You built a successful business. You know what it takes to find customers, deliver great products or services, manage employees and overcome the daily challenges that come with being a business owner.

Now you are thinking about the next stage of growth and thinking about franchising your business.

You have considered opening additional locations but do not want the headache of hiring more employees, adding payroll, taking on the mechanics of operating another business, etc. You have reached the point where you believe your business model could succeed in other markets and you want to show others how to do it.

But before you decide franchising is the right path, there is another important question you should ask yourself:

Should becoming a franchisor be my next job title?

Becoming a franchisor is not simply about allowing other people to use your name and business model. It is about taking on a new role where your success becomes tied to helping other entrepreneurs succeed.

Your daily responsibilities change. Your focus changes. The way you spend your time changes.

The question is not just whether your business can become a franchise.

The question is whether you want the responsibility of leading a franchise system

Your Focus Changes from Running a Business to Supporting Many Businesses

When you operate a business, your attention is naturally focused on your own operation. You are thinking about your customers, employees, sales, marketing and solving problems inside your company.

As a franchisor, your focus expands.

You are still concerned about your current business, but you are also focused on the success of the entrepreneurs who have invested in your system. These entrepreneurs are independent business owners, but they are relying on your experience, guidance and leadership to help them successfully open and continue to operate their businesses.

The best franchisors understand that their job is not simply to expand the brand. Their job is to help these entrepreneurs succeed.

This is why becoming a franchisor requires a different mindset than simply owning and operating a successful business (for more about the transition from business owner to franchisor take a look at “Your Business May Be Ready to Franchise, But Are You Ready?”).

Your Time Will be Spent Coaching and Mentoring Franchisees

One of the most rewarding parts of being a franchisor is helping these other entrepreneurs (franchisees) build successful businesses.

A franchise owner may call you because they are preparing to submit a proposal for a large job and want your opinion before moving forward. You may review the opportunity with them, discuss pricing, help them understand the job’s needs and share what has worked for you in the past in similar circumstances.

Another franchise owner may be dealing with a difficult customer situation or a challenge at a job site. They are not calling because they need someone to run their business for them. They are calling because they value your experience and want your guidance.

As a business owner, you have already faced many of the challenges franchise owners are experiencing for the first time. Your knowledge and experience become one of the biggest advantages you provide. Your job is to help franchisee make better decisions by sharing lessons learned from building your own successful business.

Helping Franchisees Improve: Staying in Constant Contact

Successful franchisors do not wait until a franchise owner has a problem before offering support.

They stay connected.

This may include regular check-in calls, reviewing performance, discussing goals and identifying challenges before they become bigger issues. Many franchisors regularly review key performance indicators with their franchise owners to better understand how the business is performing.

These conversations can help identify:

areas where the franchisee is doing well
opportunities for improvement
challenges that need attention
additional resources or guidance that may be helpful

The goal is not to control the franchise owner’s business. The goal is to provide the support, experience and accountability that help franchisees become better operators.

A franchise system becomes stronger when franchisees have someone they can turn to for guidance (take a look at “Franchising and Providing Ongoing Value to Franchisees”).

You Become the Person Franchisees Turn to for Guidance

When you become a franchisor, you become a resource for other entrepreneurs.

Franchise owners will look to you for guidance when they face situations they have never encountered before.

Maybe they are:

trying to win a larger customer account
deciding when to hire additional employees
dealing with an operational challenge
figuring out how to improve profitability
expanding their local marketing efforts

The value of franchising is not just providing a system to follow, it is having someone who understands the business and can help franchisees navigate the many challenges along the way.

The best franchisors are not successful because they have experienced every possible situation. They are successful because they know how to help franchisees think through problems and find solutions.

Improving the Franchise System and Being a Pioneer in Your Industry

One of the biggest misconceptions about franchising is that the franchisor creates the system once, teaches others how to follow it and then lets things just to go to autopilot.

The reality is that successful franchisors are always learning and improving. As franchisees operate in different markets, they provide valuable feedback and new ideas. They may discover better ways to serve customers, improve operations or efficiencies.

Your job as a franchisor is to listen, evaluate and determine if those ideas can strengthen your overall system. Yep, being a franchisor means continuing to be a pioneer in your industry. You are responsible for staying ahead of the curve, changes in your marketplace, understanding consumer needs and continuing to improve the business model for everyone.

The strongest franchise systems are not successful because they never change, they are successful because they continue evolving.

Is Franchisor the Right Next Job Title?

Becoming a franchisor can be one of the most rewarding stages of business growth.

You have the opportunity to take what you built and help other entrepreneurs achieve success using your business model. But it is important to understand what you are signing up for because franchising is not simply about expanding your business.

It is about teaching, mentoring, supporting and leading a group of independent business owners.

For some business owners, that is exactly the next chapter they are looking for and what they need for their next step.

For others, continuing to grow organically may make more sense.

If you are wondering whether becoming a franchisor is the right next step for you, call us directly at 1-877-615-5177. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you determine if franchising is the right path for your business.

GET STARTED!

Should Franchisor Be My Next Job Title?