Franchise FAQ

what are franchises in business

by Prof. August Doyle Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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A franchisee is an independent small business owner who operates a third-party retail outlet called a franchise. In doing so, the franchisee has purchased the right to use an existing business's trademarks, associated brands, and other proprietary knowledge to market and sell the same brand, and uphold the same standards as the first business.

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.

Full Answer

What are the benefits of owning a franchise business?

The Pros Of Buying A Franchise

  • Skipping Startup Stage. The most difficult part of owning a business arguably comes in the startup stage, where you have to write a business plan, conduct market research, create a ...
  • Instant Name Recognition. ...
  • Training Program. ...
  • Help With Marketing And Advertising. ...
  • Access To Increased Purchasing Power. ...
  • Easier Access To Financing. ...

Should you buy a franchise business?

Others also have their unique reasons on why they buy a franchise business. One of the few good reasons of buying a franchise business is that it lets you avoid all those potential risks experienced by other start ups. This is also a one way of being smart.

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...

What should I consider before buying a franchise?

Ten Things To Consider Before Buying A Franchise

  • What's the story on the franchisor's business record and reputation?
  • Have you spoken to existing franchisees?
  • Have you contacted government consumer protection agencies, Canadian Franchise Association and your local Better Business Bureau?
  • Is the franchisor's infrastructure comprehensive and stable?

More items...

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What does a franchise do for a company?

In franchising, a franchise owner partners with a corporate brand to open a business under the brand's umbrella. The franchisee owns and operates that location using the franchisor's brand name, logo, products, services and other assets.

What is the meaning of franchise business?

A franchise is a business whereby the owner licenses its operations—along with its products, branding, and knowledge—in exchange for a franchise fee. The franchisor is the business that grants licenses to franchisees.

What is a franchise business example?

Examples of well-known franchise business models include McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Subway, United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), and H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). In the United States, there are franchise business opportunities available across a wide variety of industries.

What are the 4 types of franchising?

The four types of franchise business you can invest inJob or operator franchise. These owner operator franchises are usually home based, which keeps overheads down to a minimum. ... Management franchise. ... Retail and fast food franchises. ... Investment 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.

What is franchising and its benefits?

Franchise systems can offer purchasing efficiencies through economies of scale. Some or all of the needed products will be offered by either the franchisor or trusted suppliers. Franchisees can often take advantage of bulk discounts as well. Advertising and marketing assistance.

What is a good example of a franchise?

Some of the most successful franchise businesses in the United States include Subway, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Dunkin' Donuts; but restaurants are not the only kind of franchise businesses available. Some business types are more appropriate for franchising than others.

Who owns a franchise?

franchisorA franchise is a business in which an established business owner – known as the 'franchisor' – sells the rights to use their company name, trademarks and business model to independent operators, called 'franchisees'.

What are 3 advantages of a franchise?

Advantages of buying a franchise You don't necessarily need business experience to run a franchise. Franchisors usually provide the training you need to operate their business model. Franchises have a higher rate of success than start-up businesses. You may find it easier to secure finance for a franchise.

What is a franchise owner called?

The main company, or franchisor, can expand by offering independent business owners their name, trademark, and established business. They help the new owners with the launch as well as with training on how to run the business. In exchange, the franchisor is paid royalties and fees by the franchisee.

Is KFC a franchise?

KFC Franchise is owned by Yum! brands, global franchisor whose 3 restaurant brands, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, are amongst the largest and most well-known franchises in the world. They are leaders in their respective industries - Pizza, Mexican and chicken. Yum!

What are two types of franchises?

There is a wide variety of types of franchise ​structures used in the industry today. There are two main types of franchising, known as Product Distribution Franchising (Traditional Franchising) and Business Format Franchising, which are conducted under a variety of franchise relationships.

What is a franchise contract?

Franchises are built out of contracts between the franchisor and franchisees. As such, there are two places a franchisee can look to determine their rights and responsibilities within the relationship: the language of the contract itself and the relevant jurisdiction's contracts laws.

What is a franchise agreement?

