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What is a Franchise?

Guest post by: John Henning

Article Overview: There are many different types of business opportunities but one of the opportunities that many people seize on a regular basis is the chance to create a genuine revenue stream by owning part of the company. These are actually most always called owning stock in the company, but there is also another way to look at this scenario as well. If you have ever wondered exactly what a franchise is, but have never really had the opportunity to explore everything that went along with it, here is the perfect chance to learn about everything you wanted to know about starting a franchise!

What is a Franchise?

There are many different types of business opportunities but one of the opportunities that many people seize on a regular basis is the chance to create a genuine revenue stream by owning part of the company. These are actually most always called owning stock in the company, but there is also another way to look at this scenario as well. If you have ever wondered exactly what a franchise is, but have never really had the opportunity to explore everything that went along with it, here is the perfect chance to learn about everything you wanted to know about starting a franchise! What exactly is a franchise, though? Simply put, a franchise is an extension of another company; they use the same signs, advertising methods, products, and services of the company that it was derived from. Virtually any type of business is able to be franchised if the terms are set forth in the company contract. For example, restaurants such as McDonald's, Burger King, and even Wendy's have the ability to be franchised. Other stores, such as Starbucks, specialty retail stores, as well as plenty of other restaurants and stores have the ability to create a franchise of themselves. In other words, franchises are essentially clones of the company, but the franchise owner is able to make separate decisions apart from the company itself.

Owning a franchise, though, shouldn't be confused with owning an actual store of the business. Depending on what the franchise is and where it is located, one might have more luck owning an actual store of the business than he or she would with owning a franchise! However, that issue is debatable, but a franchise owner is able to experience all of the same situations as the company owners are.

Even though the company that had a franchise created of themselves still has some control over the franchise itself, such as the specific foods that are used if the franchise is a restaurant, there are some decisions that the franchise owner can make that will have no impact on the company as a whole. For example, franchise owners are typically allowed to change the seating style in his or her restaurant or store, as well as the prices of the products themselves. In certain cases, certain aspects about the products can also be changed with the consent of the company. If you own a franchise, though, the best thing to do would be to contact the company itself to make sure you are allowed to make changes without negating the whole contract!

All in all, franchises are great experiences to have and there are all sorts of benefits one can enjoy from owning one. They are definitely great opportunities to take advantage of if you have the capital to get started! Franchises are essentially clones of another company, and in this way franchise owners are able to make most of the decisions and experience the whole business on their own!

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Article Tags: definition of a franchise, franchise definition



Related Forum Posts
Re: Enticing Franchises - Top 9 List - All Franchise listed above are in millions of dollars. Do you have the list of Franchise in thousands
Re: Info for would be franchisers... - [quote="Sebastien":1d29sdv1]Like Franchise Times, Franchise Update is a very practical magazine. There is no blah blah, just straight facts that anyone in the franchise community can relate to. I just want to mention that all these magazines are NOT franchisee oriented. I mean these magazines are for franchise professionals. If you're looking to buy a franchise, you won't find much information in there. To answer your question, getting published in Franchise Times was fairly easy. I don't want to brag too much but I think I am known in the franchise industry. I was the marketing guy at Franchise.com for a few years before joining my new company, the World Franchising Network. So people know me and I have a very good relationship with Nancy Weingartner, the Managing Editor at Franchise Times. I was talking with her at the last Franchise Expo South in Miami and she mentioned she'd like me to be profiled. I was like "ok, sure!". I like this franchise executive profile thing in Franchise Times as it is rarely BS. People are usually really natural in there.[/quote:1d29sdv1] Thanks for the follow up Sebastien! And I can't say that I'm surprised that networking with the right people and managing your relationships with them properly are the keys to being published. I guess the old adage holds true of "it's not who you know, but who knows you" that's important.
how much for a franchise fee? - Dear Colleague There is no easy answer to this question. Things to consider: [list=] The sizeof the Franchise Clent base Expected Turnover Intellectual Property costs (recoup) Number of Franchises Number of employees Original Set up costs Franchise admin costs An example: A franchise that I was involved in setting was to a simple "lawn mowing/home repair" franchise. The Franchise included national/local advertising - preparation of client lists - general admin - central accounting etc The Franchise involved 300-500 clients - and an annual turnover of about $300,000 . The annual franchise fee was $30,000. Hope that this gives you some idea Take care Ian[/list]
Re: Franchise Surveys - Another good tool to researching a franchise is to speak with their existing franchisees. This contact information is included in most Franchise Disclosure Documents. In order to get a Franchise Disclosure Document or FDD as it is often referred to, you will have to complete a basic franchise application. The franchisor will then usually provide you with the FDD at that time. Included in that book of information is a list of the existing franchisees, the contract, the investment information etc... This information is required by Federal Law to be disclosed to your prior to making a purchase. So be sure to do your research and start with the Franchise Documents to get the initial information.
Re: Info for would be franchisers... - [quote="Sebastien":2gam0klq][quote="BuzzAroundBooks":2gam0klq]Like Franchise Times, Franchise Update is a very practical magazine. There is no blah blah, just straight facts that anyone in the franchise community can relate to.[/quote:2gam0klq][/quote:2gam0klq] That is really what I look for in any industry publication. We lead busy lives and when people fill their magazines with fluff, not only does it benefit no one, but it makes us truly appreciate those that don't. Thanks!


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