Great American Deals seeks franchisees

Game-show host and businessman Pat Sajak is looking for entrepreneurial-minded people to help launch a hyper local daily deal site in Scottsdale.

The "Wheel of Fortune" host and managing partner of Great American Deals, which is based in California, aims to offer consumers local discounts in their neighborhood or city and an opportunity to give back to their community.

The site, which aims to go nationwide, sets itself apart from major deal sites by driving repeat traffic to neighborhood-owned and -operated retail businesses within a specific area. Every time a deal is purchased, a dollar goes to help an immediate need in that area such as schools and non-profit organizations. The business is a based on a network of connections that are built between local business owners, consumers, community organizations and franchisees.

"We're looking for people who live in their community and know their community," Sajak said.

Great American Deals operates in seven cities in Southern California including San Diego, Huntington Beach, Brentwood, Santa Clarita and the Santa Monica area. The franchise cost is $35,000, plus marketing fees to launch in a city or a mapped out area.

Sajak partnered with longtime friend and founder Michael Sibler because "we can help a business grow, help people find a new career and help non-profits, schools and charitable organizations."

Sibler, who watched major deal sites evolve early on, saw an opportunity to build stronger communities.

"You can't do it on a broad level, but you can do it on a hyper local level and bring in the community," he said. "If your deal site is strictly local and encompasses all the elements of the community with local merchants and residents, it becomes a huge benefit for everybody."