Any experience owning a franchise? (fees, pay, franchises, sell)

[Dave1215]

If you have ever owned a franchise business how about sharing your experience (good or bad)? I know several people who are thinking of leaving the corporate world and going the franchise route for self employment. It has my curiousity up.

Not talking about multi-level marketing, but legitimate franchise businesses.

[momof2dfw]

The only ones that I know of that make it are Chik-Fil-A. They won't let anyone own more than one or two locations. The places are always PACKED! Closed on Sundays and still make a killing. We sell to several of them along w/ other places that are franchises and only Chick-Fil-A owners have been steady and not lost business, sold back to the company or closed up.

[Dave1215]

momof2dfw, thanks for the comment.

Quick clarification: I mentioned I wasn't interested in hearing about multi-level marketing, but not food/beverage either. Those are a unique niche with a high failure rate.

Looking for personal experiences beyond food/beverage/mlm.

[Fnix]

Self Storage. Hell you can even live there if you want.

[LM1]

It depends on the viability and market presence of the franchise.
Beware that there are a number of very, very crappy "franchises" that exist only to peddle their terrible brands to potential retailers who cannot or will not pay the big names but want to be a "franchise" of some kind. They have no support network, very narrow product recognition, etc.

There's a reason the franchise fees and associated costs with a Subway Subs flag is exponentially more than a "Firehouse Subs" brand. People will drive right on by without even thinking twice about the Firehouse Subs they just passed, but maybe if they're a little hungry, that Subway logo might be enough to lure them in.