Franchising:The Ultimate Game Changer

FRANCHISING: The Ultimate Game Changer

by Alesia Visconti

Years ago, a traditional career plan went something like this: Go to school, get good grades, get a job, work hard (for someone else), do your job for 30 years, and retire (whether you really want to or not). Franchising says, “nonsense!” to all that. By its very nature, franchising is a game changer and a disruptor.

It’s easy to understand why owning a franchise is so appealing: It’s the American Dream. Being your own boss, owning your own business, and being in charge of your own destiny is what most people want. Franchising enables that dream to become a reality.

IT’S POSSIBLE

In the past, owning a franchise was often out of reach. Numerous brands required sizable investments, plus upfront money for expensive leases in prime locations. Nowadays, though, with so many home-based or small-storefront franchises, ownership costs can be incredibly manageable. And there are more choices than ever. While food brands are often the first to come to mind, the reality is so many options exist—more than 80 subcategories, in fact. Which franchise you own really comes down to personal preference.

While it’s true that the ‘newest and hottest’ brands on the market create a lot of excitement and buzz—and can provide outstanding opportunities for early investors— there is also great merit in owning what we call legacy brands, those brands that have stood the test of time. These brands know how to re-invent themselves, and they excel in staying current. Whether you prefer to get more on the ground floor of an emerging brand—a diamond in the rough—or find the security of a legacy brand more suited to your goals, the flexibility, freedom, and financial rewards of owning your own business and being your own boss are very rewarding.

GET IN THE GAME

The franchise industry is certainly a game-changer for stay-at-home-moms. Home-based brands allow them the best of both worlds—being business owners who can provide for their families and doting moms who can be there for their kids. These women can scale up when their kids go back to school without fretting about gaps on their resumes or being seen as dinosaurs in their fields.

Another game-changing aspect of franchising is that there’s no mandatory education level as a prerequisite. People with varying levels of education can do well as franchise owners and prosper in their businesses. This provides opportunities for a vast array of talented people.

Veterans are another group that view the franchise industry as a game changer. The franchise world recognizes that veterans typically make outstanding franchise owners, and the symbiotic relationship has long been in place. Many brands participate in the VetFran Program, which offers financial incentives for veterans for starting their new franchise businesses.

Of course, anyone who has been downsized or laid off can also benefit from the franchise industry. As corporate budgets shrink, incredibly talented people have less opportunity for stability, let alone advancement and financial security. Franchise ownership is a beacon of light in an otherwise cold and lonely tunnel.

Perhaps the biggest game-changing aspect of franchising is the work-life balance franchise ownership offers. Being your own boss and designing your own future impacts all areas of your life, from finances to family time. For many, that is the biggest—and the best—game changer of all.

Alesia Visconti has 20-plus years helping others find their career bliss. She is the CEO of FranServe Inc, the world’s largest franchise consulting & expansion organization. Her motto in life is “work hard, play hard, help others, repeat.” She and her expert team of franchise consultants are passionate about helping others achieve their dreams of business ownership through franchising. Alesia is a self-proclaimed nerd and loves all things “superhero.” For more information visit www.franserve.com. To reach Visconti, call 800-206-5454 or email avisconti@franserve.com