Wednesday, October 1, 2008

What Makes A Successful Franchise Business Opportunity

By Myles Krueger

Let's discuss what a franchise is before we figure out what makes a good franchise business opportunity. Franchising refers to the method of practicing and using another person's philosophy of business. Franchising is a business model used in more than 70 industries.

The franchisors authorize the proven methods and trademarks of their businesses to franchisees for a fee and a percentage of gross monthly sales. Agreements typically last five to twenty years, with premature terminations of most contracts bearing serious consequences.

There are many franchise business opportunities available with companies that are offering variety of services and products. The two factors that can help you in determining which industry to choose are evaluating the skills and the experience you will need to face.

Other determining questions you should inquire about are the demand for the product in the market or the services offered by the company. Also, check on the competition in the industry, the reputation of the company and if it is an established and well-known business.

By investing in a franchise, you are able to eliminate workman's compensation insurance, health insurance costs and employee-related problems. Franchisees provide expansion capital and are motivated operators. If you are interested in expansion, it is possible over broad geographical areas.

There are several things you should know about considering to be a prospective franchiser. If there is a potential company you have in mind that you are thinking about purchasing or investing in you need to make the next move. At this point, it is wise to have an attorney, an accountant, or a banker for advice.

It is best to have an accountant to analyze the fiancial needs of the business that you are thinking of and the company that you are interested in should offer a disclosure statement of the company. This statement would include the responsibilities on your part for the business.

It is wise to conduct interviews with other franchisees that you select by yourself. Inform them that you are thinking about investing in your own franchise and ask for their advice. If there are prior owners of the franchise you are considering, ask for their names and make contact with them personally.

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