How to buy a franchise
If you research the options available to you, you can find the perfect proven business model to invest in. The right franchise will also come with support from the franchisor to help you on your journey to success.
Speak to existing franchisees to get a sense of what being a franchisee will be like. And make sure you know all the costs that are involved.
Where to buy a franchise
Online marketplaces are the best place to get the widest range of franchises available. Spend your time going through what is available so that you can narrow down what franchise will be the best fit for you.
You can use various filters in order to whittle the options down. Spend your time researching the options that are right for you. You can filter your options by price, location or type of franchise.
I want to buy a franchise, where do I start?
The first thing you will need to do is determine what it is that you are looking for. Going into your search with clear goals in mind will save you time and, possibly, money.
Decide whether you want to be able to work from home, or on location. You will also need to know what your price range is according to your available capital.
How much to buy a franchise?
The advantage of franchising is that there are hundreds of options that all come with their own price tag. Therefore, you can find the franchise and price that is right for you.
Some of the costs that you may incur when becoming a franchisee are the set-up cost and the franchising fee (made up of an initial fee, royalties and an advertising fee).
How to get money to buy a franchise
There are several options when it comes to financing buying a franchise. You should consider franchisor financing. Often, these organisations will have tailored financing options.
You can also go the route of the commercial bank term loan. You will need to have a thorough business plan in place if you are going to be successful in your loan application.
Finally, you can also approach family and friends for a loan. If this is the option that you choose, make sure you have the terms in writing to prevent any problems down the road.
How to sell a franchise
Find out from the franchisor what the transfer fees of the sale will be, what qualities the franchisor is looking for in a franchisee (as they will need to approve the buyer) and how you should value your franchise.
You will then need to market your franchise for sale. You can advertise it through an online marketplace such as BusinessesForSale.com, or you can go through a broker. Alternatively, you might go through your franchisor who will market the sale for you.
How long is a franchise agreement?
This is dependent on the franchise, but they can last for a period of anywhere from 3 to 20 years. Most franchise agreements are fixed for a five-term period. The franchisee will then have rights to renew at the end of this term.
How much do franchises make?
It is difficult to give an exact amount of how much you can make when it comes to franchising because of the countless options that are available to you. How much you make will be dependent on your location, the capital that you invest and the parent company that you invest in.
Be sure to do you research before jumping into any venture to make sure that you have a clear idea of what your potential earnings are. If possible, speak to existing franchisees to hear more about their experiences.
Can a franchisor be a franchisee?
The franchisor sells the franchise opportunity to the franchisee. The franchisee is offered the right to open and run a franchise using the franchisors systems, branding and knowledge.
How are franchise fees calculated?
The initial fee that you are required to pay is for the use of the brand name within a specific location or territory and the training that you are provided. The marketing and royalty fee is usually calculated as a percentage of the turnover. On average, the ongoing fee is around 8% of sales.
In some cases, service fees are paid through mark-ups on products and equipment and so ongoing fees may be nil. Paying ongoing fees can have the advantage of ongoing interest from the franchisor in your business.
Can you negotiate franchise fees?
Franchise fees are usually non-negotiable. Franchises are offered with the same terms and conditions to all franchisees. This provides consistency between all franchises under a brand.
If you are unhappy with the fees that the franchisor is asking for, you should research other franchises that better fit your needs.
What happens at the end of a franchise agreement?
When you agree to and sign the franchise agreement, you will have agreed to a length of term. Coming to the end of this term will mean that you will need to either renew your agreement or terminate it.
If the franchisor is happy with your performance, you should not encounter any problems renewing your contract. You will, however, need to meet with your franchisor in order to discuss any new terms. New terms may include refurbishment or upgrades to literature.
If you choose not to renew your franchise agreement, you will need to give at least 6 months’ notice to the franchisor. You will then be required to stop trading under the brand of the franchisor, and you will need to completely separate your business from the franchise. Be aware that the franchise agreement may prohibit you from owning or operating a business that competes with your former franchise.
What are the pitfalls of franchising?
Franchising is a great way to get into business for yourself but with a proven business model and support from a franchisor. This, however, is not for everyone. Some people find it difficult to follow the rules and regulations that come with a franchise.
Make sure that you are a good fit for the franchise that you invest in. The brand’s success will be your success so you will have to find the ideal fit for you with a company that you trust.
Can you walk away from a franchise?
Once you have signed the franchise agreement, there is very little possibility of breaking the contract. Most commonly, however, if you need to walk away from the business, you will need to find someone to buy it from you.
In order for this to happen, though, the franchisor will have to approve of the new franchisee taking over and you will need to be up to date with all your payments. You will also probably be required to pay a transfer fee.
Can a franchise owner be fired?
As a business owner, a franchisee cannot be fired. However, a franchisor can terminate the franchise agreement. This would only happen in a situation where the franchisee is in breach of contract.
What happens if a franchise goes out of business?
If the franchisor goes into administration, the franchisee will still be required to pay their fees and be bound by the agreement unless the contract specifically states otherwise. Your fees will be paid to the administrators that have taken over the business.
What is the cheapest franchise to start?
There are plenty of low-cost franchises that you can choose from. Using the filters on our site you can filter the franchise options by price. Once you have narrowed down your search to only the franchises in your price range, you can go through each option to find the right one for you.
