Small Business Guide - Small Business Resources
    (Add to Favorites  |  View All Articles  |  Resource Directory)

How To Select a Franchise


Here are some useful tips on how to select a franchise. When selecting a franchise, carefully consider a number of factors, such as the demand for the products or services, likely competition, the franchisor's background, and the level of support you will receive because like any other investment, purchasing a franchise is a risk. You will do well to consider the following items before selecting a franchise:

Demand: Is there a demand for the franchisor's products or services in your area? Is the demand seasonal? Is there likely to be a continuing demand for the products or services in the future? Does the product or service generate repeat business?

Competition: What is the level of competition? How many franchised and company-owned outlets does the franchisor have in your area? How many competing companies sell the same or similar products or services?

Ability to Operate the Business: Will you be able to operate your outlet even if the franchisor goes out of business? Will you need the franchisor's ongoing training, advertising, or other assistance to succeed? Will you have access to the same suppliers?

Name Recognition: A primary reason for purchasing a franchise is the right to associate with the company's name. The more widely recognized the name, the more likely it will draw customers who know its products or services:

Training and Support: Another reason for purchasing a franchise is to obtain support from the franchisor. What training and ongoing support does the franchisor provide?

Franchisor's Experience: Many franchisors operate well-established companies with years of experience both in selling goods or services and in managing a franchise system. Carefully consider how long the franchisor has managed a franchise system.

Growth: A growing franchise system increases the franchisor's name recognition and may enable you to attract customers. Make sure the franchisor has sufficient financial assets and staff to support the franchisees.

You may freely reprint this article provided the author's biography remains intact:

John Mussi is the founder of Direct Online Loans who help UK homeowners find the best available loans via the http://www.directonlineloans.co.uk website.


MORE RESOURCES:

News provided by Yahoo! News and Google News

Small-Business Owners Cut Spending, Jobs as Revenues Fall (Gallup)
The Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index hit a new low in the fourth quarter of 2008, with many small-business owners saying they are generating less revenue, cutting capital spending, and eliminating jobs.

Small Biz: New shop strives for global connection - Online Athens

Small Biz: New shop strives for global connection
Online Athens, GA - Jan 3, 2009
Manager Tessa Anderson re-stocks shelves last week at the Earthbound Trading Co. in the Georgia Square Mall. A fairy statue sits on a shelf at the store. ...

Wage Increase Will Hit Some Small Biz Hard - NBC4i.com

Wage Increase Will Hit Some Small Biz Hard
NBC4i.com, OH - Dec 31, 2008
By Jason Mays Restaurants, such as Phillip’s Original Coney Island at 450 W. Broad St., will be hit hard by the increase. Owner Nick Manus said food prices ...

Los Angeles-area small-business lender receives cash infusion (Los Angeles Times)
Valley Economic Development Center gets $15 million from the city of Los Angeles and $1 million from Merrill Lynch to bolster nearly drained loan funds. After nearly running out of money in its small-business loan funds last month, Valley Economic Development Center Inc. of Van Nuys says it is getting $16 million to enable it to continue to lend to Southern California firms caught in the ...

Small Business Calendar - Minneapolis Star Tribune

Small Business Calendar
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - Jan 4, 2009
... 13 days before publication. Include time, date, location, sponsor, fee and phone number to call for information. Send to: SmallBiz@startribune.com.

Sharp drop in small business loans (CNN Money)
The credit freeze afflicting America's small businesses shows no signs of thawing. In the last three months of 2008, the Small Business Administration's flagship loan-guarantee program backed less than half the number of loans it approved a year earlier - a sign that fewer entrepreneurs are getting financing to start or expand their ventures.

home | site map | articles
© 2006