GAIN AN INSIDER'S PERSPECTIVE

There is much valuable information on this website. Without doubt, however, the most meaningful information that you can obtain about a particular franchise is from the existing base of franchisees.

Experience tells us that franchisees tend to be rather candid about their level of satisfaction with the franchisor, but less candid about their sales and income. If you put yourself in their position, you would most likely be reluctant to share confidential information with a total stranger, notwithstanding his or her proclaimed motivations.

The better prepared you are to ask knowledgeable, well-thought out questions, the more likely existing franchisees will be to respond with meaningful answers and insights.

Depending on how well you have done your homework, you should be able to get the answers you need. It is essential that you be able to ask the kinds of questions that show a basic understanding of the business and its underlying economics.

Some good questions include areas such as the major cost elements of the cash flow statement, the biggest surprises they encountered when they started their business, whether to buy supplies from the franchisor or from a third-party supplier, potential lenders, negotiable points in the franchise agreement, etc. In reviewing the financial statements, pay particular attention to the major expense items. See if there are any expense categories that you may have left out.

You should be very aggressive about pursuing existing franchisees as a source of insights that are not available elsewhere. If possible, visit them at their business. This not only shows your commitment, but allows you to see them in their working environment.

1. Frequently Asked Questions. Get no-nonsense answers to 18 of the most frequently asked questions.
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2. Franchising. A Winning Advantage. Why spend years and risk every penny of your investment "reinventing the wheel," when it is so easy to take advantage of a solid business system and a brand name that others have already made successful?
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3. The Top-Rated Investment. If you analyzed all possible investments, they would fall into these main categories: financial instruments, real estate and businesses. On an overall basis, franchised businesses have achieved the best rate of success and the highest return on investment.
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4. How to Avoid Common Mistakes. Franchises have helped turn dreams into reality for millions of people, but individual success depends upon following some basic principles.
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5. Receive the Attention You Deserve. Save valuable time, effort and money. Accelerate the franchise discovery process and receive priority attention from franchisors... all without any cost or obligation.
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6. What's Best For You? Which type of franchise is best for you? Home-based. Single-unit. Multi-unit. Area development. Master.
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7. Master Franchising. The Best Kept Secret. This system is one of the best kept secrets in business ownership today. It gives business owners the ability to develop a large business within a short period of time.
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8. The Franchise Discovery Process. The franchise discovery process advances at your pace and focuses on helping you achieve your dreams and aspirations.
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9. Funding Your Franchise. It is easier to get financing for a franchised business. Lenders prefer franchises because of their stable track record, proven system, and ongoing business model.
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10. Open A Business Using Retirement Funds. A business of your own may well be your best retirement plan. Use your 401k, 403b, Pension, Profit Sharing, IRA rollover or other retirement assets to fund the purchase of a franchised business... tax and penalty free!

Buying a franchise is serious business. Begin the franchise discovery process by using the FREE services of Franchise USA, which is on the Web at FranchiseUSA.Net. No other franchise consulting firm represents more franchisors or is better able to help you find your dream business. No one!

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