• Starting a Business
  • Growing a Business
  • Small Business Guide
  • Business News
  • Science & Technology
  • Money & Finance
  • For Subscribers
  • Write for Entrepreneur
  • Tips White Papers
  • Entrepreneur Store
  • United States
  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • United Kingdom
  • South Africa

Copyright © 2024 Entrepreneur Media, LLC All rights reserved. Entrepreneur® and its related marks are registered trademarks of Entrepreneur Media LLC

How to Write a Business Plan for Your Franchise This vital step can make the difference between success or failure in the franchise world.

By Clarissa Buch Zilberman Edited by Carl Stoffers May 8, 2023

You're set on becoming a franchisee . You may think it's time to call a franchisor, tell them you're interested, and get funding from your local bank , right? Wrong.

If you're considering buying a franchise, you'll need to write a thorough business plan before moving forward.

A business plan is a detailed document that describes how your business will achieve its goals. Consider it an essential tool for any business owner — including franchisees!

Sound daunting? It can be. But it's a crucial and necessary step in starting your own business. Plus, becoming a franchisee means that the franchisor will provide some of the strategies, plans and overall business information , with some minor tweaks for your specific market.

Here's how to get started.

Related: Considering franchise ownership? Get started now and take this quiz to find your personalized list of franchises that match your lifestyle, interests and budget.

Start with comprehensive research

Before you can begin writing your franchise business plan, you need to gather information about your franchise business . Research the industry, market trends and competitors in the area. You should utilize a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of the business, as well.

Next, research the franchisor's history, vision, mission and values . This will help you understand the franchisor's expectations and see if your goals align with the brand. You may have already done a lot of this research when narrowing down your franchise choices .

Related: The 4 Biggest Myths About Franchising

Define your business concept and target market

Your business concept should include details about your product or service , pricing strategy, location, unique selling proposition and market advantages.

Much of this information will be supplied by your franchisor. However, make sure to tweak it correctly for your specific location and audience .

Develop a financial plan

A financial outline is a critical component of your franchise business plan. It should include details about your startup costs, ongoing expenses , revenue projections and profitability.

You should also share cash flow, balance sheets and income statements here. With these documents, you can readily identify any gaps in your business and develop strategies to address them.

Related: 10 Tips to Go From Employee to Boss, From Franchisees Who Did It

Outline your marketing and sales strategy

You may get a headstart from your franchisor on the marketing and sales strategy . This is where you'll want to include more information about your target audience, marketing channels and tactics to promote your business.

From a sales strategy perspective , include your pricing strategy, sales team structure and sales targets that are tailored to your area.

Develop an operations plan

Your operations plan should include details about your day-to-day work, staffing requirements and supplier relationships. You should also outline any technology and equipment needs, inventory management and quality control procedures , some of which your franchisor may dictate.

Create a management team and personnel plan

Your management team and personnel plan should detail the leadership structure of your business, each team member's role and responsibility and the qualifications and experience needed for each position.

You should also outline a staffing plan , which will include your recruitment strategy, employee benefits and training and development programs.

Create an executive summary

An executive summary is literally a summary of your business plan that will provide all the necessary information to someone who only has a few moments to review your business plan. It should summarize the key points of your franchise business plan and research.

Get started by outlining your business plan

A franchise business plan, at the minimum, should include the following sections :

  • Executive Summary: This section provides a brief overview of your business, your mission statement, goals and target market.
  • Company Description: This section includes more information about your business, such as what you do or sell, your company history and your management team.
  • Market Analysis: This section analyzes the market for your products or services, including your target market, competition and competitive advantage.
  • Operations Plan: This section describes how your business will operate, including your location, your marketing and sales strategies and management and staffing plan.
  • Financial Plan: This section projects your business's financial performance, meaning your revenue, expenses and profit.
  • Appendix: This section includes supporting documents, such as financial statements, marketing materials and legal documents.

A business plan will help you succeed

Writing a franchise business plan is a critical step in becoming a successful franchisee . It requires comprehensive research, a well-defined business concept, a solid financial plan, a strong marketing and sales strategy, a detailed operations plan and a competent management team.

Remember: It's a living document, so be sure to update it regularly as your business grows and changes. This will ensure that your plan always reflects the current state of your business.

Tackle a business plan logically and seek help from an expert or your franchisor, as necessary. Then you're off to get your loan, finish your applications and open your doors !

Related: Is Franchising Right For You? Ask Yourself These 9 Questions to Find Out.

Entrepreneur Staff

Freelance Writer, Editor & Content Marketing Consultant

Clarissa Buch Zilberman is a writer and editor based in Miami. Specializing in lifestyle, business, and travel, her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Realtor.com, Travel + Leisure, and Bon Appétit, among other print and digital titles. Through her content marketing consultancy, By Clarissa , she leverages her extensive editorial background and unique industry insights to support enterprise organizations and global creative agencies with their B2B, B2C, and B2E content initiatives. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick Red Arrow

  • Businesses Are Reviving This 1800s Holiday Tradition With a 'Surprise and Delight' Factor That Drives Sales — Here's How One Buzzy Brand Is Making It Work
  • Lock I Was Fired From My Job at a Bank — Then Started a Multimillion-Dollar Company. Here's How I Turned Failure Into Success.
  • Lock This Couple Started a Side Hustle Out of Their Volkswagen. It Made $1 Million a Month Last Year and Is 'So Fulfilling.'
  • She Became CEO of Her Whole Company By Raising Her Hand and Saying This
  • Over a Million People Have Recently Joined Bluesky, the Ad-Free X Alternative and Threads Competitor
  • Lock This Might Be the Worst Type of Person to Hire, According to an Elite Special Operations Leader — Look for These Red Flags Before It's Too Late

Most Popular Red Arrow

From side gig to 6-figure success — how i built a thriving home-based business as a busy family man.

I've made over $17,000,000 for clients worldwide and brought in multiple six figures for myself, all while barely leaving my kitchen.

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

If Your Bank Is Calling, Don't Answer. It's Probably a Scam.

Scammers are getting sophisticated, from AI voices and videos to spoofing caller IDs. Here's how to spot them.

Expanding Your Franchise Overseas Can Make You Millions — Or Tank Your Profits If You Don't Consider These Risks.

Deciding to expand your franchise concept internationally is a challenging one. Doing so can provide growth opportunities far beyond those in your current home market. But doing so before you're ready can create undue stress on your system. International expansion requires a full investment of time and resources to do it right; it is a serious commitment that reburies hard work, supported by a well-thought-out and well-executed game plan.

Mark Zuckerberg Celebrates His Anniversary With Priscilla Chan By Recording His Own Version of a 'Lyrical Masterpiece'

Zuckerberg and T-Pain teamed up to create "Z-Pain."

Tesla Is Now Worth More than Toyota, Ferrari, General Motors, Porsche, and Ford Combined

Tesla has added $250 billion to its value since the presidential election.

Successfully copied link

franchise business plan overview

Growthink logo white

Franchise Business Plan Template

Franchise business plan.

If you want to start a franchise business or expand your current one, you need a compelling business plan.

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their franchise businesses.

How to Create a Franchise Business Plan

Below are links to the key elements of a successful franchise business plan:

  • Executive Summary – The Executive Summary provides an overview of your franchise business plan including an introduction to your company, a description of your products or services, and a summary of your financial projections.
  • Company Overview – The Company Overview should include a comprehensive business description of your franchise including the company’s business model, history, and mission statement.
  • Industry Analysis – In the Industry Analysis, you should provide an overview of the market and trends in the industry that your franchise operates in.
  • Customer Analysis – The Customer Analysis section should include a description of your target market, their needs and preferences, and how your franchise will fulfill those needs.
  • Competitive Analysis – The Competitive Analysis section will detail your direct and indirect competitors, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and identifying your competitive advantage.
  • Marketing Plan – The Marketing Plan will include the various marketing strategies that you will implement to attract customers, the marketing channels you will use to reach your target audience, and the projected budget for your marketing efforts.
  • Operations Plan – In the Operations Plan, you will detail the day-to-day business operations including inventory management, staffing, and customer service procedures.
  • Management Team – The Management Team section should introduce key team members and their roles in the franchise, highlighting their relevant experience and qualifications.
  • Financial Plan – In the Financial Plan, you will include the financial details about your franchise business including franchise fees, start-up costs, revenue projections, and financial statements including an income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement.
  • Appendix – The Appendix section will include supplemental documents that are referenced in your business plan including the franchise agreement, franchise disclosure document, complete financial projections, and any other supporting materials.

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Franchise Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my franchise business plan, where can i download a franchise business plan pdf, what is a franchise business plan, why do you need a business plan for a franchise.

If you’re looking to start a franchise or grow your existing franchise you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your franchise in order to improve your chances of success. Your franchise business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your business grows and changes.

What Are the Sources of Funding for a Franchise?

What additional resources are available for prospective franchisees.

