Q: I’ve got a great business that I think would be perfect for franchising. How do I get started as a franchise company? What kinds of advisors will I need and where do I find them? Is there a good source of information for me to start with?
A: Congratulations on building a successful business. It is exciting that you are considering using franchising as a method of expanding your brand and operations. You have some great questions so let’s discuss each in turn.
First of all, one of the best starting points for researching this idea is the International Franchise Association (the IFA). The IFA is the industry trade association for franchising and has a host of resources that you can access to get started in this process. You can find the IFA and start your search by going to their Web site .
Starting a franchise company is not an easy or inexpensive process. There are a number of requirements you will have to meet and a few other things that, though not legally required, are also essential. These requirements include: