With over 400 franchisees in the UK and Ireland, Snap-on Tools is one of the largest and most easily recognisable van-based franchises in the country. Here, UK managing director Byron Miltz, busts the top five myths about what it’s like to become a franchisee.
This article was provided by Snap-on Tools and does not necessarily reflect the views of WalesOnline.
Myth 1: You need to be a pushy salesperson
People buy from people, so you don’t need to use hard selling tactics to make a living. The most important thing is to be passionate about what you do and offer the best customer experience to keep people coming back for more and recommending you to others.
When you buy a franchise, much of the groundwork has been done for you in terms of brand awareness and area profiling, which helps with sales too.
Myth 2: It’s lonely work
Far from feeling lonely, our franchisees often say that one of the things they enjoy most is getting to meet different people every day as they travel from customer to customer.
When you become a franchisee, you become part of a team. You’ll enjoy local, regional and national events to get together, train and socialise with fellow franchisees. Many of them use things like WhatsApp groups to chat to each other every day!
Being a franchisee means you’re in business for yourself but never by yourself.
Myth 3: Van franchising is like buying a 9-5
If you want a job, you shouldn’t be investing in a franchise! Whilst on the surface, operating a van franchise may appear to start and finish each day with the turn of a key, that’s not the case. You’ll also need to complete your back-office admin, as well as stock control and general upkeep of your vehicle.
Myth 4: Van franchises can be costly to run
As a van-based franchisee, you’ll immediately benefit from low overheads and low running costs. Often, you’ll start as an owner-operator so won’t incur any staff costs. You also won’t have to worry about rent and rates that come along with office space or a retail unit. This means a higher profit margin can be achieved from the outset of the business.
Myth 5: There’s no scope for growth
As with any franchise, you’re only limited by your own ambitions and determination to succeed.
Most van franchises have scope for expansion through a multi-van model - buying a second van and employing someone to run it for you within the same territory if the market allows. Alternatively, you could invest in a second territory and run a second van there, with an employed assistant.
There are 56 Snap-on franchisees with employed assistants and 38 multi-territory franchisees who own 86 territories between them!
There are no ‘best kept secrets’ associated with a profitable van franchise; motivation, discipline and hard work are the key ingredients to being successful.
Find out more about becoming a Snap-on Tools franchisee at snaponfranchise.co.uk
