The most important thing anyone can do who is going through this process of discovery, of resetting their life, of trying to start their own business, is to work with Terry Coker. I absolutely recommend Terry Coker.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with (unfortunately, very few) people who transcend not only their profession, but beyond. Ray is one of those people.
Terry prepared me for everything through the entire process. He has given me the benefit of his experience, his knowledge, what he learned working with prior clients who have bought this franchise. He prepared me every step of the way. I have already recommended Terry to friends who want to explore franchising.
Ray is the ultimate professional. He’s personable with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the franchise industry. He identifies franchises that fit the lifestyle and needs of his clients. As a new franchisee, he “held my hand throughout the entire process.’ He demonstrated his sincerity, attentiveness and always provided an array of solutions to any problem. If you are in search of a franchise, consider Ray Fanning.
Terry Coker wasn’t the first person I talked to when I was looking to invest in a franchise, but he was the last.
Ray was excellent to work with guiding me through the franchise process. I would definitely recommend Ray to anyone exploring a franchise!
When I realized it was time for an encore career, I called Terry. Best call I could have made. Terry took the time to interview me and ask me incredibly thoughtful questions about what I was looking for. When he presented a business idea to me, it just felt right from the start.
“I would like to recommend Ray for anybody interested in exploring the franchise world. Ray was able to guide us through the whole process, from brainstorming what would be interesting, taking the compatibility test to finally exploring the final franchise candidates.”
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Terry on a new project for the franchise industry that’s bound to make it easier for new franchisees to find their right concept. As we’ve embarked on this partnership, Terry has been a perfect example of the type of person you want on your side.
“I worked with Ray for several months regarding my franchise search.
Ray did a fantastic job of walking me through the process in a natural, systematic approach.
Ray’s enjoyable to work with and truly cares about you and your best interests! “
“I worked with Terry in 2006 and 2007 while considering purchasing a franchise. I was impressed with Terry’s professionalism. He was always punctual with our appointments and often stayed late to accomodate my schedule. He was well prepared for every meeting which inspired me to come to the meeting prepared as well.
It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know Ray. He has been very professional in his business approach. Ray took the time to get to know me and assessed my strengths and preferences, to help guide me towards the best professional opportunities. It was an insightful exercise and provided a valuable picture of my inclinations and helped to direct me in my career choices. It has been a pleasure working with Ray and I would recommend him to anyone. Ray takes a genuine interest in his clients and is focused on helping others.
I’ve known Terry for several years through various franchise industry affiliations. Terry is one of the most personable, professional and knowledgeable franchise executives I know. My candidates are always treated with a high level of respect and honesty when working with Terry. He is adept at educating them on the business and financial models of the franchise opportunities, allowing them to eventually make a very well informed business decision. I would recommend that anyone considering business ownership take the time to speak with Terry and to take advantage of his vast knowledge and resources.
It was a pleasure to work with Mr. Fanning. He provides a top notch personalized service and is always patient and accessible to answer any questions throughout the process. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with him in the near future.
I’ve referred people/clients to Terry who are thinking of starting a franchise business. Terry has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and displays an incredible sense of follow up.
It was a pleasure working with Ray. He took time to assess my strengths and introduced me to several great franchises that would have been a good fit for me. He genuinely likes assisting people find their right fit. I would recommend working with Ray to anyone. And should I choose to open a franchise at any point going forward my first phone call will be to Ray.
Terry was one of the first development team members I hired at Service Brands International. Terry is highly skilled in the art of coaching prospective business owners through the process of making a business investment decision.
I’ve been working with Ray for over a year now. With no pressure at all, he’s been sending great franchise options my way – tailored to my needs. I haven’t pulled the trigger on anything yet but the experience has been great. Ray knows the franchise business!
I worked with Terry for several years at Service Brands International. Terry was exceptionally hard-working, passionate about franchise sales, a consummate networker and skilled at moving qualified prospective franchisees through a defined due diligence process.
“Ray was one of my early mentors. I was a newbie and he agreed to lend a hand. Actually he was willing to lend both hands, and an arm and a leg, too! Ray made time for me then and he always makes time for his candidates.
Ray has a way of combining practical business advice with some good old-fashioned humor so it all makes sense! Ray is honest, genuine and the person everyone would want to say hello to at a class reunion. He forms lasting relationships and isn’t that what you want when you’re considering business ownership?! Two thumbs up.”
“I could never have done this as well by myself, at least not this fast and effectively. There are too many data points to sift through, so my advice to anyone considering a franchise is to work with Terry Coker.“
Read these recommendations ! They tell a great story. I have known Ray for over 12 years and have always been impressed with his knowledge; transparency and honesty. Ray will work for your business. He will educate and inform you so you can feel confident you have made the right decision . He is great at a consultative sale- realizing that he is a trusted advisor upon which you can rely. He is objective; patient and thorough. I would not go anywhere else when considering a franchise. He is a consummate professional and will become a friend !
Ray was referred to me five years ago. I didn’t dive into business ownership immediately but he didn’t pressure me at all. His guidance and experiences helped me every step of the way to discuss my thoughts and concerns. I am lucky to call Ray a mentor.
“Ray is a great person! He really gets to know you and what franchises would be a best fit for you to enjoy and be successful! Over the time I’ve gotten to know Ray, he has provided me with not only franchise options but also key information related to picking out a winning company.
Ray was recommended to me by a friend that had purchased his business working with Ray. Ray knows his stuff and is a straight forward great person to work with!“
Ray Fanning took the time to really understand my business and personal characteristics and did a tremendous job marshaling me through the franchise process. His ability to match me with exactly the right franchises in the right industries more than met my expectations. I would recommend his services and his assistance to anyone looking to explore entrepreneurial franchise endeavors!
