Here are some of the benefits of using a franchise consultant:

Cut down on research time Franchise consultants a great deal of time researching for you.  They weed through and examine hundreds of franchises to find the ones that are closest in line with what you have requested. Franchise consultants have insider knowledge Franchise consultants gain a tremendous amount of insider information about franchisors successes, failures, financial's, validation with other franchisees in their system, processes, support, and much more. While some information is protected and unable to be disclosed, consultants can make sure that you are headed in the right direction.  If you indicate you want a business that does not match what your actual goals are, we can stop you and redirect you to one that does match you goals, ensuring that you get what you want!

Get prepared with the right questions

Just because you ask the franchisor questions, doesn’t mean they are the right questions.  There are certain questions that must be asked in order to properly evaluate a franchise.  Consultants provide you with these questions. 

Understand the terminology and processes

Franchisors use a different language.  They have a whole set of terms not used in regular business environments.  They also have specific guidelines and process they must follow in order to be compliant with FTC guidelines and their own industry practices.  After all this is franchising, it is all about following a system and a good franchisor does exactly that.  They follow the system that has been laid out and expect anyone interested in working with them to do the same.  If you don’t understand these guidelines and general process it can be very confusing and frustrating.  Consultants can educate you on these processes, making your experience much more enjoyable and easy.

Get a better deal on your franchise

Consultants have access to some of the best franchise attorney’s and advisors in the franchise industry.  Using a consultant allows you access to these professionals that can get you previously unheard of negotiations on your franchise.

Information on your chance of being awarded the franchise

Franchising is an award process.  Not just anyone can buy a franchise.  You have to go through interviews, background checks, financial requirements, personality assessments, and more.  Each franchisor has different rules, but typically, the more selective they are the better the franchise.  During the awarding process the franchisor typically shares their thought with the consultant on whether on not they are interested in accepting the client into their system.  They also inform the consultant why they are hesitant if that is the case.  The consultant can then advise the client on what needs to be done to increase their chances of being awarded, or they can advise them to move to another concept if that is a better option. 

Work with highly trained professionals within a professional organization

Members of the FBCA have access to and are actively engaged in ongoing advanced training that is not available to them anywhere else.  Therefore, our members are the best in the industry.  They are professionals with credentials to prove it. 

Edify you on the most profitable and sustainable franchise opportunities

Consultants in the FBCA know how to do business profitability studies on franchises.  They know what to look for in Franchise Disclosure Documents to analyze the sustainability of a franchise.  With that knowledge they are able to direct you franchises that match your goals. 

Using a franchise consultant is typically at no charge to the client

Franchisors pay for consultants to handle the qualification and education of prospective franchisees.  Consultants are paid from the franchisors marketing budget.  Under FTC guidelines, Franchisors are not permitted to change the price of the franchise fee regardless of if a consultant was used or not. The prospective franchisees wins in this situation because they are able to receive professional guidance and education at no charge, which makes them an informed buyer. 

Franchise consultants can locate red flags in a franchise

To an untrained eye a particular franchise may look great on the surface, but what about underneath the surface?  Without using a franchise consultant, you are not made aware of valuable information that may change your decision to go with a certain concept.  Franchisors are governed by FTC guidelines, however there are MANY items that are not disclosed that involve operations and support.  It is important that you know and understand how to get that undisclosed information.  Because franchise consultants work with these franchisors on a daily basis, they learn what is happening with the company right now, not last year.  The documents that you are required to read are almost always from the previous year.  For example, if the franchise is restructuring or undergoing dramatic shifts in management, you need to know that.  In most cases, it will affect you as a franchisee. 

Franchise consultant research franchises every day

All day long, every day franchise consultants are researching franchises.  That is their sole and primary function as a consultant.  If you spent every day doing one activity, you would become an expert in that activity.  Franchise consultants are knowledgeable experts in franchising. 

Franchise consultants can help you find funding

Franchise consultants through the FBCA are trained on a number of different funding options for your client.  They can assist you in securing that funding as well as demographics information, and all around support services. 

Find the right franchise

Franchise consultants use sophisticated tools to determine franchises that are a great fit for you.  They collect the data and analyze it against the database of franchises.  From there they contact the franchisors about their client to determine if that is a good market for the franchise, saturation, and also if the franchisor is interested in that client.  You get the final list without having to do all the work.  Perfect!