Franchise FAQ

what happens when you franchise a business

by Louie Bradtke Jr. Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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By signing the franchise agreement, the franchisee agrees to manage their own branch of the business in accordance with the specified franchise model and pay ongoing fees and royalties to the franchisor. In return, the franchisor might agree to provide training and support in key areas such as business operations and marketing.

A franchise enables you, the investor or franchisee, to operate a business. You pay a franchise fee and you get a format or system developed by the company (franchisor), the right to use the franchisor's name for a specific number of years and assistance.

Full Answer

Why you should start a franchise?

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Franchise

  1. Track Record of Success. Any good franchise company has developed a method of doing business that works well and produces successful results. ...
  2. Strong Brand. One of the biggest advantages of franchising is that the company is building a brand on a regional or national basis that should have value in the ...
  3. Training Programs. ...
  4. Ongoing Operational Support. ...

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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. ...

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. ...

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Why is franchising the best business?

Why Franchising Can Be The Best Business Decision For You

  • Low Failure Rate. You buy an existing system that has already been proven to be popular when you purchase a franchise.
  • Effective Management. Finding and keeping successful unit managers is another stumbling block facing many entrepreneurs who want to grow.
  • High-Speed Growth. ...
  • Conclusion. ...

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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.

Is it good to franchise a business?

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.

Who gets the money in a franchise?

A franchisor makes money from royalties and fees paid by the franchise owners. A franchise owner makes money through profits received from sales and service transactions. This is generally the left-over amount of money received from revenue after overhead costs are taken out.

Do franchise owners own the business?

A franchise is a business purchased from a franchisor. The franchisee pays a fee to own and operate the business using a business model. There are upfront costs such as the purchase of real estate and inventory and the franchise fee. The corporation is a parent company.

What are 3 disadvantages of franchising?

The franchise agreement usually includes restrictions on how you can run the business. You might not be able to make changes to suit your local market. You may find that after some time, ongoing franchisor monitoring becomes intrusive. The franchisor might go out of business.

What are the risks of franchising?

Three Types of Franchise RiskReputational Damage. Franchisees are investing in a business model, but they're also investing in a reputation. ... Joint Employer Liability. Labor violations have proven to be an especially complicated issue for franchises. ... FDD Compliance Issues. ... Limiting the Risks.

Do franchise owners pay taxes?

States charge businesses franchise taxes for the privilege of incorporating or doing business in the state. Franchise tax is different from a tax imposed on franchises. And, it is not the same as federal or state income taxes. Business owners must pay franchise taxes in addition to business income taxes.

Do franchise owners have to work?

Owning a franchise unit can be demanding, requiring work of 60 to 70 hours a week, but owners have the satisfaction of knowing that their business's success is a result of their own hard work. Some people look for franchise opportunities that are less demanding and may only require a part-time commitment.

How much is franchise fee?

Franchise fees are typically between $25,000 to $50,000 on average. 2) Startup Costs: These are the expenses you'll incur to get your new business open and operating. Initial investment costs vary widely from franchise to franchise.

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.

What percentage does a franchise take?

Franchise royalties range from 4% of your revenue all the way up to 12% or more. The amount has to do with the type of franchise business. For example, a food franchise is a high-volume business. A lot of individual items are purchased by a high-volume of customers.

What is the main purpose of franchising?

Franchising allows bigger businesses to branch out and grow while giving people the opportunity to run their own business with the help and support of a larger company that has a proven formula for success.

Is it better to own or franchise?

Success Rates for Franchises vs. Bottom line, franchises have a higher overall success rate than startups. Franchises operate under a predetermined business model that has already brought success while independent businesses make adjustments and decisions to their business model as they go.

What are the benefits of franchising?

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.

When should you franchise a business?

As a general rule, it's recommended that businesses have at least one to three years of successful operations before franchising. That number could be higher or lower, however, depending on the industry. For some businesses, franchising during the first two years of operations can be advantageous.

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.

Planning a Successful Franchise

Owning a franchise is rewarding, and when you’re first starting out, it’ll be just you (and that’s a good thing). You’ll be able to craft your own franchise from the bottom up — every bit of what you build will be the result of your hard work. With that in mind, it’s important to set some realistic expectations.

Understanding the Needs and Wants of Your Business

Part of what makes running your own franchise difficult is understanding the needs and wants of your business. Without employees or a co-owner to turn to, you might feel left out in the dark.

Bringing in the Right People

Eventually, you might need to bring in new people to help with your franchise. Most franchisors offer some form of assistance with the hiring process — after all, the franchisor succeeds when you succeed. Larger franchises might have corporate training programs, internal staff transfer mechanisms, or general hiring advice.

