The Worst Advice You’ll Hear When Picking Out Franchise Awnings

You’ve just announced to your friends and extended family the happy news – you’re going to be the proud owner of a new franchise business. There’s so much to do and think about before you get your new store open, not the least of which is what to do about picking the right franchise awnings. You feel overwhelmed, but grateful everyone’s so anxious to help. They’re full of advice.

There’s just one tiny problem: how do you know whether the advice you’re offered about franchise awnings is great stuff or bad news?

Just being wary of unsolicited suggestions is a good sign you’ll be a smart business manager. But sometimes bad advice can come from consulting the wrong professional, too. As a franchisee, you want to choose a well-established, full-service awning company that has plenty of experience working with all types of franchise businesses. That way, you’ll get solid advice you can count on, and you’ll get the franchise awnings you need to build your business.

Even with a pro at your side, you’ll still want to be on the lookout for “recommendations” that can lead you astray. Here is some of the worst advice you’ll hear when picking out your franchise awnings:

“Just pick whatever you want. They’ll never know the difference.”

The architects, construction managers and marketing team at your franchise corporation’s home office do, indeed, know what you’re doing. They probably have to sign off on your franchise awnings. And they’ve provided you with official guidelines to ensure your awnings meet company standards.

Whether those guidelines are in the form of detailed specifications or general parameters for design and materials, an experienced local awning professional can help tailor them to fit your location. That’s important, because every building is different, and local building codes, weather and other factors have to be considered when you design your franchise awnings.

“You don’t have a choice, headquarters dictates the franchise awnings you have to use.”

This is the silly companion to the “advice” above. As already noted, even the most stringent specs for franchise awnings have to allow some leeway so you can meet local regulations, fit your awnings to your building, etc. And even the most exacting parent company understands that you’re the on-the-ground business owner.

It’s critical that your franchise awnings reflect the company’s universal branding and marketing, but you want them to reflect your personal touch, too. Your awning expert knows how to accomplish that.

“We can save you a lot of money with these cheaper imports.”

We’re not picking on any particular foreign country here, just pointing out that when it comes to franchise awnings, “made in the USA” has real meaning. You’ll find an outstanding array of fabrics made by manufacturers you know and trust, and they’ll be backed by a stronger warranty.

Quality materials and workmanship ensure your franchise awnings will last as long as you expect, retaining their good looks and sturdy performance along the way. Inferior fabrics are certainly cheaper, but you’ll get what you pay for. The material will fade or sag or deteriorate, and by the time you add up the cost of repairs, hassle, frustration and having to replace your awning before you’d planned, you’ve actually spent more. A lot more.

“Just concentrate on getting the store open. You can think about awnings later.”

Really? You’re going to open a brand new store that no one can find or identify? After you’ve invested your life savings or a substantial portion of it? Franchise awnings should never be an after-thought. They’re an integral part of your physical presence and a crucial marketing tool to attract customers.

That’s why it’s so important to get with your awning pro right away to design your franchise awnings. You’ll get exactly what you need to grow your business, and your awnings will be ready to install when the construction schedule is ready for them.

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