IS BUYING A FRANCHISE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Is Buying A Franchise Right For You?
By: Gary Occhiogrosso – Founder & Managing Partner – Franchise Growth Solutions

Introduction
While franchising is an excellent way to enter the business world, it is not the best option for everyone. Consider the answers to the following nine questions before deciding whether or not your business might benefit from becoming a franchisee.

Do You Intend To Pursue Franchising In The Future?
If you want to start your own business, franchising may be an excellent option. However, franchising is also suitable for you if you want to be your own boss and run the show, but lack the competence or skills
required to do it independently. But franchising is not for everyone; if these reasons make sense to you, especially if they inspire and excite you, you should consider franchising as the right decision.

Do You Have A Proper Financial Plan And Ability?
As you begin the process of purchasing a franchise, you must have a sound financial strategy in place.  You will need sufficient funds to cover the franchise fees and any other expenses that may emerge during the first phases of establishing your firm. Even though a particular franchise may be a solid investment, it may still need time and patience before it starts to pay off; you will also need to ensure that your cash flow can sustain your business moving forward.

Do You Have Previous Experience Leading Others?
The terms "management" and "leadership" are not synonymous. Leadership inspires people to come together and move forward with a single goal, while management is about efficiently doing tasks. Leaders take control of a situation, define a crystal-clear vision for it, and motivate others to strive toward achieving that vision with inexhaustible fervor and enthusiasm.  Because most successful franchises require strong leadership skills from the owner or manager at all levels of the organization, beginning with sales representatives and extending to upper management, franchising may not be the best business model for you if you do not feel comfortable in a leadership role.

Do You Have Sufficient Time To Manage Both The Workforce And The Business?
If you already have a full schedule, franchising may not be your ideal choice. Running a franchise requires a substantial expenditure of time and effort.  You must be able to devote a large percentage of your focus and energy to the organization.  Initially, there may be little room for vacations or even weekends off, and you may be obliged to work multiple days a week due to the long hours. There may be little room for either! Things might be challenging for both parties if you are already committed to another job or have family duties. In addition, managing employees might be challenging since each person has unique personality features. Also, suppose a corporate employee is terminated unexpectedly or quits due to a conflict with upper management or ownership within the parent company. In that case, this can cause problems within the franchise system due to a lack of consistency in the practices and policies established by the franchisor.

Is The Industry Category Stable?
You may ask yourself, "How stable is the franchisor and industry; The answer to this inquiry will help determine if acquiring a franchise would benefit you. If the franchise company you desire to join has a high failure rate and does not seem to be growing in the near future, it may not be worth your time and effort to become a franchisee of that company.  For example, if you've always wanted to open an ice cream shop, but there are already twenty comparable businesses in the neighborhood that are thriving, what gives you cause to assume that yours will be more successful?  Also, consider whether other franchisors are entering or leaving the market. That might negatively influence business; the present time may not be the best choice! If, on the other hand, the industry you have chosen appears stable and has ample room for growth and expansion over time (especially when macroeconomic trends are considered), that brand may be a good option for you, provided that other factors, such as the cost structure and overhead expenses, aren't too high when compared to revenue projections from previous years' earnings statements.

Are You The Only Franchisee In The Market?
Although franchising is an excellent business technique, it can also be helpful if other franchised units of the franchisor are already operating in the area. No one else may be familiar with the brand if you are the only franchisee in your area. If other franchisees are in the region, you will find it simpler to build your business. They can help with some legal difficulties and the  Last but not least, these multiple locations assist with advertising strategies and marketing techniques, which are the two most influential factors in determining whether clients would buy from your firm.

Are You & The Business Capable Of Paying The Fees And Royalties?
There are costs involved with franchise ownership, ranging from $10,000. to $1,000,000. You must additionally pay a monthly royalty fee that is computed based on your sales and other company information. The royalty is the fee the franchisor collects; it is usually a percentage of each week's total sales. Royalties are calculated as a percentage of your business's total revenue. 

How Much Support And Training Will You Receive?
You should anticipate a certain level of assistance from the franchisor throughout training and after that, but whether or not they give it primarily relies on the cost of their services and the nature of your connection with them after acquiring their brand name. 

* Training: If you are new to operating a business or need help getting started, you should examine if the franchise you are considering offers any training options.

* Advertising Costs: The costs associated with advertising can vary widely based on the advertising medium used (for instance, TV ads may cost more than flyers or social media ads), but in general, these expenses will likely be higher than those of non-franchised businesses.

How much input do you need and want in determining prices?
It would help if you understood how much influence you will have on the pricing.  While some franchisors allow franchisees to set their prices, others require franchisees to adhere to the same pricing structure as the company's flagship location. 

It would be best to consider whether the franchisor will allow you to alter your product or service, add new items, and make any other required adjustments. Profit is directly proportionate to the degree of operational and marketing control a franchisor offers franchisees. Ideal candidates for franchising are those who are excited about operating their own business, have no experience in the field, and are willing to accept the duties and obligations of being their boss. Purchasing a franchise could be an effective means of launching a new business. Consider franchising if you have yet to gain experience in the industry and are passionate about running your own business, and are willing to accept the responsibility and accountability that come with being in charge. Franchising is a tried-and-true business model that allows business owners to profit from the knowledge and experience of the franchisor while also gaining from their successes. The required investment requires substantial time, money, and effort, but if executed well, it can be rewarding.