International Law

The Truth about Franchisor Support and Training

Many prospects reading the article Buying A Franchise would assume that Mark Harris would know what he was talking about when he wrote:

"The number one benefit of becoming a franchisee is that you will not be starting from scratch on your own. When you buy a franchise you have two distinct things on your side.

First and foremost you can take advantage of the name recognition of the franchise. This alone will help you to drive traffic to your business from day one.

And of course, as a franchisee you will receive support from the franchisor. Again, this helps during the start up process because you are not forced to do everything on your own."

Unfortunately, Mr. Harris is having us on - the franchise contract rarely if ever obligates that franchisor to provide training.

How can you find this out?

Item 11 of the UFOC will disclose what legal obligations that the franchisor has to you, under the contract.

Here is a typical item 11 UFOC, from Play and Trade Video.

The franchisor does not promise any assistance other than helping you open the store, provide initial training which lasts 3 days, lend you some operating manuals, and train you at your request and $500 per day.

Uh, this doesn't sound like support. It sounds like once the opening day has come and gone you are on your own.

Full post as published by Misleading Advertising Law on February 19, 2008 (boomark / email).