Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I buy a franchise?
A ready-made and proven business model helps a franchisee get started easier and faster without the timely and costly learning curve and risks / worries of going in alone.
Our sports programs, coach & referee training, health & safety policies, marketing tools and sports leagues operational processes have already been developed and proven to work.
Our sport management software, website, equipment suppliers, sport insurance providers, operations & sport technical manuals, waiver & risk management forms are in place and updated regularly to stay current in the sports landscape.
In franchising, you are in business FOR yourself but not BY yourself.
After a franchisee’s initial training, they continue to get ongoing support to help grow THEIR business. Belonging to a network of other franchisees also serves as a way for like-minded owners to share ideas, discuss best practices and support each other to build a better brand and each others equity.
As a franchisee works IN their business, Premier Sports League’s team continues to work ON the franchise model to improve on the business systems, research new and better ways to deliver youth sports programs, create better and more cost effective marketing, upgrade training for coaches / referees, seek out national sponsorship revenues and to expand into more markets to build the brand value. N MORE
How does a franchisee make money?
The primary source of revenue is through registration fees when players register to play in a franchisee’s sports leagues, tournaments or special sports programs, similar to many other organized community sports. One-time sport activities and customized programs can produce additional revenues and also serve as outreach to introduce participants / parents to new sports in a safe, educational and low risk environment while at the same time collecting valuable contact information. Experiential (marketing) events provide participants an opportunity to discover and learn more about our emerging, low profile sports before they commit to joining a franchisee’s sports leagues (i.e. “taste test”).
Product sales, branded apparel and sponsorship are additional means of generating revenue. See SERVICE & PRODUCTS
Are there any restrictions that I should know about?
Most franchise systems allow franchisees to service any customers that walk through their door regardless if they live in the neighbourhood. Not our franchise. Our franchise model is slightly different and more in line with the community-run sports organizations, in that we limit franchisees to serving their AREA only and accepting registrations from players who reside within that geographical area (see Price & Fees for description of AREA)
Franchisees are assigned rights to an Area(s) and must LIMIT sports activities and programs to be within that assigned Area(s). Franchisees are encouraged to work with adjacent Area franchisees so as not to infringe on the rights of other franchisees’ Area(s). There are provisions, however, for player transfers and /or players who want to register but do not residing in communities where there are franchises.
Can I offer any other sports while I am a franchisee?
Our mission is to introduce newer, lesser-known, LOW PROFILE sports to a community and not compete with the more mainstream established sports. We carefully vet many of the emerging global sports to determine if they are a right fit and meet our sport criteria (i.e. ball & court team sports, inexpensive equipment, etc.).
Franchisees are required to only offer sports that are approved by Premier Sports Leagues (franchisor), however, franchisees can apply for special circumstances if they feel there is a need for a sport that does not exist in their community. Additionally, if an applicant was already operating an organized sport(s) prior to becoming a franchisee, an exception MAY be made to add this sport under the brand.
Are there any extra fees or start up costs other than the initial franchise fee?
The initial franchise fee provides a franchisee with the essential training, equipment, website, sport management software and marketing collateral to start operating and delivering our SERVICES & PRODUCTS in their community. Once the franchisee launches their business, they will be required to pay for Support Service Payment, Technology & Software Fee and Player Registration Fee. (see Price & Fee - Support Plan for description) and possibly additional fees as appointed by Premier Sports Leagues (franchisor) (i.e. National Ad Fund)
There are optional services and products a franchisee MAY opt to purchase to enhance their business and provide a more professional sports experience (i.e. vehicle decals, playing area boards), however, these are not essential and can be added as the franchise grows.
What can I expect in expenses to operate my franchise?
Expenses will vary from franchise to franchise, simply because the business expenses for goods and services differ for every location. Aside from the monthly Support Plan Fees , the more common operational expenses to run leagues, tournaments or sports programs would be, but not limited to, court rentals (gym space), insurance (player & property), jerseys, referee & timekeeper compensation, staffing (if required) and if initiated, National / Provincial Sport Organization memberships.
