Franchise FAQ

do i need a franchise license

by Mr. Johann Pollich Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Now to answer your question, no. You don’t necessarily need a license or certification to begin your career in this business, however, industry wide it is recommended. The not-so-pressing need to become licensed might sound appealing to any potential franchise broker.

There are no requirements when it comes to registration for buying a franchise. The federal government does, however, require that you are presented with a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) from the franchisor.

Full Answer

Why do you need a business license to start a franchise?

Another reason is that you will have so much guidance when it comes to which business licenses your franchise needs. The first step to building your new business is to obtain your franchise license. When you buy a franchise, you automatically get a license to use the brand and operating methods of the business.

What is the difference between franchising and buying a business?

The main difference between franchising and buying an existing business is the level of control you’ll have over your business. A franchise is a business model where one business owner (the “franchisor”) sells the rights to their business logo, name, and model to an independent entrepreneur (the “franchisee”).

What is a a franchise dealer license?

A franchise dealer license is issued to a specific person or business entity for a specific showroom (location). This license is not transferrable to another person or another business entity. A separate franchise license is required for each separate showroom.

How much does it cost to start a franchise?

Here are the main financial elements of starting a franchise: Franchise purchase fee: This can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the license. Minimum liquid capital: A generally good idea is to have $50,000 to $60,000 for a service-based business, and $75,000 to $100,000 of liquid capital for a facilities-based business.

What is a franchise license?

Who can lease a motor vehicle owned by the dealer?

What is a service only facility?

Can a dealer license a service only facility?

Can you transfer a franchise license to another person?

Does TXDMV license repair?

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Is it better to license or franchise?

A license arrangement is generally easier and cheaper to set up than a franchise concept. Ongoing management is also less demanding. However, you are giving up a lot of control over the quality of the products and services the licensee will provide, and this could damage your reputation.

What qualifies a business as a franchise?

A franchise is a business whereby the owner licenses its operations—along with its products, branding, and knowledge—in exchange for a franchise fee. The franchisor is the business that grants licenses to franchisees.

Can you run a franchise without being there?

Semi-absentee and absentee franchises might operate without you, but you will still need the capital necessary to keep it afloat and then to expand and buy more franchises. An absentee franchise's primary benefit is that you don't have to be there for it to run and function.

What's the difference between franchise and license?

Franchises and licenses are both business agreements in which certain brand aspects are shared in exchange for a fee. However, a franchising agreement pertains to a business's entire brand and operations, while a licensing agreement only applies to registered trademarks.

What are the 4 types of franchising?

The four types of franchise business you can invest inJob or operator franchise. These owner operator franchises are usually home based, which keeps overheads down to a minimum. ... Management franchise. ... Retail and fast food franchises. ... Investment franchise.

Can anyone start a franchise?

Before you can get your operation going, you'll need to have enough initial capital as well as an overall net worth before even considering starting a franchise. Unless you're independently wealthy, you may have to borrow money. Start with commercial banks since they fund many types of franchises.

Should I form an LLC before buying a franchise?

Personal Asset Protection With a franchise, it's important to form an LLC before you ever sign your franchise agreement. This is because it's vital to have personal asset protection before you start transacting business.

What a franchisee Cannot do?

You'll only be able to sell products and/or services that are stated in the contract. For example, if you buy a dry-cleaning franchise, you aren't permitted to sell donuts and coffee to your customers.

Is owning a franchise a full time job?

Buying a franchise doesn't have to mean making a full-time commitment. Believe it or not, there are many franchises that can be run on a part-time basis, especially when you first start out.

What are the disadvantages of licensing?

Disadvantages of LicensingThe licensor having loss of control of their intellectual property.The licensor having to depend on the skills, abilities, and resources of the licensee to generate revenues.The licensor being exposed to intellectual property theft by the licensee.

What are benefits of licensing?

Licensing adds new dimensions to your business. With licensing, you can obtain higher return on investment and justify the cost incurred in designing and offering your proprietary software solution(s).

Is Starbucks a chain or a franchise?

