The development of drone technology in the past 5 years has been staggering. With this pace of change brings new service opportunities for tech entrepreneurs. The opportunities for growth, to bring drone services to various business sectors are only limited by the imagination. There are quite simply a ton of applications that can benefit from the use of drones. Drone or UAV imagery can provide new perspectives, offer new insights AND to help people better manage risk.

Recon Aerial Media believes that drone services can benefit and even thrive within a highly regulated environment. Drone franchise services is perfectly suited to this environment and can provide a structured approach to safety, flight operations, regulatory compliance, training, client services and marketing.

We are well on our way to creating an INDUSTRY FIRST drone franchise model that allows the franchisee to quickly adopt and take charge of a ready to fly drone franchise business. Your drone franchise will broadly serve companies and clients who need aerial inspections, assessments and multimedia imaging. Our franchise model will provide you with the tools, support, backbone and partners network to give you a significant head start. You choose your “specialization” like photography, mapping, precision agriculture, etc and together we turn your drone business dream into reality.  We can work together to target your niche market while maintaining the flexibility to respond to new market opportunities as they present themselves.

Our goal is to create drone franchise opportunities that offer a practical solutions, offer the franchisees choice and that will simplify business startups. Your focus will be on marketing and creating opportunity rather than toiling in administration, research and the drudgery of setting a business. Recon Aerial Media wants to offer  you a head start!

Our vision for drone franchises will include the following but also other information to assist the Franchisee. Our objective is to provide a Franchisee with a fully operational solution that includes all equipment, software, documentation, critical business processes, research and support to meet the existing and up coming legal requirements to fly commercially anywhere in Canada and the US. You drone service franchise will include:

• Exclusive territorial rights (5 years)
• DJI Phantom 4 or equivalent
• Access to commercial drones by Aeryon, Quest, Trimble, SenseFly Precision Hawk (if  P4 is not applicable)
• Access to the MicaSense RedEdge, Parrot Sequoia or Slantrange as required
• Access to Vmap as required
• Trackimo Drone Tracker
  
• Drone liability insurance
• Access  to Drone Deploy Pro for one year
  
• One year individual membership to  Unmanned Systems Canada or
• One year individual membership to AUVSI (US)
  
• One year subscription to Adobe Photoshop CC and Lightroom CC
  
• Custom Sub WebPage to Facilitate Client Purchasing
• First right of refusal on UAV Freelancer platform
• Flight permits Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
• Complete 80+ page flight operations manual to “compliant operator equivalency” incorporating the anticipated NPA requirements to “complex operator of a small UAV” that will be included within the upcoming CAR (Canada Only)
  
• Pre-operations, pre-flight, in-flight and post- flight checklists, equipment lists
  
• Branded signage, business cards, image templates and marketing materials
  
• Recon Aerial Media email addresses
• SEO, SEM and SMM by Recon Aerial Media
  
• Branded marketing via PPC on Google, Bing and Facebook by Recon Aerial Media
  
• Standard local landing page for marketing your drone franchise
• Free landing page website hosting and hosting for marketing landing pages
• Standard service contracts and administrative documentation
• Basic business sector info and potential target clients info
  
• Safety, emergency awareness information and guidance
• Access to Private Online Franchisee Community
• Access to Preferred Repair Partners
• Access to drone damage insurance
  
• Franchise agreement/documentation (FA, FDD, NDA, Non-complete etc)
• Ongoing Technical, Administrative Support and Business Systems Support
• Cooperative Strategic Business Support

This is not an exhaustive list but includes most of the key items. If  your chosen drone services specialization does not suit the Phantom 4, we will discount the franchise fee by $1000.

Your drone franchise will also include training for:

• Business Processes  (1 day)
• Flight operations management in conformance with operations manual (1-2 days)
• Flight processing software (1 day)
• Flight Training (Drone Pilot) in conformance with the Transport Canada knowledge requirements TP 15263   (Canada only 2-5 days)

Drone franchise development through Recon Aerial Media is being built out rapidly in line with the immense change that is happening within the drone services industry. We will update this franchise offer routinely in order to provide the best value to Recon Aerial Media and to potential drone services franchisees.

We are currently developing our US Drone Franchise Model that will look VERY similar to what you see here with a few exceptions given the differing US regulatory requirements. BUT if you are anxious to get started we have an amazing solution for you if you are in the US. We have deconstructed our franchise model and are offering individual sUAS workflow solutions. Check it out HERE! For many this is even better than the Drone Franchise Solution.

