Pack your bags: ABF EXPO
The franchising sector is a thriving area of the national economy, generating jobs and offering exclusive financing options for entrepreneurs who choose this system.
Many people probably already have their vacations in mind, with a planned itinerary and many dreams ready to be fulfilled.
After all, anyone who wants a relaxing break without breaking the bank has probably already booked their travel package and taken advantage of the best payment terms.
However, packing your bags for those looking to start a business or simply become "the boss" needs to include a thorough stop at the ABF Expo Franchising, which takes place in São Paulo, at Center Norte.
Between June 12th and 15th, the world's largest franchise fair takes place, with national and international exhibitors seeking to attract franchisees to expand their network, and who always offer discounts on their franchise fees, royalties, and other benefits.
The fair is organized by the Brazilian Franchising Association and has been raising its quality level year after year, in addition to already being a fixture on the calendar of business events that drive activity in São Paulo. It's a perfect place for future business deals.
This means that being there is a great opportunity to realize the dream of entrepreneurship. It's about seeking partners who want to embark on a journey towards creating jobs, businesses, and of course, profits. It's about having the opportunity to compare, to understand some of the particularities of the businesses, and in many cases, to get closer to the franchise's management team. It's a unique opportunity to have a conversation with your preferred franchise, if it exists, and hear the competition's perspective.
We've already discussed the various franchises that now make up the range of businesses available to different profiles, but it's essential to ensure full access to information and have direct contact with the people who manage the business. The franchising sector is a thriving area of the national economy, generating jobs and offering exclusive financing options for entrepreneurs who choose this system.
Furthermore, throughout the event, there are several mini-courses and lectures related to the world of franchising, which will undoubtedly contribute to deepening your knowledge of the sector and, above all, your responsibilities as a franchisee. The knowledge workshops promote the sharing of success stories and experiences from those already working in the sector.
Some information is fundamentally important in the process of identifying a potential franchisor to align yourself with: knowing the potential competitors; establishing clear communication between your obligations and duties; clarifying the franchisee selection process (phases); clarifying the payment methods and frequency of fees; and above all, understanding the network's work philosophy.
It is worth highlighting the position of many networks that, in addition to financial guarantees, conduct a kind of screening process to ensure that new franchisees are absolutely aligned with the network's organizational culture. This means that it is not enough for a franchisee candidate to have financial guarantees to join the network; they must also fit the network's profile.
An important tip for anyone visiting the trade show: always compare offers in the same segment you intend to operate in, observing how other companies, which will be your competitors, position themselves. Try to see if their network uses a fair selection process for recruiting franchisees.
Sometimes, and this is not uncommon, many franchises simply want to grow to have a quantitatively large network, and accept any and all types of franchisees. In the medium term, this leads to a decline in the quality of the network as a whole, since the company's identity is lost in poorly performing units, ultimately hindering the entire chain.
It is also important to initiate a large number of contacts, always trying to make the franchise choice from a rational perspective, keeping doors open, and never closing opportunities.
There are always franchises that can offer, for example, an operating unit or have some interest in operating in your region, facilitating negotiations and providing financial incentives to help make such a deal a reality.
It's not uncommon, and I've witnessed it myself, for franchise networks to transfer units to other franchisees simply to avoid losing a particular region or market position in a specific city. In this example, they do so by guaranteeing, for instance, free teaching materials for one semester to the new franchisee who takes over the operation.
Negotiations during the trade fair tend to be more advantageous, as there is a strategy for marketing units, franchise fees, and payment plans. The largest and best networks will be present, making a visit worthwhile. There is ample time for such planning. Good luck and great business.