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Site location is the most important factor to consider when opening a business as a franchisee. If you were to speak with anyone in the franchising industry, they would agree. No matter how much you invest into a franchise, it can all be lost if the location is not thoroughly determined. At Mimosa Salon Suites, we put great detail and effort into assisting our franchisees in making the best decision for their new site location.
In this article we will discuss how to choose the best location and the crucial role your franchisor will play in this determination. Remember, the location you choose for your Mimosa Salon Suites will be a destination location, meaning it depends on the repeat visits of loyal clientele from the small business owners you are leasing to. This means you don't necessarily need the front and center spot and can take advantage of lower rent locations such as a third floor or back of the building. Regardless, a close examination of the location is still necessary in determining the appropriate site.
Make a List
The easiest step is making the initial list of potential site locations. Research the area and simply gather the available locations that you are first drawn to. This should be fun, and the list should be broad. It may be helpful to create a document with photos and map locations of the potential sites. Make sure to leave a blank sheet for notes as well!
Business Needs
When it comes to business needs, take into consideration what it is that will keep your customers returning. What is the essence of the business? Study the lifestyle and routines of your target demographics. For example, millennials and generation Z make up a large portion of salon clientele because of their hyper focus on social media. It wouldn’t be ideal to open a salon franchise near the library. Instead, a location near a shopping center or health and wellness business would be more beneficial. If you are standing at the site, what age group are you seeing walking in and out of the store? Also consider how successful the surrounding businesses have been, how convenient parking is, and what kind of traffic surrounds the site. Drive to the site yourself for a firsthand experience. The goal here is to attract the right demographic of customers for the services your franchise offers.
Franchisor Role
One of the benefits of franchising with Mimosa Salon Suites is you will always be provided support from the franchisor. By having a strong relationship with the franchisor, you can rest assured that they will assist you in narrowing down to the best location. Our franchisors have exceptional experience in real estate and business. Once you get down to a handful of options, after completing the above tasks, present them to the franchisor and take into account the advice given. Afterall, the franchise would not exist had the franchisor not chosen successful locations to begin with! The franchisor at Mimosa will also review the Franchise Disclosure Document with you and make sure you understand every aspect of it. Do not go through this document on your own as a first-time franchisee.
Review the Final Decision
The final decision should always be decided upon with the franchisor. Even when you’ve gone over all the fine details of the location, there is still one last factor that new franchisees tend to forget about. Consider the fees the rental building is charging and how they will be integrated into your financial plan. Also, look into any repairs that are needed and the timeline of completion. Something that appears minor such as an issue with piping and plumbing, can delay the opening of your franchise. Looking over the final rental agreements with your franchisor will also ensure you did not miss any red flags in the fine print.
Don’t Shoot for Perfection
The last factor to consider is that no location will be absolutely perfect. Each site location will face unique hurdles to get the franchise up and running. The important part is weighing the pros and cons of each location and determining which best suits your franchise investment and services. Mimosa Salon Suites takes site selection seriously and will provide you with all of the professional guidance needed to pick a lucrative location.