THE UNSEEN COSTS TO RUNNING A FRANCHISE
When most people think about buying a franchise, the focus tends to land on what’s obvious. The initial investment, ongoing fees, supplier relationships, and expected profit margins. It’s all part of the research phase. But very few talk about what’s beneath the surface. The emotional cost. The mental weight. The responsibility that doesn’t show up in spreadsheets or sales projections.
Let’s be real here..
Because make no mistake, running a franchise (just like any business) comes with pressure. Yes, you’re buying into a brand. Yes, the systems are proven. But at the end of the day, the decisions are still yours. You are the one steering the ship when it gets choppy.
And it will get choppy. Staff calling in sick just before the post dinner rush. Supplier delays that throw your prep window sideways. A quiet week of trade right after your biggest stock order. You put on a smile for the customers, but behind the scenes, you’re adjusting rosters, cutting waste, and managing morale on two hours of sleep. It’s not glamorous. It’s real.
Then comes the mental shift. If you’ve only ever worked for someone else, the weight of leadership is something you feel fast. You’re responsible not just for the service, but for people’s livelihoods. Your wins are yours to celebrate but the losses are yours to absorb too. You’ll question yourself more than you expect. But this is where growth happens. It’s what separates operators from leaders.
That’s why at Drizzl’d, we’ve never tried to sell the dream of ‘easy business’. Instead, we built something better. We built a franchise model that’s structured to support you when it counts most and not just when things go right.
Since launching in December 2021, we’ve designed our systems to help franchisees stay steady through uncertainty. From daily and weekly check-ins, to plug-and-play staffing tools, leadership support, operations manuals and more, everything exists to reduce decision fatigue and give you back your headspace. When things go sideways (and they will), you’ll know exactly what to do, and you won’t be doing it alone.
And that foundation matters. Because we’ve had the same staffing shortages, cost increases, and economic curveballs every other business has faced. But we’re still here. Still growing. Still refining. Not because we avoided hardship, but because our model was built to move with it.
Franchising, when done right, is a chance to fast-track ownership without feeling overwhelmed. You’re buying into more than a logo. You’re investing in frameworks, in guidance, and in a team that wants to see you win. The support is real. The community is strong. And the opportunity is waiting.
So if you’ve been exploring hospitality franchises and wondering, “Could this be the one?”, here’s your sign.
Because Drizzl’d isn’t just a dessert brand. It’s a platform for growth. It’s one that’s been tested, refined, and ready for you to leap into this exciting phase of your life..
Ready to build something real? Click here. Let’s talk.
You’ve done the dreaming. Now it’s time to start building. You deserve it.