The franchise agreement creates many of the most important rights and obligations between the franchisor and franchisee, including the degree of control the franchisor may exercise over the franchisee, terms of operation, training requirements, trademark and copyright obligations, renewal and termination options, and other important details. The jurisdiction's laws indicate how contracts are interpreted and enforced when the parties have a disagreement.

Who Owns the Business?

A business may have multiple locations without being a franchise. If the locations all have the same owner, then the business does not meet the definition of a franchise. A business franchise is defined by the structure of its ownership.

What is business format franchising?

Business Format Franchising refers to franchises where the franchisor and franchisee have an ongoing relationship in which the franchisor provides services such as site selection, training, marketing plans, and other tools for your business.

What are the advantages of franchise?

One of the great advantages of a franchise is that a relatively inexperienced businessperson can purchase a business that has many of the most complicated decisions have already been made by the franchisor. However, the difference in experience and sophistication between the prospective franchisee and franchisor can also make choosing and negotiating a franchise challenging. Consider contacting a local attorney with experience in franchise law to help locate and launch the right business opportunity for you.

Who pays the franchisor a fee?

The franchisee pays the franchisor a fee.

What is the term for a business owner who grants a license to another person?

Franchising occurs when the owner of a business grants a license to one or more parties for the purpose of conducting business using the same trademarks, trade names, trade dress, and other identifying aspects of the business. The party granting the license is referred to as the "franchisor," while those purchasing licenses are referred to as the "franchisee."

What is franchise part of?

Individual franchises are part of a brand’s ecosystem, a network that is a pooling of resources and capabilities.

What is franchising in business?

Franchising is a form of marketing and distribution in which the owner of a business system (the franchisor) grants to an individual or group of individuals (the franchisee) the right to run a business selling a product or providing a service using the franchisor's business system.

What are the different types of franchises?

There are three main types of franchises. • Most franchises fall under the business format type where the franchisor licenses a business format, operating system, and trademark rights to its franchisees. • The second type of franchise is product distribution, which is more of a supplier-dealer setup.

How long do franchise fees stay collected?

In addition, fees are collected regularly for as long as the franchisee owns the franchise. In exchange for these payments, the franchisee will receive continued support such as marketing assistance and ongoing training opportunities.

How did franchises help the United States?

Car manufacturers who had been spending enormous amounts of capital tooling their assembly lines found they could develop retail distribution networks using capital provided by independent dealers. Oil companies such as Standard Oil and Texaco also started granting franchises to convenience stores and repair mechanics across the U.S. to efficiently expand their reach.

When purchasing a franchise, is the franchisee required to comply with strict guidelines and rules regarding the operation of the business?

When the purchase of a franchise is made, the franchisee is required to comply with strict guidelines and rules regarding the operation of the business. These guidelines are in place to maintain brand consistency.

Is franchising a success?

No business method or industry sector can guarantee success, and franchising is no exception. If a franchise system has a proven product or service with a well-recognized brand combined with hard-working, well-financed franchisees, the chances of success are very high — but never a 100 percent given. If, on the other hand, the franchise system is under-funded with an ill-conceived business plan that has not been tested properly, and franchisees have been poorly recruited or trained, failure is likely.

Why do companies franchise?

When a company wants to grow its market share or geographical reach at a low cost, it may decide to franchise. Franchising the product and brand name is a relationship between the franchisor and franchisee. Franchises are a popular way for those who want to start a business while entering a highly competitive market. One of the advantages of a franchise is getting access to an established company’s product and brand name. Moreover, the risk of business failure is much lower compared to starting a company from scratch. A franchise provides the opportunity to have total independence of a small business while operating from a concept that has proven to be successful. Furthermore, you’ll have the support of a parent company with an established reputation, management, and work practices.

How does a franchise work?

Franchisees pay a franchise fee and get a format or system developed by the company (franchisor). They also have the right to use the franchisor's name for a specified period of time.

How do you invest in a franchise business?