  • How To Start a Franchise
  • Top Franchise Opportunities
  • A Consumer’s Guide To Buying a Franchise
  • Franchise Marketing Strategies

FRANCHISE BUSINESS PLAN OUTLINE

  • Franchise Business Plan Home
  • 1. Executive Summary
  • 2. Company Overview
  • 3. Industry Analysis
  • 4. Customer Analysis
  • 5. Competitive Analysis
  • 6. Marketing Plan
  • 7. Operations Plan
  • 8. Management Team
  • 9. Financial Plan
  • 10. Appendix
  • Franchise Business Plan Summary

Start Your Franchise Plan Here

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Business Plan Template

PlanBuildr Logo

Franchise Business Plan

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Franchise Business Plan Template

You’ve come to the right place to create your business plan.

We have helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs and prospective franchisees with how to create a business plan to start a new franchise or grow their existing franchise.

How To Write a Franchise Business Plan & Sample

Below is an example for each of the key elements of franchise business plan that you can use to create your own well-crafted business plan:

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise is a national franchise that is headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona. It is a home health care business started by Alma Briggs, Registered Nurse, after she noticed the lack of quality health care solutions for the aging population of the Phoenix area. Her business grew rapidly and she expanded her staff and eventually added locations throughout the Southwest United States. Today, Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise has 30 locations throughout the country with more franchisees submitting interest almost daily.

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise offers home care services to adults who require health care needs in the comfort of their home upon being released from the hospital, rehabilitation facility, or nursing home. Helping Heroes Home Care provides skilled nursing services, therapy and rehabilitation, home health aide, and medical social workers.

Erica Moore is a Registered Nurse in Albuquerque, New Mexico and is opening the Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise Albuquerque location. Upon franchise approval and submitting her initial franchise investment, Erica will be employing a nurse, occupational therapist, nurse aid, and social worker for the first year of operations. As the Albuquerque location grows, more staff will be added as required.

Service Offering

The following are the services that Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will provide:

  • Skilled nursing services
  • Therapy and rehabilitation by Occupational Therapists
  • Home Health Aides
  • Medical social work

Customer Focus

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will target those residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico that require nursing services and medical care at home. They are newly released from the hospital or a rehabilitation facility. Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise provides these services primarily to adults.

Management Team

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise  (Albuquerque) will be solely owned and operated by Erica Moore, a Registered Nurse in the state of New Mexico. Erica has worked as a home health care nurse in Albuquerque for five years. She saw the lack of quality care and reliable service and decided to leave the home care industry and save up to own her own health care business one day. For eight years, Erica worked for a rehabilitation facility all while saving up and researching reliable and quality home health care franchisors. Erica decided on Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise as they have a strong brand presence, strong marketing program, reliable technological support and training, implements the best clinical standards, and offers a scalable business model so that Erica can add multiple streams of revenue and grow her business year after year.

Success Factors

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

  • Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers who are able to provide the highest standard of care in the comfort of a patient’s home.
  • Customized plans that are affordable and flexible.
  • A reputable franchise that offers the most support in order to provide the best clinical care per the franchise standards.
  • Scalable business model to ensure each franchisee will successfully establish their business and grow to become more profitable each year.
  • Technology and support by the franchise to receive ongoing operational support, business consultations, and training.

Financial Highlights

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise (Albuquerque) is seeking $250,000 in debt financing to open the Albuquerque location. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space, office equipment, and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and franchise investment. The franchise investment is $150,000 to get approved and started. The fees paid to the franchise are then paid monthly as a percentage of revenue earned by the franchisee. The breakout of the funding is below:

  • Securing office space and any build-out required: $50,000
  • Franchise investment:  $150,000
  • Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities):  $50,000

financial projection franchise business

Company Overview

Who is helping heroes home care franchise.

Helping Heroes Home Care is a national franchise that provides home health services to seniors, those released from a rehabilitation facility or hospital, and those that require acute health care needs that require medical care at home. Helping Heroes Home Care provides skilled nursing services, therapy and rehabilitation, home health aide, and medical social workers. We work with the clients to continue their medical treatment at home. We learn about their situation and symptoms, develop a medical plan, and implement the best care plan available to prevent the client from needing to be admitted to the hospital again, and to promote self awareness and independence while working with the client in their home.

Erica Moore is a Registered Nurse at a rehabilitation hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has been working with patients that have been released from the hospital for over ten years. Previously, Erica was a home health nurse for a local home health care agency and treated hundreds of patients in their home. She saw firsthand the lack of resources and quality care available to the residents of Albuquerque and had a goal in mind of owning and operating her own home health care business. After spending the last ten years researching and developing a plan, Erica has decided that the best option is to become a franchisee for Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise. Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise offers the best quality care and support to its franchisees. Their comprehensive marketing plan, strong clinical standards, and technology and support will make a strong impact to those requiring home health care in Albuquerque.

