For Subscribers

Franchising's Green Scene Environmentally friendly franchises can mean business success--just be sure they're as green as they claim.

By Gwen Moran Edited by Frances Dodds

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When Mike and Deborah Parisi were looking for a franchise opportunity, they had only broad parameters in mind. They wanted something unique that would be good for the community, and they wanted to feel good about the products they sold. Doing some online research, they came across Pizza Fusion, a green restaurant franchise based in Florida that uses environmentally friendly practices in everything from building designs to food prep to waste disposal.

Where to Look for Green
While evidence of more environmentally sensitive practices can be found in virtually every area of business, some are greening at a faster clip than others.
Areas of public concern
Many fast-emerging areas in green franchising deal with environmental issues that concern the public, including energy conservation and recycling. Some offer federal tax incentives or incorporate significant recycling programs for the products they sell, which brings in additional retail business.

Pro Energy Consultants
Solar Power Inc.
Cartridge World USA
Batteries Plus
Home and personal care
Wherever there is a home-care service that could be considered environmentally questionable--car washing, house cleaning, lawn care--there seems to be a greener solution, like house cleaning services that use nontoxic cleaning solutions and better waste disposal practices.

The Cleaning Authority
Maid Brigade
Clean Air Lawn Care
Ecowash Mobile
Splish Salon
Food service
Environmentally friendly eateries and other businesses in the category range from those built entirely around being sustainable to those that perform a specific green function, like helping restaurants filter used cooking oil for reuse.

Pizza Fusion
Spoon Me
Filta

"It was the product that really spoke to us. It is the closest thing I've tried on the West Coast that tastes like the food you can get in Italy," says Mike. "The green aspect showed us that the company was forward-thinking by taking America's favorite food and modernizing it."

Since the Parisis opened their first Pizza Fusion franchise in Clovis, Calif., last December, they've garnered a level of attention that they believe restaurants without such a commitment to green practices would not have seen--including coverage on most of the local broadcast news programs. The couple is planning to open another Pizza Fusion franchise within two years.

While no one is yet tracking numbers on how many green franchises exist or how many are coming down the pike, Alisa Harrison of the International Franchise Association--the industry's largest trade group--says the green corner of franchising is definitely growing. The association has seen an increase in external inquiries about green franchises, as well as a bigger presence at industry events, she says. "We're seeing it across the board, from existing franchises that are becoming greener to those who are building their whole concept around being environmentally conscious," Harrison says. "The green trend has been growing for about 25 years now, but it has only recently become mainstream."

Franchise consultant and blogger Joel Libava, the self-proclaimed Franchise King, agrees that green franchises are a growth sector. He founded the Green Franchise Directory last year to house information on what he sees as the future of franchising. "I'm not a 'save the whales' kind of guy 24 hours a day, but it's important that we all think about the future," Libava says. "People are choosing to spend their money with businesses that follow green practices."

Going Green, With Care

One major challenge to the prospective green franchisee is that some of these business opportunities are part of established categories and others are relatively new types of businesses. That can make it tricky to evaluate the company, because newer products and services may not have the objective success criteria that more established business sectors have, Libava says. For example, while green restaurants can typically be evaluated based on traditional benchmarks for eateries, prospective franchisees of services like energy auditing or waterless car washes may have a more difficult time measuring how enthusiastically customers will embrace these concepts. Libava worries that some franchisees may ignore good business practices if they become too enamored with the green concept.

Rick Bisio, author of The Educated Franchisee, agrees. "Whatever business you get into, there have to be customers and there has to be demand," he says. "The business has to be viable first, then the green considerations come in."

Kris Simonich saw so much potential in the green sector that he left his franchise consulting business to help found the franchise arm of Pro Energy Consultants, an energy auditing firm. The company, which currently claims 20 franchise locations, expects to double that by the end of the year--thanks in part to the economic stimulus package, which offers incentives for green businesses, including in the weatherization sector, where Pro Energy Consultants operates.

"With that stimulus money filtering down to states, they're putting in programs to encourage homeowners to weatherize homes through rebates or subsidized energy audits," Simonich says. "That money is filtering further down to power companies that are putting in similar programs. We have opportunities to participate and get that work and help homeowners."

Before the Green Light

Concerns about so-called greenwashing--companies falsely calling themselves sustainable or green when their actions have a negative environmental impact--are also real, Libava says. "To claim to be green, they have to be doing more than just recycling paper or using an environmentally friendly cleaning solution," he says. "You have to really walk the walk and make sure that the company is committed to green practices."

That includes asking franchisors about their home-office practices. Do they have comprehensive waste reduction programs? Do they practice proven energy reduction tactics like buying alternative-energy credits and using solar panels? How do they minimize their impact on the environment? Libava urges prospective green franchisees to press for these answers because if the company is falsely identifying itself as "green," such a revelation could alienate customers and damage your business.

It can be more work to run a green franchise in which recycling, waste disposal, food preparation, and purchasing all need special care to remain compliant with green policies. When the Parisis were building their franchise location, they sprung for environmentally friendly extras like recycled blue-jean insulation--at least double the cost of more traditional insulation options--and special-order ceiling tiles made from recycled content.

That brings up the inevitable question of the recession's impact on the green sector overall. "People aren't just going to spend more because something is green anymore," says Harrison. "But we're seeing more and more businesses learn how to make the greening of their systems make good business sense. If you can make a case for how your green business can save money in the long run, by saving energy or by reducing a utility bill, that's a win-win."

The key to success in green franchises is to look for verifiable data that a market exists, either through a track record of sector sales or--especially for newer businesses--substantial market research that indicates both a strong customer base and strong demand. Franchisees who protect themselves through such due diligence could very well find themselves with businesses that provide both monetary and socially responsible rewards.

Gwen Moran

Writer and Author, Specializing in Business and Finance

GWEN MORAN is a freelance writer and co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Business Plans (Alpha, 2010).

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

The Hidden Dangers of Using Generative AI in Your Business

Rushing to adopt generative AI can derail your business. Here's what leaders need to know.

Science & Technology

We Spent a Decade Building Virtual Worlds — What We Discovered Could Reshape the Future of Business

What we learned about scale, AI and ownership when we tried to connect thousands of people in real time.

Growing a Business

This One Leadership Move Will Transform Your Team's Loyalty and Performance

Most leaders focus on technical skills, but this lesser-known trait quietly shapes team loyalty, engagement and long-term performance.

Leadership

Why the Most Powerful CEOs Today Lead With Authenticity, Not Silence

The most effective CEOs today build trust and brand value by leading with authenticity and personal conviction.

Side Hustle

7 Ways Ecommerce Is Helping People Rebuild Their Lives

Ecommerce is more than just a business model. For many, it's about finding stability, freedom and a way to feel in control.