If you are reading this, then you are likely engaged in the first step of finding some franchises for sale. Franchise information is plentiful online, with sites like "Entrepreneur" publishing articles about franchising and sites like "Franchise Gator" listing all franchises available. When starting a new franchise, you'll need to research things like name brand, location, competition, supporting services and franchise fees. Finding the right opportunity may be tedious but it will save you from wasting unprecedented sums of money and experiencing the heartache of failure. One way to find a franchise for sale is to check out an exposition. For international franchises, you will want to head to Washington DC (March 20-22) for the 2009 International Expo of franchising. The same group also holds similar events for national franchising opportunities with the West Coast Expo (October 2-4, 2009) in Los Angeles, the Expo South (January 9-11, 2009) in Miami and Franchise & Financing Expos in Atlanta, Boston, Atlanta and North Texas. Before you attend one of these expositions, decide how much you have to invest, which type of business is right for you and consider your own personal background or skills. When you get to the event, you'll be able to peruse a number of different franchises for sale all in one place. Be sure to ask the franchisor questions like: "How long have you been in business? How many franchised outlets exist and where are they located? What is the initial franchise fee, start-up costs, continued royalty payments and franchise tax? What support does the franchisor offer and what are the franchisor mandates?" Be aware that exhibitors will try to entice you to attend promotional meetings, lunches and may offer you special deals. Remember, these people are highly trained in sales and are hoping you'll choose them. Don't give in just for a free dinner or prize. Legitimate franchises will never lay high-pressured pitches on you, but rather will assume you will make some comparisons before coming back. Once you narrow down the franchises for sale that you are interested in, you'll need to meet with franchisors and see how the franchise business is run. You'll also need to pick up a copy of the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), which is an invaluable free resource that by law must be provided by the franchisor at least 10 business days before a franchise agreement is signed. In this docket, you'll receive company information, fee summaries, required purchases, trademark rights, earnings claims and statistics. You'll have access to a franchise directory of past and present owners too. With this information, you will have the tools you need to make an informed decision.
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