Do You Have What It Takes To Operate A Successful Independent Pet Franchise

By Marie Hayes


Most people would love to be in business for themselves. They are convinced it's one of the best ways to become financially secure. The idea of starting a company from scratch can be pretty daunting, especially since about eighty percent of them fail. Franchises have the benefit of brand recognition and established procedures. If being your own boss appeals to you, and you enjoy working with both animals and humans, an independent pet franchise could work.

Franchises are not an option for everybody. They require that the owner have certain financial resources before the parent company will consider them. Most expect prospects to show at least a hundred fifty thousand dollars in liquid assets and three quarters of a million dollars in net worth. An initial fee of about fifty thousand dollars is due at signing. On top of that, you will have expenses for equipment, inventory, marketing, insurance, and rent.

If you meet the financial qualifications, it may be time to arrange a meeting with a company consultant. In this meeting you can discuss your financial goals, and the consultant will describe the corporate philosophy. You will given information on the investment in time and money the company will expect of you. Before you go, you can decide to accept their offer, ask for time to think about it, or respectfully decline the offer.

If you answered yes to the offer, you will begin to receive all kinds of paperwork to fill out and return. You will have to retain the services of an experienced franchise attorney to help you sift through the disclosure documents and contracts. You should be invited to meet other owners who can give you insight into the company. You may also be invited to visit the home office and meet the staff.

During this process, most potential owners have questions. Many are concerned that they don't have prior experience in the pet industry or with franchises. Although many owners were very successful businessmen before opening their franchises, prior experience is not a requirement. You will be subjected to a rigorous training period prior to the opening of your store.

People want to know how much it actually costs to open a store. An outlay of half a million to a million dollars is what you should expect. That is inclusive of inventory, equipment, rent, and marketing. The actual cost depends in part on store size, area of the country, the landlord's tenant improvement expenditures, and construction costs.

A lot of potential owners are concerned about getting the training they need to operate a store. Most company policies include at least two weeks of intense training before you are expected to manage your own operation. The parent company employs a department of marketing professionals prepared to handle your grand opening and oversee all the multiple media advertising.

The pet industry is booming. More people than ever are willing to spend the money it takes to keep their pets safe and healthy. This is a great opportunity for ambitious individuals who see the possibilities and want to capitalize on them.




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