Before you walk into a franchise outlet, have you contacted the franchise owner, introduced yourself and what your plans are, and booked an appointment? Try to set up a time that doesn’t conflict with the franchisees busy periods, either early in the morning or later at night. Keep your visit short. Prepare a number of printed questionnaires with space to record your answers.
- Why did you select this particular franchise system over others in the same type of business?
- What line of work were you in prior to purchasing a franchise?
- Were you content with the initial training and support you paid for and were promised?
- Did the training only cover the operating system or did the training prepare you to compete with other businesses providing similar products or services?
- Did you encounter any problems with the franchisor, the site, or establishing your business and how did the franchisor respond to problems?
- How would you describe your overall franchisor/franchisee relationship?
- What are your thoughts on this industry, the products and/or services available, and what trends do you see happening for the future?
- Do you have any issues or concerns with the franchise agreement? Were there any clauses that stuck out over others that may impact your relationship with the franchisor?
- How has the franchisor responded to your calls for support about business operations or any other general questions you may have had?
- Are you pleased with the quality of ongoing support, mentorship, and advertising campaigns provided by the franchisor?
- Has the franchisor responded to any of your own ideas about improving the franchise system?
- Are there any other franchisees or former franchisees you recommend I contact?
If the individual is a former franchisee:
- Why did you leave the franchise system?
- Did the franchisor cooperate in helping you sell your franchise?
- If there was a termination or non-renewal, did the franchisor explain why and provide a reasonable opportunity for you to cure the problem?
- Would you consider buying a franchise from a different franchisor?
