How to Start a Franchise

Franchising Information

Franchise oppotunities are all around us today. You may pop into Starbucks for coffee and then head for lunch at MacDonalds before returning home and ordering your dinner from another local franchise, Pizza Hut. Many of the most popular outlets you visit may be franchises as they offer the security of a brand name and the attraction of starting your own business.

The world of Franchise is certainly complex but many people are now seriously looking at starting a franchise as they look to leave their routine day jobs and embark on an exciting business opportunity and run their own business. Indeed many franchise fairs and seminars are now the perfect location to meet franchise experts and discuss funding and business plans to determine what type of niche you may quickly recoup your investment with.

Selecting the correct franchise opportunity is vital and you should research the company history and seek advice from current franchise owners before making important decisions. Many franchise opportunities allow you a great degree of freedom with your marketing and advertising, however many others have trademark guidelines and company policies which you must be aware of before launching a promotion.

Joining your local chamber of commerce or business club is a good first step as many business owners have experience in the franchise industry and also have a great network of contacts that could give your franchise business a great head start. Your local business enterprise will also be able to help you formulate a business plan and budget as well as possibly providing a small grant for start up costs.

Starting your own franchise has never been easier and you could even lead you on the road to becoming a multi franchise where you also recruit others to join your network.

Business Plan Questionnaire
Print this questionnaire from your computer. Provide as much information as you can. If you don't have an answer to a certain question, move on to the next one. Many answers will present themselves during the plan development process.When you're ready, return it, along with your check for $199, to: Olson Business Development, P.O. Box 3348, Frederick, MD 21705. Questions?  Call Chris Olson at

1. ID Information

Name:
Company Name:
Address:
City, State Zip:
Phone #:
Fax #:
E-mail Address:

2. Sources of Funds

Type of Financing? (Circle one)   Loan       Investment

Amount Needed? _________

How Much of Your Own Money Will You Invest? _________

3. Purpose of Loan
Check the appropriate one:

___ Become a NaturaLawn franchisee and establish a new operation

___ Convert an existing non-affiliated company  to a NaturaLawn franchise

4. Uses of Funds

Purchase Initial Inventory:
Purchase Computers, Office Equipment, Furniture:
Purchase Other Equipment or Vehicles:
Franchise Fee:
Retire Current Debt:
Travel/Training/Lodging:
Leasehold Improvements:
Other Start-up Expenses:
Working Capital:
Other (explain):

5. Client Count Goals
Provide your targets for the number of clients you plan to have at the following milestones.

6. Your Market
What is your geographic market area? If you can provide any information about local real estate trends (home sales, housing starts), please send it along.

7. Staffing
Provide the requested information about your projected staff. Include yourself and any co-owners who materially participate in the operation of the business and/or receive salaries or wages from the business. If your staff will include more than 10 people, provide information only for key management personnel.

Name                             Position                                          Annual Salary/Wage

8. Ownership
Owner/Co-Owner                     % of Ownership

Provide a resume or 2-3 paragraph work history for each owner who participates materially in the operation of the business.

9. Facilities
If you will not operate the company from your vhome, provide a brief description of the facilities from which you will operate. Include square footage, rent, and improvements needed to prepare the site for operations.

10. Notes Payable
To help us project all of  your future interest and loan principal payments, please provide descriptions of all business notes payable that will remain after you receive the requested funding (don't include the requested loan). This question is primarily for owners of non-affiliated real estate offices who are converting their operations to NaturaLawn franchises.

Purpose of Loan

Current Balance

Original Balance

Date of Origin

Monthly Payment

Term (Years)

Interest Rate

11. Work Agreement
Sign and date below.

a. Work to be Done
Olson Business Development will develop a business plan for use in obtaining financing.

b. Fee
The fee will be $399, payable upon the following schedule:
$199 upon the commencement of work
$200 upon the complete of work or 30 days after the commencement of work, whichever comes first.

c. Non-Disclosure
Olson Business Development pledges that it will not disclose to anyone, without the expressed permission of the client, any information about the client that may be regarded as proprietary.

d. Limitations
Client pledges that all information it provides to Olson Business Development is, to the best of its knowledge, truthful and accurate. Client takes full responsibility for all information presented in the completed business plan.

__________________________________________	_______________
Signature	Date

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