Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Investigating Franchise Offerings

Investigating Franchise Offerings

Many people dream of being an entrepreneur. By purchasing a franchise, you often can sell goods and services that have instant name recognition, and you can obtain training and ongoing support to help you succeed. But be cautious. Like any investment, purchasing a franchise is not a guarantee of success.

When investigating franchise systems, carefully consider each of the following topics:

Investigating Franchise Offerings
Before investing in any franchise system, be sure to get a copy of the franchisor's disclosure document. Sometimes this document is called a Franchise Offering Circular. Under the FTC's Franchise Rule, you must receive the document at least 10 business days before you are asked to sign any contract or pay any money to the franchisor. You should read the entire disclosure document. Make sure you understand all of the provisions. The following outline will help you to understand key provisions of typical disclosure documents. It also will help you ask questions about the disclosures. Get a clarification or answer to your concerns before you invest.

Business Background
The disclosure document identifies the executives of the franchise system and describes their prior experience. Consider not only their general business background, but their experience in managing a franchise system. Also consider how long they have been with the company. Investing with an inexperienced franchisor may be riskier than investing with an experienced one.

Litigation History
The disclosure document helps you assess the background of the franchisor and its executives by requiring the disclosure of prior litigation. The disclosure document tells you if the franchisor, or any of its executive officers, has been convicted of felonies involving, for example, fraud, any violation of franchise law or unfair or deceptive practices law, or are subject to any state or federal injunctions involving similar misconduct. It also will tell you if the franchisor, or any of its executives, has been held liable or settled a civil action involving the franchise relationship. A number of claims against the franchisor may indicate that it has not performed according to its agreements, or, at the very least, that franchisees have been dissatisfied with the franchisor's performance. Be aware that some franchisors may try to conceal an executive's litigation history by removing the individual's name from their disclosure documents.

Bankruptcy
The disclosure document tells you if the franchisor or any of its executives have recently been involved in a bankruptcy. This will help you to assess the franchisor's financial stability and general business acumen and predict if the company is financially capable of delivering promised support services.

Costs
The disclosure document tells you the costs involved to start one of the company's franchises. It will describe any initial deposit or franchise fee, which may be non-refundable, and costs for initial inventory, signs, equipment, leases, or rentals. Be aware that there may be other undisclosed costs. The following checklist will help you ask about potential costs to you as a franchisee.

• Continuing royalty payments.
• Advertising payments, both to local and national advertising funds.
• Grand opening or other initial business promotions.
• Business or operating licenses.
• Product or service supply costs.
• Real estate and leasehold improvements.
• Discretionary equipment such as a computer system or business alarm system.
• Training.
• Legal fees.
• Financial and accounting advice.
• Insurance.
• Compliance with local ordinances, such as zoning, waste removal, and fire and other safety codes.
• Health insurance.
• Employee salaries and benefits.

It may take several months or longer to get your business started. Consider in your total cost estimate operating expenses for the first year and personal living expenses for up to two years. Compare your estimates with what other franchisees have paid and with competing franchise systems. Perhaps you can get a better deal with another franchisor. An accountant can help you to evaluate this information.

Restrictions
Your franchisor may restrict how you operate your outlet. The disclosure document tells you if the franchisor limits:

• The supplier of goods from whom you may purchase.
• The goods or services you may offer for sale.
• The customers to whom you can offer goods or services.
• The territory in which you can sell goods or services.

Understand that restrictions such as these may significantly limit your ability to exercise your own business judgment in operating your outlet.

Terminations
The disclosure document tells you the conditions under which the franchisor may terminate your franchise and your obligations to the franchisor after termination. It also tells you the conditions under which you can renew, sell, or assign your franchise to other parties. Training and Other Assistance The disclosure document will explain the franchisor's training and assistance program. Make sure you understand the level of training offered. The following checklist will help you ask the right questions.

• How many employees are eligible for training?
• Can new employees receive training and, if so, is there any additional cost?
• How long are the training sessions?
• How much time is spent on technical training, business management training, and marketing?
• Who teaches the training courses and what are their qualifications?
• What type of ongoing training does the company offer and at what cost?
• Whom can you speak to if problems arise?
• How many support personnel are assigned to your area?
• How many franchisees will the support personnel service?
• Will someone be available to come to your franchised outlet to provide more individual assistance?

