A road map for aspiring franchisers
DHP Elite Training's creator hopes to build a business strong enough to expand into franchises. Have you gone the franchise route? What did you learn along the way?
From John, Chicago, IL I started a fitness franchise in Brazil in 2005, for which we have sold 22 franchises to date. It's important to remember that, when you launch a franchise company, you are starting a second business entirely from the one you are franchising. You must be financially prepared to support additional costs for an indefinite period of time, and to handle the different responsibilities and problems inherent with franchising. Were I to do it over again, I would focus on opening company-owned sites exclusively, and I would seek investment capital for that purpose. Franchising is not a money-making proposition in the fitness industry unless you can grow to a significant scale.
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I am a franchise consultant who helps others find franchises to own.At this juncture, if you want to franchise your business, you will need to have something about your concept that is so different, and so unique, that folks will just have to see it to believe it. The fitness space is really crowded.Don't be discouraged. But be different!
Joel Libava
President of Franchise Selection Specialists Inc.