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Becoming a franchisee was one of the biggest (and best) decisions I’ve ever made—but let me be real: it wasn’t all sunshine, roses, and rolling in dough. The journey came with surprises, challenges, and lessons I learned the hard way.
If you’re thinking about becoming a franchisee, here are the honest truths I wish someone had told me before I got started.
1. The Franchise Isn’t a “Business-in-a-Box”
I assumed franchising would be like opening a business with training wheels—plug-and-play, smooth sailing. But here’s the truth:
YOU STILL HAVE TO HUSTLE. HARD.
This is not a take the bow off the box and SURPRISE here is a successful business! Yes, the brand provides a proven model, but it’s up to you to execute. You still need to build relationships, hire the right team, market your location, and solve daily problems. The system is a guide—not a guarantee. This is where the importance of finding FIT comes to play. If the hard work and day in the life does not align with your strengths and something you enjoy doing – it is even HARDER. You are your local business in your area. Franchise or mom and pop – it is your territory to build.
Fit Tip: Work with your franchise coach/consultant to define your ideal owner role. Take time to reflect on what you enjoy doing from previous roles.
2. Not All Support Is Equal
Franchise support varies widely between brands. Some franchisors provide world-class training, marketing help, and a dedicated rep. Others… hand you a manual and disappear. I learned this now having owned two franchise brands with different franchisors. Support goes into the franchisee network as well. You are investing into a team of owners – how well do they support each other, share best practices and grow the brand is essential as well – see notes on Culture below.
Fit Tip: Speak with multiple existing franchisees during your research. Ask them how responsive the franchisor is after the ink is dry.
3. Friends, Family and You
It is natural to ask friends, family and colleagues about your new idea, new potential business. While they all love you, they will give you all the BUTS, negatives, WHYS…you must be prepared to filter through this. Some will be excited for you, some will be jealous you are making a JUMP (because maybe they can’t) and others will not be buyers of your business so they can’t see the potential. YOU also may not be a buyer of your business. For example, we own an outdoor living business – we build decks. My husband would NEVER pay to have our deck built – he is handy and a do it yourself guy. But there are SO MANY people that are not in that boat – can you see the potential for others?
Fit Tip: Do the research, ask for feedback, look at your territory but take all with a grain of salt and use solid data points. I also like going with your gut too.
4. You’re Not Just Buying a Business—You’re Joining a Culture
Franchisees are part of a community. That can be a huge asset or a serious red flag, depending on the brand. A strong, collaborative network is gold—you’ll lean on each other more than you think. The Franchisor is a culture too – they will also be your support and guide.
Fit Tip: If other franchisees are bitter, frustrated, or disengaged, take note. Not every business owner is happy – maybe they didn’t do the work to find the right FIT.
5. You Need More Cash Than You Think
The initial investment is only part of the picture. Be prepared for:
- Working capital for at least 6–12 months
- Marketing expenses not always covered in your franchise fee
- Delays in breakeven—even if you’re doing everything right
- Owner salary – highly recommend setting yourself up to not need anything in year 1.
Fit Tip: Budget for the worst, hope for the best. Running out of cash is one of the top reasons franchise locations fail—not poor performance. If you are stressed to pay the bills, you will not be focused on building your business.
6. Employees Can Make or Break You
WOW – I should have put this as number one! As a leader in my corporate career for years, I have always prided myself in management principles, led good teams and supported growth. It is imperative you think through the business and the types of employees you will be hiring. I thought it would be easy. It wasn’t. Recruiting, training, and retaining staff took far more time and energy than I expected.
In some industries (like food, retail, senior care, some home services), employee turnover is a constant challenge. Be ready to become a people manager—even if that wasn’t your goal (but this needs to be considered in franchise selection).
Fit Tip: Hire and Fire Fast! Always be hiring and it is the biggest expense to the bottom line – be diligent about performance and expectations.
7. You Still Need an Entrepreneurial Mindset
If you’re looking for a true “set it and forget it” business, franchising might not be the right fit (or most businesses will not be a good fit). The best franchisees think like entrepreneurs, even if they’re operating within a system.
