5 Franchise Portals Recommended by Franchisors
These five portals are backed by franchisors because of their versatility, efficacy and specialization.
Franchise portals, sometimes referred to as web portals, are services that collect and sell leads, connecting prospective franchisees with franchisors they may be interested in. While each franchisor has its own preference and some use this resource more than others, some platforms simply stand out from the rest.
“There are tens of franchise portals, but these are my favorites as they have consistently shown results for me over my 30-year franchise career,” explained Lori Karpman, CEO of Lori Karpman & Company.
Franchise Direct
For some, the investment aspect of a franchise portal can feel intimidating.
“One of the things I love about this site is that you pay per qualified lead. You only make a small upfront deposit for a few leads,” Karpman explained. “As a franchise management consultant, I like that they have their own client portal where I can log in and see the stats for all my franchise clients.”
Further, Franchise Direct allows franchisors to connect with prospective franchisees worldwide, rather than limiting its services to a specific area. It is easy to use and requires little to no technical knowledge.
Franchise Gator
Another pay-per-lead provider, Franchise Gator, has been around for quite some time.
“Franchise Gator knows the franchise sales business. They have the biggest online directory of business opportunities — not just franchises,” Karpman added. “It is very easy to search, and you can sort by industry, investment, or state, making it very easy to narrow down your options.”
Franchising.com
“The specific thing I like about this portal is that it has a separate category for people looking to buy multiple units or territories,” she said.
This feature can be especially valuable given that many well-developed brands have lower territory availability and other established brands and/or franchisees may prefer or require multi-unit contracts. The advanced filtering ensures that even better matches are facilitated.
BizBuySell
“This site is excellent for people looking to buy an existing franchise, as they specialize in resales. The others do not. In fact, it has been rated the No. 1 website for people looking to buy existing franchise locations,” Karpman said.
The legal aspect of franchise resales can be challenging, and this hurdle typically prevents an existing owner from making that leap. Having a resource like BizBuySell that specializes in resales can be comforting and streamline the process.
“BizBuySell is part of the Broker Works Company, which gives them access to a vast network of brokers who can assist a brand in reselling their units,” Karpman added.
Franchise.org
“This is the official site of the International Franchise Association USA. It has a complete list of all of its members in an easily searchable database,” she said. “Buying a franchise from this list at least ensures you some level of comfort as all brands must adhere to their strict franchise Code of Conduct.”
The IFA is a well-known association in the franchise space. With over 60 years in the industry, prospective franchisees searching for their best fit can find comfort in knowing that whichever brand they select meets IFA membership requirements.