The Franchise Expo
If you are a would-be entrepreneur, there is no better place to gain insight than The Franchise Expo, at the Dallas Market Center Oct. 15-16. Do not be deterred by the shaky economy; franchising is a proven business model. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 95% of franchises are still in business after five years. The Franchise and Business Opportunities Expo is the perfect event for learning everything you need to know about franchising.
The Franchise Expo
This year’s Expo will be packed full of experts in the industry who can help you navigate the buying process and find access to capital. In addition, industry professionals will be on-site all weekend to answer questions and give free advice.
Interstate Batteries® will be there, too. An award-winning franchisor in the $86 billion global battery market, Interstate has been a trusted brand since 1952. Visit the Interstate Batteries booth to learn how you can become a part of the industry that provides the power as our world becomes increasingly mobile, wireless and handheld.
This is a priceless opportunity, and yet by clicking here, you can print a coupon for free admission. Whether you have already decided that franchising is the right choice for you and are just looking for the best company, or you just want to know more about franchise opportunities, The Franchise Expo is the place to be Oct. 15-16. Take advantage of this chance to invest in yourself and your future, and remember to stop by the Interstate Batteries booth.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Funding Youth for Tomorrow Today
NASCAR show cars and haulers served as some of the many attractions at this year’s NASCAR Day for Youth for Tomorrow.
Youth for Tomorrow
Interstate All Battery Center® in Woodbridge, Va., joined with racing history July 23 to change the lives of at-risk teens through Youth for Tomorrow (YFT). The famous Old Dominion Speedway hosted Joe Gibbs, founder of Youth for Tomorrow, and NASCAR celebrity drivers for the second annual Youth for Tomorrow NASCAR Day.
Hundreds of NASCAR fans swarmed Manassas, Va. on the hottest day of the year to watch the much anticipated YFT150. The family friendly event had everything from motorcycle jumping to monster trucks as well as celebrity go-kart races and the final YFT150 feature race on the Old Dominion Speedway. Celebrity racers competed along with local talent on the 3/8 mile track. In the end, a pile-up knocked out most celebrities, such as Sprint Cup Driver Andy Lally. Local favorite Mike Darne took first place for the second year.
Interstate All Battery volunteers raced go-karts before watching the professionals at the YFT150.
Youth for Tomorrow, founded in 1986, originally worked with at-risk boys to give them better opportunities. The original 150-acre facility now houses both boys and girls facing potential juvenile detention or in need of foster homes. The organization has helped more than 800 teens through a nurturing, Christian home, rigorous education and intensive counseling.
All Battery team members joined volunteers from 35 other companies in raising more than $200,000 at the event. Organized by Anthony Barbour, Woodbridge All Battery Franchisee, Team Members Robin Botkin, Donna Leverstein and David Ball distributed fliers and collected information for an iPad2 giveaway before participating in an All Battery go-kart race. Barbour said Ball acted as an ambassador for Interstate and YFT, going above and beyond in the 106-degree heat. Barbour, a board member of the organization for 17 years, loves bringing All Battery and Youth for Tomorrow together. After meeting Gibbs at Country Fair, an event similar to NASCAR Day, Barbour felt called to get involved. He hopes these events will encourage others to participate.
Youth for Tomorrow
Youth for Tomorrow depends on private contributions, raising more than $4 million annually. In the last 10 years, Youth for Tomorrow expanded its facilities, opened its doors to more students, built an all-girl wing and created programs targeting teen mothers. Without strong support from businesses and volunteers at events such as NASCAR Day, none of this would be possible. Team members at the Woodbridge All Battery Center consider themselves lucky to partner with an influential Christian organization based on changing lives and encourages others to participate in similar organizations as well.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Best Franchise Opportunities
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Why the World Needs Battery Recycling
Battery recycling seems complicated, and many of us have scores of dead batteries around our houses, because we are not quite sure what to do with them. It is tempting to simply throw them in the trash. Before you do that, there are some things to know about battery recycling.