Working with Ray was such a positive experience for us. We knew immediately from our first conversation that Ray wanted the best for us. He put in so much effort to get to know our strengths and our interests thereby giving us great franchise options to look into. He personally guided us through a very daunting process to a perfect business choice for us. Ray continues to support us by providing tons of information to make getting going a total success. I would say that after our experience I consider Ray a personal friend as well as a coach. Ray Fanning should be your only choice if you are looking for a franchise coach.
I really enjoyed getting to know Ray, and I could tell right off that he was in this business for his client and not just for himself. The process that we went through together really taught me quite a bit about myself and what path I needed to take next. Though our conversations were centered around franchises, Ray was most interested in me and what best suited me at this point in my life. Ray is in this business for the right reasons, and I am happy to recommend him.
In the past year, Ray has been a great resource for me while I was researching and purchasing a franchise. As I explored what I wanted to do with my life going forward, he took the time to learn about me and ask good, thoughtful questions that allowed him to explore my strengths and values against potential matches for franchise ownership. He was patient while we worked through a few dead ends and continued to stay in close touch as we narrowed down the possibilities. Due to Ray’s assistance, I closed on a franchise in late 2018 and am having a great time learning and growing. His continued concern with how things are going and his willingness to support me through publicity and advice are so appreciated. I’m happy to recommend Ray and thank him for what’s his done for my career.
“After owning businesses in the past, and then returning to corporate America during an economic slowdown, I knew when the market was stable I would want to own a business again. My wife and I looked at several options and when we came to franchising and connected with Ray we knew we not only made the right choice, but we made a life-long friend as well.”
When it comes to Franchise Brokers, Ray is the real deal. Throughout the time I worked with him as a Development Director at Office Evolution, he consistently demonstrated a keen ability to customize the process for each candidate to ensure they ultimately made the best decision for themselves. In addition, the individuals we worked with were appropriately vetted and fully prepared for all aspects of their exploration. In addition, Ray has great follow up and communication skills, treating everyone as a respected partner throughout the process… it’s a pleasure to work with somebody as professional as him.
If you would like to start a dream of opening your own business, look no further. Ray is the one you NEED to talk to. He will find out what your interests are and your background to get a feel of what may be the right choice for you. There are some options that you would have never even thought of, till Ray brought them up. He will describe how the entire process will go and get updates from you along the way to see how things are going and also point you in the right direction. He will answer any questions you have and stay on the line with you till you are satisfied. I felt very comfortable speaking with him and find him very knowledgeable about business and franchising in general. Now my dreams have come true, thanks to Ray!
“If you are interested in opening a franchise but don’t know where to start – start with Ray Fanning.
My wife and I worked closely with Ray for several months evaluating different franchise opportunities. We started the process with little knowledge of how franchises work, scared of “the fine print” and unforeseen start-up costs, and had no clear idea of where to start. Ray spent significant time helping us understand the franchise model, how to evaluate different opportunities, how and where to start and what to expect all along the way.
I highly value and trust Ray’s opinions and greatly look forward to to working with him again”
It was such a pleasure working with Ray on The Summit School’s Board of Directors. As Executive Director of this non-profit independent school for bright students with learning differences, it is important for me to have volunteer board members who bring business acumen and deep, creative thinking and problem solving skills to the enterprise. These talents help me, as a school leader and visionary, make decisions that are sound yet innovative to continue our trajectory of excellence in education. Ray was that board member. He was a generative thinker and change agent, and a business planner. He knew when to support my ideas and when to question them. His questions were thought-provoking and often brought a new perspective to the conversation which positively influenced the decision-making process. He is a team player and always respectful of the opinions and ideas brought forward by me and fellow board members. He was willing to engage in difficult conversations in a balanced way that resulted in consensus building. His advice whrn ddifficult situations occurred was thoughful and pragmatic. He has a great sense of humor and was always a sincere supporter of our work, our successes, and our aspirations for growth and transformation to fulfill the needs of the 21st century learner. I learned from Ray, laughed with him, and thoroughly enjoyed working with him during his tenure on Summit’s board.
I worked with Ray Fanning as I considered the next step in my career. I found Ray to be a consummate professional and consistent resource who considered not only my professional but also my personal and life decisions. I still plan on working with Ray and I recommend Ray without hesitation for people who prefer a hands-on coach who can guide them through their investment and franchise decisions.
“Ray is very persistent in his belief regarding his knowledge and business sense.
I was looking at a home care franchise and he persisted in having me contact Executive Care in NJ. After meeting with them I was convinced they were the company to go with. If not for Ray’s insight I would have gone with another company and who knows what would have happened.”
"Ray is one of the elite players in the industry. To achieve this it takes a unique command of consulting capability blended with knowing the franchise industry from the inside-out.
At the end of the day he enables people who have the confidence that it takes to make a timely important decision and be successful owning a franchise.”
Ray is an outstanding business consultant. Ray helped me evaluate franchise opportunities. His work was well organized, timely and thoughtful. Ray is an excellent communicator with a wealth of experience. I would not hesitate to recommend Ray to others that are considering franchise opportunities. Thank you, Ray.
I have had the opportunity to work with Ray for over 8 years. We have both worked together in assisting clients realize their dreams of business ownership. ( Franchising ). Ray has the dedication, integrity, and the professionalism that is imperative in this line of work.
Ray is a true professional with a track record of success in the franchise community. His genuine care and concern makes him a pleasure to work with.
“Making the process easy and to the point!” I’ve worked with a lot of business partners and customers over the years but I must say that Ray is one of the best. He is helpful, supportive and intelligent in the way he works with you and the team on issues that can be complex or confusing. He simplifies issues to make them easier to understand and then moves the program forward. On top of this, he is just a great guy to talk with and work with.
