AN APPRECIATION FOR FRANCHISING; A PASSION FOR TCBY.
TODD BERTAGNOLE'S STORY

Eight years ago, Todd came into TCBY as a seasoned franchise owner. With a background in QSR business management and the owner (along with his brother) of four Subway franchises, Todd really knew how to evaluate franchise and food service opportunities.

So what attracted him to TCBY? Todd says it was pretty simple: the opportunity to extend his audience into the evening hours (Subway is mostly a lunchtime business), and the opportunity to offer healthier snack options. Todd recognized early on the trend towards healthier, more nutritionally conscious eating. He had seen it in his Subway business, and felt that the TCBY was a way to attract an even larger audience. Eight years later, his hunch has really paid off.  Today Todd owns two TCBY stores, and takes satisfaction in providing his customers with a convenient snack or light meal.  “My customers don’t even have to think about TCBY,” says Todd. “They don’t have to decide between convenience and smart eating, because they know a cup of yogurt and fruit topping is quick and healthy.” 

Still, with all of his experience, there were a few things about owning a TCBY franchise that surprised Todd. As he recently stated “I’m still amazed at the amount of opportunity we have. We’re really sitting in a golden spot. With all of the frozen yogurt competitors out there, we still have the best tasting product and the most loyal customers. We’re in the perfect position to capture the edge that everybody is looking for.” Maybe that’s why Todd plans to open even more TCBY stores. And he says that the power of the TCBY brand is a huge part of both his past success, and his future opportunities.

Todd is the first to admit that being a franchise owner is hard work, and it’s not always smooth sailing. But as he says “Change is good, and doesn’t come without some frustration. It’s being able to channel the energy and passion into a bigger opportunity that keeps me focused, and knowing that by helping to build TCBY into a powerhouse, I’m ensuring my own success.” Todd also puts some of that energy to use as head of the Franchise Association Board, where he appreciates the partnership he has with other franchise owners and the corporate team. 

So, looking back over the past eight years, how would Todd summarize his experience?  “I absolutely made the right decision with TCBY.  I believe in the product, I believe in the brand, and I believe in the huge opportunity that’s before us.”

A SECOND CAREER – AND A WHOLE NEW LIFE.
NANCY BREAM'S STORY

Nancy Bream is the kind of person who just inspires confidence. Spend a few minutes with her, and you come away with the feeling that you are in very good hands. Her loyal TCBY customers no doubt feel the same way. Because for 11 years, Nancy has gone the extra mile to make their experience in her store a positive one.  And that’s why they keep coming back for more.

Nancy never set out to be a franchise owner. But she loved TCBY, and thought that she could do much more with the store she frequented than the semi-absent owner. So she approached him about buying the store from him, and eventually got him to agree. Nancy says that she knew she would be successful from day one: “The store was in a great location in an appealing area of the city, and there was a loyal customer base that loved the delicious and healthy products. I knew that was a win-win situation.”

Nancy soon learned some valuable lessons on franchise ownership. For starters, she discovered that it’s very different – and maybe even harder than teaching high school – which was one of her previous careers. “You have to be conscious of what you can do to make it an experience for every customer,” says Nancy. Because she is so important to the overall customer experience, Nancy tries to spend as much time as possible in the store. “I love being there with my customers every day, and I think they appreciate that I’m so involved in the business. It just really works for me.”
 
She also discovered franchise owners need to act professionally – with their employees, with their customers, and with TCBY corporate.  And open and honest communications is critical. “Owning a business is the American dream, just like owning a house. I’m in control of my own destiny, but I can never let my guard down. I need to act like a business owner at all times.”

The American dream is really paying off for Nancy. She and her recently retired husband are opening additional stores, and they’re bringing in a partner to help them manage everything, and ensure that they have plenty of time to spend with their grandchildren.  But they’ll never be far from one of their TCBY stores. As Nancy says, “Owning a business always has its ups and downs. But there’s never been a day in 11 years as a TCBY owner that I didn’t want to come to work. I love people, and I want to make them happy. Being a TCBY owner lets me do just that. And I get to make money while I’m at it!”

A LEAP OF FAITH THAT REALLY PAID OFF.
RON AND MICHELLE RYE'S STORY

Ron Rye and his wife Michelle spent New Year’s Day 2001 cleaning up their newly purchased (and previously neglected) TCBY store and preparing to open for business. With their two-year old daughter keeping watch, and football games on TV keeping them entertained, the Ryes got to test their passion for franchise ownership from the very beginning.

Ron says he got a master’s degree in business during their first year in business – and it came through real-life experience. “We had to make up some ground, because the previous owner had really let the store slide. Still, we put up ‘New Management’ signs and had people lined up outside our door from day one. It really proved just how much our customers love the TCBY products.” With the Ryes careful dedication and attention, sales increased by 10% in the first year, and they’ve since doubled. And they work hard to keep those customers coming back over and over again. According to Ron “Our customers consume TCBY the way some people consume Starbucks. It’s almost a daily habit for some of them, and they wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. We don’t ever want to give them a reason to do so.”

After six months in the business, the Ryes bought a second store – one that was clean and well managed, with a good staff in place. Ron says that the secret to success now is managing the staff and having them work in the business, so that he can stay focused working on the business. But he also says that spending time in the trenches is critical for keeping you up to speed on what’s going on. And clearly the Ryes do know what’s going on, because they’ve since opened a third TCBY – this time a brand new store that they started from scratch, and are gearing up to open their fourth. It wasn’t a difficult decision, or even a big risk, says Ron. “If you’ve got a great product and great customer service, you’ll get the business. Find a good location, and your customers will definitely come.”

So how do the Ryes manage to keep four stores operating smoothly while keeping up with their busy – and growing – family? Ron says that the key is getting great managers, and looking for employees that have the same energy and passion for TCBY as he does. That gives him the flexibility he needs to spend time with his family and enjoy the nice lifestyle he and his wife have created for themselves. And it helps that Ron loves what he does. “I have great pride in the fact that I own TCBY stores. When I’m introduced as a TCBY owner, I love that the general reaction is ‘Wow, I really love that place.’ And I love that I’m a part of that whole experience.”