Four key qualities of a good franchisee

Humans everywhere share a set of core traits. One of these is the quest for success and achievement. In today’s tough economy and business world, one way to become this successful person we all dream about is to become your very own boss as a franchisee. As glamorous as the ability to work for yourself may sound, however, one never should underestimate the hard work and sacrifice that goes into owning and operating a franchise.

Becoming a successful franchisee is all about the time and effort you put into your company, or location. Is it going to be easy? Probably not.

As John F. Kennedy once said, “We do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” That saying encompasses just what it takes to be a franchisee: hard work. If being a successful franchisee were simple, it stands to reason that everyone would be doing it.

As a franchise operator, you are going to have to challenge yourself on every level in order to grow and there will be many opportunities to make the most of your strengths while concurrently working on those areas that need improvement and growth.  

Identifying the precise traits required to be a successful franchise is no simple task. That said, a few stand out as critical.

1. The ability to achieve brand consistency: Every franchise has its own unique model. This model outlines the fundamentals of the organization, the business relationship and the culture. The model is a system that either works or doesn’t and, if, for some reason, you’re incompatible with it, you’ll likely risk hamstringing yourself and damaging the brand along the way. If you are the type of person who wants to make your own rules and answer only to yourself then I can say with confidence that you are likely not meant to join an established franchisor. No franchise can bloom without brand consistency. You must work hard to ensure you follow the franchise model provided by the organization to help ensure your success as well as the success of all other members of the franchise.
2. People skills: A franchisee needs to commit to developing people skills. This is an integral asset to any franchisee because having strong people skills allows you, the owner, to motivate and teach your employees. Motivated and well-taught employees are what makes a business flourish and without them prosperity is hard to achieve.
3. Strong entrepreneurial spirit: A successful franchisee exhibits a strong entrepreneurial spirit that inspires innovation, creativity and a desire to get involved with the community. Getting involved in the communities we serve is very important because a franchisee needs to establish their franchise in their neighbourhood to help build relationships, a good reputation and trust.
4. Stamina for hard work, hard work and more hard work: That is the key that unlocks success. Without hard work there would be no room to grow. As a franchisee you have to accept that even you have room for improvement. This requires certain amount of humility. Always remember, you should be ready at all times to roll up your sleeves and work long hours, because without those long hours of work there would not be such thing as a successful company.
5. You do not become a franchisee because it is easy but rather because it can be a very stable, financially rewarding and enjoyable career and investment. Over the years, I have turned to this saying in times of success and struggle and it has always left me feeling more motivated and inspired to pick up my feet and get back to work.

Not only does being a franchisee allow a person to reach their greatest financial potential, but it also allows them to grow on a personal level by having a direct hand in the success of their own business. 

Sebastian Fuschini is senior vice-president of franchising at Pizza Pizza Limited. He has more than 30 years of experience in the company’s franchising department.