Ray was very helpful in finding a business that worked for me. I highly recommend him and his services.
Ray exemplifies the best in franchising. He is sound and strategic in his analysis and extremely effective in helping aspiring entrepreneurs to find just the right franchise partner. When you work with Ray you are working with the best!
Ray Fanning does an outstanding job of matching great people with great opportunities. He takes the time to know and understand franchise business models intimately. In addition, he asks the right questions of his clients to arrive at the right opportunity for them. Lastly, it has been my experience that people who are serious about business ownership truly respect Ray’s honest and direct approach.
Ray was extremely helpful to me while I was searching for a business. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Ray listens and tries to understand what you are looking for and is exceptional at what he does. I would recommend Ray to anyone and trust that he will work hard for you.
I first met Ray in Washington, DC while on business. A few years later when I was ready to look and I checked in with Ray. I did so because he’s a good guy who knows the world of franchising very well and doesn’t pressure you. I eventually did settle on a business opportunity and Ray helped guide me through the process. I would recommend him to anyone interested in exploring the world of franchising.
I’ve worked with Ray for five years, while he was at FranChoice and I was with two different franchise companies. He’s a well rounded franchise executive, having held operations positions as well as franchise development positions with franchisors. He’s consistently among the top franchise consultants in the industry. Ray achieves these results because of his knowledge, hard work and taking time to understand his candidates.
Thanks to Ray, Derrick and I found a direct mail franchise to invest in, UMS for Central Chicago. Ray was dedicated to helping us choose a business that fit our lifestyle, budget, and our skill sets. I would recommend Ray, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with interested entrepreneurs.
Ray is the quintessential franchise professional. He has achieved success at every level and brings unparalleled energy to every activity. His dedication to his craft is exceeding only by his dedication as a family man.
Ray was a great help to me during the time I was researching franchise business opportunities. Ray has a great depth of knowledge about franchises and small business ownership, and demonstrates that he really cares about the people he works with. I know throughout the process that Ray had my best interests at heart, and I am grateful for his guidance.
Ray is one of the premier franchise consultants in the country. He has consistently found top quality franchise candidates and matched them with top quality franchise systems. He has personal experience in franchising that gives him tremendous credibility. He has the work ethic, relationships and personality that make him enjoyable to work with. If you or anyone you know is interested in a franchise opportunity, Ray will take great care of them.
Ray is a dynamic professional, that clearly understands how to drive and influence positive relationships. He is one of those rare pros that understands how to drive real solutions that change people’s lives for the better. He understands human nature and how to guide people in the right direction. It has been a real pleasure working with Ray and I look forward to working with Ray in the future.
I worked with Ray about a year ago as a client interested in exploring francise opportunities. Ray was repectful, honest, and respected my questions and gave excellent advise in how to find the information I sought.
Ray is a franchise professional. He has the unique experience of working as both a franchisor and franchisee. Ray is a person of integrity, a great family man and a person that I have used as both a resource and mentor in my franchise development maturity.
I have worked with Ray for some time researching franchises and identifying what is best for my specific situation, including changes in family needs, lifestyle changes, skill-set and financial situation. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to invest in a franchise. Ray has a refined process, built on “know how” and experience.
Ray is well versed in the franchising space and thus a great asset to any franchising endeavor.
Ray did exactly what he said he would do, which is match my profile to a franchise opportunity in my area. It was a great match and I’m very happy. Ray is definitely a franchise professional who knows his craft. Thanks!
Ray has a sincere desire to help find the right fit for his clients. An excellent working experience. Knowledgable and patient, he stays on the project without being over the top.
This is a guy you want to work with. Smart, honest, reputable, experienced. Hire him.
Ray is an excellent franchise broker who I highly recommend for anyone looking to invest in a franchise. The process that he takes his candidates through is thorough and detailed.
I cannot recommend Ray highly enough as an advisor and career coach. He is more knowledgible about franchsing than anyone you will find. But his main interest is in you. If you are at a critical decision point in your career, I recommend talking to Ray. His expert advice will be of tremendous value and he is a terrific person to boot!
“Ray is the best kind of leader. He has a great caring personality, integrity and a strong vision. He gives you the tools to achieve your goals and celebrates your achievements with you!
“Franchises! If you even think about a franchise than it is imperative that you speak with Ray!. I have owned 2 franchises in the past. Ray helped me with his Informed Decision Process.
Clearly, if your thinking about a franchise or anything related to franchises than you must speak with Ray Fanning. You owe it to yourself!”
Ray is an outstanding consultant in that he listens well and makes sound, experience-based recommendations that meet your specific need. I would work with Ray again, without hesitation.
Ray is by far the most professional and resourceful consultant I’ve worked with. Ray is a definite authority in the franchise industry. I would strongly recommend his services to anyone investigating a franchise opportunity, knowing they would receive the most professional service available.
Ray Fanning is a highly educated and informed resource on franchise opportunities. He spends the time to help formulate excellent opportunities by understanding and questioning one’s interests and objectives. Ray has shown a high-level of professionalism, patience, and awareness for his clients.
Ray has an incredible ability to connect with people as he takes the time to genuinely understand what drives their entrepreneurial spirit. He has a sincere desire to help find the right business fit for his clients without being over the top. I highly value his thoughts and I look forward to collaborating with Ray again.
The most important thing anyone can do who is going through this process of discovery, of resetting their life, of trying to start their own business, is to work with Terry Coker. I absolutely recommend Terry Coker.
Terry prepared me for everything through the entire process. He has given me the benefit of his experience, his knowledge, what he learned working with prior clients who have bought this franchise. He prepared me every step of the way. I have already recommended Terry to friends who want to explore franchising.
