Becoming a franchisee has several advantages over trying to start up in business on your own. It is less risky, as much of the hard work has already been done by the franchisor, such as proving its viability in the marketplace, you are trading under a recognised brand name, and you have the support of the franchise team to fall back on.
One of biggest plusses is the scope that franchising offers for real career change, often in a completely new area of business, made possible through the comprehensive training offered to franchisees, both at the outset and as the business grows.
Pip Wilkins, client services manager at the British Franchise Association (bfa), the accrediting body for the UK franchising industry, said: “Some of the most successful franchisees came into their business from a completely different job background. While there are some franchises where particular industry experience or skills are an advantage, in most cases, no previous experience is necessary, because all the training you need to successfully operate your franchise is provided by your franchisor as part of the package.”
Karen Perkins, 41, joined the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club franchise, a bfa full member, in 1996. She runs 17 classes a week in the Suffolk area. Before that she worked as a business development manager for Blackhorse Financial Services.
She said: “The banking industry was changing and I knew it was time to move on. I liked the idea of working for myself and wanted a career that would be much more people orientated.”
Already a follower of the Rosemary Conley diet, she found the prospect of teaching exercise and running her own Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Club franchise appealing.
“I love motivating and helping people, and I enjoy keeping fit, so it sounded perfect. Through the franchise training programme I made the transition and became a qualified Exercise to Music instructor and have never looked back since. It is all about choosing the right franchise,” she added.
The key to making the right choice lies in careful market research, says Pip Wilkins.
She said: “There are some amazing success stories of people finding their dream career through franchising. But it requires a huge commitment of time and money, and is a decision not to be taken lightly.”
Her advice is to carry out thorough research, be clear about what being  a franchisee entails, and look for a franchise, ideally a member of the bfa, that best suits your interests, lifestyle and finances.
For more information on becoming a franchisee, and a list of bfa members, visit www.thebfa.org