1851

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to franchising&#8212;let alone anything in life&#8212;but there are a few standby nuggets of wisdom that every franchisee could stand to know. Here are 10 things to know when deciding to franchise your business. It will probably cost more than you think. Sure, every business is coupled with its own startup costs and incidental expenditures, but there are plenty of hidden cash drains that lie in every franchise. Between legal costs and consulting fees, your expense account could start depleting quickly. Prepare yourself mentally and financially for the commitment that franchising demands. A consistent brand image will be more crucial than ever. When you own a single-unit business, it&#8217;s fairly easy to re-brand or revamp your brand image&#8212;not so with franchising. All campaigns must be universal and consistent, so paint with a broad brush and resist the temptation of following whims. Prepare yourself for a slew of paperwork. Every segment of business sector is padded with red tape and stacks of paperwork, especially franchising. From FDDs to Item 19s, educate yourself on industry jargon and best practices. You&#8217;ll need to know how to do every job. Expecting your staff to do a job and do it well means that you should be able to see things from their perspectives. Whether you shadow a staffer or ask for an education on their roles, knowing how to do every job is crucial when running a franchise. You will be a brand ambassador all day, every day. As a franchisor, you are the personification of your brand, which means that your work is never truly done. Keep in mind that your life will revolve around promoting your brand and representing it&#8212;there are no breaks. You will have less control than ever before. There&#8217;s only one of you, and hopefully your franchise will continue to grow. That said, you will be less involved in your business at a micro level and must concede to becoming a &#8220;big picture&#8221; business owner. Becoming comfortable with this lack of control and learning to trust your staff will be a crucial element of your franchise&#8217;s success. If you think franchising is easy, think again. The initial throes of growing any business are trying, and same goes for franchising. Gray hairs and sleepless nights will become the norm, so make sure you&#8217;re ready to make the commitment to your business. You&#8217;re only as successful as your staff. In order to be successful, you&#8217;ll have to build a solid foundation of trustworthy, hardworking staffers to help make your franchising aspirations a reality. If you can invest time, money and trust in a core group of employees, then your franchise will surely be a success. The first unit will likely be the toughest. Oftentimes, the maiden voyage into franchising is the most trying, as well. Working out all the kinks and devising an optimal management strategy demands trial-and-error. Resilience and a commitment to work intelligently is crucial during this point in the franchising process. You will need to expand your network. If you hope for your business to grow, you need to grow with it. Networking with industry insiders and franchising professionals will help grow the name of your brand and expand your list of contacts.

1851 Franchise

While every journey through franchising is different, there are some standby rules to follow.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

10 Things to Know when Deciding to Franchise your Business  

10-things-to-know-when-deciding-to-franchise-your-business

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Featured in USA Today as Key Player in Helping Seniors Age Safely at Home

trublue-featured-in-usa-today-as-key-player-in-helping-seniors-age-safely-at-home

Right at Home

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth

Right at Home Marks 30 Years With Continued Franchise Growth, Tech Advancements, and Strong System Engagement in First Half of 2025

right-at-home-franchise-growth-2025

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 Development Website Builder

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

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

10 Things to Know when Deciding to Franchise your Business

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS