VanFranchise Van Franchises with Sole-Operator and Management Opportunities
What should you ask a franchisor?
What should you ask a franchisor?
Hear from Simon Bartholomew the Franchise Director of Oscar Pet Foods. With over 30 years experience in the franchise industry Simon gives you valuable advice about what to ask a franchisor at an interview when you are considering becoming a franchisee.
Featured Franchise
Leading Franchises

What questions should you ask a franchisor?

There are lots of websites and books which list the ideal questions to ask a franchisor before you invest your hard earned savings into a new business. However why not hear from a franchisor himself about what sort of questions you should consider.

Questions to ask a franchisor | Oscar Pet Foods FranchiseSimon Bartholomew is the Franchise Director of Oscar Pet Foods. With 30 years’ experience in and around the franchise industry, including time spent as a franchisee and Chairman of the British Franchise Association.

The OSCAR Pet Foods Franchise is a nationwide Van-based Pet Food Delivery Business which, since 1990, has been manufacturing a range of quality pet food. In 1993 the first franchise was established and the franchise has continued with overwhelming success.

Hear, Simon talks about what a franchisor is looking for within franchisees and what questions you should ask a franchisor.

Have a clear idea

I believe it is far more important for you as a prospective franchisee to have a clear idea of what you are trying to find out before deciding on the exact questions.

Obviously you will want to know some of the basics, such as:

  • How much does the franchise cost?
  • How many business failures has the network experienced?
  • How many franchisees are in the network?

But there are a lot of other areas to research as well.

What's important?

Once you have choosen your franchise to invest in you will be looking to build a strong working relationship with the franchisor, probably for at least ten years, so understanding who they are, their guiding principlees and what their motivations are is important.

The concept of the business is easy to fall in love with when reading through the prospectus, seeing all the positives and the great future you could have – but this will only come to reality if you are able to work closely with the franchisor and their network, so plan your research carefully and know what you want to discover.

To increase your attractiveness as a franchisee franchisors will expect you to ask the right questions and to show that you really want to get behind the sales talk. Franchisors are looking for dedicated professional people that clearly understand why they are investing in a business.

Use questions that get to the heart of the business not just ones about how successful franchisees are and what do they have to do. Try and understand the business, the business leaders, the skills required and how the franchisor asses the right people.

The Research

You may wish to consider these categories to carry out your research when looking for the right franchise:

1. The Business

First, look for expertise and experience in the services or core products offered by the franchisees.

Second, understanding why the business uses the franchise model is one of the best ways of understanding the levels of support you will receive once you have joined a network.

You should be able to determine that the franchisor's profitability comes from the success of its franchisees – NOT from selling franchises – and that they are passionate about their franchisees’ success.

Third, check whether the long-term plans of the business concept are in line with building a strong network for the length of time you plan to be in the business.

  • How and when was the business formed?

  • When and why did you start franchising?

  • Where does the business plan to be in five or 10 years

2. The Business Leaders

You will need to ensure that your chosen franchisor has a team that can support you in building a succesful business.

  • Is there a training team in place?

  • Are the leadership able to support you in the field once your business is underway?

  • Does the leadership team include experts in the core business and franchise professionals?

3. Network Co-operation and Franchise Consultation

Being in business for yourself but not on your own is one of the most important advantages of starting a franchise business.

You will need to understand how existing franchisees work together and if they have any input into the campany's future stratergy.

  • What incentives do you run to encourage friendly rivalry amongst franchisees?

  • How often do you encourage the network to get together to share good practice?

  • Do you have an advisory council?

4. Finding the Right Franchisees

Franchisors need to ensure that the franchisee that buys into the neighbouring teerritory will be a strong business professional.

It is important to know if a franchisor turns down some applicants; they should be able to assess whether you are suitable and give you the right guidance if they think you are not.

  • How do you assess who the right franchisees are?

5. The Training

Understanding how the franchisor will determine your training needs and styles is an important part of your research; you will also want to determine to what extent the training plan will be personalised to your needs.

Franchisees joining a network have very different backgrounds and experiences, which means that the training needs for each individual new franchisee can be different.

You may also want to know if the training involves time with experienced franchisees that have been through the experiences you are about to have.

  • What happens if I need further training and what costs would be involved?

  • What training will I receive?

  • Who will do my training?

 6. Franchise Agreements

Franchise agreements are for a fixed term. You will want to understand the implications of reaching the end of this term. How many terms does the franchisor encourage the franchisee to serve and, what are the processes and your rights for signing a new term? How does the franchisor support the franchisee to renew or to exit the franchise?

  • How many terms will I be allowed to run the franchise?

  • What are the terms of renewing for a second term?

  • What are the costs involved in renewing the franchise?

 7. Leaving the franchise

There will come a time when you will want to exit the franchise business. This may be via a sale or you may want to pass the business onto a member of your family.

Franchisors understand this and should welcome a prospective franchisee wanting to discuss future exit routes. To a franchisor, this will show you have the ability to plan for the future and show them that you are looking to build a long-term business and understand the potential to increase your asset value.

  • What are the costs involved in selling the franchise when it is time to exit?

  • How many of your franchisees successfully sell their business?

  • What assistance do you give to help your franchisees sell?

Remember that the questions you ask are a part of the assessment process and a franchisor will be considering the questions you ask of them and how much thought you have put into them.

When carrying out your research make a list of example questions but make sure that you make the questions your own and have a clear plan as to what you are trying to find out.

