Owning a franchise comes with support that simply doesn’t exist in the regular commercial world. Ryan White, MD of pet care franchise We Love Pets, who has helped over 120 franchisees to start up their own businesses, reveals how deep the support goes, even in the most serious of circumstances.
Slice a franchisor in two and like a stick of rock, you’ll find the word ‘support’ running through them; but no matter how much we talk about it, new franchisees never quite grasp what that support looks like, the benefits it can mean to the running of their business and the competitive advantage it gives them against their non-franchised competitors.
BFA (British Franchise Association) Survey
The latest BFA Survey [1]revealed that only 0.5% of franchises fail compared to the tragic 50% of all new, non-franchised businesses that fail within their first three years. [2]They also reported that 82% of franchisees are satisfied with their franchisor. Impressive, I’m sure you’ll agree, but how do we pull off these seemingly impossible figures? In a word, ‘support’.
Where support begins
To be able to effectively support someone, there needs to be trust. Trust with your franchisor is built from the moment you contact them, through the recruitment process, training and the day to day help you’ll receive when you head home to run your territory. They (and their team) will have been with you from the very start and are 100% invested in you and your success.
Your new best friend
The ultimate franchisor/franchisee relationship is one where you feel comfortable talking to them about pretty much everything. If you have this in place, then if/when the proverbial hits the fan and you need help, it’s a simple transition for them to help, because they are fully familiar with you, your business, your standards and your management style.
Mental health support
This year, Mental Health UK’s Burnout report 2024 [3]found that 91% of UK adults experienced high or extreme levels of pressure or stress in the past year.
As two people diagnosed with ADHD, my wife Jo and I are only too aware of stress and mental burnout. Like most business owners we try to do everything, whilst also trying to raise two young children and let’s face it, it’s a lot. We, like many franchisors, work hard to support our franchisees’ mental health. We encourage franchisees to support each other via buddy systems, WhatsApp groups and increased regional get togethers. Some might also have information about online apps, charities and resources to boost their mental wellbeing in their operations manual. Franchisors are also on the end of the phone if they just need to talk.
Crisis support
A franchise network is a microcosm of the world, it’s a family, with births, deaths, sickness, marriages, divorces, babies and a whole host more. As with any family, when one person is in trouble, the rest step in to help.
If you need help, your franchisor’s aim will be to hold the wheel steady, while your attention is elsewhere. They will make sure your business runs smoothly, your clients are satisfied, your staff are well managed, and your reputation is intact.
What sort of help can you expect?
Every franchisor operates differently, and support can vary for each franchisee. However, one thing that is common across the board is the franchisor’s strong commitment to going above and beyond to support their franchisees. Whether in everyday situations or during challenging times when extra help is needed, franchisors step up to ensure their franchisees have the dedicated support they need to keep their businesses running even when they’re unable to do so themselves.
Everybody needs good neighbours
Did you know that the rest of the franchise network is an unofficial part of your support system? If you have a fellow franchisee in a neighbouring territory and you need a hand, they may offer to help; after all, no one wants the brand getting a reputation for poor service, so whilst there is absolutely no obligation for them to assist, nine times out of ten they will. Whether it’s sharing resources, offering advice, or even assisting with operations, these relationships can make a significant difference during challenging times.
The sole trader
It doesn’t bear thinking about how hard a challenging situation would be if you ran a non-franchised business and had to tackle it alone. We all know there is nothing louder than the voice of an unhappy customer, particularly on social media and whilst at your lowest ebb you could find your hard-earned reputation is ruined, you could lose your hard-won clients and potentially your entire business.
Whilst we have the utmost respect for anyone starting their own business, we know how quickly a crisis can sneak up on you and how beneficial it can be to be part of a supportive franchise network when things go wrong. Ultimately, with a franchise you are never alone.
If you are weighing up the pros and cons of starting up your own business vs buying a franchise, hopefully this article will have given you some insight into the support given to franchisees; if you do decide to buy a franchise, good luck and let me know how it goes!
