During lockdown and now into the new normal, many architects across the country are dealing with financial and career uncertainty, with many practices letting staff go.

As an architect, we generally think of having two main career options – either being an employee, or running our own practice. With far and few jobs available, and a hesitation to start a business at this time, neither of these seem very flexible and for those architects who want to work from home, there doesn’t seem to be an easy solution.

But, there is a third option: an architecture franchise. Owning an architecture franchise with the backing of a strong brand and an effective business model is an option that many are overlooking. With a franchise, you combine all the benefits of running your own business (the freedom, flexible hours, working from home, having a work-life balance) with the added bonus and the safety net of full technical, business, resourcing, and mentoring support, not to mention a steady influx of leads and clients.

You’ll operate within a 20-minute drive radius to your home (which we’ve calculated as having enough owner-occupiers) and will handle consultations and even workshops all online via video call.

While many practices have struggled during 2020 and are now letting staff go, Pride Road Architect Franchisees have actually seen a boom in their businesses with some reporting record months in their monthly turnover. All franchisees have had a continued pipeline of work coming in, and instead of working face-to-face, they’re delivering prospects and workshops online.