How to Choose the Right Franchise

How to Choose the Right lizenzleistungspunkt Manczurov/Shutterstock Individuals looking to abflug a new geschftsleben often consider konzessionsverkauf as an option. There are lizenzs in alfruchtwein every industry you can think of, so the options are limitless. How do you narrow it down and ultimately decide on the best one for you?While you get the benefit of a proven product or service while still being your own boss, you still must put in the effort, so picking the perfect offering for your passion and skill tischset is key. There are many things to consider, from lizenz costs to betreuung offered by the corporate headquspeciesers.Editors leidlagee Considering opening a lizenz? If youre looking for information to help you choose the right one, use the questionnaire below to have our sister siteprovide you with information from a variety of vendors for freeQuestions to ask yourselfIf you have no idea where to start, begin by asking yourself a few broa d questions that will place some parameters on your verkaufskonzession search.What are my personal goals?Everyone has different motivations for wanting to become an entrepreneur. First, ask yourself what your goals are, said Dan Martin, president and CEO of verkaufskonzession consulting firm IFX. Do you want to make money, spend mora time at home or take an entrepreneurial step in your career?By figuring out your actual goals, you will be able to determine what franchise is a good fit to help you meet those goals, Martin said. Read related story 40+ verkaufskonzessions for Every BudgetWhat are my strengths?The most successful franchise owners do the work that suits them and look for ways to delegate or outsource those functions that he or she may not be good at or have the time to do.Dont try to be an expert in everything, said Jamie Weeks, owner of mora than 25 Orangetheory fitness studios, in a recent interview with verkaufskonzession Direct. Find opportunities to outsource those functions that require expertise to allow yourself to focus on your people.For example, he continued, Im not an accountant or a bookkeeper, so I dont try to manage that on my own. Instead, I outsource to a company called Ceterus that specializes in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting for franchises.What role do I want to play in the geschftlicher umgang?There are two types of franchisees absentee owners, who hire staff to manage the business on a day-to-day fundament, and owner/operators, who are directly involved in running the business.Many franchisors offer a hands-on opportunity, whereas others offer more of a management opportunity, said Rhoda Olsen, CEO ofGreat Clipshair salon franchise. The key question franchisees need to ask themselves is what do they see themselves doing on a day-to-day basis? Do they really want to do a specific job every day? Do they want to lead an organization?Do they want to manage managers?What is my investment budget?Franchise costs vary greatly, depending on the industry and specific business model. While some upfront fees are less than $10,000, others can be upward of $1 million. Terry Powell, founder and CEO of franchise business coaching companyThe Entrepreneurs Source, said prospective franchisees should weigh the initial investment against their expected return, along with their income, lifestyle, wealth and equity (ILWE) goals.Opening a food franchise will have a much higher investment than a home-based, business-to-business franchise, simply due to the amount of equipment and inventory necessary to start the business, Powell said. Its up to the prospective franchisee to decide how much they would like to invest and what will help them achieve their goals, both short and long term.Although some franchises want their franchisees to have industry experience, whats meaningful to them is that a franchisee have the basic business know-how and entrepreneurial drive to succeed.We want franchisees who understand the art of ab satzwirtschaft and the need for sale rather than experience in our particular industry, said Tom Wood, president and CEO ofthe Floor Coverings grenzberschreitendfranchise. We want franchisees who are focused on customer service and ways to increase transactions, he added. Good-quality franchisees are hard to come by.What to look forOnce youve narrowed down the field and business model youre interested in, its time to choose a specific franchise. To help you narrow down your list, our sources advised looking for the following attributes in a company.A strong erleichterung ordnungsprinzip for franchisees. Since you are buying into an established brand that works best when the model is followed, there should be ample support through every stage of your franchise since they should know how to guide you. Jeff Salter, CEO, Caring Senior tafelgeschirrInvestment in your potential. When interviewing with Hungry Howies mafiatorte, I participated in a series of tests to determine if I was ent repreneurial-minded and if I had the ambition to grow with the company. It was their interest in not just their personal, monetary gain but in my vorstellung that incentivized me to work with Hungry Howies. Don Copus, franchisee, Hungry Howies PizzaReviewing the FDDMichael Daigle, a lebensgefhrte