Look Before You Leap A Guide to Buying A Franchise

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ¨C DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

DFPI-SRD Q&R 518 (Rev. 12-20)

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

A Guide to Buying a Franchise

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

Ensuring a fair and secure financial services marketplace for all Californians

Governor, Gavin Newsom

Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency

Secretary, Lourdes Castro Ramirez

Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, Manuel P. Alvarez

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ¨C DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

DFPI-SRD Q&R 518 (Rev. 12-20) Page 2 of 15

I.

II.

III.

IV.

V.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Make an informed decision

What is a franchise?

What is the FDD?

Before you buy a franchise

A. Know your skills, capabilities and goals

1 Your skills

2 Your capabilities

3 Your goals

B. Know your industry

C. Know your franchisor

D. Questions to ask existing and former franchisees

1. Questions to ask an existing franchisee

2. Questions to ask a former franchisee

E. Watch out for fraud: tips and warning signs

1. Failure of the franchisor to disclose all necessary documents and details

2. The use of high-pressure sales tactics

3. Franchisor claims of minimal risk and promises of unrealistic profits

4. The charging of unjustified start-up fees

5. Consult your professional advisors

VI. Some insight into knowing and understanding your franchise

agreement

A. The Franchisee's obligations

1. Initial franchise fee

2. Other costs or fees

3. Financing

B. The Franchisor's obligations

C. Things to consider

1. Location

2. Territory

3. Advertising

4. Training

5. Earnings claims (earning potential)

6. Dispute resolution

D. Ending your franchise relationship

1. Termination

2. Non-renewal

3. Transfer

VII. Educate yourself (do your homework!)

A. Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

B. Additional Public Service Agencies

VIII. Conclusion

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ¨C DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

DFPI-SRD Q&R 518 (Rev. 12-20) Page 3 of 15

I. Introduction

Many individuals view franchising as a quick and easy way to start their own business.

However, the purchase of a franchise takes a substantial sum of your money and provides

no guaranteed path to success. By investing the time and effort to read this guide, you are

doing the single most important thing you can do as a potential franchisee, educating

yourself.

Any success you may have in franchising is essentially a combination of factors: your drive

and ambition and the care with which you select a franchise. The purpose of this guide is to

provide you with valuable insight into the world of franchising. Read this information to help

you evaluate some of the issues that arise in considering a franchise business.

Franchising is founded on open and honest relationships between you and the franchisor

and on realistic expectations about the franchised business. There is no better way to

ensure a mutually successful franchise relationship than for you and the franchisor to enter

into the business fully aware of each other's rights and obligations.

The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation has developed this guide

to assist you in making an informed decision as you choose your franchise, which may help

make your business a success.

NOTE

THIS FRANCHISE GUIDE IS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE PURPOSES OF GIVING

LEGAL, ACCOUNTING OR FINANCIAL ADVICE. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

AS THE POTENTIAL FRANCHISEE TO THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE AND

RESEARCH A FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.

READING THIS FRANCHISE GUIDE IS A GOOD BEGINNING, BUT WE

ENCOURAGE POTENTIAL FRANCHISEES TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

THROUGHOUT THE EVALUATION OF A FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY.

II. Make an informed decision

Many people dream of being an entrepreneur. By purchasing a franchise, you have the

opportunity to sell goods or services that may have instant name recognition and to be

assisted by a system that may provide you with training and continuous support. As with

any investment, you must proceed with caution and educate yourself. Purchasing a

franchise carries no guarantee of success.

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ¨C DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

DFPI-SRD Q&R 518 (Rev. 12-20) Page 4 of 15

You can reduce the risk of failure by being an informed buyer and properly researching

franchise opportunities. Remember, you will be committing your time and money to a

business relationship that may involve a significant part of your life. That is why it is

important to become informed before you invest your money.

All the information provided in this guide will prove worthless if you do not thoroughly

research the franchise opportunity and discuss your plans with your attorney and

accountant before paying out any money or signing a contract. Responsible franchisors

want good franchisee relations. You can help foster good relations by educating yourself

about how to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings, and by evaluating the franchise

opportunity before you enter into a business for which you may not be suited.

Remember, solid preparation, rational risk-taking, and the ability to make well-reasoned

decisions is crucial to your success.

III.

What is a franchise?

A franchise is an agreement that grants you the right to sell goods or services under the

franchisor's method of operation ("marketing plan"). It involves the use of the

franchisor's trade name (or similar mark or symbol) and the payment of a "franchise fee."

The franchise fee is commonly paid by you, the potential buyer or the franchisee, when

you sign the franchise agreement. Ongoing royalty payments are generally also

required. You can obtain more information on what constitutes a franchise at the

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's website at dfpi..

You, as the buyer, rely upon the experience and capability of the company selling the

franchises, or "franchisor." When choosing a franchisor, find one capable of providing

you with the necessary preliminary assistance as well as continuing support. The

information provided in this guide is intended to assist you in this choice.

IV.

What is theFDD?

If you appear to be a good candidate for the franchise, the franchisor will send you a

Franchise Disclosure Document ("FDD" or "Offering Circular"). Generally, the Federal

Trade Commission (FTC) and California law require that the franchisor prepare this

document so that certain information can be disclosed to a potential franchisee before a

franchise agreement is signed or any payment is made. Any franchiser that is subject to

registration in California is required to give you a FDD. This document tells you all about

the business you are considering. The franchisor must give you a FDD at least 14

calendar days before you are required to either sign a contract or pay money to the

franchisor. The FDD is a very important document. You and your professional advisors

should read and understand the entire document. It has 23 "Items" that will provide

many of the answers to questions you may have about the franchisor. And because the

FDD report is uniform, it will be easier to compare franchises.

V.

Before you buy a franchise

Before you invest in a particular franchise, you should carefully consider some very

STATE OF CALIFORNIA ¨C DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL PROTECTION AND INNOVATION

LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP

DFPI-SRD Q&R 518 (Rev. 12-20) Page 5 of 15

important factors, such as your skills, financial capabilities and goals. The following list

highlights some of the important considerations you should keep in mind. This list is

meant to be a starting point to help you make an informed decision, and is by no means

exhaustive.

A.

Know your skills, capabilities and goals

1.

Your skills

?

?

?

?

?

2.

Your capabilities

?

?

?

?

?

3.

What skills do you have or will the franchisor provide the relevant

training?

Does the franchise require technical experience or relevant education,

such as auto repair, home and office decorating, or tax preparation?

Are you willing to devote the extraordinary amount of time and money in

a business you do not completely control and where the franchisor may

dictate what you can and cannot do?

Are you able to develop managing skills or will you have to hire

managers?

Will your personality allow you to interact well with customers?

Do you have the financial resources and emotional energy to start and

sustain a business? You may experience an extended period of time

when you pay out more than you take in.

How much money can you afford to invest?

How much money can you afford to lose?

Can you get financing if you need it?

Do you have money in savings or any additional income to live on

while you start your franchise?

Your goals

?

?

?

?

?

What are your goals?

Do you require a certain level of income?

Is there a particular field you are interested in pursuing?

How many hours do you want to work?

Do you want to run the franchise yourself or do you want to hire a

manager?

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download