It is important to understand that not every business should be franchised. It is equally important that, when you decide to become a franchisor, you do so in a way that maximizes the unique character of your business. Successful franchisors are rarely the product of a packaged approach, as each element of your franchise system should be developed in a way that supports your franchisees so that they can deliver consistently to your Brand Promise.

Successful franchisors share some common attributes.

• They are motivated to share their experience and know-how with their franchisees.
• They provide their franchisees with the tools needed to operate their businesses to brand standards.
• They are focused on ensuring that each franchisee operates to system standards.

Great franchisors have all made their share of mistakes, and have survived them. It is their hands-on knowledge of the business they are franchising that is of the greatest value to franchisees. Franchisees benefit from the franchisor’s proven experience, which hopefully allows franchisees to avoid some of the minefields that plague many start-up businesses.

The franchisor owns the brand and the operating system that they license to their franchisees. The terms of the franchisee’s license, contained in the ​Franchise ​Agreement, ​need to be based on a highly structured strategic plan designed for the uniqueness of the franchise system.

(66% of all franchise inquiries will not become a value match for your franchise system.)

Surprisingly, more often than not, your candidate will be running from a personal or career problem to open a business

you are not selling a franchise; you are awarding and granting a license for the use of your operating system for the term of the franchise agreement.

An operations manual might include the following:

• Introduction and history of the company
• Company policies
• Business practices
• Standards, procedures, and documentation for hiring of staff
• Personnel administration
• Job descriptions
• Ordering supplies and outside services
• Preparation techniques
• Operating equipment
• Cleaning, repairing, and maintaining equipment
• Maintaining premises
• Pre-opening procedures
• Opening and closing tasks
• Customer service
• Operation forms, record keeping forms, and procedures
• Bookkeeping and management-control systems
• Advertising and promotion
• Safety and Security
• Reports to franchisor
• Use of trademarks
• Licensed software