Franchise FAQ

how to franchise a service company

by Joelle Bechtelar Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How To Franchise Your Services Business

  • Create a business you can replicate easily. Look at your business policies, procedures, and operations, and create written documentation of everything that goes into your company. ...
  • Make sure you can prove the business’ potential. ...
  • Spread your wings in multiple locations. ...
  • Consider your employees as your first potential investors. ...
  • Figure out your pricing structure. ...
  • Sort out your legal documentation. ...

Full Answer

How to make your business into a franchise?

  • 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 money does it cost to franchise your business?

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 ...

What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning a franchise?

These include:

  • Limited Control: As a franchise business owner, you have limited control. ...
  • Costs: Opening a franchise is not a cheap endeavor. ...
  • Potential Leadership Changes: There is always the possibility that the franchise can be acquired and new leadership will move in.
  • Lack of Privacy: Being a franchisee also comes with a lack of financial privacy. ...

More items...

Can you make money starting a franchise?

The franchisor doesn’t actually make much money if any at all from the upfront fee that a franchisee pays to purchase a franchise business. The investment cost of a franchise opportunity is simply there to cover the cost for the franchisor in terms of bringing a new franchisee on board. Making strong investments in new franchisees will ensure they get off to a great start. The following fees are usually covered:

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Can you franchise a service business?

Franchising a service business can be a great way to expand your business (without doubling your workload) for greater reach. Not only can this help you build a name for your service business, but, depending on the popularity of your services and the reputation of your brand, you can also make a pretty penny.

What is a service based franchise?

Service franchises — businesses that provide a service to their customers rather than selling them a product — are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for entrepreneurs in 2022.

How much money is needed to start a franchise?

Franchise startup costs can be as low as $10,000 or as high as $5 million, with the majority falling somewhere between $100,000 and $300,000. The price all depends on the industry, location and type of franchise.

Do franchise owners make money?

Franchise Business Review found that the average annual pre-tax income of franchise owners in America is $80,000. Only 7% of franchise owners make more than $250,000 annually, and 51% earn less than $50,000. Legally, franchisors cannot give income amounts or forecasts of future income.

Why franchising is more popular in service sectors?

For a franchise owner one of the main advantages of owning a franchise in the Service sector is that it enables them to grow a substantial business without having to invest money into buying or renting store premises and employing large numbers of staff.

What is business format franchise for services?

Business Format Franchise This comprises the franchisor's name, goodwill, product and services, procedures, manuals and standards, marketing operating systems and support facilities. Business format franchising is the most popular type of franchise system and the one generally referred to when talking franchising.

Do franchises pay taxes?

Franchise taxes are paid in addition to federal and state income taxes. The amount of franchise tax can differ greatly depending on the tax rules within each state and is not calculated on the organization's profit. Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia all discontinued their corporate franchise taxes.

What franchise makes the most money?

What is the most profitable franchise to own? According to the Franchise 500 list of 2021, Taco Bell is the most profitable franchise to own. The food chain has been franchising for nearly 6 decades and is still seeking franchises worldwide. As of 2021, they have 7,567 open units.

What industries are most likely to franchise?

Other commonly franchised industries include:Automotive repairs and services.Environmental services.Hair salons.Health aids and services.Computer and phone repair.Clothing stores.Children's services.

What is a disadvantage of franchising?

Disadvantages to franchisees include high costs and royalty payments, strict product rules, lack of support from uninterested franchisors, lack of flexibility in where to locate and how to trade, and other start-up challenges. Entering into an agreement with an interested franchisor is important.

How often do franchises fail?

A five-year study by the franchise consulting firm FranNet reported that 92 percent of their franchise placements were still in business after two years and 85 percent after five years. Because yes, sometimes franchise businesses can rise and fall like independently owned companies.

How do franchisees pay themselves?

Franchise owners can pay themselves a salary or depending on their business entity, they may be able to take a draw from their accumulated equity. The latter is usually only an option for limited liability corporations (LLC), S corporations, sole proprietorships and partnerships.

