Franchise FAQ

can corporate take over a franchise

by Alessia Donnelly DDS Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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Sometimes, the franchisor assumes that they can take over the business without compensating the franchisee. The franchisor does not need to buy the business as a going concern, but the franchisee agreement will determine how the franchisor can purchase the business’ assets and at what price.

Full Answer

What is the difference between a franchise&a corporation?

A franchise is owned and operated by an entity, but it operates under license from the parent company. A corporation runs all of its business locations; it doesn't bring in other companies. A franchise that's incorporated enjoys the same legal protections as any incorporated business. Common franchise businesses include the following:

Why are there rules for franchising a business?

Those rules are in place because successful franchising depends on duplicating a proven system and the franchisor doesn’t want you to “fix” what isn’t broken. Failure to adhere to the franchisor’s rules can risk not only your success, but the integrity and value of the franchise brand. Your franchise license can be revoked if you don’t follow them.

Is it better to take over an existing franchise?

When it comes to starting a new business, a franchise opportunity can certainly provide you with the right edge you need toward a surer way to succeed. There is, however, an even better way to go. Instead of starting a new franchise from scratch, you also have the possibility of taking over an existing franchise.

Can a franchisor legally close a franchise?

If the issue becomes persistent, the franchisor might legally close a franchise, as well as terminate the franchise agreement. If the franchisee discloses wrong information (ie. net worth), the franchisor has the right to terminate the franchise agreement. In fact, they can pursue further legal recourse to recoup any money lost in the process.

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Franchise vs Corporate

Franchises and corporate-owned stores both result from the parent company’s success and desire to grow. Expanding via a franchise-based store enables the parent company to duplicate its brand without assuming most financial and management risks. Franchising also provides an additional source of capital.

managing a franchise vs corporate-owned store

Franchises and corporate-owned stores have similarities and differences in how they operate on a daily basis. Consider the following:

1. Day-to-day operations

Whether the store is a franchise or a corporate-owned store operated by a retail manager, the nuts and bolts of the operation are the same. Typical day-to-day retail store operations include sales and customer service. Store inventory and merchandising functions get products on the shelves.

2. Hiring and staffing

Whether you operate a corporate-owned retail store or a retail franchise, XpertHR notes that ideal candidates have a certain desirable combination of attributes. Even if their skill set doesn’t match up, their “soft skills” are an advantage, and they can learn the job logistics.

3. Marketing and sales

Corporate-owned retail stores and franchise stores have two things in common: Both types of stores have coordinated, brand-centric marketing programs that are carefully crafted at corporate headquarters or with an industry-savvy marketing agency.

4. Inventory management and accounting

Besides sales and customer service, every retail store engages in three major functions: product purchasing, inventory management, and store accounting. Employees in corporate-owned stores and franchises take a similar hands-on approach to getting inventory onto store shelves so it’s ready for purchase.

5. Auditing a franchised vs corporate-owned store

Franchises and corporate-owned stores follow a similar audit process. A district or regional manager typically comes in to evaluate certain components and programs using preset criteria, checklists, and guidelines.

Why is it important to be a franchise owner?

Being a franchise owner is desirable for many people who want to run a business but don't want to create a new company from scratch. Proper research is essential so that you know exactly what you're getting into.

What is a franchise business?

A franchise is a small business. The franchise owner pays the parent company a fee along with ongoing royalties to operate under the parent company. Owners benefit from the parent company's reputation and advertising, as well as ongoing training that helps them start and grow their own franchise locations.

Why are franchise owners not responsible for advertising?

Franchise owners aren't responsible for all of the business advertising because most national franchises are well-established and invest in national advertising campaigns that make it easier for new owners to compete.

What is franchise agreement?

An individual or company enters into a franchise agreement to run a local business under a parent company's larger brand. The parent company gives permission to a local owner to use its name and products.

How does a parent company profit from franchises?

The parent company profits by collecting franchise fees from the various locations, while also using its locations to promote its brand. By opening more franchise locations, the parent corporation expands and enjoys a larger share of profits.

What is required of a local party in a franchise agreement?

The local party may be required to meet certain standards that the parent company sets. It may also have to purchase products from the parent company. All of this depends on the terms in the franchise agreement.

How do corporations achieve growth?

Corporations achieve growth by acquiring capital and having successful sales, marketing, and product development strategies. A corporation that operates as a franchise seeks to grow using private investors and other companies that purchase franchise locations.

Why are franchising rules in place?

