JBF Wins 3 Top Awards Based on Franchisee Satisfaction
JBF receives Top Franchise Leader, Top Low-cost Franchise and Top Franchise for Women Awards
Just Between Friends (JBF) consignment sales franchise is a triple winner in this year’s Franchise Business Review (FBR) awards, being named a Top Franchise Leader, a Top Low-cost Franchise and a Top Franchise for Women. FBR, a franchise market research firm, compiles the only set of franchise rankings that are based solely on actual franchisee satisfaction and performance. 
“We are always honored to receive awards and be recognized as a standout in franchising. It’s especially meaningful to be named a winner for the FBR Awards because these are based entirely upon our franchisees’ experience,” says Shannon Wilburn, co-founder and CEO of Just Between Friends. “We work hard to help our franchisees be successful in their JBF businesses, so it’s rewarding to learn that they are pleased being a part of our company.”
Co-founder and CEO Shannon Wilburn named a Top Franchise Leader
Wilburn is one of only 50 franchisors to qualify for Franchise Business Review’s 2018 list of the Top Franchise Leaders. To select the executives on the list, Franchise Business Review analyzed 18 months of data from approximately 27,000 franchisees representing 300 brands. They looked at each brand’s leadership and culture, as well as franchisees’ overall satisfaction with their brand and their likelihood to recommend it to others. “I’m not at all surprised that Shannon Wilburn was named a Top Franchise Leader. She has built JBF on a foundation of integrity, and she stresses the importance of helping others and giving back in business. Those ideals resonate with our franchisees who want to work with a company on a mission. When people join us as franchisees, this is the woman they’re signing on with — a woman of God who truly lives selflessly, both personally and professionally,” says Lori Lalli, Franchise Recruiter.
Affordability makes JBF a Top Low-cost Franchise
Having been named recently to Entrepreneur’s Most Affordable Franchise list, JBF is also one of only 80 franchises to qualify for FBR’s 2018 Top Low-Cost Franchises list. Brands on the list had to have high franchisee satisfaction and an investment of under $100,000 at the time their franchisees participated in Franchise Business Review’s franchisee satisfaction survey. Total investment per JBF territory ranges from $32,774 to $45,449. That lower initial investment and ease of scalability mean that owners may see a quicker return on their investment with high potential for long-term success. Our 10 most successful franchises grossed between $540,000 and $1.1 million for 2017 (earnings are based on multiple factors, and your results may vary). “For many aspiring business owners, the start-up fees and costs to franchise are cost-prohibitive,” Lalli says. “Not so with JBF. We have an affordable initial investment and a business model that’s easy to scale. Plus, with a JBF franchise, you’re doing work that serves your community and helps your neighbors make and save money. A rewarding business that’s affordable and meaningful? JBF checks off all those boxes.”
JBF is an excellent fit for female entrepreneurs
JBF was among 240 franchise brands, representing nearly 6,000 female franchise owners, that participated in Franchise Business Review’s research on the Top Franchises for Women. JBF franchisees were surveyed on 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including leadership, training and support, financial opportunity and work/life balance. 
“The franchise industry provides many options to women seeking business ownership on a full- or part-time basis in multiple sectors,” says Michelle Rowan, President of Franchise Business Review. “The number of franchise opportunities can be overwhelming, so it’s critical to examine feedback from other female franchise owners on how well the franchise meets their expectations in terms of support, work/life balance, financial opportunity, and other key areas of business ownership.” Many of our franchisees are busy wives and mothers who say their JBF franchise is a perfect complement to their families and schedules. Melissa Cook, a franchisee in Michigan, has three young sons, and she’s been able to create her own schedule, balanced between work and family. “With three young boys, the biggest benefit for me is the flexibility that JBF offers me,” she says. “It allows me to volunteer in their classes. One of my boys is in preschool, and we have two days a week in the mornings that I can do fun activities, just with him — like taking him to the children’s museum or the zoo.”
Learn more about Just Between Friends consignment sales franchise
In 1997, Just Between Friends co-founder and CEO Shannon Wilburn held her first living room sale with friends. More than two decades later, the company has grown to have more than 150 franchisees across the United States. With the children’s consignment industry booming and growing larger by the day, the demand for Just Between Friends franchise locations has never been higher! If you have a heart to serve your community and have dreamed of having your own business, purchasing a Just Between Friends franchise could be a perfect fit. Find out more by exploring our research pages or requesting a copy of our free Franchise Information Report.