Ask the Expert
Franchise vs. Independent: What Every Business Owner Should Know
Danessa Itaya breaks down the pros, cons and key differences between franchises and independents
On this episode of Ask The Expert, Danessa Itaya, President of Bio-One®, sat down with our Editor-in-Chief to discuss the key differences between franchising and independently owned and operated businesses. Danessa has over 30 years of experience with franchising, including 10 years of national and international leadership experience and she also serves on the Women in Franchising Committee of the International Franchise Association and was named one of Entrepreneur’s Top Influential Women in Franchising in 2022.
Key Topics of Discussion:
- The biggest operational differences between running a franchise and running an independent business.
- Support that Franchisor’s provide such as training, marketing and supply chain access.
- Challenges that franchisees face that independent business owners might not and how those challenges are addressed in the franchise model.
- Danessa shares an example of a time when the franchise system helped her overcome a hurdle that may have been difficult if she were an independent.
- The importance of recognition of franchise success and how it compares to the branding efforts for an independent business.
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