Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I work with Franchise Empowerment? Can’t I go direct to the franchise companies?
You can go directly to the franchise companies, but most will not spend time with you to make sure that you are buying the right franchise. It is the franchise salesman’s job to sell you their franchise, which may not be in your best interest.

By choosing to work with a Franchise Empowerment specialist, you will receive unbiased help to evaluate your business and lifestyle goals, needs and requirements and then match you with the best franchise fit. Franchise Empowerment may show you franchises that you would never have considered or found on your own. By working closely together, we can help to make the franchise process less intimidating and more productive.

How much is this going to cost me?
There is never a fee or an obligation to work with Franchise Empowerment.

Franchise Empowerment works very much like a real estate company that helps you purchase a home. Franchise Empowerment will spend time helping to decide the right kind of business for you and then will introduce franchises that fit. If you decide to buy a franchise that Franchise Empowerment introduces to you, then the franchise company pays us. This is similar to the real estate agent that finds you the home, when you buy the home the real estate agent is paid by the seller – not you. In the case of Franchise Empowerment, the fees are paid by the franchise company.

When you are working with a real estate agent you know that you might purchase the home cheaper if you could find a similar home for sale by owner. This can’t happen working with Franchise Empowermentto find a franchise. Franchising is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission, an agency of the federal government, and the franchise company can never charge you more because they paid a fee to Franchise Empowerment.

What is the difference between a franchise and a business opportunity?
When you buy a franchise, you are buying a proven method of doing business, and this method is followed by every franchisee in the system. All franchisees are operating under the trademark of that franchise. The relationship between the franchisor and the franchisee will continue for the duration of the franchise agreement.

When you buy a business opportunity, you may also be buying a proven method of doing business, but this method may not be followed by all of the owners in the system. This is typically not a problem because the consumer does not know that you and the other owners all purchased from the same business opportunity seller. This is because you are not operating under the same name or trademark. It depends on the business opportunity whether or not you get ongoing support.

Which is better for me a franchise or a business opportunity?
There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Franchise Empowermentwill spend time explaining the advantages and disadvantages. Together you we will work to determine which concept would best for your overall goals.
What are the “hottest” franchises or business opportunities?
The International Franchise Association indicates that there are over 3000 franchise companies and they are spread over 275 industries. The question should not be what is hot, but what is right for me.

There may be a hot “fast food” franchise. However in talking about your lifestyle goals, you have indicated that you want to buy a business so you want to spend more time with your family. In the past, you missed coaching your son’s soccer team or you weren’t available for your daughter’s dance recital. Because of your lifestyle goals, the hot “fast food” restaurant really should not enter into the equation because this is the type of franchise that will be very demanding on your time.

Also, maybe the “hot” new franchise is a new concept that has not been out long enough to have proven itself. If you are not a risk taker, then you would be better off looking at a franchise that has been around and has a proven success record, but may not be considered “hot”.

Does Franchise Empowerment work with all franchises? If not, aren’t my options limited?
We find that most people that work with Franchise Empowerment actually expand their options. But the answer is no, we do not work with all franchise companies. Since Franchise Empowerment carefully screens the franchise companies that we work with; not all companies pass our requirements.
Will I make a “good” franchisee?
To be a “good” franchisee, you first have to make sure that you find the right franchise for your needs and goals. Because of this reality, we strongly suggest that before you buy, you need to examine your own skills, abilities and experiences. You must look at what will really be a successful franchise for you in relation to your lifestyle, financial and business goals.

We will help you match your personal skills, abilities, goals, and personality to the best franchise options for you.

