Me Vs. Franchise Broker

Why Work With Me Before Contacting a Franchise Broker?

Let me get this out of the way… I HIGHLY recommend working with a franchise broker (also called consultant or coach) to help you find the right franchise. But not until you are ready! I personally worked with one and the experience was fantastic, helping me find the best fit for me. But, before I contacted one, I received extensive mentoring by other experienced business owners to sort through my thoughts and decide if I should even pursue a franchise, let alone entrepreneurship in general.

Here is the value I provide before contacting a Franchise Broker:

Informed Decision-Making: Working with Entrepreneur in Hiding before reaching out to a franchise broker sets the stage for making informed, thoughtful decisions about your entrepreneurial future. As a veteran multi-unit franchise owner myself, I provide a level of mentorship rooted in real-world experience and unbiased insight, crucial for understanding the full spectrum of what franchising entails. This knowledge empowers you to approach brokers with clarity and confidence when you are ready, ensuring that your interactions are guided by informed questions and a clear understanding of your goals.

Understanding the Full Picture: Franchise brokers are compensated based on their ability to sell franchises to you. While they market their services to you as “free,” they are paid a nice commission by the franchisor after you sign on.  This commission can be upwards to tens of thousands of dollars, paid out as a “finder’s fee.”  This compensation model can skew your work with them, pushing toward selling you a franchise rather than ensuring that franchising is even the right fit for you (which is what I do). While I certainly recommend using a franchise broker when you are firmly committed to this path, I will provide you with neutral, fair assessment prior to that.  To be clear: I have no financial stake in your decision to purchase a franchise. I will, however, help you determine whether it’s a good fit or not.  For a variety of reasons, I may encourage you NOT to pursue franchising.  Unfortunately, franchise brokers may not be so neutral or else they do not get paid for their time working with you!

Strategic Preparation: My services help you strategically prepare for the franchise purchasing process. I equip you with the necessary tools to evaluate franchise opportunities critically, from understanding legal documents like the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) to assessing the franchisor's support structure and business model. This preparation is invaluable when brokers present you with options, enabling you to navigate these choices with a critical eye.

Cost and Risk Reduction: By analyzing your readiness and suitability for franchise ownership before you engage with a franchise broker, I help mitigate the risks associated with such a significant investment. My guidance can save you substantial amounts of money by preventing mismatches that lead to business dissatisfaction or financial underperformance. Remember, the franchise broker is motivated to sell you a franchise, which is a significant investment!  This preemptive evaluation is crucial in avoiding costly mistakes that can arise from rushing into decisions under the influence of sales-driven advice.

Personalized Advocacy: At Entrepreneur in Hiding, I act as your advocate, ensuring that your journey into franchising is aligned with your best interests. My comprehensive support system is designed to stand by you throughout the decision-making process, providing a layer of personal protection and advocacy that is unmatched by brokerage services. I am here to ensure that when you do choose to reach out to a franchise broker, you are fully equipped, not just to ask the right questions, but to demand the best answers.

Connect with me today to ensure that your path to franchise ownership is paved with insight, preparation, and the confidence that comes from truly independent advice. Let me be your first call before stepping into the complex world of franchising.