Are you wondering what sort of on-going support is provided by franchisors once your business is up and running? There are various ways which your franchisor will support you in your venture, and depending on the type of relationship you have with them. Typically, the type of on-going fee you pay them will have an influence; for example, if you pay a higher percentage of the sales you make each month to your franchisor, it is more likely that they will offer training programmes to help your business to flourish – this benefits both parties, since you each stand to profit from the success of the franchise. With this in mind, here are some areas where franchisors have been known to offer assistance:
An operations manual
Most franchisors will provide a written manual as a guide to particular aspects of the business model and brand, and a way to communicate their quality standards. The contents of your operations manual will also reflect what has been laid out in the franchise agreement in further detail. This manual will usually tell you all you need to know about:
- How the franchisor will measure quality
- Key performance indicators
- Ensuring the same standards across all franchises
- Audits that will take place
- Complaints procedures
Training
Many franchises require potential franchisees to spend time doing onsite training for a set period before taking on the running of the franchise. This period ranges from a number of days to a few weeks, depending on the company and the industry type. Aside from this, regular training opportunities might include:
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Group sessions
- Visits from the franchisor
The frequency of this training will depend on the individual franchise. Note that if continued support is important to you, it should be one of the deciding factors when choosing a franchise opportunity. You will, of course, need less training as time goes on and you get more and more comfortable with running the franchise.
Advertising and marketing
Some franchisors will also provide you with a marketing plan for the beginning phases of the franchise, as well as resources you can use for promotions such as posters, logos, images etc. They might also advise you on which marketing platforms are best suited to the business, for example online, print media or advertising on local radio.
Regular contact
Last but not least, whether by phone, email, or in person, a franchisor should keep you up to speed with company news, activities and industry developments. A good franchisor will also provide you with a dedicated point of contact who you can get in touch with should any issues arise, or if you have any questions about the business.
For the most part, it’s important to get an accurate picture of the support you’ll be provided with from the very start, rather than finding out when it’s too late that your franchisor does or doesn’t offer the particular form of assistance you need. Remember that the biggest form of support they can offer you is their past experience and expertise, because they have already been through everything you’re in the process of doing.