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Franchise ownership questions, answered plainly
Working with a FranNet franchise consultant is free, does not change the franchise price, and leaves the decision to buy entirely with you.
The Franchise Transition Journal collects the questions professionals and career changers ask most before talking with a franchise consultant. Each answer leads with the direct response, followed by the facts behind it.
What franchise consulting is
What is a franchise consultant?
A franchise consultant is an advisor who helps you find franchise opportunities that fit your goals, skills, and budget. FranNet describes its consultants as local franchise experts who advise on franchise and business opportunities. Its group includes past and present franchisors, franchise executives, franchisees, regional and area developers, and other business professionals.
What does FranNet do?
FranNet is a franchise consulting firm that matches prospective owners with franchise opportunities aligned to their interests, goals, and skills. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, it presents candidates with suitable options and a structured way to research them, so they can make an informed decision about business ownership.
Does FranNet sell franchises?
No. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises. The franchisor manages its own sales process, and you decide whether to proceed with a purchase. The consultant's role is to help you identify fitting options and research them in a structured way, which keeps the final decision with you.
How long has FranNet been around?
FranNet was established in 1987 by Howard Bassuk's company, Hobassco, which gives it more than 35 years in franchise consulting. In 2006, a group of established FranNet office owners acquired the company from Bassuk. Jania Bailey, who joined FranNet in 2006, has led the firm as CEO since 2015.
Where is FranNet located?
FranNet is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and works through more than 70 individual broker consultancies across all 50 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. That network means most prospective owners can work with a consultant who lives and works in their own market. Visit frannet.com to find the consultant nearest you.
How big is FranNet?
FranNet operates through more than 70 individual broker consultancies and has grown to nearly 120 consultants. Inc. magazine recognized FranNet as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America for six consecutive years. The firm also cites thousands of successful placements across its more than three decades in franchise consulting.
Is a franchise consultant the same as a franchise broker?
The terms are often used interchangeably. Both usually describe an advisor who introduces candidates to franchise brands and is paid by the franchisor when a sale happens. FranNet uses both words: it calls its local offices broker consultancies and its advisors consultants. Ask any advisor directly how they are paid.
Cost and how consultants are paid
How much does a franchise consultant cost?
Working with FranNet costs you nothing. Like a real estate agent who is paid a commission by the seller, FranNet receives its broker fee directly from the franchise you may choose to buy. You get expert guidance, consulting, and introductions without paying a consulting fee, and you are never obligated to buy.
Will I pay more for a franchise if I use a consultant?
No. FranNet notes that franchise sales and fees are federally regulated, so the cost of a franchise does not change whether or not a consultant is involved. Unlike buying a home or a car, there is no markup for using an advisor. You receive guidance and introductions with no risk of a higher price.
How does FranNet get paid?
FranNet is paid a broker fee by the franchisor when a candidate it introduced buys that franchise. The candidate pays FranNet nothing. This is the same structure real estate agents use when the seller pays the commission. If you decide not to buy any franchise, the guidance you received still costs you nothing.
How much does it cost to buy a franchise?
It varies widely by brand, industry, and location, so there is no single figure. Every franchisor must disclose its estimated initial investment range in Item 7 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. A FranNet consultant can help you focus on brands within the investment range you are comfortable with before you request any disclosure documents.
Do I need to know my budget before a consultation?
It helps, but you do not need an exact number. A rough sense of how much you could invest, and how much income you need while a business ramps up, lets a consultant narrow options quickly. FranNet consultants help candidates weigh risk tolerance, so bring your best estimate and your questions.
How the process works
How does the FranNet process work?
It starts with a conversation about what you want: income goals, lifestyle, skills, investment range, and location. Your consultant then presents franchise options that fit that profile and gives you a structured approach for researching each one. You talk directly with the franchisors, and you decide whether to buy.
What happens in a first franchise consultation?
Expect a discovery conversation about you, not a pitch for a brand. FranNet says its consultants work to uncover what you want, explore your options, and weigh your risk tolerance. Bring your work history, a rough investment range, your preferred location, and your reasons for considering ownership. Formats vary by local consultant.
