Home Based Franchises

Work From Home with a Home Based Franchise

As the name suggests, home based franchises are franchises which you can run from home. Working from home is a luxury many can only dream of, but with a home based franchise, you can work your own hours and fit the business around your personal commitments.

Home based franchises can be run from home, which means you'll usually only need a laptop and phone. There are many types of home based franchises, and home based franchises more often than not, tend to be low cost franchises as well. The affordable nature of these businesses, and the attractiveness of the opportunity to work from the comfort of one's own home, makes home based franchises a popular opportunity.

Home based franchises are perfect opportunities for parents. Parents may find that they need to fit their working hours around school time and so home based franchises go hand in hand with family commitments. Home based franchises for parents won't necessarily mean you're sat in front of a computer all day. There are a wide range of home based franchises for sale.

What Types of Home Based Franchises are Available?

You'd be surprised just how many franchises can be run from home. Ideally you'd want some kind of designated office space within your home, but the number of franchises that can be run from home are endless. Some of the popular home-based franchises are listed below:

• Dog walking franchises - pet franchises are growing in demand, supported by the fact that 41% of households had a pet in 2020 (source: finder.com). With dogs being the most popular type of pet, it's no wonder that dog walking and dog grooming franchises are very popular.
• Cleaning franchises - cleaning franchises are usually a type of management franchise - a business model where you don't need to do any hands-on work yourself (unless you wish to). In the management franchise scenario, you'd be managing the day to day marketing and running of the business, whilst a team of staff (such as cleaners, or dog walkers) would be carrying out the laborious work.
• Internet based franchises - there are a wealth of franchises which can actually be run online. From HR businesses to web design, all internet businesses can be run from home. You may find yourself travelling to meet clients, but either way you'll have struck off the 9-5 working hours and morning and evening commutes.

Top Benefits of Working From Home

When you're running a business from home, there are a number of benefits which may or may not be immediately obvious.

Firstly you'll be saving money not having to commute. Depending on how far your pre-franchise commute was, this may also outweigh your electricity running costs for your computer or laptop. Don't forget that franchises will ask for an upfront investment when buying a franchise, which covers the costs of the license to trade under their brand name, along with everything you need to start up the business and trade effectively in line with the operations manual. You'll want to learn about the break even point when expressing interest in a franchise - the time it takes to make back your investment, and start earning a profit.

Another benefit of working from home, an obvious one, is that you can spend more time with your family. Many work from home franchises will be part time or flexible in terms of working hours, because you are your own boss. So long as the work is done, the business is yours to control (inline with the operations manual of course). Being able to work your own hours is a dream for many, but it's also good for your health. It'll mean less stress and you can be more comfortable in your working environment.

A concluding benefit, and a point I mentioned before, is that they're usually low cost too with minimal overheads. When compared to a food franchise (which would require stock, a shop/kiosk and staff), working from home has its perks in that apart from monthly royalty fees, outgoings are minimal and you keep most of what you earn. With the fact that you only need a laptop, a phone and a house to work in, home based franchises are very much low cost franchises.

We've written an article about the top benefits of a home based franchise, so do check it out.

How to run a home based franchise

The first steps to running your own business from home, under the brand name of an established franchisor, is through reaching out to the franchisor.

Once you've made an initial enquiry, the franchise will tend to send you their franchise prospectus brochure which includes more details compared to their franchise advert. This might include case studies from existing franchisees, it might include details about the earning potential and investment required as well.

If after you've read the franchise brochure, you're still interested, then the franchisor may invite you to their head office for a meeting or a discovery day. You can then meet with the franchisor face to face, and get more information about the operation of the business, perhaps meet some existing franchisees as well to find out what they love about the franchise.

Should You Invest in a Home Based Franchise?

If you're looking to work for yourself, running a business is a great way to get started. And with franchising, its easier than ever to get in to business ownership. Franchising enables you to use the brand of a proven business, following in the franchisor's footsteps and launching a business in your area. Running a home based franchise is perfect for parents and individuals who have aspirations of business ownership but can only commit on a part time basis. Because home based franchises are often small, in terms of investment, overheads and staff (often you will not need to employ staff), they're a lot more manageable as owner operated businesses.

One of the biggest benefits of a franchise you can run from home is obviously the flexibility. Whether you're actually working in a home office such as web based working, or your business is van based home based mix, you'll be able to book in work and clients around your own schedule.

Another top benefit is their size. Most work-from-home franchises are small, the investment is low and overheads are minimal. You won't need a great deal of investment to get started. Most small franchises cost less than £15k.

How Do Home Based Franchises Compare to Starting Up a Business Yourself?

Many new businesses start at home, with an idea. Not all businesses require a premises, in fact many of the new business ideas can be run from home, either in part or in full. You might find that even with a van based business, you spend a fair bit of time at home doing marketing to further promote your services.

Compared to starting up a home based business by yourself, franchises are not all different. Beneficially for franchisees, you don't risk time and money by creating a new brand yourself. Using the franchisor's brand name and proven business model, you have an established business ready to run. The main contrast is you don't have complete control over the brand itself, as you're using it under agreement, but the business is still yours - you're simply using a proven framework that comes with greater benefits attached, such as:

• The brand, used in other territories, passes down positive image and reputation from existing franchisees. You become a part of a family that share the same goals.
• Less time to get up and running, the franchisor can help you market your business giving you a massive boost in the early days. Ongoing many franchisors market their franchise network to drive more bookings for you.

Home based franchises are a great route into self employment. Could they be right for you? Could you be your own boss? Enquire about one of the many franchises we have on the website to request a prospectus and start your search and ultimately your adventure into business ownership today.