Understand what you are buying
Clarify the rights being granted, the term of the agreement, the territory position, renewal rules, required standards and what happens if the relationship ends.
Applicants should use a solicitor with relevant franchise experience when reviewing contractual documents.
- Agreement term
- Territory rights
- Renewal conditions
- Transfer and exit rules
Map every ongoing obligation
Initial investment is only one part of the economics. Review royalties, marketing contributions, purchasing requirements, technology costs and any other recurring obligations.
Those costs should be built into the operating model before a decision is made.
Test the support in practical terms
Ask what training covers, who supports site selection, how opening support works, which marketing activity is central and which is local, and what happens when a store is underperforming.
The useful question is not whether support exists, but what it actually consists of and who is responsible for each task.
Build your own downside case
Do not rely on one optimistic sales case. Model slower growth, higher labour, property overruns and a delayed opening so you understand the project's resilience.
Independent professional advice helps separate the franchise opportunity from the applicant's own affordability and risk tolerance.