Five Major Advantages of Buying a Staffing Franchise Resale

If you’re interested in franchising, a resale office might be the right choice for you. They offer stability, a faster path to profits, as well as other benefits of buying a franchise resale.

Investing in a staffing franchise resale can be an exciting opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs or seasoned business owners looking for a head start. Unlike starting a franchise from scratch, a resale offers the advantage of stepping into a business with an established client base, existing staff, and a track record of operations. While this setup can provide a quicker path to profitability and stability, it’s natural to have questions about the potential challenges that may lie ahead. We’ll walk you through the many advantages of buying a staffing franchise resale as well as some common concerns—and how to address them—so you can make an informed decision about whether this is the right choice for you.

What is a franchise resale, and why would someone buy one?

A franchise resale is what happens when the current owner of a franchise decides to sell their business. This could be for all kinds of reasons—like retiring, looking for a new adventure, or moving to a new area. When you buy that franchise resale, you’re stepping into a business that’s already up and running, with customers, employees, and a place in the local community. It’s like buying a house, instead of buying a piece of land where you’d then have to build the house from the ground up.

For many people, this setup is appealing because it skips a lot of the early hurdles of launching a brand-new franchise. Instead of starting with blank pages, you get a business with a history and momentum. Of course, it’s important to take a good look at what you’re inheriting to make sure it’s a good fit for you. But for the right buyer, a franchise resale can be an exciting way to jump into business ownership with a lot less guesswork.

Benefits of buying a franchise resale 

When it comes to business ownership, buying an existing franchise offers advantages that can set you up for success from day one. In terms of the benefits of purchasing a franchise resale, we consistently see new franchisees bring up the same few reasons why this was the perfect way to start—or grow—their entrepreneurial journey.

Reduced risk

First and foremost, buying a franchise resale presents a lot less risk compared to starting a new franchise. The business is already operational, which means many of the uncertainties around startup costs, customer acquisition, and market demand are already resolved. You’re not starting from scratch, you’re stepping into something that works—and Spherion Oxnard (California) franchise owner Greg Forrest knows that firsthand. After running into issues operating his own small business, Greg pursued purchasing a Spherion franchise resale to reduce the risk of independent business ownership. “Ultimately, purchasing a Spherion Staffing & Recruiting franchise allowed me to maintain the independence I cherished while gaining the infrastructure and support needed to overcome the hurdles I faced as an independent business owner,” said Greg. 

Easier to break even

Another big advantage of buying a franchise is that you’re likely to break even faster. With an established customer base generating immediate cash flow, you don’t have to wait months or years to see a return on your investment. The location, systems, and processes are already in place, so you can hit the ground running without all the heavy lifting that comes with launching a new franchise.

Less effort to get up and running

Buying a resale means much of the groundwork has already been done. The location has a proven track record, staff are trained and ready, and the physical setup is complete. You’ll also inherit valuable relationships with vendors and suppliers, making day-to-day operations easier to manage. This is exactly what Spherion Wichita Falls (Texas) franchise owner Brandon Cook did. “After 20 years in corporate HR, when [the owner] approached me about potentially purchasing her business, I knew immediately it was a great fit,” said Brandon. “I knew that I could take my unique experience from the other side of the desk and build upon the foundation that they had built over the past 32 years.”

More time spent bringing business ideas to life

This is where things get exciting. Ordinarily, you’d have to expend a lot of time and effort on getting the business up and running. But with all that work done already, you can focus on bringing in fresh ideas and energy to make the business your own. Plus, you have access to historical performance data that gives you a clear picture of what’s working and what isn’t, so you can make smart, informed decisions about how to take your franchise even further. For Spherion Midland (Michigan) franchise owner Sarah Ross, this is one of the biggest factors. “When the previous owner retired, purchasing the franchise resale felt like the natural next step,” Sarah said. “For me, the biggest benefit has been the autonomy to make decisions that shape the business.”

Potentially better price

Finally, there’s the potential for a better deal. Since the price of a resale is often based on the franchise’s actual performance, there’s room for negotiation. Whether you’re buying a thriving location or one that needs a little TLC, you may find the pricing more flexible than with a brand-new franchise. 

Common concerns when purchasing an Existing Franchise (Resale)

While buying an existing franchise can offer a lot of advantages, it’s natural to have a few concerns before taking the plunge. After all, you’re stepping into a business with its own history, and you’ll want to be sure you’re making a sound investment. The key is knowing how to approach these concerns—and that most of them can be addressed with a little preparation and due diligence, especially when buying into a trusted brand.

What if I don’t like what I’m “inheriting” from the previous owner?

It’s true that stepping into an existing business means taking on its history—good and bad. Some resales come with problems like a poor reputation or resistant staff, but if you choose a franchise with a strong brand reputation, that’ll give you a solid starting point. Should there be existing team members who aren’t the right fit, you can absolutely part ways amicably and bring in your own hires to align with your vision. And when it comes to the previous owner’s finances or potential legal issues, just make sure you ask about it in advance. Some franchisors handle that on your behalf before the resale. For instance, all Spherion franchise resales are thoroughly vetted and cleared, so you won’t be surprised by hidden debts or legal issues.

What about the length of my franchise contract term?

Another common question is about the remaining term on the franchise agreement. Some franchise resales might have contracts that are nearing the end of their term, which would put the purchaser of a franchise resale on the hook for new franchise fees. This will depend on the franchisor, but for some franchisors like Spherion, every new owner starts fresh with a 10-year agreement. This gives you plenty of time to build and grow your business.

What if there’s a lot that needs to be updated? 

For some franchises, taking over might mean needing to refresh the location or update to meet current standards. This is especially true of manufacturing or fast food/restaurant franchises, where existing equipment might need to be replaced or old branding might need to be swapped out. On the other hand, for low-overhead franchises like staffing, there’s no expensive equipment or inventory to worry about, even with a resale. And as for branding, your franchisor’s marketing team should help you bring any outdated signage or materials up to speed. This keeps your focus on the business, not unnecessary remodeling.

What if I lose the existing customer base?

A worry we often hear is, “What if I lose the existing customer base?” It’s true that some relationships might have been tied to the previous owner, but this is also your chance to make a fresh impression. You can reintroduce yourself to clients, show them your dedication, and even pursue opportunities the previous owner didn’t. And even if you do lose some clients, that’s part of owning a business—and this is your opportunity to make the business your own.

How much will I be able to change—really?

Finally, there’s the question of flexibility. With established patterns in place, some fear they’ll have little room to implement their own ideas and that owning a franchise will simply be a copy-and-paste of every other location. However, many franchisors encourage their franchisees to adapt and personalize processes to fit their local market needs, ensuring you feel in control of your business. Plus, you may even get some extra support. At Spherion, for example, you’ll receive 380 hours of comprehensive training to help you learn how to put your mark on your franchise. 

So while these concerns are valid, they’re also manageable, especially with the right franchise partner. 

A franchise resale offers the perfect blend of opportunity and potential

Buying a franchise resale is more than just acquiring a business—it’s stepping into a unique opportunity to build on an existing foundation. While there are always questions to consider, the benefits of an established customer base, operational systems, and immediate cash flow often outweigh the challenges when you’re working with a trusted brand like Spherion. 

With Spherion, you’re not just inheriting a business—you’re gaining the tools, support, and freedom to make it thrive. Ready to get started? If you’re interested in exploring franchise resales, we encourage you to check out some of our available franchises for sale.