1851

Sometimes, the best advice can come just a little too late. When signing on to be a first-time franchisee, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/10-things-you-need-to-know-before-becoming-a-franchisee-2708134#stories">there are several unknown factors that come in to play</a>—whether that be in regard to operations, support, training, or anything else. Before taking the leap, candidates would be wise to heed the advice of more experienced franchisees in order to avoid making unnecessary mistakes.&nbsp;We talked with experienced franchisees to find out the questions they are glad they asked before signing their name on the dotted line.1. “Is the franchise systematic and easy to replicate?”“When I signed on with <a href="https://mysobol.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=3-questions-to-ask-before-becoming-a-franchisee-2712045" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SoBol</a>, I made sure it was a concept that was proven and doing well across the board,” said Chino Hills, California franchisee, Shawki Mahfouz. “Before becoming a franchisee, candidates should guarantee the brand has all of the systems in place to help them succeed. If they do, the concept should be easy to replicate.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/5-questions-every-franchise-candidate-should-bring-to-discovery-day-2710859">During the validation and Discovery Day process</a>, candidates can find out about the expertise and experience of the executive team to ensure that sufficient training, marketing and operational support will be offered by the brand from day one.&nbsp;Another SoBol franchisee, Montuh Shah, also mentioned the importance of a strong infrastructure and proven business model. “Make sure the brand has a system in place to help new franchisees solve problems,” he said. “Knowing you can rely on the franchisor 100% puts great relief on the franchisee during the already-stressful process of opening and difficult first months of operation.”2. “Is the brand supporting growth?”New franchisees should do their due diligence when it comes to researching the success and year-over-year growth rate of the brand and its individual franchisees. “Instead of just asking about growth, I would recommend asking about the competition within the segment and how the brand rates itself against its leading competitors,” said Shah. “If the concept is failing to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack/how-brands-like-shuckin-shack-stay-afloat-in-a-saturated-market-2711456#stories">differentiate itself within a saturated market</a>, it may be a sign that the brand isn’t primed for growth or creating opportunities for expansion.”In addition, candidates should be confident that the brand is supporting franchisee growth initiatives with a strong leadership team, continuing to innovate and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/unit-economics-the-best-way-to-drive-and-measure-profitability-at-the-unit-level-3216">prioritizing franchisee profitability and unit-level economics</a>.&nbsp;“One of the first things we noticed about SoBol was that all of its franchisees on the East Coast were doing well and growing rapidly,” said Mahfouz. “That was comforting before signing on for a location on the West Coast because it was clear that the concept had legs and that people were responding well to it. We knew the brand was positioned for expansion.”3. “Do franchisees usually get involved in the community?”Distracted by the big picture, many franchisees fail to ask how the brand is going to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/2-big-ways-franchises-can-increase-their-community-presence-2705064">support local marketing or encourage community involvement</a>. Since the majority of franchisees are local community members themselves, this can be a deal-breaker for many candidates and should be discussed in the validation process.&nbsp;“A big reason why we connected with SoBol was the brand’s strong presence on the East Coast,” said Mahfouz. “We knew we wanted a brand that would allow us to be involved with local high schools, churches, and businesses in order to get our name out there as much as possible. If it is important for you to be a family-friendly community partner, make sure the franchisor is on the same page.”By preparing these types of questions before signing on, prospective franchisees will be more equipped to make informed decisions about the franchising opportunity at hand and avoid looking back with regrets.&nbsp;

3 Questions To Ask Before Becoming a Franchisee

1851 Franchise

1851 talked with franchisees to find out some of the things they wish they had been privy to before signing on to open a franchise.

3-questions-to-ask-before-becoming-a-franchisee

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue’s Home Maintenance Plans: Peace of Mind for Homeowners

trublues-home-maintenance-plans-peace-of-mind-for-homeowners

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Targets Peoria, Illinois, for Franchise Growth

caring-transitions-targets-peoria-illinois-for-franchise-growth

Caring Transitions Celebrates a Strong Start to 2025 With 19 New Franchise Sales and Momentum-Building Training Events

caring-transitions-celebrates-a-strong-start-to-2025-with-19-new-franchise-sales-and-momentum-building-training-events

Right at Home

Right at Home 30th Anniversary in Home Care with Right at Home Logo

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence and Future Innovations in Home Care

celebrating-30-years-of-excellence-and-future-innovations-in-home-care

Why TruBlue is the Ideal Franchise for Multi-Unit Owners: Scalable Growth With a Purpose

why-trublue-is-the-ideal-franchise-for-multi-unit-owners-scalable-growth-with-a-purpose

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Amy Lepke and family and Papa Murphy's logo

After 14 Years as a Stay-At-Home Mom, Amy Lepke Returned to Papa Murphy’s — This Time as an Owner

papa-murphys-franchise-amy-lepke

Franchisee Spotlight with Micki Waters and Papa Murphy's Logo

Work Mom: How Micki Waters Became a Mother Figure to Her Entire Papa Murphy’s Team

work-mom-how-micki-waters-became-a-mother-figure-to-her-entire-papa-murphys-team

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

3 Questions To Ask Before Becoming a Franchisee

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS