Franchises » Dairy Queen Franchise

I am frequently asked about the questions that people contemplating buying a franchise should ask of the current Franchisees. This is such a common request that I have added an appendix to my book, Real World Franchising, with a questionnaire designed to ensure you get the full picture.

However to give you an idea of the sort of questions that must be asked, I've included a selection of the questions here:

2) Is your background useful in running the franchise ? Yes/No

If Yes what is your background?....................................................................................

4) Did the training cover all aspects of running the business?

Yes/No

Subsequently do you think the training was enough to get you started?

Yes/No

5) How did you find the support you got from the Franchisor during the initial stages of the Franchise

Good/Indifferent/Bad

7) What aspect of the job do you like least. How much of your time is spent doing this aspect?.....................................................................

12) Have you incurred any significant overspends on costs?

Yes/No

13) What areas have been significantly overspent?...............................

10) Which Franchisees do you think are the ones who I should definitely talk to?...................................................................................

Perhaps you will excuse me if I don't republish the list in full. I have left out some questions that I do think are important. However you will notice that the last question is out of order. To give you some more value I'd like to explain the reasoning behind that question.

In a franchise system where the franchisees are not happy they are also frequently unable to risk 'sticking their head above the parapet'. However they do know that they would feel guilty if they didn't tell you something of the issues. Therefore they will frequently point you in the direction of a franchisee who is willing to give you a truthful picture.

I actually learned of a problem with a franchise system I was considering in this way. The person I interviewed first was in dispute with the Franchisor and couldn't risk the potential legal action that could ensue if he was explicit with me. He therefore pointed me to another franchisee who was free to talk....

And saved me a lot of money!

Gareth Williams is an advisor on franchising from the franchise buyers perspective. A past franchise owner he has real experience of franchising 'from the trenches'. He has written what many consider to be the definitive guide to buying a franchise. This is available from http://www.realworldfranchising.com

Source: www.isnare.com