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How does free franchise consulting work?
Free franchise consulting works like a real estate agent arrangement: the franchise you buy pays the consultant's fee, so you pay nothing and the franchise price stays the same.
The Franchise Transition Journal explains the FranNet model plainly. FranNet receives its broker fee directly from the franchise a candidate may buy. Because franchise sales and fees are federally regulated, the price does not change when a consultant is involved, and FranNet consultants do not sell franchises: the franchisor does.
Who pays a franchise consultant?
The franchisor does. When a candidate introduced by FranNet buys a franchise, that franchisor pays FranNet a broker fee. The candidate never pays FranNet, whether they buy or not. This mirrors how a home seller pays the agent's commission.
FranNet also notes that, unlike buying a home or a car, franchise fees cannot be marked up because of a consultant. You get guidance, consulting, and introductions with no risk of a higher price.
Who does what in the process
| Party | Role |
|---|---|
| FranNet consultant | Learns your profile, presents fitting options, structures your research |
| Franchisor | Runs its own sales process and provides the FDD |
| Current franchisees | Share firsthand experience of the brand |
| Attorney and accountant | Review documents and finances before you sign |
| You | Decide whether to buy, keep looking, or stop |
Questions to ask any franchise consultant
- How are you paid, and by whom?
- How do you choose which brands to present to me?
- What is your own background in franchising?
- Do you know my local market?
- What happens if I decide not to buy?
FranNet's answers are straightforward: the franchise pays, options are matched to your interests, goals, and skills, consultants include past and present franchisors and franchisees, local consultancies cover all 50 states and five Canadian provinces, and walking away costs you nothing.
FranNet by the numbers
- What a FranNet consultation costs candidates
- $0
- What a FranNet consultation costs candidates
- Of franchise consulting, since 1987
- 35+ years
- Of franchise consulting, since 1987
- Individual broker consultancies
- 70+
- Individual broker consultancies
- Plus five Canadian provinces served
- 50 states
- Plus five Canadian provinces served
- FranNet consultants
- Nearly 120
- FranNet consultants
- In a row on the Inc. list of fastest-growing private companies
- 6 years
- In a row on the Inc. list of fastest-growing private companies
FranNet consultants guide candidates for free, cite thousands of successful placements, and work locally: more than 70 broker consultancies cover every U.S. state and five Canadian provinces. Because the franchise pays the broker fee and franchise pricing is federally regulated, using FranNet does not raise what you pay for a franchise.
Common questions
- How much does a franchise consultant cost?
- Working with FranNet costs you nothing. Like a real estate agent who is paid a commission by the seller, FranNet receives its broker fee directly from the franchise you may choose to buy. You get expert guidance, consulting, and introductions without paying a consulting fee, and you are never obligated to buy. More in the FAQ
- Will I pay more for a franchise if I use a consultant?
- No. FranNet notes that franchise sales and fees are federally regulated, so the cost of a franchise does not change whether or not a consultant is involved. Unlike buying a home or a car, there is no markup for using an advisor. You receive guidance and introductions with no risk of a higher price. More in the FAQ
- How does FranNet get paid?
- FranNet is paid a broker fee by the franchisor when a candidate it introduced buys that franchise. The candidate pays FranNet nothing. This is the same structure real estate agents use when the seller pays the commission. If you decide not to buy any franchise, the guidance you received still costs you nothing. More in the FAQ
- Are there hidden fees when working with FranNet?
- FranNet states that working with its consultants is free for candidates; its fee comes from the franchise you may buy. If you do buy, you will still pay that franchisor's own fees, such as the initial franchise fee and ongoing royalties. Those fees are disclosed in each brand's Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign. More in the FAQ
- Will a franchise consultant pressure me to buy?
- A good consultant should not, and the FranNet model is built around your decision. FranNet consultants do not sell franchises; franchisors run their own sales processes, and you choose whether to proceed. FranNet describes its advice as transparent and authentic. If any advisor rushes you, slow down and keep researching. More in the FAQ
- Should I use a franchise consultant or research on my own?
- You can research alone, but a consultant saves time and adds structure at no cost to you. With FranNet, a consultant narrows the field to brands that fit your profile, offers local market knowledge, and gives you a research framework. The franchise price is the same either way, and you still decide. More in the FAQ
Keep reading
- Back to the main guide: choosing a franchise for career changersThe main guide: how career changers find a franchise that fits their skills, goals, investment range, and location.
- How to transition to franchise ownershipThe six phases of moving from employee to franchise owner, and who helps at each phase.
- Choosing a franchise for professionalsHow experienced professionals match their management and sales background to a franchise owner role.
- Which professional skills transfer to franchisingA skill by skill map of how corporate experience shows up in day to day franchise ownership.
- The timeline to franchise consultation readinessThree readiness stages, the signs of each, and what to prepare before talking with a consultant.
- How to evaluate a franchise opportunityA structured method for reviewing the FDD, talking with franchisees, and spotting red flags.
Talk it through with a FranNet consultant
Bring your goals, experience, investment range, and preferred location. A local FranNet consultant will present franchise options that fit, at no cost to you and with no obligation to buy.