There is no time like the present to see what options you have. Your contact information is kept confidential and is reviewed by our staff to provide you the best opportunities for your particular needs.
Step 2 - First Appointment
One of our consultants will contact you to setup an appointment to discuss your goals in finding the right franchise for you. This will take about an hour and can be accomplished over the phone. Understanding your particular goals and needs will allow us to find the best opportunity for you. We will set a follow up appointment to present you with opportunities that fit your requirements.
Step 3 - Research
We take the information provided by you, research available franchises and match them with your stated goals and needs. There are over 1600 franchises and our goal is to identify the best 3-4 franchises that match your requirements.
Step 4 - Presentation
We take the information provided by you, research available franchises and
match them with your stated goals and needs.
We present you with the opportunities that we have identified in our research.
This meeting should accomplish two goals.
First, if any of the opportunities are of interest to you, then we will arrange
an introduction directly to the representative of the franchise. This will require
that you complete and submit a confidential questionnaire to be supplied to
the Franchisor. The Franchisor wants to know that you are financially qualified
to purchase their franchise, that your timeframe to buy is within reasonable
limits, and that your partners or family are in complete agreement with you
on buying a business. This does not obligate you in any way. It simply shows
the Franchisor that when you find the right opportunity then you are capable
of moving forward.
If our selections do not seem to be on target, we will need to clarify your
goals and needs identified in Step 2, sending us back through Steps 3 &
4. This may take place several times throughout the process.
It is important to remember that the Franchise Consultant is presenting you
opportunities, but you must make the decision that is best for you and your
family. Therefore, refining the criteria for the best opportunity for you is
an ongoing process.
Step 5 - Introduction to Franchisor
For each of the opportunities that you have an interest in, we will introduce
you to the Franchisor. The Franchisor will send materials to help you become
acquainted with their franchise. They will also send the Uniform Franchise Offering
Circular (UFOC), which is a disclosure document for their franchise opportunity.
The UFOC receipt should be signed and returned immediately. Click this link
for suggestions on Investigating the Franchise.
Step 6 - Review of the UFOC
We will discuss the items that are contained in the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular, otherwise known as the UFOC; in particular items to which you should pay close attention. You should then review the UFOC in complete detail, writing down any questions or concerns for discussion with the Franchisor. The UFOC will contain a list of franchisees and contact information. You will find more detailed information in our section titled Investigating the Franchise.
Step 7 - Call Franchisees
The Franchisor will provide you a list of several franchisees for you to call
to ask questions about the franchise. Obviously, the Franchisor is most likely
to give you a list of franchisees that are successful and have positive things
to say about the franchise. The reason for calling these references is to ask
them why and how they became successful. Then you need to determine if you can
be do the same things that they did to be successful. For detailed suggestions,
click this link to Investigating the Franchise.
Step 8 - Consultation with Attorney and Accountant
You should always consult with an attorney and an accountant before making a decision. It is important to insure that both people have a good background in franchising. If they don't, then the process may cost you more than you needed to pay, while they do the necessary research to get themselves up to speed.
Step 9 - Attend a Discovery Day
Most franchisors have a Discovery Day, where they will invite you to their location. You will not only get crucial information for your decision, but will get to meet the staff that will be providing your initial training and continuing support.
Step 10 - Decision Time
If you have been diligent, the entire process outlined above should have taken about two to four weeks to complete. You have now finished your investigation and have all the information you need to determine if this franchise is right for you. It either is or it isn't, and you'll know which it is. In either case, it is time to make a decision and move forward.
You have taken all of the necessary steps to get to this door of opportunity, now all you need to do is open it. Congratulations!
