What support will I receive from a franchisor in the early stages of the business?

Brian Duckett writes:

Once you’re committed to investing in a franchise, depending on the outlet you will be running, you will get help in selecting the right premises, fitting them out and recruiting appropriate numbers and quality of staff.

In the period leading up to the grand opening, you will receive all the necessary operational and business management training you need at that time. You will also learn how to train your staff or the franchisor may do that for you.

An experienced team will typically be with you on the opening day or even for some time after that if the business is sufficiently complex and you will receive the appropriate level of email, telephone and personal contact on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

A good franchisor will bend over backwards to get you started in the business quickly and efficiently, because starting as you mean to go on saves a great deal of everyone’s time and expense in the long run. Continuing support can then be provided at a level commensurate with your needs, leaving more time to bring on other new starters.

Brian Duckett is chairman of The Franchising Centre, part of the world’s largest network of specialist franchise consultants.