Before investing in a particular franchise system, carefully consider how much money you have to invest, your abilities, and your goals.
The Federal Trade Commission offers a checklist of things to consider and questions to ask yourself before you sign on to franchise system. Here is an example of some of the questions:
? How much money do I have to invest?
? How much money can I afford to lose?
? Does the franchise require me to have technical experience or relevant education, such as auto repair, home and office decorating, or tax preparation?
? Do I want to operate the business myself or hire a manager?
Start-up costs and fees, business system and controls, and termination or renewal options are important considerations to examine.
For a detailed explanation of these issues, go to: FTC.gov.
Additional resources:
www.inc.com
www.entrepreneur.com
