Our services are provided at not cost to you! There is no harm in learning about what opportunities are available to you. The first step is to fill out an information form. Once that has been submitted, we will contact you to verify your information. 

 

During this stage, we gather the necessary information to determine what your capabilities are and which business models will be a good match for you. Our first objective is to understand who you are (i.e. what are your past skills, what type of lifestyle you desire and your overall goals). Understanding your particular goals and needs will allow us to find the best opportunity for you.

 

We take the information you provide, research available franchises and match them with your stated goals and needs. The ultimate goal of any reputable franchise is not to "sell" a franchise to anyone willing and able to buy their brand, but to "award" a franchise to candidates that are highly qualified and will thrive in the operation of their business model. There are over 3,000 franchises and our goal is to identify he best 3-4 franchises that match your requirements.

 

We present you with the opportunities that we have identified in our research. This meeting should accomplish two goals. First, if any of the opportunities are of interest to you, then we will arrange an introduction directly to the representative of the franchise. This will require that we complete and submit a confidential questionnaire to be supplied to the franchisor. The franchisor wants to know that you are financially qualified to purchase their franchise, that your timeframe to buy is within reasonable limits and that your partners and/or family are in complete agreement with you buying a business. This does not obligate you in any way. It simply shows the franchisor that when you find the right opportunity, then you are capalbe of buying it. Second, this step will allow us to clarify your goals and needs identified in Step 2, sending us back through Steps 3 & 4. This may take place several times throughout the process.

 

It's important to remember that The Franchise Detective is presenting you opportunities, but you must make the decision that is best for you and your family. Therefore, refining the criteria for the best opportunity for you is an ongoing process.

 

For each of the opportunities that you have an interest, we will introduce you to the franchisor. The franchisor will send materials to help you become acquainted with their franchise. They will also send their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). The FDD receipt should be signed & returned immediately.

 

We will discuss the items that are contained in the FDD; in particular items that you should pay close attention. You should then review the FDD in complete detail writing down any questions or concerns for discussion with the franchisor. The FDD will contain a list of franchise owners and contact information. It is highly recommended that you speak with as many franchisees as possible in order to gain an understanding of what it's like to operate a franchise in their system.

 

It is essential to ask the right questions of the existing and past franchisees. We will supply you with a list of questions to assist in this step. This is a great opportunity to learn valuable information from those with the experience. This is your opportunity to validate the franchise opportunity and to get an idea about the profitablility of the franchise.

 

We cannot overemphasize the necessity of consulting with a competent attorney and/or accountant before purchasing any business. It is very important that both professionals have a background in franchising to ensure that you are covered in every way to benefit your position. If you don't already have these professionals in place, we can make recommendations.

 

Most franchisors have a Discovery Day where they invite prospective franchise owners to visit a specific franchise location and see how the franchise is run. You will not only get crucial information to assist in making your decision, but will also get to meet the staff who will be supporting you in the operation of your franchise business.

 

You have taken all of the steps up to the door and now you must open it. Decision time! Congratulations, you have decided to buy a franchise! You have become a "Frantrepreneur", a cross between a traditional entrepreneur and a modern franchise own. A person the possesses the desire to be a business owner, but doesn't want to recreate the wheel.