Thinking about starting a franchise?

With over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how asking the right questions can set you on the path to success. In my Entrepreneur feature, I outlined 30 key questions every prospective franchise owner should be thinking about.

When evaluating a franchise, it’s not just about brand recognition—look for strong corporate support in all aspects of your day to day business. Help with real estate, grand opening, back office and ongoing operations. A franchisor that there every step of the way makes the process much smoother, especially when you’re starting out.

Support is very important, but another key area is technology. How equipped is the franchise to help you navigate the digital landscape? From a robust online presence to eCommerce capabilities, these tools are crucial in today’s competitive market.

Marketing is critical in any business. Does the franchisor have a proven and successful  marketing plan? And how will that translate into your local efforts? A well-structured marketing strategy can give you a strong start right out of the gate.

While initial training is essential to get started, ongoing training is the key to staying competitive and growing your business over time. It’s not just about what you learn when you first join; regular updates keep you ahead of industry changes and equip you with new tools to drive success. 

Finally, consider the leadership. A franchise’s leadership team should have the experience and vision to help you through challenges and ensure long-term success. Make sure their goals align with yours.

Ready to dig deeper?

You can read the full article here and explore the 30 questions in more detail.

If you’ve already been thinking about franchise ownership but still have some questions, this could be the perfect time to take the next step. We can talk about how the insights from the article apply directly to your goals and if franchising makes sense for your future plans.

I’m here to help you navigate that decision with clarity and experience. – Jim