March
2003
Dr.
C.J. Mertz to guide new franchise program
Recently,
the Banyan Corporation announced it has reached an agreement in principle
with chiropractic practice management expert C.J. Mertz, D.C., to develop
a Chiropractic USA (CUSA) national chiropractic franchise program.
Banyan
President, Cory Gelmon, and CEO, Michael Gelmon, are franchise lawyers who
established Domino's Pizza of Canada Ltd., and built the Domino's system
in
Canada
to
200 stores before selling.
According
to a press release distributed by Banyon, the new organization will allow
for the franchising of chiropractic, a market segment that has previously
not been consolidated in any meaningful way. CUSA embarked on its plan in
July, 2002 by acquiring a chain of chiropractic clinics in
Louisiana
to
serve as the CUSA flagship, and is now proceeding with its franchising
program.
Dr.
Mertz had a large volume practice in
California
prior to beginning the Waiting List Practice seminars in 1986. Mertz
quickly became widely known as "Coach C.J." and founded The
Waiting List Practice Chiropractic Training Organization. Since 1984, he
has traveled almost three million miles teaching more than 600 seminars.
He has trained with nearly 7,000 chiropractors and visited more than 1,000
private practices. According to Mertz, his "Team WLP" has
successfully built more practices, seeing more than 400 patient visits per
week profitably, than any other coaching program in history.
Mertz
himself has received numerous awards from the chiropractic profession,
including Chiropractor of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and a
Humanitarian Award. A highly sought after chiropractic speaker, he has
been the lead speaker for Parker Seminars, New Beginnings, Quest Seminars,
Canadian Masters, Chiropractic Biophysics, Australian Dynamic Growth and
nearly every major chiropractic college.
The
agreement in principle makes Mertz an immediate shareholder in CUSA and
allows for a significant equity position to be earned over time. CUSA will
utilize Team WLP in its system to encourage maximum potential for its
franchisees. Additionally, Mertz will have a significant role in
positioning the franchise for maximum growth potential as well as
strategic planning and execution.
"We
are extremely pleased that Dr. Mertz has recognized the value we are
creating not only for our franchisees, but for chiropractic as a
whole," said Gelmon. "The fact that he wants to participate in
such a huge way in our growth and expansion is a great testament to our
company. Likewise, we recognize the intrinsic value Dr. Mertz brings to
Chiropractic USA, and are convinced that our franchising program will be
greatly enhanced and proceed at an accelerated pace due to his
participation," he stated.
"It
is a true honor to be chosen as the national spokesperson and practice
coach for Chiropractic
USA
,"
said Mertz. "This alliance has historic implications for the
profession. I believe the two groups that benefit right away are the new
college graduates and those chiropractors with good hands and good hearts
who are having a difficult time in practice. Chiropractic
USA
is
a godsend for several hundred chiropractors in the field. This will put
principled chiropractic on the map forever."
Gelmon
concluded: "Our Management Team brings a certain skill set to the
company, and Dr. Mertz and his coaching organization introduce highly
complimentary skills, strategies and solutions to the mix. Our expertise
is in areas such as franchising, real estate, finance and law, while Dr.
Mertz's wealth of experience in practice management makes for a great
marriage. You could say we are the Dell Computer, and he is the 'Intel
Inside.'"
Mertz
stressed the franchise concept offers many benefits to doctors. "For
nearly a decade, building world-class franchises throughout
America
has been a reoccurring dream of mine," he commented. "Imagine
owning a franchise that is nationally, regionally and locally recognized
because of its advertising and great reputation. Every industry has at
least one great franchise brand that the public comes to know and trust.
I'm proud to say that we now do, too."
Owning
one's own franchise, he pointed out, offers "an amazing opportunity
as well as tremendous resources to get into practice or re-ignite an
already existing practice."
The
CUSA franchise system offers a "world-class team" to assist
doctors in building the practice without ever compromising chiropractic
integrity, since the company's practice guidelines require all franchises
perform as subluxation-based centers. "Chiropractic
USA
franchises will be integrating the principles and practice of above-down,
inside-out into the American culture," Mertz noted.
CUSA
also offers the services of its real estate division for new graduates or
doctors currently associated with a practice. "Their real estate team
of experts will help find the best location, negotiate the lease (a
science in itself) and completely build-out a doctor's practice
front-to-back," Mertz explained.
"CUSA
has worked tirelessly to get the absolute best prices on the best office
furniture, materials and supplies in the profession," he emphasized.
"If doctors would rather have support in payroll, bookkeeping,
accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and even billing, CUSA
has an administration division that can provide these services.
Chiropractors can obtain some or all of these services for a monthly fee
that cannot be matched by anyone or any company they could hire
themselves."
CUSA's
financial division has working relationships with the largest funding
institutions in
America
,
including American Express and Citibank, and will help doctors obtain the
funding needed for build-out and equipment, Mertz explained. "As long
as D.C.s have a positive credit history (without negative incidents),
they're almost assured of receiving funding -- as long as they pass the
eligibility standards upheld by the Chiropractic USA board."
The
formal agreement between Banyan Corporation and Mertz is currently being
drawn up and is anticipated to take effect in the near future. More
information about CUSA is available at www.chiropracticUSA.com.