Starbucks doesn't technically offer franchises, as all of the brand's worldwide stores are company-owned. But if you're interested in a Starbucks franchise, you're not completely out of luck. The company does license some of its stores, which from an operational standpoint is quite similar to being a franchise owner.

Is KFC a franchise?

KFC Franchise is owned by Yum! brands, global franchisor whose 3 restaurant brands, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC, are amongst the largest and most well-known franchises in the world. They are leaders in their respective industries - Pizza, Mexican and chicken. Yum!

Is Starbucks a franchise?

Starbucks Coffee doesn't franchise. Even though franchising is a classic, successful growth strategy for myriad beloved, familiar brands, Starbucks does not grant franchises. It's not because franchising isn't a time-tested model for growth. Many companies offer franchises.

Is McDonald's franchised?

McDonald's is an equal opportunity franchisor by choice. We seek individuals who are capable of operating multiple locations. Candidates who have successfully operated multiple businesses may be suited to operating several McDonald's franchises.

What is an example of a franchise business?

Examples of well-known franchise business models include McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Subway, United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS), and H&R Block (NYSE: HRB).

Search / Verify Licenses or Projects - Texas Department of Licensing ...

Helping Small Business and Consumers Since 1909. License Types Regulated by TDLR. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors; Elimination of Architectural Barriers

Independent (GDN) License | TxDMV.gov

Independent Motor Vehicle - May buy, sell, or exchange any type of used cars, trucks, motor homes, and neighborhood vehicles. May buy, sell, repair, or rebuild salvage motor vehicles and nonrepairable motor vehicles. May use dealer's temporary tags, buyer's temporary tags, and metal dealer license plates on motor vehicles only.

Dealer License Application Process | TxDMV.gov

Please give us a good contact phone number on new applications, amendments, and renewals. It will save time and help us contact you if we need more information to approve your request. Review your documents before sending them to save time.. If you are uncertain about the completeness of your application for any reason, call and speak to a Licensing Specialist before submission.

Texas Car Dealer Licensing Requirements | DMV.ORG

Texas is a very big state, and reliable vehicles are a necessity for getting around its wide-open spaces. With so many Texans owning motor vehicles, the auto sales industry boasts high-volume turnover. To regulate this trade, the state subjects Texas automobile dealers to many legal restrictions and requirements.

Search the TDLR Website - Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

Helping Small Business and Consumers Since 1909. License Types Regulated by TDLR. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors; Elimination of Architectural Barriers

Texas Franchise Law and FDD Registration

Texas Franchise Law. Texas has not enacted franchise specific laws and is not a franchise registration state. However, Texas has enacted Business Opportunity Laws and, before offering or selling a franchise in Texas, you must first file a one-time Business Opportunity Exemption Notice with the Texas Secretary of State. By filing an exemption notice, you are certifying that you have a properly ...

What Franchise Brokers Do

The prospect of finding a perfect franchise match is quite intimidating to navigate alone, especially for first-time franchisees. People are looking to open franchises, but they need guidance to do it right. That’s where franchise brokers come into the picture.

What Franchise Brokers Need

Interested in pursuing a career as a franchise broker? Then you need to know what is required of you! As a general rule of thumb, there are no licenses or certifications necessary to become a franchise broker except for two states, NY and WA.

Franchise Broker Training: Set Yourself up for Success!

Despite the lenient licensing situation, there are still plenty of trustworthy franchise brokers out there, including our team of fully trained franchise brokers. If you want to learn more about how you can become a successful franchise broker, check out our training or get in touch with our team today.

What is a franchise license?

The franchise license is different than other types of licensed businesses. With a franchise, you’re given the freedom to duplicate the business in your location. This license comes with stipulations that you will manage and operate the business under the franchisee’s rules.

What does it mean to buy a franchise?

When you buy a franchise, you automatically get a license to use the brand and operating methods of the business. This is the big benefit of having a franchise -- a license to use the marketing materials, brand name, business model and other aspects of the company to build your own independently owned business.

How long do you have to get a franchise disclosure document?

This document will have extensive details about what you can expect when buying the franchise. You must receive this document at least five days before you and the franchisor begin work together.

Is it easier to start a franchise or start a business from scratch?

