Consumer Demand for Convenience Creates Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
Need a dog groomed, workout with a personal trainer, mani-pedi, or scratches repaired in a leather sofa? No need to leave home or even get up from the aforementioned sofa. Help is a few key strokes away.
Consumers and businesses are increasingly demanding services and products that come to them, and entrepreneurs are delivering, literally. Mobile franchises are on the rise, offering flexibility, low overhead, increased brand awareness, variety in the workday and other advantages for entrepreneurs.
“The convenience factor of mobile service for consumers is undeniable. And, with the rising rates of commercial real estate leases, increasing utilities and insurance in having a physical location, operating a business from a vehicle is becoming increasingly appealing to those looking to start their businesses,” says Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew, which provides plastic, vinyl and leather restoration services for home, commercial and medical clinic furnishings; vehicle, boat and aircraft interiors; vinyl siding; and more.
A Brand for Now and the Future
“Restoring leather, plastic and vinyl is a craft we’ve perfected, and doing it wherever the work needs to be done is something our customers appreciate and are happy to pay for. We save them time, money and hassle. They don’t have to lift a finger and they love us for that,” Johnstone says.
Founded in 1985 and franchising since 1987, Fibrenew has more than 300 individual locations throughout the U.S., Canada and abroad. The eco-friendly brand touts itself as recession-, pandemic- and future-resistant as there will always be a need for repairs and restoration – which robots can’t perform. Rising costs have prompted consumers to think twice about purchasing new, when they can have existing items restored to like-new. And, they’re increasingly conscientious about adding to the estimated 140 tons of trash dumped into landfills annually.
Benefits of Mobile Franchising
For a franchisee, particularly someone considering investing in a franchise for the first time, some of the advantages of a mobile business include the following:
1. Flexibility
One of the most appealing qualities of a mobile franchise is that there are no set open and close times as in a brick-and-mortar business,” Johnstone says. “That means that flexibility is baked into mobile franchising, which helps entrepreneurs work around their personal or family schedules, or scale more quickly by working nights and weekends for a short while to get the business off the ground.”
2. Cost
“Mobile franchises are almost always a lower investment to get started, and the monthly operating costs are significantly lower, as well. With no lease, utilities, insurance and upkeep of a physical location, you can imagine the difference in initial cash outlay and ongoing profit margins. Sometimes having staff is optional when you own and operate a mobile franchise. The simplicity of it all is fantastic,” Johnstone says.
3. Location, Location, Location
Choosing the ideal site for a brick-and-mortar business can be a challenge, especially as demographics and traffic patterns change over time. And the business is likely to reach only customers within a certain proximity. Not true for a mobile franchise, which goes where the customers are.
4. Brand Awareness
With vehicle wraps emblazoned with company logos, a franchise gets exposure wherever and whenever the franchisee is on the go.
5. Variety
“Mobile franchises present a variety of experiences every day,” Johnstone says. “Franchisees get to work in different locations with different people solving different problems, and they get to experience things they simply couldn’t experience if they were caged into the walls of a fixed location.”
The Ideal Mobile Franchisee
Johnstone and the Fibrenew team are big on franchising and sharing their expertise. But they pull no punches about the pros and cons, as evidenced by the advice in Fibrenew’s free downloadable booklet, The Complete No-B.S. Guide to Buying a Franchise in 2024.
Johnstone points out that, although mobile franchising offers many advantages, it’s not for everyone. “Owning a mobile franchise takes accountability, discipline and a willingness to hustle daily. You’ve got to have boundless energy and a strong work ethic to make it in mobile service franchising. Be sure you’re willing to put the work in. Otherwise, it will be challenging to grow and sustain the business,” he says.
“Still, if you’re looking for flexibility, simplicity and a chance to grow a business without a substantial upfront investment, mobile franchising is something you should consider.” For more information about the Fibrenew franchise, visit www.fibrenew.com/fibrenew-franchising/.
