Dan Archer, head of marketing at the British Franchise Association (bfa), said: “A key advantage to joining a franchised business is that you get the support and expertise of the franchisor and their dedicated team. If employed staff are integral to the business then help and advice on staff recruitment should form part of the initial training.”

But the type and level of support offered will vary from one franchise to another.

Nuneaton-based franchise consultant Peter Williams, an affiliated professional adviser to the bfa, said: “Some franchisors have `in house` human resources specialists to provide specific advice on staffing issues, while others outsource these services. It also depends on the role that the franchisee is recruiting for.

“If they need to appoint a manager because they are taking on new territories, I would expect the franchisor to help with preparing the job description and in some cases, assisting the franchisee with the selection and interview process.”

Full bfa member Belvoir Lettings, currently celebrating its tenth anniversary, has almost a hundred franchises.

CEO Mike Goddard said: “There are more than 500 employees involved in the Belvoir network, so recruitment and employment really are key issues. Finding the right staff is crucial to success, and franchisees do look to us for guidance on recruitment and selection.”

Franchisors may also continue to assist in employment matters throughout the term of the agreement, and may have access to legal advisors if a franchisee needs specialist advice.

Belvoir Lettings subscribes to an employment service that provides updates to employment law, and legal support should any problems arise.

Mr Goddard said: “It is all part and parcel of ethical franchising and what a franchisor simply has to do. However if you get the recruitment right – identifying the role you need to fill and selecting candidates with the right qualities – you will reduce the possibility of legal issues arising at a later stage.”

Although hiring staff may not be an immediate concern for new franchisees, who may initially be working alone, Peter Williams` advice is to think ahead.

He said: “Your initial priority is to get your franchise up and running, but two or three years down the line, when your business has grown, you may need to take on staff, so it is important to ask at the outset what support or training your franchisor will be able to offer.”

Dan Archer says that the power of a franchisor's brand is also a consideration. He added: “The longevity of franchised businesses together with the size of franchisee networks can make recruiting that little bit easier.”

For more information on franchising visit www.thebfa.org