Battery Recycling
- Recycling is the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint. Recycling reduces emissions and decreases the need to extract virgin materials. Battery recycling is important because the materials found in batteries pollute water sources as the metals vaporize into the air when batteries are burned. In addition, heavy metals from batteries may leach into the ground from solid waste landfills. The lead and acid are harmful to the environment, and the strong corrosive acids are hazardous to skin and eyes.
- Recycling alkaline batteries helps reduce landfills and helps build cities. It is true, alkaline batteries are considered household waste because they do not contain harmful chemicals. However, because they are so plentiful, recycling them helps to reduce the sheer amount of trash. The metal in alkaline batteries is reclaimed and used as rebar in concrete work, which is what builds roads, bridges and skyscrapers!
- Rechargeable batteries contain a wealth of valuable resources. Although alkaline batteries are safe to throw away, rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, and other ingredients that can be hazardous. Therefore, it is crucial they are not disposed of in landfills. The great news is that rechargeable batteries also contain valuable metals that can be easily extracted and repurposed.
- Recycling car batteries is easy and useful. Because auto batteries contain lead and sulfuric acid, they pose a danger if they end up in landfills. Fortunately, most retailers who sell auto batteries will take them back for recycling. The lead is then melted down to make new batteries, the plastic is broken down and repurposed, and the battery acid is neutralized and added to laundry detergent!
- Batteries for portable devices, such as cell phones and laptops, use the most up-to-date technology. However, lithium batteries can explode when exposed to heat, making them hazardous for landfills. It is imperative to recycle these batteries. The recycled batteries are useful, too, and are reused in stainless steel products.
Recycling rechargeable, automobile, and lithium ion batteries is vitally important. Interstate Batteries® is the top battery recycler in the country and . Interstate All Battery Center® is the ideal place to take your used household batteries.
Opportunity Abounds in the Battery Business
The battery business is booming. The industry is predicted to rake in an estimated $86.2 billion annually by 2012. Why the strong outlook? Interstate Batteries offers a few reasons:
- Batteries are everywhere.The rise in portable devices like cellphones and laptops has been a boon for the batteries that power them. And let’s not forget cars, boats and motorcycles – they use batteries, too.
- Batteries are innovative. Battery technology is constantly evolving. The ultracapacitor, for example, is shaping up to be one of the essential engines of the new energy economy. Storing and releasing energy five times faster than traditional batteries, it has an almost limitless cycle life. Innovations like this are expected to boost the battery market for years to come.
- Batteries can be green. Can you say “electric car?” With nearly every major automobile manufacturer selling hybrid cars, there’s lots of potential for growth in the battery industry.
- Batteries are well funded. Because of the enormous potential of batteries as a renewable energy source, the battery market has received an impressive $2.4 billion of federal stimulus money to be used toward development and innovation. Used prudently, these funds could significantly impact current research and development, making possible many new technologies.
Battery Business
Interstate Batteries, a leader in the battery business since 1952, has been named one of the top franchise opportunities in the United States for several years running by industry publications including AllBusiness, Entrepreneur Magazine and Franchise Business Review. With the battery market growing at the anticipated rate, the battery business is a great opportunity.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packettoday. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
PODER Magazine – Interstate All Battery, Best Franchise for Hispanics
For five years, PODER Magazine surveyed Hispanic diversity in franchises. This year, Interstate All Battery Center stood out as one of the best 25 franchises for Hispanics.
PODER Magazine
PODER Magazine, which takes its name from the Spanish verb meaning “to be able,” selects its top 25 franchises from a survey sent to more than 3,500 franchisors in the United States and Canada. As of May 2011, Interstate All Battery Center ranked 12th for Hispanic representation with a little less than 10 percent of Interstate All Battery stores managed or owned by Hispanics. Interstate All Battery Center franchisees also get the benefit of assistance programs, including bilingual commercial selling and mentoring and management training.
In its findings, PODER said, “Interstate All Battery Centers offer exceptional customer service alongside a vast array of batteries that accommodate rapidly changing technological needs.”
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Hiring Talent
Hiring Talent
Hiring Talent is important to the success of any business, but many managers find the hiring process to be intimidating. Make it easier by setting clear objectives and a plan to find the perfect candidate for the job.
- Hire talent over skill. Skills can be taught and experience must be gained, but talent is something innate. Talent combined with passion makes for the most successful people, and those are the people you want working for your business.
