Ask most anyone what would be the best thing about having his or her own business and you are likely to hear: Being my own boss.

But, when that business is a franchise and you have to follow someone else’s rules on almost everything, are you really the boss?

“If you get into a good franchise, the franchisors will listen to you and take suggestions,” said co-owner of three Philly Pretzel Factory stores in Lebanon and Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. “But you also have to remember that franchises can have hundreds (or more) combined years of experience gained through trial and error and they know what works and what doesn’t.”

Franchisors have a brand to protect and they do so for your and their success.

“When you see the golden arches, you know what it is and can almost taste the food,” said Breault. “If someone goes rogue and changes the shape or color of the arches, you would have no idea that is the business you know, so it’s very important to stick to the plan.”

Like most other bosses, franchise owners pick their teams and manage them based on the individuals and the situation. Sure, you may have to follow a training plan created by the franchisor but as the boss, it is you who motivates, directs, and supervises those individuals on a daily basis.

“As the owner, you are the one who will ultimately determine if your franchise will be successful,’ said Breault. “You choose your location, implement your marketing plan and directly impact your customer service, which is huge in this business.”

“You have to put everything into your business, time, money and energy,” said Breault. “Just like in the military, this is no nine to five. You may work 80-hour weeks, late nights and holidays. And your family is the number one support you need to make it work.”

The boss is the one who makes the biggest investment, and it’s the boss who gets the biggest return on it, financially and otherwise.