As franchisor of Musical Minis, pre - school music classes aimed at helping child development, I have had ample experience of numerous franchisees. Whilst the majority have been really successful, there have been a handful who have had issues with being a franchisee.
Musical Minis was established 24 years ago, with franchises being on offer for 17 years. Buying a franchise can be a great experience for most people. The key benefit is buying into an established business with a proven track record, although perhaps not in the exact area you are setting up in. The programme has been fully developed, full training is given, equipment and access provided to the system of how to run the franchise. Even though the new franchisee has had to buy the franchise this should be considerably cheaper than if they had set up on their own. With a Musical Minis franchise the franchise fee is much less than the cost of producing the music, playing for clearance through the Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS) the cost of the equipment, advertising etc.
The problem some franchisees have is when they think they have better ideas than we do about how to run the Musical Minis programme. Musical Minis has a tried and tested formula that has been proven to work and if people want to change the programme then they should not buy into the franchise. As franchisor we are always open to suggestions to enhance the programme but not to change it so it goes against our objectives of child development. When we meet potential franchisees we can quickly form an idea as to whether we feel they may have problems running the franchise, which we always share with them. After exploring these issues, if the potential franchisee feels they can overcome the problems and we are satisfied once we have taken references, then we do allow the sale to go ahead. Unfortunately, in some cases we have identified issues and known the franchisee better than they seem to know themselves! Some franchisees have struggled at running the business. For example, they don't feel comfortable charging customers, they are not disciplined enough to reply to phone calls or emails and they are not committed to running sessions or doing the admin associated with running a business.
It is hard to understand why some people spend money on buying a franchise when they really are not cut out to run a business. Perhaps they envisage it will be much easier than it is and they can just sit back, turn up to a class and make money without any of the marketing or input needed to make it a success. Franchisees have to be proactive, self motivated and keen to succeed.
For the correct person buying a franchise can be a great experience. For others if they think buying a franchise is an easy way to make money whilst doing little work, then they should think again. If you are thinking of buying a franchise but feel you can run the system better than the franchisor or don't have the time or inclination to give to the franchise then don't invest the money as you will lose it.
Some people are just not right to run their own business and are much better being employed. Think carefully before investing in a franchise and if after this you think it's for you then go ahead and embrace the opportunity. Owning your own franchisee can be hugely rewarding both personally and financially - if you put in the effort I'm sure you'll reap the rewards.
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