JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Doyle James wanted to know what “drove the business” for AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning franchisees. The president of AireServ recently asked that question of attendees of the company’s fall meeting in Jacksonville.

“Does a thermometer drive your business?” he asked. “Does your schedule drive your business?” Does a compass drive your business?”

James said that in order to answer these questions, AireServ franchisees need to understand where their businesses are going. He feels that business owners need to set goals for themselves for the next 10 years, including actual goals and dream goals.

“We have the ability to be the largest HVAC franchisee in the country,” James said. “We have the ability to grow where other companies may not want to grow - in smaller markets.”

He continued, “In order to grow we need big, hairy, audacious goals. We need to set our goals very high.”

Doyle James, president of AireServ Heating & Air Conditioning (left) introduces Kevin Dudash, Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems brand manager. Bryant is a new partner with AireServ.

In June 2006, AireServ announced a new franchise program to entrepreneurs in rural America. The program, targeting rural areas with a population between 40,000 and 65,000, provides special pricing as an incentive to join the AireServ franchise network.

The new program helps smaller businesses acquire an exclusive territory by allowing franchise owners in less populated rural areas to tighten their scope of service at a reduced rate per population. The special pricing allows the $220 per 1,000 population pricing for the initial franchise fee without regard to a minimum population for eligible locations. For example, an area with a population of 40,000 would have a franchise fee of $8,800, while an area populated by 65,000 people would have a fee of $14,300.

The program requires eligible locations be within the required population range and not have a city of 30,000 or more within the proposed territory, among other requirements. “We see an opportunity to expand our services to areas beyond larger markets,” Robert Tunmire, executive vice president of The Dwyer Group®, said.

“With this new program, rural entrepreneurs can continue to run their local business, yet be supported with a system and structure they’ve never had before which can in turn allow them to lead a happier, more balanced life.”

Prior to the new program, the initial franchise fee for all franchise owners was $22,000 (minimum population of 100,000 per territory) plus $220 per 1,000 population for additional territory. This new program creates an incentive for entrepreneurs who did not think they could join the franchise network because of the minimum population requirements.

James said the goal for AireServ in 10 years is to reach $1 billion in sales and be known around the world as the comfort solution company whose innovative experts continue to keep customers comfortable.

As of October 2006, there are a total of 110 AireServ franchises in the United States and 13 more in the United Kingdom. James said that 16 percent of the U.S. population is covered by AireServ franchises.

“I think the billion dollar number is doable in the next 10 years,” he said.

For more information, visit www.aireserv.com.

Publication date: 12/04/2006