Fit Tip: Creative problem solving, local marketing, and community involvement are all up to you. The more proactive you are, the more successful you’ll be. No one knows your market better than you – figure out how to reach your customers.
8. Compliance Can Be Frustrating (But It’s Non-Negotiable)
Franchisors have brand standards, operational rules, and marketing guidelines. Sometimes they’ll feel restrictive—but that’s part of the deal. Franchisors set up franchises for everyone to be successful. They charge royalties to support system growth and enhancements for you.
You have to be comfortable following someone else’s system. If you’re a rebel or an innovator at heart, this could feel suffocating.
Fit Tip: Franchisors are not looking for owners to figure out how to change the system – create new ideas and ways of doing things. Yes, there are franchisee advisory councils to help guide and provide constructive feedback to the franchisor but do not go into a franchise with a “I can do this better attitude”.
9. ROI Takes Time
I thought I’d be profitable in 6 months. It took closer to 14. And that’s not uncommon.
Fit Tip: Franchising is a long game. If you’re expecting instant returns, temper your expectations. And you get out of it what you put in – part-time gets part-time results.
10. It’s Not Easy—But It’s Worth It
The ups and downs are real, but so is the satisfaction of owning something. I’ve grown more as a person and a leader than I ever did in a corporate role. I control my time, I build my team, and I make decisions that shape my future.
Would I do it again? Yes, we did! And we did it better.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering franchise ownership, go in with open eyes and realistic expectations. Ask tough questions. Budget conservatively. Talk to franchisees—not just the ones the brand recommends.
Franchising can be a powerful path to business ownership, but success doesn’t come from the brand alone—it comes from you.
Got questions about becoming a franchisee or lessons I didn’t cover? Let’s talk – no cost, no commitment. I am here to educate you for your best FIT (and sometimes that is not franchising).
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The Existing Franchise Experience
I took over an existing franchise for almost zero investment—literally just opened a bank account and added some operational funds. Yes, these opportunities exist. Sometimes, an owner is ready to move on, and you can get a steal of a deal.
But let’s be clear: nothing is ever truly free.
What I inherited:
- A business that had once grossed over $1M annually
- At takeover, it was bringing in ~$40K/month and declining
- 8–10 staff members, solid customer accounts, 2 office locations, and all the equipment and supplies
Sounds great, right?
Well, here’s what I actually found:
- Jobs were severely underpriced—no profit in sight, lots of “friends and family” discounts
- A team with poor attitudes and little accountability—zero leadership, zero quality control
- No GM in place (and I had planned on running this semi-absentee)
- Marketing? Nonexistent for the last 6–8 months
- Leads weren’t being worked, and new business came solely from word-of-mouth
So yes, I got a deal—but it came with surprises.
What I did next:
- Cut the business in half within 60 days—raised prices, lost some customers, but that was OK
- Addressed the team—some left, others were let go. Also OK
- Promoted a manager to oversee the day-to-day
- Restarted marketing efforts
It still took over a year (and a lot of trial, error, and tough calls) to turn a profit.
Lesson: Buying in doesn’t guarantee a head start. You must dig in, evaluate thoroughly, and be ready to do the work.
Starting a Franchise from Scratch
In contrast, my husband and I launched a brand-new franchise location together—and the difference was night and day.
With strong franchise training, a detailed launch plan, and ongoing support, we were able to:
- Make every decision with intention
- Shape the customer experience from day one
- Stay laser-focused on margin and quality
Within six months, we were closing projects, protecting our profits, and putting money back in the bank.
Yes—it was still work. But when you’re aligned with a franchisor that has proven systems, real support, and a solid structure, starting from scratch doesn’t have to be scary.
Moral of the story:
Whether you buy existing or build new, the right FIT matters.
Know your strengths, understand the work required, and partner with a brand that aligns with your goals.
If you’re exploring franchise ownership, I’d love to share what I’ve learned—and help you find the path that’s truly the right fit for you.
