Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2
(FRANCHISING)
Submitted by:
BRIAN R. GANGCA
Student
Submitted to:
A start-up entrepreneur may decide togo into business by simpky buying a license to locallu
operate let’s day Jollibee or Pizaa Hut. This practice is known as franchising. The past years have shown
phenomenal increase in franchising all over the world. In the U.S alone, the sales in the franchising
industry in 1991 were $758 billion as compared to the $334 billion in 1980. Here in the Philippines, there
are projected sales of 82 billion pesos for year 2000 and 100 billion pesos for year 2001. There have been
significant numbers of Filipinos wanting to won or operate a franchise. This indicates the growing
acceptability of franchising business among Filipinos.
Colonel Harlan Sanders himself founded Kentucky Fried Chicken and made it a global business
through franchising. In his words “franchising is the quickest and mose successful way to become an
entrepreneur.” Another franchising expert, Andrew Kostechka, who works in the US Department of
Commerce, thinks that ‘franchising is considered a way of life.’
As a backgrounder, the term franchise came from the Old French franchir, which means freedom,
privilege or immunity from burden. During the feudal ages in Europe, the local landlords would grant
rights to the subordinates to hold or attend markets or fair. The landlords then were the first franchisor
and the subordinates the first franchisee.
One of the first franchise agreements was during the nineteenth century when Singer Sewing
Machine Company granted distribution franchises to their dealers. Singer was the first to have writtedn
franchise contracts. In the late 1880’s, cities began giving franchises tot he newly established electricity
companies. After World War II, there was the expansion of motels, drugstores, variety shops, and
employment agencies which exhibited franchising principles. In 1950’s, products and services started to
franchise in the U.S. In 1955, Ray Croc started to franchise a fast-food chain called McDonald’s. The
franchising boom came in 1960’s and 1970’s when fast-food outlets started to franchise. In the
Philippines, the 70’s were marked by the introduction of Jollibee and McDonald franchises.
1. FRANCHISING CONCEPTS
There are common concepts that pertain to the discussion of the topic on franchising. These are
the following:
Franchise - it is anagreement whereby an independent person is given exclusive rights to sell a specified
goods o service.
Franchising – is a marketing system based on a legal agreement wherein one party (franchisee or
franchiser) is given the right to handle business as an independent owner but is required to abide by the
terms and conditions specified by the other party (franchisor). For the franchisor, therefore, franchising
means selling the franchise, while for the franchisee or franchiser, the franchising is understood to mean
buying a franchise.
Franchisor – refers to an entity that ownd the franchise name and distinctive elements (such as patent,
trademark, signs and symbols) which grant others the right to sell its product.
Franchisee or the franchise buyer – it is the entity that buys to operate the business using the name,
product, trademark, service mark, product and business format of the franchisor under the terms and
conditions of the franchise contract.
Franchising Contract – it refers to the legal document involving two parties (franchisor and franchisee)
specifiying the obligations, primarily of the franchisee and the conditions under which the latter will
conduct business.
2. BENEFITS OF FRANCHISING
According to Megginson, both the franchiser and the franchisee can benefit from franchising.
For the franchiser, this guarantees faster expansion and greater market penetration for his business. In
effectm this can result to lower operating costs. For the franchisee, getting a franchise gives him better
brand recognition and less-costly share in local and national promotion of the product. Furthermore, the
franchisee can avail of management training at less cost. In somes casesm the franchisee can also enjoy
financial assistance from the franchiser.
Generally, franchising is divided into two types: the Product and Trademark Franchising and the
Business Format Franchising. The former is further subdivided into Manufacturer-Retailer Franchise, the
Manufacturer-Wholesaler Franchise and the Wholesaler-Retailer Franchise.