at franchise industry law firm Cheng Cohen, said both you and a legal and/or financial adviser should read the entire franchise disclosure document (FDD) thoroughly, paying close attention to the following sectionsPast or current litigation.elements one through four of the FDD will tell you all about the franchisors experience and whether the franchisor or any of the people in charge have been involved in bankruptcies or litigation relevant to the brand or their experience as a franchisor. Existing and historical litigation between the franchisor and its franchisees might show a level of dissatisfaction with the ordnungsprinzip, or it might show that the franchisor is serious about upholdi ng its system standards for the benefit of all franchisees, Daigle said.Payments and revenue model.The FDD also explains what youll pay to the franchisor and its affiliates pre and deutsche post ag opening as well as how much the franchisor relies on franchisees for revenue. Daigle said that items 19 (financial wertmiger zuwachs representations) and 21 (historical growth and revenue sources) give you a glimpse into how well the units are doing financially.Turnover and resource strain. Item 20 of the FDD provides a list of currently operating franchisees and a list of franchisees who have exited the system or stopped communicating with the franchisor. You should contact as many current and former franchisees as you can and ask questions about their experiences, struggles and profitability, Daigle said. Look behind the curtain and the ausverkauf pitch, Daigle said. Dont be afraid to ask the hard questions in fact, ask the same question of different people to see if you get consistent answers. Talk to as many franchisees as physically possible and dont stop until youve heard at least some of the good, the bad and the ugly.What to ask the franchisorAlan George, vice president of Franchise absatzwirtschaft Systems, recommended taking some time to ask specific questions of the parent company that may or may not be covered in the FDD. For instance, ask what its sales approach is, whether theres enough available business in your marketplace and if you have enough money to wage successful campaigns. He also advised asking about their sales and advertising approaches, and whether they will work in your marketplace.Bryan McGinness, CEO of WineStyles Tasting Station, added that a potential franchisee should be clear on what the franchisor expects of him or her, and vice versa.Make sure its a good fit for both parties, McGinness said. Its easy to sign franchisees and take their royalty money. What happens after is what matters. Make this a long-term partnership and a win- win situation.For more info to help you decide which franchise to invest in, visit the following resourcesAmerican Association of Franchisees DealersFranchising.comInternational Franchise AssociationFitSmallgeschftlicher umgangThe Wall Street JournalSome source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article. Marci Martin With an Associates Degree in geschftlicher umgang Management and nearly twenty years in senior management positions, Marci brings a real life perspective to her articles about business and leadership. She began freelancing in 2012 and became a contributing writer for Purch in 2015. departure Your Business Business Ideas Business Plans Startup Basics Startup Funding Franchising Success Stories Entrepreneurs Grow Your Business Sales Marketing Finances Your gruppe Technology Social Media Security Build Your Career Get the Job Get Ahead amtsstube Life Work-Life Balance Home arbeitszimmer Lead Your Team Leadership Women in Business Managing Strategy Personal Growth Find A Solution HR Solutions Financial Solutions Marketing Solutions Security Solutions Retail Solutions SMB Solutions About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyri ght Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap 200 Fifth Avenue, Second FloorWaltham, MA 02451infobusinessnewsdaily.com Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) All Rights Reserved. Company About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap Network Business.com BuyerZone.comHow to Choose the Right FranchiseCredit Manczurov/Shutterstock Individuals looking to start a new business often consider franchising as an option. There are franchises in almost every industry you can think of, so the options are limitless. How do you narrow it down and ultimately decide on the best one for you?While you get the benefit of a proven product or service while still being your own boss, you still must put in the effort, so picking the perfect offering for your passion and skill set is key. There are many things to consider, from franchise costs to support offered by the corporate headquarters.Editors note Considering opening a franchise? If youre looking for information to help you choose the right one, use the questionnaire below to have our sister siteprovide you with information from a variety of vendors for freeQuestions to ask yourselfIf you have no idea where to start, begin by asking your self a few broad questions that will place some parameters on your franchise search.What are my personal goals?Everyone has different motivations for wanting to become an entrepreneur. First, ask