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If you do a search on Google on 'franchise' or 'franchise information' then you are likely to be presented with thousands of pages of franchise advertisers, franchise consultants, franchise marketplace websites and possible a franchise association.
I have been seriously researching the industry for a number of years now and the number of good information sources I have found are few and far between. There are a number of good books on Franchising on amazon and I strongly suggest that if you are seriously examining buying a franchise then you read as many as you can. You can never do enough research.
I have just come off the back of two days solid of research on google on franchises and I have yet to find any information sites that are not in some way 'sponsored' or funded by franchises or consultants.
Why is this? Do you know any?
The franchise Industry is big business and the opportunities to get impartial, informative advice and information are few and far between.
If you are considering buying a franchise then the biggest piece of advice I can offer is to consider the motivation of any article, web site and 'guru' that you come across. Do your due diligence and ask what their motivation is for providing that information.
To begin that process, let me give my honest answer:
I am writing a blog to give impartial advice from some one who has been a franchisee. I have seen the good and the bad of the franchise industry and have lost a lot of money.
I have spent the last three years, and more, fully researching the franchise industry and have been struck by the lack of impartial advice and information. I have a small vested interest as I am writing a manual on my experiences and how you can avoid them and will be launching it soon. Apart from that, however, I have no other interest in providing you information other than making sure you make the right decision for the rest of your future.
Learning about the franchise industry from honest people can give you every chance of success when researching and buying a franchise. Using the Internet to it's full potential as a tool for your research is a must and at the end of the day with the right knowledge in hand you can come away with a fantastic business for life which can support your and your family in the way that you want to live. Without doing the proper research it is likely you will buy into the wrong type of franchise for you or one which may well collapse in the near future, leaving a gaping hole in your pocket and with little no no resources left to set up fresh.
To your future business success.
The world is an information highway now with a multitude of different avenues for receiving it. When looking to buy a franchise or interested in franchising your business you have 3 main options of where to gain your franchise information from. Please find below descriptions of franchise websites, franchise magazines and franchise exhibitions!
1. Franchise websites
There are many hundreds, if not thousands of franchise information websites out there. Ranging from franchise directories through to franchise review sites and to authoritative industry leaders. All these sites have their own purpose and value and whatever information you need, believe me you will find it on the web. Sites such and the IFA and the BFA will give you authoritative articles and information on the franchise industry however depending on what information you are looking for these are all bias to ensure only good reviews of franchises are published. There are many independent sites also which offer unbiased reviews and publications which although are not authoritative sites are still very good franchise information resources.
2. Magazine Publications
Franchising is a niche industry and with it comes some great niche magazine publications. Although the readership is not huge you will find that they contain a wealth of franchise information on the country's franchise industry. From top ten franchises through to exhibition dates through to individual franchise reviews. They are a great way of learning more about the industry and keeping you up to date with the latest franchise news. If you prefer your reading off line then they can be flicked through in the comfort of your own home and are a great way of getting your franchise information. To learn more about what are the best franchise publications though your best bet is to search the internet, do a few google searches for "franchise Magazines" and you should come up with the industry leaders and even be able to order them online.
3. Franchise Exhibitions
Although a niche industry, it is also a very large and profitable one. throughout the entire year you will be able to find franchise exhibitions being held up and down the country. Many of these attract thousands of people and have stand after stand of franchise opportunities selling their wares, as well as stand offering franchise financing, franchise information and everything else you can imagine. These events are great and offer a real hands on approach to gaining your franchise information. even if you cannot attend many you should at least try and attend one!
However you gain your franchise information you are certainly not going to be short of avenues, there are literally thousands of franchise websites, franchise exhibitions and franchise magazines all devoted to this highly profitable industry, my personal preference? Google is my friend! Do a few Google searches for franchise and you will be sure to come up with the most authoritative sites on the internet, full of franchise information. Google is also your best way of finding out what magazine publications are available and even what franchise exhibitions dates and locations are.