The Product and Trademark franchising involves an arrangement wherein the franchisee is given
the right to manufacture and/or distribute a widely recognized brand or product. The franchisor has very
little control over how the business is operated but it demands that the franchisee maintain the integrity of
the products. Examples of these are franchises in the soft-drink industry, gasoline service stations and
automobile and truck dealerships. There are three types:
1. Manufacturer-Retailer Franchise
2. Manufacturer-Wholesaler Franchise
3. Wholesaler-Retailer Franchise
The Business Format franchising, on the other hand, is a relationship wherein the franchisee is
granted the rights to use the franchisor’s entire marketing system along with the continuing assitance and
guidance. Aside from marketing, this will also include advertising, strategic planning, training, production
of operations manuals and standards and quality control guidance. This is the most popular franchise
structure which may be seen in a multitude food and non-food franchises.
Like any other business, franchising too has its advantages and disadvantages. Any start-up
entrepreneur should carefully weigh the options based on the gains and drawback before making the
decision.
The following are the advantages when an entrepreneur engages in franchising; meaning, he
obtains a license to operate a franchise locally:
• Increase in new market location. There are areas that have been targeted as key areas
for development. There are key provinces like Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon)
and the Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), certain parts of Mindanao, etc. that
has been identified as potential economic “boom” zones. The growing numbers of the population has
resulted to the creation of several establishments like ew roads, schools, malls, and subdivisions.
Businesses are looking at these areas for the potential of supplying the demands of people.
• Customer preference for a franchised product or service. Franchise possesses certain
unique characteristics.These are what their regular customers look for because they like it. Transportation
developments make it easier for people to reach from one place to another. In these places, people look
for a tried and tested business that will satisfy their needs. Fro example, there are a lot of travelers from
Manila who lookk for Jollibee or McDonald’s when they reach the provinces. They find a sense of
security in the ambiance and quality of food offered by these fast-food outlets. The uniformity of the
products as well as the services offered by the franchise gives the customers a ‘homey’ feeling.
• Advantage in using a successful brand name. The franchisee acquires the franchisor’s
advertised trademark or brand name.Trademarks and brands are not just sybols or designs printed on the
product. It communicates to people. The reputation enjoyed by a widly accepted brand or trademark es
enough for people to buy the product. Here in the Philippines, there are people who have actually
interchanged the product type with their brand name or vice versa. For example, i a avariety store, it is not
uncommon for people to ask for Colgate in purchasing toothpastes. If a person asks for a beer, also ina
variety store, the attendants will give San Miguel Beer’s Pale Pilsen unless the buyer specifies what he or
she wants. People ask for a Pentel Pen when actually they want marker pens, or calling a photocopied
material a Xerox. Having a successful brand name ensures the business on certain degree and customers.
• Better access to technical and other assistance. The franchisor gives the needed
support to make the task of start-up and continued operation easier. Site selection advice, facilities layout,
employee selection, management training are just some of the help the franchisor’s give. Perhaps an
important assistance it gives is the financial aspect. There are cases where the payment for the franchise is
staggered thereby helping the new franchise cope up with in the start-up period. Furthermore, traming up
with a franchising operation increases the possibility of financial assistance to be granted to the
franchisee.
• Ease in building reputation. In franchising, the franchisee does not have to worry about
the much-sought reputation unlike in establishing a new business wherein there is the possibility of lean
sales becanuse of lack of recognition. The franchise will reap the benefits of joining an organization
whose safety, efficiency, quality, strength and prduct have been established. The franchisee will enjoy
immediate recognition as a part of big organization.
• Greater purchasing power. Franchisees are able to get supplies, equipment, services,etc
at a lower price Better assurance that the business will make money, simply because they are a part of
a big organization. Purchasing power is achieved due to volume discount on purchases made collectively
by the organization. In addition, suppliers may provide them with better service because of the
importance of the organization in which the franchisee is a part of.
• High performance standard. The franchise organizations have operating manuals and
Procedures given to franchises that permit the efficient operation from the start. This manual is a product
of thorough research based not only on theories but also experiences of the other franchises which has
been previously bought.
