Council Post: Four Ways Franchising Helps You Reach Your Business Goals (2024)

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If growth is your goal -- and it should be if you’re a motivated entrepreneur -- franchising offers some of the greatest benefits of any expansion strategy.

Maybe your motivation for growth is to create opportunities for others. Perhaps it’s to build a legacy that lasts beyond your lifetime. Some entrepreneurs do it purely out of opportunism or because they enjoy the challenge of building a business. In most cases, it’s a combination of these things. Whatever your reason, here are four advantages of franchising to consider before deciding if it’s the right move for your business.

1. You don’t need as much capital.

A lack of capital is one of the most common barriers to business expansion as entrepreneurs often find their available funds far outstripped by their growth goals.

Taking on debt — from banks, leasing companies, private investors, sometimes even friends and relatives — is a huge barrier for business owners looking to grow. High interest rates can cause payments to spiral out of control and bank loans are often difficult to come by — especially in amounts that are adequate to fuel aggressive growth.

Unlike the “go-go” days before the Great Recession, banks today often will not lend even in situations when they’re fully secured. Franchising offers an alternative that allows entrepreneurs to expand their business without the cost of equity. The franchisee provides the capital needed to open and operate a unit, allowing the franchisor to grow without incurring debt or giving up equity.

But, don't think franchising will come at no cost. Outside of what you'll need to spend on marketing the opportunity to qualified investors, as a franchisor you need to budget for costs in a number of areas including business planning, financial analysis, legal documentation and training — not to mention accounting for the additional staff you’ll need to support the influx of franchisees.

2. You’ll have extremely motivated management.

Entrepreneurs often stumble when recruiting and retaining high-quality unit managers. It’s not uncommon for a business owner to spend months finding and training supervisory employees, only to see them move on after less than a year. Furthermore, hired managers are still only employees. They may or may not be genuinely committed to their jobs, which means it’s important to closely supervise their work. This can be a challenge as a hands-off operator.

Franchising, however, can help eliminate this problem. No one is more motivated than a person who has invested their life savings into a business. Their livelihood depends upon the success of the business, even more than you depend on them.

Owner-operators embody several factors that impact unit-level performance:

• Long-term commitment: Franchisees are invested, financially and emotionally. Most franchise contracts, which the franchisees will sign, commit them to your business for decades.

• Quality: As long-term operators whose livelihood depends on the success of the business, franchisees are motivated to continuously learn about the business and the industry. And often, the caliber of experience from people interested in buying a business is significantly above that of the “typical” manager.

• Improved operations: Franchise operators take pride in ownership. They keep their locations cleaner and train their employees better because they are owners, not just managers. Franchisees also keep a sharper eye on expenses, continuously looking for ways they can reduce labor and other costs.

3. You can promote growth quickly.

Most entrepreneurs I’ve met have the same fear: that someone will beat them to market with their own concept. The business world moves so fast that those fears are not without merit. Unfortunately, it takes time to open a single unit. Depending on the nature of the business, you may need to hunt for appropriate sites, negotiate leases, assist with location build-out, research the local market, arrange vendor relations and more.

Even with adequate capital, unit growth is still limited based on an entrepreneur’s ability to support that growth. Franchising may be the only strategy for some entrepreneurs to secure leadership in the market.Franchising allows companies to compete with much larger businesses and saturate markets before their competitors can respond.

4. You can reduce risk.

Because your franchisees hold the responsibility for their franchise operation, franchising can significantly reduce the risk to you as a franchisor. Since the franchisee is responsible for the entire startup investment (including purchasing inventory, hiring talent, paying for build-outs and fronting any working capital) you can focus on growth without the unit level risk incurred by your franchisee.

In addition to all the start-up responsibilities, franchisees are also responsible for activities within the unit itself. As long as the franchisor is careful to clearly define where the franchisee’s responsibilities lie, franchising can also minimize the risk of potential litigation that might, at the unit level, include things like sexual harassment, discrimination or slip-and-fall lawsuits.

With limited risk though, comes limited control. A franchisor will not have the ability to hire, fire, supervise and discipline the franchisee’s employees. Instead, they can only mandate that the franchisee follow brand standards — and leave it to them to develop the team to meet those standards.

When franchisees start to join the system, it can often be a jarring experience for the franchisor that is no longer in complete control of every aspect of day-to-day operations. Comprehensive operations manuals, regular site visits and clear operational systems and processes are absolutely critical and must be developed and established ahead of launching a franchise program — often at significant cost.

So while franchising is a great growth vehicle for some, it is not always the right vehicle for everyone, despite its advantages. Consider these things closely when determining if franchising is right for you.

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Council Post: Four Ways Franchising Helps You Reach Your Business Goals (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 types of franchising and give an explanation about it? ›

There are 4 basic types of franchise agreements: Single-unit, multi-unit, area development and master franchising. A single-unit franchise is the most common and is simply where a franchisor grants a franchisee rights to open and operate one single franchise unit.

How does franchising help the business? ›

Franchising offers an alternative that allows entrepreneurs to expand their business without the cost of equity. The franchisee provides the capital needed to open and operate a unit, allowing the franchisor to grow without incurring debt or giving up equity.

What can you explain about the 4 phases stages of franchising relationship? ›

Like many businesses, a franchisee will typically experience four distinct phases during its lifetime: start-up, growth, enterprise and renewal or decline. Although each stage will present its own unique challenges and opportunities to the business owner, there are several trends which are common to all franchisees.

What are 5 examples of franchise businesses? ›

Top 100 Franchises 2023
RankNameIndustry
1Chick-fil-AFast Food Franchises
2The UPS StoreBusiness Services Franchises
3Ace Hardware CorporationHome Services Franchises
4McDonald'sFast Food Franchises
16 more rows

What are the 5 types of franchising strategies? ›

The five major types of franchises are: job franchise, product franchise, business format franchise, investment franchise and conversion franchise.

What are three 3 benefits of a franchise business? ›

The risk of business failure is reduced by franchising. Your business is based on a proven idea. You can check how successful other franchises are before committing yourself. Products and services will have already established a market share.

What are 3 advantages of franchising? ›

Advantages of Franchising
  • Little to no industry experience is necessary. ...
  • Existing customer base and brand awareness. ...
  • Lower risk than starting an entirely new business. ...
  • Support from the franchise owner. ...
  • Ample opportunities for expanding your business to different franchise locations.
Aug 30, 2021

What are 5 characteristics of a franchise? ›

7 Major Characteristics of a Franchise
  • Solid Concept.
  • Effective Franchise Business Model.
  • A Good Franchise Training Program.
  • Established Brand Image.
  • Franchises with Larger System Size.
  • Clear Communication With Franchisees.

What is the most important element of the franchising business plan? ›

The most important single element in your franchisee business plan is your financial projections. These should be based on thorough research and should be prepared by a professional if possible.

What is the most important principle for success in a franchise? ›

Honesty and avoiding making false expectations can help you achieve your vision as a franchisor. Remember that it is better to lose customers to a truthful disclosure rather than gaining a new franchisee based upon fake expectations. Training plays an essential part in building a successful franchise business.

What are the 4 stages of business relationship? ›

The four stages in the development of relationships are: pre-contact, initial interaction, development, and maturity.

What are the three elements of a good relationship of a franchise business? ›

The franchise relationship must be mutually beneficial, productive and positive.

What are the basics of the franchising relationship? ›

The franchisor owns the trademark(s) and the operating system for the franchise. The franchisee is licensed to use both the trademark and the operating system according to the terms and conditions set forth in the franchise agreement. Both the franchisor and franchisee must fulfill their obligations under the contract.

What are 3 examples of a franchise business? ›

Franchises are an extremely common way of doing business in the U.S. It is hard to drive more than a few blocks in most cities without seeing a franchise business. Examples of well-known franchise business models include McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Subway, United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), and H&R Block (NYSE: HRB).

What are the 3 basic types of franchising? ›

There are three major types of franchises - business format, product, and manufacturing - and each operates in a different way.

What is an example of a franchise strategy? ›

Franchising is a business relationship between two entities wherein one party allows another to sell its products and intellectual property. For example, several fast food chains like Dominos and McDonalds operate in India through franchising.

What are the 2 ways of franchising? ›

There are two main types of franchising, known as Product Distribution Franchising (Traditional Franchising) and Business Format Franchising, which are conducted under a variety of franchise relationships.

Is franchising a good strategy? ›

Franchising is a key strategy to help maximize a business's market share. It's considered by many a sure-fire way for a successful business to branch out without having to directly fund its own expansion.

What is 1 benefit of a franchise? ›

One of the many benefits of franchising is increased brand awareness. The more locations the brand has, the more people who are aware of the brand. And the more these customers come to know and love the brand, the more profitable and successful the brand can be.

What is the benefit of investing in a franchise? ›

One of the most significant advantages of investing in a franchise is that your franchise brand comes with a reputation and customer base from the start. People come to your brand, knowing precisely what to expect, and you have been trained by the franchisor to deliver to that expectation.

What are three major advantages and disadvantages of franchising? ›

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Franchising
  • Business Assistance. Unlike starting your own business, franchising comes with business assistance from the franchisor. ...
  • Brand Recognition. ...
  • Capital. ...
  • Lower Failure Rate. ...
  • Legal Protections. ...
  • Limited Creative Opportunities. ...
  • Lack of Control. ...
  • Initial Cost.
Feb 1, 2023

What are five advantages of a franchise quizlet? ›

The advantages of a franchise include: (1) management and marketing assistance, (2) personal ownership, (3) nationally recognized name, (4) financial advice and assistance, and (5) lower failure rate.

