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If you are considering expanding your business, franchising may have crossed your mind as a method for expansion. Business owners have used this avenue to scale their businesses and tap into new markets. Franchisees replicate your business model, products, and brand into new locations. This article will explain some of the key benefits of franchising your business in the UK to help you decide whether franchising is the right route for you.
1. Access to New Markets
Franchising enables you to grow brand recognition by extending its reach into new markets. As franchisees operate in new areas, your customer base expands.
Franchisees invest their time and resources into establishing and operating the new units. Often, business owners find that growth through franchising is faster than alternative methods such as company-owned expansion.
You may also find that franchisees have significant local expertise. Their expertise can ease the entry of your franchised business into new areas and create a community-informed foundation for growth. Franchisees may have additional knowledge about:
- the local area;
- customer needs;
- market demand; and
- regional trends.
2. Outsourcing Day-to-Day Management
The operational burden of a growing business can prove very time-consuming, and operational overheads can rapidly increase. However, franchisees will take care of the day-to-day operations of their units. They are responsible for everything from hiring and training employees to managing stock and customer service. This alleviates your daily management burden. Consequently, it lets you focus on core business activities such as strategic planning and brand development.
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3. Costs and Fees
Rather than footing the bill for expansion yourself, franchisees will pay to open their new units. Following this, you directly invest this capital into your brand. Franchisees will also pay you ongoing fees, typically a percentage of their profits. These regular payments create a steady income stream, allowing you to enjoy economic stability.
4. Motivated Franchisees
Franchisees will adhere to your guidelines and procedures while seeking to increase profit. Generally, the type of people seeking franchise opportunities are highly self-motivated and entrepreneurial. Franchisees are committed to the success of their units, as they will have a vested interest in profitability. Accordingly, this commitment often motivates them not only to meet but also to exceed performance expectations. The success of franchisees’ units is in your and their best interests.
Remember to ensure each franchisee is suitable for your business before onboarding them. You must also train and support franchisees to fulfil and excel in their roles.
5. Reduced Financial Risk
Franchisees directly benefit from their good performance. If franchisees perform poorly, they will typically bear the consequences rather than you. As a result, franchising presents a lower financial risk than other business expansion methods.
In essence, the risk of the performance of a franchise unit is on the franchisee rather than yourself. This responsibility transfer can help you mitigate financial risk in your core business.
Drawbacks Associated With Franchising
While franchising offers a well-trodden pathway for business growth, it is crucial to remember that no method guarantees business success.
Franchising is only appropriate for some businesses. Think about the point your business is at currently and whether franchising is right for you by considering the following:
- the success of your business;
- the market demand; and
- whether your business model is replicable.
Your business should be thriving to have the best chance of franchising success. You should also see market demand for your business elsewhere. For example, if you have one physical store, you must gauge whether there is market demand for additional stores in other locations. Your assessment of market demand will determine whether franchisees can open and make a profit in new places.
This handbook covers all the essential topics you need to know about franchising your business.
Key Takeaways
Franchising can offer an array of compelling benefits. These include accessing new markets, outsourcing day-to-day management of individual businesses and presenting a steady revenue stream. In addition, it offers all of this with minimal financial risk to your business. Nonetheless, franchising does not ensure business success and is only suitable for some businesses. As such, before franchising your business, assess its readiness by considering its success, market demand, and the replicability of your business model.
If you want to franchise your business, our experienced franchise lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
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