to start a franchise in Bozeman, Mont., as well, but decided they could be more involved if they stayed regional.
Franchising is a “home-run opportunity,” Buechley said, at least for those willing to be an involved owner-operator.
“You can have the best system in the world, but if you don’t manage the people, it doesn’t help you,” he said.
• You can reach reporter Paul Craig at 957-4211 or by e-mail at pcraig@newsreview.info.
Starting a franchise is more than putting up a nationally known sign and opening the doors. Terry Rost has been providing workshops on the topic for 11 years.
Rost will be in Roseburg Tuesday hosting just such a workshop, sponsored by Umpqua Community College.
He doesn’t recommend specific franchises; he just provides information for those interested in starting one.
Rost said there are thousands of possible franchises out there in countless industries.
“You don’t have enough years of your life to look at that many,” he said. “You’ve got to get focused or you’ll just flounder.”
Rost discusses laws, many of which benefit franchises, during his workshops. He covers how to research a franchise, as well as where to find financing.
Rost also compares opening a franchise to starting an independent business.
He said an obvious benefit is having a structure in place with a franchise. He said franchises come with national contracts, strategic marketing plans and always-available support.
“It’s a huge, huge help in your chances of survival,” he said.
At the same time, Rost warns that franchise ownership is not for everyone.
While the structure of a franchise can be beneficial, for certain personalities it could be more of a hassle.
He said those wanting to run a business “their way” should probably not venture into franchises.
“If you want to do it that way, it would fail for what they’re looking for,” he said.
A franchisor also looks at a community before granting a franchise. He said a company might be initially leery with the population base of Roseburg, when compared to Portland or Eugene.
Rost said it’s most important that the business will work for both sides.
“The goal of this thing is to find a good franchise,” he said. “A good one that’s a good fit for you.”
<b>“HOME-RUN OPPORTUNITY”</b>
Buechley said his interest in Pizza Schmizza and Cold Stone Creamery began with the products.
They are both “premium,” he said. The pizza, for example, is made with hand-tossed crust and high-quality ingredients.
“The product is one thing, but the expectation is you have a whole system that is behind the brand,” he said.
The brand was important. He said Cold Stone has a national presence with 1,300 locations.
Still, Douglas County already had ice cream and pizza. Buechley said that while Roseburg was certainly showing signs of expansion in 2004, “changing people’s behavior takes time.”
Buechley graduated from Glide High School in 1989, but had been living in the Portland area. He said his wife and four children were a factor in wanting to start a franchise in Roseburg.
So was reconnecting with Sheppard. The pair grew up in the Glendale-Azalea area together. Sheppard has remained in Douglas County over the years.
The outdoor opportunities and way of life were appealing for Buechley in deciding to move back. He learned that the way of life also made for a different kind of customer.
In Portland, for example, Buechley said people are more interested in getting their food and getting out quickly. In Roseburg, his experience has been that people aren’t in as big of a hurry.
That’s one reason Pizza Schmizza recently implemented delivery locally. Buechley said the Roseburg franchise is one of only a few in the company that offers the service.
Attracting customers is also different. Instead of advertising with “big media,” Buechley said they have taken a more “grass-roots” approach, including working concessions at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
A benefit of the area, Buechley said, has been the labor pool. The two businesses currently employ 20 people and haven’t had any trouble keeping a solid staff.
Buechley said he understands what kind of job opportunities the businesses offer, saying, “we don’t expect people to retire with our company.”
Instead, “the goal is to be their best first job.”
Working with employees and customers best illustrates what franchises have in common with other businesses.
Management still needs to lead a successful operation to have a successful business, Buechley said.
Buechley and Sheppard have opened another Pizza Schmizza in Eugene. They planned to start a franchise in Bozeman, Mont., as well, but decided they could be more involved if they stayed regional.
Franchising is a “home-run opportunity,” Buechley said, at least for those willing to be an involved owner-operator.
“You can have the best system in the world, but if you don’t manage the people, it doesn’t help you,” he said.
• You can reach reporter Paul Craig at 957-4211 or by e-mail at pcraig@newsreview.info.
If you're interested
WHAT: “How to Find and Evaluate a Franchise Business” workshop
WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday WHERE: Umpqua Community College Workforce Training Center, 2555 N.E. Diamond Lake Blvd., Roseburg COST: $23, early registration is not required, but it is appreciated REGISTRATION: 440-7744, sequence 20676 INFORMATION: 440-4669 |
