Franchise Resource Information

The following are some important organizations and web sites, which could be helpful in investigating and selecting a franchise.

(IFA) International Franchise Association

http://franchise.org/

The IFA is an international association to help regulate, teach, consult, train, monitor and maintain a healthy franchise industry for both the franchisee and the franchisor. Most established franchise companies would join and be a part of this organization.

“International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA’s mission is to protect, enhance and promote franchising through government relations, public relations and educational programs.”

At the IFA site you will find:

• Detailed information for over 1,100 franchises
• A complete list of subject matter experts, and
• The most comprehensive library of franchising information available ranging from basic “how to’s” to advanced regulatory and legal information.

Your consultants Kevin and Chad Olson have both been guest speakers and workshop presenters at the IFA Conventions.

(SBA) U.S. Small Business Administration

http://sba.gov/

The SBA is a government organization made to assist small business growth and entrepreneurism. They can help in lending by either guaranteeing loans and/or making them.

The SBA not only can help with possible loans and grants but they can teach you how to start and manage a business, counsel and provide free training to business owners and future business owners. Your consultants have helped many others work and get loans with the SBA. 

(FTC) Federal Trade Commission

http://www.ftc.gov/

The FTC is a U.S. government organization which regulates businesses, among them the franchising industry. The FTC forces franchising companies to disclose important items about each and every franchise company. This information is contained in a document called the (FDD) Franchise Disclosure Document. This is one of the most important documents, which should be review by anyone buying a franchise.

(BBB) Better Business Bureau

http://www.bbb.org/

This is an organization which helps in keeping businesses honest. When a person has a complaint about a business, one of the first places they can complain to is the BBB. Whenever a person wants to use a product, service or see if anyone has ever had a complaint about a company, this is a good place to call.

(CFA) Canadian Franchise Association

http://www.cfa.ca/

This is the Canadian form of the IFA. It is there to assist and help the franchising industry in Canada.

(SCORE) Counselors to America’s Small Business

www.score.org

SCORE mentors offer free, helpful business advice online and through face-to-face mentoring. SCORE mentors are generally successful businesspersons or retired professionals who most of the times have owned their own companies. They can give a person advice in almost every aspect of business ownership including; budgeting, marketing, business set-up, salesmanship, buying, inventory control, hiring and firing, etc.

This organization has many local offices throughout the United States where they hold workshops; give training helps and newsletters to assist most anyone interested in becoming a business owner.