To invest in a franchise, the potential franchisee must first pay an initial franchise fee for the rights to the business, initial training, and the equipment required by that particular franchise . Once it is in service and operating, there is often an ongoing royalty payment, either on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis paid to the franchisor. This payment is usually calculated as a percentage of the franchise operation’s gross sales.

What does a franchisor require of a franchisee?

For example, the franchisor will require the franchisee to use the uniforms, business methods, and signs or logos particular to the franchise. The franchisee should remember that he or she is not just buying the right to sell the franchisor’s product, but is buying the right to use the successful and tested process used in other profitable ...

What are some examples of franchises?

So, what is a franchise example? Prominent examples of well-known franchise business models include many food chain restaurants, such as McDonald’s and Subway. Other examples of franchise opportunities are businesses like UPS and H & R Block. In the United States, there are franchise opportunities available across a wide variety of industries.

Do franchises have to use the same pricing?

The franchisee will also usually have to use the same or similar pricing in order to keep the advertising streamlined. For example, if you saw an advertisement for $75 tax preparation from a well-known tax preparation franchise, you would expect to find this deal at the franchise operation closest to you.

Do franchise owners have control over their own business?

The franchise owners will not have as much control over the business as he or she would have over their own business model, but may benefit from investing in an already-established, name brand due to customer recognition.

What is a franchisee?

A franchisee is a small business owner who operates a franchise. The franchisee has purchased the right to use an existing business's trademarks, associated brands, and other proprietary knowledge to market and sell the same brand, and uphold the same standards as the first business.

What are some examples of franchises?

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 the relationship between a franchisee and a franchisor?

The relationship between a franchisee and franchisor is inherently one of advisee and advisor. The franchisor provides continual guidance and support concerning general business strategies such as hiring and training staff, setting up shop, advertising its products or services, sourcing its supply, and so on.

Why do franchisors pay a startup fee?

To start, the franchisor assigns the franchisee an exclusive location where no other franchises within the same underlying business currently operate in order to prevent competition and help ensure success. In return for the franchisor's advisory role, use of intellectual property, and experience the franchisee generally pays a startup fee plus an ongoing percentage of gross revenues to the franchisor.

How many McDonald's franchises are there in 2020?

At fiscal year-end 2020, there were 39,198 McDonald's restaurants in 119 countries around the world, 93.17% of which were franchised. So, the company has 36,521 franchisees. 2 The company’s long-term goal is for 95% of McDonald’s restaurants to be owned by franchisees.

Do franchisees get help?

Franchisees typically get a lot of help, as franchisors will tend to supervise their new franchisees closely.

Who owns the intellectual property of a franchise?

No, the franchisor is the entity that owns the intellectual property, patents, and trademarks of the brand or business being franchised. A franchisee buys the rights and licenses to operate a location of the franchisor.

What is franchising in business?

New locations and desirable market: Franchising is a source of capitalized expansion to new and desirable locations. Rather than franchisors putting their own money into market research, franchisees invest their funds to establish a business in a desirable location.

What is business format franchise?

Business format franchise: This is the most common type of franchise arrangement. In this model, the franchisor allows a third party to do business using their trademarks and business model in exchange for fees and a recurring percentage of sales revenue. Franchisees under this model are run according to the parent company's guidelines and rules.

How Does the Franchising Process Work?

The franchising process varies depending on the type of franchise arrangement, state, and franchisor guidelines. That said, a typical franchising process will look something like this:

What is a franchise disclosure document?

The franchise disclosure document, or FDD, forms the legal foundation to sell a franchise. It is a fundamental requirement for both the federal and state franchising laws. The FDD requires a franchisor to provide all franchise disclosure documents with their respective state regulators. Also, under the FDD, franchisors can renew their agreement with their franchisees at the end of an agreement in accordance with (Sec. 8) Small Business Franchise Act.

How to get a franchisor to offer you a franchise?

Contact the franchisor's representative and schedule a meeting . A face-to-face meeting is an opportunity for you to know more about the business and help you make an informed decision. Key questions to consider include inquiring about how long the business has been in operation, its growth plan, and risk factors. After the interview, the franchisor should offer you their franchising brochures, guidelines, and other relevant initial documentation for potential franchisees.

