How to Choose the Right Franchise for Your Family

When it comes to franchising, families face unique challenges and rewards that solo entrepreneurs may not encounter. Choosing a franchise that fits your family’s goals, values and abilities can set the foundation for both business success and harmony at home. To explore these dynamics, 1851 Franchise spoke with franchisees Esmeralda and Michael Avila of Image One Facility Solutions and Tony Mangat of Moe’s Southwest Grill to gain insights from their personal journeys into family-owned franchises.

An experienced entrepreneur, Tony shares his story of bringing Moe’s Southwest Grill to Arizona with his family. “When choosing a franchise, the most important deciding factors for my family were sustainability and market demand,” he said. “Currently, there are no Moe’s Southwest Grills in Arizona, so we saw a unique opportunity to bring this brand back to the Valley. We wanted a franchise with growth potential, both locally and nationally, to help contribute to Moe’s expansion across the country.”

For husband-and-wife franchisees Michael and Esmeralda, the decision-making process involved evaluating the franchise’s track record and impact on their family life. “Crucial factors we considered before selecting the perfect franchise for our family included making sure that the franchise has a good sales record and repeat business,” said Esmeralda. “We looked into the competition in and around our area, assessed whether it had a profitable business model and made sure we were passionate about the franchise. Most importantly, we ensured it would not disrupt our family’s relationships or beliefs.”

Aligning Family Members’ Strengths with Franchise Needs

Family businesses thrive when each member’s skills align with the business needs. “I’ve had the chance to work with my son, Namit, for the last few years,” Tony said, “and have been able to see his strengths. He’s a problem solver, so it made sense to have him lead the project.”

Similarly, Esmeralda and Michael leveraged their complementary skills to define roles in their business. “This was a no-brainer,” Esmeralda said. “My husband is amazing in the field and deeply knowledgeable about the equipment and machinery needed for each task. I am great with people, finances, computers, and I have top organizational skills. By assessing our skills and interests, we then matched those strengths to our necessary operational areas within the franchise’s specific requirements. That is how we established our roles within the franchise, and we respect each other and stay within our lane.”

Balancing Personal Relationships with Business

Operating a family business requires a delicate balance between personal and professional life. Tony’s advice to other family-run franchises is clear and concise: “Your family should always come first, business second. Your business will only succeed if you support and listen to each other.”

Michael echoes this sentiment. “Open communication and respect are key. Each family member involved in our business must have a defined role and clearly understand their responsibilities,” he said. “Roles are based on skill, not favoritism. We must show empathy and understanding, respect each other's boundaries and personal space, and show gratitude for each other’s hard work. One crucial factor is that when we are having family time, there is no work talk.”

Approaching Financial Investment and Risk Assessment as a Family

Financial considerations are essential when choosing a franchise, especially when multiple family members are involved. “Before diving into the financial aspects, it was essential for us to understand the level of commitment needed from both my husband Michael and myself,” said Esmeralda. “Owning a franchise is not a passive investment; it demands time, energy and dedication. We both have full-time jobs and have four children, so evaluating our lifestyle, personal goals and willingness to be involved in the business before selecting a franchise was extremely important.”

For Tony, transparency with the franchisor was a core part of his financial planning. “The risk is inherent in any business,” he said. “But when approaching the financial investment for this franchise, we focused on finding the most affordable way to launch our first location successfully. We maintained transparency with corporate about our numbers and investment to ensure mutual understanding. With an average of 600 stores nationwide, each generating a decent net profit, we felt confident in Moe’s financial stability.”

Challenges and Benefits of Working Together as a Family

Family-run franchises can encounter unique challenges, from blurred personal and professional boundaries to uneven workloads. Michael shares his experience on both fronts: “Some of the challenges we’ve encountered are blurred boundaries between work and personal life and uneven workload distribution,” he said. “Some of the benefits of working together are our core values and goals and fostering a powerful sense of purpose.”

Tony, drawing on his 20-plus years of family business experience, notes that clear rules and processes help maintain balance and professionalism. “When working with my family, my expectations only increase. I expect my family members to stick to the rules we have in place,” he said. “But there are some other challenges that can arise; the line between personal and professional life can blur, which can lead to misunderstanding. But setting clear boundaries from the get-go can help keep interactions professional.”

What Families Should Prioritize When Evaluating Franchise Opportunities

Looking back, both families agree that thoughtful planning and a strong work ethic are vital when pursuing a family franchise. “Families should prioritize hard work,” said Tony. “How are you solving problems and how are you preparing for future issues? Once you have a plan and know who can handle what, you can then start hiring other people.”

Michael emphasizes the importance of support and resources from the franchisor, citing his and Esmeralda’s experience with Image One Facility Solutions. “Navigating the journey begins with understanding what to expect from the franchisor,” he said. “Modern franchisors offer comprehensive training programs tailored to the specific needs of each franchisee, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed. That is what Image One Facility Solutions provided us with.”

Choosing the right franchise as a family is more than just finding a profitable model; it’s about aligning values, respecting each other’s strengths and building a foundation for mutual success. By setting clear boundaries and prioritizing open communication, families can set themselves up for both professional and personal success in franchising.

Growing and selling franchises is difficult. No great franchise did it alone. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and see what we can do for you.