Nothing, zip, nadda. I’m paid by the franchisor if and only if you decide to buy into their business program and they do not get to charge you any kind of a premium for working with me. Our relationships are contractual with these franchisors and they know we’re bringing them well qualified, interested candidates. We make their development efforts a lot easier.

No, my engagements with any client are always at will. However, if you agree to work with me I do expect you to commit to the process of discovery and keep an open communication channel with me. Since you are not the person paying me, you have no financial exposure resulting from my assistance. That being said, I do ask for the courtesy of being notified if you are working with another broker or directly with any specific franchise companies. I don’t like to duplicate efforts or waste your or my time if you already have someone looking at specific business types or brands.

Investment requirements for purchasing a franchise differ tremendously based on the industry and the type of business the franchise operates. Total start-up costs can range from $20,000 or less to more than $1 million, depending on the franchise selected and whether it is necessary to own or lease real estate to operate the business. To learn more about the full costs of purchasing a specific franchise, use the International Franchise Association’s franchise opportunity search tool to find the franchise that will be the best financial fit for you. While it is possible to find a franchise opportunity that requires a lower level of cash liquidity, my experience has taught me that any client coming in with less than $50,000 of their own money will have a hard time finding a reputable and viable franchise opportunity. This liquidity can come in the form of cash, home equity or even a portfolio loan you take out against your non-IRA stock account. There are many more potential options, so let’s discuss.

Franchising your business can not only strengthen your company’s brand recognition and reach, but it can also help secure its future. Franchising provides business owners that have an established product sales or services business, which may already enjoy local/regional brand-name recognition, the opportunity to capitalize on their success nationally. I and my brokerage, The Franchise Consulting Company, have spent the last 3 years developing a comprehensive system of companies that will not only help successful business owners turn their model into a franchise opportunity, we will also help you successfully market your opportunity through multiple channels, manage the sales effort and even prepare you for an eventual exit. My goal is to become the first member of your franchise board of directors and serve as your long-term ally as you build out your franchise business, find great franchisees, and get your operations and royalty revenue to the point that your business is one that private equity investors want to buy out. Ask me about my Alloy program – there’s no one else out there that can offer you the kind of comprehensive ecosystem of service providers that I can.