Franchising has been called the greatest business model ever invented and has enabled thousands of people worldwide to become owners of their own businesses. But how do you choose which brand to partner with?

Why join a franchise brand instead of operating independently?

If you've always wanted to own your own business, joining a franchise system greatly reduces the risk of new-business failure simply because the idea and process of running that particular franchised business have already been proven; systems are in place and one does not have to reinvent the proverbial wheel. Franchising still offers entrepreneurs a “business in a box”, an operating model that has been proven and an infrastructure to get off the ground quickly. Besides the advantages of collaboration, support and a broader range of technological tools, franchising can offer an association with a recognised brand that lends instant credibility and negotiating clout.

A franchise owner in any field would expect to have access to the following:

Business systems and technology that have been refined over several yearsA large footprint and a recognised brand that gives instant credibility to your new businessA national referral system and access to other franchisees around the country plus an associated revenue streamTraining programmes, opportunities to network and leverage the knowledge and skills of a team of like-minded business owners, andTurnkey marketing solutions, including digital campaigns, professional branding and in-house graphic design

It is, however, of utmost importance to carefully evaluate the reasons for entering a specific sector and partnering with a particular brand.

Why is real estate a good business to be in?

With 286 872 property sales transactions in the formal real estate industry YTD in 2022, there is huge earning potential for real estate practitioners with the right personality, skills and liquidity. Add to this the predictable income that comes with property management and you have an exceptional business opportunity.

Why is Just Property the brand of choice in real estate?

Experts predict that the supply of tenants will continue to increase over the coming decade, says Just Property CEO, Paul Stevens. “Changing demographics, more mobile working patterns and relaxing attitudes to homeownership are driving more people to consider renting. Such attractions help to explain why letting property is a growing business”.

Just Property is South Africa’s leading property rental company, with more than 21 years of experience in the market. The over 120 Just Property franchises across the country manage rental portfolios; on average, they manage more properties than other brands (source: PayProp). This collective experience is unmatched.

Franchisors in the real estate industry face risks never previously encountered, such as being jointly named in legal action against their franchisees. Consumers no longer recognise a boundary between franchisor and franchisee. The legal fraternity, too, seems to view the division of accountability as more porous than previously.

As such, Just Property takes more responsibility than ever for facilitating excellent relationships between clients and our franchisees while respecting their independence. In this new age of “extended enterprise”, our approach to talent, risk, training and relationships is unique.

The challenges in the prevailing environment have seen some franchising consolidation, with the bigger agencies taking up the smaller ones. Just Property has identified ways to ensure greater efficiency, sustainability and improved ways of working. These draw on the agile innovation that has been a hallmark of Just Property’s success to date, as exemplified in their customer-experience goals, marketing, technology and regulatory focus.

The Just Property Head Office team actively draws on the power of the network to drive inter-franchisee engagement, for example, by hosting best-practice webinars where franchisees share challenges and success stories and can learn from each other. The Just Property Head Office team proactively shares best practices too. They are a conduit for ideas and suggestions that come in from the network of franchise offices and agents.

With a large Head Office team, Just Property is geared to proactively and efficiently meet the needs of the network’s franchisees and agents and the brand’s corporate values provide the framework for delivering on this focus: optimism, integrity, excellence, equality, innovation, collaboration, personal development, loyalty and gratitude.

Find out more about Just Property franchising opportunities: https://just.property/franchise-opportunities/

Source: a leading property portal, 4 November 2022