Have you done your franchise due diligence?

Questions to ask yourself before becoming a Jackson Fire & Security franchisee

Have I done my research?

Whatever franchise you are looking at buying, it always pays to do your homework. On a general level, do you understand what a franchise is and how it works? What would my day-to-day life look like as a franchisee?

Gary Johnson, Jackson Fire & Security franchisee for Bolton, has advice for potential franchisees before making an investment. When looking at a specific franchise he says, “understand whether that’s the correct business model that you are comfortable with and, if you are, then I would say just go and talk to as many franchise owners as you can.”

Franchise discovery days are a great way to ask franchisees and the franchisor itself anything on your mind. Make a list of questions before you go and make notes. Jackson Fire & Security hosts its own discovery days at its head office in North Wales, just by the Chester border. For Kris Milner, the Leeds franchisee, a discovery day was an important tool for him. He says: “I got to meet the managing director and engineers and I went out for the day with an engineer to see what they do on a day-to-day basis. This was really important and helped me make my decision.”

What skills do I have?

Even if you don’t have specific experience in the sector you are looking to franchise in, it’s surprising what transferrable skills your work (and life) experience will have taught you. Having spent time in the military with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Sam Gale, franchisee for Cambridge, saw the chance to use the skills he had learned. “Taking on a fire and security franchise felt like a good match for me,” he says. “I enjoy the variety and challenge of what I’m doing now – if you’re focused, flexible and determined, you can make a real success of it.”

Am I willing to work hard?

“The more you are prepared to put in, the more you will get out,” says Martin Lawton, Jackson’s franchisee for Kingston. “Yes, it can be tough, and it certainly wasn’t the easiest first year of trading with pandemic challenges, but I’m far less stressed than I was in previous roles. Be ready to work hard, and the rewards are definitely worthwhile.” Starting a new business is hard work; franchisees have a much better success rate than independent startups, but that is down not just to the proven model of a franchise like Jackson but also to the willingness of franchisees to put the effort in.

Do I have confidence in myself and in the franchisor?

Jackson Fire is a people-led business; exceptional service and client relations are what drive business. There is no point in becoming a franchisee of a business with a poor track record. The Jackson name is one people trust and have high expectations of. Henryk Matysiak, franchisee for Sheffield certainly believes he is heading in the right direction. He says, “with hard work and discipline, we are able to move forward with great confidence and great excitement and the future is very bright.”

At a glance

Established:

1991

Number of franchised outlets:

11

Location of units:

North Wales, North West England, Yorkshire, Teesside, Cambridge, Kingston upon Thames & Guildford

Investment range:

£39,500

Minimum required capital:

£40,000

Contact:

rachel.evans@jacksonfire.co.uk