This article first appeared in Caterer and Hotelkeeper on 24 February 2012.

The Problem

Hotel and restaurant operators often receive enquiries from customers that admire their brand and wish to apply for permission to open a duplicate business in their country. This is otherwise knows as a "Franchise". It can be a fantastic opportunity but there are risks associated with franchising that must be weighed carefully against the potential upside. The risks fall into 4 broad categories.

  • Reputational risk
  • Financial risk
  • Risk to brand integrity
  • Legal risk

The Law

Over 40 countries have franchise laws ranging from disclosure and registration requirements to laws that expose would be franchisors to potential liability for damage caused to customers by the franchisee. In the USA the sale of franchises is treated like the sale of securities and severe penalties can be imposed on companies that break these laws. In other countries such as the UK or the Middle East the position is more benign. All that is needed in those countries is a good quality franchise agreement that covers all the legal and commercial angles.

Proper registration of your trade marks in your target markets is another key legal requirement. To grant a franchise in a country where you do not have a registered trade mark can create a threat for the longevity of your business. The franchisee could walk away with your intellectual property and know-how free of charge and you may not be able to do anything to stop them.

Expert Advise

If you are seriously considering a franchise, you will need to invest in a number of preparatory steps to ensure that you do not fall foul of franchise laws.

First, you should register your trademarks in your target countries. As this can be expensive, you should prioritise key markets.

Next you need to put in place detailed documentation. This comprises.

  • an Operating Manual
  • a prospectus and disclosure document
  • a franchise agreement

Finally you need to consider how you will train, support and supervise the franchisee. This aspect is often underestimated by would be franchisors. In addition to hands-on training in one of your facilities, you will need to have a dedicated member of staff to answer questions and make regular visits to the franchisee(s).

The Value Proposition

Companies ask us "Can I franchise my business model?" More often than not, the answer is yes. However, these companies need to ask a second crucial question which is: "Can I franchise my business profitably?" For franchising to work as a business model, the franchisor needs to create value for both the franchisor and the franchisee. This is called the "value proposition". The margins need to be such that after payment of franchise fees the franchisee can still make a meaningful profit. Domino's Pizza is a good example. The UK Franchisor is listed on the London Stock Exchange. At the same time many Domino's franchisees are reportedly millionaires in their own right.

In conclusion, to franchise your business successfully the operating profit generated by your business needs to be sufficient to feed two mouths. Fees need to be generated for the Franchisor and profits for the Franchisee.

Checklist

If you feel that your brand has what it takes to create a successful franchise, these are the steps you should follows to take matters forward:

  • Register your Trademarks
  • Financial Modelling to create the "value proposition"
  • Franchise Agreement prepared by specialist franchise lawyers
  • Devise and document a training programme and operational manual

Do not give the Game away

Once you have put together your franchise model, you will be eager to meet with prospective franchisees. At his point it is tempting to explain the secrets of your success in order to persuade them to join forces with you. Unfortunately there are individuals out there who will use this opportunity to gain access to as many of your trade secrets as you are willing to divulge without committing to the franchise. There is a risk that they will simply copy your ideas. To protect yourself from this form of "idea theft", it is important to insist that would be franchisees sign a confidentiality and commitment agreement before any meaningful information is disclosed. To protect you from time wasters you may also wish to ask for a small deposit or commitment fee.

Conclusion

Franchising presents a real opportunity for F&B Businesses that wish to achieve fast global growth. With careful preparation, expert advice and a viable financial model, franchising can be a good business opportunity.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.