1851

The act of engaging in franchisee validation calls or meetings is a crucial step in deciding whether to invest in a brand. Prospective franchisees would do well to take advantage of the resources afforded to them in <a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-most-important-items-in-an-fdd-item-20---outlet-transfer-and-franchise-owner-information-2712074#home">FDD Item 20</a> and reach out to as many of a brand’s existing franchisees as possible to gauge whether they want to sign on the dotted line. What’s more, brands would do well to encourage honest and transparent conversations between the two parties.&nbsp;Bob Jordan is a franchise owner with <a href="https://franchise.puroclean.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-strong-franchisee-validation-looks-like-2712150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">PuroClean</a>, an emergency home services company that provides assistance with water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold removal and more. He bought his Seattle-area franchise in November 2016 and started field operations the following March. Jordan, who worked in the corporate world for many years before he decided to make a change, did extensive research before signing with PuroClean, meeting with PuroClean leadership and a current franchisee when he learned they would be hosting a meeting in Seattle.&nbsp;“I also called a number of PuroClean owners across the country,” Jordan said. “I spoke to one in Ohio, one in Texas, one in Florida and a few others mixed in, as well. I had a prepared list of questions that I wanted to ask and they answered all of my questions.”&nbsp;Jordan’s questions for existing PuroClean franchisees revolved around net profit, gross profit, hiring, operations, equipment and more. Of course, he also attended the brand’s discovery day. His research made him confident that he was walking into franchising with his eyes wide open, he said. “I just couldn’t find a hole in anything,” Jordan said.&nbsp;Ken Lineberger is the founder and CEO of <a href="https://watersedgewineries.com/the-franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-strong-franchisee-validation-looks-like-2712150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Waters Edge Wineries</a>, a franchise where owners essentially establish micro-wineries in their storefronts. During the discovery process, Lineberger’s team encourages candidates to reach out to current owners and even provides guidance on topics to inquire about.&nbsp;“We give our prospective franchisees a set of questions that we recommend that they ask,” Lineberger said. “We don’t tell them they have to ask them, but it gives them a guideline of what kind of things they’d want to know.”&nbsp;These questions include asking about the biggest challenge of opening a franchise with Waters Edge Wineries, whether its training and support help them operate the business efficiently, and if they could change anything, what would it be, Lineberger said.&nbsp;“We try to be open-minded that maybe not all of the answers are going to be perfect or favorable to us, but I think people appreciate that transparency that we’re trying to create,” Lineberger said.&nbsp;Prospective franchisees should not be shy about asking tough questions either, Lineberger said. After all, they’re making a huge life decision. “Most prospective franchisees are, in my opinion, too guarded in what they ask,” he said, noting that if a franchisee does not want to answer a particular question, they will certainly say so, which should ease prospects’ nerves about inquiring about whatever they want.Bradford Smith, the Vice President of Franchise Development for trampoline park franchise&nbsp; <a href="https://rockinjump.com/trampoline-park-franchise-investor-opportunities/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-strong-franchisee-validation-looks-like-2712150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rockin’ Jump</a>, said he believes that franchisee validation is one of the best tools in a prospect’s arsenal. While prospective franchisees can certainly ask questions of their own choosing, Smith also encourages them to ask questions related to training, support—both during the opening process and ongoing—and financial matters. He too noted that prospective franchisees tend to&nbsp; “clam up” when they reach out to existing franchisees and shouldn’t be shy about asking anything and everything on their minds.&nbsp;&nbsp;When it comes to getting existing franchisees to participate in validation efforts, Smith said, “I like to use the old saying, ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’ It emphasizes to them that a new franchisee in the system will bring in more royalties and add to the marketing fund, which is to the benefit of everyone,” he said. Smith added that an underrated aspect of validation calls is the insight and feedback current franchisees are then able to provide on the prospect.“Franchisee validation keeps the corporate team and support center on their toes, ensuring the managing of training, ongoing support, ongoing help to existing franchisees is strong so they could answer honestly that yes, they would invest in the brand again,” Smith said.&nbsp;<a href="https://mayweather.fit/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=what-strong-franchisee-validation-looks-like-2712150" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mayweather Boxing + Fitness</a> CEO James Williams recommends prospective franchisees ask current franchisees how they decided the brand was a good fit for them, what training was like prior to opening and when the franchisee broke even, among other questions. Williams also advises brands coach current franchisees to be prepared to speak about a variety of things including their personal journey and ROI, in particular.“[Current] franchisees should ask if the prospect has been to a discovery day yet,” Williams wrote in an email. “If not, the franchisee can explain how their discovery day experience helped cement their decision to move forward. Franchisors need to educate the franchisee that prospects are often looking for ROI information that franchisors are unable to provide outside of an Item 19.”When brands encourage open and honest conversations between current and prospective franchisees, and when prospective franchisees have done extensive research and ask the right questions, everyone wins during the validation process.

What Strong Franchisee Validation Looks Like

1851 Franchise

Encouraging honest and transparent conversations between current franchisees and prospective franchisees is a must for brands, experts say.

what-strong-franchisee-validation-looks-like

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam inspector in red polo and khaki pants, walking by branded vehicle

Real Estate Today: Behind the Drywall: The Truth About Home Inspections

purpose-of-home-inspection

Dog Training Elite

Dog Training Elite Franchise - DTE - National Service Dog Month - 1851 Franchise

Celebrating Service Dogs: Why Proper Training Changes Lives — And How Dog Training Elite Is Leading the Way

dog-training-elite-national-service-dog-month

Senior Care Authority

How This Senior Care Authority Franchisee Turned Love for His Grandparents Into a Lifelong Calling

how-this-senior-care-authority-franchisee-turned-love-for-his-grandparents-into-a-lifelong-calling

Hometown News: Like Father, Like Son — Family-Run Inspection Business Blends Generations of Expertise and a Keen Eye for Detail

father-son-home-inspection-franchise-florida

KLA Schools

KLA Schools of Beachwalk Hosts Admissions Kick-Off Celebration

kla-schools-of-beachwalk-hosts-admissions-kick-off-celebration

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

Potbelly to be Acquired by RaceTrac in $566 Million Deal 

racetrac-acquires-potbelly-in-566-million-deal

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities - 1851 Franchise Agg

Health Care Hiring Slowdown Highlights In-Home Care Franchise Opportunities 

health-care-hiring-slowdown-in-home-care-franchise-opportunities

Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy CEO, Eyes Continued Growth

caribou-coffee-names-scott-kennedy-ceo-eyes-continued-growth

McDonald’s Launches New Extra Value Meals as Consumer Demand for Value Continues to Climb

mcdonalds-launches-extra-value-meals

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

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 image of a financial deep dive of americas swimming pools co.

America’s Swimming Pool Company Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

americas-swimming-pool-asp-franchise-deep-dive

image of The Cleaning Authority Franchise Deep Dive Article financial investment details

The Cleaning Authority Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

the-cleaning-authority-franchise-deep-dive

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

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

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

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

DevHub - Meet the Supplier - 1851 Franchise

DevHub: Scalable Digital Marketing for Franchises and Multi-Location Brands

devhub-meet-the-supplier

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Multi-Unit Wendy’s Operator Signs 12-Unit Deal With Layne’s Chicken Fingers

ricki-oberoi-laynes-chicken-fingers-growth

Design with school-aged child standing on pencil with text "Education Franchises" and "<$500K"

Top Education Franchises Under $500K To Explore in 2025

top-education-franchises-under-500k

What Strong Franchisee Validation Looks Like

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS