The printing sector makes the perfect entry point for anyone looking to cut their teeth in entrepreneurship. More so if you do it under the guidance of a seasoned expert in the sector. That’s what makes buying a franchise alluring.
It comes with lots of support mentorship to ensure that you hit the ground running and gain traction quickly. However, before chasing after printing franchise opportunities, you need to take a few precautionary measures.
Ask Questions
You stand a better chance of success if you don’t get caught up in the razzle-dazzle of a chain’s success. Being a starry-eyed investor can be your undoing, as it could cause you to overlook some crucial information. To this end, you need to carry out due diligence before making a decision.
Be sure to ask about the profit margins on each product and service you offer. As a franchisee, you don’t get to set your prices; the parent company gets to do that. You need the margins to be healthy to justify the investment.
Crunch the numbers to get a clear picture of how long it will take to break even and make your money back. You need a clear view of the financial bits, especially if you’re planning to fund the business through a loan. Otherwise, you might struggle to repay the loan and put your entire investment at risk.
Dig Into the Conduct of the Franchisor
It’s only natural that the parent company is highly invested in the success of the business. As such, they’re likely to pull all stops to give the brand a professional image at all times. Unfortunately, their goals may not always align with your best interest.
For instance, printing technology is dynamic, with bigger and faster printers coming out each year. If your franchisor insists on overhauling the printer too frequently, that can leave you in a precarious financial position. You might find that you have to seek additional loans to be in compliance. That should be a huge red flag.
Switching to bigger, more efficient printing technology is a major plus for the business, but it shouldn’t gobble up all your profits. A franchisor invested in your success shouldn’t push for such expensive upgrades unilaterally.
Seek Expert Help
Buying a franchise is a massive financial undertaking, and as such, you shouldn’t rush into it blindly. It’s best that you have a seasoned expert to guide your decisions. That way, you’ll have a clear understanding of your legal obligations as well as those of your franchisor.
You need to be clear on the terms of engagement as detailed out in the franchise agreement. Contravening these terms can lead you to incur huge fines and penalties. Sometimes, that can lead you to lose your franchise license, which could give your investment plans a terrible blow.
It’s true that buying a franchise increases your chances of success when trying your hand in entrepreneurship for the first time. However, you need to be sure that you’re getting into business with a credible franchise chain. Only then can you harness all the benefits that come with it.
