1851

For many, purchasing a franchise will be the most significant investment they’ll ever make, and no one should ever buy a franchise without performing the proper due diligence. And while looking over the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-franchise-disclosure-document-what-items-are-most-important-2709318">Franchise Disclosure Document</a> or visiting a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-franchise-discovery-day-2714732">Discovery Day</a> is important, candidates should also consult with those who know the day-to-day life of the business best — the actual franchise owners. Talking to existing franchisees who already have experience operating the specific business can give candidates a fuller understanding of the brand and the franchise requirements.“Owners can hear all they want from our corporate ambassadors at the company, but the very best thing to do is to reach out to other franchisees,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rusty-bills-64b92998?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-questions-should-i-ask-other-franchisees-before-buying-a-franchise-2721858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rusty Bills</a>, chief operating officer at hot dog franchise brand&nbsp;<a href="https://wienerschnitzelfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-questions-should-i-ask-other-franchisees-before-buying-a-franchise-2721858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wienerschnitzel</a>. “We encourage prospects to reach out to existing franchisees to make sure they back up what we are saying. Last week, we had someone come in and say they talked to an owner, didn’t even tell us the name, and that it was a huge reason they signed on.”&nbsp;Getting a range of opinions is crucial. Franchisors might have a list of recommended franchisees to speak to, but don’t limit yourself to only contacting these individuals. Moreover, consider speaking to those who have left the system to get their perspective and experience with the brand. A good rule of thumb is to call 10 to 15 franchisees. The contact information for these owners should be found in&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-most-important-items-in-an-fdd-item-20---outlet-transfer-and-franchise-owner-information-2712074">Item 20 of the FDD</a>, which offers a spreadsheet that contains all the franchises that have opened, closed or transferred in the past three years.&nbsp;So, what kinds of questions should candidates be asking during these conversations? The most helpful questions are those that may not be answerable through the FDD, such as whether the experience has been fulfilling, whether it met the person’s expectations, whether the leadership team is as supportive as they claim, etc.&nbsp;“They should be asking questions like: what kind of support can I expect when a restaurant opens? How is the construction process? The people who come in with those questions in the beginning will be better suited in the long run,” said Bills.Similarly, Bills says prospective franchisees shouldn’t be afraid to ask the&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/10-must-ask-questions-about-franchise-agreements-2708306">tough questions</a> when talking with other franchise owners. “They want to know the kind of money they can make, but they should also be asking about the challenges,” he said. “That is what I would want to know. Sure, the brand is fun and has a great history, but it isn’t always warm and fuzzy. If someone calls out sick, you’ll have to grind. We pride ourselves on our ability to work the line at any time and the franchisee needs to know how to do that too. People who don’t understand what to expect will always be surprised, so asking the right questions and having a dialogue is important.”In addition, talking to existing franchisees can give candidates valuable insight into the true&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/a-good-corporate-culture-can-have-a-big-impact-on-brands-system-wide-success-4402">culture</a> of the franchise system and the type of network they will be joining.&nbsp;“There is always going to be some hesitancy when you consider becoming a franchisee and following someone else’s path and guidance,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/christmasdecor/info">Christmas Decor</a> franchisee <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-anderson-77aa73a1?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-questions-should-i-ask-other-franchisees-before-buying-a-franchise-2721858" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adam Anderson</a>. “A big part of the reason we fell in love with the brand was because of the network of franchisees — that is where success comes from. The strength of that network can provide franchisees with valuable lessons and best practices, and franchisees should be able to reach out to other owners, ask questions, visit locations and see how they operate.”By reaching out to established franchisees, candidates can be better prepared to analyze the specifics of franchise opportunities and discern which ones are well-positioned for success and best fit their individual needs.&nbsp;

What Questions Should I Ask Other Franchisees Before Buying a Franchise?

1851 Franchise

Speaking with established franchisees can provide prospects with an invaluable form of validation and offer in-depth insight into the specifics of the day-to-day operations and the larger culture of the organization.

what-questions-should-i-ask-other-franchisees-before-buying-a-franchise

TruBlue Home Service Ally

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

Onigilly Japanese Kitchen

Koji Kanematsu Turned a 2,000-Year-Old Japanese Staple Into One of the Most Scalable Restaurant Franchise Models

koji-kanematsu-turned-a-2000-year-old-japanese-staple-into-one-of-the-most-scalable-restaurant-franchise-models

Lindora

Celebrating the Nurse Behind the Mission: How Melinda Endricks Is Powering Lindora’s Growth and Impact Nationwide

celebrating-the-nurse-behind-the-mission-how-melinda-endricks-is-powering-lindoras-growth-and-impact-nationwide

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

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

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

Health Care Professional in the Non-Profit Space Brings TruBlue to North Pittsburgh

health-care-professional-in-the-non-profit-space-brings-trublue-to-north-pittsburgh

Franchisee Spotlight with Armando Cordova and Jorge Molina with Crust Pizza Co. Logo

Texas-Sized Ambition: How a Shared Dream Turned Into Three Crust Pizza Co. Locations

crust-pizza-co-armando-cordova-jorge-molina-georgetown-launch

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

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

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

What Questions Should I Ask Other Franchisees Before Buying a Franchise?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS