In looking for a franchising opportunity, your search horizon is wider than if you were seeking to establish a new business, which may need to be based on your occupational skills. There is generally no such restriction with franchising.  While personal qualities are important for potential franchisees, having a specific occupation skill that matches the chosen franchise is not always necessary. Most franchisors operate on the basis that they can train prospective franchisees how to operate the franchise with appropriate technical support.

However, they cannot teach them personal qualities such as eagerness to succeed, willingness to learn and determination to adapt and do what it takes to achieve objectives. Consequently, in selecting franchisees, most franchisers place greater importance on these qualities, along with an acceptable level of education, than on work specific skills.  And that raises a point.  While you may want to buy a particular franchise, the franchisor may not want to sell it to you because they may deem you to be unsuitable.

To get a "feel" for what it's like to operate a franchise, you may find it helpful to introduce yourself to the operators of three or four franchise outlets that you patronize and ask about the franchise lifestyle.

Once you have assembled a mental picture of the kind of franchise operation in which you would be comfortable - and could probably afford to buy - write to, say half a dozen franchisers and ask them to send you a prospective franchisee's kit.

This typically includes a history of the franchisor, including financial statements of profitability of its principals, a draft U.F.O.C. /Franchise Agreement, projections of the likely level of business and, of course, details of territories in which franchise outlets are available. This kit may include a Disclosure Document, which is discussed in more detail later in this guide.

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