Those rules are in place because successful franchising depends on duplicating a proven system and the franchisor doesn’t want you to “fix” what isn’t broken. Failure to adhere to the franchisor’s rules can risk not only your success, but the integrity and value of the franchise brand.

Is it better to buy a franchise or build your own?

Buying into a franchise has a number of advantages over building your own business from the ground up. Franchises can offer you a proven business model, established brand recognition and various types of support from the franchisor. These benefits often come at a price, however. As the franchisee, you’re trading away some level of autonomy in how you operate your business.

Why buy an existing franchise?

By buying an existing franchise, you could have a proven successful business instantly in place with regular customers and a good cash flow. Because the business is already operating successfully, it will also be easier for you to get financing . You will also be able to look at the books and determine just exactly how profitable the business really is. Here are some tips on how to buy an existing franchise.

How long does it take to get along with a franchise owner?

This makes it essential to be able to get along well with the owner – possibly for several months. In addition, if you are hoping for partial owner financing, it becomes even more necessary.

Why is learning about the financial situation of an existing business a challenge?

Learning about the actual financial situation of an existing business may be a challenge to discover, because the owner may not be willing to grant you the opportunity to actually look at the books.

When looking to buy an existing franchise, what do you want to look for?

When looking to buy an existing franchise, you want to find one that provides some service or product that you are genuinely interested in. Since you will be working the business for many years, you want to look it over carefully enough to know whether or not you think you could perform the necessary tasks for a long time. If you don’t think you could – then it probably is not a business you should get into.

Do you need to finance a franchise?

Unless you have money to pay for the franchise, most likely you will need the owner to finance some of it. This is frequently done when franchises change hands as a way to reduce taxes. Lenders are currently financing smaller percentages of businesses. Make sure that you are able to have some cash on hand for modifications and upgrades where needed.

What happens when you abandon a franchise?

So what happens when you neglect or abandon the franchise? That’s where the franchisor can initiate the termination of the franchise agreement based on the sole fact that you’ve deserted the business . More often than not, franchisees who have abandoned their franchises don’t put up a fight.

What is the franchise fee?

There are two types of franchise fees that a franchisee must pay in accordance with the franchise agreement. The first one is a one-off initial fee that allows the franchisor to defray the costs of starting a new location, including advertising, training, and so forth. The second, and the most important, is an ongoing fee. This is the royalty fee that the franchisee has to pay the parent company monthly, quarterly or annually as agreed upon.

What happens if a franchisor is persistent?

If the issue becomes persistent, the franchisor might legally close a franchise, as well as terminate the franchise agreement.

Why is my franchise not paying rent?

It is not uncommon for some franchisees to fail to pay part or all of the rent for the location, cost of the inventory from the franchisor or the franchise fees. It could be that you are facing personal financial problems or that the franchise is extremely underperforming. Whatever the reason, the franchisor should be able to talk to the owner and try to understand the reason behind nonpayment.

Can a Franchisor Close a Franchise on an Owner?

And like a marriage, the franchisor-franchisee relationship can turn sour, and the two parties must part ways. Which brings us to the subject of this article: can a franchisor close a franchise on a franchisee? More crucially, on what ground can a franchisor terminate a franchise agreement? Keep on reading to get the lowdown.

What happens to a company when it takes over?

Generally, if the takeover happens to be successful, then the acquiring company assumes all of the target companys responsibilities such as the companys holdings, debts as well as its operations.

Why do companies back flip?

The reason behind the back-flip takeover is so that the acquiring company can benefit from the already existing targets robust brand recognition. Lets assume that your XYZ Companys existence is less known globally by people despite it having big money figures. On the other hand, there is the ABC Company which is struggling financially despite its products being well-known globally, because of its strong brand. In this case, you may acquire company ABC but then, you will be forced to drop your XYZ brand name and instead, continue with the ABCs brand name because of its popularity.

What is a friendly takeover?

A friendly takeover which is also known as a welcome takeover refers to a takeover where both of the companys board of directors is in mutual agreement about the takeover. This means that the management of the target company is informed by the acquiring company about their intention to purchase the company, and the management approves the set purchasing terms. The management then informs the shareholders who are the owners of the target company about the takeover plan. The shareholders will then either vote for or against the takeover process. In a friendly takeover, it is the shareholders votes that will decide whether the takeover process will happen or not.

How does hostile takeover work?

