Sample TOEFL Integrated Essay – Buying a Franchise

The Question

This integrated essay is based on a question that appears in the Official TOEFL Tests Collection from ETS. You can buy that book if you want the reading and lecture.

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The Sample Essay

         The reading and the lecture are about the advantages and disadvantages of buying a  franchise. The author of the reading believes than buying this kind of business can be quite advantageous. The professor casts doubt on this claim. She believes that buying a franchise isn’t always a good idea.

        First of all, the author claims that first-time business owners often struggle to gain reliable access to the goods and services needed to run a business. It is noted that buying a franchise, however, eliminates this problem because the franchising company specifies which suppliers must to be used. The professor challenges the validity of this assertion. She notes that the approved suppliers tend to overcharge. She elaborates on this by noting that even if there are cheaper goods available, the franchise owner is forbidden from purchasing them.

         Secondly, the author points out that owning a franchise can result in more affordable advertising and promotion. This is because franchises are part of a well-established brand with a sophisticated marketing plan already in place. The professor, in contrast, points out that franchise owners are typically required to pay an amount equal to up to six percent of their total sales to the parent company for advertising services. She contends that the sort of advertising purchased by the franchise company results in less overall benefit to the franchise owners than what they would get if they paid to advertise their business directly.

          Finally, the author observes that a franchise offers increased security. The article observes that many independent businesses fail during their first few years of operation, and that this can sometimes be avoided by starting a franchise business. The professor casts doubt on this assertion. She points out that buying a franchise is not the least-risky option for people who want to start a business. She points out that it is even less risky to purchase an existing business from an independent operator.

Note

This is a sample TOEFL integrated essay written by a native speaker.  It follows our master guide for TOEFL integrated essays.  If you find it useful, please remember that we have many more sample essays for you to read!