Joel Libava
“I’m sorry. The franchise is sold out in your area.”
In the 20+ years I’ve been doing this, I estimate that 20%-25% of my clients interested in the franchise business model have felt the sting of those words. Especially if the franchise development representative articulated them in an unapologetic way. And that, my friends, is a big mistake. Let me tell you why.
“The Franchise Is All Sold Out In Your Area”
There are two ways to tell you the bad news about the franchise opportunity you’re interested in.
- “I’m so sorry! We don’t have any franchise territories available in the Winston-Salem area at this time. But we do have a few spots in Greensboro. Would you like to learn more?”
- “Sorry, that area is all sold out. Is that the only area you’re interested in?”
See the difference?
The first franchise development representative was apologetic and immediately suggested an area that was close (geographically) to the area requested. The second franchise rep was semi-apologetic-but dismissive. She seemed ready to quickly move on, so she could talk to someone who lived in an area with open territory. Specifically, someone who could potentially sign a franchise agreement so she could get paid a commission. But here’s the thing.
The person on the other end of the line…the candidate interested in potentially buying a franchise, may be open to moving to another area of the country, as he was thinking about doing that anyway. If that’s the case, franchise representative #2 loses, because she was too dismissive and probably turned the candidate off.
That said, there’s a bigger question.
If you feel you’ve found a franchise business that feels like “the opportunity of a lifetime“…in other words, a franchise opportunity that looks to be exactly what you wanted in a business, what can you do if the franchise is sold out?
Video: The Franchise Territory You Want Is Unavailable. Now What?
You may be surprised to learn that there are a couple of things you can do when your “dream” franchise is sold out. I explain what your options are in the franchise video below.
So what do you think?
How will you respond if the franchise business you’re interested in is sold out?
If there aren’t any good options, will you be able to move on and explore other opportunities to become a franchisee?
About the Author
The Franchise King®, Joel Libava, is a leading franchise expert, author of "Become a Franchise Owner!" and "The Definitive Guide to Franchise Research." Featured in outlets like The New York Times, CNBC, and Franchise Direct, Joel’s no-nonsense approach as a trusted Franchise Ownership Advisor helps aspiring franchisees make smart, informed decisions in their journey to franchise ownership. He owns and operates this franchise blog.
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