An Army officer exploring his options for a post-military career, business people interested in buying franchises and franchise professionals working on their career development were among 34 attendees at UTEP’s semiannual franchise seminar, which started Thursday.
The seminar in the University of Texas at El Paso’s Union East Wing will continue today and Saturday.
Participants came from the Borderland, the rest of Texas and as far away as Palm Springs, Calif., to attend the Franchise Management Certificate Program organized by UTEP’s Franchise Center.
Army Lt. Col. Fabian Cook, who is stationed at Fort Bliss and has served in the military for 25 years, is exploring what he can do when he retires in 2009 or 2010.
“I’ve always had an interest in entrepreneurial ideas,” Cook said.
He’s interested in buying a franchise that provides educational services for children, but he wants to learn as much as he can and start formulating some plans for his future.
“This is an excellent program,” Cook said. “You have people from around the country who are already operating in this industry, giving you instruction.”
Carolyn Gough, executive director of UTEP’s Franchise Center, said the seminar is designed to give participants a “big picture look at franchising” and called the program a “mini-graduate course.”
Topics to be covered include franchise law, how to finance your business, management training, site selection, branding and creating a business plan.
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