How to Spot a Bad Franchise Opportunity

So, you’re going down the black hole of endless research for the perfect franchise opportunity. And for good reason: It would be naive to assume every franchise you come across is a good investment. How do you figure out which is the opportunity with the lowest risk and highest probability for success? Here are some…

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Tips When Looking for a Good Franchise

I’ve been asked “How to spot a good franchise” 100’s of times in my 20 years in franchising. The answer has never changed in my mind… it depends… Check the Financial Performance You can certainly determine the ‘health’ of any franchise company by reviewing the legal disclosures in its Franchise Disclosure Document or FDD. After verifying you meet…

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Buying a Franchise: 3 Benefits of Ownership

More than 30 percent of small businesses fail within the first five years of being open. This is largely due to the fact that start-up business owners have to figure out how to effectively run their business along the way. That’s why many entrepreneurs turn to franchising; it offers the potential for rapid growth at minimum costs. Often…

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6 Mistakes to Avoid as a First-Time Franchisee

You finally found the golden franchise opportunity right for you. It’s exhilarating, especially since you spent so much time looking for the perfect fit. There’s so much to look forward to. But be forewarned not to let the excitement of owning a business blind you from the reality of it all. Launching a franchise requires…

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Legalese in Leases: 10 Terms You Need to Know as a Franchisee

If you are purchasing a brick-and-mortar franchise for the first time and have never laid eyes on a commercial lease, the combination of the terminology, fine print and sheer magnitude of the commitment can be daunting. Even those who are familiar with commercial leases—whether from a previous franchise or prior involvement in real estate—show visible…

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The Basics of Franchising: What You Need to Know

Franchising is when a franchisor grants a franchisee the rights to sell their products and/or services. The two enter an agreement that allows the franchisee to use the franchisor’s methods, operations, systems, brand name and other intellectual property to grow their business. Franchisors often provide ongoing training to support the success of the proposed business…

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The Basics of Franchising: What You Need to Know

Franchising is when a franchisor grants a franchisee the rights to sell their products and/or services. The two enter an agreement that allows the franchisee to use the franchisor’s methods, operations, systems, brand name and other intellectual property to grow their business. Franchisors often provide ongoing training to support the success of the proposed business…

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5 Common Pitfalls for Franchisees and How to Avoid Them

Buying a franchise is an exciting endeavor. After you’ve asked yourself the important questions, determined what franchise you can afford and hired a franchise attorney to assist in the process, it’s full steam ahead. However, there are a few potential bumps along the road to look out for, such as: 1. The Brick and Mortar Build-Out Assuming your franchise requires…

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5 Common Pitfalls for Franchisees and How to Avoid Them

Buying a franchise is an exciting endeavor. After you’ve asked yourself the important questions, determined what franchise you can afford and hired a franchise attorney to assist in the process, it’s full steam ahead. However, there are a few potential bumps along the road to look out for, such as: 1. The Brick and Mortar Build-Out Assuming your franchise requires…

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7 Potential Red Flags During Franchise Due Diligence

When you are thinking about buying a franchise, due diligence is the process of gathering the information you need to make an informed buying decision. While buying a franchise is inherently a risky endeavor, there are certain factors that can make a particular franchise opportunity riskier than others. In some cases, there may be enough…

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