The Downside to Franchising Your Business

To many people the idea of franchising their businessshown.
entity seems like a wonderful way to expand,By the same token, it is vital that the franchisees not
however getting started on the road to establishing afeel that you are overcharging them for services or
successful franchise opportunity can be difficult. Therethat the services for which they are paying are not
are several key disadvantages to franchising yourwhat was represented to them, otherwise they may
business that should be considered so that you arebecome unhappy and join together to withhold
better prepared to make the right business decision:payment of franchise fees. Take care to look at each
Weakened Net Earningsfranchisee as a smart, cost-effective substitute for a
Only a few franchises break even immediately, in factcompany manager, especially when assisting and
most franchises take six months to one year to movesupporting that franchisee.
to the black. If you are relatively sure thatDifference in Required Business Skills
company-owned outlets can produce immediate profitThe business skills you will need for operating a
and you have the capital and manpower to staff them,business franchise system are completely different
you will certainly make much more money withfrom those required to run your original retail business.
company-owned outlets than if you were to franchiseMost business people who fail in franchising are those
an equal amount of businesses that made the samewho had no business sense for what they were doing
amount of profit. Your main challenge will be to obtainin their original company-run business. Nobody is
the necessary start-up capital and find and hold ontoassured of becoming a top-notch franchisor simply
qualified management and hard-working employeesbecause they had an incredible business idea and a
while hoping that sales will immediately surpass thebrilliant business plan.
substantial costs associated with starting upOverspending
company-owned retail outlets.Franchisors tend to get caught up easily in the glamour
Franchisee Freedomof high-rise office buildings, overstaffing, company cars,
Many franchisors seem to forget that their main focuslavish hotels, elaborate trade show booths, and
and get caught up in the process of selling franchises.expensive advertising campaigns while generally
The number one goal of any franchisor is to sell hisundercapitalizing and not budgeting soundly. It doesn't
service or product and the employment of franchiseesmatter if your capital is $20,000, $100,000 or higher -
is how this goal is achieved. The key is to treat allcarefully budgeting the cost of your office, the
franchisees fairly and with just enough control tomarketing of your franchises, the training of your
ensure that your service or product is marketed tofranchises, and the maintenance and support of your
consumers with the same quality that made the parentfranchise outlets is vital for market stability and
business a success. It is imperative to find the rightcontinued success.
people who are dedicated to following what they are