Do You Need Franchise Managers Right Away? Rethinking the Advice

One of the most frustrating misconceptions I often encounter is the advice given to small business owners by franchise consultants or mentors that they must hire franchise managers and business development managers (BDMs) from the outset to succeed in franchising. This misguided advice can lead to unnecessary delays, discouraging many business owners from pursuing their franchising plans.

The Problem with Premature Advice

This “one-size-fits-all” approach is far more suited to large-scale businesses with extensive resources and a well-established franchise network. For smaller businesses, the reality is often quite different. Before taking such advice at face value, consider whether the person offering it has real-world experience in franchising businesses of a similar size. Franchising success often comes down to practical, hands-on experience rather than generic recommendations.

When Is Additional Resource Really Necessary?

The truth is, most small businesses don’t need additional head office support, such as franchise managers, until they have established at least five to ten franchisees. Franchisees are responsible for running the day-to-day operations of their business units. Once the initial onboarding and training period is complete, they gradually become more independent, provided they’ve received robust training and support. The better the training, the faster this transition happens.

Hiring too early for roles like franchise managers often results in unnecessary overheads and can strain resources before they’re needed. Instead, focus on ensuring your business has solid systems and processes in place to support franchisees during their early stages of development.

Trust Your Judgment as a Business Owner
As someone who has grown your business from the ground up and worn multiple hats, you are best positioned to determine when your franchise network requires additional support. This need should develop organically as your network expands, not as a knee-jerk reaction to advice from someone without hands-on experience in your industry or business size.

The Importance of Direct Involvement
I always encourage business owners to stay directly involved in the recruitment, onboarding, and training of their first few franchisees. This involvement allows you to identify potential areas for improvement in your systems and ensures franchisees receive the guidance and support necessary for success. Your personal investment during these early stages builds a strong foundation for your franchise network and sets the tone for future franchisees.

The First Step: Administrative Support
Interestingly, most businesses find they need additional administrative support before hiring franchise managers or trainers. As your network grows, this administrative resource will help streamline operations and free up your time to focus on higher-level franchise development and strategic planning.

Drawing from Real Experience
Our team at Tereza Murray Franchising understands these challenges because we’ve been there ourselves. We’ve grown successful businesses from the ground up and navigated the transition to franchising. If you’ve ever been put off franchising due to advice that felt overwhelming or out of touch with your business, we’d love to hear your story. Franchising doesn’t have to be daunting, and with the right guidance, you can take this next step with confidence.