There are thousands of franchises in the United States and franchising dominates almost every industry in the US economy.  So, how do you start one?

Before we get to how to start a franchise we should talk about why you would want to start a franchise.  Franchising allows you to sell your successful business model, along with all your experience and knowledge of how you grew your business, to committed individuals who will put up their own money to open and operate new locations. This will allow you to expand your business with less day-to-day operating requirements and lower overhead costs at the same time you are developing a steady source of revenue.

Just like there are lots of ways to bake a cake, there is no one sure-fire way to start a franchise.  The stories of successful franchise start-ups come in every size, shape and color.  However, there is one common denominator in all the equations – a successful business model.  Whether you have the successful model already running or have envisioned starting a franchise business from scratch, it all comes back to the successful business model.

Once you have that successful business model you need to treat it like a rare antique.  Most people don’t know how to determine the value of the antique until they go to an expert to get it appraised.  If you want to sell the antique, the expert can advise on that as well or sell it for you at auction.  Select a franchise expert who can give you professional advice on the steps to potentially franchise your successful business model.

It is one thing to lose some money selling Grandma’s antique chair because you didn’t understand what you were doing.  Don’t make the same mistake with your successful business model – ask an expert.