Opening a new café or restaurant sounds romantic. But in 2026, a smart entrepreneur asks: why build from scratch if I can buy an already operating business with customers?
In the franchise world, this is called a transfer — buying the existing franchisee's business as is. There are two paths: either you build an empty space from scratch, or you take over a branch that's already making money. The difference isn't just a matter of taste — it's a matter of money and risk.
1. Starting from scratch: long and uncertain
When starting from scratch, the biggest problem is time and unexpected costs.
- Construction, permits, equipment, design — all of this takes months. During this time, the space is closed, no money is coming in, but expenses continue.
- The budget almost always exceeds: construction gets more expensive, supplies are delayed, something goes missing.
- Most importantly: after opening, no one can guarantee whether customers will come. Everything is based on paper predictions.
2. Transfer: profit from day one
When you buy an operating franchise, the picture is different:
- You make money from day one. Customers exist, a team is in place, equipment is set up. You're not starting from scratch — you're boarding a moving train.
- The risk is lower because the location and customer base have already been tested. The answer to "Does this work?" is known.
- Real numbers are on the table: past sales, tax returns, profit/loss statements. You decide based on facts, not estimates.
Practical difference: With a scratch setup, you have an Excel forecast — a wish. With a transfer, you have a bank statement — reality.
3. The hidden advantage of transfer: growth
Buying a profit-making branch is also a more reliable profile for banks. An operating business can generate the strength needed to open a second, third branch from within itself. So a transfer is not just a single shop — it's the start of planned growth.
Comparison table
| Criterion | From scratch | Operating franchise (transfer) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial risk | High — location untested | Low — customer and location proven |
| Budget overrun | Often 15-30% extra | Almost none |
| When does money come | After 6-12 months | From day one |
| Decision based on | Estimate (forecast) | Real number (past sales) |
| Team | Hiring from scratch | Ready, experienced team |
One condition: due diligence
The only risk of a transfer is not checking whether the seller's numbers are correct. Therefore, before a transfer, be sure to:
- See the actual sales and tax documents for the last 2-3 years.
- Ask the seller: 'Why are you selling?' (Note: More than half of franchise sales worldwide are due to personal reasons like retirement or relocation, not business failure — meaning the business being sold is often healthy.)
- Check the transfer right in the contract — the franchisor must approve this transfer.
Golden rule: See the business's 'health score' before spending your capital. Don't take a transfer without transparent numbers.
Useful tools
How does DK Agency help?
DK Agency's Devir platform is built exactly for this: bringing together operating franchises and businesses in a transparent, verifiable way. This way, the buyer sees the operation before spending capital, and the seller finds the right buyer. Because for us, a transfer is not just a sale — it's a badge of trust: The Mark of Mastery, the Seal of the Digital.
Next step: Do you want to buy an operating franchise or transfer your own business? Check out the DK Agency Devir platform or contact us for a free initial evaluation.