Fish Window Cleaning Blog

The freedom and self-reliance are why so many small-business owners search for their own ventures and why so many find franchising to be the perfect fit for their entrepreneurial vision.

Dreams are often left unfulfilled because people assume they are unattainable. When it comes to business ownership and franchising, many people believe there are too many barriers to overcome, especially the costs involved.

That’s not always the case! There is such a wide range of franchise concepts. Naturally, that means there is plenty of variety when it comes to the costs involved in becoming a franchisee. All it takes is thorough research to find the right fit for your situation.

Low-Cost Franchises

The good news is that there are plenty of franchising options with sustainable models and accessibility, providing true value to franchisees.

In addition to start-up costs, it’s important to find an industry you feel can be a success in the long run. After all, any investment is important — even when the costs are low. No matter how much money an entrepreneur invests to become a franchisee, it’s essential that they have confidence in the likelihood of that investment paying off.

When researching low-cost franchises, think of industries that would likely require little long-term overhead, then look into start-up costs. There are several industries with minimal overhead, such as those needing little to no brick-and-mortar costs, like financial advisory or travel services, which could be run from home. Cleaning services are also an area where it’s possible to find a low-cost franchise because the equipment is one of the only consistent costs — aside from labor, of course. Equipment costs for cleaning franchises are often minimal compared to the sizable overhead costs from other industries, such as food service.

So while you may not be able to afford to own a franchise location with one of the nation’s most ubiquitous brands, there are still plenty of profitable franchise opportunities out there if you know where to look. But what are the factors you should consider in your initial research? Let’s break it down, starting with the costs of getting your new business off the ground.

Start-Up Costs

No matter the industry, it’s likely that the start-up costs are the most frightening piece of the puzzle for many prospective business owners. The price tag right off the top is what makes many franchises unattainable for so many would-be franchisees. Still, if you can find the right fit and the right business model, those start-up costs will be within your budget, setting you up for financial success in the long run.

Let’s break down some of those costs to be aware of during your research.

Franchise Fees

Most franchises requires its franchisees to pay an upfront fee for the rights to its brand and its proprietary operations, including software and marketing, to name a couple. When researching your franchising options, most brands will be open about their initial franchise fee so that you can make an educated decision early in the process on whether it’s the right financial decision for you.

Start-Up Costs

In addition to the initial franchise fee, there are the start-up costs that business owners of every industry and situation need to be aware of. It will be essential to understand the real estate needs your business entails. If it is a brick-and-mortar franchise, how much space do you need, and how much will it cost to lock down a prime location? Are you building from scratch, buying an existing location, or renting office space? There will also be significant tax implications based on the city or state in which your business resides.

Once you have conquered the real estate aspect of getting your business off the ground, you’ll also have significant costs in building up the range of equipment you will need. For food franchises, that would mean kitchen appliances and refrigerators. Retail franchises need to ensure they have registers for their POS systems and software to keep track of their inventory.

There are also some less widely-known costs, such as legal fees to register the business. Simply put, it pays to be prepared. Do your research!

 

Long-Term Costs

Many people view “low cost” as meaning there is little barrier to entry, or that you don’t have much to pay up front. While that is certainly an important aspect of starting a business, it is not necessarily the key to keeping a business running successfully. For that, you’ll need to understand the long-term costs to ensure the business you are investing so much time and energy into is truly one that can be run with as minimal a financial burden as possible.

Mortgage or Rent

Just as the real estate costs were a major consideration for the start-up phase, they will be just as important going forward from month to month. While you may have saved on the front end by renting office space or buying an existing building vs. building something new, you’ll have to make certain the rent or loan payments are within the comfort zone for your budget.

Labor

There is almost no more consistent cost, and maybe none more important, than paying the people who truly make your business run. Low-cost franchises are ones that can be done with a staff size that gets the job done successfully but efficiently. It’s important to know several factors about your labor costs.

First, ask yourself how much staffing is necessary. Then consider how much you will need to pay the people you hire. Of course, you want to find the right mix of dedicated and talented employees. There are many different ways to balance those costs. Some franchises need only a few expensive, highly proficient employees. Some work better with larger staffs that may not be as expensive but are extremely capable of providing the service needed to make customers happy.

Fee Structure

While most franchises are similar in the sense that there will be an initial franchise fee, there will certainly be variations in fee structures going forward in your agreement with a brand.

Every franchise has a different formula for divvying up profits. Some require a monthly percentage of royalties, and some require a percentage of gross revenues to pay for things such as marketing. While the initial franchise fee is the cost of entry, it is also essential to understand what it will cost you down the line.

Fish Window Cleaning

As we have walked you through the essential cost factors to understand when searching for a low-cost franchise, it may have become clear that Fish Window Cleaning meets that qualification. With modest franchise fees and a proven business model of cleaning both residential and commercial buildings, our system prides itself in offering a true combination of accessibility and profitability.

Joining the Fish Window Cleaning franchise means you get the works — from software to marketing to training and support — all for an affordable investment.

To learn more about the benefits of owning a window cleaning franchise and the costs to do just that, contact us today at 877-707-3474 or visit our website.