This means that the management of the target company is not supporting the takeover idea. In this case, the acquiring company may go to the extent of using tactics to ensure that the target company loses control of its company shares and assets. It does this by purchasing the majority of the target companys shares, once they are in the market. Purchas ing the majority of the shares means that it automatically assumes control of the target company. Another way is that the acquiring company may decide to make an offer directly without giving the management time to make a decision, on whether they support the idea or not. The bidder goes ahead to pursue the acquisition without first engaging the board of directors (management). This kind of acquisition is what is called a hostile takeover.

What is a takeover?

A takeover is a term used in business when a given company is purchased by another (the acquirer). In other words, takeover happens when one company through bidding, assumes control of another company. The process of takeover happens when the company assuming control purchases the majority of the target company's shares. The company purchasing is usually known as the bidder or the acquirer while the company being bought is known as the target. Note that takeover happens commonly in the world of business. However, it is completely different from a merger. A merger happens when the bidding company and the target company stops to exists and instead, come together to establish one new joint company. In the United Kingdom, the term takeover is used to refer to a situation where there is an acquisition of a public company through a stock exchange market where its shares are usually listed. Note that it is big companies who mostly initiate takeover for small companies. This means that small companies are mostly the target while the big companies happen to be the bidders in the takeover process. Companies in the following situations make appealing takeover targets:

What is reverse takeover?

A reverse takeover refers to a situation where a private company assumes control of a public company. A reverse takeover simply happens to enable a public company to go public without necessarily taking a risk of going through an initial public offering, a process that is costly and tedious. This means that the private company (the acquirer) changes to a public company by assuming control over an already listed company.

When a bidding company decides to use the prevailing opportunity to purchase the company?

When a bidding company decides to use the prevailing opportunity to purchase the company (opportunistic takeover). A good example is where a company believes that the target company has a long-term value if purchased at its current pricing. It, therefore, purchases the target company because of its foreseen long-term value.

What happens if a franchisor doesn't exercise the option to buy the franchise?

If the franchisor doesn't exercise the option to buy the franchise, you can sell to the buyer. But if a deal doesn't close in the required time frame, you must again give the franchisor written notice and right of first refusal.

What happens if you want out of a franchise agreement?

If you want out of your agreement before it expires, you’ll need to do what’s called assigning or transferring the franchise—a process that gives someone else your rights and responsibilities under the franchise agreement.

What Does It Mean to Assign or Transfer Your Franchise?

When you bought your franchise, you entered into a franchise agreement giving you, the franchisee, access to products, services, or systems developed by the franchise owner (called the franchisor) along with certain rights like the use of the franchisor's name.

Is the Lease Included in the Transfer?

If you have been leasing property to operate your business, you probably have a lease agreement with someone other than the franchisor, and your lease agreement is separate from your franchise agreement. Transferring it will require a separate transaction.

How to sell a franchise?

Typically, if you want to sell your franchise business, many of the same terms and conditions will apply. But there are often additional provisions including: 1 written notice that includes the buyer’s name and purchase price, and 2 an offer to the franchisor to buy the business at the same price offered to the buyer (called a right of first refusal.)

What is a franchise agreement?

Your franchise agreement is a contract between you and the franchisor and, ...

What is the condition for a franchise to be transferred?

The conditions can vary depending on the type of franchise and the franchisor but usually require: Notice of your intent to transfer. Before you enter into any contract to transfer your franchise, you will usually have to give the franchisor written notice of your intention.

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About Franchises and Corporations

  • A franchise is a small business. The franchise owner pays the parent company a fee along with ongoing royalties to operate under the parent company. Owners benefit from the parent company's reputation and advertising, as well as ongoing training that helps them start and grow their own franchise locations. Franchises exist for nearly everything, from home remodeling to g…
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Differences Between Franchises and Corporations

  • Common franchise businesses include the following: 1. Retail stores 2. Chain restaurants 3. Hotels A franchise may be any of the following business types: 1. Sole proprietorship 2. Corporation 3. Limited liability company 4. Other business type An individual or company enters into a franchise agreementto run a local business under a parent company's larger brand. The p…
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Business Growth Patterns

  • Both corporations and franchises seek continual growth. Corporations achieve growth by acquiring capital and having successful sales, marketing, and product development strategies. A corporation that operates as a franchise seeks to grow using private investors and other companies that purchase franchise locations. The parent company profits by col...
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Franchises

  • The advantages of franchises include the following: 1. It's often easier to secure a loan to buy a franchisecompared to a new business since banks understand the financial risks of franchises and appreciate their proven model. 2. You often have a lower risk of failure with a franchise, in part due to their proven business model. 3. Franchise owners aren't responsible for all of the bus…
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