Franchising is a great way to get into business for yourself with a company that has already done much of the leg work for you. Experts from the
International Franchise Association (IFA) state that franchise businesses have many advantages over starting a new business from scratch. Some of the advantages include:
- Training and support on operational procedures, financing, advertising, site selection, and general ongoing assistance to help your franchise become successful.
- An established product or service, which may have brand-name recognition on a national or international level.
- An established customer base that would take years to establish if you were to start a business from scratch.
- Consumers may associate your franchise with having a consistent quality level in terms of products and services, and there are so many more advantages to list!
However, all the benefits mentioned above don't guarantee a franchise's success until you've done your homework first. After all, every business venture has risks. So, how can you find out if a franchise is successful and be sure the money you've earned or saved was well invested?
Well, there are two things you need to do beforehand to ensure you are making the right choice. The first thing is research and due diligence. The second is paying close attention to the franchise disclosure document before purchasing. Let's take a closer look at both of these tips to help you make an informed decision.
Research and Due Diligence
You have to do your research and due diligence even if you consider buying a franchise from a major player like Mcdonald's. Don't be tempted to jump in with both feet just because a franchise has widespread brand recognition because many factors influence a franchise's success.
One of those factors is competition.
The most successful franchises know their competitors, and it doesn't matter if the franchise in question is big or small.
An analysis of your competitors, target industry, and markets (a.k.a, due diligence) will help you get a better idea of the franchise's success potential.
Then, when it comes to research, you should conduct both primary and secondary research. Secondary research involves data and analysis that's already been gathered and evaluated by a third party. This includes all the information and reporting that you can find on the web and even data provided by the franchisor. Secondary research will give you a good outlook on everything related to your potential franchise. However, it won't give you everything you need.
Primary research will, and that's because primary research involves you collecting the data and information directly. For example, talking to people who have already purchased the franchise you're looking to buy and asking about the success they've experienced. That's primary research. You need both primary and secondary research to make an informed decision on how solid the franchise is and if it will yield a good return on investment.
If all of this seems like a lot of work and you aren't sure how to analyze the information you've found or how to practice due diligence, then you can always count on franchise resources to help you navigate the franchise landscape. All USA Franchises has resource sections to help you locate
franchise advisors,
franchise brokers,
franchise consultants,
franchise financing,
franchise developers,
franchise lawyers, and
franchise training services. These resources will save you time and can provide you with additional franchise help when you need it.
It's always a good idea to have a franchise lawyer help you check out any legal documents about the franchise you want to buy, including the franchise disclosure document (FDD). In the next section, we will cover the basics of the FDD so you can understand why it's so important. The FDD will help you figure out if the franchise you are considering will be successful.
The Franchise Disclosure Document
The FDD has 23 mandatory sections that include financial, bankruptcy, and operational information. This document helps you analyze a franchise's potential for success.
The Federal Franchise Rule dictates that a franchisor must disclose the FDD to prospective purchasers so they can have the material information they need in order to weigh the risks and benefits of such an investment.
Once you receive the FDD, you will need to sign a receipt after 14 days have passed. During this time, you can have the FDD reviewed by a lawyer and also do further research and due diligence. When the 14 day period is over, you will be allowed to purchase the franchise if you still wish to do so.
After you've reviewed the FDD and have done your research and due diligence, if you find that the franchise you were looking into seems like a poor investment, then it's time to look for other opportunities. On the other hand, if the franchise seems like a solid investment, it still wouldn't hurt to compare different options to make sure you are making the best decision. Either way, All USA Franchises is the perfect place to start your search for a great franchise opportunity.
All USA Franchises Is the Perfect Place To Start
All USA Franchises stays on top of the franchise industry and strives to be the largest FREE franchise directory available. Our mission is to bring you all 3,000+ franchises in the United States. If you are looking for a great franchise opportunity, you can
start your franchise search here. And, if you are looking to sell franchises, you can
list your franchise for FREE here.
Our extensive franchise directory is the perfect place to look for franchise opportunities, and our franchise resources section can help you make an informed decision and choose a franchise with great potential for success. We are a great place for investors, entrepreneurs, franchisors, and potential franchisees to come together. Furthermore, All USA Franchises provides you with an informative AUF
blog that's full of helpful articles and tips for franchisees. Plus, you can check our
franchise events section so you don't miss the latest events and conferences happening near you.
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