CHARLOTTE, N.C. and DOVER, Fla.--Two loss prevention executives recently launched a new business venture to assist quick-service-restaurant and C-store franchise owners identify areas of loss and operational inefficiencies.

Franchisee 911 is being headed by D.B. "Libby" Libhart, formerly the director of U.S. security and safety for McDonald's Corp., and retail consultant William Alford, who has led loss prevention programs at major regional chains including Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Kash n' Karry Food Centers and BI-LO Supermarkets.

Franchisee 911 works with franchise owners to develop a customized and strategic plan for addressing loss prevention issues. It also offers customized audit programs that are tailored to specific business needs.

Alford said the development of the group was a result of talking with franchise owners who "many times do not have an LP department. They can ask for advice from the parent company but it comes in just that, the form of advice. Franchisee 911 could fill a void for these small business owners."

Alford said franchise organizations are scrambling to find ways to make a profit as the financial crisis has a direct impact on consumer spending. He said ways to do this is by reducing expenses, reducing losses and "making sure you are as efficient as possible. We can help these people do that in these very scary times."

Libhart said the economic downturn has a direct effect on QSRs and C-stores because "these businesses are cash businesses and some bad people want cash. An LP program takes that into consideration, develops policies on opening and closing the building, how you should react to a robbery, being proactive about signage and how you should take your deposits to the bank."

Alford said many franchise owners rush to incorporate security technology when an incident happens, but he stressed that a comprehensive loss prevention program needs to include more products. "Unfortunately, a lot of people think that if they put a camera system or a safe in that they are protecting their business but it is the policies and procedures that go along with it that make it work."

Alford and Libhart have also brought Lori Libhart into the venture. She has worked as a retail manager, directed human service programs, and has been an instructor and trainer in various environments. Libby Libhart said Lori "brings a whole different perspective than Bill and I do. We get wrapped up in what is wrong and how do we apply solutions, and she puts it in a user perspective."

Lori Libhart said the security aspect of the company's services should not be overlooked. "This is also about the additional safety they could bring to their people," she said. "[Store owners] see their employees as their work family and it is a priority for them to keep their employees safe as well as their customers."