Akron Beacon Journal:
Owning a franchise is often depicted as being in business for yourself, but not completely alone. Franchise owners work under a proven successful business structure. They also have access to proven operational and marketing strategies and the franchiser’s institutional guidance.
Franchise ownership isn’t an easy shortcut to success. As with any other kind of small business, it’s up to you to commit the finances, time and effort to meet both the franchiser’s goals and your own. That’s why it pays to weigh the pros and cons of franchising to make sure it’s right for you.
According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), franchised businesses are growing at a rapid pace. Some 400,000 franchised businesses employ nearly 10 million people with a payroll of $230 billion.
There’s always a hot new franchise on the scene. Curves, for example, a network of franchised women-only fitness centers, grew nearly 38 percent in a single recent year. Read full article.
