Current franchise owners can be a wonderful resource for invaluable information and experienced opinions. Because a prospective franchise owner will also be a part of a main business structure and therefore required to uphold the policies and regulations of the parent company, talking to current franchise owners can shed a lot of light onto the inner workings of the company. Asking questions about what the previous owner found helpful, frustrating, or surprising might save a lot of surprise and anxiety in years to come.
Many franchise owners have found out too late that corporate policies are too restrictive or not suited to their individual tastes and needs. Talking to current owners and workers will give a clearer picture of how the parent corporation operates and what it expects of franchise owners. Building on the tried and tested knowledge of former owners will provide the background needed to ensure that a particular company is well-matched to the needs of the potential buyer.