• High cost of buying a franchise. Franchise fees in the Philippines may range from
P20,000 to 50 million pesos. Of course, the well-known franchises charge higher franchise fee. The initial
capital may also include expenses for pre-opening, training, personal ang other predicaments depending
on the franchise contract.
• The operation of the business is controlled by the franchisor. One of the main
characteristics of franchises in uniformity. It is quite common for franchise to state the franchises that
follow whatthe operating manual. Franchising restricts the movement of the entrepreneur because actions
and decisions that may be taken, with regards to the franchise, it must be within the parameters set. For
example, a franchise owner of McDonald’s cannot offer another food product even if he/she sees that it
will make tremendous sales. Thus, you will not find any McDonald’s outlet selling dumplings or
dimsums perhaps. The franchisee is obliged to follow management devised by the franchisor. In effect,
the entrepreneur losses a degree of independence because of the direct supervision.
• Fierce competition. The franchise service is an attraction to customers. That is why a lot
of newly created businesses imitate what an established venture offers. Other competing organizations are
also quick to react if a certain strategy has been proven to be great “Come-ons” to customers.
• Pressure to continuously meet market expectation. The franchise organization needsto
develop and continue on retooling its strategy to differentiate it from its competitors. It must continue to
encuse its unique chareacteristics that set it apart from the other competitor.
• The expiration of the franchise. Franchise contracts have expiration dates. When the
Termination date is reached, the franchise will have to renegotiate once again the contract. Termination
may be an advantage or a disadvantage depending on the condition of the business. This is a disadvantage
because, let’s say that the franchise contract is for 5 years, there may be times when the franchise is
currently enjoying a big sales during the period when the contract is about to expire. Instead of
concentrating on the sales, the franchisee will now have to divide the time in renewing the contract while
at the same time managing the outlet. Also, renewing contracts means spending. In addition, applying for
a new contract dows not mean that the franchise contract may be renewed. There may be grounds wherein
the franchisor might have seen the incapacity of the franchisee in maintaining the outlet. Or maybe there
have been grave errors committed that warrants the renewal not to be granted like delays of royalty fees,
poor sanitation and maintenance of the outlet, etc. The approcal depends on the assessment of the
franchisor.
Like other businesses, franchising also requires commitment. The time, effort and themoney taht
one would spend on franchising would surely merit an investigation by both the franchisee and the
franchisor. The franchisor not only looks at the location of the outlet but also, usually, on the financial
and management capability of their prospective partners. In return, the franchisee has to make sure that it
is able to meet the expectation of the franchisor. The following factors or considerations that both the
franchisor and franchisee always look intom in the process of negotiationg and finalizing the franchise
undertaking. In each of these factors, the franchisor’s preference or perspective carries a bigger weight in
order for the franchising relationship to materialize.
1. Business Name
2. Market research
3. System ideals and the Operating Manual
4. Proprietary marks
5. Experience
6. Good judgment of the franchisor
7. Training
8. Location assistance and approval
9. Store layout and construction supervision
10. Exclusive area coverage
11. Procurement programs
12. Hiring assistance
13. Grand opening assistance
14. Marketing strategies
15. |Effective field service
16. Research and development
♥ Business Name
The franchisee may have a different company name but its products should have the names that
are patented by the franchisor. The name and the way it is written designed or printed should be uniform
with the other franchise outlets.
♥ Market Research
The marketing research of the franchisor should benefit the franchisee. It will serve as
guide to help the franchisor in evaluating the proper location, promotions, personnel, distribution and the
target segment.
♥ Proprietary Marks
Proprietary marks include the logo, slogans and other printed signs that show distinction
of the franchise. The franchisee is allowed to use the patented marks of the franchisor.
♥ Experience
This is an important service that the franchisor provides to the franchisee. With the vast
experiences of the franchisor, the franchisee avoids mistakes committed by a new and growing company.
