1851

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.

what-to-expect-when-working-with-a-franchise-broker

Shuckin' Shack

Photo of Shuckin' Shack team member handing drinks to guests

How the Shuckin’ Shack Training Program Prepares Franchise Partners To Open With Confidence

shuckin-shack-franchise-training-support

Right at Home

image of Chrissy Heiss of right at home franchise marietta 

Post-Acute Care Professional Turned Franchisee to Share Experience With Right at Home in Upcoming Franchise Education Webinar

right-at-home-chrisy-heiss-success

Biscuit Belly Franchising

Biscuit Belly CEO Shares Brand’s Growth Journey on “Emerging Franchise Brand” Podcast

biscuit-belly-ceo-shares-brands-growth-journey-on-emerging-franchise-brand-podcast

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of four HomeTeam Inspection Service inspectors

The HomeTeam Advantage: 30 Years Strong and Still Growing

hometeam-30-year-legacy

Mathnasium

Mathnasium Franchise - James Temple - 1851 Franchise

Fast Growth and Bold Moves: James Temple’s Journey to Franchise Ownership With Mathnasium Learning Centers

mathnasium-franchise-james-temple

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 Development Website Builder

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

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth

restaurant-franchise-incentives-cash-royalty-holidays-fee-reductions

U.S. Budget Deficit Rises as Tariff Revenues Increase — Potential Considerations for Franchising

us-budget-deficit-rises-as-tariff-revenues-increase-potential-considerations-for-franchising

Dickey's Franchisee Backlash - Lawsuits - Disputes - 1851 Franchise

Texas-Based Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Grapples with Franchisee Backlash

dickeys-barbecue-pit-franchisee-lawsuits

Design with person in blazer, with laptop, holding sign that reads "LOOKING FOR A JOB"

Uptick in Jobless Claims Points to Continued Instability in Labor Market

jobless-claims-franchise-growth

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sparkle Squad logo

Sparkle Squad Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sparkle-squad-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

graphic for a spotlight from 1851 franchise featuring Kevin Rarick from caring transitions

What to Expect When Working with a Franchise Broker

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS