What to Be Aware When Choosing a Franchise | FranFinders

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Here are 3 “Bewares” that you absolutely must know when choosing a franchise.

You don’t read or see much about this topic but I encounter these companies on a regular basis and I warn our clients before we become too fully engaged in the process. So here are the top contenders for choosing the worst franchise companies.

Beware #1: The franchisor does not have a clear vision of their opportunity. In some newer or under-capitalized brands, the franchisor cannot clearly articulate the following: “What is their total investment? / What consists of their marketing plan? / Do you publish earnings claims and how did you arrive at those numbers? / Do you upcharge me for my equipment, supplies and software tools? / Do you offer funding?”

When the franchisor does not give clear, definitive answers and dodges those questions, you want to pay close attention to those signs, as they often reveal that they are not confident in their brand. I personally like the franchisor to have a PowerPoint presentation addressing all those items very early in the process.

Beware #2: The franchisor does not offer and avoid meeting you in person for Discovery Day. You should each have a chance to evaluate and see if you are a good fit for one another, and the best way is to meet at the franchisor’s headquarters. I have had some franchisor’s want to meet the candidate through Skype but I personally believe that you are better off meeting the CEO, and their staff, so that you can size up one another and determine if you are a good fit.

Beware #3: The franchisor has failed to perform what they promised in their discussions. Because franchising is a heavily regulated industry, the laws are designed to protect franchise candidates.  However, in the courting phase, often the candidate will discuss items that are most important to them and they don’t get these concessions in writing.

When they are ready to sign the agreement, the candidate is upset because the franchisor may charge extra fees for their concessions. We once had a candidate who was ready to sign the agreement and wanted a larger territory. The franchisor agreed to one fee but when the agreement was presented to the client, the price was much higher.

Additionally, I have seen, with some of the poorer run franchise companies, that they make promises on their marketing and advertising programs, only to find out that they did not deliver what they promised.

Keep your eyes wide open in the courting process and use experts, such as an experienced Franchise Consultant, Franchise Attorney and a CPA.

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Sue Bennett is the Co-Founder of FranFinders, a franchise consultancy and funding group.

At FranFinders, we are more than franchise consultants. We are “Your Partners.” Throughout your franchise search, from the Initial Call to your Grand Opening, we are with you “Every Step of the Way.”

By partnering with us, you get our Experience, Knowledge and proven 10 Step Franchise-Buying Process that will bring Clarity and Direction to your franchise search. Gain Confidence, knowing that you are partnering with professionals.

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Star of Discovery Channel’s “Undercover Billionaire,” Grant Cardone owns and operates seven privately held companies and a private equity real estate firm, Cardone Capital, with a multifamily portfolio of assets under management valued at over $4 billion. He is the Top Crowdfunder in the world, raising over $900 million in equity via social media. Known internationally as the leading expert on sales, marketing, and scaling businesses, Cardone is a New York Times bestselling author of 11 business books, including “The 10X Rule,” which led to Cardone establishing the 10X Global Movement and the 10X Growth Conference, now the largest business and entrepreneur conference in the world. The online business and sales educational platform he created, Cardone University, serves over 411,000 individuals and Forbes 100 corporate clients throughout the world. Voted the top Marketing Influencer to watch by Forbes, Cardone uses his massive 15 million plus following to give back via his Grant Cardone Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring underserved, at-risk adolescents in financial literacy, especially those without father figures.