We would rather you did this properly and chose somebody else than did it badly and chose us.
On the numbers
- What is the total investment, including working capital, not just the licence fee?
- What are the ongoing fees and what are they calculated on?
- What do franchisees actually earn — the range, not the top end?
- How many franchisees are at or below break-even, and for how long?
On the territory
- Is it exclusive, and what exactly does exclusive mean in the agreement?
- How is it defined — by geography, by business population, or by postcode?
- Can it be reduced, and under what circumstances?
On the support
- What training is included, and what costs extra?
- Who do I ring in month three when something goes wrong?
- What marketing is done nationally, and what is entirely mine to do?
On the exit
- What is the term, and what happens at renewal?
- Can I sell, and who approves the buyer?
- What happens if I want out early?
Have your own solicitor read the agreement. Not the franchisor’s recommended solicitor — yours.
On the people
Ask to speak to franchisees without the franchisor present. Ask for one who is struggling as well as one who is doing well. A franchisor who will only introduce you to their best performer is telling you about the rest.
We will put you in touch with coaches at different stages, and we will not be in the room.