It also provides a lot of flexibility when it comes to a work-life balance as the system has been built by the franchisor, and you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but instead just use it to build a thriving business.
When researching franchise opportunities, there are several key decisions that need to be determined, from how involved you want to be in the operations of your franchise to whether it’s a long-term investment or something new. Whatever your motivation or drive, one of the first choices you will need to make prior to embarking on your franchising journey is whether to opt for an owner-operator franchise or a management model.
A management franchise is essentially a business that you own and operate, but with other people carrying out the day-to-day business activities. It lets you utilise your skillset developed during your career and then apply it in a whole new sector and to a new challenge. In addition to dealing with the people side of the business, a management franchisee will also take care of all the other aspects of running a company, such as the finances and business development. Experience in the specific industry you are choosing to invest in isn’t necessarily a prerequisite for success. The backbone of what you will be doing is managing other people, so the know-how that a franchisor will look on favourably will be previous, notable leadership.
Building a sustainable future
A management franchise provides you with the opportunity for sustained growth even in challenging times, allowing you to grow a valuable asset for your future over time. It offers you more time to work on the business, rather than in the business as single owner-operators must do, which enables you to step back so you can spend more time with family or pursue other business opportunities and enjoy a real work-life balance.
In challenging times, such as a pandemic or economic uncertainty, it is vital to build a scalable and sustainable business that can see you through the most challenging of times. We saw this in 2021 with our Greensleeves franchisees, who collectively achieved a record-breaking network turnover and acquired more customers than any previous year.
The right people in the right places
When running a management franchise, getting the right team in place is vital, and the franchisor can offer guidance with finding the best talent for the job. Recruiting the right team of people to deliver your service or sell your product is essential, and your franchisor will be able to provide insight and guidance on how to do this. Although the decision will finally be down to you, any quality franchisor will offer acumen and guidance on how to identify talent at the interview stage and ensure you feel comfortable with the whole recruitment process. You must remember that your franchisor has expertise in creating successful locations and understands the roles you need to fill, ultimately helping and supporting you to build the business and take it to new heights.
Be your own boss – manage your own time!
Being in control of your day-to-day schedule and being your own boss means greater freedom, flexibility and having control over how and when you work. And better work-life balance.
Many determined individuals have already made that dream a reality, including Greensleeves franchisees. Our franchise model is designed to be management based and how you get to be a manager varies, with some starting by doing the work themselves, building their customer base whilst earning an income before employing more staff members and building their multi-van business. The other option is to start as a manager from day one where your role is to become a manager and motivator for your team of lawn care experts, whilst driving the growth of your business.
When it comes to work-life balance, there are many options in franchising. It’s important to ask the right questions before taking your next step so you can find something that suits both your interests and lifestyle. Make sure you do your due diligence – it’s worth the effort. Choosing a management franchise doesn’t suit everyone. It requires hard work, plenty of self-motivation and the ability to engage and lead others. Yet, it’s also an immensely gratifying path to embark on for those individuals eager to establish their own business, often in an unfamiliar sector, strengthened by the backing of a robust franchise brand and team.
