How to Make a Career Change With a Fast Food Franchise

More people than ever are looking at making a career change. And, when it comes to thriving and profitable industries, there are few better options than the fast food industry. If you’ve been considering making a career change with a fast food franchise, here’s everything you’ll need.

The fast food industry is full of opportunities for the right franchisee. According to Statista, the fast food sector was worth almost £15 billion in 2018, and despite the pandemic, many fast food restaurants are thriving.

If you’ve considered making a career change though, you might have already noticed that many of the biggest, most profitable businesses in the sector are franchises. With less than 1% of franchises closing citing commercial failure, working with a big franchise is an excellent way of getting the most out of this profitable sector [British Franchise Association].

Why start a fast food franchise?

It isn’t just security that makes franchising such an appealing way of running a business. On top of your strong business survival chances, you will also:

• Be your own boss
• Have plenty of training and support
• Have a pre-existing customer base
• Have a trusted business reputation

Franchising allows you to have all the benefits of a large and profitable business, while minimising many of the risks of starting your own business. 

How to make a career change with a fast food franchise

Once you’re ready to make a career change and to start your own business, you’ll need to do a number of key things. 

1. Assess your skills

First of all, when you start out in business, you can expect to be tested. Before you start facing up to some of the challenges of running a business, now is the perfect time to assess your skill set and to identify your strengths, weaknesses and how you may be challenged. 

Lots of franchises won’t need you to have specific experience prior to starting your franchise, but if you are already confident possessing the following skills, you’re off to a good start:

• Organisation
• Communication
• Leadership
• Ambition 
• Drive

With the right balance of skills and quality, you’ll be more than capable of overcoming whatever challenges franchising may throw at you.

2. Choose a franchise

Once you’re confident you’re ready to get started, you’ll need to narrow down the right franchising options for you. There are many big fast food franchises operating in the sector, but not all of them will be the right options for you. Before you choose which franchise you want to work with, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have a passion for the brand?
• Can I see myself working for this franchise?
• Do I agree with the franchise’s working practices?
• Are the franchise’s start-up and ongoing costs financeable?
• What kind of training and support is on offer?

Franchising is a profitable and exciting way to run a business, but making sure you choose the right franchise is also an important decision. Rest assured though, once you’ve narrowed down your options and have made your choice, you’ll be set up perfectly for a profitable franchising experience.

3. Decide on a unique selling point

Fast food might seem like an established industry in some ways, however since the pandemic, there have been a number of major trends changing the way the food and fast food industries have been working.

As you look to move through the process of getting your business up and running, you may want to capture one or two of these major trends to include in your business. The final decision will ultimately rest with your franchisor, but showing your knowledge of new and evolving trends, and then being able to pitch these ideas successfully, will certainly make you stand out as an individual. 

4. Go the extra mile

Running your own business always brings with it some challenges. Although the franchising business model is certainly a safer and more supportive way to run a business, no business launch is ever an entirely smooth process. How you respond to these challenges will be the making of your business. 

Whether you choose to stay in franchising for the rest of your career, or eventually decide to go in another direction, running a franchise in an exciting and profitable way to run a fast food business. You’ll be working in an exciting industry, have plenty of opportunities to turn a profit, and will have support at every step. Be prepared to go above and beyond to make your franchise business a success.

Franchise opportunities in the fast food sector

When it comes to running your own fast food franchise, you may find yourself to be a good match for any of the following options: 

1. Auntie Anne’s

Auntie Anne’s is the largest soft pretzel chain, but is far more than just a pretzel business. Baking fresh new goods every day, this franchise is just as much about people and purpose as it is about products. 

After a total investment of £145,000 you’ll receive comprehensive training and ongoing support both before and after you open your doors to the public. If the franchising costs seem high - don’t worry! The franchise can also put you in touch with specialist brokers who can help you get the best possible loans you can.

If that all sounds good, you could be a perfect fit for Auntie Anne’s. The ideal franchisee is committed to running their store to high standards, are very passionate about customer service and retail, care about their employees and the brand, and have the ambition to drive sales and potentially open more stores in the future.

2. Robunmo

Or, if you have more of a preference for street food, you may be a better fit for Robunmo. This franchise serves oriental street food takeaways that are both authentic and delicious.

For your total investment of only £25,000, you’ll receive comprehensive training and support on everything from how to run your business, marketing, and sourcing a location. On top of all of this, you don’t even need previous hospitality experience as you’ll be taught everything you need during your training.

Become a fast food franchisee and reap the rewards of this profitable industry

The fast food industry is an exciting and innovative industry to work in. If you want to know more about running a fast food franchise you can learn about what a day in the life of a fast food franchisee can look like. Or, you can see a full list of opportunities on the UK franchise directory.