Does anyone have experience buying a franchise? I'm looking into it and would appreciate discussing with anyone that has done it. Specifically looking at service industries, landscaping, roofing, inspection, etc. Also this would be buying a new territory, not an existing book of business. If you have experience and wouldn't mind talking either drop me your info here or email me at ryan g 09 at gmail.

I've got a contact or two at Christian Brothers Automotive. From what I know, they're always looking for good people to open a new branch with. If you think the auto market is going to remain tight for years to come, the repair/maintenance side of the auto industry is a great place to be.

They have a very Chick-Fil-A approach to how they choose business partners and structure the franchisee payback/revenue. From who I know that works there, they really enjoy it.

As you evaluate the franchisor, you will eventually get to the point that you want to talk to some of the existing franchisees. Here's a friend of mines page about validation.

https://www.franchisesecrets.com/validationquestions/

If you know a lot about something, do it yourself....the %s that the franchise get is just brutal to the bottom line. Not to mention running the damn things

DeangeloVickers said:

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If you know a lot about something, do it yourself....the %s that the franchise get is just brutal to the bottom line. Not to mention running the damn things

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Here's my take about franchises when I'm needing a service. A franchise, by its very nature, cannot be the cheapest option because of its extra overhead obligation to those who have created and maintain the brand.

So in the marketplace, franchises have to show some promise of being the best, most competent option. And that usually looks like involved, sharp, responsive owners, and professional service techs. And if you possess those skills and the ability to find and keep that labor, why could you not succeed starting out on your own? Usually it is because a franchisee is on a second career and needs training.

So the value of a franchise really comes down to training new owners and new techs, and access to a well run shared backend support like a supply warehouse.

I think its really important that the franchise have a low upfront, revenue based franchise commission. That way, corporate only wins when you win. Take Subway for example, they had a huge misalignment in incentives compared to the franchisee. Corporate made the most money when they opened a new store. So stores proliferated and they walked all over owners by springing up shops as densely as they could get away with.

Yes, CertaPro Painters.

I wouldn't buy one that was just starting out. Too many hiccups.

Example: CertaPro is headquartered in the Northeast where they have wooden windows. The computer software accounted for painting the wooden mullions, which is very time consuming. At training we told them that in the South we don't have wooden windows for the most part. We were told that cutting around a window takes about the same time as painting the mullions so just go with it.

Fast forward to when my business was up and running and my quotes were higher than everyone else and it hurt until I figured out a way to manipulate the computer. It set us back probably 6 months.

Also, lots of service industries can survive on 20% profit margin, but a franchise is gonna take their 7-10% leaving you with 10-13%

In the end shoot me an email or we can talk over the phone.