October 28, 2016
Measure’s VP of Franchising explains what makes the drone industry ripe for franchising
With the release of Part 107, widespread commercial operations have become a reality. Operators are starting businesses, flying for companies building programs in house, or joining one of the many drone pilot networks. At Measure, we’re taking a different route to scale our business: providing qualified candidates a business opportunity through franchising. In the first part of our drone franchising blog post series, Measure’s VP of Franchising Dan Rothfeld lays out the vision, the challenges, and the opportunity for Measure NationwideTM.
Q: Dan, what are the profiles of those you feel might be interested in becoming a franchisee?
Dan: Franchisees may come from all walks of life. Generally, they tend to be those who are interested in taking their career and life in a new direction. They might be individuals frustrated with the corporate grind, or transitioning veterans looking for somewhere to apply their skill set—people who want to do something new for themselves.
Q: Is the drone services industry a promising marketplace?
Dan: Yes, and a sizeable one at that. Price Waterhouse Coopers estimates the addressable marketplace at $127 billion, with significant growth over the last several years. Pilots with Part 107 remote-pilot-in-command (RPIC) licenses can get a head start if they affiliate with an operator who has experience in the field and has already standardized their day-to-day operations over a broad geographic range.
Q: If I was interested in breaking into the drone industry through franchising, what are some things I should keep in mind before I begin the due diligence process?
Dan: In my experience, there are three key factors to consider when starting any business (franchise or otherwise): money, support, and training. Investing in a franchise is like buying an out-of-the-box business. Franchisors have already done the research and development necessary to compile a set of best practices to apply in business development, flight management, data capture and processing. For example, Measure has designated aircraft and sensor platforms for each of its verticals, and relationships with suppliers with negotiated pricing. Franchisors have established proven business processes and a roadmap to success, provides the franchisee an opportunity to scale their business faster and more efficiently. An independently owned business, which may seem cheaper at first glance, comes with none of the resources or support built into the franchise model.
Q: It sounds like franchisors leverage their experience in the industry to give their franchisees a shortcut to success. How does this relate to training?
Dan: Franchisors want to help their franchisees avoid rookie mistakes. At Measure, we provide franchisees with training on general business operations, compliance, regulation, and specific applications to ensure they are always safe, legal, and insured. Franchisors also provide corporate and field-based support to help franchisees become effective leaders in the marketplace. Franchisors support their franchisees in every facet of running their business, from daily challenges to strategizing for long-term success.
Q: How can interested franchisees assess whether a franchise opportunity is a good one?
Dan: Potential franchisees should look first and foremost at the franchisor—are they a thought leader in their industry? Do they grasp what the end-user of the industry is looking for? Are they sought out for their expertise and passion for excellence? In the commercial drone space, large, enterprise clients want consistent, nationwide professional services. They want to make a selection, and know their vendor will be here today, tomorrow and next year. The drone franchise model caters perfectly to that.
Q: What sort of emotional return is there for joining a franchise system?
Dan: Some people like the challenge of entering a completely new industry. They want to be able to completely immerse themselves in something they are interested in and passionate about, but may not have the expertise to be successful by themselves. Others want the opportunity to be part of a community, or to create their own legacy. The emotional return is arguably the most important factor for potential franchisees.
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