Is Owning a Franchise Truly the Growth of Entrepreneurs?
Introduction At least 100 million Indians aspire to become their own boss’. And whether for small-town shopkeepers or corporate strivers hoping to open their own shops, the desire to “be your own boss” has never been greater. But when it comes to building a business, there are two general paths: you can start a business from scratch based on your own independent brand, or you can build on an established, proven business model by becoming a franchise owner. The big question a lot of people are asking is: Is owning a franchise really considered entrepreneurship and does it actually help build entrepreneurs? The answer is yes — among other things, franchising has become one of the most reliable vehicles for cultivating small business leadership in India. Since franchises offer tested systems, name recognition, training and support, individuals can focus on operations and growth while avoiding the risks that stymie many startups. Let’s look at why franchise ownership is not only actual entrepreneurship, but is also a tried and true course to lasting success. Franchise Ownership = Real Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship is not about discovering a new thing every time — it’s about managing resources, assembling teams, serving customers, and creating value. That’s what a franchisee is. They raise money, run their operations, hire and train their staff, market the outlet, and remain profitable. With over 90% closure rate of startups in their initial years in India due to reasons such as brand trust and operational inefficiencies, the franchise offers a more secured mode of entrepreneurship. But it is not “buying a job,” as its critics often complain, but constructing a business following a proven formula. Mitigated Risks with a Proven Business Model Why is it that entrepreneurs are generally the hardest-working people you’ll ever meet, yet they often struggle? Franchises take much of that guesswork out of the equation. They arrive with proven processes, product-market fit and a mature supply chain. The cost of entry is far lower in other businesses: Just try opening a food franchise; in no time flat, customers will have access to your recipes, quality control and supply. Similarly, salon chains such as Naturals also come with pre-packaged operating procedures and brand guidelines. Seneca’s founders can use their energy to scale and to maintain clear customer relationships, rather than have to build everything from scratch. Instant Brand Recognition When an independent entrepreneur starts up a new café, it can take years to build up that trust. In comparison, when you open a Café Coffee Day or a Starbucks outlet, it starts getting customers from day one because the brand is already known and trusted by the people. Brand awareness eliminates the need for a long awareness journey. This enables entrepreneurs to begin earning revenues a lot sooner, a key victory in a cut-throat market like India, where consumer retention is hard to come by. The training and support giving them an entrepreneurial edge. One great attribute of franchising is the full training and handholding your franchisor will provide. From hiring staff to training them to customer service to digital marketing — franchisors offer entrepreneurs today’s most-needed business know-how. The training is a “business school in practice” for the new Indian entrepreneur. They learn not just how to operate their unit but are schooled in finance, technology and customer acquisition. From experience, this skill acquisition process shapes them up to be an all-rounded entrepreneurs. Access to Finance & Scalability Banks and investors consider franchises to be less-risky undertakings than independent startups. This has also made it easier for franchisees to get loans, especially if they have powerful backers. And when an entrepreneur proves that he or she can operate a single franchise unit successfully, scaling to several becomes much easier. The franchise model supports entrepreneurial growth-oriented investors in their spread regional or national, to expand their impact. Innovation at the Local Level The smoking gun is the false premise that franchise owners are not innovating. Although core products and processes stay the same, there’s plenty of scope for local innovation. McDonald’s in India, for example, introduced vegetarian dishes, including the locally crafted McAloo Tikki, to better serve local tastes. “These changes are often based on franchisee input from the field.” This balancing of ‘global constrained with local free’ has enabled even the most local of entrepreneurs to innovate impactfully within a certain structured frame. Building Employment & Local Impact For the franchise entrepreneur, the personal growth is only partly the point — they’re also generating jobs and opportunity in the communities where their businesses operate. A franchise outlet typically employs 10 to 100 people depending on the industry. Besides, the franchise entrepreneurs help in economic development in smaller towns or tier-2/3 cities by taking trusted brands beyond metros. That there is a ripple effect is a testament to the fact that they are real contributors to India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Challenges Entrepreneurs Must Consider Whether it will pay off is another matter, of course. Entrepreneurs must deal with: Franchise fees and royalties that cut into profits. Creative freedom limitations (as brand guidelines need to be adhered to). Rely on the general reputation of the franchisor. These are challenges for our mindsets. The true entrepreneurs do not look at these as barriers, but part of the cost of playing in an organized, high-potential system. The secret is to pick the right franchise, know the economics and run it with discipline. Conclusion So is franchising really the blooming of entrepreneurs? Absolutely. Franchising Companies in India have made this dream a reality for millions of businessman across the country, as it eases the investment process, provides tried and tested models, and support that is lifelong. It is the joy of entrepreneurship with the security of a well-heeled road map. From food and retail to fitness and education, entrepreneurs in the franchising segment are contributing to the Indian economy in their own way and at the same time offering people a chance to consume a branded product or service. It’s not as
