Among today’s industries there are many different franchise opportunities available for entrepreneurs. Choosing the right franchise opportunity may seem a daunting task. Investigating every angle of an available franchise before signing any documents will make choosing the right franchise easier.
Some of the first issues to look at in choosing the right franchise are the varied costs involved in purchasing the business. It’s important to know how much you are able to initially invest to buy your franchise, and how much money you are able to continue investing as your franchise business grows. The initial franchise fee could run from tens of thousands of dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Other initial expenses to consider are costs to rent a pre-existing office, store, building or facility, or the cost of building a new one. A few other start-up costs to consider may include cost to equip the business, initial inventory, operating licenses, insurance, and promotion fees.
In choosing the right franchise for your business you need to consider the skills, training and education you already possess or need to obtain for the franchise you are interested in buying. Certain businesses require training, licensing or certifications for their owners and employees. Some of these types of businesses may include real estate agencies, auto repair, interior design, or tax preparation.
Knowing your goals for the franchise will also help with choosing the right franchise. There are many different types of businesses that offer franchise opportunities. Choosing an industry and type of business you would like to work in narrows down the possibilities of choosing the right franchise. How you want to do business is another consideration such as whether you want your franchise to be a sales oriented, or service type business.
There are several ways to find franchise businesses for sale in helping you choose the right franchise. Consider visiting local franchise outlets that you may be interested in. Other possible leads can be found by attending a franchise Exposition, contacting a franchise broker, or obtaining a franchise handbook either online or at the local library.
Before you sign any paperwork or invest any money after choosing the right franchise, the franchisor is required by regulations to provide you with the Franchise Disclosure Document for their business. This is a document that helps the buyer weigh the risks and benefits of owning that particular franchise. There are 23 specific items that are required to be listed in the document. The Franchise Disclosure Document must include information about the franchise, the franchise’s offices and about other franchise owners. The rules pertaining to the Franchise Disclosure Document are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.
In order to choose the right franchise for your business needs you must do the research. Knowing what type of business you want to have, what type of services you want to offer, and gathering as much information as possible about a franchise before investing in it will go far in helping you in choosing the right franchise.
References:
- Federal Trade Commission. “A Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Franchise.”
9 April 2016
https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/consumers-guide-buying-franchise
- Federal Trade Commission.
9 April 2016