6 Essential Resources for Franchising Your Business
can seem like a massive undertaking. Fortunately, there are plenty of franchise resources available to help new franchises get off the ground, from industry associations and trade shows to educational publications and consulting firms. Here are a few resources that franchisors need to check out as they begin to expand their businesses.
International Franchise Association
Founded in 1960, the is the world’s oldest and largest franchise organization, providing education, support, exposure, and advocacy for more than 16,000 members. Some of the IFA’s most notable franchise resources include the mentoring program, the initiative for military veterans, and the online community, which fosters connection and cooperation among the IFA’s members. Learn more about the IFA at .
Franchise Consultants
Unless you have experience opening multi-unit businesses, launching a franchise without the help of a franchise consultant is usually a bad idea. , , and rank among the most trusted and experienced consulting firms around, and serve franchise businesses of all types. From connecting you with franchising attorneys and guiding you through the legal and operational paperwork, to helping you with branding and marketing, franchise consultants ensure that you’re set up for success.
Trade Shows and Expos
Franchising trade shows and expos are great opportunities for franchisors to learn more about best practices in their industry, as well as meet experienced franchise operators who are looking to invest in new concepts. There are dozens of annual events to choose from, but some of the most worthwhile include the , the , the , and the .
Franchising Publications
Successful franchisors and franchise operators tend to have one thing in common — they consume as much information as possible about industry trends, business strategies, and what their competition is up to. is the leading publisher of franchise-related content, including the news site , , and and their . We also highly recommend for breaking news, reported features, and profiles of major figures in the franchising world.
Data Analytics
Assuming you don’t have a full-time data scientist on your team, you might benefit from working with a data firm that specializes in franchise businesses. is a consulting company that analyzes your top-performing franchisees, then uses behavioral assessment tools to identify and attract potential franchisees with the same qualities. offers a customer analytics platform that can help you maximize everything from site selection to sales.
Free Franchise Documents
When it comes to creating your and , most of the heavy lifting should be left to your franchising attorney. That being said, you could pick up a lot of great ideas from seeing how other successful franchises set up their legal documents. features hundreds of contracts, disclosure documents, area development agreements, and other important documentation, all collected from big-name franchises. Also worth a look: , which focuses on franchise disclosure documents, and , which provides free contract templates in case you’re taking the DIY approach. (Our advice: Don’t do that.)
Want to learn more? on growing your business through franchising for expert advice from 14 franchise founders and thought-leaders, including founder Brian Scudamore, founder Mary Ellen Sheets, and The Chipotle Effect author .
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