10 Steps to Starting a Franchise
- 1. Create a Solid Business Model Ideally, you should have an existing business that you want to scale up. ...
- 2. Do Your Research Consider the industry your franchise will be operating in. ...
- 3. Speak to the Experts ...
- 4. Prioritise Recruitment ...
- 5. Implement Training Standards ...
- 6. Plan to Succeed ...
- 7. Decide on Fees ...
- 8. Protect Your Intellectual Property (IP) ...
How to make your own franchise in 5 steps?
- Set Realistic Goals. Franchising is more of a marathon than a sprint. ...
- Research Your Competitors. ...
- Develop Your Franchise Offering for Both Individual and Multi-Unit Sales. ...
- Make Sure Your FDD Is Compliant for Every State. ...
- Learn Franchising and Get Involved in the Franchise Community. ...
How much does it cost to set up a franchise?
When you google the cost of a franchise, oftentimes what pops up is simply the franchise fee, which can range anywhere from $1,000 to $80,000 or more. However, that’s just the fee to be a part of the franchise system.The total cost of a franchise, and therefore what you’ll need to invest, includes many other expenses. These expenses are listed in a chart (Item 7) of a brand’s Franchise ...
How to turn a small business into a franchise?
What Steps Do I Need to Take to Franchise My Business?
- Create a Business Plan. The first step to a successful franchise in Australia is a deep understanding of the market. ...
- Pilot the Operation. ...
- Prepare a Franchise Operations Manual. ...
- Create Franchise Agreement. ...
- Training of the Franchisee. ...
- Decide on Investment Costs. ...
- Choose an Ideal Franchisee. ...
- Set Up Management and Support. ...
How can I start my own franchise business?
When preparing for your big day, a few tips can help make it a success:
- Choose a date with high traffic. Your opening date and time should be ideal for attracting as many people as possible.
- Advertise to your local market. ...
- Send press releases to local media outlets. ...
- Invite friends, family and city officials. ...
- Decorate the store with grand opening paraphernalia. ...
- Organize exciting activities on opening day. ...
What Is a Franchise?
In business, a franchise refers to a method of expanding a business by opening other outlets that are run by independent owners. From an owner's point of view, the process of franchising is costly, but it can be regarded as an investment.
Why is it important to choose a franchise?
It is important to select a franchise that suits your goals, skills, and personality. Identify your entrepreneurial strengths and weaknesses, the type of business you wish to own, and your business goals.
What is franchising license?
In franchising, a franchisor grants a licensed privilege to a franchisee to conduct business and provides assistance in organizing, merchandising, marketing, managing, and training in exchange for a monetary consideration. Essentially, the franchisee is required to pay an initial fee and ongoing royalty fees to the franchisor. In return, it gains the right to use the franchisor's trademark, implement its operation system, and sell its products or services, as well as access to ongoing support.
Is it a good idea to start a franchise as an LLC?
It is beneficial to start a franchise as an LLC or corporation. Both an LLC and a corporation offer liability protection and tax breaks that are inaccessible to a sole proprietor. If you want your business to be regarded as more credible by your prospective investors, franchisors, business partners, and customers, you should incorporate it.
How long does it take to develop a franchise?
The franchise development process typically takes between 90- to 120-days to go from where you are today to being a franchisor legally able to offer and sell franchises. However, once you “franchise your business” you’re just getting started.
How Long Should It Take to Franchise My Business?
Typically, franchising your business takes from 90 to 120 days. Depending on unique factors related to your business or industry, there could be variations. A lot also depends on who you are working with and your internal team.
What Are the Franchise Laws and What Is a Franchise Disclosure Document?
Franchising is regulated and requires compliance with federal and state franchise laws.
Do I Have to Work with a Franchise Lawyer?
If you are going to franchise the right way, you need to work with a lawyer who specializes in franchising and who is experienced in working with new and emerging franchisors like you.
Can a Franchise Developer or Consultant Prepare My FDD Instead of a Franchise Lawyer?
No. Your FDD is a legal document that requires the integration of federal and state-specific franchise laws and regulations and should only be prepared by a qualified franchise lawyer.
