How to buy a franchise
If you are looking to invest in a proven business model, a franchise is the perfect option for you. Buying a franchise will also mean that you get the support of the franchisor, so you don’t need to go it alone. You will, however, need to find the right franchise for you.
Before you buy a franchise, get to know as much about the franchise as possible and speak to existing franchisees to find out more about their experience.
Where to buy a franchise
If you are looking to buy a franchise, it’s important to see what options are out there so you can find the ideal one for you. Take a look at online marketplaces where there are thousands of options for you to choose from.
Take your time to identify the options that are right for you. You will need to consider the location, the price and your passions in order to narrow down your search.
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?
There is a wide range of prices when it comes to franchises. Some franchises come with a higher price tag than others, but these are usually the ones that also come with the potential for the highest profits. You will also need to consider what the upfront capital investment is.
When identifying the costs involved in buying a franchise, consider the franchising fee as well as the set-up costs. The franchising fee will be made up of an initial fee, royalties and a fee for advertising.
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. In the UK, 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?
The exact amount that you can make as a franchisee is dependent on the franchise that you buy and the number of hours that you work. You can make anything between $2000 and $50 000 a year. There are some really profitable franchises that can earn you up to $75 000 a year, though.
You will need to consider the capital that you invest in the franchise and the overheads that a franchise has when you consider how much you can make.
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 are 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 come to the end of your franchise agreement, you will need to decide whether to terminate or renew your contract. The length of this contract will have been decided on when you signed the contract.
You shouldn’t have any problems renewing the contract if both you and the franchisor are happy with how things have been going. Meet up with the franchisor before the end of the contract so that you can discuss the new terms. This may include things like upgrading literature or making improvements to the furniture, buildings or other refurbishments.
Of course, you may choose not to renew your franchise agreement. If this is the case, you will need to give the franchisor at least 6 months’ notice. If you do not resign the contract, you will need to completely separate your business from the franchisor. This will mean ending all trade under the brand of the franchisor. You may also be prohibited from operating a competing business, depending on your terms of agreement.
What are the pitfalls of franchising?
Buying a franchise will also mean buying into the regulations and systems of the franchisor. You will need to be willing to follow these. For some people, following the guidelines set out by a franchisor can be difficult. If this is you, franchising may not be for you.
You will also need to be ready to pay the fees that are required to be a franchisee. These will include the upfront investment as well as the ongoing fees.
You will also need to carefully consider the franchise that you buy as the brand’s success is your success. However, conversely, if the reputation of the brand suffers, so will you.
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.