Guides
Learn: Franchise Research Guides
Practical guides for first-time franchise buyers. Each article focuses on a specific piece of the due diligence process, from reading FDD filings to understanding SBA loan performance data.
New to franchising
FDD basics
How to Read an FDD in 15 Minutes
The Franchise Disclosure Document has 23 items, but only five of them will make or break your decision. Learn which ones to focus on and what red flags to watch for.
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Cost guide
How Much Does a Franchise Cost?
A complete breakdown of franchise investment: franchise fee, build-out, equipment, working capital, and ongoing royalties across every category.
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Comparison
Franchise vs Starting a Business
An honest comparison of buying a franchise versus starting an independent business, covering costs, control, failure rates, and when each path makes sense.
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Reference
Franchise Glossary
Key terms every franchise investor should know, from FDD and Item 19 to SBA charge-off rates, royalty fees, and territory protection.
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Comparing brands
Investment
Understanding Franchise Investment Costs
Item 7 of the FDD breaks down every dollar you will spend to open. Learn how to read investment ranges, spot hidden costs, and compare brands by revenue-to-investment ratio.
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Budget guide
Best Franchises Under $100K
A data-driven look at franchise opportunities in the most popular investment range, with filtering tools to find brands that match your budget.
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Revenue guide
Most Profitable Franchises
How to read franchise revenue data from Item 19, why gross sales is not profit, and how to estimate actual returns using SBA and FDD data.
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Diligence & avoiding mistakes
SBA data
Understanding SBA Charge-Off Rates
SBA 7(a) loan data reveals which franchises succeed and which fail. Learn how charge-off rates are calculated and what the numbers mean.
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Validation
How to Validate a Franchise
Calling existing franchisees is the single most important step in franchise due diligence. Here is exactly how to do it.
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Due diligence
Questions to Ask Before Buying
50 due diligence questions organized by stage: financial, territory, operations, franchisee validation, and exit terms.
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