After two years of uncertainty, the Covid-19 pandemic is finally beginning to abate. As the world returns to its usual questionable definition of normality, entrepreneurs and savvy investors are once again putting their money to work. However, they are doing so with much greater caution than before. Lockdown restrictions shun a harsh light on some of the world’s top franchises. Once profitable franchise brands were brought to their knees, with many showing no signs of recovery. This has motivated those interested in buying a franchise to think outside the box and explore exciting new small business ideas. Trust me when I say, they don’t get any more exciting than Intro Matchmaking.
Intro: An Introduction
For more than a decade, Intro Matchmaking has served the singletons of Ireland. In that time, we have brought thousands of couples together, making us the number one introductions agency in the country. Our work has been covered by countless newspapers, magazines, and online publications. As company founder, I was even featured on The Late Late Show, Ireland’s most popular television chat show. Now Intro is expanding beyond our home country. In doing so, we are presenting unique franchise opportunities to those looking to start a business.
Pandemic Proof
As mentioned above, restrictions introduced to combat Covid-19 left even the most profitable franchises in the red. Business owners large and small had no option but to evolve or perish. Unfortunately, many franchise organizations were unable to operate in lockdown. Their business plans did not lend themselves to remote work and Zoom meetings, which meant long-term shutdowns and, in some cases, total closure.
Some assumed the closure of bars and restaurants would spell doom for the dating industry. And, indeed, many introductions agencies were forced to shut their doors permanently. At Intro Matchmaking, however, we not only managed to adapt, but to thrive. We moved all meetings online and arranged Zoom dates for the clients who did not wish to pause their membership until things opened back up. These virtual dates proved to be a roaring success. Along with keeping our current clients satisfied, they inspired many new clients to sign up to our services. By February of 2021, our profits were at an all-time high. Having proven ourselves to be more than stable even during the greatest global crises of our time, it’s no wonder that Intro Matchmaking is quickly becoming one of the best franchises to own in 2021 and beyond.
A Franchise For Everybody
Exploring business opportunities can be an extremely stressful experience. Nobody knows that better than us. With so many types of franchises to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to find one that is right for you. Many would-be entrepreneurs lose untold hours of sleep hunting for business ideas that suit their already-honed skills and talents. With Intro Matchmaking, this anxiety and tension can be entirely avoided.
Matchmaking is an industry that can be learned quickly, meaning franchisees can enter without any prior exposure. In fact, when my wife Rena and I first established Intro, we had no experience in the dating industry. What we did have was unrelenting ambition and a desire to help others find the happiness that we shared together. Our interpersonal and organizational skills allowed us to achieve these goals, while simultaneously building a scalable and highly profitable business. If a franchisee brings this same combination of drive and talent to the table, they too can earn an extremely comfortable living while maintaining a stable work/life balance.
Hands-On Guidance
When Rena and I founded Intro, we had nobody to help us navigate the waters of the professional matchmaking world. When you invest in our franchise business, however, this will not be the case for you. As a services franchise, each division of Intro Matchmaking requires hands-on guidance if it is to develop into a success the magnitude of our original Irish brand. This is hands-on guidance that we are more than happy to provide. Intro’s franchising contracts ensure our constant support as you familiarize yourself with the industry. We will utilize our decade of expertise to help you with the day-to-day operation of the business until you are ready to take full control of your franchise.
Worldwide Potential
Even some of the best franchises to own don’t promise their investors a global reach. Take McDonald’s, for example. Even this juggernaut of franchising has reported underwhelming earnings in countries like Iceland, Jamaica, Vietnam, and more. This is because the fast food chain’s product doesn’t always sync up with the sensibilities of the countries in which it attempts to set up shop. The same can be said of most other franchise business ideas. Matchmaking, however, is a global industry. This is especially true coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Lockdown caused singletons all over the world to see the value of the comfort and affection that only a romantic partner can provide.
Prior to the pandemic, 80% of these singletons could expect to meet their soulmate through work, school, or friends. With these traditional methods of socializing still impossible to the same degree across the globe, those actively seeking a partner are turning to introduction agencies like ours. This looks set to be the case for the foreseeable future, meaning Intro Matchmaking has the potential to thrive in every country. Whether you are searching for new business opportunities in the UK or are hoping to set something up on either side of the East China Sea, Intro Matchmaking is the perfect franchise.
Affordable Buy-In Fees
Many people who consider investment in a franchise ultimately decide against it. This is often due to the high franchise costs that well-known franchising companies expect investors to pay. Let’s go back to the McDonald’s example for a moment. An entrepreneur hoping to buy a franchise of the Golden Arches must be prepared to part with a minimum of €500,000. This money must be from the individual’s personal income – meaning it cannot be borrowed – and is rarely more than a foot in the door to receiving approval. Even for arguably the best franchise store in the world, this is a hefty fee and one that few can afford. According to franchising expert Michael H. Seid, this high price tag is very much the norm. Seid estimates the average initial franchise investment to fall between €100,000 and €300,000. This, of course, makes franchising a virtual impossibility for countless would-be investors.
At Intro Matchmaking, we don’t believe that the success of an entrepreneur should be limited by the money they can afford to invest at the beginning of the journey. That’s why we ask for an affordable buy-in fee of €20,000. That means you can take full control of an Intro Matchmaking franchise for a fraction of the average single unit franchise fee. This makes our matchmaking agency one of the top low-cost franchise opportunities in the UK, Europe, and around the globe.
Full Regional Control
Many franchises for sale offer their investors control of only a small area. They are permitted to cater only to the population of their locality, while other investors operate their arm of the business close by, sometimes a mere 30 minutes away. This, of course, minimizes the amount of profits a franchisee can expect and can even result in tension between franchise owners. At Intro Matchmaking, we strive to avoid such convoluted business practices. When we offer a franchise for sale, we grant the buyer control of their city and its environs. That means you’ll have exclusive rights to the Intro Matchmaking name across your region, with the potential for full nationwide control.
Passive Publicity
When you invest in Intro Matchmaking, you are free to explore publicity opportunities as you see fit. However, you will also benefit from passive publicity created by our original Dublin arm. At the time of this writing, we are exploring multimedia avenues to help establish Intro Matchmaking as one of the best franchises for investors and customers alike. These include a book, a music video, a series of articles, and a plethora of podcast appearances. By diversifying our promotional tactics in this manner, we are reaching the widest variety of people and raising brand awareness at home and abroad. On top of this, we are working alongside Edelman, the world’s leading public relations firm to create demand for our services across the world. When you purchase an Intro Matchmaking franchise, you can reap the rewards of this passive publicity and enjoy ready-made demand right off the bat.
Become An Intro Franchisee
When it comes to high profits and low overhead, Intro Matchmaking is one of the top franchises of 2021. Whether you’re looking to start a business in the UK or want to focus your attention on something further afield, we would love to welcome you to the Intro family. As you will quickly discover working with us, the high-demand for matchmaking services, combined with our expertise, support, and reputation for excellence, makes Intro Matchmaking the best franchise business for our ever-changing society. Contact us today to learn more about establishing your own Intro Matchmaking franchise wherever you are in the world.