Why You Don’t Have to Give Up Your Day Job to Run a Franchise

Owning a franchise is an exciting and potentially lucrative opportunity, but it’s also a huge undertaking. It takes a significant amount of time and effort, and is no small investment. However, contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily have to give up your day job to run a franchise successfully. In fact, there are a number of franchise opportunities available that allow you to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams without leaving your current career in the dust.

One of the key factors that makes this possible is the concept of absentee ownership. Many franchises, such as Big Blue Swim School, Maid Right or Lawn Doctor*, allow owners to operate their franchises with minimal direct involvement from the owner. This means that you’ll have the flexibility to hire a capable manager and staff to handle the day-to-day operations of the franchise while you continue working in your primary profession.

Whether you choose to be a semi-absentee or fully absentee owner, the decision is entirely up to you, and you can always change your level of involvement based on your own schedule. As the owner, your role can focus on marketing, strategic planning or ensuring the overall success of the franchise without the need to physically be present in the store day after day.

Brian Knuth, the vice president of franchise development at Raintree* and the owner of a Footprints Floors* franchise, is a perfect example of how individuals can balance their day jobs with franchise ownership. In an interview with The Wolf of Franchises, Knuth shared his experience of managing a franchise while continuing his regular employment. When he first opened his franchise, he was unable to be involved on a day-to-day basis, and as such, he hired a general manager and team members to handle the store’s operations.

“There’s only so many hours in a day and so many days in a week,” Knuth told The Wolf. By delegating tasks to his staff, Knuth has become a semi-absentee owner who primarily oversees and manages his team, which in turn has enabled him to run a successful franchise without giving up his primary career.

Kate and Asch Mikhail own and operate the Sunny Street Café franchise in Dublin, Ohio. When they first opened, Kate was heavily involved in the day-to-day operations but has recently started passing on some responsibilities to her staff. Asch recommends keeping your day job while running a franchise, as he believes that having a reliable source of income makes the process easier and less financially stressful.

“We wanted to make it work and make sure one of us had a second job so that we could continue paying our bills,” said Mikhail. “It’s said that restaurants fail more than any other business because when people start a restaurant, they often don’t understand how long it will take to break even and start making money.”

The Mikhail couple’s experience resonates with other franchise owners who recognize the financial risks associated with the restaurant industry. But by maintaining his day job while Kate ran the franchise, the couple was able to rely on their primary income to support themselves and their franchise when profitability wasn’t immediate.  

Both Knuth and the Mikhail couple are examples of how owning a franchise doesn’t automatically mean sacrificing your day job. However, it does take planning, delegation, the right franchise model and a solid team as your backbone. But once you’ve laid the proper foundation, you too can successfully balance your career with the entrepreneurial journey of running a franchise.