It will help reduce losses brought about by the miscalculation of risks.
♥ Training
Franchisors provide training assistance to the franchisee. This is a critical aspect of the
franchise because training does not only provide knowledge of the operation but more importantly, it
highlights and emphasizes the contextual framework for the franchisee. Furthermore, the continuous
training provided by the franchisor organization avoids poor management.
♥ Procurement Programs
Franchise organizations share the system of procurement with the franchisees. It provides
the list of authorized suppliers for different needs of the franchise outlet. The suppliers give franchisees
the products at discounted prices.
♥ Hiring Assistance
The franchisor usually gives the franchisee the guidance needed in hiring personnel that
would fit the nature of the organization. Ensuring qualified personnel is an important preparation prior to
opening of the outlet. The assistance is helpful especially to those who are just beginning to run their own
business. The organizations commonly sets aside some of its personnel to help the franchisee in selecting
or screening of applicants.
♥ Marketing Strategies
The franchisor is generally familiar with tested and proven strategies to guide the
franchisee to remain competitive. It includes aspects of advertising and different promotional tactics
designed to ensure continued profit.
CHOOSING A FRANCHISE
There area many reasons why an entrepreneur may decide to go into business by
Acquiring a franchise. These are:
• Personal Satisfaction
Success may be measured in two ways: by the amunt of money and property one acquires
and by the amount of personal satisfaction gained indoing certainmatters. There are alot of wealthy
individuals that will declare that although having money bring benefits, personal fulfillment brought
about by achieving dreams, making a management turanaround, employing people etc. are more self-
gratifying.
• Tax Benefits
Owning a business venture may spell a lot of perks foir the entrepreneur. The
entrepreneur can spend substantial amount for cars, travel, etc. and reflect it as company expemditure.
Though franchising offers to certain degree, smaller amount if work in comparison to starting a
new business, it comes with it, nonetheless, significant preparations. The prospective franchisee should
take the initiative to investigate the franchise. The entrepreneur shoudl study the franchise well before
buying. One should ask questions about the franchise and it is imperative that all doubts be sufficed. One
may ask the owner of an existing franchise to answer all the questions the entrepreneur has. Or, one may
also ask professional advice especially in contracts offered. Never commit the mistake of buying a
franchise without a thorough evaluation. In evaluating what franchise to acquire, the following points are
important to consider.
1. Cost of investments
a. Franchise Fee
b. Set-up operation
c. Operational expenses and purchases
d. Royalties
e. Advertisements
2. Franchisee’s preference and interest
3. Location of the franchise
4. Reputation of the franchise organization
5. Franchise support and assistance
6. Possibility of obtaining a master franchise
• Cost of investments. The amount to be shed for a franchise is substantial. There area
franchises that may cost to just over P20,000.00 to an amount of 50 million pesos. The prospective
franchisee must ahve knowledge of how much money he/she has and the amount he/she wanted to invest.
A franchise requires more than the franchise fee to be spent. There are usually the financial cosniderations
of owning a franchise in the Philippines.
- Franchisee Fee. Depends upon what type of business. Here are of some franchise fess asked by
franchisors. Note: all amount are in Philippine Peso. Data are from the brochures handed out by
the companies given.
Majestic Ham – 500,000 Spped Drinks – 300,000
Candy World – 690,000 Candy Bouquet – 500,000
Korean Palace – 500,000 Business Depot – 500,000
- Set-up operation. These are expenses incurred for the renovation or the construction
of the building. This also includes those that will be spent for the arrangement and decoration of
the building. There are franchises that have this in the franchise contract but there are lots that do
not. The set-up operation fees depend on the size of the location and the facilities required.
- Opreational expenss and purchases. At the start, the franchisee may have to shell out some
amount to ensure the flow of operation since the initial sales may not be enough to cover the
needed expenditures.
