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Franchise Fit Guide

Before you book

How to prepare for a franchise consultation

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Prepare for a franchise consultation by bringing clear goals, an honest investment range, your target location, and a list of skills you enjoy using.

What should I bring to a free franchise consultation?

Bring your income and lifestyle goals, your available liquid capital, your target location, your preferred owner role, and any industries you want to avoid. Franchise Fit Guide recommends finishing the worksheet first, because a consultant can only present well-matched franchise options when your criteria are specific.

Your consultation prep checklist

  1. Write down your goals

    Income target, timeline, preferred role, and the hours you want to work.
  2. Know your numbers

    Liquid capital, approximate net worth, and whether you plan to finance. Run them through the budget calculator.
  3. Choose your location

    Where you want to operate and how far you are willing to travel.
  4. List your skills and dislikes

    The work you enjoy, the work you avoid, and industries you want to rule out.
  5. Talk with your household

    Make sure the people affected by your decision support the plan and the investment.

Questions to ask a franchise consultant

About the process

  • How will you decide which franchises to present to me?
  • What does the research process look like, step by step?
  • How long does a typical search take?

About the relationship

  • How are you compensated?
  • Do I pay anything for your guidance?
  • Who handles the actual franchise sale?

About fit

  • Based on my profile, which franchise types would you rule out?
  • What owner role fits my skills best?
  • Is my investment range realistic for my goals?

About next steps

  • What should I read before our next conversation?
  • When should I talk to current franchisees?
  • When should I involve an attorney and accountant?

What happens in a FranNet consultation?

A FranNet consultant learns about your interests, goals, and skills, then presents franchise options that align with your profile along with a structured approach to researching them. The service is free to you, much like working with a real estate agent. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises: the franchisor manages the sales process, and you decide whether to move forward.

Not sure yet which direction suits you? Read which franchise is right for me before you book.

New here? Start with the full guide on how to choose the right franchise.

Common questions

How should I prepare for a franchise consultation?

Bring your goals, a realistic investment range, your available liquid capital, your target location, the hours you want to work, and the skills you enjoy using. List any industries you want to avoid. The Consultation Prep page on this site includes a checklist and the questions to ask.

How do I book a free franchise consultation?

Visit frannet.com and request to be matched with a consultant. The consultation is free to you. Prepare your goals, budget, and location first so the conversation focuses on franchise options that genuinely fit your profile.

How much does a franchise consultant cost?

FranNet’s services are free to candidates. The model works much like a real estate agent: franchisors compensate the firm, so you do not pay for the guidance. Ask any consultant you speak with to explain how they are paid so you understand the relationship clearly.

Does FranNet sell franchises?

No. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises. They present options aligned with your profile and help you research them. The franchisor manages its own sales process, and you make the final decision about whether to proceed with any purchase.

What is the first step to owning a franchise?

The first step is a self-assessment: write down your goals, preferred role, available hours, skills, investment range, and target location. With that in hand, a conversation with a franchise consultant is far more productive. The Franchise Fit Worksheet on this site gives you a ready-made template.

How long does it take to choose a franchise?

Timelines vary, but a careful search usually takes weeks to months: time to define your criteria, review FDDs, speak with owners, attend a discovery day, and arrange financing. Avoid rushing. The franchisor must give you the FDD before any sale, and you should use that time for real research.

See all 44 franchise questions

Prepared? Book your free consultation.

A FranNet consultant can review your goals, skills, investment range, and location with you and present franchise options that fit. The consultation is free to you, and FranNet consultants do not sell franchises.

Book a free consultation