The franchise business model is a popular one, and today, even more so. The pandemic has provided a chance for many to reevaluate their careers, and many first-time entrepreneurs are researching franchise opportunities that allow them to start a tire shop. We think that’s a great idea, especially when you join the Big O brand!
There are over 750,000 franchise businesses in the United States, and millions of people eat at them, shop at them, and seek out services from them every day. (1) People open franchises because the model comes with many benefits not available when starting a business from scratch. But sometimes, common misconceptions about the franchise model can keep people who are well-suited and qualified from taking advantage of it. Don’t be one of them! Keep reading to find out how Big O Tires busts them.
Starting a tire shop, or any business carries with it a certain amount of risk. But franchises address that risk by having already invested a lot of time and effort into the brand. Kinks have been worked out, best practices have been put in place, and the business model acts as a sort of roadmap for franchisees to follow, taking a lot of the guesswork out of day-to-day operations.
Of course, no brand can guarantee a franchisee’s ultimate success. But having access to our expertise and resources takes a lot of the work and worry out of starting your Big O franchise, freeing you up to focus on what matters most — customer service and bottom-line growth.
The franchise model has numerous built-in benefits, making it easier to do business. For this reason, many entrepreneurs might gravitate to it to open a tire shop because they think they can just set it and forget it — that is to say, make their investment and then become absentee owners, leaving day-to-day operations to staff.
While some brands’ business models do allow for executive-level oversight, the truth is a franchise is like any other business; it will require hands-on involvement by the franchisee, at least at the beginning — and that makes sense. As the owner of a Big O franchise, you’ll have a vested interest in its success, so it behooves you to stay engaged and involved in the growth of your business.
Having said that, once your franchise has been established, and you’ve got some time and experience under your belt, you just might find that you’re able to strike a better work/life balance, one that leaves you more time for family, friends, and fun.
This runs counter to another common franchise myth — that you’ll be married to your work. While it’s true that you’ll have to commit time and energy to run your franchise, you’ll have the help of our industry experts in many areas, including marketing, research and development, technology, and more.
Additionally, you’ll be relying on our time-tested business model that takes a lot of the guesswork out of things for more efficiency and productivity.
A lot of people think that because franchisees benefit from being part of something bigger than themselves — a brand family — they aren’t really taking on the risks and rewards of owning a business. But nothing could be further from the truth!
Each and every Big O franchisee works hard every day to grow their business and are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their franchise just like any other business owner. They’re out there every day meeting with customers, marketing their business, and making the same important decisions any business owner needs to make. The difference is that franchisees can look forward to ongoing franchisor support, which makes handling these responsibilities a little bit easier.
While it’s true that just about anyone can take advantage of a Big O Tires franchise opportunity thanks to our comprehensive training and ongoing support, starting a tire and car care franchise with us will require that you meet certain financial requirements, have a clean record, and are ready to put in the hard work and dedication needed to establish and grow your franchise.
We look for franchisee candidates who share our values and appreciate the opportunity that comes with a Big O investment. Our franchisees are ambassadors of the Big O brand, so we’re selective about who we award franchises to.
Don’t let franchising myths keep you from taking advantage of a Big O Tires opportunity. Get in touch today to find out why now is a great time to become part of our robust industry!
1. Fran Smart; How Many Franchise Organizations Are In The USA?; January 19, 2022
The Big O Tires brand has been a name people have trusted for over 60 years, and in that time, we’ve been asked lots of questions about our automotive franchise opportunity. Potential investors naturally have them and ask about what it means to become part of our brand family, and we’re only too happy to answer them. Here, we’ll look at a few of the more common questions we get asked about a Big O automotive franchise opportunity.
Many potential franchisees believe that in order to be successful, they need a background in the automotive industry they’d like to do business in. This is actually not so. While it’s certainly helpful to have related experience, in our case, thanks to our comprehensive pre-opening training and ongoing support, Big O franchisees are not only prepared to fully leverage our proven business model but are able to stay on track toward growth.
We know starting out and staying on solid footing is key to your success, and we don’t leave that up to chance. Our brand has been a recognized and respected one for over six decades, and that’s due in large part to the hard work of our franchisees and the support we show them for the life of their business.
A common myth about the franchisor/franchisee relationship is that you won’t be allowed to run things on your own. While all franchise brands do have specific processes and procedures that franchisees must follow (it’s what takes so much of the guesswork out of running your business), the fact is our automotive franchise opportunities allow for a lot of individuality. Among other things, you’ll decide who to hire, how you want to structure your time at your auto shop, and what local marketing efforts you’ll plan and initiate to reach your best customers.
The bottom line is that relying on our franchisees to make important decisions on their own and run their businesses without interference contributes to our brand’s overall success, so we encourage them to do so.
Any small business owner will tell you: running a business is all about growing relationships, especially in the automotive repair industry. (1) Business owners need access to reliable sources for the inventory and supplies they’ll need to stay competitive. But keeping your Big O franchise ready to offer its full suite of services will be a whole lot easier, thanks to the access you’ll have to our vendor relationships. Our automotive franchise opportunity comes with a built-in and robust distribution and supply chain network, with more than 100 distribution centers across North America — helping you stay the go-to source for all things automotive!
Location is everything when it comes to small business ownership, and you can rely on our decades of experience to help you find and build out the perfect spot for your Big O franchise. Our expert real estate team will be there to provide site selection guidance, factoring in considerations like zoning parameters, square footage, proximity to other retailers in the area, visibility, traffic flow, access and exits, population, and more.
After you’ve narrowed down your choice, we’ll provide you with a floor plan prototype and equipment layout for your store, so you can be sure it not only meets our Big O standards but that it makes it easy for your customers to rely on you to keep their vehicles safe and fun to drive.
Smart future small business owners don’t go into their venture blindly. They ask lots of questions, do their research, and take the advice of those who have gone before them. Your investment in a Big O franchise comes with decades of industry experience to help you navigate the rewards and challenges of business ownership. When you can count on the guidance and support of an industry leader, it leaves you more time for what truly matters — customer service and growth!
To find out more about a Big O tire auto service and tire franchise opportunity, get in touch today!
1. PR Newswire; Automotive Repair & Maintenance Market Analysis - Trends, Developments and Growth Deviations Resulting from COVID-19; June 26, 2020
