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Questions to Ask Existing Franchisees
When Buying a Franchise

1. Has owning a franchise been good for you?
2. Were you trained properly for running the business?
3. What does the franchisor do well for you?
4. What do you think of the franchisor's marketing and advertising programs?
5. What is the biggest advantage of your business?
6. What is the greatest weakness of the business?
7. Why might one fail in this business?
8. How long did it take before you started making a profit? Are you making the money you expected? How much money do you make with the franchise?
9. What did it cost you to build and start the franchise?
10. Did you finance the cost of the business? How easy was that?
11. How many hours a week do you work on the franchise?
12. What is the reputation of the franchisor in the industry?
13. Is the business different from what you originally expected?
14. Does the management have the expertise and experience to teach you how to operate the business?
15. Are you satisfied with what the franchisor is doing?
16. If you had to do it all over again, would you select the same business and the same franchisor?
17. Are there restrictions regarding suppliers from whom you can buy goods and services? Has that been a problem? Are costs okay?
18. How thorough a job did the franchisor do with the site selection and lease negotiation process? And with the whole pre-opening process?
19. How did you obtain sales and profit information to help you with your initial plans?
20. Does the franchisor seem financially healthy?
21. Is there any turmoil in the franchise system?
22. Are there any new products or developments coming out?