Franchise FAQ

how to determine franchise value

by Johnny Mosciski Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to value a successful franchise

  1. Use your financial statements to determine the net cash flow. ...
  2. Multiply the net cash flow. ...
  3. Provide details of how you've reached your price. ...
  4. Franchise resale valuations are never exact and the franchisor may have different expectations for the business, so the next step in the process is negotiation. ...
  5. We always recommend you consult an independent franchise specialist for advice. ...

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

How much to invest in a franchise?

What Is The Start Up Cost For A Qt Station?

  • Investment Range: $25,000 and $30,000.
  • Franchise Fees: $25,000
  • Cash Investment: $25,000
  • Royalty fee: 5% of the monthly gross revenue

How much does it cost to franchise a business?

• Franchise Fee: This amount can vary, depending on the franchise, but the average amount is typically $20,000 or $50,000, according to the Small Business Administration. This is paid when you...

How to determine if a franchise is successful?

  • What are your reasons for wanting to own a franchise? ...
  • Are you driven by financial earnings? ...
  • Do you mesh well in the corporate environment? ...
  • Do you enjoy working hard, even if the reward seems distant?
  • Are you independent? ...
  • Are you a risk taker?
  • Do you generally have a positive outlook toward your endeavors?
  • Do you consider yourself to be a “people person”? ...

More items...

How to start selling a franchise?

  • Franchise Advertisement Compelling Message Attractive Branding Interesting Business Idea Clearly Display Cost and Investment Required
  • Information Request Sent To Us
  • Auto Responder Email Sent to Prospect Further builds message about your franchise Further Qualifies in who we are looking for and what is required to qualify for the Franchise. ...

More items...

How long should a franchise owner spend on operating costs?

How much is a cash flow multiplier worth?

Why should sellers be able to demonstrate positive trends in gross sales and EBITDA?

How long should lease rates be held steady?

Can a first time buyer finance a unit?

Do real estate leases affect franchise units?

Can you refinance a franchise?

See 2 more

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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?

The most profitable franchises are the ones with the highest ROI, therefore, you want to find a franchise that demonstrates large profit margins, and relatively low operational expenses. A good place to start is low overhead franchises.

What is a reasonable franchise fee?

Franchise fees are typically between $25,000 to $50,000 on average. 2) Startup Costs: These are the expenses you'll incur to get your new business open and operating. Initial investment costs vary widely from franchise to franchise.

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.

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.

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.

What is the McDonald's franchise fee?

$45,000McDonald's Franchise Cost / Initial Investment / Income Most McDonald's owner/operators have entered the corporation by purchasing an existing restaurant. To open a McDonald's franchise, however, requires a total investment of $1-$2.2 million, with liquid capital available of $750,000. The franchise fee is $45,000.

What does a KFC franchise cost?

For non-traditional KFC outlets, KFC charges an initial license fee of $22,500. For traditional KFC franchise agreements, the franchise (or initial license) fee is $45,000 split into the deposit fee and the option fee.

Is franchising a good way to make money?

Buying a franchise might seem like easy money, but those royalties and fees will quickly cut into profit margins. The majority of franchise owners earn less than $50,000 per year.

What is the most profitable franchise to own in 2022?

Top 14 Most Profitable FranchisesMcDonald's. Units in operation: 39,360. ... Dunkin Donuts. Units in operation: 12,800. ... Taco Bell. Units in operation 12,800. ... Subway Franchise. Offers Financing: Yes. ... Anytime Fitness Franchise. Units in operation: 4,904. ... Sonic. Royalty: 2.5% - 5.0% ... Planet Fitness. Royalty 7.0% ... Orangetheory Fitness.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.

How much does a franchise owner make a year?

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.

What is the most profitable franchise to own in 2022?

Top 14 Most Profitable FranchisesMcDonald's. Units in operation: 39,360. ... Dunkin Donuts. Units in operation: 12,800. ... Taco Bell. Units in operation 12,800. ... Subway Franchise. Offers Financing: Yes. ... Anytime Fitness Franchise. Units in operation: 4,904. ... Sonic. Royalty: 2.5% - 5.0% ... Planet Fitness. Royalty 7.0% ... Orangetheory Fitness.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.

How do you know if franchising is right for your business?

Marketability: If your business is marketable, it'll likely appeal to investors who are looking to invest in a franchise. A franchise is only marketable if it has proven systems, a strong brand and a path to profitability for investors.

