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By Sanjeev Kumar
Founding Attorney

Buying a franchise can be a great opportunity. Entrepreneurs can shop around and see what type of franchise seems to be the right fit for them. With the right franchise, you can become a part of an already successful business set up with a pathway to profit that is shorter than starting a business from the ground up. Buying a franchise is, however, a big undertaking and careful consideration should be taken before finalizing anything.

What to Consider Before Buying a Franchise

One of the major perks of buying a franchise instead of starting from scratch in developing your own business is the fact that there are systems in place that have already shown whether or not they work. When looking into a franchise, evaluate what business systems are already in place. Things like payroll, marketing, and other important business systems should be ready for you as part of buying the franchise. You will also want to see if things like employee trainings are included. If it isn’t, it is something you will have to develop yourself. Coaching programs can also be a huge benefit of a franchise. Not only does coaching help set you up for success, but it also shows that the franchise is committed to investing in the development of the franchise.

There are so many different types of franchises out there. There is everything from food services to retail-based franchises. Before you buy a franchise, assess your own strengths and experience. If you do not like sales, you will want to avoid a franchise that depends on things like business to business sales or cold calling. Find a franchise that is in line with your strengths and your personality.

Learn as much as you can about the franchise. Investigate how franchisees have been treated in the past. You can even ask to meet others who have bought into the franchise. If the franchise is uncomfortable with you meeting others, this can be a definite red flag. You will want to know how other franchisees have been treated. Investigating other franchisees will also give you the opportunity to see who has already been successful in the franchise. You can look to see what types of things have helped other franchisees be successful.

Another big thing to consider before buying a franchise is the cost. This means finding out the true cost of entering into the franchise. There can be a substantial amount of hidden fees in these types of business dealings. Carefully review the franchise agreement and look for things such as royalty payments. Also, look for things such as fees associated with marketing and training. Take a look at your own financial situation to see if the franchise fits into your budget. This means considering the cost of buying the franchise and also looking at whether you will be able to financially survive a period of net loss prior to the business seeing a profit.

Texas Business Law Attorney

If you are an entrepreneur looking to buy a franchise, the Kumar Law Firm can help you find the right franchise for you. There are so many important things to consider before entering into a franchise. We are here to set you up for success. Contact us today.

About the Author
Sanjeev Kumar is the founder and principal at the Kumar Law Firm, which provides a wide range of legal services to entrepreneurs and business owners in the area of business & corporate law and intellectual property along with related areas of interest to clients such as business succession planning, wealth preservation through estate planning, and alternate dispute resolution.