Terry Coker wasn’t the first person I talked to when I was looking to invest in a franchise, but he was the last.
When I realized it was time for an encore career, I called Terry. Best call I could have made. Terry took the time to interview me and ask me incredibly thoughtful questions about what I was looking for. When he presented a business idea to me, it just felt right from the start.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Terry on a new project for the franchise industry that’s bound to make it easier for new franchisees to find their right concept. As we’ve embarked on this partnership, Terry has been a perfect example of the type of person you want on your side.
“I worked with Terry in 2006 and 2007 while considering purchasing a franchise. I was impressed with Terry’s professionalism. He was always punctual with our appointments and often stayed late to accomodate my schedule. He was well prepared for every meeting which inspired me to come to the meeting prepared as well.
I’ve known Terry for several years through various franchise industry affiliations. Terry is one of the most personable, professional and knowledgeable franchise executives I know. My candidates are always treated with a high level of respect and honesty when working with Terry. He is adept at educating them on the business and financial models of the franchise opportunities, allowing them to eventually make a very well informed business decision. I would recommend that anyone considering business ownership take the time to speak with Terry and to take advantage of his vast knowledge and resources.
I’ve referred people/clients to Terry who are thinking of starting a franchise business. Terry has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and displays an incredible sense of follow up.
Terry was one of the first development team members I hired at Service Brands International. Terry is highly skilled in the art of coaching prospective business owners through the process of making a business investment decision.
I worked with Terry for several years at Service Brands International. Terry was exceptionally hard-working, passionate about franchise sales, a consummate networker and skilled at moving qualified prospective franchisees through a defined due diligence process.
“I could never have done this as well by myself, at least not this fast and effectively. There are too many data points to sift through, so my advice to anyone considering a franchise is to work with Terry Coker.“
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working with (unfortunately, very few) people who transcend not only their profession, but beyond. Ray is one of those people.
Ray is the ultimate professional. He’s personable with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the franchise industry. He identifies franchises that fit the lifestyle and needs of his clients. As a new franchisee, he “held my hand throughout the entire process.’ He demonstrated his sincerity, attentiveness and always provided an array of solutions to any problem. If you are in search of a franchise, consider Ray Fanning.
Ray was excellent to work with guiding me through the franchise process. I would definitely recommend Ray to anyone exploring a franchise!
“I would like to recommend Ray for anybody interested in exploring the franchise world. Ray was able to guide us through the whole process, from brainstorming what would be interesting, taking the compatibility test to finally exploring the final franchise candidates.”
“I worked with Ray for several months regarding my franchise search.
Ray did a fantastic job of walking me through the process in a natural, systematic approach.
Ray’s enjoyable to work with and truly cares about you and your best interests! “
It has been a pleasure working with and getting to know Ray. He has been very professional in his business approach. Ray took the time to get to know me and assessed my strengths and preferences, to help guide me towards the best professional opportunities. It was an insightful exercise and provided a valuable picture of my inclinations and helped to direct me in my career choices. It has been a pleasure working with Ray and I would recommend him to anyone. Ray takes a genuine interest in his clients and is focused on helping others.
It was a pleasure to work with Mr. Fanning. He provides a top notch personalized service and is always patient and accessible to answer any questions throughout the process. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with him in the near future.
It was a pleasure working with Ray. He took time to assess my strengths and introduced me to several great franchises that would have been a good fit for me. He genuinely likes assisting people find their right fit. I would recommend working with Ray to anyone. And should I choose to open a franchise at any point going forward my first phone call will be to Ray.
I’ve been working with Ray for over a year now. With no pressure at all, he’s been sending great franchise options my way – tailored to my needs. I haven’t pulled the trigger on anything yet but the experience has been great. Ray knows the franchise business!
“Ray was one of my early mentors. I was a newbie and he agreed to lend a hand. Actually he was willing to lend both hands, and an arm and a leg, too! Ray made time for me then and he always makes time for his candidates.
Ray has a way of combining practical business advice with some good old-fashioned humor so it all makes sense! Ray is honest, genuine and the person everyone would want to say hello to at a class reunion. He forms lasting relationships and isn’t that what you want when you’re considering business ownership?! Two thumbs up.”
Read these recommendations ! They tell a great story. I have known Ray for over 12 years and have always been impressed with his knowledge; transparency and honesty. Ray will work for your business. He will educate and inform you so you can feel confident you have made the right decision . He is great at a consultative sale- realizing that he is a trusted advisor upon which you can rely. He is objective; patient and thorough. I would not go anywhere else when considering a franchise. He is a consummate professional and will become a friend !
Ray was referred to me five years ago. I didn’t dive into business ownership immediately but he didn’t pressure me at all. His guidance and experiences helped me every step of the way to discuss my thoughts and concerns. I am lucky to call Ray a mentor.
“Ray is a great person! He really gets to know you and what franchises would be a best fit for you to enjoy and be successful! Over the time I’ve gotten to know Ray, he has provided me with not only franchise options but also key information related to picking out a winning company.
Ray was recommended to me by a friend that had purchased his business working with Ray. Ray knows his stuff and is a straight forward great person to work with!“
Ray Fanning took the time to really understand my business and personal characteristics and did a tremendous job marshaling me through the franchise process. His ability to match me with exactly the right franchises in the right industries more than met my expectations. I would recommend his services and his assistance to anyone looking to explore entrepreneurial franchise endeavors!
Working with Ray was such a positive experience for us. We knew immediately from our first conversation that Ray wanted the best for us. He put in so much effort to get to know our strengths and our interests thereby giving us great franchise options to look into. He personally guided us through a very daunting process to a perfect business choice for us. Ray continues to support us by providing tons of information to make getting going a total success. I would say that after our experience I consider Ray a personal friend as well as a coach. Ray Fanning should be your only choice if you are looking for a franchise coach.
