Listen to Podcasts
Listening to podcasts about franchising is another great way to get information about franchise brands. Whether you’re traveling on a plane, going on a long drive, or working out at the gym, you can listen to a podcast about best practices and successful brands in the industry.
With a quick Google search, you can find dozens of franchise podcasts that touch on topics like funding, best practices, and scaling a business. Leaders of brands are also interviewed to discuss the business’ benefits.
Keep Up on Franchising News
Actively visiting franchising news sites allow consultants to get to know brands that they can recommend. News sites like FranchiseWire provide information about franchisors, franchisees, and can have resources for veterans and other franchise pros. These stories are told in digestible, informative articles that you can show your candidates.
Visit Franchises in Your Area
You don’t have to go far to become familiar with franchise brands. All you need to do is look around your own area. By simply going to a local fast-food or automotive franchise, you can get a better understanding of how the business functions and the demand for services in the area. Go in and introduce yourself to the owner or manager and be sure to ask questions.
Visit Corporate Headquarters
Before making the decision to leap into franchise ownership, candidates typically attend franchisor Discovery Day and visit corporate headquarters to meet with the leadership team and current franchisees. As a consultant, you prepare candidates for Discovery Day by telling them what they can expect from the event and questions to ask the franchisor and franchise owners in the system. You can visit a franchisor Discover Day on your own, before you ever introduce a candidate to a brand.
SBA’s Directory of Franchises
By looking at the SBA’s Franchise Directory, you can find brands that are eligible for SBA financial assistance. Not only can you broaden your scope of brands to offer candidates, but you can see which franchises will offer financing options.
IFA’s Interactive Search Tool
With the IFA’s interactive search tool, you can see which franchises are available and help candidates focus on brands that are geared towards their passions, goals, and budget. With more than 792,492 franchise establishments in the U.S., this tool can help candidates hone in on brands that are ideal for them.
Think Outside of Your Short List of Franchises to Better Serve Candidates
Top Franchise Consultants take the initiative to find out about new and different franchise opportunities. By relying too heavily on your short list, you’re doing your candidates a disservice.
To learn more about brands, you can attend conferences, watch webinars, listen to podcasts, visit franchising news sites, and visit corporate headquarters and franchises in your area. As you help candidates determine if franchise ownership is right for them, thinking outside of your short list is a great way to increase the likelihood of success. If your candidates succeed, you succeed.