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Diving into the franchise world can be extremely daunting, especially if you’re a first-time business owner or don’t have a specific industry in mind. To complicate matters, there are so many franchises to choose from. According to the International Franchise Association, there are more than <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/post/franchise-broker/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">3,000</a> officially recognized franchise brands worldwide. So, where do you start?Franchise brokers, also known as franchise consultants or franchise coaches, exist for precisely this reason. They help guide investors through the crowded franchise landscape to find the perfect fit.&nbsp;Here’s what to expect when working with a franchise broker for the first time.<h4>What Is a Franchise Broker?</h4>The International Franchise Professionals Group describes a <a href="https://www.ifpg.org/franchise-consultant-training/what-is-a-franchise-consultant?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">franchise broker</a> as someone who counsels people who are considering franchising. They guide candidates through the selection, evaluation and buying processes. Franchise brokers are commonly compared to real estate agents. Their purpose is to educate candidates about the franchise process, assess franchise opportunities and refer candidates to a specific franchise.“It’s a huge educational process,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyanderson4?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Emily Anderson</a>, a <a href="https://frannet.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FranNet</a> consultant. “Most people don’t know franchising, so it’s a huge win for me when I can get them to think beyond the $5 footlong and the golden arches, and I see the lightbulb go off when they realize what’s possible.”Franchise companies hire brokers to sell franchises for them, so the franchisors and the franchise candidates are considered clients. Brokers either work for a network or for themselves and represent a set number of franchises trying to find the best candidates.&nbsp;<h4>How Do Franchise Brokers Match People With Franchises?</h4>Franchise brokers have different methods for matching candidates with their ideal franchise. Most of the investigative process, however, is done the old-fashioned way, asking questions via phone or in-person meetings. Aside from fundamental questions about finances, geographic preferences and professional history, brokers will dig a bit deeper to truly understand why their client is interested in franchising at all.Some of the <a href="https://www.franchisebrokergroup.com/frequently-asked-questions/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">questions</a> will likely include:<ul><li>What is attracting you to business ownership?</li><li>How many hours and what time of day do you like to work?</li><li>How does managing people make you feel?</li><li>What sort of lifestyle are you interested in as a business owner?</li><li>Is a recognized brand name important to you?</li><li>Do you want to have more than one location?</li></ul>“It’s a lot of fun to learn about what makes people tick and then use that to find a good franchise fit for them,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrienneleigh?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adrienne Leigh</a> of <a href="https://www.successfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Success Franchising</a>. “Plus, this whole process is designed to be a precursor to the franchisor’s process, so it’s really important to guide people through and make sure they understand what to expect.”Once the broker has a better understanding of the candidate, he or she will start the search process to find the best franchise match. The broker and candidate will review options together and gradually filter down the list. Once it’s narrowed down to the final few, the broker will facilitate discussions between the franchisor and the candidate to move things along to the next step, all the way through to signing. This usually includes walking a candidate through the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/what-is-an-fdd-2705192">Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)</a> and the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/10-must-ask-questions-about-franchise-agreements-2708306">Franchise Agreement (FA)</a>. The process repeats and continues until there’s a match.<h4>How Much Does a Franchise Broker Cost?</h4>There is no difference in cost to the candidate for working with a franchise broker versus going to the franchise directly. Brokers are paid on commission from the franchisor once a sale is complete. These commissions vary. Some are based on a percentage of the franchise fee and others are a flat rate. It just depends on the arrangement with the franchisor.&nbsp;<h4>What Are the Pros and Cons To Working With a Franchise Broker?</h4>The most obvious benefit of working with a broker is they help you weed through the thousands of franchise options, saving you huge amounts of time and energy. If you have preferences on industries and territories, a broker can also tell you whether those preferences are realistic, preventing you from wasting your time.&nbsp;As with any profession, some brokers are better than others, and the franchises they represent will vary. Some may represent larger, more well-known brand names, and others may have a portfolio of smaller, mid-range franchises. It’s usually in your best interest as a candidate to talk to multiple brokers so you can cast a wide net and make sure you’re seeing all of the options.&nbsp;Regardless of what franchises they represent or how many matches they’ve made, most brokers can&nbsp; agree on one thing: helping their candidates find the perfect franchise is the ultimate reward.“Seeing a candidate who is now very successful is a huge win to us,” said <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackarmstrongjr?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker-2716317" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jack Armstrong</a>, a FranNet consultant. “They’re very happy with their decision. They may be expanding to other territories. They may even start sending us referrals. I always feel great when candidates come back and say it was the best thing they ever did.”

What to Expect When Working with a Franchise Broker

1851 Franchise

If you’ve ever considered buying a franchise, you may have wondered whether hiring a franchise broker is worthwhile. Here’s the inside scoop on franchise brokers and how they help people find the perfect business investment.

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Sola Salons

Sola Salons Targets Chicago for Strategic Franchise Growth

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Melting Pot

Photo of Melting Pot white chocolate fondue

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

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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

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Paris Baguette

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

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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

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What to Expect When Working with a Franchise Broker

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