how to make my small business a franchise

^{How to Turn Your Small Business Into a Successful Franchise}

1. Consider your business concept and model. Your first port of call is to consider your business concept/model and whether it's viable to turn into a franchise.
2. Get as much advice as possible. You may be a seasoned businessperson, but if this is your first time franchising, you'll need to put up your hand and ask ...
3. Prepare your small business for a change. You must understand that your role in your business may change when you become a franchisor. Scratch that – it will change.
4. Pick your business franchisees wisely. A big mistake many franchisors make is that they want to see their business grow as fast as possible, so they sell franchises to ...
5. Provide the right support to small businesses. The work doesn't stop once you’ve sold your franchise. ...

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. ...

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 to successfully franchise your business?

• Present Your Business to Potential Franchisees. After identifying your goals, you may now sell your franchise business model to your prospective franchisees.
• Provide Hands-On Training. If you have a vision for your franchise business, your franchisees must share the same objectives with you.
• Work On the Ground. ...
• Implement The Organizational Culture. ...

What do you need to franchise a business?

What do you Need to Franchise Your Business? 1. A good business plan that itemizes the key elements of the franchise expansion model and how the franchise program... 2. In order to franchise your business effectively, you should have a good understanding for the marketplace, and the... 3. A solid ...

How much does it cost to turn a business into 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.

What is the cheapest most profitable franchise to own?

What are the cheapest franchises to buy?Cruise Planners. Franchise fee: $10,995. ... Jazzercise. Franchise fee: $1,250. ... Help-U-Sell Real Estate. Franchise fee: $15,000. ... United Country Real Estate. Franchise fee: $8,000 to $20,000. ... Stratus Building Solutions. ... Anago Cleaning Systems. ... JAN-PRO. ... Dream Vacations.

Can any business be a franchise?

Don't consider franchising your business unless you have a known, local market for your product or service. Marketability is determined by need, and need is determined by competition.

How can a business franchise?

How to buy a franchise, step by stepBe sure about your reasoning. ... Research which franchises you may want to own. ... Begin the application process. ... Set up your “discovery day” meeting. ... Apply for financing. ... Review and return your franchise paperwork very carefully. ... Buy or rent a location. ... Get training and support.

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.

What is the highest paid franchise?

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.

Is it better to franchise or license?

A license arrangement is generally easier and cheaper to set up than a franchise concept. Ongoing management is also less demanding. However, you are giving up a lot of control over the quality of the products and services the licensee will provide, and this could damage your reputation.

What qualifies something as a franchise?

A franchise (or franchising) is a method of distributing products or services involving a franchisor, who establishes the brand's trademark or trade name and a business system, and a franchisee, who pays a royalty and often an initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor's name and system.

What are three qualifications to own a franchise?

Some franchise requirements to take into consideration may include:Credit score. Minimum credit scores vary by franchisor, but most consider a grade of 680 or higher as ideal.Net worth. ... Available cash. ... Previous industry experience. ... Management experience. ... Total investment required. ... Ongoing costs. ... Training and support.

How do I start my first franchise?

Steps to Start a FranchiseStep 1: Research your options. ... Step 2: Select a franchise that aligns with your business goals. ... Step 3: Create an LLC or a corporation. ... Step 4: Arrange financing. ... Step 5: Talk to the franchisors and franchisees. ... Step 6: Talk to members of your community. ... Step 7: Create a business plan.More items...•

Is it smart to franchise your business?

You should only franchise if it is a part of your long-term growth strategy and goals. Only franchise if your goal is to expand your brand and to build an organization to support and assist your future franchisees.

Do you need a lot of money to start a franchise?

Franchise costs vary significantly on the brand and type of business. The initial fee that most franchisees have to pay can range from anywhere between $10,000 to $100,000.

What franchise has the best return on investment?

Most Profitable FranchisesDunkin'7-Eleven.Planet Fitness.JAN-PRO.Taco Bell.Orangetheory Fitness.Great Clips.Mac Tools.More items...•

How long before franchise is profitable?

One common misconception when it comes to operating a franchise is that once you sign on the dotted line and open for business, the customers and revenue will start flowing. This is typically not the case. It normally takes a year or two to become profitable.

Can I open a franchise with no net worth?

It's not possible to start a franchise without any money. You'll need to pay an initial franchise fee, and you will have other start-up costs. Furthermore, franchisors want to see that you have some skin in the game in the form of a down payment.

Can you make good money buying a franchise?

Buying a franchise might seem like easy money, but those royalties and fees will quickly cut into profit margins. The majority of franchise owners earn less than $50,000 per year.

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...

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.

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 is the first stage of franchise development?

Stage 1 – The Franchise Development Stage is the franchise development stage where you take the legal and business steps necessary to call yourself a franchisor and start selling franchises. During the franchise development stage, major milestones include developing and issuing your FDD, preparing your operations manual, and competitively benchmarking your franchise offering relative to your competitors.

Who is the person who manages a franchise?

In many cases, the person managing the franchise is the same person who has just invested a significant amount of money in establishing it.

Who reviews franchise documents?

As there can be a lot to manage and so much legislation to follow, it can be worth having all your documentation reviewed by industry professionals, such as franchise attorneys.

Why is a business plan important?

A business plan is crucial for when you’re just getting started and for when disaster strikes. However, it can also be essential for business owners to replicate their success in a second, third, or even fourth business.

Is it better to franchise a business or expand it?

Franchising your successful small business can be a way around that. You get the business expansion you desire, but the franchisee is fronting the money for your growth, which decreases your investment amount and your liability.

Is it hard to set up a franchise?

While sometimes challenging to set up, a franchise may be how you take that next step and create a name for yourself in the business world.

Is it worth considering if your business model is easy to replicate?

It can also be worth considering if your business model is easy to replicate and whether there is a large enough customer base to support more than one business like yours.

Is it a dream to start a small business?

Franchising a small business is a dream of many entrepreneurs, and is also one of the soundest options for growth without cutting into your bottom line with overhead costs.

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.

Why is my business being audited?

There’s also a higher chance than usual that your business will be audited, because the IRS views ROBS as a tax strategy — basically, a way to avoid paying taxes.

Why do we have franchises?

The franchises serve us to expand our business and obtain recurring income from businesses that no longer depend on us.

What to use to attract franchisees?

If you are in the process of attracting possible franchisees, you can use advertising. The best would be business magazines or sites like LinkedIn where you will reach the professional audience.

What are the requirements for franchising?

Some of these decisions will have to do with: 1 The place of the franchises 2 The requirements to be a franchise 3 The training and guidance you will offer as a franchisor 4 The way you will promote franchises 5 The initial cost of franchising and commissions 6 The distribution or manufacturing of the products or services 7 The period of time by which the agreement will be signed 8 This part is of vital importance since those decisions will have a strong impact in the coming years.

What is the part of becoming a franchisor?

Part of becoming a franchisor includes having to add key personnel to support the franchises.

What are some examples of fast food franchises?

To better understand this concept, we can think of some examples like McDonald’s and KFC. These fast food businesses are all over the world and have managed to expand thanks to their franchises.

Why is it important to have other business units before franchising?

This is why it is important to have other business units before franchising, to have a business replication method already established. In addition to offering instructions on certain business practices, some freedom should be granted to the franchise, as well as certain restrictions.

Why do you grant the right to use a brand?

to someone else, so it’s easier for them to attract customers than to start their own business under a new name. Another benefit is that they operate under a business model that already works, they do not need to create one.