The key to achieving the work-life balance you want is to choose a business model where the level of involvement fits with your lifestyle aspirations. Do you want to be working for the business every day? What do you want your role to look like? Are you creating a new product or service or using an existing model, such as opening a coffee shop?
Franchise business models in general afford a high level of freedom and flexibility, because in many ways it provides a ready-made template for launching and running a business. There are set processes in place which means that you don’t have to re-invent the wheel or learn as you go, because much of this will already be a part of your franchise support package.
Because of this, franchisees can choose their level of involvement in the business according to their lifestyle aspirations. There is no ‘one way’ to own a franchise, and franchisees can generally be categorised into the following ownership models:
The Owner-Operator Model
Typically owner-operator franchisees work in the business on a frequent basis, sometimes alongside a Manager. Owner-operators are generally highly visible within the business, and are involved in day-to-day activities.
At Fit4less we have a number of owner-operator franchisees, like Carl Godley from Fit4less Scunthorpe, who are passionate about seeing their members achieve results and drive the business from within. Owner-operators like Carl actively engage with members both in the club itself and across the clubs marketing channels such as the website and Facebook.
Investor Franchisees
Investor franchisees are more detached from the day-to-day operation of the business. In most cases, they are not consumer-facing and delegate the running of the business to an experienced Manager.
Fit4less Loughborough is a perfect example of this model of ownership, with the running of the club delegated to Club Manager Hannah Brown. Watch the video below to hear what Hannah has to say about managing a Fit4less by énergie club.
Multi-Site Owners
In a way, multi-site franchise ownership is an extension of the investor franchisee model, with a little bit of the owner-operator model thrown in too (depending on the level of involvement the franchisee wishes to have in the business). Under the multi-site ownership model, a franchisee will typically oversee the running of multiple business sites, each with their own Manager in place.
An example of this within énergie is multi-site owner Chris Djuric, who owns the franchises for Fit4less in Banbury, Bethnal Green, Leighton Buzzard and Old Street, as well as an énergie fitness club in Liscombe Park.
Flexibility Through Franchising
As you can see, there’s an incredible amount of flexibility that comes from owning a franchise. Clearly, you will need to follow the systems and the set processes of the franchisor; however the method by which you do this is up to you. Whether you want to actively be involved in the business on a daily basis, engaging, interacting and sharing your passion with your customers and your team, or employ a Manager and drop into the business on a frequent basis, say 2-3 times per week.
Equally, you may want to run the business purely as an investment, perhaps alongside other businesses you already have. You may also want to develop your own portfolio of franchises, each under their own individual management.
Whichever ownership model you choose, franchising really can offer you the ability to design the perfect work-life balance based on your needs.
Ready to learn more?
If you want to learn more about how a fitness club franchise could support your lifestyle aspirations then request our Franchise Information Pack via the form below.