The level of training you need depends on your own business experience and knowledge of the franchisor's goods and services. Keep in mind that a primary reason for investing in the franchise, as opposed to starting your own business, is training and assistance. If you have doubts that the training might be insufficient to handle day-to-day business operations, consider another franchise opportunity more suited to your background.

Advertising
You often must contribute a percentage of your income to an advertising fund even if you disagree with how these funds are used. The disclosure document provides information on advertising costs. The following checklist will help you assess whether the franchisor's advertising will benefit you.

• How much of the advertising fund is spent on administrative costs?
• Are there other expenses paid from the advertising fund?
• Do franchisees have any control over how the advertising dollars are spent?
• What advertising promotions has the company already engaged in?
• What advertising developments are expected in the near future?
• How much of the fund is spent on national advertising?
• How much of the fund is spent on advertising in your area?
• How much of the fund is spent on selling more franchises?
• Do all franchisees contribute equally to the advertising fund?
• Do you need the franchisor's consent to conduct your own advertising?
• Are there rebates or advertising contribution discounts if you conduct your own advertising?
• Does the franchisor receive any commissions or rebates when it places advertisements? Do franchisees benefit from such commissions or rebates, or does the franchisor profit from them?

Current and Former Franchisees
The disclosure document provides important information about current and former franchisees. Determine how many franchises are currently operating. A large number of franchisees in your area may mean increased competition. Pay attention to the number of terminated franchisees. A large number of terminated, cancelled, or non-renewed franchises may indicate problems. Be aware that some companies may try to conceal the number of failed franchisees by repurchasing failed outlets and then listing them as company-owned outlets.

If you buy an existing outlet, ask the franchisor how many owners operated that outlet and over what period of time. A number of different owners over a short period of time may indicate that the location is not a profitable one, or that the franchisor has not supported that outlet with promised services.

The disclosure document gives you the names and addresses of current franchisees and franchisees who have left the system within the last year. Speaking with current and former franchisees is probably the most reliable way to verify the franchisor's claims. Visit or phone as many of the current and former franchisees as possible. Ask them about their experiences. See for yourself the volume and type of business being done.

The following checklist will help you ask current and former franchisees such questions as:

• How long has the franchisee operated the franchise?
• Where is the franchise located?
• What was their total investment?
• Were there any hidden or unexpected costs?
• How long did it take them to cover operating costs and earn a reasonable income?
• Are they satisfied with the cost, delivery, and quality of the goods or services sold?
• What were their backgrounds prior to becoming a franchisee?
• Was the franchisor's training adequate?
• What ongoing assistance does the franchisor provide?
• Are they satisfied with the franchisor's advertising program?
• Does the franchisor fulfill its contractual obligations?
• Would the franchisee invest in another outlet?
• Would the franchisee recommend the investment to someone with your goals, income requirements, and background?

Be aware that some franchisors may give you a separate reference list of selected franchisees to contact. Be careful. Those on the list may be individuals who are paid by the franchisor to give a good opinion of the company.

Earnings Potential
You may want to know how much money you can make if you invest in a particular franchise system. Be careful. Earnings projections can be misleading. Insist upon written substantiation for any earnings projections or suggestions about your potential income or sales.

Franchisors are not required to make earnings claims, but if they do, the FTC's Franchise Rule requires franchisors to have a reasonable basis for these claims and to provide you with a document that substantiates them. This substantiation includes the bases and assumptions upon which these claims are made. Make sure you get and review the earnings claims document. Consider the following in reviewing any earnings claims.

Sample Size. A franchisor may claim that franchisees in its system earned, for example, $50,000 last year. This claim may be deceptive, however, if only a few franchisees earned that income and it does not represent the typical earnings of franchisees. Ask how many franchisees were included in the number.

Average Incomes. A franchisor may claim that the franchisees in its system earn an average income of, for example, $75,000 a year. Average figures like this tell you very little about how each individual franchisee performs. Remember, a few, very successful franchisees can inflate the average. An average figure may make the overall franchise system look more successful than it actually is.