What is a franchise model?

Franchising, or a business franchise model, is a contractual business model or relationship whereby an established brand, known as the 'franchisor,' allows an independent business owner, or franchisee, to use its branding, business model, and other intellectual property. In return, the franchisee agrees to pay an upfront franchise fee, plus ongoing royalties to the franchisor.

What does franchising do for you?

Quality leadership and lower operating costs: The franchisor will train you and help you identify the best strategies to manage your business operations effectively while keeping your costs low.

What is a franchise?

A franchise is a business in which independent entrepreneurs use the rights to a larger company’s business name, logo, and products to operate an individual location. The franchiser is the owner of the larger company who sells the rights to license their business, and the franchisee is the third-party owner and operator of the business locations.

How much does a franchise cost?

Every franchiser requires an upfront fee. This can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

How long does it take to run a McDonald's franchise?

The franchise term for McDonald’s, for example, is 20 years.

How much does it cost to buy a franchise?

The initial investment in a franchise can be pricey, and range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to over a million. If you're looking to purchase a franchise at a lower price point, there are options for you in a variety of industries.

Is it good to own a franchise?

Owning a franchise has countless benefits. You can profit from the franchiser’s recognizable brand while essentially running your own operation. The most profitable franchises rarely fail, removing the risks typically associated with opening a brand new business.

Is a franchise one size fits all?

No franchise is one-size-fits-all. Entrepreneurs who want to open a franchise must take into account their budgetary constraints and the franchiser’s support system during the evaluation phase.

What is franchise investment?

All franchises come with some kind of investment, which usually comprises corporate fees, startup costs, real estate, staff, equipment and other expenses, too. Your investment will be contingent on several things, but the two most important are the mandatory expenses set by the parent company to get up and running as well as the regional expenses that dictate costs (in other words, some markets are more expensive than others).

What type of loan do entrepreneurs take?

Many entrepreneurs choose to take advantage of a business loan, including SBA loans, business lines of credit, term loans and equipment financing. To begin, check out the best franchise financing options.

Is Ace Hardware a good franchise?

Ace Hardware is an excellent franchise prospect for providing an antidote to the big-box home improvement store experience, which is typically marked by unhelpful staff and overwhelming product choices. Instead, Ace Hardware locations pride themselves on hiring staff that put customer service at a premium and keeping product choices to a reasonable selection. Their franchises make it easier for local hardware stores to remain competitive against mega-stores by way of their cooperative structure and store-brand products.

Is McDonald's the most expensive franchise?

We’re pretty positive this is a name you know. McDonald’s is one of the more expensive franchises around, but has perhaps the best brand recognition in the world. If you’re able to open a McDonald’s franchise in a well-trafficked area without much competition, you may be able to quickly recoup the initial investment.

Is it hard to find a franchise?

Still, just knowing you’re interested in a franchise is only the beginning; in reality, finding the best franchise opportunities can be a challenge. There are more franchises out there than one can reasonably count and consider, making it tough to figure out which one is right for you.

Is Kiddie Academy a franchise?

There are franchise opportunities throughout 49 states (sorry, Montana) and plenty of room to grow.

Is Primrose a franchise?

Early childhood education is a prime market for franchise opportunities as parents look to give children every opportunity to learn — even within their early years of education. Primrose Schools are a solid franchise because they offer educational programs all year round, are licensed facilities for educational child care and give their teachers continuing education access to keep their skills sharp.

Top 100 Franchises Report 2021: Overview

Annually, Franchise Direct takes a look at how the previous year in franchising went down through the lens of a number of popular and up-and-coming franchises in the world. Here's how our 2021 version came out.

Top 100 Franchises Report 2021: The 2020 Franchise Year in Review

This is how the novel coronavirus impacted franchises, from operations to franchise sales. In addition, we tell the story of a couple that took the plunge into franchise ownership in 2020.

