Are you looking to purchase a franchise but are uncertain if you can really afford it? While your salary is admittedly not enough to cover the costs of a franchise investment, you still have shot at this dream even if you’re on a low budget. Understanding your current financial standing is vital to estimating how much of your money you can comfortably spend and how much you need to borrow. Having a clear understanding of all these will be immensely helpful when researching retail or food franchise openings.
Assess Your Current Financial Standing
Begin by getting a precise estimate of your net worth, which includes how much money you can spend on the initial outlay. You might be able to get some funding from your prospective franchisor, but you’ll still need to use some of your money. It’s essential that what you’re spending is something that you can comfortably afford. Majority of experts recommend that you bring at least 20% to 25% of the franchise’s total cost. This means that if you can only invest $45,000, you shouldn’t even look at franchise opportunities that cost over $180,000.
Understand How Much a Franchise Costs
Franchise startup costs differ widely and range anywhere from $10,000 to well over $1,000,000. It’s important to read and understand the FDD or Franchise Disclosure Document provided by your franchisor so that you can study the required costs. Pay attention to “Item 5,” which indicates the franchise fee, and “Item 7,” which indicates extra costs including inventory, equipment, insurance, and real estate. Don’t forget to budget for legal advice and accounting.
Research Potential Financing Options
In addition to your money, you have a couple of loan options to choose from, including franchisor financing, Small Business Administration loans, Rollover for Business Startups, a second mortgage, or a home equity loan. With all these financing options, the lender will have to see a comprehensive account of your financial position, including personal financial statements, tax returns, and credit history.
Selecting the Most Suitable Franchise
Picking the right franchise is immensely crucial because the kind of franchise you end up with can have a significant impact on how much money you’ll need to keep you afloat before breaking even and enjoying a profit. For instance, while a low-priced franchise will require fewer upfront costs, it might also not generate enough cash to replace what you were making before buying your franchise. With that said, you need to have a cushion of money that you can use when starting so that you can avoid cash flow issues.
In the end, investing in a franchise is a tough business because of the many things that you have to consider. With that in mind, you must consider consulting a franchise consultant and financial advisor to ensure that you understand everything upfront. Aside from giving you a clear and professional assessment of your finances, they can also help you figure out the best way to go about accomplishing your dream of being a successful franchisee.