Aaron Can Help You...
Invest In a Franchise
Build and diversify your wealth by becoming a franchise owner
Franchise Your Business
Grow your successful business quickly and efficiently by franchising it
Aaron Bakken
Franchise Consultant & Broker
Proven Experience
Aaron has 20+ years of franchise and independent business ownership experience. He also spent 5 years as the VP of Franchise Development for an international franchise group, growing the franchise to the advent of a private equity buyout. Whether you are looking to buy a franchise opportunity or franchise your business, Aaron knows how to guide you.
No Cost To You
Aaron is paid by franchisors and development companies for bringing them viable franchise investors. So frankly, his clients have nothing to lose by engaging with him but a bit of their time. Aaron helps his clients navigate the complex world of franchise ownership and development, and provides long term guidance to help his clients achieve their entrepreneurship goals.
Invest In a Franchise Series
#1 Introspective Peace
#2 Helping You Find The Right Franchisor For You
#3 The Franchisee and Validation
#4 Getting Legal and Financial Help To Buy a Franchise
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a franchise broker instead of dealing directly with a franchisor?
When you work directly with a franchisor, they will be able to tell you all about the franchise they are selling but…
A franchise broker will help you also answer the following questions…
- Do you know why that franchise may or may not be a good fit for you?
- What is the investment requirement, and do you have the liquidity and net worth required?
- Are they looking for someone with your kind of professional background or is it just a business you like to patronize?
- Have you established a criteria list for a potential business investment and does it meet or exceed them?
- Do you have any idea how you are going to finance this venture?
- Do you have the necessary legal support to help you navigate the FDD and franchise agreement?
- Do you understand why franchising is or isn’t right for you in the first place?
- & more
Ultimately, a franchise broker’s role is to ensure that you have taken a step back at the start of this exploration to assess and put into writing a plan that summarizes what your criteria are. Without a plan, you’ll likely waste a lot of time looking at franchises that are not a good fit for you. There’s also a lot of data to review and understand, legal and financing issues to address, and a lot of marketing hype to sift through to get to the heart of a franchise opportunity. You need an experienced franchise broker that fully understands every step of the the process so you don’t waste your time or money.
BEST YET… Using our franchise broker services will not cost you a penny more than what you would pay the franchisor anyway, should you decide to purchase one. You have nothing to lose by working with an experienced guide!
How much does it cost to work with a broker?
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.
Am I locked into a contract when I decide to work with you?
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.
How much money do I need to fund a franchise?
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.
How do I franchise my business?
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.
Tips, Trends, & News!
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Want a Midlife Career Change? How to Reinvent Yourself Through Franchise Ownership…
The traditional notion of a "job for life" has become a relic of the past. In today's dynamic job market, employees are increasingly embracing the idea of midlife career changes, seeking greater fulfillment, work-life balance, and a sense of control over their...