Did you know that McDonald’s is the largest franchise in the world?
However, they’re not the only ones out there; there are probably more franchises than you realize. But what is a franchise business?
Thankfully, we have the perfect guide on all you need to ask them these questions before selecting a franchise business.
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What is a Franchise Business?
The government will give a business a franchise license in order to allow a specific type of commercial activity. If you’re interested in starting a franchise business, then the brand will establish the business model and give out licenses and materials to people who start a franchise under that name.
The people who open the franchise own and operate that business, but they are limited with what they can do by the franchisor.
Franchises first started under the English crown, and it would give out land grants in order to let people work the land. However, they had to pay a tax to the crown.
Today, you might think of more modern franchises, like the Singer Company, General Motors, Coca Cola, and McDonald’s.
How it Works
When the franchise first starts, it’ll normally be a locally-owned small business that is starting to have some success. They will start becoming a franchise when a customer comes in and asks how they can start a similar, successful business.
If the business owner decides to open a franchise, then over the next few months, they’ll have to work with web designers, bankers, accountants, consultants, and lawyers in order to come up with a franchise system. When they do, this system will be implemented across the board.
This can be a risky investment because you never know if the franchise will work out or not. Plus, you may not end up having anyone who wants to be a franchisee.
Once the franchise system is ready, the franchisor will spend some money and time on advertising. They will try to recruit their first franchisee member.
This process can take a while, as long as three to four months. However, when you have some applicants, you can sign your first franchise agreement.
However, after that, you’ll have to wait at least another nine months for that franchisee to open a location and start paying their licensing fee.
Should You Buy a Franchise?
You won’t have as much freedom as you would’ve if you opened your own business, but you will have some assistance and security.
It can be better than trying to build a business, market it, and come up with a business plan from scratch. However, there is still a certain amount of risks.
If you still want to take that chance, you can click here to find out how to own a franchise.
Advantages
Some of the advantages include having some stability. Because you’re going to be using an existing business model and name, you’ll likely have a lower failure rate than your own startup business.
You also don’t need to have a lot of business experience in able to open one. That’s what you have the franchisor for; you can lean on all of their experience and consult with them.
You can also easily duplicate the franchise. There are many efficiencies in place, and there are scaling processes to help you grow rather than just starting from scratch. Because of this, it’s also cheaper than owning your own business.
You’ll also have the ability to work under an established brand reputation. You can easily enter their market and use some of their existing strategies and brand voice. Many customers will be expecting some sort of familiarity when they step into your store, so you won’t have to convince new customers to try your product.
Disadvantages
However, keep in mind that you won’t be able to differ much from the business model. You won’t’ have much independence or room for creativity, so this may not be the best option for people who have big dreams or ideas.
You’re also completely under the control of the franchisor. If they decide they don’t want to extend a franchise agreement, you’ll have to close your business. They might decide to do this if some marketing promotions or your store aren’t doing too well.
They may also implement marketing ploys that will hurt your business. For example, Subway was forced to market the footlong sub, even though it wasn’t great for their business. However, it did get people in the door.
Lastly, you’ll be expected to help maintain the brand image. If you don’t manage your franchise well, it will reflect badly on the brand as a whole, and you’ll likely be disciplined.
How to Buy a Franchise
Make sure you read the contract before you sign on the dotted line. Find an industry that you know a little bit about and wouldn’t mind working in.
After you find an industry, try and figure out what companies you’d enjoy working with. Try finding ones that have terms that meet what you’re looking for.
You’ll also have to make sure that all of your fees and paperwork are in order before you sign. You may also want to consider hiring a lawyer or an accountant to help you go over all the paperwork.
Learn More About a Franchise Business
These are only a few things to know about “what is a franchise business?”, but there are many more cool facts to learn!
We know that owning a franchise can be stressful, but we’re here to help you out.
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