Perseverance Pays Off: Why Not Being Ready to Franchise is Just the Beginning

For many entrepreneurs, franchising a successful business seems like the natural next step in expanding their reach. However, the journey from a fledgling business to a franchise-ready company can be more complex than expected. But as Sanjay, founder of The Fruit and Veg Man, discovered, hitting the pause button on franchising might just be the key to long-term success. His experience shows that even if your business isn’t ready to franchise right away, expert advice and persistence can help you get there.

Sanjay's story begins like many others - his business was thriving, orders were pouring in from across the country, and franchising seemed like the logical next move. However, when he reached out to Ashtons Franchise Consulting for expert advice, he was met with an unexpected response.

“I had looked online for franchise consultants, and Ashtons were by far the leading company,” Sanjay recalls. “I had watched Nick, one of their consultants, on a presentation on YouTube that explained franchising in a lot more detail than I had in my head. That really attracted me to actually enquiring with Ashtons to see if they could help me.”

Despite the excitement of early success, Nick delivered a candid evaluation: The Fruit and Veg Man wasn’t quite ready for franchising.

“The first time I called Nick and explained what I was doing, he said no, I wasn’t ready to franchise,” says Sanjay. “I’d only been set up maybe a month or so. Sure, I’d been getting money orders from all over the country, but that in itself wasn’t enough to franchise.”

While this initial response might have discouraged some, it was the way Nick presented the feedback that made all the difference. “Every time I spoke to Nick, what I really liked about him, it wasn’t just a ‘no’, it was a ‘no, BUT have you thought about X, Y, and Z?’”

Instead of giving up on the idea of franchising, Sanjay embraced Nick’s guidance. He took time to refine his business processes, implementing the changes and improvements that Ashtons recommended. “So, I did XYZ and then came back,” Sanjay explains. “Nick said, ‘OK, we’re a little bit further into where you want to be – have you thought about 123 now?’”

Following this step-by-step approach helped The Fruit and Veg Man grow in ways Sanjay hadn’t initially anticipated. After securing a major contract with an airport, the business took a significant leap. “It was at that point Nick said, ‘I think you are ready because you now have a commercial contract that could potentially expand to other parts of the country.’”

This patient, strategic approach to franchising paid off. With Ashtons' guidance, Sanjay transformed The Fruit and Veg Man from a promising idea into a business truly ready for franchising, setting the stage for long-term success.

Sanjay’s story is a powerful reminder to business owners who may feel like franchising is just out of reach: not being ready doesn’t mean it’s never going to happen. Sometimes, it’s just about getting the right advice at the right time and taking the necessary steps to build a stronger, more scalable business model.

For those looking to franchise their business but unsure if the timing is right, reaching out to an expert can be the difference between premature expansion and long-term growth. As Sanjay's journey illustrates, the key isn’t just waiting until you’re ready - it’s about actively getting your business ready with expert support and a willingness to grow.

In his own words: “Without Ashtons and Nick’s guidance, I wouldn’t have realised the full potential of The Fruit and Veg Man. Franchising is a marathon, not a sprint, and having someone to guide you through the stages makes all the difference.”

Since launching the franchise, The Fruit and Veg Man has grown to multiple thriving franchise locations.

For those on the fence about franchising, the message is clear: Don't give up. With the right guidance, your business can be ready to scale when the time is right.

Do you want to follow in Sanjay’s footsteps?

If you own a successful business and are inspired by Sanjay’s story, get in touch with Ashtons Franchise to discuss:  p.mowat@ashtonsfranchise.com

Interested and want to know more about The Fruit and Veg Man ?

The The Fruit and Veg Man profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.

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