Starting a drone business is easy. We have taken the guess work out of this by logging countless of hours in research to understand the regulatory requirements, to partner with manufacturers, software service providers, training service providers, lenders and insurers. This is done with one thing in mind, to offer you a few simple choices that will allow you to start something great and give you every chance at success.

What does it cost?

We want to offer the best chance of success. Part of doing this is offering each Franchisee the opportunity to “specialize” as they wish.  We want our partners to be able to fulfill the brand service requirements but we truly want our partners to specialize and enjoy what they do, happiness breeds success.

With this in mind, the franchise cost varies since the drone specific to your specialization varies. If you wish to focus mainly film you may choose the DJI Spreading Wings but if you want to fly for precision agriculture you might choose the  SenseFly eBee.

There will be 2 costs and these are subject to change upon input from our franchise consultancy:

1.  Core Franchise Business Costs

• 7-15K,
• royalties @ 5% of gross
• advertising fee at $199 per month

2.  Drone Package (varies 2K- 80K )

Want to get on board but don’t have the capital?  You still have options. We are partnering with various lenders to provide support to you. Financing is currently available through Grow and Give Me Credit.

We  have also created a “soft entry” model. This model also helps those who have already have their own drone equipment though not required. This allows you to get on board at a reduced cost without paying the recurring franchise fees, it’s our Recon Aerial Media UAV Brand Licensee program.

If you are interested please get in touch since, as with any franchise opportunity, franchise opportunities for a drone services business in your region are limited.  Shortly, we will release pre-drone franchise sales in limited locations to a limited number of potential franchisee partners via our Crowd Funding Campaign so get your name on the priority list by contacting us!

The sky is literally the limit, actually about 400 ft AGL :)! Joking aside there is extraordinary growth potential in the drone services sector. If you are wondering how this can work for you or curious about what markets and industry sectors your drone services franchise will serve, here is a snap shot of just some of the target markets being developed:

• Aerial imaging for Multimedia Advertising
• Cinematography and Film
• Weddings, Anniversaries and Parties
• Journalism
• Virtual Tours for Golf Courses, Hotels, Resorts, Lodge, Parks B&B’s, Marinas
• Promotional Aerial Imagery for Tourism and City/Regional Promotional
• Commercial and Residential Real Estate
• School Sporting Events
• Live Streaming Various Events
• Land Development Media
• Public Security
• Fire Scene Inspection
• Search and Rescue
• Traffic Accident Investigation
• Environmental Compliance
• Land Development & Urban Planning
• Park Planning, Forestry & Land Management
• Precision Agriculture
• Mapping & Surveying
• Stockpile Analysis
• Insurance Assessments
• Construction Site Assessment & Monitoring
• Engineering Inspections, Road Work, Bridge, Railway & Dam Assessment
• Industrial Inspections
• Residential and Commercial Building Inspection
• Cell & hydro Tower and Elevated Structures
• Power Line ROW Vegetation Inspections
  

Any one of these UAV services sectors provides an incredible opportunity. It’s not a matter of if you can do this, it’s a matter of deciding what industry will be your full time specialization. The timing couldn’t be more perfect to start and build out your network. It will be a race to the top in each and our goal at Recon Arial Media is to get you out in front first.

The first thing to do is to get on the priority list. Whether you are from Canada, the US or elsewhere, take 5 minutes and tell us a little more about yourself!

IF you want to start working NOW before our franchise model is 100% complete we are ready! Yes, we have a soft entry option that is flexible, called our UAV Brand Licensee program.   This solution allows you to start working with us without the need to pay high franchise fees.

It’s simple, we set you up to fly under our banner with insurance, training our flight operations manual and workflows and will even get you your drone if you need one. Find out more email us and please see how to easily start a drone business.

Very soon we will launch our Crowd Funding Campaign and limited Franchises will be available at a sharply discounted price to give us a boost! Stay Tuned! Sign up to our newsletter!

Interested want to know more? Get in touch!  Please send us an email we’d be happy to consult with you to figure out how we can create your successful drone business partnership!

We are interested to establish key relationships within the industry to support our efforts. We are actively seeking feedback and partners from the UK, France, Australia and New Zealand who can help us bring Recon Aerial Media to new heights. Contact us if you wish to be involved!