Turning Tough Times Into Success

Although private employers in September added 64,000 workers, total payrolls fell a larger-than-forecast 95,000. In tough economic times, franchises are a relatively safe way of doing business. The drop in U.S. payrolls in September largely reflected local governments firing educators and other workers to make up for declining tax revenue. Struggles to keep state and local government budgets balanced likely will continue to weigh on job growth and sustain the level of weekly jobless claims. One dynamic star on the U.S. business scene is The ACFN ATM Franchise Business, headquartered in San Jose, California, where the company was ranked by the Business Journal as the 43rd Fastest Growing Private Company in Silicon Valley for 2007 - 2009. “ACFN is a North America company with operations in all 50 States and Canada, however by utilizing our franchise business model we maintain the operating efficiencies of a local company”, says Jeff Kerr, Founder and President of ACFN. Since launching the franchise division in 2003, ACFN (American Consumer Financial Network) has 165 Franchises operating over 1350 ATM's in the U.S. and Canada. The Washington, D.C.-based International Franchise Alliance, said the group estimates that in 2008 there were about 900,000 franchises with over 21 million workers providing $2.3 trillion in economic activity. These franchises “cross over about 100 different business categories,” The International Franchise Association suggests what the entrepreneur minded American has known for a while, that franchisees enjoy a significant competitive edge over the stand-alone business operators. They noted a study showing that 86% of franchise companies which opened in the previous five years were still in business under the same owner and only 3% of these businesses failed. Conversely, a US Small Business Administration (SBA) Survey in that same article showed 62.2% percent of all new businesses started over a 10 year period dissolved within their first six years. “ ACFN's ATM franchise equips you with the tools and the know how to manage the business". Avi Blankroth, Excecutive Vice President of ACFN says. "The process begins with each franchisee purchasing ATMs, while ACFN locates and contracts lucrative placement locations" Blankroth believes that "franchising offers crucial support, whilst still providing the scope for franchisees to make personal business decisions. In the same vein, people choose to go the franchising route owing to the security it offers".

ACFN ATM Franchise Ranked in Top Silicon Valley Based Companies

The Silicon Valley Business Journal honored the 60 fastest-growing private companies in the region at the Computer History Museum in San Jose, California.  ACFN Franchise (ACFN) ATM franchise which is focused on providing ATM services to hotels and other travel and entertainment businesses across North America, was recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s fastest growing companies by the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal. After reviewing revenues of leading private companies in the area, the publication ranked ACFN #43 in this year’s list. This accolade is especially impressive given that approximately 80 percent of the 60 companies on the list had more than 50 percent revenue growth in the three-year period covered and about half more than doubled. “It’s an honor to be included in this year’s list. Silicon Valley is very competitive and we are committed to continue growing and producing extraordinary result for our franchise owners. ACFN is the only ATM Franchise in North America and one of the largest ATM ISOs in the US which helps us create a lot of value for our franchisees” said Jeff Kerr, President and CEO of ACFN. Unlike other companies in the industry, ACFN owns and controls the ATMs and does not charge fees to the businesses hosting the machines. Franchisees receive training on how to develop, own, and operate onsite ATMs. ACFN also provides ATM processing, network, administrative, marketing, and other types of support. The recognition that ACFN has gained, is rightfully earned as the company expands its interests and continues to provide services at more than 1,350 locations with 165 Franchisees in North America.

Earning High Marks – ACFN ATM Franchise – Amongst the Best Companies in America.

Recent independent studies have ranked the ACFN ATM Franchise amongst the top high performing companies in the U.S.

You are staying in a hotel and need cash. The front desk clerk directs you to an automated teller machine in the hotel. Chances are it’s an American Consumer Financial Network ATM. The company provides financial services and transaction processing solutions, with a national network of onsite ATMs in hotels and other travel and entertainment-based businesses.

The innovative ACFN (American Consumer Financial Network) announces its inclusion in the top 300 franchise opportunities for 2010 by AllStar AllBusiness. The honors include top ranking in three categories: growth, financial strength and general listing.

