Starting a new business of any type can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to securing a location to operate from. Negotiating a lease with a landlord can be a complex process, and many factors can influence the outcome. For franchisees, however, there are several benefits to franchising that can help in lease negotiations. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of franchising in lease negotiations.

  1. Established Brand Recognition

Franchising allows a franchisee to benefit from the established brand recognition and reputation of the franchisor. The franchisor has already built a reputation for its brand, and landlords may be more willing to negotiate with a well-known brand with a proven track record of success. This can be especially important for new franchisees who are not yet established in the market.

  1. Consistent Lease Terms

Franchisors typically have standard lease terms that they require their franchisees to follow. This can make negotiations with landlords smoother and quicker, as both parties have a clear understanding of the terms. This can also save the franchisee time and money by avoiding legal fees and other costs associated with drafting custom lease agreements.

  1. Support from the Franchisor

Franchisees typically receive support from the franchisor when negotiating lease terms. Franchisors have experience negotiating leases with landlords and can provide guidance and advice to their franchisees. This can be especially beneficial for franchisees who are new to the business or who have little experience negotiating leases.

  1. Group Buying Power

Franchisors often negotiate national or regional deals with landlords on behalf of their franchisees. This group buying power can result in better lease terms for individual franchisees. The franchisor may be able to negotiate lower rent or other concessions based on the volume of business that its franchisees generate.

  1. Higher Likelihood of Approval

Landlords may view franchisees as more reliable tenants due to the support and guidance provided by the franchisor. This can increase the likelihood of lease approval and result in better lease terms. Franchisees may also have access to a network of other franchisees who can provide references and vouch for their reliability as tenants.

  1. Marketing Support

Wild Birds Unlimited provides marketing support to its franchisees, including national and local advertising campaigns, social media support, and in-store marketing materials. This can help franchisees drive traffic to their store, which can be appealing to landlords.

In conclusion, Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees have additional benefits that can be realized during lease negotiations. These benefits include brand recognition, consistent lease terms, support from the franchisor, group buying power, higher likelihood of approval, and marketing support. By leveraging these benefits, Wild Birds Unlimited franchisees can secure the best possible lease terms for their business and set themselves up for success.

A WBU franchisee said “My husband and I are new franchise owners of a Wild Birds Unlimited store in Pleasant Prairie, WI.  We’ve never had to negotiate a lease before, quite honestly the process was absolutely foreign to us.  I cannot sing enough praises about the help we received from Paul Pickett, CDO/EVP of Franchising.  Not only did he assist in the site selection, he was instrumental in negotiating pricing, explaining terminology, and guiding us each step of the way.  Thanks to Paul we were able to acquire our favorite site for our store!” Assisting our franchisees is so important to us and its so amazing to see the impact it has on them.