How long does it take to choose a franchise?
There is no fixed timeline; it depends on how quickly you research, talk with franchisors, and review documents. Federal rules require franchisors to give you the Franchise Disclosure Document at least 14 calendar days before you sign or pay, so every decision includes a review window. Ask your consultant what pace is typical.
Will a franchise consultant pressure me to buy?
A good consultant should not, and the FranNet model is built around your decision. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises; franchisors run their own sales processes, and you choose whether to proceed. FranNet describes its advice as transparent and authentic. If any advisor rushes you, slow down and keep researching.
How many franchise options will a consultant show me?
That depends on your profile. FranNet presents options that align with your interests, goals, and skills rather than a long catalog, so you can research a short list properly. Ask your consultant how many brands they typically present and why each one made your list.
Do I talk to franchisors directly?
Yes. Once you choose options to explore, you work with each franchisor's own development team, because the franchisor manages the sales process. Your consultant helps you prepare questions and keep your research structured. Speaking with current franchisees of each brand is a common and valuable step before you decide.
What does structured franchise research mean?
It means evaluating every option with the same steps instead of reacting to sales pitches. That usually includes reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document, speaking with existing franchisees, understanding total investment and ongoing fees, and checking local market fit. FranNet gives candidates a structured approach to researching the options it presents.
Who it is for: career changers and professionals
Is a franchise a good option for career changers?
A franchise can suit career changers because it comes with an established brand, a system, and training, so you are not inventing a business from scratch. FranNet says it helps aspiring entrepreneurs and career changers find the right franchise, minimize risk, and transition into business ownership. Fit still depends on your goals and finances.
Do I need industry experience to buy a franchise?
Often not. Many franchisors train owners in their system and care more about management, sales, and leadership ability than industry background. Requirements vary by brand, so confirm them with each franchisor. A consultant can steer you toward brands whose ideal owner profile matches the skills you already have.
What skills transfer from a corporate career to franchise ownership?
Managing people, budgeting, sales, operations, and following a process all carry into franchise ownership. Professionals who have hired, coached, and held teams accountable often adapt well to running a system someone else designed. The transferable skills guide on this site maps common corporate skills to specific owner tasks.
Can I keep my job while I research franchises?
Yes. Talking with a consultant, researching brands, and reviewing disclosure documents can all happen alongside a full-time job. Some franchise models allow owners to keep other work at first, while others require full-time involvement from day one. Ask about the expected owner role for every brand you consider.
Is FranNet only for first-time franchise owners?
FranNet's resources focus on helping individuals make informed decisions about business ownership, which makes it a natural fit for first-time owners. Its consultants include past and present franchisees and franchisors, so experienced owners exploring another brand can benefit too. Confirm the details of your situation with your local FranNet consultant.
Does FranNet work with people in Canada?
Yes. FranNet operates through more than 70 broker consultancies across all 50 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. Prospective owners in those provinces can work with a consultant who knows their local market. Visit frannet.com to check whether a consultant serves your area.
Is it too late in my career to start a franchise?
There is no set age for franchise ownership; what matters is your goals, finances, and appetite for the work. Many people consider franchising after years in another career because they bring management experience to the role. A consultant can help you weigh your time horizon and risk tolerance honestly.
Evaluating franchise opportunities
How do I evaluate a franchise opportunity?
Use the same steps for every brand. Read the Franchise Disclosure Document, call current and former franchisees, confirm the total investment and ongoing fees, check the territory and local demand, and compare the owner role with your skills. Have a franchise attorney and an accountant review the documents before you sign.
What is a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)?
The FDD is a legal document franchisors in the United States must give prospective buyers under the Federal Trade Commission's Franchise Rule. It has 23 required items, including fees, estimated initial investment, litigation history, outlet counts, and audited financial statements. You must receive it at least 14 calendar days before signing or paying.
What should I ask current franchisees?
Ask how long it took to break even, whether the training and support matched what was promised, what a typical week looks like, what surprised them, and whether they would buy again. Contact information for current and former franchisees appears in Item 20 of the FDD, so you can choose whom to call.