Franchising: Be Your Own Boss

Franchising isn’t easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to follow someone else’s system. The more you plan ahead, the better the end result. Owning a franchise is rewarding and if it sounds like something you’d like to learn more about, WIN Home Inspection offers prospective franchisees a proven system in a winning industry.

What is a franchising business?

Franchising is a popular tool to scale business operations worldwide and accounts for a large portion of the U.S. market.

What is a franchise agreement?

A franchise is an agreement between two independent parties: the franchisor and the franchisee. One party (the franchisor) offers its business model, brand name, and intellectual property to another party (the franchisee) that will use the resources to start a business according to the existing system.

How does a franchisee get royalties?

First, the franchisee purchases the controlled rights and intellectual property from the franchisor business, paying a lump sum contribution or a one-time fee. Secondly, the franchisor is paid by the franchisee for training, equipment, and business advisory services. In the end, the franchisor receives royalties every month.

What is franchising in the US?

Small businesses in the US use the franchising model to grow into national chains and gain a foothold in other locations such as Europe, Canada, and China. On the other hand, overseas franchisors turn to franchises to establish themselves in the US market, using funds provided by the franchisees in the US mainland.

What is gross income in a dealership?

Gross Income Gross income refers to the total income earned by an individual on a paycheck before taxes and other deductions. It comprises all incomes. ) with the franchisor as specified in the contract.

How much does it cost to franchise McDonald's?

Taking McDonald’s as an example, the estimated total costs to launch a franchise range from $1 million to $2.2 million. When it comes to royalties, the franchisee needs to remit 4%-8% of its revenue to the franchisor per month.

What is the FTC?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) serves as a federal regulatory body that aims to protect consumers and ensure strong competition in the markets. The Franchise Rule, which is published by the FTC, represents a legal disclosure conveyed to a potential buyer of the franchise from the franchisor.

What happens if a franchise goes bankrupt?

If the franchise business collapses or goes bankrupt, there are unfortunately not many options for the franchisee. The creditors will have rights to all of the franchisor’s assets, which include the brand or trademark rights. Since courts will have the discretion to determine the rights of creditors, the franchisee is subject to the court’s order, and may very well be out of luck.

What happens when a franchise business merges with another franchise?

When one franchise business merges with another, the franchisee’s business rights are almost always affected . It doesn’t seem fair that a franchise owner who may have once been a competitor, perhaps running another business in the same area as yours, will now be sharing a brand name with you. This kind of change can have an obvious impact on a franchisee’s business operation. Unfortunately, the franchisee doesn’t have many legal protections in this area unless such protections are included in the initial franchise agreement. The franchisor simply has more rights to the franchise than the franchisee does. The franchisee will generally not be able to put in a veto vote to keep the merger or acquisition from happening, as this option is not usually part of the contract between the franchisee and the franchisor.

What should a franchisee know before signing a franchise contract?

The most important thing a franchisee can do is to know his or her rights before signing the franchise contract. Your contract should explicitly state what will happen in the event of a merger with, or acquisition of, another franchise. While some franchisors are willing to negotiate these types of agreements, others are not. An example of this type of franchise contract is an agreement to give the franchisee the first opportunity to purchase any franchise operation in its territory after a merger with another franchise business.

Can you shut down a franchise?

As an alternative to buying the franchise operation, the franchise contract may also include an agreement to shut down any competing unit within the franchisee’s specific territory. As a buyer, you may also be able to negotiate a contract that says that you will have the option to terminate your franchise agreement and be refunded a portion of your initial franchise fee in the event of a merger or acquisition.

What is a franchise business?

A franchise is a business model where one business owner (the “franchisor”) sells the rights to their business logo, name, and model to an independent entrepreneur (the “franchisee”). Restaurants, hotels, and service-oriented businesses are commonly franchised. Two common forms of franchising are:

How to decide whether to franchise or buy a business?

Quantify your investment: Review your financial landscape and decide how much you’re willing to spend to purchase — and ultimately manage — the business.

What is business format franchising?

Business format franchising : The franchisor and franchisee have an ongoing relationship. This style of franchising normally focuses on full-spectrum business management.

What is the difference between franchising and buying a business?

The main difference between franchising and buying an existing business is the level of control you’ll have over your business.

What is the most common form of franchising?

Two common forms of franchising are: Product/trade name franchising : The franchisor owns the right to the name or trademark of a business, and sells the right to use that name and trademark to a franchisee. This style of franchising normally focuses on supply chain management.

What does a franchisor do?

Typically, the franchisor offers services like site selection, training, product supply, marketing plans, and even help getting funding. When you buy a franchise, you get the right to use the name, logo, and products of a larger brand. You’ll also get to benefit from brand recognition, promotions, and marketing.