Gross Sales. Some franchisors provide figures for the gross sales revenues of their franchisees. These figures, however, do not tell you anything about the franchisees' actual costs or profits. An outlet with a high gross sales revenue on paper actually may be losing money because of high overhead, rent, and other expenses.

Net Profits. Franchisors often do not have data on net profits of their franchisees. If you do receive net profit statements, ask whether they provide information about company-owned outlets. Company-owned outlets might have lower costs because they can buy equipment, inventory, and other items in larger quantities, or may own, rather than lease their property.

Geographic Relevance. Earnings may vary in different parts of the country. An ice cream store franchise in a southern state, such as Florida, may expect to earn more income than a similar franchise in a northern state, such as Minnesota. If you hear that a franchisee earned a particular income, ask where that franchisee is located.

Franchisee's Background. Keep in mind that franchisees have varying levels of skills and educational backgrounds. Franchisees with advanced technical or business backgrounds can succeed in instances where more typical franchisees cannot. The success of some franchisees is no guarantee that you will be equally successful.

Financial History
The disclosure document provides you with important information about the company's financial status, including audited financial statements. Be aware that investing in a financially unstable franchisor is a significant risk; the company may go out of business or into bankruptcy after you have invested your money.

Hire a lawyer or an accountant to review the franchisor's financial statements. Do not attempt to extract this important information from the disclosure document unless you have considerable background in these matters. Your lawyer or accountant can help you understand the following.

• Does the franchisor have steady growth?
• Does the franchisor have a growth plan?
• Does the franchisor make most of its income from the sale of franchises or from continuing royalties?
• Does the franchisor devote sufficient funds to support its franchise system?

Additional Sources of Information
Before you invest in a franchise system, investigate the franchisor thoroughly. In addition to reading the company's disclosure document and speaking with current and former franchisees, you should speak with the following:

Lawyer and Accountant
Investing in a franchise is costly. An accountant can help you understand the company's financial statements, develop a business plan, and assess any earnings projections and the assumptions upon which they are based. An accountant can help you pick a franchise system that is best suited to your investment resources and your goals.

Franchise contracts are usually long and complex. A contract problem that arises after you have signed the contract may be impossible or very expensive to fix. A lawyer will help you to understand your obligations under the contract, so you will not be surprised later. Choose a lawyer who is experienced in franchise matters. It is best to rely upon your own lawyer or accountant, rather than those of the franchisor.

Banks and Other Financial Institutions
These organizations may provide an unbiased view of the franchise opportunity you are considering. Your banker should be able to get a Dun and Bradstreet report or similar reports on the franchisor.

Better Business Bureau
Check with the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) in the cities where the franchisor has its headquarters. Ask if any consumers have complained about the company's products, services, or personnel.

Government Departments
Several states regulate the sale of franchises. Check with your state Division of Securities or Office of Attorney General for more information about your rights as a franchise owner in your state.

Summary
By carefully investigating a franchise system before you invest, you protect both yourself and your investment. Look for more articles in this series to learn more about how to successfully buy a franchise.





Investigating Franchise Offerings - To learn more about this author, visit Tom Parsley's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
John Power
John Power, founder of Biltmore Franchise Consulting, has extensive experience developing and marketing franchises and business opportunities. He has been in and around franchising for over twenty years. From 1980 through 1990 he conceptualized, organized, and developed the American Video Association. He grew AVA to 2,000 national members, before selling the company it 1990. It was later merged into another home video marketing company. From 2000 to 2005 he worked as a contract marketing and human resources consultant to several local and national companies. In 2005 Mr. Power began working as a franchise development consultant on a full-time basis. Since that time he has helped more than three dozen companies initiate and develop their franchising program. He notes that there are many companies interested in developing a franchise program, and who need his specialized assistance. Mr. Power is a “hands-on” franchise consultant. He said, “I am the ‘nuts and bolts’ person who tends to the details for my clients.” Mr. Power holds a B.S. degree with a major in Marketing. See: www.biltmorefranchise.com You may contact Mr. Power at: jpower@biltmorefranchise.co - Visit John Power's Website