Starting a franchise is far easier than starting a business from scratch. One reason for this is that you have a proven business model backing you. Another reason is that you will have so much guidance when it comes to which business licenses your franchise needs.

Can you sell a franchise in a store?

If you license a business, you get the ability to sell a company’s products in your store. You can buy the license to sell a franchise’s products, but that will not grant you the rights to open the franchise itself. For example, the Disney Corporation sells franchises of The Disney Store, and it also sells the license to sell Disney products.

Do you need a license for a daycare?

Each state requires different licenses. So does each industry. For example, you could need a daycare license if you’re starting an at-home childcare franchise.

Are There Regulations For the Franchisor?

Franchisors have their own set of regulations with the federal and state governments.

What is the difference between a franchise and a license?

However, a franchising agreement pertains to a business’s entire brand and operations, while a licensing agreement only applies to registered trademarks. Franchises typically work best for service-based businesses, while licenses are more conducive to product-based businesses. A licensee has more control over how they run their business compared to a franchisee, whose business will be dictated by the franchise owner (franchisor). However, a franchisee will also receive significant guidance and training from the franchisor.

What is franchising a franchise?

Franchising is a deeper, more complicated business relationship and agreement than licensing. A franchisor retains control over how their brand is used and how each franchise under their name is operated.

What is franchising?

A franchise is a business agreement between a franchisor and a franchisee. The franchisor is the owner of a business. The franchisor sells the rights to their brand — including products and services, intellectual property and more — to a franchisee, who will open up a separate branch under that brand’s name, which is essentially a duplicate of the original business.

Why is franchising important?

Franchising also has the benefit of a shared relationship. The franchisor gets to scale their business rapidly while minimizing some of the work , which is instead done by franchisees. Additionally, the franchisee works with the franchisor to manage the business and learn business skills that they may not know already.

What are the pros and cons of becoming a franchisee?

One of the pros of becoming a franchisee is all the benefits of being a self-employed business owner without the risks of starting a new business. Franchises come with the bonus that they’re already a proven business model with a pre-established customer base.

What is a licensee?

Licensing, on the other hand, is a limited, legal business relationship where a specific party is granted rights to use certain registered trademarks of a brand. The business relationship is between the licensor (the one who owns the trademarks) and licensee (the one who is granted rights to use them).

How much does it cost to franchise a business?

In comparison to a license, a franchise will seem much more expensive and complicated. Initial franchise fees can cost between $10,000 and $50,000 — then there are the ongoing fees to keep in mind. This might seem exorbitant, but it’s important to remember that you’re getting access to an entire business. In comparison, a licensing agreement only gives you access to use specific trademarks in certain ways. So, a license will be cheaper and less complicated, but it also gives you access to a lot less.

How to decide whether to franchise or buy a business?

Quantify your investment: Review your financial landscape and decide how much you’re willing to spend to purchase — and ultimately manage — the business.

What is a franchise business?

A franchise is a business model where one business owner (the “franchisor”) sells the rights to their business logo, name, and model to an independent entrepreneur (the “franchisee”). Restaurants, hotels, and service-oriented businesses are commonly franchised. Two common forms of franchising are:

What is business format franchising?

Business format franchising : The franchisor and franchisee have an ongoing relationship. This style of franchising normally focuses on full-spectrum business management.

What is the difference between franchising and buying a business?

The main difference between franchising and buying an existing business is the level of control you’ll have over your business.

What is the most common form of franchising?

Two common forms of franchising are: Product/trade name franchising : The franchisor owns the right to the name or trademark of a business, and sells the right to use that name and trademark to a franchisee. This style of franchising normally focuses on supply chain management.

What does a franchisor do?

Typically, the franchisor offers services like site selection, training, product supply, marketing plans, and even help getting funding. When you buy a franchise, you get the right to use the name, logo, and products of a larger brand. You’ll also get to benefit from brand recognition, promotions, and marketing.

What are the zoning requirements for a business?

Zoning requirements : Zoning requirements may affect your business. Make sure your business follows all the basic zoning laws in your area. Environmental concerns : If you're buying real property along with the business, it's important to check the environmental regulations in the area.

