Franchising 101: What You Need to Know Before Owning a Franchise

Is owning a franchise a good investment? The short answer is yes! Not only does franchising help you bolster your own portfolio; it also creates jobs and fuels the growth of your local economy. A recent study by the International Franchise Association (IFA) and Oxford Economics supports this, finding that franchises created 8.8 million jobs and generated $550 billion of the U.S. GDP in 2025 alone. The study also finds that franchises generate 1.4 times more revenue and create two times more jobs than independent businesses. Owning a franchise has benefits for both you and your community.

As you consider becoming a franchise owner, it’s important to keep in mind that your options are much broader than just fast-food chains and convenience stores. There are thousands of franchise brands to choose from, including recession-resilient opportunities within the home services industry. No matter which path you choose, the basics remain the same, and understanding the dos and don’ts of franchising can help you find success.

Learn more about what to know before owning a franchise in our franchising 101 rundown.

What to Expect as a Franchise Owner

Franchise owners follow a set of guidelines created by the franchisor. They cover everything from the products and services you offer to the layout of the store, and they are often detailed in your franchise agreement. Consistency is a key reason customers trust franchise brands, and your responsibility as a franchisee is to deliver reliably excellent experiences.

Your franchisor has developed and honed these guidelines over time, creating a business model that’s proven to succeed in all kinds of environments. One of the biggest benefits of franchising is that the legwork involved in creating a business has been done for you; you’ll receive access to turnkey systems that give you the structure and resources you need to thrive.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that owning a franchise is a passive activity. The business model may give you all the systems and tools, but the ultimate success of your franchise is up to you. You’ll have to invest a great deal of time, energy, and financial resources into the day-to-day operations of your business, especially in the first years. As your franchise grows, you may have more opportunities to take a step back.

Franchise Pitfalls to Avoid

Most people start their franchising journey unsure of exactly which brand they’d like to invest in. Choosing the right franchise system requires you to take an honest inventory of your goals and skills, as well as market research that helps you understand the business landscape in your community. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you’ll want to look more closely at each brand before initiating the franchise process. Here are some franchisor red flags to avoid:

Poor growth strategy. Prior to making territories available, a reputable franchisor does thorough market research of their own to ensure that area could support their brand. If a potential franchisor hasn’t put as much thought into their available territories, you could enter a market with overwhelming competition, which will inhibit your growth.
Poor scalability. Successful franchise brands are scalable, which is to say they can grow in a way that profits outpace operating costs. Scaling too quickly and not scaling at all both present many of the same risks. If the business model wasn’t developed with scalability in mind, you may miss out on opportunities to profit, and your business may fail.
Poor support. Your success is your franchisor’s success, and they should have resources in place to assist you along your journey. Among other things, business coaching can help you set key performance indicators, establish a sound financial plan, and ensure that you’re reaching the right customer base. Your franchisor should never make you go it alone.

Understanding Franchise Ownership Requirements

In order to make sure you’re in the right position to succeed, your potential franchisor has set requirements they expect the members of their system to meet. Some are measurable, like financial criteria, and others are more character-based. From the ability to meet financial responsibilities before your business becomes profitable to strong communication and interpersonal skills, your franchisor has determined over time that these qualities have a direct impact on franchise growth and success.

Your franchisor will likely be looking for:

Minimum financial requirements, like net worth and liquidity
Business acumen
Work ethic
Leadership, management, and customer service skills
Shared values

Some franchisors may want you to have prior experience in their field, but that’s not a universal expectation. At Two Maids, most of our franchisees are new to the residential cleaning industry. We provide all the training and tools you’ll need to run a successful cleaning business.

Getting On the Path to Success

To succeed at franchising 101, you have to do more than meet the bare minimum. True excellence calls for you to take advantage of all the opportunities afforded to you by franchise ownership. Albuquerque-based Two Maids franchise owners Jared and Chantal Trujillo have seen almost immediate franchise success by doing exactly that.

Like many franchisee success stories, the Trujillos’ story begins with choosing a brand they’re passionate about and continues with leveraging their skills. Running a franchise effectively means understanding your personal strengths, deploying them where they’re most useful, and seeking help with the rest. They have also created supportive relationships with their fellow franchisees, allowing them to move through challenges and stay on track.

Continuing their journey, the Trujillos found quickly that the Two Maids front office team provided a remarkable level of guidance and support, simplifying the process of getting their business off the ground. They made the most of the marketing support Two Maids offers, using a mix of traditional print collateral, digital marketing, and in-person networking to effectively grow their customer base.

Ace Franchise 101 with Two Maids

Whether you’re new to franchising or a seasoned entrepreneur, Two Maids knows what it takes to build a thriving franchise. Our upfront training, ongoing support, and industry-leading resources are geared toward your success.