I honestly don’t know what to make of an email I got recently about a franchise online community newspaper operation looking for new franchisees.

Here’s the website.

The email, via former business writer Stacy Wong, was from Al Goldstein Director of Franchise Development for Hometowntimes.

We are the leader in the on line newspaper industry. We are a franchised based company that is bringing local news and events to individual communities.
The reason I am contacting you is to find out if might be interested in owning your own online newspaper?  I believe our franchise model may be what you may be looking for. Please fell free to contact me with any questions.
 
Sincerely,
 
Al Goldstein
Hometowntimes.com
Director of Franchise Development
678-995-8072

I know nothing about this company and get the heebee jeebees from most solicitations. Plus, I don’t know what this outfit can bring to the table that a bunch of us couldn’t without any help (or franchise fee) except maybe an ad sales operation, which is no small consideration.

Anyway, I’m posting this so that anyone brave enough to want to start a local online paper can think it over or maybe do some inquiring.