yourself what your goals are, said Dan Martin, president and CEO of franchise consulting firm IFX. Do you want to make money, spend more time at home or take an entrepreneurial step in your career?By figuring out your actual goals, you will be able to determine what franchise is a good fit to help you meet those goals, Martin said. Read related story 40+ Franchises for Every BudgetWhat are my strengths?The most successful franchise owners do the work that suits them and look for ways to delegate or outsource those functions that he or she may not be good at or have the time to do.Dont try to be an expert in everything, said Jamie Weeks, owner of more than 25 Orangetheory fitness studios, in a recent interview with Franchise Direct. Find opportunities to outsource those functions that requir e expertise to allow yourself to focus on your people.For example, he continued, Im not an accountant or a bookkeeper, so I dont try to manage that on my own. Instead, I outsource to a company called Ceterus that specializes in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting for franchises.What role do I want to play in the business?There are two types of franchisees absentee owners, who hire staff to manage the business on a day-to-day basis, and owner/operators, who are directly involved in running the business.Many franchisors offer a hands-on opportunity, whereas others offer more of a management opportunity, said Rhoda Olsen, CEO ofGreat Clipshair salon franchise. The key question franchisees need to ask themselves is what do they see themselves doing on a day-to-day basis? Do they really want to do a specific job every day? Do they want to lead an organization?Do they want to manage managers?What is my investment budget?Franchise costs vary greatly, depending on the industry and specifi c business model. While some upfront fees are less than $10,000, others can be upward of $1 million. Terry Powell, founder and CEO of franchise business coaching companyThe Entrepreneurs Source, said prospective franchisees should weigh the initial investment against their expected return, along with their income, lifestyle, wealth and equity (ILWE) goals.Opening a food franchise will have a much higher investment than a home-based, business-to-business franchise, simply due to the amount of equipment and inventory necessary to start the business, Powell said. Its up to the prospective franchisee to decide how much they would like to invest and what will help them achieve their goals, both short and long term.Although some franchises want their franchisees to have industry experience, whats meaningful to them is that a franchisee have the basic business know-how and entrepreneurial drive to succeed.We want franchisees who understand the art of marketing and the need for sales rather than experience in our particular industry, said Tom Wood, president and CEO ofthe Floor Coverings Internationalfranchise. We want franchisees who are focused on customer service and ways to increase transactions, he added. Good-quality franchisees are hard to come by.What to look forOnce youve narrowed down the field and business model youre interested in, its time to choose a specific franchise. To help you narrow down your list, our sources advised looking for the following attributes in a company.A strong support system for franchisees. Since you are buying into an established brand that works best when the model is followed, there should be ample support through every stage of your franchise since they should know how to guide you. Jeff Salter, CEO, Caring Senior ServiceInvestment in your potential. When interviewing with Hungry Howies Pizza, I participated in a series of tests to determine if I was entrepreneurial-minded and if I had the ambition to grow with the company. It was their interest in not just their personal, monetary gain but in my vision that incentivized me to work with Hungry Howies. Don Copus, franchisee, Hungry Howies PizzaReviewing the FDDMichael Daigle, a partner at franchise industry law firm Cheng Cohen, said both you and a legal and/or financial adviser should read the entire franchise disclosure document (FDD) thoroughly, paying close attention to the following sectionsPast or current litigation.Items one through four of the FDD will tell you all about the franchisors experience and whether the franchisor or any of the people in charge have been involved in bankruptcies or litigation relevant to the brand or their experience as a franchisor. Existing and historical litigation between the franchisor and its franchisees might show a level of dissatisfaction with the system, or it might show that the franchisor is serious about upholding its system standards for the benefit of all franchisees, Daigle said.Payments and revenue mode l.The FDD also explains what youll pay to the franchisor and its affiliates pre and post opening as well as how much the franchisor relies on franchisees for revenue. Daigle said that items 19 (financial performance representations) and 21 (historical growth and revenue sources) give you a glimpse into how well the units are doing financially.Turnover and resource strain. Item 20 of the FDD provides a list of currently operating franchisees and a list of franchisees who have exited the