Page 152 - BWM March 2013

152 | Business World Magazine | March 2013
ers. Franchisees are assigned a Franchise
Field Consultant to act as a business coach
to guide them through everything – from
site selection through training to the grand
opening and onwards. “They also assist with
local marketing plans and communicate best
practices.”
Before someone signs on to become a
franchisee, they’re required to attend a “Dis-
covery Day” at corporate headquarters in
Florida. The schedule allows for time to ex-
amine the operations and meet the depart-
ment heads, Kaloust says. “The Discovery
Day includes a complete look at what this
company is all about. You’re meeting with
someone who’s not only been here for five or
six years, you’re meeting someone who really
understands the area they’re operating.”
FUTURE FULFILLMENT
Looking ahead to the longer term, Medi-
Weightloss will continue to expand and add
more franchises in the next five to 10 years.
But it will be growth that occurs naturally
over time, not too fast or too soon, Kaloust
says, noting they’re adding new clinics at a
rateof about onepermonthcurrently. “We’ve
developed the company on organic growth
with one foot in front of the other. He envi-
sions a day when Medi-Weightloss is estab-