“Business owners who are considering expansion have multiple avenues available to them,” says iFranchise Group CEO, Mark Siebert, in an article published by Entrepreneur.
Many business owners who are thinking about expansion may be unsure of the options and avenues available to them. And while franchising a business can be one of the most cost-effective options, there are other alternatives to consider.
In the article, Siebert first covers the definition of a franchise, according to the FTC Rule 436. He reviews the three criteria that make up a franchise opportunity. From there, he explores four alternatives to franchising, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. The options include:
- Company-owned operations
- Business opportunities
- Trademark licenses
- ‘No-fee’ options
Ultimately, the expansion choice for any company depends on the business owner’s needs and long-term business goals. The aim should be to optimize returns while reaching those goals. So, the key is to determine the optimal business structure for expansion, which can be done with the help of knowledgeable franchise consultants, and then determine what laws, if any, define that relationship. In the end, it may very well be determined that franchising is indeed the way to go.
