Small franchise business opportunities Have you always wanted to go into business for yourself? If so, it's possible that you've considered whether buying a business franchise is the right choice for you. Starting a business in any field is a significant life and professional decision, and, as with any major decision, it is important to weigh all of the pros and cons before taking the leap into a small business franchise opportunities. Benefits of Buying a Franchise As reported by AllBusiness.com and the International Franchise Association (IFA), the benefits of traveling the path of small franchise business opportunities ownership are many, and they include: 1) Probability for success - With an established support system, franchisees are often able to avoid many pitfalls that lead to the failure of numerous small independent businesses. 2) Brand recognition - Customers become familiar with the franchise brand and learn to trust that brand, thus increasing business for franchise owners regardless of location. 3) Availability of training and support - Franchisors offer training programs for new franchise owners prior to the "grand opening" of their franchise outlet, and once the franchisee's new business is "up and running," franchisors provide ongoing support in the form of meetings, networking, additional training programs, research & development, etc. Drawbacks of Buying a Franchise Even with their allure, however, franchise ownership also carries several cons that should be carefully considered before making the decisions to become a franchisee. 1) Risk - Although franchising significantly reduces the risk of business ownership, it does not eliminate it altogether, and as with any entrepreneurial venture, the success of a business franchise depends largely upon the efforts and determination of the franchise owner. It is by no means guaranteed. 2) Comparison with other franchises - While brand recognition is listed under the "pro" column, it also has the potential to be a "con" in the world of franchising. Just as consumers learn to trust a brand based on positive experiences, one negative experience can turn a buyer off to your franchise, even if your particularly branch was not at all involved in the negative scenario. Thus, the very nature of franchises and one of their chief success components also can present a primary drawback of franchise ownership. 3) Lack of independence - Again, although proven systems of small franchise business opportunities business offer great benefit to the franchise owner, operating within the franchise system also imposes limitations on the entrepreneur. He or she is often is not free to pursue creative ideas at will, as the franchisor requires adherence to established rules and regulations.