"Undisclosed" Burdens of a Franchise Relationship
The more time that passes from my days of operating under a franchise, the more I understand the unbelievable amount of time, energy, and emotion that is expended on a franchise relationship.
Truly, if you could eliminate the wasted time, energy, and emotion that are spent in the political battles that ALWAYS occur in franchising, you could add many days to your family, leisure, or work life.
In my time as a franchisee, I would estimate that a minimum of 20% of my total time was spent in trying to keep up with franchise standards, politics, and red tape. This is precious time that could have been spent elsewhere.
From an emotional standpoint, it is frustrating, to say the least, when a franchisor has such control over your financial well-being, that you feel you must always be watching your back. Franchisors, in general, look for ways to increase their own cash flow, and this is very often at the franchisee's expense.
While you are "managing" your franchise relationship, the business demands that you also focus on your core business, and give a bit of time to your customers and employees. Sometimes, you have no energy left for that.
New franchisees should budget 20% of their time (and maybe even more of thier income) on "managing" their relationships with the franchisor.
If you find you can afford this expenditure of time, money, emotion and energy, and still have enough time to run the business and see the kids once in a while, go ahead and buy that franchise!
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The reminiscings and observations of a successful 20 year multi-unit franchise operator.
20YearZee Missed
20YearZee,
We greatly appreciate you taking time during your European vacation to write a thought or two for the community.
When you return, we'd love to hear some tips on how, in what ways and areas, should a franchisee look at managing the franchisor.
Mr. Blue MauMau
20-yr. ZEE ---The Voice of Experience
I always read 20-yr. ZEE's comments because he sticks with the trurh. He isn't trying to sell franchises and just shares his experiences with us.
He tells us that the marriage license is cheap, but that the relationship counselors are expensive, and that the divorce may kill you.
Richard Solomon, Franchise Remedies, does the same in different words.
While it is "money that makes the world go 'round" it is rhetoric that explains the process.