When deciding to own a franchise vs. independent business, there are several important things to consider. Learn what to ask yourself to be sure to make the right choice. Your decision is particularly crucial in the automotive repair industry, where the landscape is evolving rapidly.

Let's start by clarifying the difference between a franchise vs. independent business. A franchise involves operating your business under the umbrella of an established brand, following its business model, and benefiting from its support and reputation. In contrast, an independent business means starting from scratch, building your brand, and having complete control over your operations.

Weighing the Pros and Cons
There’s a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit in the U.S., fertile ground for both franchises and independent businesses. Entrepreneurship is increasingly popular, with 19% of working-age adults either starting or owning a new venture, and 76% viewing it as a desirable career choice. The top reasons people turn to entrepreneurship are to generate high wealth or out of necessity, the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor from Babson College revealed. The U.S. boasts 33.2 million small businesses, with 5.1 million new business applications filed in 2022, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Deciding between a franchise vs. starting your own business depends on your goals. There are advantages and disadvantages to both franchise ownership and a startup business. To help you determine the best choice to achieve your vision, you need to evaluate the pros and cons.

With a franchise, you're buying into an established brand, which can be invaluable in attracting customers. Most franchisors provide extensive training and ongoing support to help you navigate entrepreneurship. As a franchisee, you’re adopting a business model that’s tested and proven successful. At the same time, franchisees must adhere to the rules and guidelines laid out by the brand, limiting creativity and independence. You’ll also have to pay ongoing royalty and marketing fees.

Launching an independent business gives you the freedom to make all decisions and steer the business in any direction you choose. There’s also more room to experiment and adapt to the local market. However, establishing a brand from scratch is challenging and requires significant marketing. And without the backing of a proven model, the risk of failure can be high. Only 5.1% of franchises with an initial investment of at least $25,000 to $50,000 fail within the first five years.

How to Decide
When considering which path is right for you, these questions can help you evaluate a franchise vs. independent:
 

• Do I value independence or support more? Understand whether you're better suited to the structure of a franchise or the freedom of an independent business.
   
• How important is brand recognition to me? If having an established brand from the start is crucial, franchising might be the way to go.
   
• Am I prepared to build everything from the ground up? If you’re ready for heavy lifting, lean toward independent business ownership.

• What are my long-term business goals? Align your choice with where you see your business in the future.

The Moran Family of Brands Edge
In the automotive repair industry, Moran Family of Brands stands out. We’re the franchisor of six brands in the automotive and window tinting industry, including Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, and Mr. Transmission. We offer a competitive edge with our established brands, comprehensive support, and proven business models. Our franchisees benefit from our reputation, which can be a significant advantage in a market where trust and reliability are paramount.

We offer single-brand and co-brand options to allow our franchisees to start small and expand or dream big from the beginning. For an initial investment of $118,219 to $296,767, you get a tested business model, training, and ongoing support. Our technology team stays abreast of advancements in the auto industry and provides strategies to find qualified mechanics to serve customers.

Join Moran’s Franchise Team
We’re ready to help you pursue a future in the auto repair and maintenance industry with less guesswork and proven processes. Get started to learn more about how to become a franchisee with Moran.