1851

The rates are consistent year over year: 20 percent of small businesses fail in their first year, and 50 percent of small businesses fail in their fifth year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics&rsquo; <a href="https://www.bls.gov/bdm/us_age_naics_00_table7.txt?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dont-forget-these-5-things-when-launching-your-brands-franchise-opportunity-2705907" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Business Employment Dynamics</a>. Once a franchisor has established its proven business model and has a track record of success, the chances of failure will decrease, but careful planning and preparation is key for successfully setting up your franchise for success.

Before launching your franchise concept, you don&rsquo;t want to forget these five things:

1.) Fully evaluate your franchise and business concept.

Before you embark on the journey of franchising your business, you&rsquo;ll need to make sure you have thoroughly thought your concept through. A franchised business must be replicable, be able to provide good returns and be run by someone other than yourself or the original owner. Running your business for a year or more and in more than one location, will give you some &lsquo;proof of concept.&rsquo; Once your launch, your life will change.

&ldquo;Your role will change from that of business owner to franchisor. You will shift to supporting and selling franchise units instead of running your business. Franchisors must be comfortable switching roles and letting things go that they may have enjoyed about running their businesses prior to franchising,&rdquo; said Marisa Allen, C.F.E and Franchise Consultant at <a href="http://www.thefranchiseconcierge.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dont-forget-these-5-things-when-launching-your-brands-franchise-opportunity-2705907" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Franchise Concierge</a>.

2.) Ensure all of your documentation is in order.

The Franchise Agreement and the Franchise Disclosure Document are the two main pieces of documentation you will need to have completed before your launch.

&ldquo;Take a step back to make sure all of the key pieces are in place and hiring a reputable firm or individuals to help with the launch is always money well spent. New franchisors should not take the leap until all of the boxes have been ticked off for a smooth transition,&rdquo; said Allen.

3.) Plan for unexpected costs.

As with any new business, unexpected costs are the one thing you can expect as an owner. According to Allen, it can take up to $100,000 to launch after all of the costs and you will want to hire a franchise attorney or consulting firm that is experienced in getting franchises started and ready for growth.

&ldquo;Recruiting franchisees, marketing, supporting your franchisees will all cost more than you think. Early on, be prepared to spend more in order to get that momentum for your brand&rsquo;s growth,&rdquo; said Sean Fitzgerald, Chief Development Strategist at <a href="https://nolimitagency.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=dont-forget-these-5-things-when-launching-your-brands-franchise-opportunity-2705907" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">No Limit Agency*</a>.

4.) Get your name out there.

Marketing is going to be a necessary cost to get potential franchisees and even consumers to learn about your brand. Use all of our outlets including trade shows as well as digital marketing since many people looking to buy a franchise business are starting their research online. When you a chance to speak with prospects, your message should be consistent.

Allen describes, &ldquo;Have a solid process in place when speaking with clients. Make sure the person selling your brand is the right person. I have seen emerging brands with a great concept but the person selling has no clue about how to talk to someone who might be interested in their brand. Making key hires and having the right people in the right roles will also prove valuable to your success as a franchise.&rdquo;

5.) Don&rsquo;t forget about the long-term success of your franchise system.

Always thinking about the long-term&nbsp;success of your brand and stick to the plan of bringing on the right franchisees. Don&rsquo;t take any shortcuts and ensure you are recruiting good, quality franchisees.

Fitzgerald explains, &ldquo;Your first franchisees will be your partners for a long time and selling to the wrong ones in the beginning is probably the number one killer of franchise brands. Bad franchisees will under produce and be a cancer to other franchisees within the system and that will ruin your validation and your chance for growth. You&rsquo;ll end up spending your time trying to satisfy franchisees instead of bringing on new ones and it will completely sabotage your system.&rdquo;

Don't Forget These 5 Things When Launching Your Brand's Franchise Opportunity

1851 Franchise

Preparation, adequate funding and marketing your concept will all support a successful launch. 

dont-forget-these-5-things-when-launching-your-brands-franchise-opportunity

Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

sola-salons-targets-chicago-for-strategic-franchise-growth

Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

How Melting Pot Franchisees Drive Year-Round Success Through Strategic Promotions and Local Marketing

melting-pot-franchise-year-round-success

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

paris-baguettes-recipe-for-expansion-leadership-community-and-a-vision-for-1000-cafes-by-2030

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

heart-and-purpose-couple-launch-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-in-northern-arizona

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

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

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 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

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

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

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

Don't Forget These 5 Things When Launching Your Brand's Franchise Opportunity

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS