1. Profile and goals
The consultant learns your interests, goals, skills, and investment comfort so the search starts with you rather than with a list of brands.
Before your first call
How to prepare for a franchise consultation
Last updated: October 2026
Prepare for a franchise consultation by writing down your goals, strengths, investment range, location, and timeline before the call.
Franchise Fit Guide's checklist below takes about an hour. The more specific your answers, the more targeted the options a consultant can present. FranNet consultants use this kind of profile to match your interests, goals, and skills with suitable franchises, then guide a structured research process, all free to you.
What should I bring to a franchise consultation?
Bring a one-page profile: goals, preferred role, strengths, investment comfort range, available liquid capital, location, timeline, and the questions you want answered. You do not need a brand in mind; in fact, arriving open-minded usually leads to better options.
If you have not done the self-assessment yet, start with what franchise is right for me.
Six-step preparation checklist
Write your goals in one paragraph
Income target and timeline, the role you want, and why you are considering ownership now.
List your strengths and deal-breakers
Three things you do well, three things you never want to do daily, and any industries to avoid.
Set your investment comfort range
Liquid capital you can commit, total investment ceiling, and how you might finance the rest.
Name your location and timeline
Where you will operate, whether you would relocate, and when you hope to open.
Bring your partner into the conversation
If a spouse or partner shares the risk, invite them to the call so expectations match from day one.
Prepare five questions
Ask how the process works, how options are chosen, and what research steps come next.
What happens in a FranNet consultation?
2. Matched options
You see franchise options that align with your profile. FranNet works across all 50 US states through more than 70 local broker consultancies, so options can reflect your market.
3. Structured research
You get a step-by-step approach to researching each option: the FDD, franchisee conversations, and franchisor meetings.
4. Your decision
FranNet consultants do not sell franchises. The franchisor manages its own sales process, and you decide whether to move forward.
What to do after the consultation
Work through the questions to ask franchisors for each shortlisted concept, read each FDD with an attorney, and call current franchisees. Remember the FTC requires franchisors to provide the FDD at least 10 business days before you sign or pay, according to Vetrepreneur, but take as long as you need.
The bigger picture is in our main guide, how to choose the right franchise.
Common questions
- How do I prepare for a franchise consultation?
- Bring clear answers on your goals, preferred role, skills, investment comfort range, available liquid capital, timeline, and location. Note any industries you want to avoid and list your questions in advance. The more specific you are, the more targeted the options a FranNet consultant can present on your first call. More in the FAQ
- What does a franchise consultant do?
- A franchise consultant helps you clarify your goals, skills, and budget, then presents franchise options that fit and guides your research. FranNet consultants match candidates’ interests, goals, and skills with suitable opportunities and provide a structured research approach. Because franchisors compensate consultants, the service is usually free to candidates. More in the FAQ
- How much does FranNet cost?
- FranNet’s services are free to clients. Much like real estate agents, consultants are compensated on the business side rather than by the candidate. That means you can use FranNet’s guidance and structured research process to evaluate franchise options without paying a consulting fee. More in the FAQ
- Does FranNet sell franchises?
- No. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises. They present options that fit your profile and help you research them, while the franchisor manages its own sales process and you decide whether to buy. That separation lets the consultation focus on fit rather than on closing a sale. More in the FAQ
- How long does it take to choose a franchise?
- Many careful buyers take a few months from self-assessment to signing. You need time to define criteria, compare concepts, read FDDs, call franchisees, arrange financing, and attend a discovery day. The FTC waiting period of 10 business days after receiving the FDD is a legal minimum, not a recommended timeline. More in the FAQ
- What is the first step to buying a franchise?
- The first step is a self-assessment: what you want from ownership, what you are good at, how much you can comfortably invest, and where you will operate. With those answers written down, you can book a no-cost consultation with FranNet and review options matched to your profile instead of starting from a list of logos. More in the FAQ
Profile ready? Book your consultation.
Bring your checklist to a free FranNet consultation and get franchise options matched to your goals, skills, budget, and location.