It seems like franchising is all the rage in the world of entrepreneurship these days. More and more people who aspire to run a business are acquiring franchises instead of launching their own businesses. Here in the United Kingdom, this trend has especially gained lots of traction and it doesn’t seem like losing any ground anytime soon.
Also, the impact that franchising has on the economy of this country cannot be underestimated. The majority of franchises UK has been responsible for pumping millions of pounds into the British economy every year. It provides decent job opportunities and employs a significant chunk of the skilled labor force in the country. This ultimately helps people elevate their living standards and move up in life.
If you look at this from the lens of entrepreneurship, it makes perfect economic sense to step into franchising. Taking over an established business with a proven track record of success and profitability can be a good step for an aspiring entrepreneur who can then grow the business through his/her investment. This is exactly how so many low-cost franchises have gotten a foothold all over the United Kingdom.
Talking about the health and wellness industry, it is by far one of the fastest-growing sectors not just in the UK but all over the world. More and more people are starting to realize the business potential that health and wellness carries. Interest is growing steadily and it is not just with regard to a personal passion.
A growing number of individuals have started opening up their own gyms and wellness centers. At present, there are about 7,000 gyms all around the United Kingdom and this number will continue to grow steadily in the coming times. In fact, a health club or gym or wellness center is a very common category type that franchise UK has.
Furthermore, studies indicate that one in every seven Brits holds a full-fledged gym membership while the total market value of the fitness industry is now almost £5 Billion. So, if you want to invest in a franchise, then the health and wellness industry is a good place to start.
There will be a number of options available for you including part-time franchises, low-cost franchises, etc. A health and wellness franchise is amongst the new franchises UK has on offer. It can be a great business opportunity for you. We have also put together some tips on how to successfully run a health and wellness franchise. Read on to learn more.
1. Take a More Hands-On Approach
There really is no other way to out this. Franchise consultants often emphasize on this. If you want to be successful at buying a franchise and run it well, then you need to develop a passion for the industry. You need to be passionate about health and fitness, passionate about customer service and have a thorough understanding of franchising business in the health and fitness domain.
Successful health and wellness clubs have owners or founders who are on the frontline with their team. They fight in the trenches alongside their team but are also very good at delegating roles and responsibilities accordingly.
So, you should regularly visit the premises, interact with the members, and generally show that you have a presence. It will also give a good message to your team as well as your customers that the owner is always available for easy communication. Be a support system for your club manager and act like a second manager of sorts. It will help with the smooth running of things.
2. Seek Advice and Guidance from the Franchisor
Most health and wellness franchises offer sound strategic advice to their franchisees. This is something that you can really benefit from. Seeking input from your franchisor will enhance your chances of success because such individuals are often experts in the field and have years of experience in running a fitness franchise.
3. Know Your Customers and Engage Effectively With Them
No matter what the nature of your business, you just cannot survive without having a loyal customer base. For health and wellness centers, being able to retain their members and keep them satisfied is often the difference between success and failure.
When you have members who are committed with you for the long term, it means that a steady revenue stream is there. Also, it is much easier to retain existing customers/members through good service rather than splashing the cash on marketing and advertising efforts to attract newer ones.
So, keep an eye on how your members are being treated by your staff. Train them on the finer details of customer engagement and relationship management. Your staff members are undoubtedly the best advocates for your gym/wellness center and you need to make sure that they are fully skilled at handling and treating your members in the right manner.
Utilizing these tips will help you run your health and wellness franchise smoothly. Of course, you will need a lot more than this to be successful. But these tips are a good start to get your system up and running smoothly.