Career Switch to Franchising: What You Need to Know

Pivoting to business ownership can be rewarding, and partnering with a franchise provides the support you need to be successful. Learn more about a career switch to franchising. Get insights on jobs for midlife career changes, like Bark & Mane, the transition process, and whether it’s a good fit for you.

Benefits of Franchising

Business ownership offers the potential for financial independence and increased control over your career. You’ll have the flexibility to set your schedule and the chance to build equity and accumulate wealth as your business appreciates. The appeal of business ownership is strong. Nearly 42% of Americans considered opening a business last year. Unfortunately, financing constraints and the lack of a unique idea for a new venture prevent many people from pursuing entrepreneurship.

Franchising enables entrepreneurs to open a business with a built-in customer base and proprietary operating system. You’ll get training and ongoing guidance to help streamline your efforts. And you’ll have a network of peers to share best practices and provide group purchasing power to lower supply costs.

If you’re considering a career switch to franchising, you’re not alone. There are more than 806,270 franchises in the U.S., according to the International Franchise Association. These franchises generated an economic output of $858.5 billion in 2023 and employed 8.7 million people.

Taking the Next Step

Switching to a career in franchising can be a fulfilling and lucrative move if you plan carefully. To make the switch, follow these steps:

• Create a financial plan: Evaluate your personal and financial readiness to take on franchise ownership. You need a solid financial plan, including funding resources to cover the initial investment and working capital as your business ramps up.
• Research opportunities: Conduct thorough research to find a franchise that matches your interests and goals.
• Read the fine print: Be realistic about the time and effort required, especially in the early stages. Rely on the franchise disclosure document and conduct validation to gain insights about the business.
• Use your resources: Utilize the training, support, and resources offered by the franchisor to help you achieve your financial and lifestyle goals.

If you’re not ready for a full career transition, you can still turn to franchising to generate passive income by hiring managers to handle day-to-day responsibilities. But, like any business venture, most franchises require a significant upfront effort and ongoing management to stay afloat.

Bark & Mane: A Franchise Opportunity on Wheels

Making the transition to franchising can be less daunting with a low-investment mobile franchise like Bark & Mane. Our mobile pet grooming business debuted in Australia in 1996 and established a U.S. headquarters three years later. We were acquired by Home Franchise Concepts, a leader in the home services industry, in 2021 and now have at least 76 locations in the U.S. Bark & Mane’s mobile grooming process is convenient for customers and their pets. Our pet stylists elevate the grooming experience with a 15-step spa treatment.

Pet grooming can be lucrative, offering essential services that help prevent health issues and enhance a pet’s quality of life. With the average U.S. household spending $741 on their pets annually and 44.6% owning a dog, the demand for professional grooming services is strong.

For an initial investment starting at under $170,000, our franchise is designed to open in less than 90 days. We offer $80,000 of in-house financing to qualified candidates to help you transition into franchising, we also provide initial franchise training to learn the ins-and-outs of the business, and we help you in getting your experienced groomers certificied. And our support continues after training. Our regional operations managers keep franchisees moving forward through the life of their business.

Explore the Next Steps

Ready to make a career switch to franchising? Inquire now to learn more about the benefits of a mobile pet grooming franchise. We’ll connect you with someone from Bark & Mane’s franchise team to help you learn more.