I really enjoyed getting to know Ray, and I could tell right off that he was in this business for his client and not just for himself. The process that we went through together really taught me quite a bit about myself and what path I needed to take next. Though our conversations were centered around franchises, Ray was most interested in me and what best suited me at this point in my life. Ray is in this business for the right reasons, and I am happy to recommend him.
In the past year, Ray has been a great resource for me while I was researching and purchasing a franchise. As I explored what I wanted to do with my life going forward, he took the time to learn about me and ask good, thoughtful questions that allowed him to explore my strengths and values against potential matches for franchise ownership. He was patient while we worked through a few dead ends and continued to stay in close touch as we narrowed down the possibilities. Due to Ray’s assistance, I closed on a franchise in late 2018 and am having a great time learning and growing. His continued concern with how things are going and his willingness to support me through publicity and advice are so appreciated. I’m happy to recommend Ray and thank him for what’s his done for my career.
“After owning businesses in the past, and then returning to corporate America during an economic slowdown, I knew when the market was stable I would want to own a business again. My wife and I looked at several options and when we came to franchising and connected with Ray we knew we not only made the right choice, but we made a life-long friend as well.”
When it comes to Franchise Brokers, Ray is the real deal. Throughout the time I worked with him as a Development Director at Office Evolution, he consistently demonstrated a keen ability to customize the process for each candidate to ensure they ultimately made the best decision for themselves. In addition, the individuals we worked with were appropriately vetted and fully prepared for all aspects of their exploration. In addition, Ray has great follow up and communication skills, treating everyone as a respected partner throughout the process… it’s a pleasure to work with somebody as professional as him.
If you would like to start a dream of opening your own business, look no further. Ray is the one you NEED to talk to. He will find out what your interests are and your background to get a feel of what may be the right choice for you. There are some options that you would have never even thought of, till Ray brought them up. He will describe how the entire process will go and get updates from you along the way to see how things are going and also point you in the right direction. He will answer any questions you have and stay on the line with you till you are satisfied. I felt very comfortable speaking with him and find him very knowledgeable about business and franchising in general. Now my dreams have come true, thanks to Ray!
“If you are interested in opening a franchise but don’t know where to start – start with Ray Fanning.
My wife and I worked closely with Ray for several months evaluating different franchise opportunities. We started the process with little knowledge of how franchises work, scared of “the fine print” and unforeseen start-up costs, and had no clear idea of where to start. Ray spent significant time helping us understand the franchise model, how to evaluate different opportunities, how and where to start and what to expect all along the way.
I highly value and trust Ray’s opinions and greatly look forward to to working with him again”
It was such a pleasure working with Ray on The Summit School’s Board of Directors. As Executive Director of this non-profit independent school for bright students with learning differences, it is important for me to have volunteer board members who bring business acumen and deep, creative thinking and problem solving skills to the enterprise. These talents help me, as a school leader and visionary, make decisions that are sound yet innovative to continue our trajectory of excellence in education. Ray was that board member. He was a generative thinker and change agent, and a business planner. He knew when to support my ideas and when to question them. His questions were thought-provoking and often brought a new perspective to the conversation which positively influenced the decision-making process. He is a team player and always respectful of the opinions and ideas brought forward by me and fellow board members. He was willing to engage in difficult conversations in a balanced way that resulted in consensus building. His advice whrn ddifficult situations occurred was thoughful and pragmatic. He has a great sense of humor and was always a sincere supporter of our work, our successes, and our aspirations for growth and transformation to fulfill the needs of the 21st century learner. I learned from Ray, laughed with him, and thoroughly enjoyed working with him during his tenure on Summit’s board.
I worked with Ray Fanning as I considered the next step in my career. I found Ray to be a consummate professional and consistent resource who considered not only my professional but also my personal and life decisions. I still plan on working with Ray and I recommend Ray without hesitation for people who prefer a hands-on coach who can guide them through their investment and franchise decisions.
“Ray is very persistent in his belief regarding his knowledge and business sense.
I was looking at a home care franchise and he persisted in having me contact Executive Care in NJ. After meeting with them I was convinced they were the company to go with. If not for Ray’s insight I would have gone with another company and who knows what would have happened.”
"Ray is one of the elite players in the industry. To achieve this it takes a unique command of consulting capability blended with knowing the franchise industry from the inside-out.
At the end of the day he enables people who have the confidence that it takes to make a timely important decision and be successful owning a franchise.”
Ray is an outstanding business consultant. Ray helped me evaluate franchise opportunities. His work was well organized, timely and thoughtful. Ray is an excellent communicator with a wealth of experience. I would not hesitate to recommend Ray to others that are considering franchise opportunities. Thank you, Ray.
I have had the opportunity to work with Ray for over 8 years. We have both worked together in assisting clients realize their dreams of business ownership. ( Franchising ). Ray has the dedication, integrity, and the professionalism that is imperative in this line of work.
Ray is a true professional with a track record of success in the franchise community. His genuine care and concern makes him a pleasure to work with.
“Making the process easy and to the point!” I’ve worked with a lot of business partners and customers over the years but I must say that Ray is one of the best. He is helpful, supportive and intelligent in the way he works with you and the team on issues that can be complex or confusing. He simplifies issues to make them easier to understand and then moves the program forward. On top of this, he is just a great guy to talk with and work with.
Ray was very helpful in finding a business that worked for me. I highly recommend him and his services.
Ray exemplifies the best in franchising. He is sound and strategic in his analysis and extremely effective in helping aspiring entrepreneurs to find just the right franchise partner. When you work with Ray you are working with the best!
