In general new franchisees do not have specific experience in the industry concerned and franchisors actually say they prefer it this way.  It is estimated that over 80 % of franchisors say no experience necessary because they can then ensure that they will be trained under a new system without conflicting histories and practices to contend too!!

Franchisors offer training programmes, followed by support during the set-up stage of each franchisees new business.  For example, a training programme designed to help you run a restaurant franchise will be producing a specific product, recruiting, training and managing staff working shifts, complying with health and safety requirements and handling all the usual administrative, financial and marketing tasks required to run a business profitably.

Once training is completed, the new franchisee is theoretically ready to run their own business.  In practice, there is another stage to go through – opening the business itself, this requires the detailed input and support of the franchisor.

Ongoing support

The process of turning a beginning franchisee into a confident and competent business owner/runner is a journey from small steps to open vistas.  As the franchisee becomes more comfortable with the day-to-day operation of their business they will start to develop greater independence.  However, you can rest assured that the ongoing support a franchisee will have includes:

Field visits: The purpose of these visits is both to review the operation of the outlet to make sure it is being run in compliance with set-down procedures and systems to provide assistance.

Marketing and merchandising: most franchises have a national marketing fund to which franchisees contribute.

Ongoing training: this ensures that franchisees and their staff are kept up-to-date and provides an opportunity to share solutions to common problems.