I. FRANCHISE BASICS AND TUTORIALS

As with every other business, franchise rules needs to be understood. The information outlined below are covering the basics and many useful tips:

• FAQ ("..Many people dream of being an entrepreneur. By purchasing a franchise, you often can sell goods and services that have instant name recognition and can obtain training and ongoing support to help you succeed!..")
  
• Franchise ("..Buying a franchise may be an option if you're looking for a way to blend the ownership of an independent business with the reduced risk of a tried and true business concept..." - Article)
• Use a Franchise Broker - The risks of using an online broker may outweigh the supposed benefits. (Detailed)
  
• Ask an Expert (Archive to over 40 interesting franchise columns)
• Franchise Start-Up Costs - What do all those terms in the UFOC mean?
• Starting Your Franchise Own System ("..Franchising is an excellent way to increase your profits, much more rapidly than if you expanded on your own. As a franchisor, you will have franchisees, people who own their own business, working for you. Therefore..")
• Avoiding And Managing Financial Crisis: Budgeting and Planning to Save Your Franchise Business (Article/Tutorial)
• Structuring the Franchise Relationship ("..we will discuss the basic considerations of structuring a franchise offering or relationship based on a desired growth model...")
• Understanding and Managing Franchise Relationships ("..The relationship between a franchisor and a franchisee has many parallels to a "marriage." As such, the franchise relationship typically has several phases, including courtship, commitment, honeymoon, recognition of shortcomings and differences..")
• The Franchise Alternative (Basics, Advantage & Disadvantages Of A Franchise, What To Look For In A Franchise...")
• Knowing the Do's and Don'ts in Buying a Franchise ("..If the idea of starting a business of your own from scratch is scary, you may consider buying an existing franchise from a company that has already established a track record of success and will teach you how to use their proven methods. Here are some tips in buying a franchise...")
• Examining Franchise Costs ("..If the only benefit you received from joining a franchise system was an accurate estimate of the costs of developing the business, sources for equipment and suppliers, and the knowledge of how much working capital you needed until the business could support itself, the investment in a franchise may still be worthwhile..")
• How Franchising Works: Creating a Plan ("..Most likely, when you set out to buy a franchise you will need a business loan of some sort. To get a business loan, you will also need a business plan. Writing a business plan for a franchise, however, is slightly different from writing one for your own new business startup...")
  
• and more...

II. EVALUATING FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES

Want to buy a Franchise? Then learn how to evaluate Franchise opportunities:

• Evaluating a Franchise Opportunity : The Franchisor ("...we explore the process which prospective franchisees should follow when seeking to embark upon a new business venture...")
• How to Select a Franchise - This is a very big subject so we will try to be as laser like as possible and give you the essence of the information you need in order to properly select a franchise.
• How to Choose the Correct Franchise ("..You've made the decision to purchase a franchise as opposed to going ahead on your own. To increase your chances of success, you need to evaluate yourself, assess your strengths and weaknesses, and most important of all, evaluate the franchisor and the market in which he operates...")
• Evaluating Franchise Offerings and Counseling Prospective Franchisees ("..This article will examine some of the legal and business counseling issues presented when evaluating franchise offerings and counseling prospective franchisees. These articles are intended to provide an overview to the practitioner who does not regularly practice franchise law or is unfamiliar with regulations concerning the offering, sale and franchise relationships in the states at issue..")
• Question from a franchise buyer ("..The franchisee who buys a franchise usually risks everything, but the franchisor, What risk do they have?..")
• Tips for Researching a Franchise Business ("..A franchise operation can be an excellent investment for people dreaming of self-employment. Franchise opportunities fall into three basic categories...")
• Franchise Opportunities. Looking for a franchise? (Information on companies offering franchises...)
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III. FRANCHISE CHECKLISTS

Buying and evaluating a Franchise is easier when following some checklist:

• Read This Franchise Checklist Before You Buy A Franchise
• Checklist For Buying A Franchise ("..The success rate for a franchise business is generally better than for many start-up businesses. But success is never guaranteed. One of the biggest mistakes a franchise buyer makes is..")
  
• Decision Making Checklist ("..is designed to provide you with a step-by-step guide to the items you need to understand, complete or schedule in making an informed business decision....")
  
• and more...

IV. FRANCHISE LAW AND LEGALS

It is recommend to understand the franchise law and the finer points of a franchise contract:

• An Introduction to Franchise Law ("..In recognition of franchising’s unique characteristics and its benefits to the overall economy, franchise systems are generally afforded a degree of understanding by courts and regulators with respect to certain labor, employment, tax and agency liability issues..." - Articel & Tutorial)
• Guide to FTC Franchise Rule
• Florida Franchise & Dealership Law (Detailed)
• Franchise Law In Ontario, Canada ("..a general description of franchise law within the Province of Ontario, Canada...")
• The Risks of Franchise Contract Liquidated Damage Clauses (Article & Tutorial)
• and more...