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise History

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise was started by Registered Nurse Alma Briggs in 2006 in Phoenix, Arizona. Like Erica, she saw the lack of quality home health care available to her patients and wanted to make a difference. She and her husband saved money and eventually began Helping Heroes with one location in Glendale, Arizona. Her business grew steadily and she eventually added more nurses to support her, an office to be the center of operations, and grew into more locations throughout the Southwest. Today, Helping Heroes has grown to over 30 locations throughout the United States with more franchisees applying daily.

Since incorporation, Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise (Albuquerque) has achieved the following milestones:

  • Found a small office space to be the physical location of the business
  • Obtained legal licensing obligations, permits, and tax registrations.
  • Applied to be a franchisee of Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise. Approval is pending capital requirements.

Helping Heroes Home Health Care Franchise Services

The following will be the services Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will provide:

Industry Analysis

The Home Care Franchises industry will grow, as demand for services grows.The number of people 65 years or older in the United States is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 2.9% to 63.4 million people during the five-year period. This population demographic is the largest consumer of healthcare in the United States and will continue to demand a growing number of in-home care services as the trend toward aging in place strengthens. With the continued implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), demand for industry services will accelerate as seniors and the disabled are transitioned from nursing home services to at-home managed care. Consequently, industry revenue is expected to increase at an annualized rate of 6.4% to nearly $15.0 billion.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

The precise demographics for Albuquerque, New Mexico are:

Customer Segmentation

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will primarily target the following customer profiles:

  • Adult residents of Albuquerque, New Mexico requiring home health care
  • Adults and/or seniors who have been released from the hospital or nursing home and either request or referred by a doctor to have home health care
  • Adults and/or seniors who have been released from a rehabilitation facility who either request or are referred by a doctor to have home health care

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

TLC Home Healthcare Services

TLC Home Healthcare Services has been in business for over seven years. They provide services Monday through Friday and are available for on-call services after hours and on weekends. Their on-call services are to assist and triage any questions or concerns to the clients or family members for any issues they may be experiencing. Upon referral, they admit the patient into the system within 24 hours. There are physical therapy services on standby for evaluations needed during weekend admissions. Their focus is to immediately establish and initiate full recovery at home following an individualized plan of care soon after discharge from the hospital to maximize the rehabilitation potential by minimizing the time-lapsed between facility discharge and home healthcare evaluation. The mission of TLC is to provide professional and paraprofessional services to patients in their homes and assist them to achieve the highest level of potential in their day-to-day and self-care activities.

Interim Healthcare

Interim Healthcare has a fully trained staff of caregivers who are supervised by a registered nurse to provide the care needed in a patient’s home. They provide supervision, companionship, housekeeping, meal preparation, mobility support, transportation, medication reminders, grooming, and laundry. They provide as little or as much as needed. Interim provides respite care to offer relief for the primary family caregiver to take a break or get errands done. If it is no longer safe for the senior to be alone, the team at Interim Healthcare develops a plan for high-quality caregivers to provide home care around the clock. Interim Healthcare also offers hospice care by providing all basic needs are being met to ensure safety and basic needs are being met so that the families can focus on spending quality time together. Interim Healthcare charges by the hour with no minimum commitment or contracts. Their rates and plans are entirely flexible.

Compassus provides their clients with safe and reliable home care from a professional and trained staff. Their care is not one size fits all. They are committed to understanding the needs and offer personalized support. They provide home health care to seven counties throughout the Albuquerque area. Compassus’ team includes nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, home health aides, and social workers. They also offer expert care in the areas of total joint program, cardiac program, prehab program, and CHF program. Their patients are those who are discharged from a hospital or nursing home but need additional support at home, require short-term skilled assistance at home due to outpatient surgery, need additional skilled assistance to live independently due to illness, disability or aging, and require regular health care due to heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions like muscular, nervous, or respiratory disorders.

Competitive Advantage

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise is as follows:

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise is an already-established franchise that has a strong reputation in the healthcare community with their strong brand awareness. Hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and doctors who specialize in seniors will recommend Helping Heroes to the families and patients needing home care services.

Franchise Marketing

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise has a strong built-in marketing program that it provides to all of its franchisees. Upon acceptance as a franchisee, they are given a website page that feeds from their national page, social media accounts, flyers, and business cards for the franchisee to hand out to its contacts.

Website/SEO Marketing

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise maintains a strong online presence. All franchisees have the unique advantage over their competition as Helping Heroes manages the website activity and pays to have a strong SEO presence so that when someone enters “home health care” in whichever city they are in, Helping Heroes Home Care is at the top of the list.

The pricing of Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise (Albuquerque).

