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Are You Investing in an Agency or Buying a Job?

By Ian Klaes

When searching for a franchise business, it’s important to consider how much leeway you will have as a franchisee. Many franchise owners choose their profession because of the freedom and independence that comes with being a business owner. However, many franchisees become disappointed when they can't run their business the way they want to. Instead of being their own boss, they find themselves working for the franchisor.

That’s why it's important to evaluate franchise opportunities to ensure you are investing in an agency instead of buying a job. Let's compare traits between franchise agencies that allow franchise owners to be their own boss and those that don’t. These traits can help potential franchise owners find the right franchise company.

Signs of Investing in an Agency

Opening a franchise business should offer franchisees the opportunity to be their own boss and to exercise freedom in their job. And it should also provide a franchisor with a new business partner. After all, franchise owners can’t exist without their franchisors and vice versa.

This relationship should be reciprocal so that each party is successful. Here are traits you can look for when searching for a franchise company to ensure that your relationship is mutually beneficial.

Superior Training & Support

One great sign that you’re investing in a franchise instead of just buying yourself a job is support. When a franchise system truly invests in their owners, they will provide support and training to help them each achieve success. Owners should have access to continual training, and there should always be support available to help as needed.

This support should go beyond the initial training period as you start a business. You should receive ongoing training throughout the year to stay up-to-date on industry trends and reinforce the business model.

Caring Senior Service provides new owners with a week of virtual training followed by a week of in-person training. Following initial training, we provide continual support through field visits, phone calls, video conferences, and other forms of communication. We also host quarterly in-person training conferences that we encourage franchise locations to attend.

RELATED CONTENT: Evaluating Franchise Training Programs

Trust

When choosing a franchise system over starting your own small business, you do give up some ownership rights. But in return, you get brand recognition, intellectual property, and successful business model of your franchisor. However, you shouldn’t have to give up complete control to your franchisor.

A good franchisor will allow their owners to run their business, hire employees, and take care of issues that arise. The franchisor provides support and ensures that franchisees meet brand standards. But generally, they trust their franchisees to run their businesses.

Positive Feedback from Owners

Another sign that you are investing in your future as a business owner is positive feedback from other franchisees. During the process of vetting franchise companies, you will have the opportunity to speak with current franchisees. In these conversations, be open and honest about your concerns. Ad you should also pay close attention to what other franchisees have to say.

The feedback you receive from other owners will give you the best insight into what your future could look like. By hearing the experiences and successes of other owners, you can gauge some of the pros and cons of the franchisor. Ultimately, these conversation can help you decide whether the franchise company is one that you want to invest in.

To hear some of what Caring Senior Service franchise owners have said about working with us, check out our testimonials page!

Signs of Buying a Job

Some franchise owners find themselves buying a job instead of becoming their own boss. Instead of working for the man at their previous job, they work for the man at a franchise company. Not much changes.

This can be a huge disappointment to franchisees and ultimately cause to them leaving the franchise system. But there are signs to look for when considering your franchise options to help you avoid this predicament. Here are some of the signs that indicate you might be buying a job instead of investing in a franchise business.

Conflicting FDD

A franchise disclosure document contains sensitive information that can help you decide whether to choose a particular franchise business. You should review this document carefully with your lawyer. If the FDD contains contradictions or lacks verbal promises from your franchisor, then you might want to consider a different franchise company. You don’t want to find yourself stuck in a bind after you sign a contract.

Pressure

If a franchisor applies a lot of pressure before you make a commitment, then you might want to be careful. The pushy attitude and unnecessary pressure will probably continue — and might even get worse — after you sign a franchise agreement.

If you are buying a franchise to become your own boss, an overbearing franchisor won’t be a good fit. Plus, a franchise that is worth your money will never make you uncomfortable with loads of extra pressure.

Tight Leash

Franchisors can dictate how franchisees represent the brand and carry out their operations. However, within these rules and regulations, there should be some breathing room for franchise owners to actually be business owners. You will want room to be creative in how you sell your products or services to your local market.

If your franchisor doesn’t allow you to make day-to-day decisions of running your business, then this is a huge sign that you’ve just bought a job.

At the end of the day, it’s your decision to choose the franchise agency that you want to work with. So it’s important to measure each franchise company against your own standards. These traits can help you identify if you are investing in a franchise or if you are buying another job.

If you’re looking to start a franchise in the home care industry, we would love share how Caring Senior Service empowers our franchisees. We offer ongoing support, advanced technology, and over 30 years of experience in the home care industry. Set up some time to chat with us about potential franchise opportunities and to learn more about our business model.

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Tags: Franchise Ownership