When you picture a business owner, you might envision someone who has launched their own venture by leveraging their previous work experience. However, in franchising, the path to business ownership can look quite different. Prior experience in a specific sector is often not a prerequisite for investing, and many franchise owners achieve success in industries they have not previously worked in.

As a prospective franchisee, it’s important to understand how your skills align with the franchise you are considering and whether following a franchising model is the right choice for you. Below, we explore why industry experience isn’t always necessary and how the right support can guide you on your franchise journey, no matter your background. We explore:

It is important to note that not all franchise opportunities are lenient in this area. Some franchisors require their franchisees to have specific or relevant industry experience, which is typically listed in the requirements. Carefully reviewing the criteria is crucial as you narrow down your search for franchise opportunities.

Additionally, having previous experience in an industry before investing may have several advantages. It can provide insight into the type of work you would be doing and the requirements for running a successful business in a particular market. While you shouldn’t shy away from investing in an industry you’re experienced in, franchising can open you up to opportunities that don’t require prior knowledge.

FRANCHISEES FOLLOW A PROVEN BUSINESS MODEL

One of the foundational elements of franchising is the established business model created by the franchisor. This model has been tested for efficiency and success, enabling it to be replicated across multiple locations, which helps make sure that the quality and functionality of products and services are maintained throughout the network.

Rather than starting from the ground up, franchisees follow this proven business model, allowing them to bypass the substantial work that went into building the brand, developing products and services, creating awareness and recognition, and other various elements that contributed to making the franchise business successful.

What this means for franchisees is that you don’t necessarily need prior business experience or specific knowledge of the franchise. The business model pathway is laid out for you to follow. Of course, following the model can require significant effort, and there’s a lot that goes into following it successfully, such as initial training and ongoing “refreshers.” However, the franchise business model can often supplement for minimal industry experience or knowledge because the “behind-the-scenes” work that does require experience and specific skills is already done for the franchisee.

WHAT DO FRANCHISORS LOOK FOR FROM FRANCHISEES?

Franchisors typically look for certain traits in potential franchisees, regardless of whether industry experience is needed. These traits often include soft leadership qualities and other important attributes that indicate a good fit for their franchise network. While the specific traits can vary depending on the industry and type of franchise, they generally include, but are not limited to:

  • Financial capabilities
  • A general understanding of franchising and how the process works
  • The ability to follow a system
  • Strong communication skills
  • A desire to learn and remain open to training and support
  • An ability to delegate and lead a team
  • A customer-first attitude
  • A willingness to put in the work to achieve success

If industry experience is not required and you are thinking about pursuing a franchise, it is important to emphasize how your skills, even if they weren’t gained through past experience, are relevant to the opportunity. Your work ethic, commitment to customer service, and the other ways you align with their guidelines can shine through.

WHAT SUPPORT CAN FRANCHISEES EXPECT FROM FRANCHISORS?

Regardless of industry experience, franchisors typically offer various degrees of training and support to their franchisees. If you are entering a franchise investment without any prior knowledge, it is crucial to evaluate these components, as you want to make sure you feel capable every step of the way.

It is also important for the franchisor to understand that you don’t have industry experience and have the necessary training in place to set you up for success. Franchisors typically offer comprehensive initial training that covers how to operate the franchise while providing valuable insights into the industry as a whole, such as trends and customer preferences.

Franchisors can also offer ongoing support and, in some cases, additional training to help sharpen your skills and build your confidence after opening your franchise. For example, many franchises have an established marketing department that works to spread awareness nationally while also offering support on a local level to help you gain visibility in your community. This support provided to you with your investment replaces the need for personal marketing experience.

When you lack industry experience, training and support become even more valuable. It is essential to remain open-minded and willing to develop the skills needed during this time so that you can run a successful franchise.

INTERESTED IN FRANCHISING WITH DOGTOPIA?

The Dogtopia franchising model welcomes those with and without experience in the pet industry, and we provide various ownership options to suit different lifestyles. The only ask is that you like dogs! Learn more about our franchisee profiles here, the support we offer, and the characteristics of the ideal Dogtopia franchisee in our FAQ.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your franchising journey with Dogtopia, please fill out our online inquiry form, where you will also see the financial requirements needed of prospective franchisees.