system or stopped communicating with the franchisor. You should contact as many current and former franchisees as you can and ask questions about their experiences, struggles and profitability, Daigle said. Look behind the curtain and the sales pitch, Daigle said. Dont be afraid to ask the hard questions in fact, ask the same question of different people to see if you get consistent answers. Talk to as many franchisees as physically possible and dont stop until youve heard at least some of the good, the bad and the ugly.What to ask the franchisorAlan George, vice president of Franchise Marketing Systems, recommended taking some time to ask specific questions of the parent company that may or may not be covered in the FDD. For instance, ask what its sales approach is, whether theres enough available business in your marketplace and if you have enough money to wage successful campaigns. He also advised asking about their sales and advertising approaches, and whether they will work in your marketplace.Bryan McGinness, CEO of WineStyles Tasting Station, added that a potential franchisee should be clear on what the franchisor expects of him or her, and vice versa.Make sure its a good fit for both parties, McGinness said. Its easy to sign franchisees and take their royalty money. What happens after is what matters. Make this a long-term partnership and a win-win situation.For more info to help you decide which franchise to invest in, visit the following resourcesAmerican Association of Franchisees DealersFranchising.comInternational Franchise AssociationFitSmallBusinessThe Wall Street JournalSome source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article. Marci Martin With an Associates Degree in Business Management and nearly twenty years in senior management positions, Marci brings a real life perspective to her articles about business and leadership. She began freelancing in 2012 and became a contributing writer for Purch in 2015. Start Your Business Business Ideas Business Plans Startup Basics Startup Funding Franchising Success Stories Entrepreneurs Grow Your Business Sales Marketing Finances Your Team Technology Social Media Security Build Your Career Get the Job Get Ahead Office Life Work-Life Balance Home Office Lead Your Team Leadership Women in Business Managing Strategy Personal Growth Find A Solution HR Solutions Financial Solutions Marketing Solutions Security Solutions Retail Solutions SMB Solutions About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Site map 200 Fifth Avenue, Second FloorWaltham, MA 02451infobusinessnewsdaily.com Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) All Rights Reserved. Company About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap Network Business.com BuyerZone.comHow to Choose the Right FranchiseCredit Manczurov/Shutterstock Individuals looking to start a new business often consider franchising as an option. There are franchises in almost every industry you can think of, so the options are limitless. How do you narrow it down and ultimately decide on the best one for you?While you get the benefit of a proven product or service while still being your own boss, you still must put in the effort, so picking the perfect offering for your passion and skill set is key. There are many things to consider, from franchise costs to support offered by the corporate headquarters.Editors note Considering opening a franchise? If youre looking for information to help you choose the right one, use the questionnaire below to have our sister siteprovide you with information from a variety of vendors for freeQuestions to ask yourselfIf you have no idea where to start, begin by asking yourself a few broad questions that will place some parameters on your franchise search.What are my personal goals?Everyone has different motivations for wanting to become an entrepreneur. First, ask yourself what your goals are, said Dan Martin, president and CEO of franchise consulting firm IFX. Do you want to make money, spend more time at home or take an entrepreneurial step in your career?By figuring out your actual goals, you will be able to determine what franchise is a good fit to help you meet those goals, Martin said. Read related story 40+ Franchises for Every BudgetWhat are my strengths?The most successful franchise owners do the work that suits them and look for ways to delegate or outsource those functions that he or she may not be good at or have the time to do.Dont try to be an expert in everything, said Jamie Weeks, owner of more than 25 Orangetheory fitness studios, in a recent interview with Franchise Direct. Find opportunities to outsource those functions that require expertise to allow yourself to focus on your people.For example, he continued, Im not an accountant or a bookkeeper, so I dont try to manage that on my own. Instead, I outsource to a company called Ceterus that specializes in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting for franchises.What role do I want to play in the business?There are two types of franchisees absentee owners, who hire staff to manage the business on a day-to-day basis, and owner/operators, who are directly involved in running the business.Many franchisors offer a hands-on opportunity, whereas others offer more of a