subject: Buying A Franchise: Pros And Cons [print this page] The current economy may be tough for many individuals who are looking, without much luck, for work that will get some money coming in again. But for franchisors who offer an alternative to the headaches and insecurities of corporate employment, business is on the rise.
And buying into a franchise system can be a smart investment for someone who doesn't feel secure about a future working for someone else. An auto service, fast food outlet, mailing center or other kind of franchised business can provide a solid and predictable income.
But that choice has some dangers and drawbacks that the franchisors don't always mention when they're signing up new franchisees and collecting substantial fees from people who want to buy a business.
It's easy to get fed up with a corporate gig, especially for those who've been laid off. The right career path might be purchase of a franchise, but it's useful to know, before hand, some of the facts that suggest franchise ownership is a good choice. And also to know why it might be the wrong move.
PRO
A proven system is one of the key advantages offered by franchisors. You'll hear when examining a franchise business to buy, that the franchisor has already learned how to operate the business effectively. They've made the mistakes, so to speak, saving you considerable time and money. They've built up a recognizable brand and figured out the best way to promote it.
Buying a franchise often is easier than getting an independent business for sale because a potential purchaser has plenty of people--other franchisees--who can help with the due diligence by discussing their own success and problems. And acquiring a franchise usually can be accomplished with better financing than is available when buying an independent (non-franchise) company.
Once in business, many franchisees appreciate the practical and experienced advice they get about building sales and avoiding problems from the franchisor. And they benefit from pricing and service advantages when purchasing products and supplies that they can acquire with other franchisees at group rates.
CON
But buyer candidates are advised not to get swept away by the franchisor's assurances and enthusiasm, because franchises fail more frequently than the parent companies admit. And there are some negatives to this business strategy that the franchisor won't reveal.
The first drawback, of course, is the need to pay a fee of several thousand dollars, maybe tens or hundreds of thousands, just for the privilege in investing in the business. That chunk of cash is required in addition to the money a buyer has to produce for build-out of a new franchise or acquisition of an existing business for sale. Then there's working capital and marketing money that must go into the pot. Financial help from the franchisor is a definite benefit of getting involved in the business. But prospective buyers should do the math to make certain there will be enough income remaining after debt service to justify the price and the terms.
And while there is benefit to a system that is proven to work in producing and selling products and services, it also means limitations. The franchisee usually can't expand the business by addition of say, ice cream cones at the sandwich shop, or by performing brake jobs along with transmission repairs. Violation of the franchise agreement by breaking the rules can have dire consequences, such as losing the business and all that was invested.
Prospective franchise owners also need to understand the risk that comes with a well-known brand name. Just ask fast food franchise owners who suffered a big drop in business, not their fault, because of bad publicity when another franchisee sold contaminated french fries.
Like evaluating any business problem, a key to deciding on whether to buy a franchise is to rely in great measure on common sense. Another key is to learn as much as possible about the industry in which the company is involved.
