Franchising is a more practical way of starting a business than starting from scratch. If you’re planning to get a business franchise, you need to consider many factors to help you succeed. Like with other big-ticket decisions in life, you must do your homework before delving into the highly competitive world of business.
Whether you franchise a computer business or something along with the food industry, your knowledge of all the legal and commercial aspects of franchising can make or break your success.
Here are five tips you should know before purchasing your first franchise.
Make Sure to Have All Legal Documents Checked
Buying a business franchise requires more than just having the money to spend. Before you pay a single cent to a franchisor, you should first check out the important legal documents, including the franchise disclosure document (FDD), franchise contract, and the like.
The franchisor should provide you with the FDD at least 10 days before offering a contract. This lead time will allow you to check if the franchisor is duly registered or not. It prevents you from ending up losing money to an illegal franchisor.
Seek Advice from Experts
It’s important to get professional advice from an accountant, attorney, or someone who knows how the franchise industry works. Remember once you signed the contract, there’s no turning back, lest you want to the other party to sue you for contract breach.
Seeking expert advice allows you to be fully aware of the intricacies of the specific franchise you’re buying, including the marketing costs and clauses like the non-compete and territorial protection.
Consider Your Business Skills and Budget
Your skills and budget should ideally match the kind of business franchise you’re getting. If you love fast-food and you have a working knowledge of how it operates, then a fast-food franchise should be a nice option. If you’re into consumer electronics, computers, and IT-related things, then pick a franchise along these lines.
Be sure to check if you have the needed budget not only for the initial cost of owning a franchise but also the funds required for aspects like advertising and employee salaries. You should have a considerable amount of money to serve as a buffer until such time your business starts to pick up.
Learn from Other Franchisees
They say experience is a great teacher, and this should hold true in franchising. As such, be sure to reach out to other franchise owners, preferably of similar businesses as yours, to learn about their struggles and techniques.
The more you understand the inner workings of your planned franchise, the better informed you’ll be. This will help you discern whether or not you’re cut out for your planned franchise.
Pick The Franchise With The Best Track Record
In much the same way people usually place their bets on the team with the better win-loss record, you should also consider picking the franchise with the most sterling track record. A franchise that has been in the business for decades, has an excellent reputation or name recall and offers the best package should be a great choice.
The fact the franchise has survived for many years means it has what it takes to offer a great return on investment (ROI), which is something prospective franchisees like you would want.
With these 5 tips at your fingertips, your success as a franchise owner should be easier to achieve. Just don’t forget to focus and work hard to achieve your end goal since your success lies greatly in your own hands.
