I have compiled a list of the oft-made mistakes that both franchisors and potential franchisees make during the all-critical validation and expectations-setting process. Although no one can completely error-proof their decision, many of these mistakes can be easily mitigated a priori. And, if not, it can be the beginning of an unhappy, short-lived and financially underwhelming nuptial period.

As our friend, Keith Miller, principle of Franchise Advocacy Consulting, likes to say, there are far more franchisees in this country than franchisors. When we join our voices together, we can be a powerful and persuasive political force. It’s time to raise your voice to support an exciting new bill that was just introduced on July 31, 2019 in the United States Senate by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). While the bill’s overall aims are modest, the changes—if enacted—will require franchisors to provide more transparency to prospective franchisees or face financial consequences. 

Last week, we sent out an urgent call to our membership to contact your Senators and encourage them to attend a hearing held by the US Senate Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy. The hearing was titled, “Economic Mobility: Is the American Dream in Crisis?”

One of the defining events of our yearly Franchisee Leadership Summit and Conference is the AAFD Total Quality Franchising Awards (TQF Awards).

Many potential franchisees become trusting of their chosen franchisor and go further to make the mistake of believing that their agreement and supply chain is, and must be, a “take-it-or-leave-it” agreement. Significant dangers lurk throughout almost every franchise or distribution agreement drafted by franchisors and suppliers

The New York Times recently released a scathing article that shines the light on systematic franchisor abuse at the world’s largest fast-food company, Subway.