Selling a Franchise After Coronavirus: Cruise Planners CEO Michelle Fee Shares Her Insights

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has upended the franchising industry and caused many prospective franchisees to take pause and truly consider whether a particular franchise opportunity will actually be the right one for them. 

Cruise Planners founder and CEO Michelle Fee shared her thoughts on selling franchises post-COVID-19 — and why a travel franchise can still be a viable ticket to business ownership. 

What are prospective franchisees looking for? 

Franchisees today are looking for many things: a reputable brand, a strong support system, valuable marketing and technology programs, and, of course, the icing on the cake — flexibility. In these trying times, prospective franchisees want to know their franchise headquarters team — which we call our Home Office Team — can provide sound business advice, robust technological systems for a home-based business model and advocacy across the industry.    

Why are they coming to your brand and inquiring about your franchise opportunity? 

 A franchise is an excellent fit for someone looking for a second career or transitioning into retirement, or who is a stay-at-home mom or dad — and now, given so many Americans have been laid off, franchising offers a new venture that they can dive into. Because of the low cost of entry and the incredible flexibility, Cruise Planners is attractive to people looking for full- or part-time income.     

In addition to award-winning proprietary technology, personable and fun Cruisitude culture and unbeatable industry expertise for over 25 years, Cruise Planners' business model permits prospective franchisees to launch and fully operate their business from the comfort of their home or anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection. The deep-rooted relationships between Cruise Planners' travel advisors and their clients have strengthened travelers' awareness of health and sanitation protocols and restored confidence in travel.     

Are there new challenges to finding prospective franchisees after COVID-19? 

All businesses are facing challenges during this time, unfortunately. Travel has been affected by the pandemic, but travel has also proven to be an incredibly resilient industry. People want to travel, and when the time comes when they feel safe, we expect travel bookings to be solid because of all the pent-up demand.     

Cruise Planners continues to support the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) and the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) to support the travel advisor community's livelihood and ensure that travel is opening.  

What advantages does Cruise Planner have now from a franchise development standpoint?  

For more than 25 years, we have put the needs of our franchisees first. Constant innovation, an excellent reputation with travel suppliers, a robust training program, award-winning marketing and technology all give franchise owners the knowledge and tools necessary to build consumer confidence, unlike any other travel franchise.     

The affiliation with American Express Travel offers instant brand credibility, which stands out to those looking to invest in their own franchise. Moving forward, people looking to own a franchise will want flexibility in their careers. Cruise Planners gives the option to work from anywhere, whether it be at home, across the globe, or at a personal office – the choice is at the hand of the business owner. And who doesn't want to travel the world as part of their job?