Category: franchising vs independent business ownership

Do you have the entrepreneurial bug but aren’t sure what to do with it? If you’ve taken the time to compare franchising vs starting a brand new business, you know that each has undeniable pros and cons. Let’s take a look at why franchising is right for the adventurous spirit.

Becoming a Business Owner

Franchising takes some of the guesswork out of running a company. You gain access to a viable business plan and proven training materials, plus you get to use established branding. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re not a business owner.

Ultimately, the success of each branch of a franchise falls on the individual franchisee’s shoulders. For example, it’s still up to you to find the right location that will have the best chance of reaching your target consumer. Opening a franchise requires a deep commitment to the success of the business and a willingness to make and learn from mistakes. Without an adventurous and confident spirit, franchisees won’t bring their branch to its full potential.

Testing Out Marketing Strategies

Even with established branding, you will still need to implement a marketing strategy that works. That requires a connection to and understanding of your individual community.

Are the dog owners in your town savvy social media users, or do they prefer to get their advertisements in print? Can you rely on foot traffic, or will it take some serious guerilla marketing to bring dog owners to your door? Franchising offers the chance to take trusted branding materials to a new town and make them shine.

Creating a Knock-Out Team

Staffing is one of the biggest responsibilities a franchisee has. While you can take advantage of the training materials your company has to offer, you’ll have to rely on your own gut feelings to put together a crew that brings the right energy to your business.

Each member of your team should have a can-do attitude that propels them through each shift. They should also mesh well together and with your consumers. Finally, when you’re opening an All Dogs Unleashed branch, they have to love, understand, and have command over your canine clients. Just as you represent the face of the franchise, each of your employees represents the face of your branch, so it’s crucial that you hone those staffing instincts.

Opening New Doors

Franchising is, without a doubt, going to open new doors. For you, it will make the difference between being a worker and being a business owner. For your community, it will provide a new service and hub of connection that will truly make a difference. If you know you’re ready to embrace a new chapter in your life, it’s time to get serious about franchising.

All Dogs Unleashed is proud to have twenty branches across the nation and counting. Learn more about our business model and how to open your own ADU franchise.

For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, owning a business is typically the ultimate goal. Determining which kind of business best fits your goals can be tricky. When deciding whether to purchase an independent business or a franchise, it is crucial to weigh the pros and cons. All Dogs Unleashed has 16 franchise locations, so we know a lot about the opportunities franchising can offer an aspiring business owner. If you are wavering between franchising vs independent business ownership, here are some important differences to consider.

1. Ownership Control

The main attraction of owning your own independent business is your total control over that business. You choose which products and services your business will offer. You choose how to brand the business. You choose what kind of business model to use. With a franchise, many of those choices are picked for you. On the flip side, there is security and stability in franchising. The larger organization will spend the time and money to optimize the goods and services you offer by researching the marketplace. Franchise owners also benefit from the proven track record of a successful brand.

2. Costs

While independent business owners do not have to pay franchising fees or royalties, the costs of starting an independent business from the ground up are typically much greater. When you buy a franchise, you not only have a lower upfront investment, but the costs to run your business also tend to be less. You will also gain access to franchise support and financial advice to help boost your profit and offset expenses.

3. Brand Recognition

Franchise buyers have a big edge over start-up business owners when it comes to brand recognition. When you franchise with All Dogs Unleashed, for example, you get to take advantage of our established, trusted name in the dog training and care industry. We have an excellent reputation across the industry for our customer service, expertise, and holistic approach to dog care. If you are starting a business from scratch, developing this level of brand recognition and trust can take years.

4. Resources

Franchises are popular with new business owners due to the level of support provided by the corporate company. Even experienced business owners looking to break into a new industry often look for franchising opportunities because of this operational support. As a franchise owner, you can benefit from an established business system, a supplier network, marketing materials, operational advice, supply chain management, human resources, and other services. This gives you more time to focus on running your business.

5. Success Rate

While both franchises and independent businesses fail and succeed every day, franchises tend to have an advantage when it comes to long-term success. Franchises are not only more likely to succeed than independent businesses, but they are also more profitable when they do succeed. According to reporting from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 20% of independent businesses close after two years, while a report from franchise consulting firm FranNet said that 92% of franchises surveyed were still going strong after two years. So while no business is fail-proof, your chances of success with a franchise are higher than with an independent business.

Some business owners thrive as independent business owners, while others find prosperity and success as franchise owners. Which business opportunity is right for you will depend on your personal and business goals, as well as any other important factors unique to your situation. But if you decide franchising is right for you, All Dogs Unleashed boasts an impeccable business model with a proven history of success. When you become a franchise owner with us, we provide excellent business support and access to a vast network of other successful business owners.