Franchising a business can be a wise decision if the original business model is successful. It can also be an incredibly complicated process to navigate. Franchising your business requires you to anticipate and plan for a wide variety of potential scenarios in a business franchise model. But if done right, the business franchising process can be an incredibly lucrative and professionally satisfying one for all types of businesses. If you are the proud owner of a successful business, whether that is a catering business or a local real estate business, you should consider franchising your business model. Learn the best franchise planning tips in the post below. They are sure to help you succeed when franchising a business.
Start Thinking & Recording
Start by thinking about the exact way your business works each and every day. Then, record those thoughts in writing. This is the best way to create a franchise business model from the base up. Include all different aspects of business operations in these franchise notes. What marketing strategies does your business employ? How do you train staff at your business? All of those questions should be answered in these business operations notes. These operations notes will be the starting point for your franchise operations manual. It is like you are creating a roadmap ahead of time for the time you will inevitably need to create a franchise operations manual. Doing this will make it much easier on you when it comes time to start franchising your business model.
Always Be Picky
Always be selective when choosing franchisees. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing your first franchisees. The first franchise owners of your business franchise will be especially crucial for representing your business. They are the ones that will be helpful when it comes to generating interest in your franchise model and enticing new franchisees to the organization. You want to be sure that the first franchisees you choose, as well as all subsequent franchise owners, are responsible and ethical business people with experience in the industry. If you are always picky in your franchisee selection process, it will be much easier to become a successful franchisor with your small business model.
Retain A Lawyer
Retain a lawyer before you start franchising a business. It is too difficult and complicated a legal process to navigate on your own, especially if you happen to encounter problems similar to those the Papa John’s franchise went through. When franchising a business, you need to make sure that your business is afforded all the legal protection possible. You also want to be sure that you are setting future franchisees up for a safe, functional franchisee experience. The only way to do this is to retain a business lawyer. Franchise lawyers will help you develop a franchise agreement and franchise disclosure document. They will also help you file as a franchise with the appropriate state and federal authorities. Franchise business lawyers are a crucial component to creating a successful franchise model for your small business.
Anticipate High Costs
Be sure to anticipate high franchising costs throughout the process. Franchising a business is not cheap for the franchisor. In addition to paying for legal services and legal fees, you will also have to pay a franchise accountant. These expenses will only grow each year as your franchise grows in kind. But even if your franchise does not do quite as well as you would have hoped, you will still be forced to pay for the lawyer to update your regulatory franchise documents annually. In addition, you will still have to pay for an accountant to handle your yearly franchise tax audit. You need to plan and budget for these franchise expenses. That is the only way you will be able to successfully franchise a business model on your own.
Give Franchisees Support
Support franchisees once your franchise business model is put into action. If they are unable to succeed, your franchise as a whole will not succeed. Your franchisees success is your success as a franchisor. Give them all the support and resources they need to succeed. Maintain an open line of communication between franchisor and franchisee. Answer any and all questions they have in full detail to the best of your ability. Give them the marketing materials they need to market your franchise. The more franchisee support you offer, the better your franchise will perform. Keep this in mind when you start navigating the process of franchising your business.
The business franchising process is quite stressful if you do not know what you are doing. In fact, it can even be hard for those business owners with a background in contract law for franchises. But, there are ways you can make it easier on yourself to franchise your business. Starting your own franchise based off your business model is simple once you know how to do it right. Use the business franchising tips detailed above to help you franchise your business. These tips will make it easier to franchise a business that can actually succeed and produce similar success for franchisees. Franchising a business successfully will pay huge dividends. It will certainly be worth the effort in the end.