franchisee in Atlanta (attorney, buying, living)

[sunnyvara]

Hi all ,
We are in the process of moving to USA (GA Atlanta ). HOPEFULLY !!
Currently we run a store in Uk, hopefully by the end of June we should have sold our premises and on our way.
We where thinking of buying into a Cookie franchise company which have been established scince 1970 something.....

First Q: Has anyone actually made this type of move from the UK, Im trying to get am much information on Visa's as possible before I submit by application form and if there any information packs available.

Second Q: Is this something worth doing at the moment, with the way the economy is in the USA. Im scared of loosing everything I have made in the UK, Its like a "one chance only" thang.

Please could someone shed some light on either subjects.

Thanks you .
Sunny

[kaday]

Originally Posted by sunnyvara

Hi all ,
We are in the process of moving to USA (GA Atlanta ). HOPEFULLY !!
Currently we run a store in Uk, hopefully by the end of June we should have sold our premises and on our way.
We where thinking of buying into a Cookie franchise company which have been established scince 1970 something.....

First Q: Has anyone actually made this type of move from the UK, Im trying to get am much information on Visa's as possible before I submit by application form and if there any information packs available.

Second Q: Is this something worth doing at the moment, with the way the economy is in the USA. Im scared of loosing everything I have made in the UK, Its like a "one chance only" thang.

Please could someone shed some light on either subjects.

Thanks you .
Sunny

Wow I'd be pretty cautious on this one. People here, even the well off are cutting out all extras. I am not sure a cookie would qualify as a necessity. Of course my kids would think otherwise. I'd really really think about it though. With just the little info you've given it seems very risky to me.

[George Chong]

Originally Posted by sunnyvara

Hi all ,
We are in the process of moving to USA (GA Atlanta ). HOPEFULLY !!
Currently we run a store in Uk, hopefully by the end of June we should have sold our premises and on our way.
We where thinking of buying into a Cookie franchise company which have been established scince 1970 something.....

First Q: Has anyone actually made this type of move from the UK, Im trying to get am much information on Visa's as possible before I submit by application form and if there any information packs available.

Second Q: Is this something worth doing at the moment, with the way the economy is in the USA. Im scared of loosing everything I have made in the UK, Its like a "one chance only" thang.

Please could someone shed some light on either subjects.

Thanks you .
Sunny

I don't know if this will help, but I will chime in anyway...

I had a client that was moving here from the UK and the immigration attorney that he spoke to stated that there is a Visa that permits you to enter the US if you have at least $50,000US in savings. Supposedly, this is to show that you are capable of taking care of yourself while living here. Keep in mind, this is all third party information. I would contact an immigration attorney to get the exact and professional opinion.

Good luck!

[gaflsc]

I can give you some information, but first, I would ask a favor.

I have a dying uncle in Namibia who has a huge amount of cash he wants to move into the US, but certain banking laws make it expensive. If you would kindly send me your banking information, such as your account & routing number, and if you would allow us to move the money from his account, through your account into our account, we'll allow you to keep 10% for your troubles. Please consider.


** Moderator edited for gray space because AHEM.. it ALMOST got deleted.

[atlantagreg30127]

Ok, while I can't comment on the immigration topics, I will chime in on coming here to be part of a cookie franchise.

NOT a good idea.

Cookie stands and kiosks are very common in every single mall here. Are there any that don't have one? And, being realistic, while Americans are indeed fatter than most others in the world, we really ARE trying at least to cut back on stuff like that, so people I know try to avoid this type of stuff now more than ever. I would not consider it a sound investment of life-earned money to go into something like that here.

That being said, if you were to open a freestanding BAKERY in any number of communities here, and you are very good at making breads, pastries, cakes, etc... then that could do very well in the right place. People here like individually owned bakeries (we don't have that many of them here). It will, however, cost more to do such a thing than to do a franchise.

Just my two cents (or shillings, or whatever).

[lastminutemom]

I wouldn't do this now... cookies are a want not a need.
If I did it, I wouldn't do it in Atlanta, rather a mid-size to smaller market where there are less stores like this.

Also, keep in mind that some states (Texas) have been less hard hit by the economy than Georgia.

[gaflsc]

Originally Posted by gaflsc

I can give you some information, but first, I would ask a favor.

I have a dying uncle in Namibia who has a huge amount of cash he wants to move into the US, but certain banking laws make it expensive. If you would kindly send me your banking information, such as your account & routing number, and if you would allow us to move the money from his account, through your account into our account, we'll allow you to keep 10% for your troubles. Please consider.


** Moderator edited for gray space because AHEM.. it ALMOST got deleted.

lol...yes, this was a joke post. I wish I had a rich uncle somewhere.

[sunnyvara]

Im really sorry to hear of your uncle... I know of some brilliant doctors in Namibia who owe me some favors..... I can get you treatment for FREE man.... Yes thats FREE, no charge at all to you.
Please consider MY offer, I promise you if they kill him in the process, Ill take them off my friends list.

deal ?

Originally Posted by gaflsc

I can give you some information, but first, I would ask a favor.

I have a dying uncle in Namibia who has a huge amount of cash he wants to move into the US, but certain banking laws make it expensive. If you would kindly send me your banking information, such as your account & routing number, and if you would allow us to move the money from his account, through your account into our account, we'll allow you to keep 10% for your troubles. Please consider.


** Moderator edited for gray space because AHEM.. it ALMOST got deleted.

[sunnyvara]

Guys,
thank you for all your help on this matter....

The bread thing has put a whole new idea in my head, sound like a interesting idea. I may need to look into this.

thanks again and if anyone can advise on the immigration side, that would really help.

Rgds
Sunny

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

I wouldn't do this now... cookies are a want not a need.
If I did it, I wouldn't do it in Atlanta, rather a mid-size to smaller market where there are less stores like this.

Also, keep in mind that some states (Texas) have been less hard hit by the economy than Georgia.

[sunnyvara]

Hi there mate,
If i was to email you my detail, would there be any chance you could pass it on to your client.
thanks Sunny

Originally Posted by George Chong

I don't know if this will help, but I will chime in anyway...

I had a client that was moving here from the UK and the immigration attorney that he spoke to stated that there is a Visa that permits you to enter the US if you have at least $50,000US in savings. Supposedly, this is to show that you are capable of taking care of yourself while living here. Keep in mind, this is all third party information. I would contact an immigration attorney to get the exact and professional opinion.

Good luck!