Ray Fanning does an outstanding job of matching great people with great opportunities. He takes the time to know and understand franchise business models intimately. In addition, he asks the right questions of his clients to arrive at the right opportunity for them. Lastly, it has been my experience that people who are serious about business ownership truly respect Ray’s honest and direct approach.
Ray was extremely helpful to me while I was searching for a business. He is very knowledgeable and professional. Ray listens and tries to understand what you are looking for and is exceptional at what he does. I would recommend Ray to anyone and trust that he will work hard for you.
I first met Ray in Washington, DC while on business. A few years later when I was ready to look and I checked in with Ray. I did so because he’s a good guy who knows the world of franchising very well and doesn’t pressure you. I eventually did settle on a business opportunity and Ray helped guide me through the process. I would recommend him to anyone interested in exploring the world of franchising.
I’ve worked with Ray for five years, while he was at FranChoice and I was with two different franchise companies. He’s a well rounded franchise executive, having held operations positions as well as franchise development positions with franchisors. He’s consistently among the top franchise consultants in the industry. Ray achieves these results because of his knowledge, hard work and taking time to understand his candidates.
Thanks to Ray, Derrick and I found a direct mail franchise to invest in, UMS for Central Chicago. Ray was dedicated to helping us choose a business that fit our lifestyle, budget, and our skill sets. I would recommend Ray, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share with interested entrepreneurs.
Ray is the quintessential franchise professional. He has achieved success at every level and brings unparalleled energy to every activity. His dedication to his craft is exceeding only by his dedication as a family man.
Ray was a great help to me during the time I was researching franchise business opportunities. Ray has a great depth of knowledge about franchises and small business ownership, and demonstrates that he really cares about the people he works with. I know throughout the process that Ray had my best interests at heart, and I am grateful for his guidance.
Ray is one of the premier franchise consultants in the country. He has consistently found top quality franchise candidates and matched them with top quality franchise systems. He has personal experience in franchising that gives him tremendous credibility. He has the work ethic, relationships and personality that make him enjoyable to work with. If you or anyone you know is interested in a franchise opportunity, Ray will take great care of them.
Ray is a dynamic professional, that clearly understands how to drive and influence positive relationships. He is one of those rare pros that understands how to drive real solutions that change people’s lives for the better. He understands human nature and how to guide people in the right direction. It has been a real pleasure working with Ray and I look forward to working with Ray in the future.
I worked with Ray about a year ago as a client interested in exploring francise opportunities. Ray was repectful, honest, and respected my questions and gave excellent advise in how to find the information I sought.
Ray is a franchise professional. He has the unique experience of working as both a franchisor and franchisee. Ray is a person of integrity, a great family man and a person that I have used as both a resource and mentor in my franchise development maturity.
I have worked with Ray for some time researching franchises and identifying what is best for my specific situation, including changes in family needs, lifestyle changes, skill-set and financial situation. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking to invest in a franchise. Ray has a refined process, built on “know how” and experience.
Ray is well versed in the franchising space and thus a great asset to any franchising endeavor.
Ray did exactly what he said he would do, which is match my profile to a franchise opportunity in my area. It was a great match and I’m very happy. Ray is definitely a franchise professional who knows his craft. Thanks!
Ray has a sincere desire to help find the right fit for his clients. An excellent working experience. Knowledgable and patient, he stays on the project without being over the top.
This is a guy you want to work with. Smart, honest, reputable, experienced. Hire him.
Ray is an excellent franchise broker who I highly recommend for anyone looking to invest in a franchise. The process that he takes his candidates through is thorough and detailed.
I cannot recommend Ray highly enough as an advisor and career coach. He is more knowledgible about franchsing than anyone you will find. But his main interest is in you. If you are at a critical decision point in your career, I recommend talking to Ray. His expert advice will be of tremendous value and he is a terrific person to boot!
“Ray is the best kind of leader. He has a great caring personality, integrity and a strong vision. He gives you the tools to achieve your goals and celebrates your achievements with you!
“Franchises! If you even think about a franchise than it is imperative that you speak with Ray!. I have owned 2 franchises in the past. Ray helped me with his Informed Decision Process.
Clearly, if your thinking about a franchise or anything related to franchises than you must speak with Ray Fanning. You owe it to yourself!”
Ray is an outstanding consultant in that he listens well and makes sound, experience-based recommendations that meet your specific need. I would work with Ray again, without hesitation.
Ray is by far the most professional and resourceful consultant I’ve worked with. Ray is a definite authority in the franchise industry. I would strongly recommend his services to anyone investigating a franchise opportunity, knowing they would receive the most professional service available.
Ray Fanning is a highly educated and informed resource on franchise opportunities. He spends the time to help formulate excellent opportunities by understanding and questioning one’s interests and objectives. Ray has shown a high-level of professionalism, patience, and awareness for his clients.
Ray has an incredible ability to connect with people as he takes the time to genuinely understand what drives their entrepreneurial spirit. He has a sincere desire to help find the right business fit for his clients without being over the top. I highly value his thoughts and I look forward to collaborating with Ray again.
The most important thing anyone can do who is going through this process of discovery, of resetting their life, of trying to start their own business, is to work with Terry Coker. I absolutely recommend Terry Coker.
Terry prepared me for everything through the entire process. He has given me the benefit of his experience, his knowledge, what he learned working with prior clients who have bought this franchise. He prepared me every step of the way. I have already recommended Terry to friends who want to explore franchising.
“I worked with Terry in 2006 and 2007 while considering purchasing a franchise. I was impressed with Terry’s professionalism. He was always punctual with our appointments and often stayed late to accomodate my schedule. He was well prepared for every meeting which inspired me to come to the meeting prepared as well.
Terry Had My Best Interests At Heart
“Terry Coker always looked out for me and my best interest and that is one of the things that makes him a great consultant.
