I’m quite an independent (and sometimes feisty) thinker and person in general. I’ve seen a few franchise opportunities recently that I liked the look of. However, I wonder if I’d feel too constricted being a franchisee?
One of the core reasons people consider buying a franchise over an independent business, is because of the immediate “start-up” value a franchise delivers in terms of its proven set disciplines in the areas of brand recognition, operating systems, policies, procedures and support.
By definition, a franchisee is someone who is required, under contract, to completely conform to a particular business model system.
If you cannot foresee yourself being comfortable in conforming to set business policies and procedures initiated by others, my recommendation would be to consider an independent business.
That said, many good franchisors do offer franchisees the opportunity to spread their ‘entrepreneurial wings’, particularly in the areas of local area marketing, new site selection and development and product/service innovation.
For me, the best franchise businesses afford their franchisees a balance of both, compliance and entrepreneurship.
In your case, this is something I would be focusing on when undertaking your due diligence with prospective franchisors.
