QUESTIONS
The ones people are too polite to ask.
Q: "What does this cost me?"
A: Nothing. There's no fee, no retainer, and nothing to sign to have a conversation and go through the process.
Q: "What's the catch?"
A: Fair question, and you should ask it of anyone offering something free. I am paid by the franchise company when someone I introduce decides to move forward. I'd also point out that I make nothing from someone who buys a business they shouldn't have, and quite a lot over twenty years from people who trust me.
Q: "Are you going to try to talk me into this?"
A: No. Many people I talk with don't buy a franchise. That's a normal outcome, not a failure. If I do my job right, candidates who found the process valuable, whether they decide to buy a franchise or not, will refer me to others who are considering business ownership.
Q: "Can you tell me what a particular franchise earns?"
A: No, and neither can anyone else outside that company. Financial information about a specific brand comes from that brand's Franchise Disclosure Document, in a section called Item 19, and from the existing owners you'll speak with directly. Anyone on the internet quoting you franchise earnings is either guessing or breaking the rules.
Q: "How much money do I need?"
A: It depends on the business, and the honest range across franchising is enormous. It's one of the first things we'll talk through, because it narrows the field faster than almost anything else.
Q: "How long does the process take?"
A: Anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It depends on you.
Q: "Do I have to buy something you show me?"
A: No. There's no obligation at any point.
Q: "Do you only work with people in Minnesota?"
A: No. I'm based in the Twin Cities but I work with people across the country.
Q: "What if I've already been talking to a franchise directly?"
A: Tell me early, because it can affect whether I'm able to help with that particular brand. It doesn't affect anything else. The process you go through with me will help you evaluate that opportunity as well.
Q: "What happens on the first consultation call?"
A: I ask questions, and you talk and I listen. No presentation, no slides, nothing to prepare. About 15 to 20 minutes, and then I send you a questionnaire. The longer conversation, 60 to 90 minutes, comes after that.
Q: "I'm not sure I'm serious yet."
A: That's the right time to talk. The worst version of this is deciding fast because a deadline showed up.