Unlike other companies in the industry, ACFN owns and controls the ATMs and does not charge fees to the businesses hosting the machines. Franchisees receive training on how to construct, own, and operate onsite ATMs. ACFN also provides ATM processing, network, administrative, marketing, and other types of support.

“These awards are a tremendous validation for a young, innovative company from Silicon Valley,” says Jeff Kerr, Founder and President of ACFN.

The national recognition that ACFN has gained is rightfully earned as the company expands its interests to provide services at more than 1,200 locations in North America.

According to Allstar, the company’s growth wasn’t meager — in 2009, one of the toughest years in recent history, ACFN increased its number of units by more than 20 percent and improved its financial health ranking from #124 to #97 this year.

Inclusion on the Allstar Allbusiness list, a subsidiary of Dun & Bradstreet brand is not an easy task.  After a daunting year of economic recession in 2009, many longstanding, established franchise companies have been unable to maintain their top 300 ranking.

ACFN’s ability to secure a place on this elite list of companies is a testament to their innovation and prospective strength as a franchise company.

ACFN is also ranked 64th on the Inc. Magazine listing of Top 100 Business Products & Services for 2009 and ranked 374th on the Inc. Magazine listing of Fastest Growing Private Companies and recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “Fast 50” Franchise Companies”. Franchise amongst the top high performing companies in the U.S.

American Consumer Financial Network

Public Sector Employees – ACFN ATM – Your Trusted Retirement Partner.

Public Sector employees have successfully maneuvered the recession, still many are concerned about the next step upon retirement. ATM business ACFN is offering a practical opportunity that promises real revenue and no nonsense.

As the recession appears to come to a close and some Americans are slowly coming out of financial hiding, the nation is beginning to notice which employment sectors truly are the last ones standing.

In addition to the intelligently invested, government employees are proving to be an excellent example of recession survivors.

“While private-sector employment fell sharply in the last two years,” the Manhattan Institute’s Josh Barro noted earlier this year, “the public-sector, civilian workforce continued growing until mid-2008. It has since remained essentially flat.

“While private-employment rolls are nearly 10 percent smaller than they were three years ago, public-employment rolls have grown by nearly 2 percent.”

Government employees have always kept our nation running smoothly, and have traditionally been paid reasonably well for it. From sanitation workers to public transportation operators, public sector employees have the backing of unions that work on their behalf to ensure they receive the best health care and pension plans available.

In terms of compensation, federal workers are rapidly pulling away from private employees. As USA Today’s Dennis Cauchon recently reported, “Federal workers earned an average salary of $67,691 in 2008 for occupations that exist both in government and the private sector, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The average pay for the same mix of jobs in the private sector was $60,046 in 2008, the most recent data available.”

And that’s only wages. Federal health, pension and other benefits are worth four times what private workers on average enjoy, Cauchon added.

However, health benefits and retirement plans weren’t the tools that allowed so many municipal workers to stay afloat. The real advantages are their high levels of job security, steadily increasing wages, and shockingly young retirement ages.

Department of Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond of Georgia discussed the benefits of government employment, “Government has been a huge job creation engine for most of the 1990s and through the early part of this century. The communities that have been most successful [through the recession] have benefited from a huge government investment.”

With so many of these workers retiring between the ages of 40 – 55, several of them have gone on to explore new opportunities after servicing their government. Tending toward business ideas that supplement their pension, they generally prefer low commitment engagements with high levels of return.

In response to the interest of this community, The ACFN ATM Franchise, a Silicon Valley company is recruiting retired public sector workers into their ranks. With over 1200 locations across the nation, ACFN (American Consumer Financial Network) offers the option to purchase their own ATM franchise. Franchisees can turn one ATM into dozens, and enjoy an excellent profit based on ATM service charges, incurred whenever their machine is used.

ACFN President and Founder Jeff Kerr directed this comment to government and municipal employees interested in owning their own business, “ACFN is an excellent opportunity for people who are interested in a straightforward opportunity that prides itself on being uncomplicated. We provide training and have a strong support team in place to help franchise owners with all aspects of operating their business including ATM placement and business management. No prior experience is required or needed to join ACFN”.

