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.

"A ground-breaking and definitive roadmap to finding success through the dynamic partnership of private equity and franchising." —Justin Nihiser, Operating Partner, Garnett Station Partners Private equity (PE) is profoundly transforming the business of franchising, as companies increasingly perceive PE transactions as an attractive alternative to going public, and as investors realize the strength and resilience of the franchise model. In recent years, franchisors and multi-unit franchisees encompassing more than 700 brands have partnered with private capital, including Subway, which announced in 2023 that after decades of independence it would be acquired by Roark Capital Group for more than $9 billion. It’s estimated that private capital is currently sitting on at least $1 trillion of “dry powder” — committed funds that haven’t yet been deployed. Franchising will continue to attract investment out of this substantial and still-growing pool. In Big Money in Franchising, franchise thought leader, board advisor, franchise investor, and PE consultant Alicia Miller demonstrates how founders and franchisees alike can effectively leverage private capital to take their businesses to the next level of performance. Miller walks through PE growth playbooks in depth, drawing on recent case studies, highlighting best practices, and sharing valuable insights into PE’s investing mindset, key players, selection criteria, and trading dynamics. The book also tracks the top challenges private capital has experienced in franchise investing, providing guidelines for vetting potential partners and conducting due diligence to avoid negative outcomes, value destruction, and stall-outs. Featuring interviews with franchise entrepreneurs, brand founders, deal advisors, and PE executives, Big Money in Franchising empowers readers with the information needed to build enterprise value and climb the private equity profit ladder.

Learn what it takes to find, buy, and run a franchise -- and enjoy the rewards of being your own boss If you've ever visited a chain restaurant and thought, "I'd like to run one of these," you're among countless would-be entrepreneurs eager to be their own boss. Franchise Management For Dummies is a hands-on guide that provides clear and concise information on the issues involved in finding, buying, operating, and ultimately growing a successful franchise business. Geared toward both novices and experts in franchising, it's an essential guide to help prospective franchisees know what to look for in a great franchisor, and to show existing franchisees what great franchisors are providing their franchisees. Both emerging and experienced franchisors will gain an understanding about the proper methods of structuring, managing, and expanding their franchise systems. Social impact investors, donors, and NGOs can learn how franchising techniques can transform how they look at providing products and services at the base of the pyramid. Inside you'll discover: How to find a franchise that's right for you and the ideal location for it Where to find quality franchisors and understand the qualities franchisors look for How to gather information from franchisees A franchisor's mandatory legal obligations to prospective franchisees, the franchise disclosure document (FDD), and working with franchise professionals How to take a realistic look at your finances and what capital you'll need to buy and launch a franchise Develop strategic advertising and marketing plans How to find, hire, and train talented employees who will help make your franchise a success How to make sure your franchise makes money How to grow your business with multiple franchises And more! Additionally, Franchise Management For Dummies includes a glossary of common franchise-related terms, ten keys to franchisee success, and the questions to ask before becoming a franchisor. Get a copy today and find out if owning and operating a franchise is the right business move for you.

This book tells the history, organizational structure, and management strategies of the hospitality industry. The hospitality industry is a unique and diverse industry. This book tells the history, organizational structure, and management strategies of the hospitality industry. Traditionally an entrepreneurial business, the hospitality industry today includes organizations ranging from small independent cafes and inns to large multinational corporations. The author highlights key hotel, restaurant, and casino companies, and explains the concepts of franchising, consortia, and management contracts. The book divulges how the hospitality product is different from other industries: part service and part product, produced and consumed simultaneously, and the role of the customer as part of the service process. The book explains how perishable inventory and labor intensity affect hotels, restaurants, and casinos. The author also reviews policies that promote or restrict tourism and travel, guest and employee safety, labor regulations, food safety laws, and requirements for accommodations for customers with disabilities. This text explains key strategic management decisions of the hospitality industry. The author projects how global expansion and sustainability efforts are shaping the industry, but also warns of the ongoing threats of pandemics and terrorism to travel.

This 2005 book describes in much detail both how and why franchising works. It also analyses the economic tensions that contribute to conflict in the franchisor-franchisee relationship. The treatment includes a great deal of empirical evidence on franchising, its importance in various segments of the economy, the terms of franchise contracts and what we know about how all these have evolved over time, especially in the US market. A good many myths are dispelled in the process. The economic analysis of the franchisor-franchisee relationship begins with the observation that for franchisors, franchising is a contractual alternative to vertical integration. Subsequently, the tensions that arise between a franchisor and its franchisees, who in fact are owners of independent businesses, are examined in turn. In particular the authors discuss issues related to product quality control, tying arrangements, pricing, location and territories, advertising, and termination and renewals.