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Franchise Resales

Written by: Anne Barr

Article Overview: What happens when an existing franchisee decides to sell?

Franchise Resales

What happens when an existing franchisee decides to sell? Franchisees don’t actually “own” the franchised business. In fact, they own the “assets” of the business only. The Franchisor gave them the “rights” to use the name, marks, the operating manuals, the “system”, however the franchisee does not “own” these items. In effect, they rent them from the franchisor during the term of the franchise agreement.

When existing businesses sell, the price is typically based on a multiple of normalized annual earnings or cash flow. Another common term used in the financial industry is EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization).

Typically, franchisees want to re-coup every dollar they put into the business and then some. Often this is possible assuming the business is profitable and has a track record. Two positives franchisees sometimes overlook:

1. Franchised businesses that are profitable will typically bring a higher multiple of cash
flow in the sales price
2. There is intangible value (because it’s a franchise) that can add to the sales price.

But on the flip side, an existing franchised business (in the eyes of the buyer who is looking to buy a stream of income) is an existing business that happens to be a franchise. Therefore, unless the business is profitable, this buyer will probably not wish to pursue it.

The franchise minded buyer (wants less risk and likes the franchise model) will like the fact that the current franchisee has done most of the hardest work in ramping up the business. The existing franchised business will be very appealing to this buyer assuming he/she has a personality that matches the business model.

So what happens if the business is not yet profitable or is just now at break-even? The franchisee will have to decide how motivated he/she is to sell those assets. Obviously, since there’s no stream of income, the price will need to attract the franchise minded buyer. Will this buyer pay you a price higher than what it would cost to put in a new franchise? Possibly, however several factors enter into the buyer’s decision:

1. Is this franchise territory more desirable than an available new territory?
2. How ramped up is this business? How large a database?
3. How much marketing has been done to create branding in the territory?

In the event the current franchisee has a “short fuse” on when they wish to sell – price may have to be lower than turnkey cost of a new franchise in that system.

The franchise industry is exploding with growth. Now is a great time to buy a new or existing franchise.

The next question is: Which one is right for you?

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  The franchise resale option
  Is a Franchise Business a Secure Investment?
  Franchising with all its Success

Article Tags: business sale, entrepreneur, franchise



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Re: Enticing Franchises - Top 9 List - All Franchise listed above are in millions of dollars. Do you have the list of Franchise in thousands
Re: Info for would be franchisers... - [quote="Sebastien":1d29sdv1]Like Franchise Times, Franchise Update is a very practical magazine. There is no blah blah, just straight facts that anyone in the franchise community can relate to. I just want to mention that all these magazines are NOT franchisee oriented. I mean these magazines are for franchise professionals. If you're looking to buy a franchise, you won't find much information in there. To answer your question, getting published in Franchise Times was fairly easy. I don't want to brag too much but I think I am known in the franchise industry. I was the marketing guy at Franchise.com for a few years before joining my new company, the World Franchising Network. So people know me and I have a very good relationship with Nancy Weingartner, the Managing Editor at Franchise Times. I was talking with her at the last Franchise Expo South in Miami and she mentioned she'd like me to be profiled. I was like "ok, sure!". I like this franchise executive profile thing in Franchise Times as it is rarely BS. People are usually really natural in there.[/quote:1d29sdv1] Thanks for the follow up Sebastien! And I can't say that I'm surprised that networking with the right people and managing your relationships with them properly are the keys to being published. I guess the old adage holds true of "it's not who you know, but who knows you" that's important.
how much for a franchise fee? - Dear Colleague There is no easy answer to this question. Things to consider: [list=] The sizeof the Franchise Clent base Expected Turnover Intellectual Property costs (recoup) Number of Franchises Number of employees Original Set up costs Franchise admin costs An example: A franchise that I was involved in setting was to a simple "lawn mowing/home repair" franchise. The Franchise included national/local advertising - preparation of client lists - general admin - central accounting etc The Franchise involved 300-500 clients - and an annual turnover of about $300,000 . The annual franchise fee was $30,000. Hope that this gives you some idea Take care Ian[/list]
Re: Franchise Surveys - Another good tool to researching a franchise is to speak with their existing franchisees. This contact information is included in most Franchise Disclosure Documents. In order to get a Franchise Disclosure Document or FDD as it is often referred to, you will have to complete a basic franchise application. The franchisor will then usually provide you with the FDD at that time. Included in that book of information is a list of the existing franchisees, the contract, the investment information etc... This information is required by Federal Law to be disclosed to your prior to making a purchase. So be sure to do your research and start with the Franchise Documents to get the initial information.
Re: Info for would be franchisers... - [quote="Sebastien":2gam0klq][quote="BuzzAroundBooks":2gam0klq]Like Franchise Times, Franchise Update is a very practical magazine. There is no blah blah, just straight facts that anyone in the franchise community can relate to.[/quote:2gam0klq][/quote:2gam0klq] That is really what I look for in any industry publication. We lead busy lives and when people fill their magazines with fluff, not only does it benefit no one, but it makes us truly appreciate those that don't. Thanks!


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