Generous retirement packages aside, the twenty-first century was a good time to be publicly employed. And with the advantage of large payouts upon departure, retirees are outfitted with lump sums of money that would be perfectly invested in ACFN’s entrepreneurial opportunity.

The franchise fee for ACFN starts at $25,000.

The company provides a comprehensive  training program at their headquarters in San Jose, California and the best ongoing customer service that is frequently described as second to none.

ACFN – ATM Franchise Business, Ranked #1 in category “Miscellaneous Financial

After almost six months of research and enough data entry to make any assistant’s fingers tingle with fright, Entrepreneur Magazine has just released their highly anticipated Franchise 500.

Jan 19, 2010 – After three decades of perfecting their system, Entrepreneur Magazine has become the most trusted name in franchise rankings around the world. Aspiring business owners rely on their objectivity when considering the prospect of buying a piece of the franchise pie.

Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 listing for 2010 ranks ACFN, the only ATM franchise business in the US, #1 in category “Miscellaneous Financial Services”.

ACFN the innovative ATM Franchise Business based in Silicon Valley, is North Americas only ATM franchise focused on providing ATM services to hotels and other travel and entertainment based businesses

Although they are only a small portion of the research needed to become a franchise entrepreneur, this ranking prides itself on being both strict and objective.

The leading judgment factors are stability, financial strength, growth rate, and size. Credibility is certainly not an issue.

Companies competing for the top spot face fierce competition from the two franchises that have held the #1 spot interchangeably for the last 15 years, Subway and McDonalds.

Most companies can only hope to be named #1 in their subcategory, usually a fairer competition.

Since debuting on the list in 2008, ACFN has been creeping up the charts over the last two years, finally reaching the ultimate spot in their category. A smaller business, ACFN is an everyman franchise.

With lower startup costs than most of their competitors on the list, they offer entrepreneurship to everyone able bodied enough to work a few hours a week managing machines and fixing the occasional technically difficulty.

Franchisees vary largely in age, race, location, and income, with their most successful machine belonging to a retired California schoolteacher who operates her business with the help of her only daughter.

President and Founder Jeff Kerr shared his elation over this year’s rankings, “Entrepreneur Magazine is the premier publication for business and being recognized by them is significant”.

“The ranking has already prompted many calls from qualified prospect inquiring about our business and we expect will result is many new franchisees joining”

“Being included in the Franchise 500 and earning the #1 rank in our category is a great achievement that we continue to work hard to protect and maintain in future years – we are just getting started”  says Kerr

With ambitious and triumphant words from Kerr, ACFN looks to increase their franchisees steadily as they have in the past, targeting an increase in their 1200 locations by four to five hundred this year.

ACFN’s 30k startup fee includes 1 ATM, a 3 day training program, customer service, and product placement assistance.

A Financial Opportunity in a Down Economy – American Consumer Financial Network

San Jose based, ACFN is ranked the 37th Fastest Growing Private Company in Silicon Valley, offering a proven method of business success and remains unshaken even in the grip of this recession, showing organic growth of 35%.

With the economy still struggling to get back on its feet, many people are still in search of more original means to financial security. Skyrocketing levels of unemployment have even pushed some to delve into the world of business ownership. Yet the rash of recent store closures has left many wondering what can be done to prevent loss and ultimately business failure.

Even tried and true business models like that of Blockbuster, with its 960 store closings, and Starbucks, with their 300 store closures, are reporting colossal loses with no sign of short term improvement.

Still, some are determined, and have launched headfirst into projects of many different shapes and sizes, from the exclusively online to the normal brick and mortar. While physical business locations might be more comfortable for some, this does not mean that the process is an easy one to arrange. For example, factors such as location, need, and profitability are all arenas that must to be intensely explored.

When investigating a location to launch a business, it is customary to employ research professionals to assess proposed locations to determine the likelihood of operating a thriving business in that area.  Still, the predictions generated by these individuals are not without their drawbacks and are by no means absolute. Armed with innovation, ATM business, ACFN has overcome the brick and mortar disadvantage by granting their business owners the opportunity to relocate when profits do not meet set standards.

