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Franchise Or Independent? Can I Do It Myself?

Guest post by: Cory Barber

Article Overview: As a franchise consultant, one of the most important questions any first-time potential business owner asks me is whether to start their own new venture or to look at franchising. The answer has many components attached to it that need attention. Let's review some of those considerations.

Franchise Or Independent? Can I Do It Myself?

As a franchise consultant, one of the most important questions any first-time potential business owner asks me is whether to start their own new venture or to look at franchising. The answer has many components attached to it that need attention. Let's review some of those considerations.

Starting up a new "mom and pop" type business is statistically very risky. Numerous studies have been conducted on this subject, and the general consensus indicates that 90-95% of new independents fail within two or three years. The steep learning curve that is involved can be a killer all by itself. The few who do succeed in this business model typically have an extremely high level of expertise in their product or service. They've "lived it" all their lives.

When it comes to franchising, however, much of the risk is reduced, or even eliminated. Although there are no guarantees, this business model is as close as you'll come to a guarantee of success. The same studies show that new franchise business startups rarely fail. The reason for this, quite simply, is because the often very long exercise of trial and error has already been done so many times that it's reached the inevitable point of trying and succeeding. The franchiser has made it through the learning curve and, along the way, has developed the success secrets for that business. Those who fail in franchising almost always were not committed to following the franchiser's systems. The main reason you buy a franchise is to minimize risk and to set yourself up for success.

Traditionally, in a new startup, independent business, you are almost always operating from a "shoot from the hip" mentality, which can lead to failure. There is no past experience to draw upon, and it becomes challenging to control all aspects of the business.

With a good, successful franchise model, you open yourself up to a deluge of information regarding all aspects of information, including financial assistance, site selection, and a wealth of knowledge from existing franchisees. Also, rapid growth is inevitable with the franchise model, which is only a good thing for a franchisee for many reasons, such as increased name/brand recognition and exposure to national advertising campaigns, which increase sales. Tremendous buying power because of constant expansion is also a major plus.

Of course, the key is to follow the proven system of success, so your creativity can be somewhat lessened. In addition, you will have to pay a franchise fee and an ongoing royality, and your individual ability to make changes to the franchise is reduced dramatically.

To summarize, franchising greatly reduces risk, enables you to follow a proven, successful system, and increases your chances of success in business exponentially.

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  Did you know: NIIT Franchise was present in Malaysia in 1997?

Article Tags: business owner, franchise business, franchise consultant



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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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