“I had worked in medical device sales and pharmaceuticals for 25 years and so I was kind of niched into what I could do when I got laid off from my job. And, they had a hiring freeze so even if there was an open territory I couldn’t apply for it. At the time I reached out to Terry I had six months of severance left so I decided to commit to finding a franchise and I stopped looking for a job.
“Right from our initial telephone conversation, Terry would tell me, ‘Don’t feel that you have to do anything. If there comes a time even months down the road when you feel this isn’t a fit, don’t worry about it. Make the best decision for you and your family. Don’t get upset that we are not working together any longer that it will affect me at all.’
“Consultant is a perfect word for Terry. He consulted me all the way through the franchise-investigating process. He was never pushy, he was never ‘salesy,’ it was always my needs that he focused on. My best interests were always his best interest.
“We were through the process and he had done a lot of legwork with me and out of the blue I got a call with a job offer in the pharmaceutical field. Wow. I had the opportunity to go back into my field. I called Terry and he said, ‘Hey, you do whatever you feel is best. Only you can make that decision. No hard feelings if we don’t continue to work together.’ I could feel that he was genuinely concerned about me, and when we spoke afterward he asked how the interview went. He never asked from his behalf, never indicated that he was concerned about his compensation, he always asked with interest and concern about whether the offer was right for my life.
“In the end, I decided not to take the job. The franchise I bought into is called Fibrenew it is a leather, plastic, vinyl restoration company. They have eight markets they work in, everything from automotive to residential furniture, exam tables to marine, aviation, lot of warranty work through insurance companies with vinyl siding and vinyl window repair.
“Terry always said the biggest compliment he can get is when someone refers people to him, and I have. Some of my friends are in the same boat and I said, you have to call my buddy Terry because this is a tough thing to go through. I have three daughters and I was unemployed. I had a severance package, but always at the back of my mind was this concern that I had to find something to support my family. Terry always made me feel that I would do great at this particular franchise and he showed me why. Working with Terry brought such a sense of security through the whole process.
“And when I refer people to Terry they always say the same thing – their initial worry is they will talk to someone who wants to place them in a particular territory or put them in just any franchise because that is when they get paid. But everyone who has talked to Terry has said that is not the case. There is no pressure, there’s no forcing you into anything. Terry always says, ‘You do what you need to do. You decide if you want to take a franchise, if not, that’s fine.’
“So, I tell people, if you really want to find the right franchise, talk to Terry Coker, he is the one who can help you figure it all out.”
"Working With Terry Was a Life-Changing Experience
“As vice president of recruitment and operations for a $40 million staffing firm, I oversaw three offices and an offshore recruiting team. I’d been with that company for 12 years and thought I would retire from there, but my legs were cut out from under me in January when the owners told me they had financial hardships and had to close two offices and let 15 people go and I was one of them. That totally blindsided me. I believe there is a silver lining to every situation and I was prayerful in thinking there was more for me somewhere. There was a lot going on in my life at the time. I was selling my house and getting married and COVID-19 hit, but I started interviewing for jobs. I had some interests from other recruiting firms, but it just felt like I’ve been there, done that, and out of the blue I heard from Terry Coker through a LinkedIn message. He said he had helped other business executives who had a track record of success get into business for themselves. I didn’t think much of it, but I thought, okay, I’ll hear this guy out. So we set up a call.
“Terry explained what he does and he came across as truly genuine. He said he wasn’t positive that he could help me but that he had helped similar people in similar situations and suggested we go down this road together to see if franchising was right for me. He said, ‘Let’s explore this whether you ended up buying a franchise or not.’ There was nothing high pressure about it. I really appreciated his approach. I knew what I didn’t want – I didn’t want to just jump at a paycheck. I wanted something more fulfilling, I wanted to do something that I’m passionate about. And my relationship with Terry began from that.
“Terry has a detailed process. We explored what I’m passionate about, what I could see myself doing, what motivates me, the kind of life I want. it was a lot of introspection. It was identifying my ‘why.’ He really challenged me to think about those things. He asked great questions and guided me and I put in the work because that information can’t come from anyone but myself. I figured I have one more run. I had an 18-year career at General Motors and 12 years at this recruiting company. I love to work, and I’m passionate about helping others. Terry’s process is what helped me get my arms around what I wanted.
“After a couple of weeks, Terry came back with three really good suggestions and I considered all three. One was out of left field that I didn’t think I would be interested in and come to find out, that’s the one I picked – Focal Point Coaching. I probably had 20 phone calls with the company. I really fell in love with their core values. Everyone was wired the same way and their processes and their materials were solid.
“I’ll be helping business leaders whether it’s optimizing their business performance through time management, profitability, with their teams, and to improve their operations and their costs. I’ll also be doing training and public speaking.
“This was a life-changing experience. Terry and I connected on so many levels. He really gets that personal side, he cared not only about me but my wife, my puppy, and my family. We definitely forged that personal relationship and all the while, he was an advocate for me, helping me find something that was really fulfilling. It is great to have an advocate like that.”
"I was working in Egypt and Iraq in the oil and gas industry for an international company rotating 28 days on and 28 days off, this allowed me to reside temporarily in Spain and I was quite happy, I liked living there. But in February and March 2020, Iraq became unstable and U.S. citizens were pulled out. Back in the U.S., I began to think about starting my own company that connected investors with innovators. It was something I had considered for a while. At the same time, I also wanted to start a business and do something entirely different, but I wasn’t sure how to do that.
I figured that a franchise was the best way to go because a successful model had already been created. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel; I just had to work hard and make it happen, but I didn’t know where to start. I conducted internet searches and looked at well-established franchises. I began to randomly submit applications, even though they were not really what I wanted to do, there was no momentum. Then, I was approached by a woman on LinkedIn who asked if I wanted to be introduced to a franchise expert. I said, ‘That would be great,’ and she put me in touch with Terry Coker.
