Читать книгу Small Business for Dummies - Veechi Curtis - Страница 81

Over the years, I’ve come across a few franchisees who feel they paid too much for the initial purchase of their franchise. In every instance, these franchises were for small service-based businesses (such as bookkeeping and lawn mowing), where the nature of the business itself isn’t too tricky, and where word of mouth often plays a big part in building the business. These franchisees questioned whether the ‘system’ was really worth that much, and felt that the brand of their franchise didn’t warrant the initial price paid or the ongoing fees.

Before buying any franchise, find out what the initial fee pays for, and ask yourself whether you think this fee is worth it. Also, find out what the ongoing fees are and what they pay for. (Even lawn mowing franchises often provide web-based technology that helps with booking, scheduling, invoicing, credit control and so on, all aimed at maximising franchisees’ money-making time.)

How many people around you recognise the brand? Do you think the brand is essential to the success of the franchise? Do existing franchisees think the fees are worth it? If the brand isn’t well known, your money may be better spent researching your own business plan, finding out what successful competitors are doing and creating your own marketing materials and campaigns.