franchises: options for today
DESCRIPTION
Key facts about searching for your own businessTRANSCRIPT
Franchises:
Options for Today
Justin Lamsa
Principle Advisor
Liberty Franchise Advisors
www.libertyfranchiseadvisors.com
978-668-5380
What is Franchising?
Duplication of successful business model
Pairing of 2 entities for the purpose of business expansion
Mutually shared goals (increase gross sales, market penetration, and brand expansion)
Shared resources and experiences
Reduced costs through group buying power
History of Franchising
The word Franchise comes from old French meaning privilege or freedom.
In the middle ages a franchise was the granting of a privilege or a right.
In 1960, the International Franchise Association (www.franchise.org) was created with the specific intent of uplifting the entire industry.
The IFA works closely with the US Congress and the Federal Trade Commission on improving how the industry relates to the franchise owners.
How Does A Franchise Consultant Help You?
Defining your goals– What is important to you? – Income, equity, lifestyle, other?
Finding the franchise that meets those goals– Help you to focus on goals, not just industries– Enable thinking “outside the box” for your franchise options– Avoiding “hype”, “short term trends”, and franchises that don’t
make sense for you– Saves you time in finding the ideal franchise
Understanding your financing options Staying on track and following a process Your consultant provides their services at no cost to you
The Search Process
Information Gathering (1 to 2 telephone meetings)– Analyze Lifestyle Needs– Analyze Business Goals– Analyze current financial position and future goals.– Help Determine Type of Business
Matching (1 week)– Research Franchises– Match client to franchise– Identify franchise territories
Presentation (1 meeting)– Present 2 – 4 franchises– Determine best fit or back to step 2
Connect client to the franchise representative– Client begins the discovery process– Franchisor begins the interviewing process– Your franchise consultant is there throughout the process for
independent advice
Process from Prospectto Franchisee
First meeting with franchisor– Informational teleconference– Time to ask questions!– Your franchise consultant may also
attend Receive Franchise Disclosure
Document (FDD)– Return Receipt of FDD– Client MUST have 10 business days
before entering ANY agreement– Includes copy of Franchise
Agreement Due diligence– Speak in-depth with Franchise– Interview existing Franchisees– Do all research – Consult with franchise attorney and
accountant
Second Interview with Franchise
Discovery Day!– Visit Franchise Headquarters – Meet senior management Enter Into A Franchise
Agreement Preparation– Obtain Real Estate– Franchise Initial Training– Complete Construction– In Store Training Grand Opening! On-Going Support Congratulations!
Franchise Categories
Accounting/Tax Services Advertising/Direct Mail Auto & Truck Rentals Automotive Prod. & Svcs. Batteries-Retail & Comm. Beverages: Special Business Consultants Business/Mgmt Consultants Campgrounds Check Cashing/Fin’l Svcs. Children’s Services Clothing and Shoes Computer/Electronics/Internet Construction Mat’ls &Svcs. Consumer Buying Svcs Convenience Stores Cosmetics Dating Services Drug Stores Educational Prod & Svcs. Employment Svcs.
Fitness Florist Shops Food/Restaurants Golf Eqt, Prod & Svcs Greeting Cards Hair Salons & Services Health Aids & Services Home Furnishings Home Inspection Hotels and Motels Insurance Janitorial Services Jewelry Laundry & Dry Cleaning Lawn/Garden/Agriculture Maid & Personal Services Maintenance Marine Services Optical Aids & Services Packaging/Ship/Mail Svcs. Painting Services Paralegal Services Payroll Services
Pest Control Services Pet Sales/Supplies & Svcs. Photography Printing/Copying Svcs. Real Estate Services Recreations Svcs. Rental Eqt & Supplies Retail Stores Security Systems Senior Care Sign Products & Services Tanning Centers Telecommunication Svcs Transportation Services Travel Agents Vitamin & Mineral Stores Weight Control
Partial Franchise List – we represent over 400 franchises
The Alternative Board Aussie Pet Mobile Mr. Handyman Maaco Fabulous Floors Closet Factory Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen Sonoma Coffee Cafe Elevation Burger Extreme Pita Maui Wowi SignWorld
1-800-DryClean AAMCO Transmissions Ace Hardware Great Clips Planet Beach Comfort Keepers Senior Care Molly Maid The Maids Business Cards Tomorrow Street Corner News Carpet Network Golf USA
Why Join a Franchise System?
Name recognition in a national brand
Assistance from Experienced Management
Business Planning and start-up Assistance
Lowered Risks Through Proven Business Methods
Established product or service
Group purchasing power
Franchisees are able to follow a proven, successful system
Perceived Disadvantages
Payment of Franchise Fee On-going Royalty Conformity to Standard Operating
Procedures Inability to make changes readily Underfinanced, inexperienced, weak
franchisor Duration of relationship Dependent upon franchisor’s success
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Turnkey Business There are many entrepreneurs that have exactly what it takes to
run a successful business but don’t have what it takes to get their business up and running. Whether it be financing, negotiating lease terms or even the confidence it takes to quit their job and start their own business.
