Net Rewards Will the Internet change franchising as we know it?

Certainly such recent events as the landmark case Vylene vs.Naugles, which sided with franchisees on encroachment issues,and the new streamlined Uniform Franchise Offering Circularrequirements have had obvious effects on the state of franchising.But there's another force subtly reshaping the industry--fromthe way entrepreneurs investigate franchises to how existingfranchisees operate and grow their businesses. That force? TheInternet.

Some may be surprised to discover leak detection andhousecleaning franchisors setting up shop on the World Wide Webalongside the likes of Microsoft and Coca-Cola, but franchisors ofall kinds are flocking to the Web today. For some, establishing aWeb site has created an easy, affordable way to disseminateinformation and market products and services. Many franchisors areusing e-mail to communicate with their franchisees. Still othersare reaching potential franchise buyers around the world throughthe Internet.

With such obvious potential, it's no wonder there are some350 franchise Web sites and counting. "From thefranchisor's perspective, you simply have to have a presence onthe Web," asserts Calvin Haskell, president of FranchiseSolutions Information Services, a franchise consulting firm inPortsmouth, New Hampshire.