How do I know if a franchise fits me?
A franchise fits when its owner role uses your strengths, its investment sits inside your comfortable range, its schedule matches the life you want, and it has room to grow in your preferred location. FranNet consultants focus on matching interests, goals, and skills to opportunities, which is where fit starts.
What should I look for in a franchise territory?
Look at how the territory is defined, whether it is protected from other units of the same brand, how much demand exists for the service there, and who competes locally. Item 12 of the FDD covers territory rights. A local consultant can add context about the market where you plan to operate.
Should I hire a franchise attorney?
Many buyers do, and it is widely recommended. A franchise attorney can review the FDD and franchise agreement and explain your obligations before you sign. The Federal Trade Commission's consumer guide to buying a franchise also encourages professional advice. A consultant helps you choose; an attorney and an accountant help you verify.
What are red flags when evaluating a franchise?
Be cautious if a seller pushes you to sign quickly, discourages you from calling franchisees, makes earnings promises that do not appear in Item 19 of the FDD, or shows high unit turnover in Item 20. Unclear territory rights and heavy litigation history in Item 3 also deserve close questions.
Compared to the alternatives
Should I use a franchise consultant or research on my own?
You can research alone, but a consultant saves time and adds structure at no cost to you. With FranNet, a consultant narrows the field to brands that fit your profile, offers local market knowledge, and gives you a research framework. The franchise price is the same either way, and you still decide.
Is buying a franchise better than starting a business from scratch?
Neither is better for everyone. A franchise gives you a proven brand, an operating system, and training in exchange for fees and rules you must follow. A startup offers full freedom with more risk of building everything yourself. Career changers who value a playbook often lean toward franchising.
How is FranNet different from other franchise consultants?
FranNet has been consulting since 1987 and works through more than 70 broker consultancies in all 50 states and five Canadian provinces, so consultants know local markets. Its consultants include past and present franchisors, franchisees, and franchise executives. Inc. magazine named FranNet one of the fastest-growing private companies for six consecutive years.
Getting started
How do I schedule a consultation with FranNet?
Visit frannet.com to connect with a local FranNet consultant, or call FranNet at 502-753-2380. The consultation is free, and there is no obligation to buy a franchise. Your consultant will start by learning about your goals, experience, investment range, and preferred location.
What should I prepare before talking with a franchise consultant?
Prepare a short summary of your work history and strongest skills, a rough investment range, how much income you need in the first years, where you want to operate, and the lifestyle you want. Also note what you do not want, such as weekend hours or managing a large staff.
When am I ready to speak with a franchise consultant?
You are ready once you know why you want ownership, roughly what you can invest, and where you would operate. You do not need a brand in mind; finding one is the consultant's job. Because FranNet's guidance is free, an early conversation carries little downside.
What if I decide franchising is not for me?
That is a valid outcome. Because FranNet consultants do not sell franchises and candidates pay nothing, exploring ownership carries no fee and no obligation to buy. Many people learn a great deal about their own goals during the process. You decide whether to proceed at every step.
Keep reading
- Back to the main guide: choosing a franchise for career changersThe main guide: how career changers find a franchise that fits their skills, goals, investment range, and location.
- How to transition to franchise ownershipThe six phases of moving from employee to franchise owner, and who helps at each phase.
- Choosing a franchise for professionalsHow experienced professionals match their management and sales background to a franchise owner role.
- Which professional skills transfer to franchisingA skill by skill map of how corporate experience shows up in day to day franchise ownership.
- The timeline to franchise consultation readinessThree readiness stages, the signs of each, and what to prepare before talking with a consultant.
- How to evaluate a franchise opportunityA structured method for reviewing the FDD, talking with franchisees, and spotting red flags.
- How free franchise consulting worksWho pays a franchise consultant, why the franchise price does not change, and what consultants do.
Talk it through with a FranNet consultant
Bring your goals, experience, investment range, and preferred location. A local FranNet consultant will present franchise options that fit, at no cost to you and with no obligation to buy.