Additional general expenses such as marketing, vehicle costs (lease, gas, repairs, etc.), office rent, phone, merchandise & apparel etc. are some of the other expenses to consider. Franchisees are provided financial templates to properly budget and also receive preferred pricing from our Approved Suppliers to help better manage expenses.
Can I be assured to make a profit from operating a franchise?
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. The financial success OR loss of owning any business is primarily dependent on the input and efforts of each franchisee. Economic conditions, community environments, competition, health, regulations, unusual operating expenses and many other external factors can dramatically affect the revenues or profits of any business.
Premier Sports Leagues (franchisor) will do what we can to help better the odds of success by providing innovative and proven SERVICES AND PRODUCTS, along with industry best practices, training, tools, resources and ongoing support towards helping a franchisee develop, market and operate their business more efficiently.
Owning a franchise lessens the risks that many independent entrepreneurs go through in starting and operating a business. Generally speaking franchising has a higher success rate. READ ARTICLE
Am I required to work full time in the business?
Short answer: Yes (with caveats). Each franchisee should immerse themselves into the operations of the franchise, particularly their first franchise, to familiarize themselves with the marketing, operations and administration needed to establish and grow their business and to ensure they meet the Minimum Player Enrolments as defined in their franchise agreement (i.e. player registrations per sport). Being active at the start increases the likelihood that the business will be operated properly and the delivery of sports activities and programs will be consistent and to the highest quality standards.
SINGLE UNIT franchise is more of a “lifestyle business” and as such, usually does not not require full time hours. Single unit franchises can be more flexibility with schedules, as they typically comprise of a single sport operated in a limited number of seasons. Single Area franchisees often can continue to work at their career, spend time with their family and still have time to work IN their business. If a single unit franchisee were to add more sports and operate year round this would change the dynamics of their time commitments.
MULTIPLE UNIT franchises on the other hand serve more Areas and and therefore require more time and possibly more staff to deliver sport activities & programs into multiple communities.
Similarly, if a SINGLE or MULTIPLE unit franchise were to increase the number of seasons or offer multi sports leagues, tournaments and sports programs, then there would be a requirement for a franchisee to step out of the daily operations and rely on staff to work in the business.
If a franchisee can demonstrate that they can meet their performance requirements (i.e. Minimum Player Enrollments) and still sustain quality levels of services in either a SINGLE or MULTIPLE unit franchise, then consideration (and likely approval) will be given for a franchisee to manage their franchise business operations at arms length. If, however, performance requirements fall below acceptable minimums and /or the quality of operation is under-performing or worse, deteriorating, then the franchisee will be required to re-enter the daily business operations to curtail any shortfalls or issues that may jeopardize the success of their franchise.
What can I expect from Premier Sports Leagues?
Premier Sports Leagues (franchisor) is as only successful as our franchisees. We go through great lengths to train franchisees initially so they are fully prepared and equipped with the essentials to start delivering our SERVICES & PRODUCTS. In the beginning months, we do more hand holding of a franchisee’s to help overcome the firsts or any challenges in their business.
From the beginning, we continually support franchisees as they grow regardless of what stage of growth. Should they come upon new roadblocks or need additional resources, training, or expert advice to help take their business to the next level, we will be there to assist. See OUR SYSTEM for more information about our ongoing training and support
While franchisees operate IN their business, Premier Sports Leagues (franchisor) team continuously works behind the scenes ON the overall business model on a variety of business initiatives (i.e. New Business Initiatives).
Some of the New Business Initiatives include:
Building better programs & training
Refining systems to be more efficient and save both time & money
Testing new marketing strategies
Building stronger relations with national / international governing bodies of each sport
Forming new partnerships with Approved Suppliers for better products and pricing
Sponsoring national sporting events and building the brand
Securing national sponsorship revenues to share with the franchisee
Finding ways to support youth who cannot afford to play sports
Continuously working closely with each franchisee to partner on programs that give back into their communities in a charitable way
Network with experts and international organizations that are advocates for the betterment of youth sports
Establish new standards and best practices for the organized youth sport industry
The Premier Sports Leagues (franchisor) team is constantly exploring better ways for franchisees to build a sustainable business and provide customers a better sports experience. This can only be accomplished by working together with the franchisees and staying to vision of building healthier individuals, stronger communities and successful businesses.