management opportunity, said Rhoda Olsen, CEO ofGreat Clipshair salon franchise. The key question franchisees need to ask themselves is what do they see themselves doing on a day-to-day basis? Do they really want to do a specific job every day? Do they want to lead an organization?Do they want to manage managers?What is my investment budget?Franchise costs vary greatly, depending on the industry and specific business model. While some upfront fees are less than $10,000, others can be upward of $1 million. Terry Powell, founder and CEO of franchise business coaching compa nyThe Entrepreneurs Source, said prospective franchisees should weigh the initial investment against their expected return, along with their income, lifestyle, wealth and equity (ILWE) goals.Opening a food franchise will have a much higher investment than a home-based, business-to-business franchise, simply due to the amount of equipment and inventory necessary to start the business, Powell said. Its up to the prospective franchisee to decide how much they would like to invest and what will help them achieve their goals, both short and long term.Although some franchises want their franchisees to have industry experience, whats meaningful to them is that a franchisee have the basic business know-how and entrepreneurial drive to succeed.We want franchisees who understand the art of marketing and the need for sales rather than experience in our particular industry, said Tom Wood, president and CEO ofthe Floor Coverings Internationalfranchise. We want franchisees who are focused on cust omer service and ways to increase transactions, he added. Good-quality franchisees are hard to come by.What to look forOnce youve narrowed down the field and business model youre interested in, its time to choose a specific franchise. To help you narrow down your list, our sources advised looking for the following attributes in a company.A strong support system for franchisees. Since you are buying into an established brand that works best when the model is followed, there should be ample support through every stage of your franchise since they should know how to guide you. Jeff Salter, CEO, Caring Senior ServiceInvestment in your potential. When interviewing with Hungry Howies Pizza, I participated in a series of tests to determine if I was entrepreneurial-minded and if I had the ambition to grow with the company. It was their interest in not just their personal, monetary gain but in my vision that incentivized me to work with Hungry Howies. Don Copus, franchisee, Hungry Howies P izzaReviewing the FDDMichael Daigle, a partner at franchise industry law firm Cheng Cohen, said both you and a legal and/or financial adviser should read the entire franchise disclosure document (FDD) thoroughly, paying close attention to the following sectionsPast or current litigation.Items one through four of the FDD will tell you all about the franchisors experience and whether the franchisor or any of the people in charge have been involved in bankruptcies or litigation relevant to the brand or their experience as a franchisor. Existing and historical litigation between the franchisor and its franchisees might show a level of dissatisfaction with the system, or it might show that the franchisor is serious about upholding its system standards for the benefit of all franchisees, Daigle said.Payments and revenue model.The FDD also explains what youll pay to the franchisor and its affiliates pre and post opening as well as how much the franchisor relies on franchisees for revenue. Daigle said that items 19 (financial performance representations) and 21 (historical growth and revenue sources) give you a glimpse into how well the units are doing financially.Turnover and resource strain. Item 20 of the FDD provides a list of currently operating franchisees and a list of franchisees who have exited the system or stopped communicating with the franchisor. You should contact as many current and former franchisees as you can and ask questions about their experiences, struggles and profitability, Daigle said. Look behind the curtain and the sales pitch, Daigle said. Dont be afraid to ask the hard questions in fact, ask the same question of different people to see if you get consistent answers. Talk to as many franchisees as physically possible and dont stop until youve heard at least some of the good, the bad and the ugly.What to ask the franchisorAlan George, vice president of Franchise Marketing Systems, recommended taking some time to ask specific questions of th e parent company that may or may not be covered in the FDD. For instance, ask what its sales approach is, whether theres enough available business in your marketplace and if you have enough money to wage successful campaigns. He also advised asking about their sales and advertising approaches, and whether they will work in your marketplace.Bryan McGinness, CEO of WineStyles Tasting Station, added that a potential franchisee should be clear on what the franchisor expects of him or her, and vice versa.Make sure its a good fit for both parties, McGinness said. Its easy to sign franchisees and take their royalty money. What happens after is what matters. Make this a long-term partnership and a win-win situation.For more info to help you