How Do I Get Started?
By reading this guide, you’ve already taken the first step! Now that you have a solid foundation as to what franchising is all about and the steps involved, start building the right team to help support and guide you in franchising your business .
How long do you have to give FDD to franchisees?
It’s required by federal and state law and is the legal foundation for your franchise. You are required to give prospective franchisees your FDD no less than 14 days before signing any agreement with a franchisee or accepting any payments from a franchisee.
How much does it cost to start a franchise?
Franchise costs vary widely depending on the industry and business you choose to invest in, not to mention where you live or plan to do business.
What to do if you don't have a franchise?
If you don’t have the initial investment costs at the ready, you may need to tap into outside financing to launch or run your franchise. Many banks, the SBA and franchise-specific lenders offer financial help for would-be franchisees. Other options include crowdfunding or lenders based entirely online.
How long do you have to get a copy of your FDD before signing a contract?
The franchisor is required to provide you with the FDD at least 14 days before you sign a contract, though it’s a good idea to request a copy earlier in your initial phases of research. You can typically download a PDF of the FDD, though some franchisors might be willing to send you a hard copy. 5.
How to get a copy of a franchise disclosure document?
Reach out to the franchisor for a copy of its franchise disclosure document (FDD), which contains detailed legal information about its franchise group along with financial data like the average gross revenue of its locations.
Why do you need a business plan?
A business plan is necessary if you plan to apply for a loan to help with startup costs. Lenders want to know that you have a viable plan for turning a profit and sustaining your business over the long haul, because it helps them evaluate whether you’ll be able to pay it back.
How long does a franchise contract last?
Franchise contracts come with terms of five to 20 years. At the end of the term, you can often choose whether to renew the contract or discontinue your franchise. At contract signing, you’ll likely need to also pay any upfront fees or initial investment expenses.
Where is the Critter Control franchise located?
Let’s say you want to open a Critter Control franchise in San Jose, California — a city with a population of about 1 million people. At an average $582,828 gross revenue for that market, according to Critter Control, here’s what you could reasonably expect.
How to set up a franchise?
So the starting point for setting up a franchise is to: (1) Establish the intellectual property (IP) that comprise the brand name and systems that are to be licensed (2) Analyse and understand the financials behind the business so that a prospective franchisor can demonstrate the level of returns that can be achieved at the franchisee level
What is franchising proposition?
A key part of the franchise proposition is the underlying premise that it is a tried and testing system and business model. At the heart of this is the idea that, if the franchisee implements the systems and adheres to the manuals, they should be able to operate a profitable business and secure a reasonable return on their investment. It is important, therefore, that before looking to franchise its business a prospective franchisor analyses carefully the returns that are likely to be achieved by a reasonably competent franchisee. In most cases, a prospective franchisor will carry out this financial analysis by operating a pilot operation for a period of time since this will allow them to iron out any potential issues and get a clear understanding of the likely financial returns that may be achieved. Sometimes, the franchisor may look to franchise without strictly operating a pilot but using their current business as the example of a pilot operation. However, this will come at an increased risk since there may well be significant differences between the historical operation of its current business and how a franchised outlet is likely to be operated and be performed. Clearly, the greater level of due diligence that is carried out by a prospective franchisor in establishing their franchise proposition, the more likely that it will become a successful franchisor.
What is IP in franchising?