Any franchise is a big investment in you and your family’s future, you will need to be able to work hard and enjoy the business you start for a number of years before you realise the full potential of the business. Take time to do the ground work, ask hard questions. An ethical franchisor will not only welcome those questions and the conversations they open up but will think more highly of you for them.

Find out more about the Oscar Pet Foods Franchise here or use our search tool to help you find the right franchise for you!

Sole Operator franchises you might be interested in..

Ovenclean Franchise
Ovenclean Franchise

Ovenclean provides a proven business format that's simple to manage, with high profitability and fantastic earnings potential.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Metro Plumb
Metro Plumb

Run your own Plumbing Business with Metro Plumb and benefit from their brand, support and training.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Filta Environmental
Filta Environmental

As a Filta Environmental Franchisee you can operate from a single van right through to a multi vehicle operation.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Local Assist
Local Assist

The Local Assist Business Opportunity allows you to enjoy an income from day one.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Husse Franchise
Husse Franchise

Run your own van-based Animal Food Delivery Business and enjoy a flexible lifestyle with Husse.

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire
Jackson Fire & Security
Jackson Fire & Security

A home-based opportunity to manage your own lucrative Fire and Secruity Installation and Maintenance Business

« read more »

Make enquiryEnquire


Top Oven Cleaning FranchisesTop Oven Cleaning Franchises

By investing in an Oven Cleaning Franchise you will have everything in place from day one to help you reach customers, benefit from repeat business and a loyal customer base.

Van Business Ideas within the Franchise SectorVan Business Ideas within the Franchise Sector

A van franchise is often low cost, has low overheads and brings flexibility and excitement while achieving financial freedom. Explore our wide range of van-based franchise opportunities

Best Van Franchises in the UK todayBest Van Franchises in the UK today

Van Franchises offer a degree of freedom and opportunity to develop new skills and meet new people that office-based jobs simply can't provide. Explore the best van franchises in the UK today.

Top Oven Cleaning Franchises available across the UKTop Oven Cleaning Franchises available across the UK

Oven Cleaning franchises provide you with a profitable van-based business. Explore our range of Oven Cleaning Franchises and request FREE information from the Oven Cleaning Franchises that interest you.

Why joining a franchise is so beneficialWhy joining a franchise is so beneficial

Hear from Robin Auld, Executive Director of Franchise Brands. Robin talks about the advantages of becoming a franchisee rather than starting up your own business.

Why not consider a van-based franchise?Why not consider a van-based franchise?

Ben Brooks, Director of Franchising for Agency Express explains the importance of choosing the right franchise and why that could be a van based business.

Start 2018 as a manager of your own multi-van business.Start 2018 as a manager of your own multi-van business.

Before starting a franchise it is crucial to be armed with the best business franchise information and advice.

Do you have what is takes to become a Franchisee?Do you have what is takes to become a Franchisee?

Hear from Gail Jordain, Franchise Executive at Riverford Organic Farmers Franchise, the UK's leading Organic Food Business.

You’re never too young to learn a new trickYou’re never too young to learn a new trick

Hear from 23 year old Pierre Goodwin who has just completed his training to become the youngest ever member of the Wilkins network.

A Chimney Sweep Business is more profitable than you may thinkA Chimney Sweep Business is more profitable than you may think

Hear from Peter and Louise Harris who are the owners of Wilkins Chimney Sweep Limited.

Do you need skills to have a van franchise?Do you need skills to have a van franchise?

There is a world of difference between a franchise not requiring experience and a franchise not requiring skill...

Pets On WheelsPets On Wheels

We take a look at some of the advantages of pet based van businesses, as well as looking specifically at some of the most attractive business packages available

The answer to redundancy and early retirmementThe answer to redundancy and early retirmement

This is your opportunity to be able to do a job that you enjoy and have an income for yourself rather than earning money for someone else.

The Oven Cleaning Sector has seen significant growth in recent yearsThe Oven Cleaning Sector has seen significant growth in recent years

The benefit of an Oven Cleaning Franchise is that you have the opportunity to start as a 'man and a van' to managning your own fleet!

A Breath Of Fresh AirA Breath Of Fresh Air

If you have ever considered working outside then it may surprise you to know just how wide, varied and accessible this industry is.

Love the thought of owning your own mobile retail franchise?Love the thought of owning your own mobile retail franchise?

With the number of franchise packages growing there has never been a better variety of businesses that are set up and ready to go when you are.

The use of domestic services continues to boom in the UKThe use of domestic services continues to boom in the UK

The time is never better to join a van based franchise and offer the expanding domestic services required.

Thinking of setting up on your own - Reasons to invest in a franchiseThinking of setting up on your own - Reasons to invest in a franchise

Here we take a look at some of the most positive reasons to invest in a franchise.

One Woman and a Van - Franchise OpportunitiesOne Woman and a Van - Franchise Opportunities

The franchise world is being set ablaze with females, with female owned businesses exceeding overall sector growth.

Why you should consider starting a Delivery Franchise BusinessWhy you should consider starting a Delivery Franchise Business

Running your own delivery firm be a highly profitable venture to get involved in.

VanFranchise

Van Franchises are not just a Man and a Van! VanFranchise.co.uk showcases all kinds of management franchises and owner-operator van-based business opportunities. Start a franchise today and achieve the self-employed success you have dreamed of.

Newsletter Subscribe

Interested in subscribing to our newsletter about the latest franchise opportunities and information ?

Quick Links

Franchise Search
Location Search
All Franchise Categories
All Business Types

Latest News
Case Studies
Special Features
You have selected no franchises Complete your requests