FRANdata, the nation’s leading source of information and analysis for the U.S. Franchise industry, has been acquired by former company president Darrell Johnson. Johnson has retained the FRANdata staff to continue handling the company’s operations.

“This move is a significant step forward in FRANdata’s position as the leading provider of franchise industry information services,” Johnson said. “FRANdata is widely relied upon for unbiased reporting of information and research. Through this acquisition we will maintain our objectivity and be even better positioned to help franchisors, franchisees and industry product and service providers make better business decisions.”

Johnson was instrumental in arranging for his employer, the National Cooperative Bank, to acquire FRANdata in 2001. For the last several years, FRANdata focused on the development of a robust database that would allow the company to more fully address the franchise industry’s changing needs. With that work largely done, Johnson realized that the growth opportunities for FRANdata were significant and required full-time dedicated management.

Under the ownership of Johnson, FRANdata will put the database to work in conjunction with FRANdata's other capabilities. This will significantly expand the company's ability to support decision-making throughout the entire franchise community with capabilities that have not previously been possible.

In fact, FRANdata offers a host of customized services to its diverse client base. FRANdata can support or even become the outsourced provider of research and competitive intelligence functions for franchisors. The company can provide prospective franchisees and multi-unit franchisees with information that will help them evaluate franchise concepts for potential investment. On the legal front, FRANdata can support litigation and franchise agreement developments while providing ongoing risk profiles of franchise concepts for prospective investors and financiers. Additionally, FRANdata can offer targeted marketing services to help product and equipment suppliers focus their advertising dollars.

Johnson has served as president of the company for the past two years. During this time he also managed NCB Cooperative Services, overseeing several other ventures for the NCB family of companies primarily focused on small businesses, including franchise organizations. Before joining NCB in 1992, Johnson was a senior banker with several investment banking groups specializing in corporate finance, operational restructuring and international transaction facilitation.

“There is a tremendous need for information in all segments of the franchise industry and FRANdata has the capabilities to fill that void,” Johnson said, further noting that the franchise industry is one of the fastest growing market segments of the U.S. economy, accounting for almost 40 percent of all retail sales. “FRANdata has a staff that is dedicated, knowledgeable and ready to meet the industry’s rapidly changing needs.”

About FRANdata

Founded in 1989, FRANdata is the franchise industry’s number one source for objective information and analysis. FRANdata receives no advertising or other fee arrangements that might influence its unbiased nature. Using its proprietary software to access data from various sources, including its library of more than 15,000 Uniform Franchise Offering Circulars, FRANdata supports the research and competitive intelligence functions of franchisors, helps franchisees evaluate different concepts, provides information and analysis for legal and financial organizations, and provides marketing access to franchisors and franchisees.

Franchise News Release: Washington, DC - (Feb-20-2004)