Buying a franchise can be a handy shortcut to the American dream of owning your own business. But there are dangerous pitfalls--and possible drawbacks to even the best franchise deals. Here, for every prospective franchisee, is authoritative advice from a trustworthy source. The experts of Franchise Times offer their picks of the top 200 franchises and 100 up-and-comers, complete with contact information, financial requirements, fees, and more. There are practical tips on everything from hiring and marketing to financing your franchise, leasing a retail space (or setting up a home office), and deciding if you should buy or run a franchise with your spouse. With anecdotes and advice from current franchisees and franchisors, this is a book every would-be entrepreneur should read before signing a contract.

The definitive A-to-Z guide to researching, selecting, and starting a viable franchise business With more and more professionals looking for alternatives to traditional corporate employment, Become a Franchise Owner! informs would-be franchise owners of the joys and perils of purchasing a franchise. Authored by a trusted, feisty, tell-it-how-it-is independent franchise industry insider, this book offers straightforward, step-by-step tips and advice on how to properly (and carefully) research and select a franchise business. Get tips on how to locate information about franchises, current industry trends, interviews with franchisors, and hot franchise opportunities. Offers a self-evaluation to discover if you are "franchise material" Describes how to choose the right franchise for your specific situation Lists the 40 crucial questions to ask current franchise owners Owning a franchise isn't for everyone; in fact, as Joel Libava says, "it's really not for most people." But if it is for you, this book can guide you in starting your own successful franchise business.

Franchise Your Growth Expert franchise consultant Mark Siebert delivers the ultimate how-to guide to employing the greatest growth strategy ever—franchising. Siebert tells you what to expect, how to move forward, and avoid costly mistakes as he imparts decades of experience, insights, and practical advice to help grow your business exponentially through franchising. Learn how to: Evaluate your existing businesses for franchisability Identify the advantages and disadvantages of franchising Develop a business plan for growth on steroids Evaluate legal risk, obtain necessary documents, and protect intellectual property Create marketing plans, build lead generation, and branding for a new franchise Cultivate the franchisee-franchisor relationship

ARE YOU READY TO HIRE YOURSELF? WHO hasn't had the inkling-or even the outright conviction-that we could be more successful, more fulfilled, and more satisfied if we could invest in ourselves? HOW MANY of us have given our time, our knowledge, our energy, and our loyalty to corporate careers, only to discover that our contributions don't guarantee gratitude, upward mobility, or even job security? WHY consider franchising? Franchise investors reap all the rewards of entrepreneurship-self-determination, personal and professional freedom, unlimited potential for profitability-without all the risks of going it alone. WHAT'S the difference? In franchising, someone has already dreamed the big dream, figured out how to make it work, marketed it well, and sold it to create a well-defined niche. And now, that person is looking for an investor and partner to help build on that success. HIRE YOURSELF WILL HELP YOU: - Leverage your expertise and resources to build a bridge out of the corporate world and into entrepreneurship - Learn how to choose a franchise concept that's the right franchise for you - Understand how to capitalize your investment and minimize your risks - Recognize and avoid common mistakes and traps - Know that franchising is all about working for yourself, but not by yourself

The Insider’s Guide to Buying a Franchise or Franchising Your Business In this easy-to-read guide, franchise expert Rick Grossmann and franchise attorney Michael J. Katz impart decades-worth of insight and advice on what it takes to make your franchise operation successful. Grossmann and Katz share expert tutorials, tricks of the trade, and access to sample franchise documents, checklists, and questionnaires designed to get you organized, support you through the process and get your new franchise off the ground. If you’re thinking of buying a franchise, you’ll learn how to: Determine if running a franchse is right for you Navigate franchise disclosure documents and agreements Identify the signs of a good franchise opportunity If you’re thinking of franchising your existing business, you’ll learn how to: Pick the best method for expanding your business Understand the keys to establishing a successful franchise system Evaluate potential franchisees and grow your franchise Whether you want to buy a franchise or franchise your own business you’ll learn what to expect, how to move forward, and how to avoid costly mistakes--making Franchise Bible required reading.

The lack of a harmonised franchise regime or dispute resolution system across the major jurisdictions means that this is not a simple exercise from a legal perspective. In addition, many jurisdictions require specific pre-contractual disclosure and/or registration. In addition to classic legal questions, efficient tax planning is required to secure success. In parallel, the book reviews questions on data protection and intercultural communication during a franchise partnership as well as financing possibilities from various national perspectives. Uniquely, this title applies and reflects general practical and technical franchising know-how to specific franchised industries and highlights typical sector-by-sector questions and solutions in an international franchise context.