I’m The Franchise King®, Joel Libava. I’m not a franchise consultant.
A franchise consultant is paid by the franchisor only when you buy, and gets a commission check of $30,000 on average.
I work for you, the franchise buyer, and I have no direct sales commission from a franchisor riding on your signature. My rates start at $299.
Why “Not a Franchise Consultant” Matters
Franchise consultants offer their services for free.
That’s because the franchise brand pays them a commison when you sign.
In a nutshell, the person advising you can earn a very large check if you say yes to the franchise opportunity they presented to you. That’s a lot of skin in the game…and none of it’s yours.
I have none.
Again, I’m not a franchise consultant or a franchise broker.
You pay me directly for my 25+ years of expertise and the independent advice that goes with it.
Allow me to be blunt.
It’s hard to be neutral when your paycheck depends on someone saying “yes” to a franchise opportunity you presented to them. It’s easy to be neutral (ahem) when it doesn’t.
How a Buyer-First Franchise Ownership Advisor Lowers Your Risk
No one can remove the risk from buying a franchise. I’m here to help you see it before you sign.
- No commission to protect. I don’t earn more direct money if you buy, so my advice isn’t tilted toward yes.
- Permission to say no. If a franchise, or franchising itself, is wrong for you, I will tell you. Quickly.
- A wider look. I’m not limited to a network of paying brands. I focus on what franchise opportunities you bring to the table or help you determine what franchises may fit your goals and your budget.
- Scrutiny. I’m able to quickly point out any red flags.
- The right experts. I can refer you to a franchise attorney and show you how to find a CPA before you sign anything.
- No clock. There is no closing deadline on my side. You decide when you’re ready, or if you are ready. You won’t find me applying any pressure. I don’t sell franchises.
At a Glance
| Franchise consultant (commission-paid) | Me (franchise ownership advisor) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays? | The franchise brand | You |
| Paid if you do not buy? | No | Yes |
| Brands considered | Always the brands they have contracts with | Any brand you’re looking into or I help you discover |
| Can say “do not buy”? | Hard when it costs them a $30k commission | Yes, and I do |
| Whose side? | Often the brand’s | Yours |
Work With Me, Because I’m NOT a Franchise Consultant or Franchise Broker
- One-on-one consultation: Talk through your goals, budget and the franchises you are considering. Customized multi-hour consulting packages available.
- Franchise Evaluation Report: My written take on a specific franchise, with pros, cons, FDD highlights and red flags. Plus, a Private call with me.
Frequently Asked Questions
It means I’m not paid a sales commission by franchise brands. I’m a franchise ownership advisor who works for the buyer. My job is to help you make a smart decision, not to get you to sign.
The franchisors pay franchise consultants when you sign your Franchise Agreement and send in your Franchise Fee. Depending on the brand, that commission can run as high as $50,000 or more. The franchise brand pays it, but it’s built into the cost of getting you to sign.
Buyers pay me directly. That comes from consultations, Franchise Evaluation Reports and my digital guides. You are my client, so you are the only one I answer to.
I have no big commission check to protect, so I can point out red flags, question the numbers and tell you to walk away. Risk does not disappear. You just see more of it before you sign.
No. Many are good people. I can refer you to some of them if you want. But if a brand pays them only when you sign, the conflict of interest is built in. Always ask how they get paid.
Yes. If the numbers, the brand or the fit are wrong, I will say so. Sometimes the best franchise deal is no deal.
No. I may point you to franchise brands I know, or in a lot of cases, franchise categories you may want to investigate. That said, I’ll look at any franchise opportunity you’re seriously considering.
Ask how they get paid, which brands pay them, whether you owe them anything, and what happens if you do not buy. Their answers tell you whose side they are on.
Yes, always. I help you spot issues and ask better questions, but I’m not a lawyer or an accountant. A franchise attorney reviews the FDD and your Franchise Agreement and a CPA reviews your numbers.
Book a one-on-one consultation. Or, if you’re not quite ready, read some of the franchise articles I’ve written over the years so you can get a decent grasp of franchising.
The Bottom Line
If the person advising you only gets paid when you buy, ask whose side they are on.
Remember, I’m not a franchise consultant. I work for the franchise buyer, and that’s the whole point. A franchise consultant is paid by the franchisor when you buy.
That one difference changes the advice you get.