- Royalties. This is the amount paid to the franchisor periodically. Usually, royalties are per year
bais. Franchisors ask for 5 to 15% from the franchisee. This is the mode of income of the
franchisor.
- Advertisements. Franchisees are required to pay some designated amount for advertisements.
This is a relatively small amount compared to the benefits the franchise outlet would get
especially if the advertisement is good. Advertisement also covers the promotions in the grand
opening that usually cost about P10,000 to P20,000. The gross sales should be alloted by the
franchisee to its local store marketing.
Table 4-6 below enumerates the factors necessary to ensure that the franchise chosen has the
otential for eventual success. They reflect the conditions needed to establish a long-term and stable
relationship. These are “must haves” that the franchisor-franchisee relationship should enjoy.In other
words, a successful franchise is dependent ont he share commitment of both the franchisee and the
franchisor to make the franchise succeed.
• Policy control on operating asets, goods, and services for quality and uniformity
The reason for this is the same as the previous one. In addition control of equipments,
fixtures, signs, goods, and services makes possible that he high quality and uniformity of the goods sold
by the franchisee is maintained, taht the products and services are competitively or much lower priced
than the oterh sources, that confidential information be protected and to ensure profit for the franchisor.
Franchsing is a strategy that enables a business toe xpand with the franchsior spending minimal
for the startup of ranchise outlets. The result is an inflow of additional revenue and profit for the
franchisor. Nowadays, we can see significant number of Filipino-owned franchises. A lot of these started
as small business ventures that eventually found their product and system profitably into the market.
An entrepreneur who want to let other people use his business patent, trademark, system or
product should also carefuly evaluate the strong and weak points of his business. One should remember
that not all businesses could be franchised. A business should carefully assess itself and determine if it
can exist in a highly competitive franchise environment. Table 4-6 below gives some basic factors or
conditions under which a business or product may quality to be franchised:
Table 4-6
Conditions Making A Product Eligible For Franchise
If you are a startup entrepreneur who plans to buy or acquire a franchise, it is important to bear in
mind that a franchise is not a gurantee of success. You must always evaluate the cost of purchase, the
risks and other disadvantages and compare them againt the benefits you expect. Very often, buying a
franchise may help bring success in a hurry, since it provides successful management and operating
procedures to guide the business. But thishappens mainly because the franchise buyer has the necessary
ability, resources and determination to make it succeed. Furthermore, he is able to anticipate early the
possible risks, problems and mistakes and make provisions for addressing them to his benefit. Some of
these mistakes, in fact, can be identified as:
The prospective franchisee, before deciding to purchase a franchise and sign any contract, should
do a careful investigation first of the franchise organization. This is done as a precaution to avoid scmas
and the abundant fraudulent schemes present in the business world. But let us also face the fact that there
are certain limitations to our jedgment. We may not be able to recognize a fraud especially if the scam
artist are good. We might not know we are being taken for a ride. Here are some signs that the
prospective franchise investor must watch out for:
• The make-it-fast-deal.
This is exhibited by people who insist upon you the franchise using the element of times as
leverage. They will give statements like they are leaving town, or that there are other prospective
buyers waiting, or maybe say that the franchise fee might go up, and so forth. They would
pressure the buyer and make them feel that not deciding at the soonest possible time is a sign of
incompetence. Always take your time and be aware that a deal like this is closing strategy that
aims to sell any product fast.
• Secret!.
Ask about the amount being earned per month. If they couldn’t give you a supported financial
statement, better walk away. They would usually appeal to your emotions and ask you to trust
them. Don’t! Most likely the franchise does not exist.
The boom in the franchising business has encouraged many aspiring entrepreneurs to enter the
franchising scene. In fact, this development is a boost for the country’s franchising potentials, and
success, making way for the industry’s expansion and maturity. To help potential entrants in identifying
and choosing what type of business franchise to buy, a list of the top franchises in the country is herein
provided.