Is franchising right for you?

Occasionally people read blogs because they already run something associated with the subject. If you are one of those types and already operate a franchise of some description then apologies – this week’s post is not for you.

Only, I’ve found this article on another website and it’s really rather good on whether a franchise is the right operation for any particular individual. Too often I find franchises are seen as a soft option. True, you don’t need the same levels of ideas and innovations that you would require for any other form of business – conformity is everything. But that in itself is a skill, as is submitting to someone else’s ideas of when you should open and how you should operate.

Personally I don’t think I could do it, and I suspect most self-employed people would be the same. We’re too attached to our autonomy. If you’re toying with the idea of entering the field yourself, the article to which I’ve linked should help you in your thinking.

Guy Clapperton is a freelance journalist who specialises in small business issues and has written for the likes of The Guardian, the FT and the Daily Mirror. Guy has written about finance and franchising for SmallBizPod. http://www.guyclapperton.co.uk