What are two benefits of franchising quizlet? ›

Franchisee benefits include name recognition, quick start up, support from the franchisor, freedom of small-business ownership.

What are the key important features of a franchise? ›

Some salient features of franchise are as follows:

(i) Franchise relationship is based on an agreement; which lays down terms and conditions of this relationship. (ii) The term of franchise may be for 5 years or more; and the franchise agreement may be renewed with the mutual consent of both the parties.

Why is franchise business more successful? ›

Rather than setting up a business with no guarantee of a future, franchisees likely have an established brand behind them. Along with resources, guidance, reduced start-up costs, and many other forms of support.

How do you build business relationships? ›

5 Keys to Building Business Relationships
  1. Routinely Reach Out to Important Contacts.
  2. Offer Help Before You Ask for Help.
  3. Ask for Feedback.
  4. Find Ways to Connect with Less Valuable Contacts.
  5. Educate, don't sell.
Dec 8, 2022

What are the keys to success in owning a franchise *? ›

Below, we've listed 10 keys for franchise success.
  • Make sure you have enough money.
  • Follow the system.
  • Don't neglect your family and friends.
  • Be an enthusiastic franchisee.
  • Recruit the best and treat them with respect.
  • Teach your employees.
  • Give customers great service.
  • Get involved with the community.

What two characteristics do you believe make a franchise business successful? ›

A successful franchisee will engage with their customers, build relationships, and make the experience as positive as possible. Exhibiting good interpersonal skills can create loyalty and trust amongst customers, which will help your business long-term. Providing great customer service also goes a long way.

How can a franchise relationship improve? ›

Holding meetings, providing continual communication and getting feedback from franchisees are some of the best and most effective ways to provide support. Successful franchise companies plan weekly, monthly or quarterly meetings with franchisees to ensure all relevant information is communicated.

What are the types of franchise methods explain? ›

There are three different types of franchises which you can choose from, they vary in terms of your position, your input into the business and the amount of involvement of the franchisor. The three types of franchises are; the business format franchise, product distribution franchise and management franchise.

What are the 3 types of franchising and briefly explain their differences? ›

There are three main types of franchise opportunities available, these are: Business format franchises. Product franchises, or Single operator franchises. Manufacturing franchises.

Which is an example of a type of franchise quizlet? ›

Automobile dealerships and soft-drink distributorships are examples of product trademark franchises. In a business format franchise, the franchisor provides a formula for doing business to the franchisee along with training, advertising, and other forms of assistance.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of franchising? ›

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Franchising
  • Business Assistance. Unlike starting your own business, franchising comes with business assistance from the franchisor. ...
  • Brand Recognition. ...
  • Capital. ...
  • Lower Failure Rate. ...
  • Legal Protections. ...
  • Limited Creative Opportunities. ...
  • Lack of Control. ...
  • Initial Cost.
Feb 1, 2023

What is franchise style of business? ›

A franchise (or franchising) is a method of distributing products or services involving a franchisor, who establishes the brand's trademark or trade name and a business system, and a franchisee, who pays a royalty and often an initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor's name and system.

What are the three major advantages of franchising? ›

Advantages of Franchising
  • Little to no industry experience is necessary. ...
  • Existing customer base and brand awareness. ...
  • Lower risk than starting an entirely new business. ...
  • Support from the franchise owner. ...
  • Ample opportunities for expanding your business to different franchise locations.
Aug 30, 2021

What is the meaning and benefits of franchising? ›

Franchising is basically a right that manufacturers or businesses give to others. This right allows the beneficiaries to sell the products or services of these manufacturers or parent businesses. These rights could even be in terms of access to intellectual property rights.

What are the 2 most popular types of franchise arrangements? ›

There are primarily two types of multi-unit franchise agreements: (1) area development agreements; and (2) area representative agreements (also known as master franchise agreements).

What is the most common type of franchise? ›

Business format franchise: This is the most common type of franchise arrangement. In this model, the franchisor allows a third party to do business using their trademarks and business model in exchange for fees and a recurring percentage of sales revenue.

What is the commonly used franchise structure? ›

Single Unit Franchise (or Direct Unit Franchise) is the most traditional and historically the most common form of franchising. Franchisor grants to an entity (the franchisee) the right and obligation to establish and operate one franchise.

What are the types of franchise marketing? ›

There are two types of franchise marketing:
  • Operational franchise marketing is any marketing activity that both a franchisor and franchisees do to acquire and retain customers.
  • Franchise development marketing is any marketing activity that a franchisor does to acquire and retain more franchisees in new locations.
Oct 19, 2020

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