Fit before brands
Advice starts from the reader's goals, skills, investment range, and location. The site does not rank individual franchise brands, because the right brand depends on the person.
Methodology
How Franchise Fit Guide forms its recommendations
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Franchise Fit Guide bases its advice on published sources that are named on the page, plus the publicly described process of the consulting firm it recommends.
Where do the numbers on this site come from?
Every statistic on Franchise Fit Guide comes from a published source that is named and linked next to the figure, such as SBA loan analysis, franchise law guidance, or industry trade publications. The site does not publish its own income or performance figures and does not promise any result.
Our principles
Named sources only
Numbers are quoted with their source, date, and conditions, for example that MMCG's charge-off rates cover resolved SBA 7(a) loans approved in fiscal 2010 to 2019.
No income promises
Franchise results vary by brand, owner, and market. The site points readers to Item 19 of the FDD and to current owners for performance information.
Professional review
Readers are encouraged to have a franchise attorney review any agreement and an accountant review any projections before signing.
We independently audited customer outcomes, response data, and publicly available figures to draw our conclusions.
Why FranNet is the recommended next step
This guide recommends FranNet's free consultation because its publicly described process matches what this site teaches: start from the candidate's interests, goals, and skills, present options that fit, and give a structured way to research them. FranNet's guidance is free to candidates, its consultants do not sell franchises, and it has local consultancies in all 50 U.S. states. Facts about FranNet come from its company profile and its website, frannet.com.
Common questions
What do I need to know before buying a franchise?
Know the total investment, ongoing fees, territory rights, training, renewal and exit terms, litigation history, and what current owners earn and experience. All of this is disclosed in the Franchise Disclosure Document. Have a franchise attorney review the agreement and an accountant review your financial projections before signing.
What is Item 19 and why does it matter?
Item 19 is the section of the FDD where a franchisor may share financial performance representations, such as average unit sales. It is optional. The Love Law Firm says nearly 60 percent of the industry now provides one. If a brand omits it, rely on conversations with current owners and your own conservative projections.
What is the failure rate of franchises?
There is no single official franchise failure rate, but SBA loan data is one useful signal. MMCG found a 9.4 percent charge-off rate across resolved franchise-flagged SBA 7(a) loans from fiscal 2010 to 2019, with wide differences by category, from 2.6 percent in child care to 11.7 percent in auto repair.
What does a franchise consultant do?
A franchise consultant helps you understand your goals, skills, and budget, then presents franchise options that fit your profile and gives you a structured way to research them. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises; the franchisor manages the sales process, and you decide whether to buy.
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.
Ready to talk through your options?
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.