Should you be reading this, then you are likely engaged in the first step of finding some franchises for sale. Franchise information is plentiful online, with sites like "Entrepreneur" publishing articles about franchising and sites like "Franchise Gator" listing all franchises available. When starting a new franchise, you'll need to research things like brand name, location, competition, supporting services and franchise fees. Discovering the right opportunity may be tedious but it will save you from wasting unprecedented sums of money and experiencing the heartache of failure.
A single way to find a selling franchise in southern Florida is to check out an exposition. For international franchises, you will want to head to Washington DC (March 20-22) for this year's International Expo of franchising. The same group also holds similar events for national franchising opportunities with the West Coast Expo (October 2-4, 2009) in Los Angeles, the Expo South (January 9-11, 2009) in Miami and Franchise & Financing Expos in Altlanta ga, Boston, Atlanta and North Texas. Before you go to one of these expositions, decide how much you have to invest, which type of business is right for you and consider your own personal background or skills.
When you get to the event, you can use study a number of different franchises for sale all in one place. Be sure to ask the franchisor questions like: "How long have you been running a business? How many franchised shops exist and where are they located? What is the initial franchise fee, start up costs, continued royalty payments and franchise tax? What support will the franchisor offer and what are the franchisor mandates? inch
Be aware that exhibitors will try to entice you to attend promotional meetings, lunches and may provide you with special deals. Remember, these people are highly trained in sales and are hoping you'll choose them. Don't give in only for a free dinner or prize. Legitimate dispenses will never lay high-pressured pitches on you, but rather will assume you can make some comparisons before returning.
Once you narrow down the Miami franchises for deal that you are interested in, you'll need to meet with franchisors and find out how the franchise business is run. You'll also need to get a copy of the Uniform Franchise Giving Circular (UFOC), which is an invaluable free reference that by law must be provided by the franchisor at least 10 business days before a franchise agreement is signed. In this docket, you will receive company information, cost summaries, required purchases, trademark rights, earnings claims and statistics. You'll have gain access to to a franchise listing of past and present owners too. With this info, you will have the tools you need to make an informed decision.