decide which franchise to invest in, visit the following resourcesAmerican Association of Franchisees DealersFranchising.comInternational Franchise AssociationFitSmallBusinessThe Wall Street JournalSome source interviews were conducted for a previous ve rsion of this article. Marci Martin With an Associates Degree in Business Management and nearly twenty years in senior management positions, Marci brings a real life perspective to her articles about business and leadership. She began freelancing in 2012 and became a contributing writer for Purch in 2015. Start Your Business Business Ideas Business Plans Startup Basics Startup Funding Franchising Success Stories Entrepreneurs Grow Your Business Sales Marketing Finances Your Team Technology Social Media Security Build Your Career Get the Job Get Ahead Office Life Work-Life Balance Home Office Lead Your Team Leadership Women in Business Managing Strategy Personal Growth Find A Solution H R Solutions Financial Solutions Marketing Solutions Security Solutions Retail Solutions SMB Solutions About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap 200 Fifth Avenue, Second FloorWa ltham, MA 02451infobusinessnewsdaily.com Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) All Rights Reserved. Company About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap Network Business.com BuyerZone.comHow to Choose the Right FranchiseCredit Manczurov/Shutterstock Individuals looking to start a new business often consider franchising as an option. There are franchises in almost every industry you can think of, so the options are limitless. How do you narrow it down and ultimately decide on the best one for you?While you get the benefit of a proven product or service while still being your own boss, you still must put in the effort, so picking the perfect offering for your passion and skill set is key. There are many things to consider, from franchise costs to support offered by the corporate headquarters.Editors note Considering opening a franchise? If youre looking for information to help you choose the right one, use the questionnaire below to have our sister siteprovide you with information from a variety of vendors for freeQuestions to ask yourselfIf you have no idea where to start, begin by asking yourself a few broad questions that will place some parameters on your franchise search.What are my personal goals?Everyone has different motivations for wanting to become an entrepreneur. First, ask yourself what your goals are, said Dan Martin, president and CEO of franchise consulting firm IFX. Do you want to make money, spend more t ime at home or take an entrepreneurial step in your career?By figuring out your actual goals, you will be able to determine what franchise is a good fit to help you meet those goals, Martin said. Read related story 40+ Franchises for Every BudgetWhat are my strengths?The most successful franchise owners do the work that suits them and look for ways to delegate or outsource those functions that he or she may not be good at or have the time to do.Dont try to be an expert in everything, said Jamie Weeks, owner of more than 25 Orangetheory fitness studios, in a recent interview with Franchise Direct. Find opportunities to outsource those functions that require expertise to allow yourself to focus on your people.For example, he continued, Im not an accountant or a bookkeeper, so I dont try to manage that on my own. Instead, I outsource to a company called Ceterus that specializes in outsourced bookkeeping and accounting for franchises.What role do I want to play in the business?There are two types of franchisees absentee owners, who hire staff to manage the business on a day-to-day basis, and owner/operators, who are directly involved in running the business.Many franchisors offer a hands-on opportunity, whereas others offer more of a management opportunity, said Rhoda Olsen, CEO ofGreat Clipshair salon franchise. The key question franchisees need to ask themselves is what do they see themselves doing on a day-to-day basis? Do they really want to do a specific job every day? Do they want to lead an organization?Do they want to manage managers?What is my investment budget?Franchise costs vary greatly, depending on the industry and specific business model. While some upfront fees are less than $10,000, others can be upward of $1 million. Terry Powell, founder and CEO of franchise business coaching companyThe Entrepreneurs Source, said prospective franchisees should weigh the initial investment against their expected return, along with their income, lifestyle, wealth and equity (ILWE) goals.Opening a food franchise will have a much higher investment than a home-based, business-to-business franchise, simply due to the amount of equipment and inventory necessary to start the business, Powell said. Its up to the prospective franchisee to decide how much they would like to invest and what will help them achieve their goals, both short and long term.Although some franchises want their franchisees to have industry experience, whats meaningful to them is that a franchisee have the basic business know-how and entrepreneurial drive to succeed.We want franchisees who understand the art of marketing and the need for sales rather than experience in our