Considering buying into a franchise? Then, it is essential to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of being a franchisee as presented in this infographic. Arming yourself with this knowledge will help maximize your potential as a franchisee and will save you from costly disappointments and mistakes while running your business.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Franchisee

The Pros

An Established Business Model

To you, this translates to a ready customer base that will patronize a brand they have already come to love. There’s no need to experiment about what works or not because everything is laid out for you.

Less Initial Investment

Some franchises cost just a fraction of what you would normally spend if you start from scratch. Building a car wash business on your own for example, may cost anywhere from $700,000 to $1,000,000, while a car wash franchise only costs a fifth of that amount.

Ongoing Help, Franchise Training and Support

Franchising companies want to ensure that their formula for success will be replicated in each of their franchisees. Thus, they offer help, training and support when you ask for it or whenever they deem necessary.

No Overlapping of Territories

Interested franchisors are aware that overlapping territories affect the performance and profitability of their franchises. They conduct researches about the population of a certain area as well as the demographics of target customers prior to awarding it to a franchisee. They also calculate probable sales according to the results of their research.

More Attractive to Investors

When the going gets tough, startups run to investors for additional funds. When investors have to choose between an independent startup and a franchisee, they usually approve the latter. Why? It’s because a franchisee belongs to a system that has been proven in terms of profitability and stability. They know that franchisees have more chances of returning their investments.

No Need to Shoulder All Marketing Costs

Advantages and Disadvantages of Being a Franchisee

Experts say marketing expenditures average at 10% of a company’s gross annual profit. That 10% may be affordable to huge corporations, but not to a startup like you who’s still trying to recoup your investment. Not if you belong to a franchise. The franchisor only collects a small percentage for hiring marketing professionals, creation of promotional materials, advertisements, etc.

Continuing Innovation

Innovation is one of the keys to capturing the attention of modern consumers. You don’t have something new, you don’t have business. Yes, you can do innovations on your own, but that would mean investing a great deal of your time, effort and resources. A franchise, on the other hand, has a department dedicated to creating innovations for the benefit of all franchisees. Thus you have the advantage of continuing innovation without lifting a finger.

Reduced Chances of Failing

Being an entrepreneur is filled with probabilities. Probably you’ll make it to the top, probably you won’t. Probably you’ll make your first million or lose several millions. Not when you’re a franchisee. You lose, someone will have your back – your franchisor and fellow franchisees will come to the rescue.

A Better Exit Plan

And, in case you wish to exit, you have better chances of selling your business. Remember that a franchise has an established business model in place, making it a desirable acquisition for others who’d like to take the franchise route.

The Cons:

Endless Fees

Initial fees, royalties, marketing fees are the reasons why some people would rather build their businesses from scratch.

Risks to the Brand

No matter how careful a franchisor is, there’s always a chance that a franchisee can ruin the reputation of the brand. This, in turn, can affect other franchisees and create a domino effect. There is no full protection from “bad apples”.

Need to Follow Rules

Following rules falls both in the advantages and disadvantages of being a franchisee. On the one hand, rules and regulations help beginners aim for a well-recognized standard across the brand. On the other hand, to some people this spells lack of flexibility.

Periodic Inspections

Some people are uncomfortable knowing that somebody else is watching them as they perform their daily tasks.

Do’s and Dont’s

Do:

• Explore your options.
• Search for a franchise that has a unique sales proposition.
• Look for a franchise that offers a lot of flexibility.
• Select a franchisor that takes customer satisfaction seriously.
• Select a franchisor that you can build a relationship with.

Don’t:

• Forget that you belong to a system.
• Take comments and suggestions personally.
• Hesitate to ask for help.

Indeed, there are certain advantages and disadvantages of being a franchisee. Take note, however, that the pros far outweigh the cons. Follow the do’s and dont’s for franchisees in order to find the right franchisor for your type of need and desires.

Interested in becoming a franchisee? Check out the DetailXPerts opportunity. You can benefit from all the advantages and most, if not all disadvantages are kept to a minimum through our good business practices and franchise support.

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