What is an example of a franchise business?

Examples of well-known franchise business models include McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Subway, United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), and H&R Block (NYSE: HRB).

What is franchising short answer?

Franchising is a contractual relationship between a licensor (franchisor) and a licensee (franchisee) that allows the business owner to use the licensor's brand and method of doing business to distribute products or services to consumers.

Do franchise owners make money?

Although franchisors cannot forecast income, as a franchisee, you can definitely make money. It’s important to assess your costs regularly and make...

Are franchise fees paid yearly?

Franchise fees are usually on a monthly basis. The fee is a percentage of your revenue, and the royalties can range from 4% to 12% per year.

How much does the average franchise owner earn per year?

In a study from Franchise Direct, the average franchise owner makes $80,000 a year before tax. However, the range of income is quite large: anywher...

What kinds of franchises are available?

In general, there are three types of franchises available: business, management and product distribution. A business franchise gives you the rights...

What is franchising a business?

Franchising is a method of expansion that allows a business to expand rapidly with a minimum of its own capital. We know of only one effective way to expand without giving up control of either your business or its assets and that is by selling franchises.

What is a successful franchise program?

A successful franchise program attracts prospective franchisees like a gold strike attracts miners. As the most successful franchises grow, the problem becomes less one of “selling” franchises, than of separating qualified from unqualified applicants.

What are the advantages of franchising?

One other advantage of franchising is the added value a franchise program can give to a company. Franchising can make the business a more valuable asset than it had been before. If you decide to sell the business, you’ll be in a much stronger negotiating position.

What is a local franchisee?

At the local level, the franchisee is a very visible member of a community or neighborhood. A local franchisee generally represents a higher level of community commitment and involvement with customers than does an absentee owner.

Why is franchising important?

Franchising can enable you to capture an existing market and penetrate new markets as well. As your franchise grows you can, if you desire, use earned revenues to build additional company-owned units. This is especially true in areas where you feel you need market saturation to limit your competitor’s access to that market.

What is a local owner manager?

Local owner-managers can usually operate their units with more efficiency and less bureaucracy than a company-run unit. The franchisee is also more attuned to changes his specific unit may need to adapt to their community. Let’s assume that you have an unusual concept — one you’ve tried and tested locally but that has not been expanded nationally. Or, let’s suppose another company has made your concept work in some other region of the country and you are concerned that they will move in, competing against you in your region.

Why is franchising important?

It’s important to continue learning and iterating your business along the way and maintain your high standards for quality and service.

What is a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)?

One of the most important documents when forming a franchise is the Franchise Disclosure Document or FDD.

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 does it mean to franchise a business?

When you franchise your business it means that you have taken the necessary legal and business steps to sell franchises, support franchisees, and grow your brand. First and foremost, your franchise lawyer will have to prepare and issue a Franchise Disclosure Document that complies with federal and state law.

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.

What Does It Mean to Franchise a Business?

Franchising is a type of agreement that entails reproducing a successful business model across multiple locations. As the business owner and franchisor, you would create a franchise agreement to begin the process and move toward opening a new franchise.

How to Franchise a Business

Once you decide to franchise your small business, you'll need to prepare to take on the new independent contractors that will run their individual franchises.

Franchising Your Business: Pros and Cons

Business ownership is rewarding work, and it often requires making tough decisions. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of franchising your business to help inform your decision of whether franchising is right for you.

What do you need to franchise a business?

Skills and training. Some service franchises require a specialized set of skills, training, or licensing to do business. It's one thing to fix your own electrical problems; it's another to drive to a job in a van with a brand name logo on the side, representing a company. Also, you may need to brush up on your "people skills": it's different fixing a leak for a housewife than repairing a broken pipe in your old job at the factory. Finally, there's the legal and financial side of managing a franchised business, which can require new tax forms, insurance, hiring skills, etc.

Who produces franchising.com?