Buying a franchise eliminates a lot of the hard work: finding a location negotiating a lease hiring reliable contractors doing everything on-time and within budget
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Proven System in Place When you buy a franchise you buy a system. All
franchises have an already-established system in place that you must follow.
These systems are designed to improve the overall productivity and increase sales of each franchise.
Having a proven system already in place eliminates the guesswork and errors a common business owner would normally face.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Higher Likelihood of Success Buying a franchise is very different from starting a
mom-and-pop business. Since there is an already established system in
place, there is a higher likelihood of success. If you follow the system the franchisor has put in
place, you should be on your way to running a very successful business.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Corporate Image and Brand Awareness If you buy into a franchise system that is
already established the corporate image and brand awareness is already recognized.
Customers are usually more comfortable purchasing items they are familiar with and working with companies they already know and trust.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Easier to Obtain Financing Lenders are usually very comfortable financing the
purchase of a franchise because they already have a proven track record.
Bankers usually look at successful franchise chains as having a lower risk of repayment default and are more likely to loan money based on that premise.
Some franchise systems even provide in-house financing and/or leasing options.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Training Most franchise companies offer a 1-4 week training program
that is usually held at their corporate offices or at an actual franchise location.
This is what makes franchises stand out from every other business or business opportunity.
The franchisor will train you to run your franchise exactly the same way their other franchise locations are run.
This will ensure that you are running your business efficiently and will help to eliminate any common mistakes a new business owner usually faces.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Ongoing Support When you buy a franchise you are never alone. You will always have the support of the franchisor
and the support of knowing you are part of a growing family.
You will always be able to pick up the phone and ask questions to the franchisor or even to other franchisees.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Marketing There is usually no need to worry about advertising
your franchise. The franchisor usually takes care of handling all of
the marketing. If the franchisor does not handle the marketing, they
will have an outline for you to follow and sometimes specific vendors that will have systems in place for you to use.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Exclusive Territory When you buy a franchise you are also buying an
exclusive territory in which to do business. Franchisors will only allow a certain amount of
franchises to be open within a certain geographical region.
You will be entitled to a certain area and no other franchises (within your franchise system) can be open within that area.
Reasons to Buy a Franchise
Own Multiple Locations Being a part of a franchise system will always offer you more
opportunities to grow within the system. Once you have become a successful franchise, owner the next
step is to become a multi-unit franchise owner. After you have one successful franchise open with a great management team you can focus time on opening a second location.
Multi-unit franchise owners manage more than one location and are able to sometimes double their income by taking on more than one location.
Owning multiple franchise locations can be very lucrative.
Future of Franchising
Franchising continues to grow!
Within a decade or less, franchising Will comprise over 50% of the retail economy Will employ millions of people Will enable hundreds of thousands to realize the
American dream of successful business ownership.
Franchise Types
• Single Unit Franchise
• Multiple Units
• Area Developer
• Master Franchise
Common Franchise Terms
Acknowledgement Of Receipt: The last page of an Offering Circular, signed to indicate you received the documents on a certain date.
Advertising Fee: A fee paid by the franchisee to the franchisor for corporate advertising expenditures; It is often less then three percent of the franchisee's annual sales and typically paid in addition to the royalty fee.
Capital Required: The amount of cash you are required to have available.
Earnings Claims: Representations made by franchise companies that their franchisees have achieved specific levels of sales or profitability.
Territory: The "territory" granted to you by a franchise company, which restricts the franchisor from establishing any other franchise or company store within your area.
Continued…
Common Franchise Terms
Franchisor: The person or company that owns or controls the right to grant franchises for a specific "brand".
FTC Rule 436: The law passed in 1979 that regulates the franchise industry, and sets the requirement for "disclosure" requirements.
Initial Investment: Generally, the initial cash investment required of you to buy and open a franchise. This can include the franchise fee and other initial start-up costs and expenses you may incur, but may not be reflective of your total investment.
Liquid Capital: Also known as, liquid assets, quick assets, and realizable assets. Assets held in cash or in something that can be readily turned into cash.
Net Worth: Total assets less your total liabilities.
Non-Compete Clause: Upon termination, non-renewal, or other sale or transfer, some franchise agreements prohibit you from competing in any way with the franchised company.
Questions to Ask the Franchisor
Can you provide an overview of your franchise? How many franchises are there in your system? How many do they expect to add in the next 12 months? How many were added in the last 12 months? Do they have a Discovery Day? Describe their training and ongoing support Do they provide site selection and lease negotiations? Do they provide any Grand Opening support? Ask the current fees: franchise fee, royalty, advertising Are there any other fees, such as territory, training or
marketing? Does their FDD provide earnings claims?
Next Steps
What are your next steps?
Your consultant is there to help!