“Terry contacted me and we first got to know each other. Terry is very personable, I could feel how genuine he is. I want to point out something else that is quite special. The experience Terry has is tremendous, and when someone achieves a high level of experience like he has, they often tend to want to tell you how to do things. But Terry wasn’t at all like that. He has true humility, and that is very difficult to achieve.
“Terry explained his process. He said the way we would go about this was to set up a strategy. First we went through a series of really good questions. I’ve done dozens of management level psychological tests at corporations, but Terry really challenged me. One question in particular stands out. Terry asked what was really important to me, to make money or work at something I’m passionate about. And I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a hard one, I want to do both!’ But when I was put on the spot I said, ‘Well, I want passion.’ My logic is, when you are passionate, the money will come. So Terry was able to put that in black and white for me, which was great. The process was very good. Terry took his time to find out what would be the best for me. The combination of the FranChoice process and Terry’s approach is just fantastic.
“Another thing I liked about Terry is that he made recommendations for the future that had absolutely nothing to do with getting a franchise. He suggested creating an Instagram account and we discussed how to get followers. He sent me two books. He recommended sending thank you cards. His attention to detail for human relations and creating a good network is so important! I was coming from corporate and jumping into my own businesses, so these suggestions were so valuable.
“Terry recommended four franchises and three matched my profile in terms of my career strengths such as being part of a board of CEOs and coaching. But like I said, Terry digs really deep. I had told Terry that I love riding bikes and he remembered that. The last franchise we discussed was a Cyclebar studio that offers low impact/high intensity indoor cycling classes for all ages. I got really excited about that, and that is what I bought.
Terry was key in helping me discover what would give me the passion I was looking for and I could not have done that without him. I knew he was going to make money, but it never came across that way. Working with Terry never felt like a business transaction. Terry is the best salesman I have ever seen in my career, and I’ve been in oil and gas for 17 years, and I am a salesman! He was very impressive.
“And it’s not just me recognizing these things, other people see the same thing in Terry. When I was in the discovery process and I talked to other franchise owners, they asked how I learned about the company and I mentioned Terry’s name. Everyone, without exception said, ‘Oh, Terry is the best. You are in very good hands.’
“I don’t see Terry a franchise consultant, I see him as an educator, and in the short time we have been together, I see him as a mentor and I will be taking up more of his time in the future."
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"Terry Helped Me Change My Life for the Better
“I am a sales manager of a small engineering company and right now I plan to do that indefinitely to support my family, but a desire to build financial independence prompted me to investigate franchises. I was talking to a former co-worker about my goal and she recommended Terry Coker, a franchise coach she knew. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was until I talked to others who know Terry. Everyone I’ve talked to has highly recommended him. They say there are a lot of people who do what Terry does, but that he’s really good at it.
Terry and I had an introductory call and he asked a lot about me and he told me a little about himself and his process. We decided to work together and Terry began to build a profile through assessments, questionnaires, quizzes, and conversations about my experience, my family, my financial situation, my objectives, my interests, my goals, and what I wanted my life to be like. It was all encompassing. From that he came up with a profile that he used to match me up with potential franchise opportunities. FranChoice has vetted companies and put together a short list of the best franchisees out there in terms of support, training, financial opportunities, and other data points. Terry matched me up with about five franchise opportunities within three sectors, home improvement, fitness and restoration and I began to systematically check them out. All along the way, Terry coached me, provided me with information, and answered my questions. He was always available and helpful.
I decided on a yoga studio with the YogaSix franchise, that’s the one I really felt good about. We are an active family, I used to do yoga years ago, my wife currently does yoga and both of us and our four children enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities, like camping, biking, hiking, and skiing. My wife and I went to discovery day and from the start, we felt this franchisor was excellent. They were organized, experienced and have great systems. Their people were very qualified and passionate about what they do. Visiting them instilled confidence in us. We could see we were choosing a good partner to work with, especially when the coronavirus pandemic intensified and we could see how much they were doing to help their franchisees weather that storm.
So we signed the agreement and are opening a YogaSix franchise! We are now working with a realtor they suggested who understands the boutique fitness concept, an architect who understands the unique technology required for heated yoga, and an attorney who will negotiate the lease, all of whom were vetted by the franchisor, which makes it so much easier for us and accelerates the timeline to open. Yoga Six offers training at their headquarters which covers all aspects of the business but because of the pandemic, they have shifted to live, online training, which compliments the extensive, self-paced online learning they already had in place.
This concept is built in such a way that we can be involved as much or as little as we like, and that is important to us. My wife and I want a different lifestyle, one that is built around an area we’re passionate about – health and fitness – and one that will provide financial independence. If this goes well, we may open additional shops. This will provide us with financial flexibility so I can spend more time with my family doing the outdoor activities we all enjoy. This is going to be fun! And I have Terry to thank for being such an excellent coach through all of this and informing me well in every aspect of this process so I could make a good decision.
I guess I am a little spoiled in that I lucked out working with someone who does this very well. It was always about me, never about Terry making a sale. Terry was my coach, my mentor, and he always looked out for my best interest. And Terry has a really good sense of humor. Yes, we went through a great deal of material, but he also kept it light and that added an element of fun. We didn’t take ourselves too seriously and yet at the same time, Terry is very professional.
I spoke with so many other people who have worked with Terry in some capacity, other franchisees, the franchisor, people we met at discovery day, service providers, they all spoke so highly of him. It was reaffirming. High integrity is how I describe Terry. It will be my pleasure to recommend him to others who also want to change their lives for the better.”