5 Questions to Find Out if You’d Be a Bad Franchisee

Would you be a bad franchisee? It’s a bold question, I know. But it’s one worth asking before you invest in any franchise.

I talk to a lot of people interested in becoming Great Clips franchisees, and part of my job is to share what makes our brand work. The other part? Helping them figure out if franchise ownership is truly a fit—or if it might be a struggle from day one.

Before you buy a franchise, ask yourself a few key questions. Your answers can reveal whether you’re ready to thrive as a franchisee…or if you might be signing up for something that’s just not your style.

1. Are you willing to follow the system?

One of the biggest benefits of owing a franchise business is that you’re joining a proven model—one that’s already been tested and refined. That’s what gives you a head start. If you enjoy putting your own spin on things while still working within a framework, you’ll likely find franchising a great fit. The most successful operators I’ve seen lean on the system for consistency and efficiency.

2. Do you enjoy working with people?

Franchising is all about relationships—whether that’s with your customers, your team, other franchisees, or your corporate partners. You don’t have to be the most outgoing person in the room, but feeling comfortable connecting, listening, and collaborating will make a big difference in your success. I’ve seen franchisees with all kinds of personalities thrive because they invested in those relationships.

3. Are you ready to work—really work?

Great Clips salons are manager-led businesses, which means you won’t need to be in the thick of every detail forever. But being hands-on pays off, especially in the beginning. The franchisees who set themselves up for long-term success are usually right there alongside their managers—learning the business, building trust, and making sure systems run smoothly. It’s an investment of time and energy early on that can make day-to-day operations of owning a walk-in hair salon much easier later. As with most things in life, our franchisees consistently tell us, “You get out of the business what you put into it.”

4. Are you financially prepared?

Starting any business takes resources—not just for the initial investment, but also for keeping things running as you grow. Having some financial cushion gives you the ability to handle those normal ups and downs without added stress. I’ve seen new owners breathe easier because they planned for that buffer from the start.

5. Are you open to learning?

Franchising comes with a built-in network of experience—you get to learn from people who’ve been in your shoes. (Great Clips franchisees are especially good at sharing what they’ve learned, all to help their fellow salon owners succeed and strengthen the brand.) The franchisees who do best are curious, willing to try new approaches, and open to learning from both successes and challenges.

Bottom line: Franchising can be a great path for the right person. If these points sound like you, you could be well on your way to building a business you’ll be proud of—at Great Clips or anywhere else.

If reading this list made you nod along, we should talk. And if it made you think twice, that’s valuable too. My job isn’t just to tell you about Great Clips—it’s to help you figure out if franchising is a smart move for you. Let’s have that conversation.

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Beth Nilssen

Director of Franchise Development | Great Clips, Inc.
800-947-1143 | [email protected]