“Can I run a franchise part-time while keeping my 9-to-5 job?”
This is one of the most common questions I get on discovery calls.
If you’ve got a mortgage, kids, and bills to pay, it’s a fair question. You want certainty. You don’t want to jump from stable income into something unknown without a plan.
I’ve built a national kids basketball franchise and I speak to potential franchisees every week. I’ve seen what works — and what doesn’t — when it comes to time commitment.
This article is based on a recent live breakdown by Little Boomers Basketball founder, Emile Koorey.
Watch the Full Breakdown
Your “Time Jar” – The Reality Check Most People Avoid
Before you even ask whether you can run a franchise part-time, you need to look at your time honestly.
Let’s break this down.
Most people considering franchise opportunities already have:
A full-time corporate job (9 to 5)
Two kids
A mortgage
School fees
General cost of living
That’s already a full jar.
Now the question becomes:
Where is the time for the franchise going to come from?
If your answer is:
“After 5pm”
“On weekends”
“When I get a spare hour”
You need to think carefully.
After 5pm, most people are drained. Your energy has gone into your employer’s business. Your own franchise gets what’s left over.
On weekends, you’re either:
Recovering
Spending time with family
Catching up on life admin
This is not me being negative.
This is me being honest.
The Three Phases of Starting a Franchise
Every franchise goes through stages.
Phase 1: Start-Up (Highest Time Demand)
The first 12 months require the most effort.
You’re:
Learning the systems
Completing training
Meeting Head Office
Launching marketing
Building partnerships
Running sessions
Recruiting coaches
This stage demands focus.
It’s like having a newborn baby. The first year is intense.
If you try to squeeze this into spare hours only, it becomes extremely difficult.
This is also why many new businesses struggle early. If you want to understand that deeper, read Why Most New Franchises Fail (And How to Avoid It)
Time and attention matter.
Phase 2: Stabilisation
Once systems are running and enrolments are steady, time pressure reduces slightly.
You’re still involved, but things become more predictable.
Phase 3: Scale
Now you have:
Coaches in place
Systems working
Admin under control
At this stage, you can step back more.
But most people forget something important:
You cannot skip Phase 1 and jump straight to Phase 3.
So… Can You Run a Franchise Part-Time?
Yes.
But only if there’s a clear strategy behind it.
Here are your realistic options.
Option 1: Leave Your 9-to-5
High risk. High focus.
This gives the business your full attention from day one.
Not everyone is comfortable doing this.
Option 2: Bring in a Partner
Many franchisees come in as:
Husband and wife teams
Business partners
Family duos
One person can handle operations.
The other can manage admin or marketing.
This balances the time load.
Option 3: Reduce to Part-Time Employment
Instead of quitting completely, some owners:
Go part-time at work
Dedicate 20–30 hours per week to the franchise
Transition fully once stable
This is often the most balanced approach.
Option 4: Work 5am–9am and Evenings
Yes, some people do this.
Early mornings plus evenings can create enough hours.
But be realistic.
That schedule is heavy.
It’s hard to sustain long-term.
Burnout is real.
The Minimum Time You Should Expect
In our model, we tell people clearly:
The first year requires around 25–30 hours per week.
That might be:
One person doing 25 hours
Two people doing 15 hours each
But the time has to come from somewhere.
If someone tells you that you can grow a franchise in year one with minimal effort, I would be cautious.
Franchising reduces risk.
It does not remove work.
Common Mistakes People Make
Thinking the business will “just grow” in spare time
Believing weekends alone are enough
Refusing to adjust their 9-to-5 at all
Underestimating the start-up phase
Expecting life-changing results without life-changing effort
Running a basketball franchise is not a hobby.
It’s a business.
Key Takeaways
Time is your biggest asset in year one
Start-up phase demands the most attention
You cannot skip stages of growth
Part-time can work — but only with a clear plan
Effort must match expectations
If you want flexibility later, you must earn it early.
FAQ: Common Questions People Ask
“Can I just run it on weekends to start?”
Only on weekends is very difficult in the first year. There isn’t enough time to build partnerships, market properly, and manage operations.
“What if my job is flexible?”
Flexibility helps. But you still need consistent weekly hours dedicated to the franchise, especially in the start-up phase.
“When can I reduce my involvement?”
Usually after systems, coaches, and enrolments are stable. That comes after the hard work in year one.
“Is it risky to leave my job?”
Any business carries risk. That’s why some people reduce hours gradually instead of quitting immediately.
“Can my spouse run it while I work full-time?”
Yes, if your spouse is genuinely committed and has the time. The business needs focused leadership from someone.
Keen to learn more?
If you want to explore what the numbers could look like based on your availability and goals, use our Franchise Profit Calculator.
It helps you understand enrolments, expenses, and how time investment connects to outcomes.
Take your time.
Be honest with your schedule.
And only move forward when your plan makes sense.
Your child’s spot is locked in for the year — no re-enrol stress