The process of using the method of practice (usually successful) of another businessperson is called franchising – the now common way to start businesses, especially among entrepreneurs, since: 1) Entrepreneurs need not go through start-up problems that the franchisor (original business owner) already went through, but focus, instead on growing the business; 2) Cost-cutting, since incidental expenses, e.g. marketing, are included in the franchise costs; 3) Support is consistently available from the franchisor, which lends a hand to protect brand image; 4) Business changeability, i.e. if things don’t work out between the franchisor and the franchisee, termination of agreements means both can start with other businesses and/or partners; and 5) With franchising, the success rate is said to be over 87%, way over less 47% for start-up businesses that are not franchises.

Interestingly, even with these pros, GLBTQ-specific franchises are hard to pinpoint, mainly because as is common in other industries, there is not a single study done, at least locally, on this.  Fortunately, though, from the US comes GayFranchise.com, an online portal that specifically looks at developments on this front, citing in a report 10 most researched franchise opportunities for GLBTQs, i.e. V2K Window Décor & More, Flip Flop Shops, Adam & Eve, Bingo Lingo, Handyman Matters, Lapels Dry Cleaning, CrepeMaker, Guidant Financial, Right At Home, and OXXO Cleaners.

Obviously, while locally unavailable as franchises, the services these offer exist in other franchises available in the Philippines (e.g. Havaiianas for Flip Flop Shops, Handyman or Ace Hardware for Handyman Matters, and Café Breton for CrepeMaker, among others), the though remains that “mirroring the diversity of the GLBTQ community, the focus… has ranged from interest in home décor to dry cleaning and restaurants,” says Michael Lamb, president of GayFranchise.com. “(This) has dispelled the myth that the franchise industry is averse to targeting our community.”

Contact the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. or the Philippine Franchise Association for more information on franchising in the Philippines.