Perhaps the most common question a franchise consultant gets is, “What is the best franchise business to start?” That can be taken two ways – “What is the king of franchises that everyone should want?” or “What is the best franchise for me, personally?”
Actually, the answer to either question is the same – “It depends on you.”
It’s like believing that being a physician is the absolute best job. While you might like the money and prestige, you might not actually like the long hours, time pressures, years of education with no income, etc. Some doctors I know wish they had chosen another profession, while others love it. At the same time, people don’t realize that plumbers often make the same income as a family doctor but with a completely different job profile. Obviously, not everyone should be a doctor and not everyone wants to be a plumber.
Choosing a franchise business works the same way. One size definitely does not fit all.
•Do you work well with a team, or better by yourself?
•Do you have experience in an industry in which you want to work as a franchisee?
•What are your strengths and weaknesses?
•What do you like and dislike?
•Are there types of jobs you think are great and some you would not want?
•How much money do you have to commit?
•Are you willing to relocate?
•Who are you? Are you a team leader, salesperson, behind-the-scenes person, detail-oriented?
•Do you have leadership experience? Do you like being a leader?
A good, experienced, franchise consultant knows the right questions to ask. She also knows the available franchisers – both what they are looking for and what profile would most enjoy and excel with that franchise.
That is extremely valuable information that could be the difference in whether you are successful and whether you enjoy what you are getting ready to commit your time, money, and talents to.
A franchise consultant knows that a business is more than numbers; it has a specific culture that is a great fit for some and not for others.
So, what’s the best franchise? Find an experienced, thoughtful franchise consultant that knows how to ask the right questions and listens well. She is your matchmaker, the key to finding your answer to, “What is the best franchise?”
