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Franchises
Franchises are a great way to get your own business going without having to worry about the sometimes long and difficult process of establishing brand recognition. Many franchises also offer additional help, such as access to distribution channels. There's usually a fairly substantial fee involved, but it's far less than the marketing cost of establishing a strong brand.
About Franchising
About's Franchising Guide, Massimo Maccari, offers extensive in-depth information to franchising for both franchisees and franchisers, including choosing a franchise, how to become a franchisee, franchise agreements, success tips and more.
Pros & Cons of Buying A Franchise
Buying a franchise is an option considered by corporate employees experiencing downsizing or unfavorable work conditions. Before you take the leap, your About.com Guide for Small Business Information has assembled the pros and cons of buying a franchise.
Franchise Help
This is truly a one-stop site for almost everything in franchising. Start with their franchise primer, franchise readiness quiz, and advice on selecting a franchise. You'll also find an extensive collection of articles on franchising, international development, and financing.
FTC Pamphlets on Franchise & Business Opportunities
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission offers an extensive collection of online pamphlets about franchise and business opportunities. Also included is legal information regarding the Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436) and pending rulemaking.
Bison Franchises and Franchising Online
Bison features extensive alphabetical and categorical lists of franchise opportunities, plus articles, news, a book store, and products and services for the franchise industry. Also features quick links to the stock prices for publicly traded franchise companies.
Franchise.com
This site offers news, articles, free consulting, and a directory of franchise opportunities. Their unique (and very cool) features are Fast Track, which allows prospects to easily send Requests For Information to more than one company without having to repetitively fill out your information, and UFOC E-Disclosure, which allows franchisors to electronically disclose UFOCs to prospects.
Franchise Gator
This extensive directory of franchises, business opportunities and business for sale is searchable by industry, area of interest and startup budget. They also have a great blog including franchising tips, success stories and industry interviews.
Franchise Handbook Online
The Franchise Handbook provides profiles and contact information on hundreds of franchise opportunities, plus franchising news, articles, message boards, and links. A print subscription to the magazine is also available.
Franchise Registry
Explore dozens of franchise opportunities. This list is limited to those that have agreed to a streamlined review process for SBA loan applications in order to accelerate the franchising process.
Franchise Opportunities
Alexa reports this to be the #1 most-visited franchise site on the Net. Prospective franchisees can search alphabetically and by industry or investment level. The site also includes extensive international listings and has dedicated sites for Australia, Bahamas, Canada, China, Singapore, South Africa, and United Kingdom.
FranNet
FranNet offers free consulting to prospective franchisees. Their five-step process includes profiling your goals and interests, identifying your franchise model, matching with available franchises, providing you with research guides, and locating financing resources, franchise attorneys, and other resources to help with the purchase.
FranChoice
This free service of FranchiseHelp will help you determine the best franchise opportunities for you. It includes an initial conversation, a three page questionnaire, and a one to two hour consultation meeting, either in person or by phone. There's also a franchise aptitude self-test.
Is a Franchise Right for You?
Is a Franchise Right for You?