How to finance your franchise

Today the Augusta Free Press ran a story on how to finance your franchise.

You can find the story at this link on the AFP website. I’ve also summarized their take on franchise financing here:

When you need financing, royalty fees, working capital, and inventory, you have options.

First, though, you have to get your records and personal finances in order.

How is your credit score? You also need a business plan.

In many cases, franchisors offer franchise financing. They typically can assist with 15% to 75% of what you need.

Other options include banks, friends, family, investors, and others.

There are many other options and tips to consider when it comes to franchise financing.

U.S. Small Business Administration

One source of help to refer to is the U.S. Small Business AdministrationSince its founding on July 30, 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. An SBA loan may be one option for franchise financing.

SBA provides assistance primarily through its four programmatic functions:

Access to Capital (Business Financing, including franchise financing)
Entrepreneurial Development (Education, Information, Technical Assistance & Training)
Government Contracting (Federal Procurement)
Advocacy (Voice for Small Business)
Wikipedia notes that “The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is “to maintain and strengthen the nation’s economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses and by assisting in the economic recovery of communities after disasters”. The agency’s activities are summarized as the “3 Cs” of capital, contracts and counseling.”
In this case, “capital” may include options for franchise financing.
Contact your SBA regional office for more information.

Small Business Development Centers

Another valuable source of help is your local Small Business Development Center office.

Check with your local SBDC for free face-to-face business consulting and at-cost training, on topics including business planning, accessing capital (including franchise financing), marketing, regulatory compliance, technology development, international trade and much more.

SBDCs are hosted by leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private sector partners, and funded in part by the United States Congress through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses.

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How To Find The Best Franchise Fit

Finding the best franchise fit is exactly what I specialize in as a franchise matchmaker.

I have a wide variety of franchise opportunities for you to consider. I also have a number of tools, both quantitative and qualitative, to help find the best fit for you.

My experience as a franchisee, as a master franchisee, and on the corporate franchisor side of the business gives me great perspective on what will work for any prospective franchisee.

You may also find this piece, on How To Find The Best Franchise Fit, recently published on Forbes.com.

“Individuals pursuing a franchise opportunity have about 3,000 franchises to choose from, however, by having a plan you’ll be able to narrow your choices down to the best franchise for you. There are numerous resources available that provide advice on how to select and evaluate a franchise. Resources include the Internet, International Franchise Association, the FTC and The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers. However, the best approach is to match your financial resources, business skills, work experience and personal profile to the franchise opportunity that most closely fits these characteristics.”

Very much in line with the coaching and consulting I provide to my clients, the author looks for a personality fit, interest fit, skills / experience fit, a financial match, a fit with the time needed / expected, and a match with personal goals. Other keys include how hands-on you wish to be, and how objective you are when it comes to your own strengths and weaknesses. Finally, what is your contingency plan, depending on how things go.
Want to know more? Check out my franchising resources page – or, better yet, contact me for an initial call or meeting as a first step toward evaluating whether franchising is right for you.

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Andrew recommends Kim, franchise matchmaker

I’m grateful this week for a new recommendation from Andrew Aronson, a friend and former colleague, of my services as a franchise matchmaker.

Andrew and I worked together through his business, Franchise Logistics. They specialize in finding and facilitating introductions between franchises and individuals who wish to own their business incorporating their skill-sets, financial means, lifestyle goals and personalities. They maintain affiliations with over 300 national franchisors in 35 business segments, and as part of their services, they arrange introductions and coaching to nurture those connections.

Thank you, Andrew!

“I have known Kim for many years as a colleague and over the years became friends. I have always found Kim to have the highest integrity and always respectful of her clients’ needs, wants and desires. Kim has shown herself to be a tireless advocate and worker for her clients and the ultimate Professional. Kim raises the bar for all Franchise Consultants to attempt to achieve. I enjoy working with Kim and highly endorse her to anyone looking for assistance in finding their next career in franchising.”

andrew recommends franchise matchmaker
Andrew Aronson CFP, FIS, FSC
President
Franchise Logistics

Find Andrew on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewaronson/

If you are exploring your franchise options, call us today. Kim Marinoff is the franchise matchmaker.

Here at A2B Franchise Consulting we offer comprehensive services to match you with the best franchise opportunity given your goals and interests.

With  thousands of concepts available, targeting your search and finding the best ones can be a chore. Let me help.

As a franchise matchmaker, we help you with:

  • Matchmaking
  • Tools for Validation
  • Financing

There is no additional charge for my assistance. The franchise company pays me a fee. If you go directly to the franchise you pay the same fee as if I referred you. You benefit from an expert franchise consultant guiding you through the process. If you decide a franchise is not for you, we part as friends.

My services do not bind or obligate you in any way. I have been in the industry for 20 years. I owned 10 franchise businesses, and worked with an international group in training, operations, sales and development. I understand franchising from all angles and can provide you expert advice and coach you through the long and winding process.

I am passionate about connecting you with a franchise in which you can succeed.

Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you.

Smiles,

Kim Marinoff

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Franchisee Bill of Rights

There is a basic minimum in the franchise industry when it comes to commercial dignity, equity and fairness.

The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers House of Delegates adopted and promulgated the Franchisee Bill of Rights on June 6, 1996, and works to promote awareness and acceptance of these rights among the franchising community and the general public.

They put this forth as the minimum requirements of a fair and equitable franchise system:

  • The right to an equity in the franchised business, including the right to meaningful market protection.
  • The right to engage in a trade or business, including a post-termination right to compete.
  • The right to the franchisors loyalty, good faith and fair dealing, and due care in the performance of the franchisors duties, and a fiduciary relationship where one has been promised or created by conduct.
  • The right to trademark protection.
  • The right to full disclosure from the franchisor, including the right to earnings data available to the franchisor which is relevant to the franchisees decision to enter or remain in the franchise relationship.
  • The right to initial and ongoing training and support.
  • The right to competitive sourcing of inventory, product, service and supplies.
  • The right to reasonable restraints upon the franchisors ability to require changes within the franchise system.
  • The right to marketing assistance.
  • The right to associate with other franchisees.
  • The right to representation and access to the franchisor.
  • The right to local dispute resolution and protection under the laws and the courts of the franchisee’s jurisdiction.
  • A reasonable right to renew the franchise.
  • The reciprocal right to terminate the franchise agreement for reasonable and just cause, and the right not to face termination, unless for cause.

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Welcome to All About Franchising!

Welcome to my Blog, All About Franchising!

I’m Kim Marinoff, and my business is A2B Franchise Consulting.

Check back here regularly. I will be creating and posting content about all aspects of the franchise world.

I’ll be introducing and posting links my 11 educational videos on franchising here in the coming weeks, and also embedding them on the Videos page here on my site, and on my YouTube channel.

I’ll also be looking to answer any questions you may have about the world of franchising, how to become a franchisee, what’s the best franchise for you, and more. Please send me your questions, and join the discussion by commenting on any post you may find here that is of interest.

Thank you!

Smiles,

Kim Marinoff

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