FIFTEEN QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE CHOOSING A FRANCHISE
Here are some criteria that can help you make your decision:
1. What products or services would you enjoy selling?
What industries do you like, or dislike? Your best bet is to find a
franchise in an industry you know at least a little bit about.
2. How much money do you have available to invest?
The amount of money you have available to invest in a franchise is an
important factor. If you've only got $30,000 and the minimum investment for a
specific franchise opportunity is $90,000, the opportunity isn't going to be
right for you, no matter how much you like the company.
3. What's the total cost of purchase?
The franchise fee won't be your only expense. Find out what you can
expect to pay for advertising, training, inventory, insurance, and all other
costs in addition to the franchise fee and royalties.
4. How well established is the franchise?
How long has the franchise been in existence? Have they been in business for
many years or are they brand-new? How many other franchises have they opened
and where are they located?
5. How stable is the franchise?
What is the background of its officers? (Any history of litigation or
bankruptcy of the franchise or its officers is supposed to be included in the
disclosure document.)
6. What kind of track record does the franchise have?
Have most of their franchisees been successful? Names and addresses of
franchisees in your state should be provided before you sign any contract.
Call the people on the list and ask about their experiences.
7. What training is available?
Ask what training and support will be provided as part of your franchise
fee. Will you get step-by-step instructions and hands-on training? What kinds
of manuals and other materials will you get?
8. How close to your store can the franchisor let another franchisee set up shop?
9. Will you be required to purchase supplies or products
from the parent company?
If so, compare your cost to the local retail prices of the same goods.
There have been instances where the price from the franchise company for goods
was higher than the price of the same goods in local retail stores. Selling
anything under such conditions would be quite difficult.
10. What do the contract terms say about ownership? Can you
sell out to someone else if you wish?
If you want to continue when the contract expires, will it be automatically
renewed?
11. Determine how disputes will be handled should they arise.
12. What criteria does the franchise use in selecting
franchisees?
Do they do any screening? Or, do they seem more interested in getting your
franchise fee?
13. Does the franchise use high-pressure sales techniques to get you to sign on the dotted line?
14. Do you like the people you are dealing with?
15. How big is the market for the franchise's products or services in your area and how much competition is there now?
If we can assist further, please email TotalAccounting as follows:
BACK TO KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION CENTRE HOME PAGE