If you’ve read our past blogs, you know that we at All American Pet Resorts strive to provide franchisees with the information they need to succeed. A common thread through a few posts has highlighted the fact that you need to do your homework before jumping into something as time-consuming as owning a franchise. Considering just how big this decision is, it should be a no-brainer that you should carefully consider the opportunity at hand before coming to a conclusion.
Figuring out if owning a pet care franchise is right for you is much easier said than done. With so many different factors at play, it can be hard to know what a future pet facility owner should be looking for. That’s we’ve produced this blog – to answer the question: How does one properly evaluate a franchise opportunity?
Below are a series of questions that you should ask (and have an answer for) before jumping into a pet care franchise:
How much training and support is available, and will it be enough?
Clearly, you have experience with or, at least, an appreciation of animals if you’re interested in owning your own pet care franchise. But it takes a lot more than knowing how to care for cats and dogs to properly run a pet care facility. You need to know that you have a support system to draw from in case you run into issues that you aren’t equipped to handle.
Most franchisors will offer training before letting you free into the wild, but make sure that you’re working with franchisors that will provide extensive training that will prepare you for all aspects of running a pet care business. At All American Pet Resorts, we help oversee all schedules from the start of development all the way to the opening day, decreasing as many surprises for the franchisee as possible!
Will I be happy and content over the long term?
Sure, pet care is a growing market and an excellent financial investment. But financial success alone shouldn’t be the primary motivator in your decision to operate a pet care company. You need to be prepared for the day-to-day responsibilities of the new job, as well as understand the overall challenges that are posed to franchise owners. Will this line of work be something that you can see doing for a long time? Successful franchises take years to grow and flourish, so make sure that you aren’t letting your short term aspirations fog your long-term thinking.
Do I believe in the service that the franchise network delivers?
The work of a franchisee is already difficult and challenging; don’t make it more challenging by choosing to work with a franchisor that you don’t believe in. In life, you have to do things that you believe in, and this includes work, too. Make sure that you agree with the franchisor on what they do, and how they do it. It can be aggravating if you disagree, as franchisees are required to work within the framework that they invested into. Save yourself the stress by confirming that you agree with your franchisor’s mission and identity.
What can/will I do if I have to stop?
Life is unpredictable, and there may come a time where you will no longer be able to operate your pet care facility. Whether it’s because of a personal crisis or illness, it’s important to think a few steps ahead. Do you have someone to transfer or sell the business to in the event that you have to step down? Having an idea of that now will save you tons of headaches later.
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Clearly, there is a lot at play when jumping on board of a franchise, but the situation becomes far less daunting the more that you prepare. At AAPR, we’re grateful to have helped several pet care professionals establish their own pet care facility. We continue to see growth in our franchisees across the country, and look forward to continuing this growth in the New Year!
For more information about successful franchise and franchisee opportunities, visit our website.
