Franchise FAQ

how do i value my franchise

by Prof. Ethan Wintheiser MD Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to value your franchise opportunities

  • 1. Be transparent with all costs A potential franchisee will always ask how you arrived at your initial franchise-fee, so make sure you are prepared by formulating a comprehensive breakdown of your franchise set-up costs. ...
  • 2. Foster a mutually beneficial relationship ...
  • 3. Consult the professionals ...
  • 4. Select a suitable profit-assessment model ...
  • 5. Adapt and survive

Franchises are often valued based on a multiple of revenue, cash flow, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). As the name implies, the EBITDA method adds back some expenses to the earnings total, and a franchise can be valued at 4 to 5 times EBITDA.

Full Answer

Should you buy a franchise business?

Others also have their unique reasons on why they buy a franchise business. One of the few good reasons of buying a franchise business is that it lets you avoid all those potential risks experienced by other start ups. This is also a one way of being smart.

How much will it cost to franchise my Business?

There are currently 14 registration states with franchise registration fees ranging from $250 to $750 plus additional legal fees leaving you potentially $15,000 to $25,000 out of pocket. A Federally Registered Trademark will set you back $1,750 to $7,500.

What does it cost to franchise a business?

Franchise costs include the purchase of equipment and the start-up costs. You typically spend $18,500-$8500 to franchise your business. It depends on your franchise team, the industry you are in, and the level of support you need to decide what amount of costs you will incur.

How can we increase a franchise business?

  • You could start the business with the intention of franchising your idea
  • You open one location that is a success and want to expand to more locations so you decide to use franchisees for the new locations instead of owning them
  • You open multiple locations and then decide to sell the locations to a franchisee or franchisees

How to determine shorthand valuation?

Who wrote the franchise chatter guide?

What is sound valuation?

How long is FF&E depreciated?

Why is revenue important?

Is the appreciation in value unrealized?

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What is a good ROI for a franchise?

The General Rules of Thumb However, there is an oft-repeated rule of thumb that, after the second full year in business, a franchisee should be realistically able to anticipate a 15- 20% per year ROI plus an equitable salary for whatever work they do in the business.

How do you determine if a franchise is a good investment?

Examine what the growth potential is for the industry you're considering on a national level, especially when it comes to the local market. Next, take note of the most popular franchise trends and how saturated the market is with them. If there are too many, chances are, it wouldn't be wise to invest in it.

What is the average profit margin for a franchise?

The end game is profit. Franchise.com suggests that the expected range of return on investment of a good franchise should be at least between 25 percent and 50 percent.

How much can you make selling a franchise?

According to a survey done by Franchise Business Review involving 28,500 franchise owners, the average pre-tax annual income of franchise owners is about 80,000 dollars. However, this number should be taken with a grain of salt bearing in mind that it could be inflated by high incomes of a few top performers.

How do franchise owners get paid?

How do franchise owners get paid? Franchise owners can pay themselves a salary or depending on their business entity, they may be able to take a draw from their accumulated equity.

Is owning a franchise passive income?

Using the definition above, yes, a franchise can definitely be passive income! In fact, many franchises are set up with the goal of passive income in mind. That's why some franchisees end up owning multiple locations of the same franchise, with a separate staff and minimal oversight to run each one.

What is the most profitable franchise to own in 2022?

Most Profitable FranchisesDunkin'7-Eleven.Planet Fitness.JAN-PRO.Taco Bell.Orangetheory Fitness.Great Clips.Mac Tools.More items...•

What franchise has highest profit margin?

What is the most profitable franchise to own? According to the Franchise 500 list of 2021, Taco Bell is the most profitable franchise to own. The food chain has been franchising for nearly 6 decades and is still seeking franchises worldwide. As of 2021, they have 7,567 open units.

Do franchise owners make good money?

Franchise Business Review found that the average annual pre-tax income of franchise owners in America is $80,000. Only 7% of franchise owners make more than $250,000 annually, and 51% earn less than $50,000. Legally, franchisors cannot give income amounts or forecasts of future income.

What is the failure rate of a franchise?

Coincidentally when I was with NatWest I managed the survey for the last 22 years. Pretty much every year the survey has been conducted has shown between 8-12% of franchise businesses left their franchise each year. This is for a variety of reasons, including retirement, selling, ill-health and financial failure.

What is a major pitfall of franchising?

Hidden Fees: In addition to receiving a percentage of the revenue, a franchise may have additional costs, such as fees for entry, training and marketing. You should carefully review the franchise disclosure documents to make sure you understand all of the fees you will be expected to pay as a franchisee.

How long does it take for a franchise to become profitable?

One common misconception when it comes to operating a franchise is that once you sign on the dotted line and open for business, the customers and revenue will start flowing. This is typically not the case. It normally takes a year or two to become profitable.

What is the failure rate for a franchise?

Coincidentally when I was with NatWest I managed the survey for the last 22 years. Pretty much every year the survey has been conducted has shown between 8-12% of franchise businesses left their franchise each year. This is for a variety of reasons, including retirement, selling, ill-health and financial failure.

How long before franchise is profitable?

One common misconception when it comes to operating a franchise is that once you sign on the dotted line and open for business, the customers and revenue will start flowing. This is typically not the case. It normally takes a year or two to become profitable.

What is the most profitable franchise to own in 2022?

Most Profitable FranchisesDunkin'7-Eleven.Planet Fitness.JAN-PRO.Taco Bell.Orangetheory Fitness.Great Clips.Mac Tools.More items...•

What are the rules of thumb for determining whether franchising is a good choice for a particular business?

Stable Environment: For growth of any business it is required to be in stable environment as often changing variables are not feasible for survival and growth of any business, so if business is in stable environment then only it should proceed towards franchising as an option for expansion.

What is a Franchise REALLY Worth? How to Value any Franchise.

Serving clients nationally from offices in Fairhope, Alabama and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Contact William at [email protected] or by phone at 251-990-5934 (Fairhope) or 225-465-5799 (Baton Rouge).

Ways to Calculate the Value of a Small Business | ZenBusiness Inc

It's a good idea to know the value of your business, even if you don't have immediate plans to sell. Here are three ways you can calculate the value of your small business.

Franchise Appraisal: The Valuation of Your Franchise Business

Conducting A Franchise Appraisal & Determining Business Value January 20, 2021. Franchisees may need to conduct a valuation of their franchise business for a number of reasons.

Uncovering Franchise Value

The buyer’s goal is to purchase a business that consistently generates sales and profits over time. If the business is profitable each year, the buyer can recover the cost of the purchase faster. Buyers also want a smooth transition after the purchase, so that the business maintains profitability.

Factors That Impact A Business Sale

Franchisees must comply with the requirements in the franchise agreement, and the agreement puts restrictions on the owner. When you sell a franchise, the agreement may require any purchaser to be approved by the franchisor.

Reviewing Valuation Methods

There are a number of methods used to value a franchise, and your broker will work with potential buyers on valuation issues.

Find An Expert

The business brokers at Raincatcher help entrepreneurs sell remarkable companies, and they have participated in thousands of business sales. A broker can free up your time, so you can operate your business during the sale process. Work with the experienced brokers at Raincatcher and sell your business in less time, and for a higher price.

CONSIDERING SELLING YOUR FRANCHISE BELOW COST?

If you are considering selling your existing franchise for less than the cost to start a new franchise, you may not need a valuation. Talk with us to see if a franchise value estimate is best for your situation. In some cases we can guide you to the best strategy and plan to sell your business without needing a value estimate.

DO YOU KNOW THE BEST STRATEGY FOR SELLING YOUR FRANCHISE?

Are you familiar with what a business broker does and if a broker is your best option? Do you know how and if you should try to sell your franchise on your own? Is your franchisor a good partner to help you? Are there other options to consider? Franchise Flippers can help you assess all your options so you can determine which sales strategy is appropriate for your unique situation..

FREE GUIDANCE FROM A FRANCHISE RESALE EXPERT

Selling your business is a big decision. Contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION today. We’ are happy to answer your questions and help you determine your next steps.

When valuing a franchise, recent sales will serve as “comparables”?

Finally, when valuing a franchise, recent sales will serve as “comparables” – similar to nearby homes in residential real estate transactions. But, just as no two homes are exactly alike, no two businesses are exactly alike, either. Franchisees should be careful to avoid placing too much emphasis on recent franchised and non-franchised business sales.

What is Ebidta in franchise?

Earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization, or “EBIDTA”, is a rough calculation of a business’s available revenue. It is often used to determine a business’s value, but other calculations are used as well. Determining the appropriate calculation (and the appropriate multiplier) for your franchise will require a critical assessment of the particular circumstances involved.

How to calculate franchise value?

To calculate the value of a franchise that has been stable in its EBITDA for the past few years, you can simply take the figure and multiply it by the number of years you think the business will still be around.

What to look for when buying a franchise?

One of the first things a buyer looks at when acquiring a franchise location is the lease’s remaining term for the business. If they are going to have to renew the lease themselves sometime in the near future, that is an immediate red flag and can quickly derail the whole deal.

What is the first step in calculating EBITDA?

A good first step is calculating EBITDA, or “earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization.” EBITDA is a measure of your location’s profits before secondary expenses like accounting decisions cut into them.

Why do you ew up a franchise lease?

If you are preparing to meet potential buyers about acquiring your franchise location, ew-up the lease to make the property look much more attractive.

Why do franchises have to be paid off?

Debts – All of your franchise’s unpaid taxes and other debts need to be paid off because it’s your duty to disclose them during the sale if they’re not.

Is money you get paid now more valuable than money you get later?

But the thing is, the money you are paid now is inherent ly more valuable than money obtained later. That is because you can gain interest on the money you get today.

Can you sell a franchise location?

Selling a franchise location is not something to be taken lightly, but it’s actually pretty easy to calculate an excellent asking price if you know what you’re doing. Hopefully, with this short guide, you can get a general idea of what needs to be done.

How to determine the sale price of a franchise?

Just as a real estate broker might give you a “drive-by” estimate of the value of your house, you might have a business broker give you a “drive-by” estimate of the value of your business. On the other hand, a formal appraisal of your house might cost several hundred dollars and involve considerable research by an appraising firm but produces a more reliable result.

What is the book value of a franchise?

A common franchisee question is, “What’s the book value of my business?” The book value of your business is typically the value of your assets as shown on your financial statements. Because hard assets are depreciable, however, the value of them may be quite low. Real estate, buildings and vehicles, as well as specialized equipment, may have a greater value. Generally, book value is going to result in a very low figure because it does not reflect the valuation of your franchise business as a going concern—i.e., its ability to generate revenue and income. For that reason, book value is of academic interest to an official appraiser rather than a real-world estimate of value.

What is franchise appraisal?

In a formal franchise appraisal, the appraiser will combine the three valuations to come to a final figure. A valuation of your franchise business may be affected by other factors, as well. One factor is the purpose of the franchise appraisal.

Why do franchisees need to do a valuation?

Franchisees may need to conduct a valuation of their franchise business for a number of reasons. It may be important in order to obtain a bank loan for the business or for personal purposes; it is relevant for tax and estate planning; and, of course, it is critical to know the value of a franchise business when looking to put it on the market. There are several ways of determining what a franchise is worth and ways of going about it. Many individuals ask, “What’s the worth of my business?”

Why is franchising a strategic buyer?

A franchisor is known as a “strategic” buyer because it can realize certain economies of scale and efficiencies in running a franchise that a third-party buyer cannot.

What are benchmarks of value?

The Benchmarks of Value. In many industries, there are benchmarks available to provide a rough estimate of the value of a business. These benchmarks are usually expressed in terms of multiples of the revenue, or top-line income of the business, or multiples of EBIDTA (earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization)—a rough shorthand ...

What does an official appraiser look for in an appraisal?

An official appraiser will look to alternative investments such as U.S. Treasury Bills, the stock market, and other businesses to answer this question, but there are a number of preliminary issues that need to be addressed.

What is Forbes Finance Council?

Forbes Finance Council is an invitation-only organization for executives in successful accounting, financial planning and wealth management firms.

Should I dive deep into franchises before buying?

Therefore, if you’re a savvy investor looking to buy a franchise, I’d recommend diving deep into the system and getting your hands a little dirty before buying in. Here are five tips I’d suggest:

Is there more to feel right about franchises than the price?

In other words, there’s more that should feel right about the franchise system than the price. Otherwise, you’ll pay for it later.

How long should a franchise owner spend on operating costs?

Understanding how franchises are valued. To get the most money from the sale of an existing franchise unit, the seller should prepare to spend two to three years controlling operating costs and creating clean financial records. Franchise owners that cannot or do not take the time to do so run the risk of losing money in the long run.

How much is a cash flow multiplier worth?

The average range for cash flow multipliers is four to five times EBITDA. Therefore, if a business has clean tax returns showing $100,000 in EBITDA and an assumed five times cash flow multiplier, that business would be worth $500,000. However, if that same business could prove only $60,000 in EBITDA, and the multiplier remained the same, it would be worth $300,000.

Can a first time buyer finance a unit?

If the seller can prove that his or her unit has predictable positive revenue trends, it will be much easier for a first-time buyer to finance the unit . If trends are negative, the seller may have to finance some of the deal in order for the transaction to move smoothly.

Do real estate leases affect franchise units?

Similarly, real estate leases will have a significant impact on the value of a franchise unit.

Can you refinance a franchise?

Finally, buyers who already own successful franchises have the option of refinancing their existing units to pay the down payment on new loans. For example, if you currently have a loan of $200,000 and you need $50,000 in cash, you could refinance at $250,000. This option is only available from a few lenders, including ApplePie Capital.

How to find the value of a business?

There are two methods of quickly approximating the value of a business: (1) applying a multiple to the discretionary earnings of the business and (2) applying a percentage to the annual gross revenue of the business. The most accurate of the two methods seeks to approximate the value of a business by applying a multiple to ...

How much does a restaurant appraise?

Almost all restaurants and bars will appraise for somewhere between 1.5 to 3.0 times discretionary earnings. Exactly where in this range that a specific operation will fall depends on what type of bar or restaurant, size of the operation, location, revenue trends and other factors.

How much does a liquor license appraise?

But making that assumption, we know that a full-service restaurant with a liquor license will appraise for somewhere between 30 and 35 percent of gross annual revenue. Bars will average between 35 and 45 percent of annual revenue in appraised value. Coffee houses will appraise for about 40 percent of revenue.

Do you need a formal appraisal for a business?

Certain situations require a formal business appraisal including the larger merger-acquisition transactions , SBA loan applications, management performance tracking, estate planning, divorce — or the most dreaded of all — IRS issues. After all, a professional, fully documented appraisal certainly takes the guesswork out of the situation.

Who is the final arbiter of what a business is worth?

However, you as the owner, seller or buyer of the business are the final arbiter of what the business is worth to you. Remember, these guidelines are only averages. And the guidelines certainly don’t take into account any special considerations or any future plans that an owner might have for the business.

Does an appraisal include inventory?

None of these appraisal guidelines include the value of any inventory on hand or real estate. If the business owns real estate, the value of the realty should be added to the guideline result. And inventory, at cost (food and liquor only), should also be added to obtain the total estimated value of the business.

How to determine shorthand valuation?

But the small, privately-held businesses that change hands on a daily basis lack the luxury of such a clear-cut benchmark. Various rules of thumb exist for determining shorthand valuations—two times revenue, for example, or three to four times EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization).

Who wrote the franchise chatter guide?

This Franchise Chatter Guide on how to value a business was written by Daniel Slone.

What is sound valuation?

