This article offers advice to would-be franchisees and provokes thinking about franchises in a different way.

Appropriate Subject Area(s):

Marketing, franchising, forms of business ownership, entrepreneurship

Key Questions to Explore:

• Why would someone want to purchase a franchise?

Materials needed:

The Globe article

Introduction to lesson and task:

Students will learn a different perspective on the pros and cons of franchising.

Action (lesson plan and task):

• Survey the students and ask them to describe a franchise and give examples of franchised businesses in their community.
• A franchise is a license to start an independently-owned business that will be part of a chain and a system. What are the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a franchise?
• Ask students why someone would opt to buy a franchise.
• Distribute the article for reading.
• In small groups, have students discuss each of the following points in the article and dissect the meaning:
  • Every franchise requires specific values and skills from franchisees
  • A franchise is a license
  • Every franchise is part of a system
  • The franchisor is always in control
• Rotate through the groups and have them share their understanding of the points.
• Ask them how a person would know which franchise is for them.
• With all the rules and obligations, why would someone want to own a franchise?

Consolidation of Learning:

• The article starts off saying “Be afraid! Be very afraid.” Why?

Success Criteria:

• Students understand the drawbacks and benefits of owning a franchise.

Confirming Activity:

• In small groups of three or four, have students investigate franchise opportunities they think could succeed in their community.  Students can use local newspapers, the Internet, the Canadian Franchise Association or small business support groups to identify these opportunities.  Once identified, have each group select two franchise opportunities and compare and contrast the opportunities based on costs, uniqueness, target market and benefits of each.  Ask students to select the one they would prefer if they were going to purchase a franchise.