When you have made the decision to either purchase or invest into a franchise how do you know if the franchise is a quality one or not? An important measurement of quality is the rate of growth of the franchise. How many new franchisees are added each year?

The franchisors authorize the proven methods and trademarks of their businesses to franchisees for a fee and a percentage of gross monthly sales. Agreements typically last five to twenty years, with premature terminations of most contracts bearing serious consequences.

The information is not disclosed on the individual franchise disclosure document. So, it is necessary to ask the franchiser for these numbers. If a franchise system has been operating for a number of years but has not added many franchisees, there may be problems in their system.

Watch for existing businesses that are for sale and analyze them for additional information. Get all the necessary information from a business opportunity broker that you can. Describe your method for evaluating the business and then describe your financing plan on how you might be able to purchase the business.

Businesses for which franchises work best have the following characteristics: those with a good track record of profitability, built around a unique concept, have broad geographic appeal, relatively easy to operate, inexpensive to operate and are easily to duplicate.

Here the ratio for a growing and adequate franchise should be one support person for every 10-20 new franchisees. This informs you new franchisees are getting the correct preparation to develop their businesses. You do not want to invest with a company who has one leg already in the ground.

Talk with many existing franchisees and pay particular attention to those that have recently joined the franchise system. Ask questions about marketing effectiveness and earnings potential. Specifically covering the areas as the training they received when they first arrived and if they have had any ongoing support.

It is wise to conduct interviews with other franchisees that you select by yourself. Inform them that you are thinking about investing in your own franchise and ask for their advice. If there are prior owners of the franchise you are considering, ask for their names and make contact with them personally.