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Your Partner for Business Success©
Below are the pros and cons to buying a franchise versus starting from scratch or buying an existing non-franchise business.
What is Franchising?
A franchise is a right granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services within a certain territory or location. The franchisor (the company owner) sells the rights to the franchisee and then typically receives a fee for ongoing support, therefore having a vested interest in the success of each franchise.
Pros of Buying a Franchise
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Lower Failure Rate - Franchises have a higher success rate, since applicants are pre-screended and a use a proven business formula. The products, services, and business operations have already been established. Franchisees have an 80 percent success rate, much higher than starting a buisness from scratch.
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Easier to Finance - Bankers usually look at funding a successful franchise business more favorably since they have a lower risk of repayment default.
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Turnkey Operation - Most franchises offer a turnkey operation with equipment, supplies, etc. making it easier to get started.
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On-Going Support - Franchise companies usually provide on-going training and support to their franchisees in effort to help them succeed, including management assistance.
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Recognized Company - The company image and brand awareness are already recognized. Consumers are more comfortable purchasing items they are familiar with and working with companies they know and trust. When you buy a franchise business, you are accessing a built-in customer base.
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Marketing Assistance - Most franchises offer the benefit of national, regional or local marketing campaigns.
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Buying Power - With the benefit of collective franchise buying power of inventory and supplies, they cost less than if you were running an independent company.
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Profits - A franchise business can be immensely profitable. One does not need to reinvent the wheel, but be part of a wining team.
Cons of Buying a Franchise
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Less Business Control - Franchisors usually require franchisees to follow their operations manual in order to ensure consistency. This may limit creativity on the part of the franchisee and may be limiting to savory visionary entrepreneurs.
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The cost of buying a franchise can be high.
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Initial Franchise Fee - There is a fee to purchase the franchise and in most cases may cost more than starting a business from scratch.
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Ongoing Costs – Paying monthly royalties to the franchisor may cut into your profits
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Additional Fees – The franchisor may also charge additional fees for services provided, such as the cost of advertising.
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Ongoing Support - Varies, not all franchisors offer the same degree of assistance in starting a business and operating it successfully.
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Not all Franchises Worth the Investment - Buying a little-known, perhaps inexpensive franchise can be a real gamble. There is no guarantee that the franchise you buy will be successful.
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Loss of Franchise - One can lose the right to their business if the franchise contract is breached.
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The Risk of Non-renewal - Renewal of the franchise contract is not typically guaranteed.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to hurry into business. So it is important to review the pros and cons of each business start-up option, and make sure that the business you are exploring fits your needs, experience and financial capacity
SBC can assist in this process of buying a successful franchise business.
Call today (828) 694-1779
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