10 ways to make franchising work for you

With economic uncertainty lingering in the UK, franchising is a great way of being able to run your own business while still having the peace of mind offered by the backing and expertise of an experienced franchisor with a proven track record such as Papa John’s Pizza.

Look at the market you are going into

Think about its potential. The pizza delivery market in the UK still has a lot of growth ahead, but do your own research. 

Understand your level of commitment

The more you put in the more you get out, but franchising can be hard work and takes fierce determination.

Develop the business

Choosing a franchise is a balancing act between selecting one that is already established and finding a hidden gem with potential. For instance, more and more people want to open Papa Johns stores in the UK because the company still has the development opportunities for franchisees to own their own geographical area for future development. Can the same be said of competitors?

Choose a franchise with a genuine USP

There are a lot of franchise companies out there, many of which occupy similar territories. We offer our new franchisees the USP ‘Better Ingredients. Better Pizza’ and it’s a promise our customers respect.

Follow your passion

There is no point selecting a franchise solely because there is money to be made if it’s not something that interests or excites you. At Papa John’s we look for potential franchisees with enthusiasm and passion - it’s that focus that provides profits.

Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Our most successful franchisees are the ones who have the right temperament for man management, often in pressurised situations, and who can take ownership of running their business at every level.

Capital is crucial

There is no point in overstretching yourself financially when the first time you face an unexpected bill or a challenging trading period you are in serious trouble. At Papa John’s we actively look for franchisees who have the capital to commit to several store openings right from the beginning.

Get sufficient training

We always insist that new franchisees work in an existing store to get hands-on experience, as well as spending time at our bespoke training facility in Milton Keynes.

A company’s commitment is all

Establish the franchising credentials of the company and how they are going to make sure your business continues to be a success with them. We employ a team dedicated to making sure franchisees are as successful as possible.

Enjoy your business

Papa John’s founder John Schnatter still sits in on weekly quality calls about our pizzas and monitors mystery shopper reports to make sure the company is giving customers what he promised them all those years ago - that’s the type of dedication we seek.