Why Should I Open a Franchise Rather Than Open My Own Business?
America has always been the land of free enterprise, and the prospect of self- employment may sound like a dream come true. Imagine the schedule flexibility, the freedom to explore and expand while pursuing an interesting career. The alleyways of entrepreneurship are so vast that it can be rather daunting to entertain. What is the right business for today? What product is in demand? Which business model is most profitable? What concept is most likely to succeed? Potential owners also must consider that franchising may be a better option than small business start ups. Yes, when entrepreneurship meets franchising, the parameters change. There may still be freedom, but new franchisees find themselves absorbed into a preset business model with a tried and true support system.
It is no secret that owning a small business can be tricky and fleeting. The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that 65% of business start-ups (they don't define franchise) fail within five years. Any potential owner must ask his or herself, "Am I willing to invests my savings, my assets and potentially everything I have into my business?" Many have gone on the limb, using collateral as large as their own home to launch their startup.
However, consider the statistical value of franchising, which is certainly tantalizing to the capitalist's palate. It is estimated that there are more than 550,000 franchised units in the U.S. today, generating more than $800 billion in annual sales. In addition, franchising has a higher success rate than start-ups. The Department of Commerce reported that, since 1971, less than 5% of franchised businesses have failed or been discontinued each year. (This does not account for franchised businesses that may have been transferred to a new owner.).
The differences between startups and franchises are not always so extreme, but they differ most is in the risk threshold. The "ideal franchisee," however, is somewhat risk-adverse and willing to pay the mother company certain royalties and follow some restrictions to diminish the overall chance of failure.
So, before any aspiring owner plunges down the rabbit hole to entrepreneur- land, consider franchising. It offers the complete package of financial and personal independence in their career while maintaining a high level of security in their success rate.
Are you considering buying a franchise or will you start your own business? Comment below and let us know why or why not!
Choosing Between a Product and a Service Franchise
There are basically two types of businesses that can be offered by an individual. They can offer Products to their customers which are tangible goods meant for the customer's consumption or they can offer them Services which are intangible and work to make the life of the consumer easier and more convenient. With technologies advancing rapidly and the global demands of consumers changing there is a very thin line dividing the service and product segment of the consumers demands. An example of this can be the purchase of a car from an auto dealer. The dealer not only offers the vehicle at a competitive rate but now has to offer different services as well, such as financing options, after-sales services, ready documentation and other non- tangible services. This kind of merging has made it very difficult to draw a clear line as to the service and product industry but for the sake of argument we will consider a theoretical perspective where you have to choose a traditional product franchise or a service franchise.
Is There A Duty Of Competence in Franchising?
Think about the last time you hired a plumber or an auto mechanic, or a lawyer for that matter. Without asking, you probably knew that the person you hired owed you a legal duty to perform the job in a competent manner consistent with the standards of his or her profession. The same is true when you bought a new car or built a new house. You rightly expected that the seller would stand behind its responsibility.
Overcoming Franchise Funding Fears
You want to dip your toe into the waters of business ownership and have decided to jump into a franchise. Maybe you’ve zeroed in on which franchise is right for you or perhaps you’re still exploring the options. Whatever you decide, you’ll need a way to finance the venture, and that can be intimidating. Getting a business loan can be tricky… even as the economy begins to heal. If you’ve got money, banks and credit unions will line up to loan you even more. If you don’t have money? Well, take heart—here are some alternative funding options that can put you at the helm of your own franchise:
