Why Use A Franchise?

Many thousands of people use the services of a franchise every day. Many won’t even know that a particular store or service is part of a franchise network.

Have you ever wondered why some UK retail outlets all have the same shop front ? Why does every branch all have exactly the same identity ? The same sort of staff ? Maybe even the same carpet in all their stores ? The same clothes ?

All the trains that run on a particular network are….yep…..the same colour.

It’s no accident that the words ‘The same’ crop up frequently.

You’ll also have noted that some larger fast food outlets all have the same sign outside, identical seating inside and the same menu ?

That’s the idea behind franchising…..everything is indeed ‘the same’ right across the country. In some cases, right across the world.

You may also have wondered how a shop in your High Street or your local oven cleaner can afford to advertise in huge national publications ?

The answer is that they are part of a franchise operation. Franchising allows people to own and run their own local business under a much larger corporate brand image. This is achieved by making things ‘the same’ all over the country.

The person that owns the franchised business is called the franchisee and the main company is the franchisor.

The franchisee will have been taught by the franchisor how to copy a tried and tested system. The franchisee will also know that the success of the local business will be down to their hard work. The franchisor will over-see the franchisee to ensure that this happens.

Initial training by the franchisor is vitally important for the success of the franchisee.

In a retail environment for example, the franchisee will know who to employ, what hours to open and the best geographical location to actually open a shop. This information will be passed on by the franchisor to the franchisee. The franchisor will have masses of knowledge of all these areas of business expertise that have been gathered over the years.

In the home services industry the franchisee will know how to attract clients and how to keep them ‘brand loyal’. What marketing works and the advertising pit-falls to avoid. The franchisor may have made these errors before so the franchisee doesn’t have to repeat the mistakes ! The franchisee will know what customer service is about and offering excellent value for money. The franchisee will know what the customer wants.

So the first real benefit of using a franchised business is that you will be dealing with business owners that know what you want. The franchisee will be ideally positioned in the market to respond to your needs.

A typical franchisor will have traded for many years perfecting a successful business model for franchisees to copy.

Your typical franchisee will have the drive and determination to run their own successful business. A franchisee will also appreciate the value of an experienced franchisor working along side them to help when needed.

You could liken a franchise operation to the ‘old fashioned’ co-operative idea of bulk-buying. Franchising however takes the idea a few steps further forwards.

With franchisees actually owning their business, they will be more up to speed with the concept of customer satisfaction and maintaining the highest standards.

What a pity more businesses don’t work on the same principles !

Sensible opening hours, punctuality, smart appearance and client satisfaction will generally come as standard when you use a franchise outlet or service. The franchisor will insist that the franchisee works to exacting standards. This can’t unfortunately always be said of the independent trader or outlet.

So the second huge benefit of using a franchisee personally or a franchised outlet is quality.

You may have seen some advertising in the national media for franchised services or products. You’ll probably be thinking that these adverts are expensive. They are ! That’s to say it would be if only one or two people were paying for them. By sharing the cost however between a network of franchisees, the cost to each is only a fraction and therefore more commercially viable. Most of the larger UK franchisors will arrange national advertising campaigns to run alongside the local marketing of an area franchisee.

Why is this so important for you to know ?

The answer is so that you don’t think that using a franchisee or franchised outlet is going to cost the earth ! A franchisee will probably be spending an awful lot less money to attract you to their business. A franchisee can therefore probably offer you ‘the best, for less’, as the adage goes. A franchisee will also want to keep you coming back for more and will offer excellent after-sales care. This is the third compelling reason for using a franchise.

That has to be great news for you, the consumer.

The final benefit to the consumer is very important in maintaining standards.

Sometimes things don’t go ‘according to plan’. Should this ever be the case within a franchised network, you the consumer can call the franchisor for help. The franchisor will insist that any issues between a consumer and a local franchisee are resolved quickly and amicably. No need for expensive litigation, just a quick phone call !!

The natural question leading from this is ‘where do I find a list of franchised outlets and services ?’

The sad answer is that there isn’t any information readily available either on-line or off the page…..until now.

At www.useafranchise.co.uk you will find details and information on most of the leading franchise brands. Some you will be familiar with and lots that you’ve probably never heard of !! From Oven Cleaning to Office Furniture and Carpet Cleaning to Carpentry….there’s plenty to choose from.

You may be interested in finding out more about the range of high quality franchise opportunities in the UK. If this is the case, go to www.thebfa.org. Here you will find a great range of all the UK members of the British Franchise Association.

We hope you find just what you’re looking for.