Landing Your Dream Job in Franchising

Here at 1851 Franchise, we speak with franchisees and franchisors every day, and one of the most common links we find amongst most, if not all, of them is that they didn’t grow up dreaming of working in the franchising industry. For many, it’s something that they just ended up falling into. But what a majority of people don’t understand about the industry is that it’s a grouping of small businesses that allows individuals to be their own bosses while having the security of tenured support and a proven business model.

Dave Wells, director of franchising at Sport Clips, certainly didn’t dream of a career in franchising.

“It was really quite by accident that I found myself in the franchising industry,” says Wells, who took an entry level position at Mail Boxes Etc., which later became The UPS Store, and eventually realized that he especially enjoyed helping people achieve their dreams of business ownership and a more flexible lifestyle. Overall, Wells found franchising to be inclusive, varied and accessible. The opportunity to be your own boss and to set your own schedule, Wells says, allows people to be in charge of their own destiny, whether that’s opening one location or starting an empire.

“And from the franchisor side, you have to figure out what function you’re going to serve,” says Wells. “We’re kind of a microcosm of the larger economy, because you can find yourself coming from any background. There’s a need for people who enjoy communicating with franchisees and networking, but we also need introverts who can manage the data and details. I’m more of an introvert, which makes me unique on the development side. But variety, really, is what makes it attractive for someone to come into the industry.”

The other aspect unique to franchising is how tight-knit the industry is. In franchising, everyone must succeed, whether they be franchisors or franchisees, in order to thrive as a whole. One thing Wells loves to say to exemplify this inclusion is, “We see the same faces over and over again at conferences like IFA, they just have different logos on their shirts.” What Wells is trying to say is that the common denominator of franchising has created an atmosphere of collaboration and camaraderie.

“I think we all understand that as we grow as an industry, it creates more opportunity for all of us,” says Wells. “The more people who get involved, the better it is for everyone. You’ve really got the opportunity to help people achieve their independence, their financial freedom. I don’t know a lot of industries that give people that chance.”

Wells thinks that one of the most common misperceptions about the industry is that franchisors are simply trying to sell any prospective franchisee their model in order to turn a profit. According to Wells, Sport Clips is a people business, and they’re looking for the right people, not just anyone.

“We’re really working towards serving the best interest of our candidates and to help them develop their own ambitions and dreams, not necessarily to sell something,” says Wells. “There’s obviously the financial requirements, but there are so many varying opportunities in the industry. There are home-based business, a wide range of startup costs and plenty of businesses that require very little management. Whatever your interests are, there’s a franchise that’s a right for you.”