How to avoid unrealistic business ventures?

Consider your talents and lifestyle: Be honest about your skills and experience, as they can help you eliminate unrealistic business ventures. For example, if you prefer hands-on assistance, then franchising might be best for you. On the contrary, if you’re an experienced business owner, you may want to consider buying an existing business.

What does it mean when a franchise is a trademark?

When you start a franchise, the franchisor gives you the right to use an established brand, including trademarked, patented and copyrighted intellectual property. This can make it easier to attract business, but also means that the franchisor exerts significant control over your business operations according to the terms outlined in your franchise agreement. Violating that agreement can quickly land you in legal trouble.

Can a franchisor sue you for a franchise?

If you lose your franchise, you could end up being sued for any damages you've caused or money you owe to the franchisor . Even if you keep your franchise, though, the franchisor can still sue you for fines or penalties you've failed to pay, as well as any loss of revenue you've caused.

Can a franchise agreement be a violation?

Not all franchise agreement violations are serious, and your contract likely has a clause allowing you a chance to cure a breach of the contract before you incur serious penalties. Small violations -- such as forgetting to put up a sign or leaving off your name badge one day -- likely won't result in serious penalties, as long as they're not ongoing. There's no guarantee that a small violation won't harm you, though, and the result of smaller violations depends both upon how strictly the franchisor enforces its agreement and the specific terms of your contract.

Can you lose your franchise if you violate your franchise agreement?

Your franchise agreement gives you a group of licenses to use the company's property, but failing to follow the agreement can mean you lose this right. If you have a long history of violating your franchise agreement or if you violate an important provision, you could lose your franchise -- as well as any money you've invested. Your franchise agreement likely has a clause indicating under what circumstances you can lose your franchise.

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Early Days & Onboarding

  • After you’ve made the initial investment and purchase, you begin the process that’s known as onboarding. This is a process in which the franchisor will help you find the ideal location for your startup, and help you get the business properly set up and ready to operate. You’ll also receive direct training on how to operate the business on a day-to-...
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Finding The Right People and Following The Footsteps

  • Before you have your grand opening and kick off your franchise, you’ll need to find the right people to help you accomplish the tasks at hand. Being selective in your hiring practice is key. You need people who will be effective, efficient, and care about the brand. Take your time to search for outstanding individuals. While you own the business and will be responsible for its success, it’s i…
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Choosing Your Responsibilities as A Taskmaster

  • Congratulations, you’ve arrived at a place where many people wish they could be–you are your own boss. Choosing which franchise is right for you was, at least in part, driven by the kind of lifestyle you want to live. Meaning, at the beginning of the process of searching for the right franchise, you decided if you wanted to be an owner/operator or semi-absentee owner with som…
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Your Opportunity Awaits

  • At FranSave, we have the keys to the kingdom of successful franchises. If you’re committed to pursuing your dream of entrepreneurship and building your own success, we’re here to help you get started. Visit us at fransave.com/to begin.
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How Does Franchising Work?

  • Franchising is a marketing strategy and is currently a very popular tool used for business expansion purposes. When a company with a proven business modelwants to scale its operations by increasing its share in certain markets, it can consider opening a franchise for its products or services. A franchise is like a joint venture between the company ...
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Real-World Examples

  • The franchise business model is popular in highly competitive industries such as the fast-food industry, video rentals, and automotive services. The model first appeared in the US after the Civil War, and it gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s through to the 1990s. Large companies such as McDonald’s, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, Denny’s, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches, Subway, 7-…
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Franchising Requirements and Regulations

  • Since franchising is a contractual arrangement, it involves a lot of bureaucracyand complex contracts. However, the complexity of the paperwork varies across franchisors. The agreement typically includes three categories of payment and the amounts the franchisee needs to transfer to the franchisor. First, the franchisee purchases the controlled rights and intellectual property fr…
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Franchisor vs. Franchisee Relationship

  • The relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee is that of an advisor and advisee, where the franchisor provides guidance to the franchisee on how to structure the business. Each of the parties has a role to play and interests to protect in the arrangement. The following are the roles of each party in the contract:
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Disadvantages of Franchising

  • Apart from the advantages, franchising comes with several drawbacks, such as relatively heavy start-up costs, followed by royalties. The costs are often dependent on the kind of business and franchise you are going to buy. Taking McDonald’s as an example, the estimated total costs to launch a franchise range from $1 million to $2.2 million. When it comes to royalties, the franchis…
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Additional Resources

  • CFI offers the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)™certification program for those looking to take their careers to the next level. To keep learning and advancing your career, the following CFI resources will be helpful: 1. Brick and Mortar 2. Market Positioning 3. Strategic Alliances 4. Total Addressable Market (TAM)
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