- Design a plan before you begin. Decide exactly which qualities are important to you, and think of questions to determine if a candidate has these qualities. Give some thought to what makes someone ideally suited to the position, and try to find ways to identify these characteristics during the interview.hi
- Choose a variety of questions. This will help you evaluate a candidate’s skills and personality. Compose questions that deal with work ethic, honesty, dependability and drive, but do not forget to come up with questions about interests and problem solving. Try to get a sense of not only the person’s background, but also his natural abilities and aptitude.
- Open-ended or scenario-driven questions will elicit useful responses. You want the information you obtain during the interview to be both relevant and substantive. To that end, design questions that ask the interviewee to think, instead of just spouting off answers from the resume.
The interview process is one of the most important aspects in building your business. Franchisees of Interstate All Battery Center® are given extensive operational instruction, including advice on how to hire the most talented people. Interstate Batteries® has been a leader in the battery business for more than 50 years, and is among the top franchisors in the country. This success is due, in part, to knowing how to assemble teams of talented people who provide excellent customer service and grow the business.
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Interstate All Battery Franchise Owner – Robert & Ann Sharber
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Interstate All Battery Center Fights Crime
Franchise owners Don Atkins, left, and Robert Montgomery supplied the unique power solution for the high-tech crime suppression surveillance vehicle, affectionately called the Armadillo. (Courtesy photo | Interstate All Battery Center Lafayette)
A new crime fighting tool is patrolling the streets of Lafayette, La., lending the police an extra set of eyes that never sleeps, all powered by Interstate All Battery Center® in Lafayette.
The Armadillo, an armored truck outfitted with six night vision, all-weather cameras hit the streets in April. The team outfitting the crime suppression surveillance vehicle faced a unique power problem: the former SWAT truck needs around-the-clock power without a generator or household hookup.
The police use the Armadillo as a form of “in-your-face law enforcement,” Police Chief Jim Craft said. The armored truck, with the Lafayette police’s name on the side, stands as a deterrent, an obnoxious reminder that is often parked in front of drug dealers’ houses, he said. The first of its kind deployed in Louisiana, the truck records street-level activity and transmits video to the department and vehicles on patrol.
To solve their power needs, the systems design group, Lafayette-based WOW Technologies, and police approached their local battery experts: the team at Interstate All Battery Center.
The process of devising a power solution took less than a month, All Battery Center co-owner Robert Montgomery said. Manager Mike Melancon (pronounced with the Cajun tongue: “mel-on-sahn”) lent his expertise to the project. The Armadillo uses a variety of batteries to power the truck’s eight different systems and provide backup power: absorbent glass-mat batteries, sealed lead-acid batteries and the familiar Group 31s.
After the Armadillo’s April unveiling, the Lafayette police rolled up to the All Battery Center with some feedback: the power lasts a lot longer than expected.
Montgomery said the police originally expected two days of operation, maybe three days at most. Instead, the power system continued running, topping out on the fourth day. Already, the police department has asked the All Battery Center for a little help to provide solar power to extend operating time further.
The Armadillo’s already made an impact. Drug activity at a few notorious spots around town stopped altogether after police parked the Interstate-powered truck nearby. Video surveillance led to arrests in a few instances where alleged drug dealers flaunted the law in the truck’s presence, thinking an empty truck meant the power was turned off.
In an ironic twist, more than half the money paying to outfit the Armadillo came from money forfeited from drug seizures. A security transportation company originally donated the truck. The police used it as their SWAT unit. With $10,000 from the Lafayette Economic Development Authority and $15,000 from drug seizures, the design team equipped the truck with a 24-hour surveillance system. And of course, the Interstate All Battery Center team provided the power.
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Hot Weather Damages Car Batteries – Interstate All Battery Franchise
Interstate All Battery Center
Are you interested in becoming a battery expert and joining a successful franchise system? Consider franchising with Interstate All Battery Center®. People have trusted the Interstate Batteries® brand since 1952, and its award-winning franchise system can help you claim your piece of the growing battery market. Request your Franchise Information Packet today. You can also learn about us in the news section and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
