Role of Franchising in the Small Business Sector

Franchise Profile

OBJECTIVE: Give students an opportunity to understand the role of franchising in the small business sector of the American economy.

OBJECTIVE:  Expose students to business research resources.

LeBow Focus:

Economics:  Understand the role of small business ownership in the American economy.Explore the impact of recession on small business vs. larger corporations.

Problem Solving:  Explore the options for small business ownership and weigh the advantages/disadvantages of franchising.

Career Planning:  Explore a career in small business and contrast traditional small business ownership with franchise ownership.

Writing:  Business writing using research data.

Entrepreneurship:  15% of your grade

GOAL:  Provide a basic understanding of the benefits of franchising business operations

*How was the business created? (whose idea, history of the company)

*Explain the advantages and disadvantages of a parent business franchising its operations

Marketing/Advertising:  15% of your grade

GOAL:  Provide a basic understanding of the role of marketing in franchising

*Identify the marketing strategy used for this company:  global, national, local?                      Why is this strategy the best choice for this particular business?

*Determine the advertising fee arrangements for the franchisees

Operations Management:  15% of your grade

GOAL:  Provide a basic understanding of the supply chain and procurement strategies

*Identify the procurement process for the parent and its franchisees (e.g.: central procurement of supplies and/or raw materials)

*Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the procurement process this company uses

Costs:  30% of your grade

GOAL:  Provide a basic understanding of the costs associated with opening/operating a franchise

*Determine start up costs and financial requirements for approval

*Determine if the parent assists in financing the new franchise

*Identify royalty fees owed to the parent, as well as the payment schedule

*Determine an estimated break even point from sales (see your instructor for more details on how to determine this for your specific company)

Human Resource Management:  15% of your grade

GOAL:  Provide a basic understanding of the staffing and training requirements in franchising

*Does this company provide corporate training for its franchisees?  If so, what skills are they trying to develop in their franchise owners and their employees?

*Identify advantages and disadvantages of corporate training

References:  10% of your grade

GOAL:  Cite research sources appropriately in a bibliography

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