Entering into a franchise arrangement and running your own business can be a very exciting time. You receive the benefits of the established brand, and usually a well-documented operations manual to assist you to run the franchised business. However, before you take that big step, consider my 5 Top Tips before entering into a franchise.
1. Read the disclosure statement
Yes, this document has been provided for a very good reason, so you should read it. Franchisors are required by law to give prospective franchisees a disclosure statement and the law prescribes what must be included in the statement. Whilst the statement provides numerous pieces of useful information, I suggest you pay particular attention to the number of franchises that have been terminated in the last few years, whether there is any litigation that the franchisor is involved in, and carefully peruse the table provided by the franchisor outlining all estimated franchise costs. The disclosure statement provides really useful and important information about the franchise – be sure to read it!
2. Contact other franchisees
The disclosure statement also contains details of other franchisees operating the franchise in other territories throughout Australia. Ring at least five other franchisees including the ones in the territories closest to you. Ask them how their franchise is going, how much support they receive operationally, marketing-wise and in relation to training from the franchisor. Ask them if they would enter into the franchise if they had their time again. In my experience, this is often where you will receive the most honest and practical information in relation to the franchise you propose to purchase.
3. Do a business plan and budget
A business plan is integral to the success of any business – especially a franchised business. As part of the plan, consider your operating budget – this is often where other franchisees can assist, identifying costs of the franchised business that were not necessarily clear from the outset. For example, how much did it cost to fit out the premises with the franchisors corporate branding, and what do they spend on marketing and training annually.
4. Get the right advice
A lawyer and an accountant play an important role in advising a prospective franchisee before entering into a franchise agreement. As professional advisors who have often read many franchise agreements, they are qualified to know when a clause is unusual or uncertain. When advising my clients in relation to a franchise I provide a comprehensive review of the franchise agreement and draw to the attention of the franchisee any critical clauses and relevant dates. Whilst a majority of franchisors are reluctant to agree to any changes to their franchise agreement, I always highlight changes that I would recommend be made to the agreement to benefit the franchise and encourage the franchisee to negotiate the proposed changes directly with the franchisor to save costs in the first instance. I have found that franchisors of newer franchises are often more agreeable to discussing changes to a franchise agreement than those that are well-established.
Further, it is at this time, I would recommend the franchisee seek clarification from the franchisor in relation to any clauses that are uncertain or lacking in detail. It is always best that a franchisee finds out this information before signing on the dotted line.
5. Do not rush in
Entry into a new franchise or the purchase of an existing franchise is a big and often costly exercise. Therefore, it is important that you do not rush into this decision. It is vital that you complete your due diligence investigations in relation to the franchise and the business first, draft your business plan and budget, obtain independent legal and financial advice and spend a good amount of time reading the proposed agreement before you proceed.
For more information about franchise agreements, please contact Partner, Melissa Nielsen.