Should I consult with people other than Franchise Empowerment?
Absolutely, buying a franchise is a major investment. Therefore, it is imperative to get the advice of professionals before making your final decision. Consult with an attorney, preferably a franchise attorney that understands the intricacies of the franchise industry. You should also consult with your CPA or financial advisers. You might also want to consult with your banker or other financial institution, a commercial real estate agent and a commercial-lines insurance agent. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau, and state and federal franchise regulatory agencies. Franchising is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Talk with your Franchise EmpowermentAdvisor to get the contact information for state regulatory agencies.
How do I get started with Franchise Empowerment?
If you not already talking with a Franchise Empowerment Advisor, CLICK HERE and complete the form. Franchise Empowerment will contact you within one business day.
Why not go directly to the franchisees instead of going through a broker?
We use our industry experience to give you all the information you need while you are buying a business. We know which franchises are the least risky, most reliable, and most profitable in the business. If you are outside this industry, this kind of knowledge could take several months to gather. Because our service is free, we feel that we are here to save your money, your time and your sanity during an important decision about your future.
What will it cost me to use a broker for my franchise purchase?
The consumer doesn’t pay for the services that a franchise broker offers. You will pay the published price for any franchise just as if you had gone directly to the franchiser. The franchiser absorbs our marketing costs. The franchisers respect the processes we follow and recognize the quality and fit of clients we refer to them after our consultations are complete. A franchise broker is uniquely able to provide a win-win scenario for the investor and the franchiser.
How does it work? How will the broker find the best opportunity for me?
We want to match you with a goal that meets your specific criteria. But we can’t do that unless we know what those criteria are. We learn these criteria by asking you questions designed to help us narrow our search and provide you the best matches. Here are a few examples of what we might ask:

  • Why do you want to own your own business?
  • Have you owned your own business before now?
  • How many hours and what time of day do you like to work?
  • Is there a certain location you desire?
  • How does managing people make you feel?
  • What kind of capital do you have available to start your business?
  • Are there partners involved?
  • Do you want to have more than one business?
  • When do you want to open your door for business?
  • Will you be available full-time or part-time?

Once we answer these questions along with several others, we create a personal profile for you and use it to research franchise options. The consultation process makes it easier to match you with the a few opportunities that meet your specific criteria. With just a few opportunities to evaluate, you save a lot of time and effort.

There are over 5,000 franchise opportunities available to you. Sifting through them all can take months for a person without our knowledge of the industry. Many people get frustrated and give up. Using our service can help you avoid this situation and put you on the path to owning your own business that has everything you really want.

It’s not easy to be a part of our inventory. Each company has been thoroughly reviewed from every angle. We have high standards for every aspect of the business. By doing our homework, we are confident that we can offer you the very best opportunities that are just right for you.

What are the benefits of buying a franchise?
Owning your own business puts you in control of your own future. But it’s also difficult to do by your self. When you buy a franchise, the franchiser offers support, experience, and knowledge to all aspects of the business. They have been there so they know what challenges will arise and the best way to overcome them.

Franchisers provide you all the tools to be successful. They will train you prior to your opening. They give you advertising and marketing support that builds your business. Most importantly, they reduce your risk because the system has already been proven to work. Their training and support insure that you will be able to handle whatever comes up along the way.

What if I don’t have enough capital to buy the franchise?
Funding your purchase of a franchise is nearly always a major consideration for business owners. Too often, businesses simply don’t have enough capital to help them start-up a new business. We feel it is critical to discuss financing issues early so any problems can be addressed during investigation and research steps of the process.

One excellent resource for financing options is the franchiser. They have solved this problem in the past for themselves and for other franchisees. The will have a good idea of what works for their type of business and will likely have options that make the most sense.

How long will it take to get my business started?
It varies. If you are motivated, you can complete the franchise consultation process in a few days fairly simply. Most clients can find a great opportunity in anywhere from 1 to 3 months. Once you have purchased your opportunity, it can range from as little as 2 weeks up to 6 months to get the business going.
Do I need to know the industry to buy the franchise?
Absolutely not. In fact, most companies prefer that you have no experience in the industry prior to owning the franchise. Franchisors want people that can motivate employees, close sales, and manage efficient operations. They do not want their owners doing the labor, but running the business. Typically in this equation, the franchisee is the manager not the labor.