The Franchise Model of Climbing Everest

Admittedly, before I started writing this piece I didn’t know much about climbing Everest, and I still don’t.  The analogy of climbing Everest with a guide and without a guide and going into business with a franchise and without a franchise is just too perfect for me to pass up.

It’s estimated that the cost of climbing Everest can range between $70,000 and $100,000.  Over half of that expense is the guide (Sherpa), the rest is gear, permits, flights, food and of course the all important digital camera to take a photo when you get to the top. 

There is no requirement to use a Sherpa.  As recently as 5 years ago, an experienced British climber hired a budget trekking company based in Kathmandu, and paid them a little less than $8,000 for permits, food and a small base camp on the north side of the mountain.  Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, this climber didn’t make it.  Tragically, he died on the Northeast Ridge.  Climbing Everest with a Sherpa is difficult; going it alone is even more difficult. 

I know this is an extreme analogy, but the statistics do back me up.  Four out of five, business people who open a business without the help of a franchise are out of business within five years.  That number is flipped when a franchise is involved; four out of five franchise businesses are stilling in business five years after opening. 

If you’d like the perfect franchise Sherpa for you, give me a call at (913) 888-1400.