Franchising.com is produced by Franchise Update Media. Franchise Update Media has its finger on the pulse of franchising with unrivalled audience intelligence and market driven data. No media company understands the franchise landscape deeper than Franchise Update Media.

What are some examples of businesses built on services that customers could perform themselves but choose to pay someone else for?

Other examples of businesses built on services that customers could perform themselves but choose to pay someone else for include lawn and landscaping services, residential painting, oil changes, and the installation of home entertainment systems. There are many more (below).

Why are customers unable to perform their own services?

Another, very obvious customer base consists of those unable to perform the service themselves because they lack the technical skills, equipment, discipline, or confidence. Some of these include the sectors mentioned above, as well as personal services such as tanning parlors, massage, coaching, and fitness training.

Do you have to hire staff to do a concept?

Staff. Some concepts will require you to be the manager and hire staff, rather than do it all yourself. (How many houses can you paint in a day?) If you're the type who prefers to work alone, choose a concept that allows this. Hiring staff is time-consuming and the source of much indigestion and expense.

Can you work flexible hours?

You don't have to open the doors at a set time and keep them open till 9 p.m . While you may earn less by limiting your work hours, you are able to maintain contact with your loved ones, versus managing a staff of teenagers 14 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is hair salon business recession proof?

Some service sectors are considered "recession-proof," but that's a relative term. If you ask hair salon franchisees if their business has fallen off, it has - though not as steeply as some others. People still need their hair trimmed, but when cash gets tight choose to wait longer between visits, buy fewer products to take home, and opt for a basic cut, forgoing the coloring and styling extras.

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How to Start A Franchise — The Advantages

Capital

  • Franchising is a method of expansion that allows a business to expand rapidly with a minimum of its own capital. We know of only one effective way to expand without giving up control of either your business or its assets and that is by selling franchises. Be aware that the money you get from the franchise fee will usually do little more than paying...
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Motivated “Managers”

  • Good managers are hard to find. And once you have found them and trained them at considerable expense, they aren’t easy to keep. Even a manager on an incentive system doesn’t actually own anything. Nothing ties a manager to his job. On the other hand, the franchisee is not an employee. They buy, with their own money, the rights to own and operate a business similar to the one you …
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  • At the local level, the franchisee is a very visible member of a community or neighborhood. A local franchisee generally represents a higher level of community commitment and involvement with customers than does an absentee owner.
See more on vonigo.com

Profitability

  • With a franchisee involved in the hands-on operation of a franchise, labor costs can be kept down. This allows a unit to be profitable with a smaller population base (and possibly with lower sales levels) than other units may require.
See more on vonigo.com

Efficiency

  • Local owner-managers can usually operate their units with more efficiency and less bureaucracy than a company-run unit. The franchisee is also more attuned to changes his specific unit may need to adapt to their community. Let’s assume that you have an unusual concept — one you’ve tried and tested locally but that has not been expanded nationally. Or, let’s suppose another com…
See more on vonigo.com

Momentum

  • A successful franchise program attracts prospective franchisees like a gold strike attracts miners. As the most successful franchises grow, the problem becomes less one of “selling” franchises, than of separating qualified from unqualified applicants.
See more on vonigo.com

Franchising

  • Franchising can enable you to capture an existing market and penetrate new markets as well. As your franchise grows you can, if you desire, use earned revenues to build additional company-owned units. This is especially true in areas where you feel you need market saturation to limit your competitor’s access to that market.
See more on vonigo.com

Buying Power

  • As your franchise grows, collective buying power can become a significant advantage. Everything from equipment to inventory can be purchased by franchisees from approved suppliers at group discounts. In fact, for franchisees in product businesses, savings resulting from collective buying often surpass the royalty fees they pay. If the franchisee can reduce his or her cost of goods by …
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Pooling Funds

  • Another collective-buying advantage of franchising is the ability to pool funds for advertising and public relations programs. Where do franchise-advertising dollars come from? Usually from franchisees. Of course, buying power of all kinds can accrue to any chain—franchised or non-franchised. The chain that grows fastest is often the chain that benefits most from collective bu…
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