Buying a franchise is a big move, for many people, it’s not just a business decision it’s a career shift, a financial commitment and a leap into something unfamiliar. It’s completely normal to feel excited and motivated one minute, then concerned, cautious and slightly overwhelmed the next. After all, this choice doesn’t just affect your working life, it can impact your lifestyle, your finances and the people around you.
That’s why selecting the right franchise deserves time, thought and a healthy dose of caution. While franchising offers structure, support and a proven model, not every opportunity is the right fit for every person. Rushing the process or choosing based on hype alone can lead to disappointment down the line.
This two part guide is designed to help you slow things down, ask the right questions and make a decision you can feel confident about. Part one focuses on how to assess whether a franchise is truly right for you. Part two walks through the key questions you should be asking the franchisor once you’ve identified an opportunity that feels aligned.
Part 1: Is This the Right Franchise for You?
Before you get swept up in polished presentations, impressive growth charts and photos of franchisees who somehow always look relaxed, tanned and wildly successful, it’s worth slowing down and asking some honest questions.
1. Does the Franchise Align With Your Passion or Skillset?
You don’t have to wake up every morning buzzing with excitement about the product or service but you do need to like the work. Think about what the business looks like day to day. Are you leading people, selling, managing systems, dealing with customers or being hands-on? Ideally, the franchise plays to your strengths or at least gives you the support to build them. Passion helps on the tough days and skills help you perform. When the two line up, you’re in a strong position.
2. Can You Afford It, Realistically?
This is a business, not a get rich quick scheme and the numbers matter more than the dream. Beyond the franchise fee, you need to be comfortable with setup costs, equipment, marketing, and enough working capital to keep things moving while the business grows. It’s also worth thinking about your personal finances, how long can you support yourself while the business gains traction? If the plan only works when everything goes perfectly, it’s probably not the right plan.
3. Are There Genuine Franchisee Success Stories?
A strong franchise should be able to show real journeys, not just highlight reels. Ask about how long it typically takes franchisees to find their feet, what challenges they faced early on and what helped them push through. Hearing honest experiences both wins and struggles gives you a far clearer picture than any brochure ever could.
4. What Training and Support Are You Actually Getting?
When you buy a franchise, you’re not just buying a name you’re buying a system and the people behind it. Look closely at the training provided at the beginning and how support continues once you’re up and running. A good franchisor doesn’t disappear after launch day. They stay involved, invested and available as the business evolves.
5. What Else Should You Be Paying Attention To?
There are always a few details that don’t get centre stage but matter deeply. Territory protection, brand reputation, scalability and the strength of operational systems all play a role in long term success. If something feels rushed, vague or overly complicated, take that as a sign to slow down. The right opportunity will stand up to scrutiny.
Part 2: The Questions to Ask Once You’ve Selected the Right Franchise
Once you’ve found a franchise that feels like a strong match, the next step is going deeper. These conversations aren’t about being difficult, they’re about setting clear expectations and building a solid foundation for a long-term partnership.
1. Financials – Understanding the Full Picture
This is where transparency matters most. Ask open ended questions about the total investment, ongoing fees and what those fees actually cover. Explore realistic return on investment timeframes and how much working capital franchisees typically need to stay steady in the early stages. A good franchisor won’t rush these conversations or dodge details, they’ll welcome them.
2. Support and Training Beyond Day One
Initial training is important, but ongoing support is what really drives success. Ask what continued guidance looks like once you’re operational, whether you’ll have a dedicated business manager and how the franchisor supports franchisees who hit challenges. Every business has challenges, what matters is how much help is available when they appear.
3. How the Business Operates in the Real World
Understanding operations helps avoid surprises later, ask how territories work, what systems are used to run the business, how marketing is handled and how supply chains are managed. Strong franchises rely on clear processes that make running the business easier, not harder.
4. The Franchise Agreement and Long Term Commitments
You should feel confident about the agreement you’re entering into, ask about the length of the term, renewal options, exit strategies and what happens if your circumstances change. Clarity here protects both sides and helps you plan for the future with confidence.
5. The Franchisor’s Background, Vision and Direction
This is about alignment, ask why the franchisor started the business, where they see the brand heading and what type of franchisee thrives in their network. Their answers will tell you a lot about the culture you’re stepping into and whether it matches your own ambitions.
6. The Relationship Factor – Can You See This Working Long Term?
This might be the most important part of all, a franchise is a partnership and relationships matter. Ask yourself whether you genuinely get on with the franchisor, whether communication feels open and respectful and whether you can imagine working together for years. Speak to existing franchisees and if possible, former ones too. Look at awards, achievements and customer reviews, do people value what this business delivers?
And finally, after all the conversations and careful thinking, ask yourself one last question, does this opportunity light a fire in you? Do you feel motivated, confident and excited to build something meaningful?
If it does, you’re likely on the right path.
We’re here to help
One thing we see time and time again is how valuable it is to talk things through with someone who isn’t emotionally attached to the opportunity. At SOOM, we speak with thousands of franchisees and prospective franchisees every year. We hear the wins, the challenges, the doubts and the lessons learned the hard way.
That perspective gives us a clear, honest view of what works, what doesn’t and what questions really matter before you sign anything.
So if you’re currently exploring franchise opportunities, comparing options or simply trying to work out whether franchising is the right move for you at all, you don’t have to figure it out alone. We’re always happy to have a no pressure conversation and offer some free, practical advice to help you make a more informed decision.
Sometimes a single conversation can save you years of frustration or give you the confidence to move forward knowing you’ve done your homework properly.