Franchise Owner
What is the work like?
A franchise is an arrangement between an established company (the franchiser) and a local operator (the franchise owner, often known as the franchisee). As a franchise owner, you would be self-employed and own the business, but you would have the benefit of running a business whose products or services are already familiar to the public.
Many types of business are run as franchises, in particular:
- convenience stores
- food take-aways
- printing
- professional cleaning services
- hairdressers
- parcel delivery
- estate agents
- recruitment consultancies.
You would pay an initial fee to use the franchise brand and products, and pay the franchiser a regular management service fee based on a percentage of your turnover. In return, the franchising company would provide you with training, guidelines for running and advertising the business, and any shop fittings and equipment that you might need.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You do not need formal qualifications to run most franchises, but you will need some basic business skills in areas like people management, basic accounts and marketing.
You often do not need any direct experience of the business that you are running, but previous work experience in sales, management and customer service would be useful.
You will need enough money to buy the franchise and pay the franchiser's fees. Few franchises are available for less than £5,000, and the average start-up cost is between £20,000 and £50,000.
If you are thinking of running a franchise, you could contact the British Franchise Association, which runs seminars, provides information and assesses and approves franchising companies.
Before you buy a franchise, you may find it useful to take a short business start-up course run by a local college, adult education centre or enterprise organisation. You can also get business start-up advice and training from the Business Link network (in England), Invest Northern Ireland, Business Eye Wales or Scottish Enterprise.
What further training and development can I do?
All franchising companies will offer you some initial training. Some franchisers will also train your employees and provide ongoing training as part of the franchise agreement.Training is likely to include:
- operating the business to the required standard
- sales skills
- product knowledge, pricing and marketing
- finance, administration and customer relations.
You could choose to work towards NVQs aimed at people running their own business, such as:
- Level 3 in Business Start-up
- Level 4 in Business Development.
You can also get ongoing business development support and advice from organisations like the Business Link network.
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 0845 600 900656 Surrey Street
Norwich
NR1 3FD
Tel: 01603 620301
Newtown Road
Henley-on-Thames
Oxfordshire
RG9 1HG
Tel: 01491 578050
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your hours would depend on the type of franchise you ran, but you are likely to need to put in long hours to make your business succeed.
Your working environment would also vary according to the type of franchise – you could be running a high street shop, a mobile business from a van, or working from home.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- motivation and determination
- good business sense
- excellent organisational skills
- willingness to follow the franchise company's rules and guidelines
- an understanding of budgets and accounts
- the confidence to market and promote your own business
- good communication skills
- the stamina to cope with working long hours
- the ability to manage and motivate employees.
What opportunities are there?
Over 700 franchise systems are operating in the UK, including many well-known businesses.
You can find information about available franchises from Franchise Development Services, from franchise exhibitions and The Franchise Magazine.
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