This is where you learn about us and we learn about you. We explain what we do and how we do it. Then it is important that we find out about you, including your:

Background | Experience | Skills
Current Employment
Family Situations
Financial Information
Timeline (Are You In A Hurry?)
Your Goals, Needs, and/or Desires

Finally, based on a cumulative review of your personal situation we can help determine if franchising is right for you!

During this phase we help you analyze the opportunities that we selected for your review. Because, while it is important to find a good franchise, it is equally important to find a franchise that is right for YOU – your talents, your personality and your personal preferences - and only you really know that. For example:  Are you outgoing? Are you an introvert? Are you empathetic and enjoy helping people? Do you want to work close to home? Or in your home? So, while we can select a franchise that may seem like a good fit, only you can decide if it will make you happy, meet your needs and help you achieve your goals.  That is why we always say, “this is your search”, but we can save you a lot of time and help you ask the right questions. This is a good time to get prequalified if you need financing. Almost all franchises that we work with are SBA approved.

This is the last (and most important step), where you make the final decision - do you want to join the franchise as a franchisee – or not. Your due diligence will include analyzing the franchise disclosure document (FDD) that contains 23 mandatory sections that provide candidates with information regarding costs and fees, legal issues, turnover rates, a copy of the franchise agreement and much more. These documents can be lengthy, technical and tedious. We can help but since both the FDD and franchise agreement are legal documents we always recommend using an attorney familiar with franchising. As part of your due diligence we suggest speaking with a CPA as well, especially when considering financing options. This step also includes a “Discovery Day” at the company H.Q. where you meet upper management and ask more questions. This will help you determine the following:


- Will you enjoy this franchise?
- Can you follow their system?
- Will it meet your financial needs?
- Is this business the right fit for you?

Another very important part of this process is “validation”. Simply put, when you speak to actual franchisees, do they “validate” what the franchise has told you? Are they happy and successful? Did they receive adequate training? Are they profitable? Would they buy the franchise again? And what advice do they have for you? This step is worth spending time on and we will strongly suggest that you speak with as many franchisees as possible – the franchisor will provide you with all their names and contact information.

Ultimately, at the end of this process, only you can decide if this is the business that will make you happy, meet your needs and help you achieve your goals.