Questions to Ask a Franchisor

  • Determine what assistance the franchisor provides. Do they assist with training, store design, location construction, site selection, and feasibility studies?

  • Do they have any access to demographic studies to get an understanding of the audience within the market area.

  • What types of support will the franchisor provide once your franchise has opened its doors?

  • After the initial investment, will there be additional financial obligations requiring working capital?

  • Does the franchisor offer any form of financing?

  • Ask the franchisor how many franchises have been sold in the state you will be operating in during the last 12 months and how many have been opened for business?

  • What types of territorial restrictions and protections have been set up by the franchisor?

  • Is the franchisor planning on expanding within your state? Are they focusing on any specific locations?

  • What arrangements are established through the franchisor in terms of product supply?

  • Ask to see a current price sheet.

  • Ask if the franchisor has been forced to terminate any of its franchisees and detail the reasons for this decision. Have any franchisees failed or gone bankrupt?

  • Are there any current lawsuits pending or past judgments against the franchisor?

  • What steps are taken to settle disputes between the franchisor and franchisees?