ACFN’s proven model of success lets franchisees reposition their products in the most important sense. The right to move an ATM from a contracted location is built into the franchisee’s agreement with every vendor.

President of ACFN Jeff Kerr notes, ”Our goal is to make every ATM placement a success and with ACFN’s experienced market research team and best-in-class marketing, we achieve that goal most of the time”. For those locations that fall short of expectations, in contrast to the typical retail franchise where there are little to no solutions for this problem, we have built in down-side protection by including the right to remove in our agreements” adds Kerr.

“This unique feature of our business has been particularly beneficial in today’s volatile market allowing franchise owners to protect their investment and maximize their profits”. says Avi Blankroth, Executive Vice President of ACFN

In a time of no guarantees, the chance for a ‘do-over’ can definitely be appreciated. ACFN’s ATM franchise is a recession proof way to prosper in any economy.

About American Consumer Financial Network (“ACFN”)

ACFN is ranked the 37th Fastest Growing Private Company in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for 2009 and the 64th Fastest Growing Private Company on the Inc. Magazine listing of Top 100 Business Products & Services for 2009 and recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “Fast 50” franchise companies”.

Veterans Opt out of Corporate America and Into the ATM Franchise Business

They are among the nation’s elite when it comes to leadership, teamwork and getting the job done, so how do they work all of those skills into a stable, long-term career ?

Charlotte, NC – Of the approximately. 80 million small businesses in the U.S., four million are owned by US Veterans and 400,000 small businesses are owned by service-disabled veterans.

In the meantime, those veterans looking to get their feet into a small business are still having difficulty during this recession, as millions of Americans are.

Veterans are frequently overqualified for most entry-level jobs in terms of the technical expertise they have gained on the battlefield, yet they may not be quite experienced enough for mid-level jobs. They are among the nation’s elite when it comes to leadership, teamwork and getting the job done, so how do they work all of those skills into a stable, long-term career?

ACFN. a California based ATM Franchise Business is offering returning veterans the opportunity to start their own business, and fast.

Brian G, a veteran of the US Marines, is one of the many veterans who found his future with ACFN. After considering a transition into the corporate world, Brian instead opted to take a chance on business ownership. Now he operates a number of ATMs in his home state.

Brian’s main objective in owning his own business was the possibility of rapid expansion. He mentions, “I wanted to grow my business as fast as possible to produce an annual income large enough to sustain myself and my family. ACFN offered that without any major challenges.”

President of ACFN Jeff Kerr built his business with those goals in mind. He intended to create a business that was extremely flexible and allowed franchisees to dictate the size of their business without any drawbacks. He comments, “An ACFN business is very flexible and in most cases can be molded and scaled to fit a franchise owner’s specific set of circumstances.

“By allowing franchisees to retain their jobs and other business activities they have the benefit of rolling their ACFN profits directly back into their business to grow their business at a faster pace.”

VP of Sales Robert Harris, adds “Many of our franchisees have enough profitable locations to support themselves and so they choose to use their extra income exclusively for business growth. It’s a proven system and continues to make many of our owners very happy.” Over ten percent of ACFN Franchisees are Veterans.

The Veterans Administration is collaborating with the Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration to certify Veteran owned small businesses and service disabled Veteran owned small businesses for listing on the Federal Supply Register, which enhances their visibility and competitiveness, creating jobs for Veterans.

The SBA also partners with micro-lenders and other financial institutions providing small loans of up to $35,000. The Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan exists in case the vet’s business suffers economic damage after he or she is activated for duty. Another program, the Patriot Express Loan, is available to veterans, disabled vets, Reserve and National Guard members and spouses.

ACFN is ranked the 37th Fastest Growing Private Company in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley Business Journal for 2009 and the 64th Fastest Growing Private Company on the Inc. Magazine listing of Top 100 Business Products & Services for 2009 and recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of the “Fast 50” franchise companies”.