One of the most difficult times financially for any new business owner is the time between signing the lease and when the cash register starts ringing. Interstate Batteries Franchise and Development, the franchisor of Interstate All Battery Center (IABC), which has seen record franchisee signings this year, says it has built in a way to ease that with immediate sales opportunities before a franchisee’s doors open.

As a result, the company experiences increased sales, franchisee signings and especially franchisee satisfaction.

“Our recent franchisee survey revealed outstandingly high satisfaction among IABC franchises,” said Franchise Business Review President Eric Stites. “IABC’s unique concept offers investors stability and greater opportunity for success. Through its proven business-to-business program, franchisees are able to hit the ground running, ramping up their business much faster than traditional retailers.”

In most cases, IABC sells franchise markets where the company’s commercial inside sales group has already secured existing business. These established commercial accounts provide franchisees with immediate income and offer established customer bases.

“In a competitive marketplace like franchising, it is critical to distinguish your concept,” said Interstate Batteries Franchise and Development Director Justin Darland. “IABC’s concept provides our newly signed and trained partners to begin selling in the business-to-business market immediately, even before they open the doors to their retail location.”

Additionally, IABC offers franchisees sales support in prospecting and maintaining accounts through its B2B Inside Sales Department. The department consists of more than 40 highly-trained business-to-business account managers, each dedicated to specific partners and driven though telesales to grow accounts. Proven results (a 2005-2008 internal study marks more than 100 percent ROI for franchises that utilized the program) and happy franchisees tout the program.

“For nine years we’ve worked closely with inside sales partners,” said IABC franchisee Dennis McDaniel. “Our current rep, Martha, is a critical part of our business, working with our sales manager and salesman to set up face to face meetings, research and pursue new business leads and maintain strong customer service for our existing accounts. Martha is such an important part of our team that we’re known to fly her to Indiana to join in our company Christmas parties.”

IABC’s proven ingredients to success position the company to lead the retail battery category, which analysts project will reach $73 billion globally by 2010. This year, IABC’s Franchise Disclosure Document noted an increased average-earning claim up 14 percent versus the same time last year (1). The company recently celebrated a franchise signing for its 100th store location and has already secured nearly a dozen additional signings with continued expansion throughout the nation.

About Interstate All Battery Centers

Founded in 1952 and based in Dallas, Interstate Batteries is a privately held group of corporations, which includes a company with 305 distributors that service more than 200,000 dealers throughout the United States, Canada and select international locations. Interstate is the top-selling replacement automotive brand battery in North America, selling more than 15 million batteries annually. Interstate All Battery Centers currently has more than 109 locations in 35 states, Canada and Puerto Rico.