Franchise FAQ

how to value an existing franchise

by Westley Hodkiewicz Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How To Determine The Current Value Of An Existing Franchise

  • Start with the Balance Sheet When looking into how to value a business, any preliminary efforts will likely start with the balance sheet. The balance sheet is a breakdown of the business’ assets and liabilities. ...
  • Assess Revenue Revenue is one of the most controversial statistics for assessing business valuation. ...
  • Use an EBITDA Multiple ...
  • Analyze the Cash Flow Generated ...
  • Study the Sale of Comparable Businesses ...

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?

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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 sell an existing franchise?

Whether you are ready to sell or you are just considering it, here are our top tips for selling an existing franchise:List your franchise for sale on FranchiseFlippers.com. ... List your franchise on other online business listing websites. ... Reach out to fellow franchise owners in your franchise system personally.More items...

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.

How long does it take to sell a franchise?

The average franchise sales cycle is 12 to 20 weeks On average, the total time to close a franchise sale can be up to 20 weeks.

Can you sell back a franchise?

Getting Approval for a Franchise Sale Selling the business back to the franchisor can be a good option, but only if the franchisor is willing to repurchase the business. Furthermore, the franchisor may not be willing to pay an amount that will be sufficient to make you whole.

Is owning a franchise profitable?

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.

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.

Can a franchisee sell their franchise?

For most franchise owners this reward means selling their franchise business to a new owner for the greatest price and at fair terms. But, once the decision to sell your franchise operation is made, it doesn't take long for franchise owners to realize there are multiple paths to consider.

How do you transfer a franchise?

How to Transfer a FranchiseNotice of your intent to transfer. Before you enter into any contract to transfer your franchise, you will usually have to give the franchisor written notice of your intention. ... A written agreement. ... Written approval from the franchisor. ... A guarantee of sorts. ... Payment of a transfer fee.

How do you sell a failing franchise?

CONSIDER SELLING THE BUSINESS Often the best answer to a franchise that is not succeeding is for the franchisee to sell the business to a third party who becomes the new franchisee for that territory. This allows the failing franchisee to terminate its obligations under the franchise agreement and under any lease.

What is a franchise transfer fee?

A transfer fee is the fee a franchisor charges to the franchisee if the franchisee sells the business or shares in the company operating the franchise.

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 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.

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.

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.

What is an intangible asset?

One type of asset we did not touch on is the intangible asset. In some industries this might be intellectual property like patents (which can easily be worth a million dollars each). In franchised businesses the franchise fee itself, which represents the right to do business using that brand, has value. Determining what this contributes to valuation is a question of what it would cost to buy into the franchise today and more importantly how much of the original term of the franchise agreement remains (assuming the franchisor’s practice is to transfer the existing agreement).

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.

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.

What does a number beside a franchise mean?

A number in parentheses beside a franchise indicates a note at the end of the list.

What does a number in parentheses mean?

A number in parentheses indicates a note at the end of the list.

How to check if a franchise is a good fit for my business?

You can do this by checking with other franchisees to discuss how they feel about the franchisor and reading over the company's mission statement and vision. You can also look over customer reviews of the specific franchise you are considering and talk with existing employees.

What to look for when considering a franchise resale?

One critical thing to review when considering a franchise resale is to look at the prerequisites of transferring the franchise to a new owner. You must ensure that there are no restrictions in place to prevent the transfer of the franchise to you. In some cases, franchisees have the Right of First Refusal, allowing them the opportunity to buy the franchise back before the business is offered to an outside buyer.

What is franchise disclosure?

When considering a franchise, potential franchisees will naturally look over the franchise disclosure document (FDD), which is a legal contract between franchisee and franchiser. You should consider the following elements of the FDD: 1 Fees/Require Purchases 2 Branding/Advertising Information 3 Training 4 Quality Control 5 Indemnification

What is the FDD for franchise?

1. Understand the FDD. When considering a franchise, potential franchisees will naturally look over the franchise disclosure document (FDD), which is a legal contract between franchisee and franchiser. You should consider the following elements of the FDD: Fees/Require Purchases. Branding/Advertising Information.

How long should a franchise keep financial records?

Naturally, you will want to buy a business that can produce results. The IRS suggests that businesses keep financial records for 7 years so the seller should be able to produce the financial records of the franchise going back at least 3 years. Financial records should include items such as: Income Statement.

Why do franchisees sell their business?

However, their decision to sell could be based on something more alarming such as a downswing in the industry, inability to work with the franchiser, or the franchise is failing.

Why is it important to research and learn more about how the franchisee is perceived in the local community?

It is important to research and learn more about how the franchisee is perceived in the local community as well as the reputation of the franchise as a whole. This can prevent you from investing in a business that will require you to do a lot of damage control to rebuild its reputation.

Why is it important to prepare for a business valuation?

It’s important to properly prepare for your business valuation like you’re getting ready to sell your business. You can do this in many ways, such as getting a third-party certified public accountant (CPA) to help you get your books in order or paying off your debt. The important thing is that your business is ready to maximize its sale value.

Why do local customers choose one establishment over another?

Many times, local customers choose one establishment over another because they have a personal relationship with the owner. One way to measure this risk is by asking customers what brings them back, and if they would still frequent the location if it was under new ownership. Some of this risk can be managed by the exiting owner remaining on in a transitional capacity for a period of time following the sale.

How much is the multiplier for small business?

In most cases, small businesses are given a business-specific multiplier of between one and four. The multiplier can be impacted by your geographic location, the risk of your industry, or a number of things related to your business.

How many times does a business sell for SDE?

Businesses typically sell for somewhere between one and four times their SDE. This is called the “SDE multiple” or “multiplier.” Think of the industry standard multiplier and the specific business multiplier as two separate numbers, one giving you a general value based on industry averages and another giving you a more specific value based on variable factors of each individual business.

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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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

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