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Franchise guides
Plain-English guides written for buyers who are about to make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives — and for business owners thinking about franchising their own concept.
Buying a franchise
How to buy a franchise: the 10-step process
14 minThe sequence experienced buyers follow, with a realistic timeline.
The FDD explained: all 23 items
16 minWhat each item means and the four that matter most.
50 questions to ask franchisees
12 minHow to run validation calls and what to ask current and former owners.
18 red flags before you sign
10 minWarning signs in the sales process, the FDD and the network.
Choosing a location and territory
9 minTerritory rights, trade-area data and lease negotiation.
Buying an existing franchise
10 minResale valuation, due diligence, transfer terms and financing.
Money, models and the law
How to finance a franchise
13 minSBA 7(a) and 504, ROBS, home equity, franchisor financing and leasing.
What a franchise really costs
11 minEvery fee from the initial franchise fee to transfer and renewal.
Franchise or independent business?
10 minAn honest comparison of cost, control and risk.
Multi-unit and semi-absentee ownership
11 minManagement structures, development agreements and the cash curve.
Franchise laws compared
12 minUS, Canada, UK, Australia, India and Europe side by side.
How to franchise your business
12 minFranchisability test, legal setup, manuals, training and franchise sales.
Glossary
100 franchise terms from area developer to working capital, in plain English.
Open the glossaryCalculators
Affordability, SBA loan payments, break-even, royalty cost and multi-unit cash.
Use the calculators