2014 MVPs! 13 Operators Honored For Outstanding Performance

In these challenging times, it pays to be as prepared as possible. Here are some suggestions from the banker's side of the desk that will help increase your chances of success when it comes time to renew or renegotiate your current loan structure.

When you look at the life and career of multi-unit franchisee Don Davey, you'll notice a pattern

Bobby and Lori Forrest came well-prepared for their second careers as multi-unit franchisees for Sport Clips.

On a personal level, I bet 100 percent of you agree with me that people really do matter, but are you living it every day in your businesses?

In these challenging times, it pays to be as prepared as possible. Here are some suggestions from the banker's side of the desk that will help increase your chances of success when it comes time to renew or renegotiate your current loan structure.

Nachhattar Chandi is not exaggerating when he describes his story as one that began with "colossal odds" and resulted in "triumph."

Ten years ago, when FRANdata began tracking the concentration of units controlled by multi-unit franchisees, it totaled 45 percent. Today, multi-unit operators control 55 percent of all franchise units.

For the past 30 years, the U.S. has experienced the longest bull market on record for fixed-income securities. As interest rates declined, investors in bonds benefited.

Jim Lager doesn't talk about himself a lot, but will allow that he's "pretty good at taking lousy businesses and turning them into something.

Chris Moore, a multi-unit Watermill Express franchisee, is in the enviable position of knowing exactly who his customers are, what they want, and why—and where—they want it.

Checkers co-franchisees Bruce Keehn and Andrew Lynn don't seek photo ops or newspaper articles about all the good they do in their communities.

Craig Joy, who works side by side with employees on the sandwich line at his Checkers restaurants in Florida, is known for his people-driven approach to business and the high retention rate of what he calls his "incredible team."

Sam Anabi's time as a police officer in La Verne, Calif., laid the foundation for his business focus of helping those in need.