In the UAE, there are several ways to start a firm, including starting up a new company, acquiring an established company or partnering with another business. These are perhaps the most popular forms to form a business in the UAE, but in the last few years, major improvements to the corporate climate in the UAE have been introduced. One of these modifications relates to the implementation of a modern business method, which is the opening a franchise.
The perfect answer to financial independence is to open a business with the backing of a successful and powerful brand. A franchise’s advantages include name awareness, organizational assistance, and an established track record. You can also take your time, however, to carry out careful research on all facets of launching such a venture. To assist, we are going to take you through the franchise set – up process.
What is a Franchise?
The franchise system is when an organization finds partners to recreate, to the advantage of all stakeholders, the proven model and successes. The franchise owner earns the franchisee’s upfront payments for the awarding of market privileges and the usage of its name, which, in exchange, immediately profits from the popularity of the merchandise, services and market image of the existing corporation. Training and equipment support is also included with the initial payments. As well as the initial charge, as decided by the parties, the franchise corporation collects royalty payments from its franchisee(s).
Step-by-step Guide on How to Start a Franchise in the UAE
It is by no means easy to run a successful franchise. Skill, passion and drive are needed. But starting your franchise in the UAE can be both quick and easy when equipped with the right knowledge, and with the help of a company set up agent.
Research the Market
The franchise market in the UAE is as diversified as it is massive, so conducting thorough research is the first step. This should be your initial step if you’re uncertain about your market. Look at the most profitable markets and choose the one that best suits your expertise and knowledge.
Choose a brand that you believe in, once you’ve figured your industry. After that, due diligence must be conducted, seeking reviews and testimonials from franchisees. Ask a Franchise Disclosure Document from your potential franchise, if available. This includes information on the company’s financial statements, as well as your franchisee duties.
Understand the Types of Franchise Business in the UAE
You will need to acquire an understanding of the type of setup available to become a franchisee. There are two types of a franchise that the UAE Trade Register recognizes:
- Single-unit franchises: You will be selling the franchisor’s products and services through a single company as the franchisee.
- Multi-unit/developed franchises: several units which are operated by a single company are allowed to be opened by the franchisee.
Deciding Your Company Name
At this point, there are a few important points to bear in mind, most that may not matter anywhere else in the world. Be mindful that you have to abide by a stringent set of standards for naming. Any disrespectful or blasphemous words you should avoid. When naming a business after yourself, ignore the names of well-known organizations and avoid abbreviations.
Getting the Business License
Although opening a franchise on the mainland or in a free zone is possible, the latter is always the safest and more cost-effective alternative. Company owners in free zones can maintain 100 percent control. Several variables may rely on the licensing and setup style that is best for you. Working with a professional consultant, such as Riz and Mona Consultancy, is the smartest route. We will guide you on the correct site, license, and configuration, handling all applications on your behalf, to fit your needs.
Applying for Your Trade License
To operate a franchise in the UAE, you would require a trading license. Based on whether you go for a free zone or a mainland setup, the application method can vary. Riz and Mona Consultancy will, however, handle this procedure for you in both situations, deal with authorities and ensure that all permits and permissions are in order. Typically, you may need to include certain essential documents, including:
- Filled and complete application form
- Passport copy of the owner or owners
- 2 coloured passport size photos
Applying for Your Work Visa
To work in the UAE, you’ll need a visa. This process can also be handled for you by our consultants, but you would be expected to undergo a medical test. You can sponsor others for their visas too, as the holder of a UAE business license. This may be a partner, a parent or a child, or a housekeeper, such as a domestic worker. The maximum number of visas that you may apply for depends on the scale of your company, the configuration you have selected, and your personal income for dependent visas.
Opening a Bank Account
After this, to conduct business in the UAE, you’ll need a corporate bank account. You should first familiarize yourself with other financial institutions before making your application to find one that is ideally tailored to your company requirements and is more likely to offer you corporate banking services. Again, you can be assisted with this process by our company setup representative.
Benefits of Owning a Franchising Business in the UAE
The autonomy of self-employment is the major advantage of setting up a franchising business in the UAE. The vast knowledge that the owner has invested in a successful system tempers this freedom and also has the proper training, support, and encouragement of the franchisor and other franchisees. In order to conduct business in a specific zone, a franchise offers a semi-monopoly environment. Normally, an aware, ready-made customer base exists. Competitors will certainly be there, but a sole franchise for a given area will be granted to the franchise and customer listings or job sheets will be offered. Most importantly, being part of a franchise ensures that the franchise is part of a firm which can be recognized instantly. In addition, it becomes part of the product or service opportunities that a brand brings and the status that the brand has attained over time.
A franchise also offers the franchisee the ability to capitalize on the know-how and systems that prove to be effective. Other benefits of setting up a franchise in the UAE include shared marketing, advertising, business launch campaign costs and reduced risk of failure.
Ready to Open a Franchise in the UAE?
We hope that it has been made clear by this guide, that if you have the right knowledge, establishing as a franchisee in the UAE doesn’t have to be complicated. But with that being said, a level of prior knowledge of the process is necessary. Moreover, it is important to remember that the application process is only easy and straightforward if your license application is complete and error-free at the time of submission.
In order to ensure that your application is approved in the first go, working with a company set up specialists such as Riz and Mona Consultancy is a smart option when starting a new business in the UAE.
