Any entrepreneur who is looking for a business opportunity wants to ensure that it will bring a return on investment. Whether it’s an existing business or a franchise opportunity, it’s a big decision - so choosing the right prospect is crucial.

In this article, BusinessesForSale.com - the most trusted global platform for buying and selling business opportunities - looks at five important aspects you should consider before choosing a franchise to invest in.

The Franchise System

When you’re searching for a franchise system to become part of, you’re aiming to find one that can offer stability in its operations as well as support for franchisees. Some signs of a successful franchise you might want to look for include:

Capital: Does the franchise system have sufficient capital to sustain its day-to-day operations, as well as provide opportunities for future growth? Look for financial information on publicly available company registries, or sign up to private providers of credit scores and reports to help find this information.
Development plan: The franchisor should have a development plan to keep the business on track. Before you commit, make sure you’re clued in to their long-term goals and strategy.
Knowledgeable and cooperative team: The people behind the business can make or break it. Franchisees should be experts, and everyone should be working toward a single goal. 
Support and training tools: A franchisor should always offer their franchisees training, tools, and support to run the franchise territory successfully.

Market Share 
Before you buy a franchise, it’s crucial to understand the demands of the industry you’re about to enter, as well as where your franchisor stands among its competitors. Investigating growth trends and challenges, as well as what it means for your local market, will help you gauge potential (or lack thereof). Does the franchise have strong differentiators, unique processes, or exclusive partnerships if it operates in a saturated market? 

Brand Reputation 
A franchise’s brand reputation is imperative to its success and survival. Attracting and retaining customers is the foundation of any business or franchise, and a good reputation will bolster this retention. It also helps to find out what your potential franchisor’s reputation is like with their existing franchisees: find out what challenges they’ve faced, and how they’ve been supported along the way.

Your Budget 
Your budget will impact the franchise you choose. Despite franchising being a favourable route into business ownership, many franchise brands are expensive to invest in. Most franchises require ongoing royalty and marketing fees, so the franchise you choose will be determined by the capital you have available for initial and ongoing costs. 

Training and Support 
Look for franchisors who offer extensive training and support to help you get up to speed with the brand, its products and your position in the market. Prioritise franchisors who offer robust HR systems, and regular performance reviews to help you align your franchise’s goals with those of the wider business.

Once you’ve done your research, you’ll be ready to take the plunge and invest in a franchise that works for you. Good luck on your entrepreneurial journey!