If you\u2019re at a point in your life where you\u2019re considering a change in career direction, why not consider becoming a franchisee with a leading pet franchise? Most people associate owning a business with routes chocked with costly mistakes, time-consuming branding design and expensive marketing. But did you know, franchising is not only a safer and more secure way of owning a business, it also means you get full training and are backed by a supportive franchise network?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is Franchising?<\/strong> The owner of the original business (the franchisor), having made the decision to franchise their business, will look for franchisees to run the business in their own exclusive territory. In exchange for a franchise investment, usually several thousand of pounds, the franchisee will get the rights to trade as the franchisor\u2019s business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take a look at some of the reasons to invest in a pet franchise, rather than start up a pet business alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1) A Business in a Box<\/strong> The investment required will vary considerably, but typical pet franchises are usually less than \u00a315,000. If the pet franchise business requires a van and you do not have one, the franchisor will likely have agreements in place with vehicle finance companies of which will be able to offer a competitive rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2) A Fully Supported Sector<\/strong> In terms of finding a franchise, there are many franchise directories out there to help you with your search. You\u2019ve also got a wealth of franchise shows and exhibitions to choose from \u2013 many of which are free to attend. There are usually around 3-4 franchise shows per year, some national, some international, whilst others are open to businesses in general. Franchise exhibitions attract tens of thousands of visitors and are a great way to learn more about franchising through the stands and seminars which are on offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In terms of franchise training and support, your franchisor will usually get you up to knowledge with everything there is to know. Whilst helpful, you won\u2019t actually need any past business ownership experience either. Aspects such as finance, business management and marketing \u2013 will all be taught to you. Ongoing, you can expect regular calls and R&D from a head office team to ensure you\u2019re keeping up with the latest trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3) Group Marketing and Purchasing Power<\/strong> Think about it: if you were to start up a business alone, you\u2019d need to find suppliers and partners yourself. SEO agencies to help your business stand out; Marketing companies to help design a logo and marketing materials; suppliers who can provide you with goods at an affordable price. When you join a franchise network, you get access to the franchisor\u2019s supply network. This includes: being able to purchase things like equipment, cleaning products, pet foods, all at a discounted rate. Because all franchisees use the same supplier, the supplier benefits from their business and in exchange is in a position to offer better prices compared to solo business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Going back to the group marketing fund, how many individual business owners do you think can afford a national TV advertising campaign? If they\u2019re a small and local business, it won\u2019t benefit them much either. As franchisees contribute to a group marketing pot, the franchisor can use this collectively to buy powerful marketing that benefits the entire franchise network. From radio and TV ads to newspaper and local media inclusion, franchises can deliver a powerful message through these channels. This helps to generate local business for franchisees, helping you to find clients. This way, you\u2019ll spend less time finding clients and spending more time doing something you love \u2013 working with pets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Franchising doesn\u2019t just apply to pet businesses, it applies to \u2013 and can apply to, any commercial business which has proven to be successful. In the context of business format franchising, franchising is where an established business grows by opening up their business model to entrepreneurs looking to run a business in their own area. Some such successful franchise examples would be Dial a Dog Wash, OSCAR\/Trophy Pet Foods and McDonald\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First up, when you invest in a franchise, you\u2019re getting a proven business model with everything you need to get started. If you started to switch off when we said an investment of several thousand of pounds, be aware that this isn\u2019t just for the brand license. Usually, the initial investment covers everything from full training and support, right up to your starting stock and materials. If you\u2019re investing in a dog grooming franchise, this might include equipment and cleaning products, as well as branded flyers and business cards. On the other hand, if you\u2019re investing in a dog-walking franchise, the investment may cover vehicle sign-writing and your own website as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the moment you start looking for a franchise to invest in, right up to signing the franchise agreement and running the business, support is with you every step of the way. Did you know, subject to good financial history and a well-constructed business plan, most UK banks can lend up to 70% of the franchise investment? Thanks to the generally-successful nature of franchises, banks favour franchises over new start-ups. The franchising sector is also very well supported by franchise associations. In the UK, the most recognised is the British Franchise Association. Many pet businesses in the UK are BFA members, and being a part of the BFA means the franchise has been thoroughly investigated and proven to be a secure and profitable business model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just like if you were to run a business by yourself, you\u2019ll still have ongoing costs as part of a franchise, and one of these costs will be the monthly management fee. A fee paid to the franchisor, not only contributes to a group marketing fund but also grants you continued access to the franchisor\u2019s supplier and partner network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n