Do you want to be a successful business owner? If so, one of the best ways to start out is investing in a franchise.
As opposed to starting a new business, buying a franchise comes with an established business model and brand image that entrepreneurs can capitalize on. This spares you the time and risk of creating a venture from the ground up, and gives new business owners a strong chance of success.
That being said, franchise businesses arenât foolproof operations, and there are plenty of considerations to keep in mind before committing to this business model. In this article, we will detail how to start a franchise business step-by-step, and provide recommendations on helpful tools for franchise owners.
Read on to take your first step to becoming a franchisee.
A franchise business is a business in which the owner or parent company (known as the âfranchisorâ) grants an individual (or âfranchiseeâ) a license to run the business at an agreed-upon satellite location.
To understand the concept better, letâs take a look at McDonaldâs.
Almost every single McDonaldâs you see is run by a franchisee. The franchisee has been given a license to operate a McDonaldâs location, and gains all the benefits of doing so, such as an established brand image, corporate marketing, and the yearly sales that location generates.
In return, the franchisee has paid McDonaldâs an initial franchise fee, pays an established percentage of the yearly profits, and agrees to run the location up to McDonaldsâ standards and regulations.
Before an entrepreneur gets a license to run a franchise location, they must meet a variety of financial requirements and pay certain startup costs. Some of the most common requirements include:
To get the exact figures for the franchising opportunity youâre interested in, contact the company directly or try networking with other franchise owners in the area.
Despite the required initial startup capital, franchising can be more advantageous than starting a business from scratch in a few key areas.
Once franchisees have made it through the vetting process and are granted a franchise license, the parent company is invested in their success. The franchisee receives an operational handbook, dedicated corporate support, and a business model that is proven to be profitable.Â
Arguably the biggest challenge in starting a new business is getting customers. A tremendous amount of time and resources go into outreach strategies to gain traction, make sales, and carve out a market share. Franchisees donât have this problem.
When individuals buy a franchise, they are buying a successful business model and the established brand awareness that comes with it. The franchisee doesnât have to spend time on advertising â in fact, oftentimes the parent company takes care of that independently.Â
Brand awareness is not only advantageous with customers, but with vendors as well.
When franchisees are negotiating supplies and prices with vendors, they have the backing of the parent company, which can result in lower prices and improved service. In some cases, the parent company even negotiates with suppliers on the franchiseeâs behalf.
Regardless of size, any company that has a profitable business model can start offering franchise opportunities. A few of the most common franchise models for both large and small companies include:
After researching how to start a franchise business, itâs time to move forward in the process of becoming a franchisee. The following nine steps are a brief overview of what you can expect and questions you should ask yourself.
Becoming a business owner is a huge financial commitment â make sure youâre selecting an industry you can dedicate your effort to day after day.
Write down a list of potential business areas you would like to work in, paying close attention to things you have a genuine interest in. Itâs important to choose passion over profit in this stage, as the more motivated and engaged you are in the business, the more likely you are to succeed.
After youâve selected an industry you would like to be part of, research the competition thatâs already in your area. Ask yourself a few important questions: How many businesses like this exist around me? Are they profitable? If thereâs nothing similar in the area, is there a reason for that?
Taking note of opportunities in your area can give you a good idea of potential franchise success.
As weâve touched on, becoming a franchisee requires a large financial commitment.Â
Do you have the liquid assets to be eligible for your selected franchise opportunity? Can you secure funding for the operating expenses and other startup costs? Can you take home enough yearly profit after royalty fees for it to be a worthwhile investment? Is there software or other productivity tool you plan to use?
Asking yourself all of these questions and more will give you a solid grasp of the financial viability of the franchise opportunity.
Once you have decided on an opportunity, the next step is to create a business plan.
Many parent companies will provide business plans to new franchisees upon acceptance, but itâs a good idea to create your own to establish your unique strategy, and show the franchisor you are prepared and capable. Make sure to include sections such as market analysis, a management plan, and how you can build personal connections with your customers.
If you havenât already done so, the next step is to form a business entity.
A business entity shields a business ownerâs personal assets from risk â with the exception of a sole proprietorship â so itâs wise to set up an LLC or corporation. Most franchisors will have requirements for business entities, so if you havenât set one up at this point in the process, check with the company to determine what to establish.
At this stage, itâs time to submit an application and move through the franchise licensing process.
This process is similar to interviewing for a job. The parent company will require an application, and typically will conduct multiple rounds of interviews to make sure you are a qualified and capable candidate to run a franchise location. If the process concludes and youâre deemed a good fit, you will sign a franchise license agreement.Â
After youâve signed your franchise license agreement, the next step is to find a suitable location.
The parent company will have guidelines for where the business can be located, and oftentimes they will help the franchisee find and close on a retail space. During the process, look for areas that have a good balance of foot traffic to affordable rent. Of course, if your franchise opportunity doesnât need a physical location â or youâre running the business from home â you will skip this step.
Now that youâve established a business location, itâs time to order essential equipment and start interviewing employee candidates.
Financially speaking, franchisees will pay for most of these equipment and hiring expenses, but the parent company may provide help in the form of preferred equipment vendors and hiring templates.
That being said, not all assistance needs to be bought or hired out â savvy franchisees can find opportunities to automate their business at every turn. A few key automation tactics that can save business owners time and money include:
Once everything else has been completed, itâs time to physically or metaphorically open your doors for business.
At this point, you will have the necessary equipment, a capable staff, and best practices for day-to-day operations at your fingertips. Additionally, the parent company may have set up an advertising campaign to announce the new location in the community. From here, itâs up to you to run and maintain a successful business.
One of the best ways to become a successful business owner is to invest in a franchise. Learning how to start a franchise will get you thinking about the costs involved, potential franchising opportunities, and the opportunity for success in your community.
And you donât have to do it alone.
From live receptionist services to lead qualification and appointment setting, Smith.ai offers franchise owners the tools and support needed to grow and maintain a thriving business. We act as a professional first point of contact, so you can focus on the most important and profitable day-to-day tasks.Â
âBook a consultation today to learn how Smith.ai can supercharge your communications, increase your bottom line, and help grow your franchise.