Top 100 Franchises Report 2021: International Market Spotlight: New Zealand

The 2021 Top 100 Report concludes with a look at the New Zealand franchise industry, our international franchise market spotlight for this year.

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Who Owns The Business?

  • A business may have multiple locations without being a franchise. If the locations all have the same owner, then the business does not meet the definition of a franchise. A business franchise is defined by the structure of its ownership. Franchising occurs when the owner of a business grants a license to one or more parties for the purpose of condu...
See more on findlaw.com

Kinds of Franchising Relationships

  • There are two basic kinds of franchise relationships: 1. Product or Trade Name Franchising refers to franchises where the owner holds the right to a name or trademark, which is then sold or licensed to franchisees; or 2. Business Format Franchisingrefers to franchises where the franchisor and franchisee have an ongoing relationship in which the franchisor provides service…
See more on findlaw.com

Franchise Contracts

  • Franchises are built out of contractsbetween the franchisor and franchisees. As such, there are two places a franchisee can look to determine their rights and responsibilities within the relationship: the language of the contract itself and the relevant jurisdiction's contracts laws. The franchise agreement creates many of the most important rights and obligations between the fra…
See more on findlaw.com

Get Legal Assistance When Considering Franchise Opportunities

  • One of the great advantages of a franchise is that a relatively inexperienced businessperson can purchase a business that has many of the most complicated decisions have already been made by the franchisor. However, the difference in experience and sophistication between the prospective franchisee and franchisor can also make choosing and negotiating a franchise chall…
See more on findlaw.com

What Is Franchisee?

  • A franchisee is an independent small business owner who operates a third-party retail outlet call…
    A franchisee is a small-business owner who operates a franchise.
  • The franchisee pays a fee to the franchisor for the right to use the business's already-establishe…
    The franchisee receives continuous guidance and support from the franchisor.
See more on investopedia.com

Understanding Franchises

  • Franchises are an extremely common way of doing business. In fact, it is hard to drive more tha…
    When a business wants to garner more market share or increase its geographical presence at a low cost, one solution could be to create a franchise for its product and brand name. The franchisor is the original or existing business that sells the right to use its name and idea. The fr…
See more on investopedia.com

Franchisee Benefits

  • Operating a franchise could be an ideal venture for some entrepreneurs with little experience be…
    The costs of opening a franchise are often lower compared to starting a company from the ground up, so franchisees require very little capital to start;
  • Consumers may already have brand recognition for the franchise and benefit from their advertisi…
    Franchisees typically get a lot of help, as franchisors will tend to supervise their new franchisees closely.
See more on investopedia.com

Franchisee Responsibilities

  • A franchisee must follow the proven business model that is already in place, as it helps to provid…
    However, all marketing campaigns must comply with and be approved by the original establishment before releasing them to the public. As the manager of the franchise, the franchisee is expected to protect the brand name of the franchisor by offering only approved pro…
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Franchisee Example: McDonald's

  • A company that has a global presence because of its franchises is the fast-food behemoth, McD…
    At fiscal year-end 2020, there were 39,198 McDonald's restaurants in 119 countries around the world, 93.17% of which were franchised. So, the company has 36,521 franchisees. 2 The company’s long-term goal is for 95% of McDonald’s restaurants to be owned by franchisees.
See more on investopedia.com

Does a Franchisee Own a Business?

  • Yes, a franchisee is considered a business owner, although the type of business they own is a franchise. This can limit the scope and autonomy of what the business owner is allowed to do, per the franchise agreement. For instance, a McDonald's franchisee cannot sell Burger King items and must use the official McDonald's logo and branding.
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Is a Franchisee the Same as a Franchisor?

  • No, the franchisor is the entity that owns the intellectual property, patents, and trademarks of the brand or business being franchised. A franchisee buys the rights and licenses to operate a location of the franchisor.
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Can a Franchisee Be Fired or Removed?

  • Yes, if the franchisee breaks the terms or covenants in the franchise agreement they may be terminated with cause. A termination that is seen as not for cause can be litigated as wrongful termination of the franchise in court.
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