Entrepreneurs often want to invest in a franchise to have a stable and system working environment. According to a source, more than 50,000 franchises generate £17 billion and recruit 710,000 employees.
More millennials have become interested in starting a business by investing in franchises. However, business owners should consider a few factors before buying a franchise. These include agreement or contract, job limitations, business plan, field research, financials, etc.
Other essential factors include available options, cost and benefit analysis, agreement expiry date, marketing costs, etc. Besides this, recruitment, demographics, monthly management fees, etc., would also account.
Table of Contents
5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Franchise
● Available Choices
Buying a franchise often depends on the available choices in a budget. However, it also incorporates the experience of the prospective business owner into account. Most franchisees want an exemplary person to run their franchise in a new location.
Therefore, franchises have strict protocols, rules, and agreements. Besides this, there are many available options, such as on-road, a business firm, a restaurant, etc. So, you should decide the type of franchise based on expertise to have a comfortable and known working environment.
According to a source, there are also options for full and part-time franchises. Furthermore, franchisees work through strict rules or guidelines and highly regulated systems. Therefore, you should decide on flexibility against these before become a franchise business owner.
● Agreement Details
The legal agreement is binding between the franchisors and the franchisees. The document enlists details for fees or payment and specific measures under different circumstances. For example, certain franchisors might include force majeure as part of the agreement.
According to the force majeure, the franchisee’s obligations vary during extraordinary circumstances. The measure is also available for the franchisee and allows them to stop paying fees for a specific time.
Besides this, the agreement should include other payment modes and deductibles during extraordinary and ordinary circumstances. For example, you can ask a franchisor that doesn’t include force majeure to incorporate percentage-based fees.
Therefore, under dire circumstances, the fees reduce with decreased sales revenue. Unfortunately, it might not apply to royalties that consist of a specific amount.
● Financial Status
One of the most important factors to consider before buying a franchise is personal financial status. After that, focus on the working capital requirements, such as cost for equipment, traveling, wages, lease or rent, etc.
Making a personal investment in a franchise is not a good option for a first-time business owner. Therefore, consider receiving funding through banks or investors. However, investors always require a well-developed business plan to understand the everyday functioning, return, and growth prospects
Besides this, an investor would like to know the present and upcoming challenges and solutions. Additionally, a franchisee can show future predictions. Additionally, very bad credit loans with no guarantorfrom a direct lender can provide financial help.
Investors can also seek advice from professionals from British Franchise Association (BFA), a UK government organization. Many franchises have BFA memberships; however, it is the investor’s responsibility to conduct thorough research before spending money.
● Operation Charges
Franchisors often charge costs for training, premises fit-outs, equipment, etc. Therefore, franchisees much have a verbal conversation with the existing business owner before signing the agreement and mention the details in the paperwork.
Besides this, a franchisee might even incur costs for hiring employees, purchasing and upgrading equipment, advertising, and marketing, etc. Additionally, expenses would also consist of rent deposits or leases, legal consultation fees, vehicle charges, etc.
A franchisee should expect an estimated cost from the franchisor before making any investment decisions. Moreover, some of these would remain temporary and others permanent. For example, equipment might not require repairs or upgrades for a specific time.
Similarly, restaurant franchises don’t require much training, except providing a tour and information to the employees. Furthermore, training costs would become limited depending on the type of franchise and total workforce.
● Cost and Benefit Analysis
After receiving professional advice, conducting a cost and benefit analysis could help to decide the best franchise. It will also help to match personal strengths and weaknesses. The benefits could include high returns, established brand, national marketing, franchisor support, etc.
On the other hand, the drawbacks or liabilities could consist of franchisor fees, marketing costs, equipment, merchandise, inventory, etc. These measures would help to avoid a few predictable mistakes.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, it also accounts for a relationship with the franchisor. A franchisor interested in expanding the business and understanding the perspectives of a new business owner can provide helpful advice.
While considering these factors also account for the advantages and disadvantages of starting a business from scratch. Additionally, create a business plan for both choices and compare current investments, savings, growth, expenses, etc.
● Other Important Factors to Consider
The strengths and weaknesses also determine the suitability of running a franchise. For example, having good marketing skills can help to reach a larger target audience at lower costs. Similarly, the ability to attract and sell products regularly would help to achieve the revenue targets.
Therefore, an entrepreneur investing in a franchise must recognize the potential for running it. Besides this, a franchisee often learns new skills on the job during the initial and growing stages. Moreover, growing a franchise is always more challenging than starting it.
Moreover, a business plan would also help to create realistic targets and achieve them. Therefore, entrepreneurs must not neglect its importance. A franchisee must remember that a franchisor has the final say before making the final selling decision.
Additionally, a franchisor may incur a fee from the existing franchisee during a successful resale. However, the profits from the sale can prove rewarding to all involved parties.
Most franchisors have a face-to-face meeting with the purchaser to determine the possibility of joining their network. But the franchisor has the upper hand of rejecting the purchaser even during the late stages of the selling process.