Three questions to answer before your first franchisor call

When your coach introduces you to a brand, the first call is with someone on their franchise development team. They are friendly, and they are qualifying you. The call goes better, and faster, when you have three answers ready.

1. Why this brand, in one sentence

Not "it scored well". The score got the brand onto your list; your reason keeps it there. "I have run field crews and I want a service business with recurring customers" is a reason. A brand can work with that. It tells them what to show you and what to skip.

2. Where, and when

Franchise sales teams think in territories and openings. Know the area you want, in a form they can check on a map, and the quarter you want to open. If you have already sent a territory request through your portal, say so. If your timeline depends on something, a house sale or a notice period, say that too. Vague answers here put you at the bottom of their list.

3. How you would fund it

You do not need a loan approved before the first call. You do need to have thought about it. "About half from savings and I am talking to a lender about an SBA loan for the rest" is enough. It tells the brand you are real, and it gives your coach something to work with when they introduce you to a funding partner.

What you do not need

You do not need to have read the whole FDD. You will receive it after this call, in your document room, and the 14 day clock starts when you acknowledge it. You do not need to negotiate anything. And you do not need to say yes to a Discovery Day date on the first call, whatever the enthusiasm on the other end.

After the call

Tell your coach how it went, in your messages. They log it to your deal, and they have usually heard something from the brand by then too. If the call left you cold, that is useful information and not a failure. We move to the next brand on the list.