The IP comprises the brand, business model and systems. This means the following. (1) The brand should be registered as a trade mark since a prospective franchisor should have clear and undisputed rights to license third party franchisees to use the brand name and/or logo that is associated with the business (2) The Systems and business model should be written into a set of manuals (such as a training manual, an operations manual, a systems manual and a policies and procedures manual) which should give a full and detailed account of what a new franchisee is required to do to start and operate their business In creating the manuals, a good starting point is to break the business down into two roles; the franchisor role and the franchisee role. The franchisor role usually comprises (1) finding and recruiting prospective franchisees (including assessing whether they have the appropriate finance and skills to be able to operate a franchised outlet), (2) finding, contracting and managing any suppliers that may be required to deliver services or products to franchisees, (3) assisting the franchisees to set up their business (which may include helping them to find suitable premises and approving the fit out of those premises for launch), (4) training and supporting the franchisees so that they are well placed to start and grow their business and (5) managing and monitoring the franchisees to ensure that they are complying with the terms of any franchise agreement or manuals. The franchisee role is usually focused on the delivery of the products or services to end customers. This will include (1) finding, locating and fitting out of appropriate premises, (2) launching and marketing the business, (3) recruiting and training the staff that are to be employed in delivering the products and services to end customers, (4) the general management of the operations of the business, (5) ensuring that the franchise is being conducted in line with the terms of any franchise agreement and manuals, (6) managing the financials of the business and (7) attending any ongoing training and liaising with the franchisor as may be necessary . It is important that a franchisor ensures that the training and manuals are appropriate to enable a franchisee to implement its role within the business.
How to expand a franchise?
Your best expansion strategy is to begin in your local market first and then to the adjacent city and outwards from there to adjacent states and on and on. You don’t want your new locations to encroach on your existing market, and you definitely don’t want your franchisees encroaching on one another. Look at a map and set up buffer zones between prospective markets. Then consider which neighborhoods you do and don’t want your franchise to be located in. This will ultimately determine how consumers perceive your brand. Setting minimum standards for the quality of shopping centers or strip mall locations is an important barrier to entry.
What is franchise development?
Working with your franchise consultant, you will develop a plan on how to position your offering so that it is easily expandable. Your consultant will review your business operation and recommend ways for effectively delivering various services (i.e. their weekly inventory) for franchisee’s operations.
What is the most important decision in franchising?
Selecting a franchise consultant is the most important decision in franchising your business. Franchising is only learned through experience and when selecting a franchise consultant you must make sure to select one that has operated his/her own franchise system. Operating a franchise system successfully is the best way to learn about franchising.
Is it exciting to franchise a business?
The launch of the first franchise will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and is very exciting to see your business grow into another location without investing any of your money or time. This is why after it is open and operating smoothly you may be tempted to pick up another right away. Don’t take on too much at once as you will still need to provide adequate support to your first franchise as well as your home location.
Is it ill advised to start a franchise?
Many would-be franchise starters are so excited about the opportunity to spread their brand that they rush ahead with anyone who shows interest. This is an ill-advised move. Rather , you need to set clear standards for your prospective franchisees up front, including liquid assets, experience, completion of training programs, etc. It will look far worse for your brand if you have franchises popping up and fizzling out repeatedly than if you take your time and expand slowly.
How do franchisees get financing?
The first is having a family member or friend join in the franchise as a partner, sharing the financial and operational load of the business—and also the profits that come. The second is a family member or friend offers a loan, which the franchisee pays back.
How much does it cost to franchise a single unit?
Seid, founder and managing director of Michael H. Seid & Associates, the initial investment for a single unit franchise typically falls in the $100,000 to $300,000 range.
What is FDD in franchising?
The FDD is an invaluable resource to have as you put together your budget for franchise investment. You can request an FDD, which must conform to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines, from a franchisor at any time but you must receive one to review at least two weeks before signing any contracts with a franchisor.
What is franchise fee?
The franchise fee is basically a cover charge for entry into a franchise system. Think of it as the fee you pay the franchisor for doing the legwork developing the brand, and saving you from many (not all) of the pitfalls that come with starting a business from the ground up.
Why do you need to prepare documents before meeting with a franchise lender?
Before meeting with potential lenders, it will be to your benefit to prepare your documents in advance. Not only will it help expedite the process, it will help you show the lender you can be trusted with the responsibilities of a franchise business. Lenders strive to take on as little risk as possible.
How long does it take Glenn to finance his franchise?
The process of financing his franchise with his retirement funds took Glenn around four-to-six weeks. Glenn advises others seeking franchise funding “to make sure you do the due diligence. Research the business model thoroughly. If you can afford to overfund, especially with a 401 (k), do so.
Does the SBA loan money directly to franchisees?
In actuality, the SBA itself doesn’t loan money directly at all. The agency offers partial guarantees for the loans to the banks that participate in its programs.