Is it profitable to own a franchise?

Buying a franchise might seem like easy money, but those royalties and fees will quickly cut into profit margins. The majority of franchise owners earn less than $50,000 per year.

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).

Business Valuation Calculator

Determine The Value Of A Business Using Our Business Valuation Calculator What is the value of my business? Similar to bond or real estate valuations, the value of a business can be expressed as the present value of expected future earnings.

Franchise Chatter Guide: How to Value a Franchise Business

This Franchise Chatter Guide on how to value a business was written by Daniel Slone.. How to Value a Business. I have previously discussed the mechanics of buying an existing franchised business as an alternative to establishing a new franchise, especially in systems that are mature and have few open markets remaining. Whether you are buying such a business or preparing to sell one (a topic I ...

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.

What is franchise value?

Franchise value, according to thebalance.com, is more related to the popularity of the brand that makes it more enticing to the market. It is synonymous to the brand’s desirability to the market. As the same source puts it, “this is what makes consumers reach out for the products on store shelves, when all other factors are equal.”

Factors to consider when assessing franchise value

Let’s face it. You are entering a business venture to earn. Thus, you need to assess the franchise value in terms of the business’ capacity to earn. As a would-be franchisee, you should be very aware of this. Interview existing franchisees. Ask the franchise’s earning projections and other paper works.

Conclusion

A sound assessment of the franchise value of a certain business can rely on various factors. It is important to get to know the brand and the ins and outs of the business franchise you are interested in. Lastly, it is best to look at the business venture in an angle as to how you will see value in engaging in this type of business.

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.

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 to value a successful franchise

Firstly, let’s run through how to complete a franchise valuation when your business is performing well.

How to value an unsuccessful franchise

If you’re wondering how to value a failing franchise, the process is a little more complicated, and there are several ways you can reach your figure. The good news is, your unit may be more valuable than you realise; having good contracts, high-quality equipment or other similar assets can bump up the price of a business.

Things to bear in mind when valuing a franchise business

Whatever price you get for your franchise resale, it’ll probably be significantly higher than the cost of a brand new unit. You can justify this additional expense as the business is already up and running and is likely to have existing customers and contracts.

How to get the best price for your franchise resale

Everyone wants to get as much money as possible from their franchise resale. With a bit of careful planning, you can boost your asking price, so here are a few things to bear in mind:

Learn more about franchise resales

It’s normal to feel intimidated by the franchise valuation process, but there is lots of information out there to support you as you sell your business. To find out more about how to manage your franchise resale, see our other guides:

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.

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.

Can you inflate your evaluation?

DO NOT inflate your evaluation to suit your needs.

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 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 FF&E excessive?

Now, are they realistic? Maybe, and maybe not. The FF&E number is probably excessive. It’s highly unlikely that everything could be sold for that amount. As for the land and building, it depends on the condition of the building, the location of the lot, economic and real estate market conditions in the surrounding area, and more.

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.

What is franchise in business?

A franchise only exists where a firm benefits from barriers to entry that keep out potential competitors or insure that if they choose to enter, they will operate at a competitive disadvantage relative to the incumbents. These need to be identifiable and structural.

Who helped make franchise value clearer?

Franchise Value becomes clearer with the help of Warren Buffett and Bruce Greenwald.

Can a franchise price its products aggressively?

A franchise can price its products aggressively and still earn high rates of return on capital. More importantly, franchises can tolerate mis-management.

Is there mystique in franchise value?

For some reason, there’s always mystique in the air whenever franchise value is discussed. Everybody wants it but few find it, especially in time.

Is it easier to predict cash flows or earnings?

Earnings and cash flows are easier to predict when franchises are identified.

Does growth create value?

Growth creates value only when it takes place within the limits of a strong and sustainable company franchise, and these are rare. Second, not all growth – even growth that is worth something – can be appraised with enough precision to permit an accurate valuation.

Is Greenwald a franchise value seeker?

Greenwald is a straight up franchise value seeking guy so it’s not uncommon for him to say these things.

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.

Why should sellers be able to demonstrate positive trends in gross sales and EBITDA?

The seller should be able to demonstrate positive trends in gross sales and EBITDA because doing so will increase the value of the unit in question.

How long should lease rates be held steady?

A lender will want to see that lease rates are held steady for at least the length of the loan terms.

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.

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