3 Things You Need to Know about International Franchising
Opening an American franchise internationally can be a smart business decision. If you choose the right brand—like Hot Dog on a Stick—you will have the opportunity to work with an established brand that has experience in international franchising. Their experience is beneficial to you, as you go through the process of franchising for the first time.
Before you get started on international franchising, though, make sure to take some things into account. We have put together this list of 3 things you need to know about international franchising, so that you can enter into this process as informed as possible.
#1 Your Role as Master Franchisee Requires You to Expand with International Franchising
When you invest in Hot Dog on a Stick internationally, in most cases you will be working as a master franchisee. That means that you will establish the brand in your area by opening and running a store. Then you will expand the brand with additional franchisees. Master franchisees recruit new franchisees to the brand (known as sub-franchisees), who open their own stores throughout the market to further expand the brand.
The master franchisee role can be an incredibly exciting investment! You will get the chance to meet and work with a variety of people, all of whom will learn from you as they get to know the brand and the franchise process.
#2 You Are Responsible for Training and Supporting your Sub-Franchisees
Once you have recruited your sub-franchisees, it is time to start training them. Some people new to the idea of international franchising do not realize that they will be responsible for training and supporting their sub-franchisees, but this is one of the most exciting and important roles of the master franchisee.
When your sub-franchisees get started on the process of opening their own stores, they need to learn about the Hot Dog on a Stick brand and how to run their businesses, as well as things like bookkeeping, marketing, and managing their employees. Who better to teach them than you?
As a master franchisee, you are the best teacher for your new sub-franchisees. You have been in their shoes before, so you know the ins and outs of building a business in your market. As time goes on, your franchisees will need less training but they will still need support from you.
Some of the ways that you will support your sub-franchisees include:
- Troubleshooting software problems
- Assisting with big picture growth
- Bouncing around new ideas for improving business
- Marketing their franchise
Because you have been in the position of franchisee—working hard day to day to operate your store and grow the business—you can provide the kind of support that they can get nowhere else.
#3 You Are Limited Only by How Hard You Work
What’s the greatest thing about international franchising? You are not limited by anything besides yourself! As the owner, you are in charge of how hard you work, which directly impacts your businesses. You can recruit 5 franchisees or 50, it just depends on how many qualified prospects you find and how many you want to train.
International franchising offers an exciting investment opportunity. Hot Dog on a Stick already has a presence all over the world, and your market could be next! Download our international franchise brochure to learn more about what we have to offer an international franchisee.