Anne Barr
Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website

John Brennan
John Brennan Ed.D. Dr. Brennan is President of Interpersonal Development, LLC, a training and development firm. Interpersonal Development has provided sales training and coaching to more than 3,000 sales reps from over 100 companies. A native of Australia, Dr. Brennan received his doctorate from the University of Rochester. His dissertation researched the effectiveness of Behavioral Modeling Technology in training people in interpersonal skills. While he has spent most of his career designing or delivering training, he was also a Vice-President of Sales of a training and development franchise with operations in 25 markets. Dr. Brennan has designed and delivered sales training in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. He has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional professional conferences. When Microsoft wanted Best Practices articles on sales for their web site, they called Dr. Brennan. The results are at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/FX011387391033.aspx His firm’s clients have included Volvo, The Prudential, Merrill Lynch, Eastman Kodak, Gannett, Equifax Europe, the Economist Group and countless small businesses. - Visit John Brennan's Website

Jay Kubassek
(Jay's Full Bio: EvanCarmichael.com/jaykubassek)  In five years, Canadian-born entrepreneur Jay Kubassek went from selling mufflers at a Midas franchise to revolutionizing Internet marketing with the 2004 launch of CarbonCopyPRO, a online marketing education company, now worth over $20 million with customers in over 160 countries.

 

As an independent film producer, his upstart film fund Aliquot Films is currently producing a films with Spike Lee and Abel Fererra (starring Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper.)

 

Jay's entrepreneurial spirit is irrepressible. He’s the owner of five companies, a professional speaker and trainer, international real estate developer/investor, extreme sport enthusiast and emerging philanthropist. 

 

Jay resides in NYC with his wife Jamie, son Milo and dog Cooper.  Visit Jay's official website: www.JayKubassek.com - Visit Jay Kubassek's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Tom Parsley
(Visit Tom's Website) The Business Market is an online business-for-sale marketplace. If you are looking to buy a business, franchise or opportunity, you can search our database for free to find the perfect business to buy. Or if you are looking to sell a business, franchise or opportunity, you can list it for sale on The Business Market risk-free. There are no setup fees, no monthly fees, and you only pay a small fee (less than a dollar) for each unique buyer that views your listing.

Tom Parsley is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Tom Parsley's

Complete
List Of
Starting-A-Business
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Tom Parsley's Complete List of Starting-A-Business Articles For FREE!

More Tom Parsley
Steps to a Successful Franchise Experience
How to Finance Your Franchise
Investigating Franchise Offerings
What Franchise Categories are Right for Me
FranchisesIf it Aint Broke
Wheelchair Ramps to Help you Succeed
Global Competition Where do I Place
Buy a Tanning Salon Franchise
Lodging Franchise Opportunity
Keywords are the KEY to SEO
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Staging Diva  
David Acheson  
Dianne Crampton  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Leadership Assessment Icon Leadership Assessment
Inspiration Business Plan Icon Inspiration Business Plan
Instant Direct Mail Icon Instant Direct Mail
The Leadership Edge Icon The Leadership Edge
Internet Marketing Campaigns Icon Internet Marketing Campaigns
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts - Best Posts for Productivity
The Top 10 GTD Times Posts
Best Posts for Productivity
 
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top Marketing Blogs of 2010
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Patience Ayadi Benin City, Nigeria,
Patience Ayadi
Benin City, Nigeria
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Catherine Daw, > $4 Mil in revenues
Catherine Daw
> $4 Mil in revenues
Jeff Roick, $1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick
$1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
David Ogilvy, Ogilvy & Mather
David Ogilvy
Ogilvy & Mather
Paul Orfalea, Kinko's
Paul Orfalea
Kinko's
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
T. Harv Eker, Millionaire Mind
T. Harv Eker
Millionaire Mind
Tom Peters, In Search Of Excellence
Tom Peters
In Search Of Excellence
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Cold Calling - Tips to make it easier
By David Acheson
     Foot Canvassing
By David Acheson
     The Transition from Sales Person to Sales Manager
By David Acheson

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information