With more than 4,000 brands spanning 230 industries, finding the right franchise opportunity can be challenging. Explore how to choose a franchise with a list of questions and criteria to make the right decision.
Franchising offers a proven brand with training, operational guidance, and ongoing support. It takes much of the guesswork out of entrepreneurship and provides a successful framework for a business. If you researched the franchise pros and cons and are ready to choose a recognized brand, finding the right one can be difficult. AtWork, one of the nation’s fastest-growing staffing franchises, put together a list of helpful questions to ask as you consider your options.
1. What Are Your Goals?
Start your franchise search by making a personal checklist of your priorities. Your goals are the foundation of your entrepreneurial endeavor. Are you starting a business to fuel a personal passion, or do you want to generate income and build wealth? Do you want your business to replace your salary, or do you want to create a legacy for future generations? Understanding whether you want to manage a team or be an owner-operator can help narrow your choices.
AtWork’s franchise owners start with a small office and a limited number of employees, adding staff as they build their customer base. Their offices are open during regular business hours, enabling owners to achieve the work-life balance they crave.
2. How is the Industry Performing?
Choosing a franchise with strong market demand and growth potential can impact your success. Evaluate the demand for a franchise’s products or services. Many franchise options are recession-resistant, increasing your ability to weather an economic downturn or market volatility.
For example, current economic conditions and low levels of unemployment are propelling staffing franchises forward. The Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) reports that the U.S. staffing industry is projected to reach $189 billion in 2024, with a 5% growth forecasted for 2025. AtWork reported $350 million in sales in 2023 and generated revenue growth of 3.1% during the third quarter of 2024.
3. What Is the Average Return on Investment?
While being passionate about a franchise is important, financial viability is paramount when deciding how to choose a franchise. Turn to the franchise disclosure document (FDD) to evaluate a franchise’s potential return on investment. Learn from existing franchisees about when you can expect to break even and analyze the initial investment to eliminate unexpected costs. AtWork’s locations, open for at least a year, earned an average of $3.3 million in gross revenue in 2023.*
4. Is the Franchise Designed for Growth?
Most franchise agreements enable an owner to operate within a designated territory. Learn if the franchise supports multi-unit growth and how territorial protections inhibit market saturation. AtWork provides its franchisees with protected territories of approximately 200,000 people. The staffing franchise’s owners have a growth mindset. Nearly half of AtWork’s franchisees are multi-unit owners.
5. Is the Franchise System Healthy?
Connect with existing franchisees to gain insights into the brand. Find out the challenges franchisees encounter and gauge their enthusiasm for the franchise. A healthy franchise system has engaged franchise owners who have good relationships with the brand’s support staff. In 2024, AtWork added 18 new owners and 28 additional territories.
6. Does It Have a Strong Training Program?
Having a strong training program and support team will impact your ability to build a strong business. Many franchisees do not have experience in the industry they choose, making it essential to have access to experts to provide guidance and best practices. AtWork franchise owners attend a four-day Launch Camp and a weeklong Foundational Learning Program to learn what they need to know to run a successful staffing business. This is just the tip of the staffing franchise’s training program. AtWork also has e-learning, self-study programs, live webinars, and more. Sales and operations support staff visit each location to provide more hands-on training.
7. What Ongoing Support Does the Franchisee Offer?
Support from the franchisor should not stop after you open for business. It is crucial to find a franchisor that offers ongoing guidance to help you stay abreast of market trends and overcome challenges you encounter as you grow your business.
AtWork provides its franchisee with some of the best support in the franchise industry. Each AtWork location is assigned a field operations executive and growth professional to help you meet your business goals. Their accounting also handles your payroll processing, client payment processing, garnishment management, tax filing, payments, information technology, marketing, and learning and development. This frees up your time and limits staffing needs so you can focus on sales and growth.
The AtWork Advantage
Businesses frequently need exceptional talent for temporary, permanent, and contract roles, and AtWork’s established reputation positions it as a trusted partner for organizations of all sizes. With a starting investment of $153,500, AtWork offers a low-overhead business model, as it does not require substantial inventory. This model supports high profit margins and a strong return on investment, with the 76 AtWork locations open for three years reporting an average gross revenue of $3.3 million.*
AtWork’s affordable staffing franchise model includes comprehensive training and ongoing support, equipping franchisees with the tools they need to succeed and achieve growth more quickly. The brand’s nationwide presence and robust support system empower franchisees to attract clients effectively.
This client-first approach drives steady revenue streams and accelerates profitability. If you are ready to get started, reach out to the AtWork team.
*See FDD for details.
