For many franchisees, the only secret to choosing the right franchise is making sure that it’s a good one. Technically, there is nothing wrong with that line of thinking, but the question now becomes: what classifies as good? Does it mean successful? Does it have to be large? Does it denote catchy?
Immediately, as franchise lawyers we hear those three questions born from a single thought. That’s because picking out the best franchise is a detailed process. It involves understanding what you want and paying great attention to your options. There are no shortcuts—and if ever there is, then you’re probably not doing it right.
Today, we are going to open the book of franchising for franchisees. Listed below are valuable tips to help you make the best decision.
- Understanding yourself
- What do you love?
- What role do you want to play?
- What do you want out of it?
- Are you ready to spend?
- Are you willing to learn from others?
- Are you ready to communicate?
- Have you reviewed franchise laws?
It’s easy to conclude that the science of business is all about the numbers, the strategies, or the income. More often than not, we fail to see that most successful businesses work because their owners love what they are doing. Before taking on a business, ask yourself: Do I have the heart for this?
Aside from that, weigh whether you would want to be a hands-on owner or leave your business in the hands of a manager. Make sure your goals are clear. Some entrepreneurs build businesses for the money, while others do it out of passion. We think anyone can be both. But whether it’s one or the other, the fact that getting a franchise is costly never changes. Check whether you have enough resources.
Business is mostly about communication, too. A great franchisee is willing to learn from the experts, and is able to tell good from bad advice. Making it work also involves communicating with your franchisor and employees well.
Lastly, a great franchisee either: 1) understands franchise laws, agreements, and documents or 2) has a knowledgeable and trusted franchise lawyer.
- Is the franchise concept/popularity enduring?
- Are you its first or an early-stage franchisee?
- Is the franchisor open to communication?
- Does the franchisor provide training programs for staff?
Understanding the business is just as crucial as understanding yourself. Before taking the leap, a great franchisee researches and delves deep into the business. Examine if the franchise is characterized by longevity or is merely a passing trend. One useful trick is knowing whether you are the first franchisee or if the business has already produced some successful ones. If it’s the latter, consider talking to them to help you decide.
Take note, however, that just because a business has not been franchised yet, doesn’t mean it should be automatically crossed off the list. Like always, the key is critically analyzing the franchise.
Lastly, get to know your franchisor. If they are able to provide value to their employees, then that’s a good sign they value the business just as much. It means they are able to recognize the significance of investing in salespeople. Make sure they are also open to communicating and maintaining a great franchisor-franchisee relationship. You should be ready to stand on your own feet, but a learned franchisor will also make sure to help you succeed.