Franchise Business Plans

Paul Monaghan is a professional retailer with over thirty years experience, including the set-up, training and support of the largest chain of retail shoe franchisees in the UK. Paul specialises in customer care and conference planning for franchise networks.

Franchise Business Plans
by Paul Monaghan (Howarth Franchising)

No matter how good the franchise system is that you join the fact remains that it will be up to you to make the business work.

Certainly you will have help and support from your franchisor but only you will be there on a day to day basis making the decisions about how to move the business forward. So it is important that you have a clear picture in your mind of what it is that you wish to achieve. "If you don't know where you're going any road will get you there" is not just a line from a recent hit song but it is also a warning of the consequences of setting out on a business venture without proper planning.

• Before you start to develop your Business Plan ask your franchisor what help they will provide.
• Do they have a template that you could follow?
• Do they have a preferred or obligatory format for financial projections or reporting?
• What data can they provide regarding sales profiles, margins, likely expense levels etc?
• Can they give you any information with regard to the local and national market in which you will be trading?
• Is anyone available to give you guidance in preparing your Plan?

Not all franchisors will be able to assist in all the above but it is important that your Business Plan is based upon realistic expectations and only the franchisor or a knowledgeable third party will be able to judge that.

Your bank or other investors will certainly want to see your initial Business Plan prior to making any decision on funding the business. As it may well be your first point of contact with them ensure that it is well presented and contains all the information which they will need to appraise the opportunity. First impressions count!

Set yourself realistic but challenging objectives and then ensure that you monitor your progress against them.

Paul Monaghan
Howarth Franchising

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