Career Switch to Franchising: A Guide for Aspiring Franchise Owners

Ready to take your career in a new direction? A career switch to franchising can provide an opportunity to put your professional experience to work as a business owner with the advantage of an established brand, systems, and support behind you. However, that’s not to say that making the transition doesn’t require careful planning and consideration.

From evaluating your personal and financial readiness to researching different franchise opportunities, here’s what to know before making the switch.

Why Consider a Career Switch to Franchising?

The appeal of business ownership is strong. In 2025, 5.7 million applications to start new businesses were filed in the U.S.—the highest number recorded in two decades of government tracking. For professionals considering a career change, however, figuring out how to turn that interest in entrepreneurship into a viable business can still feel daunting.

That’s why many entrepreneurs turn to franchising. Instead of developing a business idea from scratch, they partner with an established franchise brand and leverage proven operational processes, marketing strategies, training, and support to launch—and grow—their new business.

If you’re considering a franchise career change, take the time to determine whether ownership is the right fit for you before making the leap.

Is Franchise Ownership Right for Your Career Change?

A successful career switch to franchising isn’t just about having the capital needed to get started. There are several factors to consider before even researching various opportunities.

• Personal interests: What industries or types of businesses genuinely interest you?
• Transferable skills: Prior industry experience isn’t always necessary to join a franchise brand. Instead, consider which leadership, management, sales, operations, or customer service skills you bring to the table.
• Lifestyle goals: How involved do you want to be in the day-to-day operations? What kind of schedule and work-life balance are you looking for?
• Financial bandwidth: How much are you willing to invest? Consider what you need to maintain sufficient personal and business reserves.
• Risk tolerance: Are you comfortable with the financial uncertainty and responsibilities that come with owning a business?
• Long-term goals: Are you looking to replace your current income, build equity, expand into multiple territories or units, or create something you can eventually sell?
• Franchise fit: Are you comfortable following an established system and operating within a franchisor’s brand standards?

If franchise ownership appears to align with your skills, goals, and financial situation, the next step is understanding what it takes to make the transition.

How to Become a Franchise Owner

Becoming a franchise owner takes time, and the franchise discovery process plays an important role in finding the right brand to partner with. Use the following steps to get started:

Research Franchise Opportunities

After completing your self-assessment, you should have an idea as to what types of franchise opportunities you’re interested in. Take time to thoroughly research your options. Explore each brand’s franchise website, read customer reviews, research its history and reputation, and visit a few locations, if applicable. Get a sense of the brand, business model, and opportunity before expressing interest.

Understand the Franchise Startup Costs and Financing

Most franchisors have their investment costs and financial requirements (net worth, liquidity, credit score, etc.) listed directly on their franchise website. Be sure to review these figures and compare them against your own financial standing. Remember that the initial franchise fee is only one part of the total investment; you’ll also need to account for expenses such as equipment, real estate or vehicles, initial marketing, and working capital, depending on the business model.

If you don’t meet a brand’s minimum financial requirements, it’s generally best to continue exploring other opportunities. You can also research available financing options to determine how much of the investment you’ll need to fund personally.

Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)

Arguably, the most important step in the franchise process is reviewing the FDD. The FDD gives candidates information about the franchisor’s background, any litigation history, expected initial and ongoing fees, estimated startup costs, franchisee and franchisor responsibilities, territory boundaries, and financial performance representations, if the franchisor chooses to provide them.

You’ll also find contact information for current and former franchisees in the FDD. This gives you the opportunity to ask owners about their firsthand experience with the brand.

Evaluate the Training and Support

If you’re making a franchise career change into an unfamiliar industry, pay particular attention to the training and ongoing support the franchisor provides. Assess the initial training offered, whether ongoing training resources are available, and the level of support you can expect after opening. Reputable franchise brands should offer operational, marketing, and technology tools in addition to recruiting guidance.

While every brand’s path to ownership is different, understanding what to expect can make the transition easier to navigate.

Why Consider a Mobile Pet Grooming Franchise Opportunity?

At Bark & Mane, we don’t require franchise owners to have prior pet grooming experience. Instead, our franchisees focus on running and growing their businesses while trained pet groomers provide services to customers.

Additional benefits include:

• Mobile business model: Skip the storefront and operate from custom mobile grooming vans that bring services directly to customers’ driveways.
• Growing pet grooming demand: Build your business in an industry supported by ongoing demand from pet owners seeking professional grooming services.
• Repeat customer potential: Bark & ManeTain™ encourages repeat bookings and fosters long-term customer relationships.
• Protected territories: With Bark & Mane, you’re awarded a territory three-pack with a minimum of approximately 100,000 households, giving you room to scale your business effectively while still meeting customer demand in your market.
• Established training and support: Benefit from 30+ years of operational experience with training and ongoing support designed for business owners, including those new to pet grooming.
• Accessible path to launch: With an initial franchise fee of $119,950 and a total investment ranging from $167,325 to $208,360, qualified candidates should have at least $105,000 in liquid capital. Bark & Mane also offers up to $80,000 in-house financing to qualified candidates, providing another option for funding your franchise investment. Ask for details.

Take the Next Step Toward Franchise Ownership

If you’re ready to make the career switch to franchising, explore your options with Bark & Mane. To learn more about our franchise opportunity, fill out our inquiry form today. Once we have received your information, one of our franchise advisors will connect with you to discuss next steps.