particular industry, said Tom Wood, president and CEO ofthe Floor Coverings Internationalfranchise. We want franchisees who are focused on customer service and ways to increase transactions, he added. Good-quality franchisees are hard to come by.What to look forOnce youve narrowed down the field and business model youre interested in, its time to choose a specific franchise. To help you narrow down your list, our sources advised looking for the following attributes in a company.A strong support system for franchisees. Since you are buying into an established brand that works best when the model is followed, there should be ample support through every stage of your franchise since they should know how to guide you. Jeff Salter, CEO, Caring Senior ServiceInvestment in your potential. When interviewing with Hungry Howies Pizza, I participated in a series of tests to determine if I was entrepreneurial-minded and if I had the ambition to grow with the company. It was their interest in not just their personal, monetary gain but in my vision that incentivized me to work with Hungry Howies. Don Copus, franchisee, Hungry Howies PizzaReviewing the FDDMichael Daigle, a partner at franchise industry law firm Cheng Cohen, said both you and a legal and/or financial adviser should read the entire fr anchise disclosure document (FDD) thoroughly, paying close attention to the following sectionsPast or current litigation.Items one through four of the FDD will tell you all about the franchisors experience and whether the franchisor or any of the people in charge have been involved in bankruptcies or litigation relevant to the brand or their experience as a franchisor. Existing and historical litigation between the franchisor and its franchisees might show a level of dissatisfaction with the system, or it might show that the franchisor is serious about upholding its system standards for the benefit of all franchisees, Daigle said.Payments and revenue model.The FDD also explains what youll pay to the franchisor and its affiliates pre and post opening as well as how much the franchisor relies on franchisees for revenue. Daigle said that items 19 (financial performance representations) and 21 (historical growth and revenue sources) give you a glimpse into how well the units are doing f inancially.Turnover and resource strain. Item 20 of the FDD provides a list of currently operating franchisees and a list of franchisees who have exited the system or stopped communicating with the franchisor. You should contact as many current and former franchisees as you can and ask questions about their experiences, struggles and profitability, Daigle said. Look behind the curtain and the sales pitch, Daigle said. Dont be afraid to ask the hard questions in fact, ask the same question of different people to see if you get consistent answers. Talk to as many franchisees as physically possible and dont stop until youve heard at least some of the good, the bad and the ugly.What to ask the franchisorAlan George, vice president of Franchise Marketing Systems, recommended taking some time to ask specific questions of the parent company that may or may not be covered in the FDD. For instance, ask what its sales approach is, whether theres enough available business in your marketplace and if you have enough money to wage successful campaigns. He also advised asking about their sales and advertising approaches, and whether they will work in your marketplace.Bryan McGinness, CEO of WineStyles Tasting Station, added that a potential franchisee should be clear on what the franchisor expects of him or her, and vice versa.Make sure its a good fit for both parties, McGinness said. Its easy to sign franchisees and take their royalty money. What happens after is what matters. Make this a long-term partnership and a win-win situation.For more info to help you decide which franchise to invest in, visit the following resourcesAmerican Association of Franchisees DealersFranchising.comInternational Franchise AssociationFitSmallBusinessThe Wall Street JournalSome source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article. Marci Martin With an Ass ociates Degree in Business Management and nearly twenty years in senior management positions, Marci brings a real life perspective to her articles about business and leadership. She began freelancing in 2012 and became a contributing writer for Purch in 2015. Start Your Business Business Ideas Business Plans Startup Basics Startup Funding Franchising Success Stories Entrepreneurs Grow Your Business Sales Marketing Finances Your Team Technology Social Media Security Build Your Career Get the Job Get Ahead Office Life Work-Life Balance Home Office Lead Your Team Leadership Women in Business Managing Strategy Personal Growth Find A Solution HR Solutions Financial Solutions Marketing Solutions Security Solutions Retail Solutions SMB Solutions About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap 200 Fifth Avenue, Second FloorWaltham, MA 02451infobusinessnewsdaily.com Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) All Rights Reserved. Company About Us Contact Us Partner with Us Copyright Policy Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Advertising Disclosure Sitemap Network Business.com BuyerZone.com