A roundup of entrepreneurial articles, business news, broadcast announcements, and columns by BizTV personalities. Happy reading!

 Top 5 Franchises in the U.S. That Are Bringing In The Money

If you’re exploring the top 5 highest-grossing franchises, you need to focus on key players like Chick-fil-A and McDonald’s. Each franchise has unique strengths that drive their impressive revenues. Consider factors like average unit volume, brand recognition, and customer satisfaction. Understanding these elements can guide your decision if you’re looking to invest. Next, let’s break down what sets these franchises apart and how you can leverage this information for your own success.

• Chick-fil-A leads with an average unit volume (AUV) of $9.3 million, dominating the quick-service restaurant market.
• McDonald’s, with a global presence, achieves an AUV around $3.97 million, making it a top franchise.
• Domino’s Pizza generates strong revenue through delivery and carryout services, contributing to its high grossing status.
• 7-Eleven’s diverse product offerings help maintain significant sales, marking it as a successful franchise.
• Marriott International excels in the hospitality sector, leveraging various hotel brands for high revenue generation.

If you were in the market for a franchise, which one would you be interested in?

Small Home Builders May Be the Key to Solving America's Housing Shortage

Small home builders are gaining national attention as lawmakers look for solutions to America's housing affordability crisis. During a recent House Committee hearing, leaders highlighted how smaller builders are using innovative methods such as modular, manufactured, and 3D-printed homes to help reduce costs and increase housing supply.

However, many builders still face challenges, including regulations, permitting delays, and limited access to capital, all of which can drive up costs and slow development.

As communities seek more affordable housing options, policymakers are increasingly recognizing that supporting small builders could play a major role in expanding homeownership, creating jobs, and strengthening local economies.

Do you think reducing regulations for home builders would help make housing more affordable in America?

  BizTV Spotlight Interview

Kelli Phillips visits with author Monique Gagne on Beyond The Brand to uncover simple but powerful strategies to stretch your dollars, eliminate hidden spending leaks, and build lasting financial habits.

To feature your business on a national television interview, email olivia@biztv.com

The Big Six of Small Business

Dave, In your opinion, why do most small businesses fail? I’d also be interested to know which business reports you believe are most valuable to a small business owner.     — Prater

Prater,

There are many different reasons why small businesses go under. But in my mind, most fail due to poor financial management relating to cash flow problems caused by debt payments and a lack of budgeting. And these types of problems are often directly related to an owner having poor accounting practices and not staying on top of important numbers.  

Believe me, I understand how overwhelming it can seem. But the good news is you don’t need a crystal ball to forecast and plan for the future of your company. Once you learn a few of the basics, you’ll only need a few hours a month to get a handle on where things stand—and where they’re headed. With that in mind, here are six financial reports I believe are crucial for small business owners to check every single month. 

Profit & Loss Statement 

Sometimes called an income statement or P&L, this report shows revenue minus expenses, and either your net profit or loss. I still look at my company’s income statement every month. It gives me a quick snapshot of how each area of the business is performing.

Payables Report 

This is a quick summary of who you owe money and the amount owed. If you owe something, pay it! It’s never a good idea to hold your money until the last second. My company clears bills every Tuesday, and that allows us to negotiate further discounts and build incredible goodwill with suppliers and vendors.

Receivables Report 

This report shows who owes you money, how much they owe and the age of their debt. You know how I feel about debt, so I recommend not extending credit to anyone. If you feel you absolutely have to, keep it short term—30 days at most. 

Purchase Orders 

Simply put, this is a record of all your open purchase orders, including quantity. The PO is a simple way to quickly review what’s been purchased and the cost of each item.

Checkbook Reconciliation  

This is still the best way to verify that your bank account balance is correct, and with no errors. If you’ve ever kept a checkbook register for your personal account, this one will be a breeze. It’s just a turbo-charged version of the one at home that shows the checks you’ve written, deposits and your balance.  

Balance Sheet 

This simple document shows what your business is really worth. It lists all your assets and liabilities. In this statement you’ll see what you own, who you owe and revenue owed to you. 

Trust me, Prater. If you set aside a little time each month to read and address these financial reports, it’ll be one of the best investments you’ll ever make!

— Dave

* Dave Ramsey is a nine-time national bestselling author, personal finance expert and host of The Ramsey Show. Since 1992, Dave has helped people take control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. You can watch Dave on The Ramsey Show, Weekdays at 2pm and 10pm ET on BizTV and on-demand on the BizTV app.

Famous marketing campaigns throughout history have transcended traditional advertising to reshape consumer culture, establish industry standards, and generate massive brand loyalty. From emotional storytelling to cultural rebellion, a few legendary campaigns fundamentally altered how brands engage with their audiences:

• Volkswagen: "Think Small" (1959) - Created by the agency Doyle Dane Bernbach (DDB), this print campaign revolutionized advertising by embracing honesty. Instead of flashy, oversized cars, VW celebrated the compact, unassuming Beetle, establishing a conversational, minimalist tone. 
• De Beers: "A Diamond is Forever" (1948) - N.W. Ayer coined this phrase to counter lackluster sales during the Great Depression. By connecting diamonds to eternal romance and having stars wear them in ads, De Beers effectively cemented the diamond engagement ring as an American cultural norm.
• Apple: "1984" (1984) - Directed by Ridley Scott, this Super Bowl commercial introduced the Macintosh computer. It famously positioned Apple as an innovative rebel breaking the monopoly of conformity, establishing the cinematic Super Bowl reveal. 
• Nike: "Just Do It" (1988) - Launched with a commercial featuring an 80-year-old marathoner, this campaign expanded Nike's target market from hardcore athletes to everyday people. It is widely celebrated as one of the most successful slogans of all time.
• Dove: "Campaign for Real Beauty" (2004) - Shifting away from flawless supermodels, Dove focused on real women, redefining industry beauty standards and sparking global conversations about self-esteem.

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