When you first started your business, you likely had big dreams and aspirations to go out on your own and succeed in the industry you love. However, in order to get your business up and running and start making money, you may have had to find investors or secure loans from banks and credit unions. Franchising can be an alternative way to grow your business that doesn’t require taking on any debt or partnering with anyone else. Plus, franchises offer competitive advantages over non-franchised businesses as well as a proven business model that has been tested by other entrepreneurs in the industry.
A Quick Overview
Most entrepreneurs and business owners have at least once thought about franchising their concept. After all, franchising can be an effective way to get a solid base of experience and funding while still retaining a portion of ownership in your enterprise. At first glance, it may seem like franchising is a perfect fit for every business model; after all, not all businesses have what it takes to go big on their own. In reality, though, there are some industries that work better under their own umbrella. It’s up to you to decide whether franchising makes sense for your situation or if you’d rather stick with going it alone.
Is Franchising Your Business Right For You?
Before you jump in and franchise your business, it’s important to understand that franchising your business is a big commitment. That said, it doesn’t have to be a decision made on a whim. To make sure franchising is right for you, try these steps: 1) Learn everything you can about franchising before you start making any decisions; 2) Run all your ideas by an experienced lawyer or other advisors who specialize in franchising; 3) Start small (when launching your franchise program); 4) Understand how much time, money and attention are required to start and manage a successful franchise operation. If starting from scratch sounds like too much work, consider buying an existing franchise instead.
Reasons why franchising your business could be beneficial
There are many reasons why franchising could be beneficial to your business and your pocketbook. The most important reason is that it will make you money. If your location is right, franchising can give you returns that are far above and beyond what you would get by operating a stand-alone store. When purchasing a franchise, you’re also getting experience in someone else’s business model, which reduces risks and mistakes. Finally, it’s hard to argue with success; by becoming part of an existing franchise with proven demand for their services or products, there is less risk involved when starting up a new business.
How could my business become a franchise?
There are a few different ways you can go about franchising your business, depending on whether you want to franchise your retail stores, take advantage of information technology franchises or print & sign franchises. In order to do any of these things, though, you need to establish yourself as a brand in its own right before branching out into franchises. One good way to start is with a small but strong social media presence; word-of-mouth advertising and viral marketing are also smart ways to get your name out there without incurring much expense. Once you have established yourself as an expert in your field and have built up a bit of hype, it’s time to figure out how exactly you want other people involved in what you’re doing—which is where franchising comes in.
What is the cost of franchising my business?
While there are many benefits to franchising your business, there is also a cost. Depending on your business’ size and complexity, you could be looking at somewhere between $15,000 and $30,000 for everything from consulting to legal fees. But don’t let these numbers scare you off; franchising can help you expand without all that risk. First things first, find out how much it will cost to franchise your business. There are several companies that specialize in helping you take control of your company and grow it through franchising. You can learn more about them here.
How do I market my franchise opportunity?
First, make sure your business idea is one that lends itself to franchise expansion. You can do so by evaluating five questions: Is there a need for your product or service? Is it likely you’ll have customers once you’ve launched? Are you capable of training franchisees and overseeing their progress? Do you have a unique selling proposition (USP)? Is there room for additional competitors in your niche? Once you’re convinced your business is an ideal candidate for franchising, figure out what type will work best—from fast food to retail—and how many locations you’d like to open. While retail franchises tend to be more popular among first-time entrepreneurs, computer franchises are less common but growing quickly.
