A franchise development consultant can be an invaluable asset as you look to start your journey towards being a franchisee. It can be quite an overwhelming journey, which is why you always need a strong pillar to lean on.
Buying a franchise is a significant investment, and with so much of your hard-earned money at stake, you cannot afford not to get it right. Finding a franchise opportunity that is a right fit for you is no easy feat. Furthermore, it is also important to keep in mind that approval is required to actually become a franchisee and start managing your newfound freedom.
With a professional franchise development consultant, you can confidently look forward to a hassle-free journey—It starts with finding the right one.
What then, should you consider when looking at a franchise development consultant to work with? Here’s a rundown of six of the most crucial elements that set apart an excellent choice for a consultant from a good one.
- Industry Knowledge and Experience
As a hopeful franchisee, you have no doubt done your research but may not be too sure about how to go about doing what needs doing. A franchise development consultant with a firm grasp of the ins and outs of the industry will definitely add value.
While there is no particular reason why you should not go with a newbie, there is an undeniable upper hand when industry experience is a part of the equation. Be sure to ask about how long their involvement in the industry stretches, and more so in the capacity of a franchise development consultant. Some consultants may have started out working for others, and this should also count.
- A Solid Reputation in The Industry
What are other players in the industry saying about the franchise development consultant? What does the consultant have to show for their years of experience in the industry? What do the franchisees, if any that have worked with the consultant have to say about their experience? What about the franchisors?
Do not hesitate to seek testimonials. Take the time to learn from the others that have gone before you and see what they have to say. You can never do too much with due diligence.
Reputations, good or otherwise, will always precede the subject of such conversations. If you hear something about the consultant, and several sources corroborate that account, then likely, it is true.
- The Level of Commitment
You cannot expect too much from a franchise development consultant who is in it as just something to do on the side. Rest assured that you’ll not get the level of attention and the guidance that you deserve.
Find a consultant who is passionate about what they do, and who understands how much work they will need to put in to help you along on your journey. Truth be told, there is quite a lot that goes into matching you with the right franchisor that is the right fit, and even more, work when it comes to managing and growing your businesses as a franchisee.
It’s easy to tell the level of commitment of a consultant by how well they communicate with you, and the amount of time they are willing to spend working on your case, even when you are not around.
- Franchisor Pre-Screening
A professional and committed franchise development consultant will have a database of highly pre-screened franchisors for you to have a look at before choosing one that is a right fit. The consultant should have a lot of research, and then some, on each of these franchise organizations.
The consultant should be ready to answer your questions about the goals and work culture of the different franchisors. It shouldn’t be too difficult for a knowledgeable consultant to match you with a franchisor once you communicate what you are looking for in a business partner, and what your goals are, going forward.
Pre-screening does save a lot of time. Again, a professional consultant should not try and coerce you into working with franchisors who are top on their favorites list. Recommendations should always be without bias and prejudice, knowing that the interests of the franchisee candidates are a priority.
If the consultant is showing you more than a small number of options (3 or less) they are just seeing what sticks on the wall. Investing your time and energy conducting proper due diligence for a successful result means less is better. It can become a full-time job only evaluating three franchise concepts at a time if you are researching at the level you should be.
- Cost of Service
A few consultants will charge you directly for their services. Others, like Franchise-Logic, will not charge you even a single dime. Instead, we get paid by a franchisor when we find the right and both parties decide to become business partners. This is a simple referral fee for helping the two of you connect, where otherwise you may never have.
Whichever the case, ensure that you have the conversation about money upfront. It’s always best to know what, if any, financial obligations, you have, before you commit to working with a franchise development consultant. Do not hesitate to ask any questions that you may have about service charges.
Does it come as a surprise that a consultant would spend so much time and other resources guiding you through the whole process and you don’t have to pay for it? Well, it all comes down to the business model.
- Proven Track Record
At the end of the day, it all comes down to the track record of a franchise development consultant. Forget any sales pitch you will hear, however well-crafted and shift focus to the results that the consultant can substantiate.
What are their numbers? How many candidates has the consultant successfully matched with franchise opportunities? How well are these franchisees doing in their new businesses?
When Good Isn’t Enough?
You will no doubt come across different consultants, each with their own merits. You deserve to work with the best that there is in the industry and shouldn’t have to settle for a consultant that is only sub-par and doesn’t bring nearly enough to the table.
Know exactly what you expect the consultant to do for you, and do not shy off from sitting down with several them before deciding on who to go with as a partner on this journey. Based on the criteria highlighted, among other factors to consider, you should be able to find a consultant that is the right fit for you.
A Trustworthy Advisor
At Franchise Logic, we take great pride in having helped hundreds of candidates realize the dream of becoming business owners. We have decades of experience, offer a dedicated service, and have exhausted thousands of hours within our screening efforts on selecting the best of the breed franchise organizations we are proud to stand beside.
Are you looking for a franchise development consultant who has mastered their trade and who is ready to work with you through the different steps to becoming a successful franchisee? Don’t hesitate to call Franchise Logic , home of America’s Franchise Matchmaker™ at 303-805-5078 to schedule a free discussion.