The franchise industry has a vast range of possibilities for prospective franchisees to invest in, from restaurants and home-based services to printing firms and care providers. This means you need to know what your options are so you can pick the right one for you. And franchise exhibitions offer a great chance to explore multiple opportunities under one roof.
To make sure you get the most of the events, it helps if you do your research beforehand. Find out who’s exhibiting and consider what sectors and businesses you can see yourself being part of. Once you’ve got a list of exhibitors you’d like to approach, think about the questions you want to ask them at the show. Book meetings in advance if possible and find out if there are any current franchisees attending who you can speak to.
Franchise exhibitions remain one of the most common recruitment tools in the industry and if you’re considering buying a franchise, they’re the perfect place to see a franchise brand in action and meet the people behind it. It’s important to remember that when you’re investing in a franchise, you’re investing in a business relationship. Speaking to representatives from the franchise or existing franchisees can help you get a sense of what that relationship might be like.
You should also try to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Don’t just stick to the sectors you already know: the joy of franchising is that you’re given all the training you need to run any of the businesses on offer. Most franchisors will probably want to see that you can demonstrate some business acumen but don’t avoid exploring a franchise opportunity just because you don’t have any specific experience in that sector.”
Finally, attend seminars and workshops at the show. This will help you with your research and give you the chance to hear from a range of banks, lawyers, accountants, marketing companies, franchisors and specialist franchise advisors. If you do embark on a franchise journey, it’s always advisable to use specialists and external consultants as you buy, launch and grow your franchise. These exhibitions are a great way to find one that suits you early on.
Franchising remains inherently robust and the sector has grown every year for the last 20 years. And with so many bfa-accredited franchise exhibitions around the country that are free to attend, why not get yourself along to one and discover what franchising can offer you?”
