How Does A Franchise Work | SkillsAndTech

If you’re thinking about starting a business, you may have heard of franchise businesses and how they can be a great way to get started. But what exactly is a franchise, and how does it work?

A franchise is a business model where the franchisor, or the company that owns the rights to the business, allows someone else (the franchisee) to open and operate a business using their brand name, intellectual property, and business model.

Summing up how a franchise works in just a few sentences can be challenging, So let’s take a closer look at the franchise model and how it works.

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What Is A Franchise?

A franchise is a way for a company to expand its business by selling the rights to use its brand name, logo, and business model to individuals who want to open their own businesses.

In most cases, it includes the franchisor (the company that owns the franchise) granting the franchisee (the person who wants to open the franchise) the right to run a company or distribute products and/or services using the franchisor’s business name and processes.

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The specific terms of the franchise agreement vary from franchise to franchise, but in general, the franchisor provides the franchisee with some combination of the following:

• A detailed business model
• Training
• Marketing support
• Operational support
• Access to the franchisor’s proprietary systems, processes, and intellectual property

The franchise fee can take the form of either an upfront payment made by the franchisees to the franchisor or an ongoing charge (such as an agreed percentage of sales or profit). Alternatively, it can be a combination of the two.

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Instead of the franchisor developing a chain of outlets, franchising allows the company to expand rapidly and without the same level of financial risk by selling licenses to individuals or organizations willing and able to invest the necessary time.

How Does A Franchise Work?

A legal document known as the Franchise Agreement serves as the framework for the connection between a franchisor and a franchisee.

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This agreement spells out the relationship’s rights, terms, and conditions, as well as the limits and other specifics.

It is common practice to refer to the enterprise that is run under the terms of a Franchise Agreement as a franchise outlet or franchise unit.

The Franchise Agreement will typically entitle the franchise owner to initial training, a start-up bundle, an Activities Manual, a delimited area of operation (the “Territory”), regional and/or extensive national marketing, continuing support, and the trademark license. 

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The Franchise Agreement also grants the franchisor the right to receive payments and fees, asserts the franchisor’s authority over the trademark(s), the business system, and intellectual property, and often contains a clause that requires the franchisee to sell only goods or services that are authorized by the franchisor.

The ownership and operation of a tested and successful firm can be made accessible to people with little prior business experience through the process of franchising, which also offers businesses a lucrative way of expanding their operations.

There will be huge benefits not just for one another but also for the economy as a whole.

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Important Terms In A Franchise Agreement

Franchisors and franchisees should be aware of a few key terms that will appear in their Franchise Agreement.

These include:

• Territory: The franchisor often designates an exclusive territory where the franchisee can operate their business. This protects the franchisee’s investment by ensuring that there is not another franchise unit competing for the same customers.
• Trademarks: The franchisor will own all of the business’s trademarks and grant the franchisee a license to use them. This license may be exclusive or non-exclusive, depending on the agreement.
• Confidentiality: Confidentiality is an undertaking by the franchisee not to reveal any confidential information about the franchisor’s business, such as their marketing plans or financial data. This clause often has a time limit attached to it.
• Non-compete: A non-compete clause prevents the franchisee from opening a similar business within a certain radius of the franchised unit. This clause is designed to protect the franchisor’s business model and investment.
• Renewal: The Franchise Agreement will usually include renewal provisions, allowing the franchisee to continue operating their business under the same terms and conditions.

How To Operate A Franchise?

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Franchisees usually have to follow certain guidelines from the franchisor on how to operate the business. For example, they may use the same branding, marketing strategy, and business model.

Franchisees may also be required to purchase equipment, supplies, and inventory from the franchisor or their approved suppliers.

This ensures that the franchisee has the necessary resources to run the business and uses products that meet the franchisor’s standards.

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Franchisees will typically receive initial training from the franchisor on how to set up and run their business. They may also receive ongoing support, such as marketing and technical assistance.

Some of the things taught during the initial training period include:

• How To Use The Franchisor’s Business System: The franchisor will usually have a specific way of doing things they want all franchisees to follow. This may include using the same software, equipment, and processes.
• How To Market The Business: The franchisor will often have a specific marketing strategy that they want their franchisees to use. This may include using the same branding, advertising, and promoting the business similarly.
• How To Provide Customer Service: Since the franchisee is representing the franchisor’s business, it is important that they provide excellent customer service. The franchisor will often have specific guidelines on how to do this.
• How To Manage Finances: The franchisor will usually have a specific way of tracking income and expenses that they want their franchisees to follow. This may include using the same accounting software and tracking systems.

By following the franchisor’s guidelines, franchisees can minimize the risk of running their business and increase their chances of success.

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Wrapping Up

The working mechanism of a franchise is quite simple to understand. A franchisor licenses its business model and brand to a franchisee, who then opens and operates a franchised unit.

The franchisee pays the franchisor an initial fee and ongoing royalties; in return, they receive the right to use the franchisor’s business system and trademarks.