These are the trade organizations for the many groups that offer franchises, from burger joints to expensive gourmet restaurants. Coffee and sandwich shop franchises abound. But before you even hint at buying a franchise know what they are, what they cost and what they can and cannot provide. Remember, franchising creates a legal relationship between the franchiser and the franchisee. Costs are a combination of outright payment, often financed by the franchiser, and a revenue share.
Franchises cost from a few thousand to several hundred thousand dollars.
But you get what you pay for. A good franchise will advertise for you, train you, aid you in down times. They will help you keep books, pay taxes, network and stay creative. They give you constant support and incentives. And they expect you to toe the line on everything from uniform colors to style of table napkins.