Do I Need Experience Before Opening a Franchise?
Someone asked me this last week over coffee:
“Do I have to already know the business before I can own the franchise?”
And honestly? It’s a great question.
Because it’s easy to assume you need years of experience, a certain degree, or a résumé that screams expert.
Not always.
Franchising Is Built for Teaching
One of the most comforting parts of buying a franchise is this:
You don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
A good franchise will have systems in place.
Training materials.
Onboarding support.
Real humans who answer real questions.
Most brands know you’re walking in with a mix of excitement, nerves, and a big leap of faith.
So they’ve created a path — and they walk it with you.
You bring the energy and commitment.
They bring the playbook.
When Experience Does Matter
That said, there are exceptions.
Some industries are more regulated.
Think health care. Or legal services. Or anything that involves a license or certification.
In those cases, you may need real-world experience — or at least a partner who has it.
And honestly, that’s a good thing.
No one wants a dentist who learned on YouTube.
Ask These Three Questions
Before jumping in, ask yourself (and the franchise rep):
What does the training process look like?
Is industry experience required — or just helpful?
Will I get support in the areas I know less about?
These answers will tell you a lot.
Because it’s not about having every skill in your pocket.
It’s about being willing to learn.
So… Do I Need Experience Before Opening a Franchise?
Sometimes yes.
But a lot of the time?
Nope.
You need curiosity.
You need grit.
You need to care about doing it well.
The right brand will meet you where you are — and help you get where you’re going.
And that’s kind of the best part.
*This is not an offer to sell a franchise. Franchise offerings are made only through the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)*
