Starting an Active Entertainment business? Benefits of Franchise vs Independent Startup

Thinking of opening an Active Entertainment Venue? Debating the Benefits of Franchise vs Startup?

In the wake of the pandemic many people began to question their career and started to explore their dreams of running their own business. The advantages of being your own boss are huge and attractive to many who are seeking the elusive work life balance. The trouble is that getting to the elevated level of flexibility and high earnings takes many years, a lot of investment, planning and business acumen.

The good news is that franchise opportunities offer the benefits of running a business without the headaches that come with building a start-up from scratch. If you are wondering if an FEC franchise is the right business decision for you then read on.

1. Tried and tested business model

When you buy into an Active Entertainment franchise, don’t be put off by the high price tag. There is a reason that the initial payment is high, it reflects the fact that you are buying into a tried and tested business model complete with expertise in the industry. If business planning, accounting and marketing fill you with dread then a franchise may just be for you.

A franchise is a business model that has proven success. The problems that new businesses encounter have been rectified, market research has been undertaken and a true understanding of the target market have been developed. Not only this but you will be provided with guidance to the model to employ in order to maintain the smooth running of your establishment. In other words you don’t need to start from scratch. The business planning has already been done and the blueprint is there for you to follow.

An active entertainment venue such as a trampoline park or indoor play centre requires a hefty investment in equipment, safety clothing, online booking systems staff training. With customer health and safety at the forefront of any business in the entertainment industry it is much easier to opt for a tried and tested business.

2. Brand

One of the biggest and most costly things that a business invests in is its brand. Most start-ups simply don’t have the money to invest in marketing therefore it can take years for their brand to become well known, if ever.

An FEC or trampoline park franchise comes with excellent brand awareness. The name of the franchise that you invest in will already be well known. Moreover, there will be marketing tools and plans for you to utilise. The instant recognition that customers feel when they see your local branch will give them peace of mind that they are visiting a brand that they can trust.

Parents visiting indoor activities are concerned with the safety of their children. Is the equipment safe and in good condition? Is safety equipment offered? Are staff trained in first aid? A brand that they know is synonymous with quality will give a parent seeking an activity for their kids peace of mind that they will have a safe, fun time.

When you run a franchise of a recognised active entertainment brand you save time and money in building a loyal customer base. It goes without saying that your branch’s customer service must remain impeccable to continue the established reputation. However, with the recognition already there you will find the task much easier.

The likelihood of repeat business is increased with established brands which can only be good for your profit margin. Equally, branded merchandise is much easier to sell for a well known brand increasing the opportunity to upsell clothing and accessories.

3. Ready Made Business

What could be better than a ready made business? No website development, no marketing content creation (or very little), established SEO presence, booking systems all ready to go. Legalities in hand, risk assessments, even the premises and play equipment is included.

Although the temptation of being your own boss is alluring, as a franchisee you are the boss of your branch but the nitty gritty essential backend elements are taken care of. Leaving you to focus fully on making your FEC business a success. It is the best of both worlds and one of the major benefits of franchise.

4. Full and Ongoing Training

Because a franchise branch of an established FEC brand is part of a larger organisation, training is always offered. All franchises are run in a very similar way to ensure consistency and protection of the brand. An important benefit of becoming a franchise owner is that there is a support network to aid you in running your branch.

An independent start-up is a lonely business, it is your responsibility to get up to speed very quickly with the intricate details of your business. There is no one to guide you along the way and show you best practices that are proven to succeed. A franchise is always able to get the support they need, whether it is from the head office or from other branches that have a successful track record.

5. Increased Chance of Success

There is a high failure rate associated with start-ups. Statistics suggest that 25% of start-ups fail in their first year. 50% of the remaining fail within 5 years. It is not an easy task to make a business successful when starting from the ground. Lack of planning, clarity, market expertise and investment see entrepreneurs struggling to make their vision a reality.

Since an FEC franchise is part of a network of businesses that have a proven business model your individual chance of success is high, making this one of the key benefits of franchise. It goes without saying that a franchise indoor entertainment venue requires hard work and determination to make it a success. However, hitting the ground running makes it a lot easier to achieve success and make a profit.

6. Benefit from cost savings of bulk orders

Last year we manufactured over 20 million pairs of socks! As a result our vast buying power is unparalled in the industry. Because we make so many custom products we benefit from volume discounts, we pass these cost savings onto our customers every time. So the higher volume you order, the less per unit you will pay.

We work with many franchises – from smaller organisations with even 3 franchisees – right up to some of the most well known Trampoline Park groups in the world with nearly 100 venues, and offer custom solutions to their requirements with bulk orders delivered direct to venues, scheduled drops throughout the year, seasonal design options and a Franchisee bespoke online portal to call off the sizes and quantities as and when required, saving on cash flow, storage and time.

 
If you have considered becoming a franchisee of an FEC there has never been a better time. The UK market was valued at $715.14 million in 2019 and is projected to reach $1,755.06 million by 2027. This growing market shows no sign of slowing.

We work with Active Entertainment Venues worldwide – from independent Soft Plays, to SME Trampoline Park Groups, right through to some of the largest FEC groups in the world! The turnkey solution we offers ensures we have options for every business owner, contact us today to see how we can support your business – +44 208 751 2222 / enquiries@samuraipromotions.co.uk