What are the fees associated with owning a franchise?

There are other fees associated with owning and operating a franchise business. These include marketing fees and royalties. When you own a franchise, one of the things you’re hoping to capitalize on is the brand. Franchisors spend thousands of dollars every year to advertise their brand.

How much does a franchise cost?

Today’s franchise fees range from $20, 000-$50, 000, unless you’re considering purchasing a Master Franchise. (Master franchises involve purchasing a large geographical area and selling franchises in that area.)

How much royalty do you pay for a food franchise?

Specifically, if you own a food franchise doing $1.5 million annually, and your franchisor charges a 5% royalty, you’d be paying $75, 000 in royalties to the franchisor every year. In contrast, if you own a business consulting franchise, the royalty percentage may be 10%, which does sound high.

Why do you pay upfront for franchise?

They’re the cost of entry. Paying the upfront franchise fee unlocks the door to the franchisors’ proprietary business systems and more. You get the complete setup. The franchise fee is literally a license to own and operate the franchise business. That’s why you must pay it.

How much royalties do franchises get?

Franchise royalties range from 4% of your revenue all the way up to 12% or more. The amount has to do with the type of franchise business.

Is franchising a franchise fee?

As shown above, franchise fees are a necessary part of franchising.

Is there a royalty fee for franchises?

Royalties. There’s another fee you’ll be paying as a franchisee. It’s a royalty. Franchise royalties are usually collected by your franchisor on a monthly basis. Like marketing fees, these fees are based on a percentage of your revenue. But there’s one major difference; the percentages are higher.

What is a franchise license?

You need both a Franchise License and a General Distinguishing Number (GDN or P-number) to buy, sell, service, or exchange new motor vehicles, motorcycles, or towable RVs (including travel trailers, but not including utility trailers/semitrailers).

Who can lease a motor vehicle owned by the dealer?

The exception to this is a franchised dealer, who may lease a motor vehicle owned by the dealer and of a line-make the dealer is licensed to sell.

What is a service only facility?

A service-only facility is a location occupied and operated by a franchised dealer that is a completely separate, non-contiguous site, from the franchised dealer's new vehicle sales and service or sales only location, where the franchised dealer will perform warranty and non-warranty repair services. TxDMV does not license a facility that performs ...

Can a dealer license a service only facility?

The dealer may not obtain a service-only facility license to service a particular line-make of new motor vehicles, unless the dealer is also franchised and licensed to sell that line-make.

Can you transfer a franchise license to another person?

This license is not transferrable to another person or another business entity. A separate franchise license is required for each separate showroom. Multiple vehicle line-makes may be sold in the same showroom, so long as each line-make is listed on the franchise license.

Does TXDMV license repair?

TxDMV does not license a facility that performs only non-warranty repairs.

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Franchising vs. Licensing

Federal Government Registration

  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) does not require any type of registration for anyone buying a franchise or the franchisor. The only requirements are around how the buying process takes place. The franchisor must present you, the franchise buyer, with a franchise disclosure document (FDD). This document will have extensive details about what you ...
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State Licensing

  • As a franchisee, you do not have to register in your state. Instead, it’s the franchisor who must go through the business licensing process. Currently, there are only 13 states that require a franchisor to register. These states include: 1. California 2. Hawaii 3. Illinois 4. Indiana 5. Maryland 6. Michigan 7. Minnesota 8. New York 9. North Dakota 10. Rhode Island 11. Virginia 12. Washing…
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Legal Or Regulatory Requirements

  • Each state requires different licenses. So does each industry. For example, you could need a daycare license if you’re starting an at-home childcare franchise. One of the ways your franchisor should support youis with legal assistance. This includes guiding you to getting the right licenses to operate your specific franchise. Your franchisor will know what’s required. As you’re starting, t…
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Getting Started

  • The best way to find out the specific licenses needed in addition to your franchise license is to talk to the franchisor. They have the expertise in your industry and location to ensure you are fully covered to operate your new business. Susan Guillory is the President of Egg Marketing & Communications, a marketing firm specializing in content writing and social media managemen…
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