When you’re applying for a job at a company, one thing you likely keep in mind, along with salary and benefits, is corporate culture.  In fact, most people do. According to recruiting expert Glassdoor, 77% of adult applicants consider a company’s culture before applying there, and 56% consider this a more important factor than salary.  

But what if you’re not applying to a job. What if you’re looking to make a larger career change by investing in a franchise? Does company culture matter then? 

Yes. In fact, it should be something you keep a careful eye on when looking at any opportunity. In this article, we look at why.  

Why does corporate culture matter to a franchisee? 

While franchisees maintain a degree of independence and can set a lot of their own priorities, the culture of corporate head office is still important. There are several reasons for this, including: 

• An important part of your training and ramp up period, as well as ongoing success, will include communicating back and forth with head office. Culture dictates communication, and you want to be sure your styles mesh.  
• If you’re investing in a B2C franchise, you’ll want to ensure the culture and values of the company match those of the consumers in your territory. 
• The culture of other existing franchisees will determine who you are able to reach out to for help and advice, and if that will be a collaborative, helpful process.  

According to Forbes, there are four specific types of corporate culture to pay attention to before investing in a franchise. This will help you identify and select the right fit for you: 

• Collaborative Culture: A more family-like environment that values mentoring and nurturing franchisees. 
• Creative Culture: Centered on the ideas of adaptation and innovation, with the end goal to increase profitability. This culture believes in taking risks and experimenting.  
• Competitive Culture: Focused on meeting targets, with regular monitoring. It often unites franchises with a common goal to achieve and rewards them well when they do.  
• Control Culture: Centered on everyone understanding their place and role in its hierarchy. It is focused on stability and not on being adaptable. Control culture is all about security, but with that level of organization can come rigidity. 

Right away, you’ve probably identified one type you’d not be compatible withand one you think you’d thrive in. Choosing the right fit for you will be critical for your long-term success.  

How do you discover a franchisor’s culture? 

If you’re doing your due diligence during the discovery process, a franchisor’s culture should become fairly evident to you. You can take steps such as attending discovery days and webinars, asking questions, and talking to existing franchisees. Then, think about the four cultures discussed above and see how the insights you gain line up.