When you buy a franchise, you often can sell goods and services that have instant name recognition, and get training and support that can help you succeed. But purchasing a franchise is like every other investment: there’s no guarantee of success. The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has prepared this information to explain how to shop for a franchise opportunity, the obligations of a franchise owner, and questions to ask before you invest.  

“I can’t guarantee what you will make, but I can tell you what the average franchisee is making.”  

A well-constructed buy-sell arrangement can provide peace of mind for you and your family that there is a succession plan in place to help take care of the needs of all interested parties.

What makes a relationship between two parties good? What makes a marriage last for 50 years or “until death do you part?” While the answer might be philosophical or studied for years, it boils down to two words: culture and commitment. The culture has to fit both parties, and both parties have to be committed to common goals.

Although franchising’s largest and most popular brands represent the images most people hold about the industry, recent research revealed that franchising has been significantly influenced by the growing number of new concepts appearing in the past few years.

Franchisors should go into partnerships unselfishly and with clear expectations from both sides–just as they would before signing on a franchisee.  

Franchisors should not rely on their “professionals” to put together the proper documents. A strong franchisor is one that “minds his or her own business.”  

Legal and practical considerations in developing your social media policy.

For franchisors looking to build a successful franchise system, there is one Golden Rule: treat your franchisees like gold. Your franchise owners are your number one customers. Service them well and your business will grow. Cut corners and your entire system will suffer. It sounds so simple, yet achieving and maintaining high levels of franchisee satisfaction can at times seem like an unattainable goal.

The IFA Franchise Relations Committee is dedicated to promoting positive relations and encouraging dialogue and cooperation between franchisees and franchisors. The following articles by IFA members have appeared in IFA publications on the subject of Franchise Relations.