A sound valuation relies on multiple factors, all vetted to the extent possible by due diligence. Revenue is a useful guide to performance and provides some indicator of future direction. Assets (accurately valued) plus a multiple of cash flow represent a good starting point for a total value.

How long is FF&E depreciated?

No buyer would pay that for it. So how to value it? Per IRS rules, most FF&E of the type found in restaurants is depreciated over seven years . That means you can deduct one-seventh of the original purchase price per year of age to arrive at a fair market value (FMV) that the IRS would not likely challenge. Obviously, if the FF&E is seven or more years old, it has no value for transaction purposes.

Why is revenue important?

Revenue is important as an indicator of performance, and revenue trends (is it growing, by how much, and how have growth rates held up over time , for example) are even more important. Using revenue for valuation, however, in my opinion leaves much to be desired.

Is the appreciation in value unrealized?

That’s because the appreciation in value is an unrealized gain. In other words, until you actually sell it for $800,000, it’s not worth that much. Consider investing in stocks. If you buy 1,000 shares of a stock at $50 and the share price rises to $70, its value is now $70,000 versus the $50,000 you paid. Yet that $20,000 (and more) could evaporate five minutes after the opening bell tomorrow. So until you sell and “lock in” the gain, it is an unrealized or “paper” gain and nothing more.

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Uncovering Franchise Value

  • The buyer’s goal is to purchase a business that consistently generates sales and profits over time. If the business is profitable each year, the buyer can recover the cost of the purchase faster. Buyers also want a smooth transition after the purchase, so that the business maintains profitability.
See more on raincatcher.com

Factors That Impact A Business Sale

  • Franchisees must comply with the requirements in the franchise agreement, and the agreement puts restrictions on the owner. When you sell a franchise, the agreement may require any purchaser to be approved by the franchisor. Franchisors invest a great deal of time and effort into building brand awareness, and they want to know about every new franchise purchaser. A buyer …
See more on raincatcher.com

Reviewing valuation Methods

  • There are a number of methods used to value a franchise, and your broker will work with potential buyers on valuation issues. Franchises are often valued based on a multiple of revenue, cash flow, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). As the name implies, the EBITDA method adds back some expenses to the earnin...
See more on raincatcher.com

Find An Expert

  • The business brokers at Raincatcher help entrepreneurs sell remarkable companies, and they have participated in thousands of business sales. Raincatcher provides several types of valuations, including Certified Business Valuations. A broker can free up your time, so you can operate your business during the sale process. Work with the experienced brokers at Raincatche…
See more on raincatcher.com

Physical Assets

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Any physical assets your franchise owns will be relevant to determining its valuation. This includes everything from back-office computers and furniture to point-of-sale systems and inventory. These items must be depreciated to their present value in order to determine what someone would pay for them today.
See more on under30ceo.com

EBIDTA

  • Earnings before interest, depreciation, taxes and amortization, or “EBIDTA”, is a rough calculation of a business’s available revenue. It is often used to determine a business’s value, but other calculations are used as well. Determining the appropriate calculation (and the appropriate multiplier) for your franchise will require a critical assessment of the particular circumstances in…
See more on under30ceo.com

Location

  • Your franchise’s location can play a role in its valuation in a few different ways. For retail outlets, a prime location can add significant value and provide leverage in transfer negotiations. For brick-and-mortar and mobile franchises, a desirable franchise territorycan drive value as well. Location will also be relevant when comparing the value ...
See more on under30ceo.com

Remaining Term and Renewal Rights

  • How much of your current franchise term is remaining? How certain are your (and your prospective buyer’s) “rights” of renewal? Will the buyer be required to sign a “then-current” franchise agreement? Will the buyer be able to start with a new initial term? These are all fundamental considerations for valuing and selling a franchise as well.
See more on under30ceo.com

Recent Sales

  • Finally, when valuing a franchise, recent sales will serve as “comparables” – similar to nearby homes in residential real estate transactions. But, just as no two homes are exactly alike, no two businesses are exactly alike, either. Franchisees should be careful to avoid placing too much emphasis on recent franchised and non-franchised business sales.
See more on under30ceo.com

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