1851

When entrepreneurs are Googling&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/7-franchise-opportunities-ideal-for-young-franchisees-2719253">franchise opportunities</a>, they may come across this statistic: “Studies show that franchises have a success rate of approximately 90%, as compared to only about 15% for businesses that are started from the ground up.” Turns out, that stat is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise/what-is-the-real-survival-rate-of-franchised-businesses/227394?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-ugly-truths-about-franchising-2720857" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">completely unproven</a>. Support, brand recognition, lower costs — we’ve all heard of the advantages of franchising, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t horror stories.&nbsp;<a href="https://subwayfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-ugly-truths-about-franchising-2720857" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Subway</a> franchisees were&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/subway-franchisees-demand-concessions-from-owner-deluca-in-scathing-letter-2715546#stories">stuck in their contracts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/buying-a-mcdonalds-franchise-the-pros-cons-2720750">McDonald’s</a> franchisees were&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonalds-faces-1-billion-discrimination-lawsuit-from-52-black-ex-franchise-owners-2713798">suing for discrimination</a>&nbsp;— the list goes on and on. While there are several reasons to choose franchising, there are also several reasons why a franchise can fail.There Can Be Unrealistic ExpectationsWhen potential franchisees evaluate a concept, they usually go straight to the bottom line: how much money can I expect to make for my investment? This information is primarily found in a franchise brand’s&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-make-sense-of-item-19-in-an-fdd-2714788">Item 19</a> of the FDD, a document that outlines financial performance representations.&nbsp;But it is incredibly important to keep in mind that these are not financial&nbsp;guarantees. Owning a franchise is risky. A lot of factors will go into whether an individual location matches the success of existing locations across the country — market, staff, timing, etc. Franchisees need to do their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/10-tips-for-performing-franchise-due-diligence-2191">due diligence</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/before-you-sign-an-agreement-talking-with-franchisees-2718507">talk to franchise owners</a> to really get the inside scoop on the potential risk of opening a certain franchise.&nbsp;There are Serious Legal ObligationsInvesting in a franchise comes with a myriad of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-most-common-franchise-legal-issues-and-how-to-avoid-them-2703036">legal considerations</a> that some entrepreneurs may be uncomfortable with. For example, many franchise agreements include a non-disparagement clause, which states that owners will not say anything negative about the company, their service, etc. This may lead to some sticky situations during the validation process, where existing owners may be hesitant to give you the truth due to their legal obligations.&nbsp;Most brands also include a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/senator-calls-for-ftc-sba-crackdown-on-franchising-2715484">non-compete clause</a>, which states that franchisees are not allowed to invest in or share information with competitors in the future. This is another factor that needs to be kept in mind.&nbsp;There Is a Lack of ControlPerhaps one of the most obvious downfalls of investing in a franchise is the lack of control that comes with following someone else’s guidelines. As opposed to the freedom that comes with starting a business from scratch, franchisees will need to abide by the rules and procedures set by the franchise. This means riding the waves of management changes, acquisitions, supply chain issues, marketing strategy tactics, consumer habits and labor market concerns. Subway franchisees, for example, have long complained about the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/23/john-oliver-subway-franchisees?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-ugly-truths-about-franchising-2720857" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">strict supply chain guidelines</a> that prohibit them from making a better profit.&nbsp;If absolute control over every aspect of the business is something you are after, franchising may not be the best route, although some concepts grant owners more freedom than others.&nbsp;It's a Lot of Hard WorkOne of the key advantages of franchising is the ability to follow a proven system that, ideally, will make your life easier in the long run and eliminate many of the challenges associated with starting a business. Still, that doesn’t mean ownership will be a breeze. Depending on the franchise concept, owners may be expected to run operations themselves for a certain&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-long-it-really-takes-to-buy-a-franchise-2704112">timeframe</a>, which will require being on-site day in and day out. Additionally, many brands have a certain timeline required for opening, which will mean incoming franchisees will need to put in the work to meet deadlines.&nbsp;It Requires Major Accountability&nbsp;A franchise agreement is a serious legal document, and it should not be taken lightly. Some brands, for example, require franchisees (and their spouses) to make a personal guarantee that means if financial obligations are not met, the franchisor can take their franchise away, put a lien on their home and garnish their wages. Not all franchisors will enforce such a role, but if they do, it must be disclosed in&nbsp;<a href="https://franchise.law/franchise-disclosure-document/item-3/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=5-ugly-truths-about-franchising-2720857" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Item 3 of the FDD</a>. That is why it is so essential to go through an FDD with legal counsel before signing on with a brand.&nbsp;Franchising isn’t perfect, but it has given countless people in the United States an opportunity to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. By coming into the process with the proper knowledge and understanding of the downsides, candidates will be able to make the right decision.&nbsp;Related articles:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/why-should-you-not-invest-in-a-franchise-2716727">Why Should You NOT Invest in a Franchise?</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/entrepreneur-3-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-start-a-franchise-2706421">Entrepreneur: 3 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Start a Franchise</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/mcdonald-s-and-subway-attempt-to-moderate-frustration-among-franchisees-2715900">McDonald's and Subway Attempt To Moderate Frustration Among Franchisees</a></li></ul>

Ugly Truths About Franchising | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

Despite what some experts may claim, franchising isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Here are some of the potential pitfalls within the industry and how to avoid them.

5 Ugly Truths About Franchising

5-ugly-truths-about-franchising

Children's Lighthouse

Children’s Lighthouse Wraps Up Q1 With Two New Openings and Continued Industry Recognition

childrens-lighthouse-wraps-up-q1-with-two-new-openings-and-continued-industry-recognition

Happy Joe’s Franchising

Why Texas Is the Perfect State To Open a Happy Joe’s Franchise

why-texas-is-the-perfect-state-to-open-a-happy-joes-franchise

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people, with white hair, sitting on couch, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands in Manassas and Fredericksburg, Virginia

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-in-manassas-and-fredericksburg-virginia

BooXkeeping

Tech-Driven Bookkeeping: How BooXkeeping Franchisees Are Embracing the Future

tech-driven-bookkeeping-how-booxkeeping-franchisees-are-embracing-the-future

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier's State-of-the-Art Facilities and Multi-Discipline Approach Fuels Franchise Owner Success

fitness-premiers-state-of-the-art-facilities-and-multi-discipline-approach-fuels-franchise-owner-success

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

FAT Brands Becomes First Restaurant Franchise To Accept Bitcoin for Royalty Payments

fat-brands-becomes-first-restaurant-franchise-to-accept-bitcoin-for-royalty-payments

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

franchise supplier award design with Locate AI logo and 1851 Franchise badge

Franchise Real Estate Services | Locate AI — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

locate-ai-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: 1851 Supplier Highlights

Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support: List of Franchise Suppliers

emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Coffee and Analytics: Franchising and AI — Future-Proofing Your Business in an Uncertain Economy

franchising-and-ai-economic-uncertainty

Coffee & Analytics: The Secret to Attracting Multi-Unit Franchisees

coffee-analytics-the-secret-to-attracting-multi-unit-franchisees

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

5 Ugly Truths About Franchising

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS