With all the uncertainty that the global pandemic has brought, countless people are making the decision to take their future into their own hands. If you’re of the mindset that business ownership is the best way to take control of your future and that franchising specifically is your way to get there, you might be wondering what exactly exploring a franchise opportunity entails. How do you find a brand that’s a good fit, and what does that process even begin to look like?

The good news is, when you break it down step by step, the franchise discovery process is not as intimidating as it sounds.

The Discovery Process: Exploring Different Franchise Opportunities

You’ll partner with a franchise representative of the franchisor to collaboratively work towards educating you on the business. The franchisor and franchisee candidate will get to know each other well, as this will ultimately give both parties a sense on if the relationship will be mutually beneficial in the long run. Here are a few of the key elements of the franchise discovery process, and tips for making sure your discovery process is as insightful as possible to help you make your decision.

• Invest in getting to know the franchise representative. This relationship is a good indicator of what working with the business itself will entail. Make sure you’re asking questions throughout the process so that you have as much information as possible before deciding if the company will be a good fit for you and vice versa.

• Pay attention to how the information is presented. Does the franchisor present thorough information in an organized manner? This will be a great indicator of the overall organization and culture of the company. Pay attention to those details that will likely affect your training and support down the road.

• Make validation calls to franchisees. This is an excellent opportunity to find out first-hand from existing franchisees what their day-to-day experience is like, additional financial details, and an opportunity to hear about their relationship with the franchisor.

• Attend a ‘Meet the Team Day’. This is a great opportunity to meet with the franchisor leadership and support team. Many of these faces are who you’ll be working with, so this is an additional time to see how you connect with the brand and the people behind it.

By the end of the discovery process, you should feel confident enough to make a decision whether or not to move forward. If you’re unsure, that means the business might not be a good fit. For more information on the discovery process, hear directly from Director of Franchise Development Austin James as he dives into the details.

 If you’re interested in learning more about opportunities with our brands or would like to get connected with a franchise representative, give us a call at (757) 215-4253.