Is it important for franchisors to be members of the bfa?
Potential franchisees can feel more confident of success when they buy an established franchise, especially where the franchise has been thoroughly vetted by the bfa. Having the bfa stamp of approval means that a franchise functions ethically, and is usually very stable. Franchisors have to meet high standards, and the BFA has to go over their franchise agreement to make sure it reaches certain benchmarks. This is to protect the franchisee against rogue franchisors, and is a very powerful tool. Franchisors with the bfa badge wear it with pride, mainly because it takes a long time to work through the process to gain full membership.

Should potential franchisees place emphasis on the quality of a franchised brand?
Yes. It helps to have the endorsement of a franchisor with a proven track record and good franchisors should spend a large chunk of their budget on branding, marketing and training every year.

Why is it safer to buy a franchise instead of starting your own business from scratch?
Franchisees are much more likely to generate a good income early on because so much of the business groundwork has already been done for them, from product supply and knowledge to branding and marketing support. Also, franchisors have the capital and the connections to run elaborate marketing campaigns. I can only speak from the experience of Dream Doors, but we regularly run regional television ads, printed ads, and we also do a lot of PR. Someone starting their own business wouldn’t have this kind of marketing muscle, so it would be much harder for them to get going.

What self-assessment should potential franchisees make?
They should seriously consider whether they can see themselves doing the job on a daily basis. Running a franchise is about more than just pounds and pence – it’s a lifestyle choice. They need to feel motivated and driven to succeed. They should enjoy the processes involved in the business otherwise the hunger to drive it forward and achieve a high turnover simply won’t be there. The best franchisees are usually the ones that see the potential in the business and like what they get from it in terms of personal rewards and remuneration.

What is a franchisor’s role in motivating franchisees?
Excellent head office support is essential to help maintain franchisees’ morale, keep motivation at an optimum level, and boost their bottom line. Anyone buying a franchise should expect good support and training. Good franchisors re-invest a decent proportion of network revenue from the Management Service fees into supporting their franchisees through training and development.