Buying a franchise can be a great way to get into business, (if you have not heard that line before you have not been looking into franchises for long.) and if it’s a ‘turnkey’ operation you are probably getting an even better opportunity, one that has all the bells and whistles on start up and a system to be reckoned with.

The term “turn key” relates to being able to turn the key in the lock to the front door and the whole thing is set to run. It doesn’t need more than a good dose of training, the cash to buy the franchise, and a solid helping of the right attitude to add to the skills base.

Some franchises offer this and over time many have learned how to make the business work really well (lots of mistakes and challenges being solved can do that…)

Other franchises offer a more bare bones approach, sure they give you a degree of support and training but after that you are on your own, in your area working to make the business work. If you complain too much they might answer back with “Hey what did you expect for what you paid?”

Like anything you get what you pay for. Those in the know will research the business, will not take the sales persons view as being the only one, and just because a franchise has a heap of members does not mean they are all floating merrily on the millpond called tranquility.

The difference between the two is not always evident to the new business person, they might be venturing into their first business and thought a franchise was the way to go (in some cases it probably is.) The first look at a business idea can be daunting, exciting and loaded with emotive drive. So seeing the differences and knowing the implications of them can be hard.

The start up businessperson with ‘blinkers on’ can be a hard mule to shift, they might only see the straight and narrow missing out on the bigger picture which may well have reality painted all over it. To make sure you are going to get a sustainable business opportunity and not just become another ’statistic’ you should make sure you ask a lot of questions, questions to help you appreciate and understand what you need to know and not just what the sales person wants to tell you.

Like anything you buy you should go into the situation with both eyes wide open and have a solid grasp on what’s really taking place. Sure if you chat to enough franchisees you will find a whinger and that could put you off, or better still an ex franchisee with a major axe to grind.

My suggestion, take the time to really know the difference between a real turnkey operation and one that might make you look like a turkey, the pain it saves you will be well worth it!

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