• Does the franchisor staff attend seminars on franchising and management?
• Do field consultants offer help and guidance or merely act in a regulatory role?
• How many franchises are expected to be added each year?
• Where will they be located?
• What is the success rate of existing franchises?
• What method is used to protect franchisees from poorly performing franchises?
• Is there a franchise owners association?
• Is there a franchise advisory council?
• Who owns the trademarks, service marks, etc., and are they federally registered? 
• Are there any disputes pending or threatened against the trademark. 
• Has the franchisor complied with the FTC and state disclosure laws?
• Are any senior management or key personnel leaving the system?
• Does this company compete with the franchisees in the marketplace?
• Will the franchisor finance any of the costs?
• Is the franchisor willing to negotiate the terms of the franchise. 
  

What is the total investment required to own a franchise?

• franchise fee
• furniture, fixtures, and equipment
• leasehold improvements
• lease deposits
• other deposits
• franchise training
• travel expense
• supplies
• advertising and brochures
• grand-opening advertising
• inventory
• pre opening staff costs
• working capital until breakeven
• working capital - living expenses
• other

What are the continued financial costs, the basis used for calculation, method of payment and frequency of payment?:

• royalties
• advertising

Must the franchisee purchase products or services from the franchisor?:

• Does the franchisor earn income on purchases?
• How much does the franchisor earn?
• How are the products distributed?
• How long does it take for the orders to be filled?
• What other initial or continuing services does the franchisor provide?  What do these costs?

• What type of consumer research has the company conducted. 
• What were the results?
• Has the franchisor conducted any market studies on the territory to ensure that it can support a franchise?
• What are the demographics required to support a franchise?
• What are the traffic counts required to support a franchise?

• What are the location, duration and additional costs of initial training?
• Who must attend the training?
• What is the cost of additional staff attending training?
• What is the training curriculum?
• Who conducts the training and what are their backgrounds?
• Who pays for transportation, room and living expenses?
• Does the franchisor provide training materials for training new staff in addition to the operations manuals?
• Does the franchisor provide hands-on assistance during the pre-opening, grand opening and initial period?  Of what type, duration and cost?

• Are there any new products or services under consideration for addition to the franchise?
• When are they going to be introduced
• what is the estimated additional cost for adding the new products or services?
• Are there any restrictions on the distribution or sale of the product?
• Is there a guarantee or warranty program?
• How is it administered and what is the cost?
• Is there a minimum that must be purchased?

• What are the roles and responsibilities of the field staff?
• How many locations does each franchise consultant work?
• What is the background of the franchise consultant I will be working with?  Can I meet that person before purchasing the franchise?
• How often does the field staff visit a franchisee's location?
• What is the additional cost of field services if the franchisee requires it?
• Exactly what kind of assistance is given?
• What kind of supervision or quality control is there?
• What, if any, is the charge for assistance?
• What kind of business management systems are provided to boost sales and profits?

• What type of consumer advertising does the company recommend?
• What types of cooperative advertising programs are being used?
• What percentage of sales is recommended or required for advertising or marketing?
• How do the franchisees obtain their sales leads or customers?
• What is the franchisor's national/regional advertising program and budget?
• What portion of the national/regional advertising contribution is used for administrative/corporate/agency expenses and fees?
• What are the primary advertising/marketing vehicles?
• What is the grand opening advertising program and cost?