One of the ways that aspiring entrepreneurs can break into the world of business is by buying a franchise. Buying a franchise gives business owners the right to manage a retail establishment of an already successful and recognized brand. It’s not the same as investing in a financial portfolio since it’s not a source of passive income and requires a lot of time and effort to be successful. If you’re willing to put in the work, then it may be a lucrative business opportunity for you.
There are different kinds of franchises in various industries, including fashion, electronics, and home goods. The most common type of franchise is a restaurant franchise, which includes a fast-food franchise like McDonald’s or a dinner franchise like Olive Garden. If you want a stable business with high returns, then you should consider this type of franchise. The big names attached to these ventures is proof that this has incredible earning potential.
However, it’s important to note that becoming a restaurant franchisee isn’t for everyone and it isn’t always what it’s cut out to be. Here’s what every prospective business owner should know before they commit to buying a franchise.
Who is the ideal restaurant franchise owner?
Anyone can buy and own a restaurant franchise, but it takes a special kind of person to ensure its success. If any of the following characteristics apply to you, then a restaurant franchise might be worth it for you in the long run.
- You have a background in culinary arts or restaurant management. Restaurants are high-pressure environments, so it helps to have a working knowledge of food preparation and restaurant management before opening a restaurant franchise. Otherwise, you will easily end up overwhelmed with the logistics of running a restaurant franchise.
- You’re diligent and persevering. As mentioned, food establishment franchises aren’t passive sources of income. For a restaurant business to thrive, you need to willing to devote all your time and effort to make sure it succeeds.
- You’re financially capable of owning a franchise. It’s possible to take out a business loan in the event that you don’t have enough start-up capital to buy a franchise. However, this is a risky move that may well not pay off in the end. It’s possible for a restaurant to fail or at least not yield high returns for the first few months, and you still need money for personal expenses on top of business expenditures. The best thing to do would be to ensure that you already have enough funds before moving forward with the purchase.
What are the advantages of owning a restaurant franchise?
- Established demand. Restaurant franchises already have a dedicated customer base and an established demand for the products and services it offers. There’s no need to build an audience following from the ground up and no need for costly trials and errors, as people already recognize the companies’ staying power in the market.
- Support and Training. Most franchises offer support and training which is valuable for fledgling entrepreneurs who want to learn the ropes. The amount of support and training differs depending on the franchise, but rest assured that every franchisor is obligated to offer some level of guidance, resources, and training.
- Funding options. There’s plenty of options to choose from when it comes to funding the purchase of a restaurant franchise. The most common type of financing is a bank loan which is more likely to get approved if the purpose is for opening a food establishment business.
What are the drawbacks of owning a restaurant franchise?
- Expensive franchise costs. The most lucrative and well-established food franchises demand a substantial investment to get started. Marketing costs, restaurant equipment, rental fees, inventory, business licenses, insurance, and royalties are just some costs you have to shoulder as a franchisee.
- High turnover rate. Food establishments need many employees to ensure that operations are running smoothly. Unfortunately, it’s the norm for these employees to receive very low pay, which makes it difficult to keep them around for long. Retaining excellent employees is quite challenging to do in this environment. Furthermore, it’s very expensive and time-consuming to constantly train and recruit new employees.
- Renewal is subject to the franchisor. The opportunity to renew your franchise contract is at the discretion of the franchisor. Even if your business is performing well, they still have the power to decline your application as they see fit. There are also plenty of requirements to meet before you can be eligible for license renewal, including a renewal fee, a notice of extension, and satisfactory performance.
As with any business venture, buying a restaurant franchise has its benefits and drawbacks. Based on the information given, it’s up to you to decide whether the opportunity is worth it or not.