What is a Franchise Consultant

Users going through our site often come across this term “Franchise Consultant” and seem puzzled by what it means. It’s not the easiest idea to understand and a quick search online doesn’t seem to make it that much clearer. The Wikipedia article for “Franchise Consultant” starts by saying “'Franchise consulting' traditionally meant the same consultant-to-client relationship as any other industry wherein the consultant charges a 'fee for services'.”

Seriously? What is that supposed to mean?

After reading that vague description I wanted to write up a quick post about what franchise consulting is and how it can be helpful to someone who is interested in opening a franchise.

One Version of the Term:

This is the version that Wikipedia described in their intro. There was (and still is) an industry for consultants who specialize in helping franchises improve their business practices to improve their bottom line. So think of any other type of business consultant and narrow their range to helping franchises and you have one definition of a “Franchise Consultant”. But, that isn’t the typical definition of the term.

What is Usually Meant:

The term “Franchise Consultant” is now more commonly used to refer to someone who helps potential franchisees open a new franchise and who helps franchisors expand their business. They typically help people at both ends of the business. As for all situations where agents are serving multiple groups (real estate agents are another example) there can be some sort of principal-agent issues involved, but franchise consultants can still be critically important to someone who is looking to start their own business. Franchise consultants have experience and connections within the franchising world that allows them to link new franchisees to the right resources and franchises for them.

Sorry for the quick post but I hope it helped.

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