How can you know if a franchise option is a good one when you’re hunting for one? Here are eight qualities of a good franchise opportunity that will enable you to determine whether or not you have found anything worthwhile to pursue.
Location is Key
No matter how successful the business and marketing efforts are, it can be difficult to achieve sustainability if the franchise is not situated where it is readily accessible to many customers who need its services and products.
The office location may be less critical for companies whose framework is to deliver services or products at the client’s home or workplace. Still, other considerations such as rental expense, staff parking, and safety make the location an essential factor to consider.
Steady Growth
Companies grow at varying speeds, but the ones that experience consistent growth rather than a significant jump in revenue in a short period are more likely to be sustainable in the long run. Consumers get bored and go on to the next big thing, so the massive surge today might turn into a free-fall next month when they get bored and go on to the next big thing.
Discovering a franchise that serves the ongoing demands of consumers is a greater opportunity than getting on a bandwagon that will only last a few years. One of the best ways to assure your success is to research the top franchises in your area and make a shortlist of the opportunities that interest you.
Minimal Competition for the Same Services or Products
Any competition is not necessarily a negative thing since it will demonstrate consistent demand. Finding a relatively untapped market for required products and services, on the other hand, would help your franchise to maximize profits. You should also want to figure out what building projects are planned in the region to ensure that a competing company does not spring up a year or two later.
The Franchisor Provides Extensive Assistance
Knowing what sort of service a franchisor can have ahead of time is a good thing for any franchisee. Good franchise options will provide franchisor assistance with recruitment, advertising, and wholesale supply pricing.
Franchisees with their own suppliers for any of these needs may also see successful prospects outside of these boundaries. Still, the more assistance the franchisor provides, the greater the likelihood of success.
The Contract Is Easy To Comprehend
Franchise agreements are notoriously complicated, often outlining in minute detail the corporate standards that franchisees are supposed to adopt. Consistency through franchise stores informs consumers of what to expect and enhances brand loyalty, so precision isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
However, it is essential to thoroughly consider the provisions of every contract before signing on the dotted line so that you know what you’re walking into. It’s a smart idea to hire a franchise attorney to review the documents and clarify any things that don’t sound fair or customary.
Pleased Franchisees
Meet and converse with both existing and former franchisees to obtain their candid assessments of the franchise structure. If all of the franchisees are suing the organization, this is clearly not a positive indication. So it’s a good sign if the franchisees you talk to enjoy working with the franchisor.
Honesty
Do you get quick responses and clear answers from the franchisor when you have questions concerning the franchise opportunity, or do you get a brushoff? The franchisor’s treatment of you now is a clear example of how you will be handled as a franchisee.
A decent match
Even though a franchise fits all of the standards mentioned above, there is one more factor to consider: the franchise must be a good match for your personality, ambition, and expertise. Long hours and hard work are required to make a franchise successful. For the franchise to prosper, you must love what you do.
