Written By: Resham Daswani

How To Start a Franchise Business in India in 2024- A Guide For All Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Everyone wants to get away from the monotonous 9 to 5 jobs and be their own boss, and I am sure you are one of those aspiring entrepreneurs who wants to start your own business but doesn’t want to go through the hassle of any risks or failures.  So the best is to start a franchise business.

Yes, a Franchise Business of your preferred niche.  You can do that easily today and get on the road to earning good returns on your investment in a short span of time.

This blog is all about that.  We will guide you on how to start a franchise business anywhere in India in 2024, the prerequisites, benefits, and challenges you may come across and how to overcome them without much difficulty.

So get on board the journey of starting a franchise business in 2024.

Start a Franchise Business Anywhere in India - A Comprehensive Guide 

Once you have made up your mind to start a franchise business rather than a business from scratch, it is important to know that there are certain steps you need to follow in order to ensure that you are successful in the franchising journey.

But what is a franchise business after all?  In simple terms, it is a type of business where the owner gives the partner the right to run and own the business. The partner can learn about the franchisor's business, including its trademarks and methods.  Apart from using the trademark and methods, the franchisee also acquires the right to sell the products or services on behalf of the business owner.  

Now, here are some simple yet effective steps to help you start a franchise business right away in India.

1. Identifying your niche - To start a franchise business, the first thing you need to do is find your niche or the area that interests you the most. This could be clothing, makeup, cars, technology, or anything else. You only need to know how the market works and do enough study on it before choosing a business niche.  In short, you need to identify the niche, based on your budget, how much capital you have to start a franchise business and choose it according to your interest skills.

2. Finding the right franchisor - Once you know what area you want to go after, analyse the Indian market to see the level of competition and demand for the product or service you are interested in.  Then, you can start looking for the best franchise in India. Make a list of the best franchisors who can meet your business's needs.   It is important to meet the franchisor in person for various reasons.

   1. To understand how the business model works.

   2. To understand the different types of finance options available while running the business.

   3. To identify if there are any challenges that you will face while running the business.

Once you have received an answer to all these questions, you can move on to the next step in the franchising process.

1. Preparing a business plan - This is a crucial step when planning to start a franchise in India.  This plan should highlight your long-term business goals, financial forecasting, marketing strategies and operational plans.  This will help you when you want to acquire loans or finances to get started.

2. Fulfilling the Legal & Regulatory Requirements - Choose an appropriate structure and register the business.  Depending on the nature of the business, you will need to acquire the necessary licenses or permits.  Remember to seek advice from legal experts who have expertise in the matter.

3. Choosing the ideal location - Conduct a search for a location which will best suit the franchise business you wish to start.  This should be in alignment with your franchisor’s requirements as well.  Negotiate the lease keeping in mind the terms of your agreement.

4. Get Ready To Sign The Franchise Agreement - Reach out to the franchisor you have selected and get a copy of the FDD.  It is important to carefully read this document because it contains vital information about the franchise, the initial and royalty fees, obligations and restrictions.  If you find it difficult to understand the terms, take the help of a franchise consultant expert or legal advisor.  Once satisfied, it is now time to sign the franchise agreement.

5. Prepare a marketing strategy - Create a marketing strategy which will help you attract customers to your location.  Moreover, you can make use of the franchisor’s marketing and branding to promote your business locally.

To keep quality and consistency, follow the franchisor's working procedures and standards. Talk to the business owner often to get information, help, and advice. 

In India, you need to carefully plan your business, follow the law, and be very dedicated to following the franchisor's method in order to start a franchise. When you need to, get skilled help, and do your research before making any commitments.

Benefits of Starting a Franchise Business in India in 2024

Starting a franchise business in India in 2024 comes with several benefits for both the entrepreneurs as well as investors.

Here are some of the key benefits.

• By joining a franchise network, you can benefit from the already-established credibility of the franchisor's name. Building trust and loyalty among customers can occur more rapidly, saving time and energy compared to starting from scratch.

• Most of the time, franchisors give franchisees a business plan that has already been tested and documented. This includes best practices, operational methods, and marketing strategies. This lowers the risks that come with starting a new business.

• A lot of the time, franchisors give franchisees full training and ongoing help. This includes giving owners and staff their first training and helping them choose a location, market their business, and run their day-to-day business.

• Economies of scale can help franchise operations with inventory, equipment, and supply purchases. Cost savings can result from bulk discounts that franchisors can secure for their franchisees.

• Franchisors frequently combine their resources to run regional or national marketing and advertising initiatives. This cooperative marketing initiative can support brand consistency and draw in new clients.

• Franchising can be less hazardous than starting your own firm if you are working inside an established structure that has a successful track record. Particularly tempting to new business owners may be this.

In short, through franchising, people can start their own businesses and become entrepreneurs while still receiving the help and direction of a well-established company.  It is important to remember that even though franchising has many benefits, it also has some duties and duties, like paying franchise fees and following the franchisor's rules and standards. 

Before putting money into a franchise, you should do a lot of research, read the franchise deal carefully, and talk to lawyers and financial experts to make sure it fits your goals and budget.

Challenges You May Come Across While Starting A Franchise Business in India & How To Overcome Them

Though this may be a rewarding endeavour, it also comes with a few challenges.  

Here are some of the most common challenges you may encounter but don’t worry, we will give you a way to overcome them.

Challenge #1: Financial Challenges

It can be hard to come up with the money for the initial investment, which includes licence fees and running costs.

Solution #1: Look into different ways to get money, like using your own savings, getting a loan, forming a business, or asking friends and family for money. You might also want to talk to the franchisor about getting better credit terms or payment plans.

Challenge #2: Level of competition

You'll be up against tough competition from other franchise names in your field.

Solution #2: Do a lot of study on the market to find gaps and chances. Pick a business brand that has a unique selling point (USP) or fills a certain need in the market.

Challenge #3: Quality Control

Keeping the same standards for quality and service at all franchise sites.

Solution #3: Set up strict quality control measures and train and check on workers on a regular basis to make sure they follow the franchisor's instructions. Take care of any variations right away.

Challenge #4: Legal & Regulatory Compliant

Getting the licences and permits you need in India's complicated regulatory atmosphere.

Solution #4: You should talk to a lawyer and experts who know the rules in your area. Make sure you follow all tax and labour rules and fill out all the necessary paperwork.

Challenge #5: Franchisor-Franchisee Relationship

Franchisees and franchisors have different ways of communicating and setting expectations.

Solution #5: Keep lines of communication with the franchisor open and honest at all times. Read the franchise agreement carefully and familiarise yourself with your obligations. If a disagreement arises, try to get it mediated or resolved in some other way.

Challenge #6: Change in Market Trends

Maintaining an awareness of, and response to, shifting market and customer preferences.

Solution #6: Conduct market research, read trade magazines, and join business associations to keep up with industry developments. To stay ahead of the competition, you must be willing to make changes to your products and methods.

In India, running a successful franchise business requires careful planning, hard work, and constant communication with the owner. Do your research, get professional help if you need to, and put together a strong local team to deal with these problems successfully.

To Conclude,

There are many types of businesses that use franchising, from food and shopping to healthcare and education. You have the choice to choose a franchise that fits your skills and hobbies.

For more assistance, you can get in touch with our experts at FranchiseBazar to get started right away!