Here is a link that I think everyone should look at, it comes from the creator of a franchise system that has around 2,900 franchises around the world and in these video's he tells you what makes his company and his franchises so successful, these simple tips & business ethics has made this man and thousands of franchise owners very rich. they sound simple and they are but these are the things that make the difference, Jim's franchise group. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OS6aTK6-zI&feature=player_embedded
Excellent videos. Really enjoyed that. Its amazing, most people look at mowing as just a side thing or something can can only be grown to a small business. Then you have guys like this who turn it into an enterprise.
Guys from Texas know about Bucky's gas stations. Buckys has taken the old idea of a gas station and turned it into a brand that people evn wear their shirts, have bumper stickers, etc...They advertise 300 miles away from their stores on the open highways. Ive waited 150 miles to stop just waiting to get to a Buckys. Their customer service is top notch, Beef jerkey made everyday, home made salsas, "The cleanest bathrooms in the world", etc...everytime Ive ever stopped into one theres probably 300 people milling about buying stuff and the lines at the pumps are 3-4 cars deep.
Just goes to show that no matter how much competition or how bad the economy is, with the right business and marketing plan and with GREAT customer service a relatively mediocre industry can have a giant that eclipses everyone else while they're complaining about how bad things are.