How To Start Your Own Restaurant Franchise – Do you have what it takes to be a successful restaurant owner? Our franchise experts provide some words of wisdom.
When most people think of a franchise business, the first thing they think of is burgers. or pizza. Or coffee (and donuts). Or tacos. Of course, there are many different markets in which franchising flourishes, but the success and growth of many fast-food giants has made it so that if you play a word association game and offer a “franchise,” Most people probably answered immediately: “McDonald’s.”
How To Start Your Own Restaurant Franchise
But your first thought shouldn’t be your last. When deciding whether or not to buy a restaurant franchise, you should consider the characteristics of the business from a franchisee’s perspective. Only you can determine whether the industry is right for you.
The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Owning A Franchise
Popularity is one of the wonderful advantages of the food business, but there are some challenges you should be aware of before entering this industry. Here are the details of what you need to keep in mind.
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Implicit demand. Consumers want consistency in their food, so they have been trained to take franchisees. This can be a huge advantage for startups – but make sure the food sold by the franchisee has staying power. Fringe products can be erratic, and may fade.
Acquaintance Financing. Traditional lending sources are well-versed in the real estate and equipment needs of a fast-food operation, which can make it less of a challenge to get the funding you need. Better yet, lenders often like the high revenue that a typical food franchise provides.
How Much Does It Cost To Franchise Your Business?
Clear track record. Many food franchises have multiple units and have been operating for some time, which means you can have a clear understanding of what is working and what is not working before you decide to get involved.
Reputation. Many people think that owning a food franchise is glamorous. This can be an added bonus for the potential franchisee.
High initial investment. Most food franchises require significant funding to get started. Prep stations, sinks, stoves, ovens, grease removal systems, venting requirements, customer seating and bathroom areas are just the beginning.
Final settlement. The government goes to great lengths to ensure that food is safe to eat. Compliance with its regulations, both initially and on an ongoing basis, is time consuming and costly. The franchisor should help the new franchisee deal with zoning, permits, and all other site-related issues. Ask existing franchisees about this support – and if the franchisor can’t offer it, look elsewhere.
Tips To Finding A Great Location To Open Your Restaurant
Work challenges. Most food businesses rely on a significant number of low-wage employees. As a result, turnover can be very high. In fact, recruiting and retaining is usually the top challenge for food franchises.
Relatively low margin. The food franchisor must meet labor and material costs in such an environment, which is particularly sensitive to fast-food outlets. The net margin of most food businesses is not nearly as high as other franchises (especially those related to service) – and that’s before you deal with spoilage, theft and other issues common to other businesses.
Quality of Life. Often you are the first to arrive and the last to go home. Employee challenges can be so frustrating that they are one of the main reasons owners want to leave the industry. Then there’s the issue of how a person smells after spending long hours every day at a foodie franchise. It is not a classic perfume at all.
Now that you have a realistic sense of what a business is all about, let’s talk about whether you’re right for it.
How To Expand Your Franchise: A 10 Step Roadmap For Restaurants
Food businesses can be very profitable for someone who has a particular mix of skills and abilities, and these operators are among the most respected of all franchising because of their success. But it’s essential to make sure you know what those skills are – and that you have them.
How can you know Go to an existing unit and shadow the current owner until you gain enough experience to do what it takes. (Some of the most successful food franchises require you to do this.) The tour won’t be quick. It will take at least a few weeks to know for sure—a significant time commitment. But it’s infinitely better for you to find out early (and before you risk your life savings) if this business isn’t for you.
Another thought: Some food franchises use a simplified business model that avoids some of the pitfalls listed above. For example, they may not require your franchise outlet to do the cooking, instead using a commissary system that sends out food that is either ready-to-serve or just requires some basic assembly. . These businesses may avoid many of the vexing issues of the food industry – but will not solve the labor challenges.
Think carefully about what a food franchise will require: investment, daily and weekly work, hours. Do you have the skills needed to be successful? Will the work be worth the reasonably expected return based on your research? Only with so many considerations can you know whether becoming a restaurant owner is right for you. Looking to enter the world of shipping by starting a franchise business? There are definitely advantages to going this route when starting a business – here are some that I realized when I brought zpizza, a California-based casual food restaurant, to the UAE:
What Is Right For Me — Taking A Franchise Or Starting My Own Restaurant?
Opening Zpiza was a wonderful, meaningful opportunity for me, as it allowed me to strike a perfect balance between being independent and seeking guidance. With a wealth of valuable past experience, the franchisor has provided me with a strong support system while allowing me to manage my own business. While preparing to open Zipzza, he shared his vast knowledge and expertise about the products. Additionally, because the business model was already established, I felt confident in my knowledge of the resources available.
Although, admittedly there are still many risks involved, opening a new outlet is in general less risky than starting a business from scratch. I was fortunate enough to start a project that had an existing proven business model, and, as a result of the power of the Internet, I had the opportunity to research Zpizza’s background before signing any contracts. One of the major advantages of opening zpizza instead of a brand new business is that I have spent less time and investment in my business. Also, before investing, I was fortunate to be able to obtain financial data from the franchisor, and in return, I gained knowledge of what to expect from the start.
By researching the feasibility of the business I have been able to apply my analytical skills prior to opening zpiza. An important piece of information that franchisees hope to receive is confidence that the new investment will be successful. As a business owner, my past experiences have given me the ability to network enough – as well as use my connections – to open doors that may not have been opened before.
It is a proven concept that franchisees have a higher rate of success than startup businesses. A huge amount of work has already been done by the franchisor, high brand awareness and recall have been successfully achieved. As winning is my goal, I primarily determined how much I would have to invest, how much risk I was willing to take, and gained a deeper understanding of the initial investment required.
Is Investing In A Franchise Better Than Starting A Business From Scratch?
It is important for me to protect the brand before I jump in with two feet and make changes to existing products. I make a constant effort to stay upbeat about Zpizza, in the hopes that it shines through to my employees. Recruiting the best team will ensure zpizza’s success – by treating employees with respect, offering valuable training and challenging employees, they also generate their own passion for the brand.
Zpizza reaps the rewards of being tried and tested. Opening a new outlet ensured that already successful ideas and operating methods and procedures could be followed. The franchising model gave me access to systems and processes, I only had to make a few changes based on my setup. Furthermore, as brands often have franchises around the world, they benefit from an internationally recognized brand name. With over 100 branches across two continents – including the US. America, South Korea, Vietnam, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates – zpiza has the advantage of an instantly recognizable brand name with an established reputation.
As the franchisor has already built strong establishments, I can benefit from the relationships I already have. Generally, companies and businesses have always been more willing to deal with internationally recognized brands, as franchisees representing an international brand often carry more credibility. This, in turn, makes it easier for the supply chain to initiate working relationships, as well as aid in gaining access to key locations. Compensation is provided by the companies on this site and this compensation may
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