Operation Functions:

  • Erica Moore will be the owner and operator of Helping Heroes Home Care in Albuquerque. She will employ and lead a team of nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers to carry out and establish the presence of Helping Heroes in Albuquerque.
  • Erica will employ an office administrator to answer phone calls and assist with scheduling the staff to see their patients.
  • Erica will start with one nurse, one occupational therapist, one nurse aid, and one social worker to join her team for the first year of operations. As the franchise presence grows into a steady stream of business, Erica will add more nurses, therapists, and social workers to meet the demands of the home care franchise.

Milestones:

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease small office space

5/15/202X – Obtain small business loan to meet the capital requirements of being a Helping Heroes Home Care Franchisee

6/1/202X – Begin training program for Helping Heroes

6/15/202X – Start hiring staff and have them begin the Helping Heroes Home Care employee standards

8/1/202X – Begin first set of home visits referred by clients and/or those referred Helping Heroes national franchise

Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise (Albuquerque) will be solely owned and operated by Erica Moore, RN.

Erica Moore is a Registered Nurse in the state of New Mexico. She received her Bachelor’s of Nursing degree from the University of New Mexico in 2008. Upon licensure and graduation, Erica has worked as a home health care nurse in Albuquerque for five years. She saw the lack of quality care and reliable service and decided to leave the home care industry and save up to own her own health care business one day. For eight years, Erica has worked for a rehabilitation facility all while saving up and researching reliable and quality home health care franchisors. Erica decided on Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise as they have a strong brand presence, strong marketing program, reliable technological support and training, implements the best clinical standards, and offers a scalable business model so that Erica can add multiple streams of revenue and grow her business year after year.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise are the fees it will charge to the patients for the home care services it will provide. The fees are paid for all or in part by the insurance company of the patient. The remaining balance will be paid by the patient or the family.

The cost drivers will be the fees paid to the franchise, payroll for the employees (office administrator, nurse, occupational therapist, and social worker), rent and utilities for the office space, and office supplies. The marketing, training, and technology costs are part of the franchise fees paid to the Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

  • Number of Initial Patients per Month: 40
  • Average Fees per Month: $50,000
  • Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, free franchise business plan template pdf.

You can download our free franchise business plan template PDF here. This is a sample franchise business plan template you can use in PDF format. You can easily complete your business plan using our Franchise Business Plan Template here .

Franchise Business Plan FAQs

What is a franchise business plan.

A business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your franchise business . Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target audience , presents your marketing strategy and details your financial projections..

What Are the Main Sources of Revenues and Expenses for a Franchise Business?

The main sources of revenue for a business franchise are franchise fees and royalty fees. Some also earn from other fees like distribution fees, site assistance fees, training fees, technologies, and rebates.

The key expenses for franchises are inventory, payroll, marketing and advertising, rent and loans.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Franchise Business?

Among the most common sources of funding for a franchising business are commercial bank loans, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, personal savings and friends and family loans/gifts. There are also lenders that can supplement other loans with equipment financing and business lines of credit for franchise businesses.

This is true for a business plan for a franchise restaurant, a business plan for franchise store, or any other franchise business plans.

  • Search for:
  • Add your franchise

Home > Blog > Franchise Development > How to Write a Franchise Business Plan

How to Write a Franchise Business Plan

Entrepreneurs who have decided to franchise their business owing to its past success and ability to replicate the business idea will need to write a business plan for a franchise. In many cases, this business plan will share many similarities with business plans for start-ups. However, a fundamental difference is that a franchise business plan must cover two types of target audiences: prospective franchisees as well as their customers.

In a sense, this is what sets a franchise business plan apart from other business plans that may apply to sole proprietors, limited liability companies, partnerships and others. In this article, we explore what a franchise business plan is, why it is important for your franchise business and how to write a business plan for a franchise.

Table of contents:

What is a franchise business plan?

Why you need to create a business plan, why franchisors are looking for business plans from their franchisees, important elements you need to include in your franchise business plan, how to create a franchise business plan, concluding remarks.

A franchise business plan is a document that is prepared by the entrepreneur in question when they wish to franchise a business. This document is extensive and plays an essential role in the business’ future development.

A franchise business plan is a living document that will require input from management and team members and which will be adjusted over time to meet the goals and aspirations of the business owner.

However, in short, a franchise business plan is a “roadmap” which methodically sets out how business objectives will be achieved. It can be used both internally and externally.

Internally, it can be used by management teams to check whether the business is on track with its predetermined objectives.

Externally, it is presented to lenders for financial assistance. Such lenders will then evaluate the depth, complexity and potential for profitability and returns of the business in question. They will then decide whether or not to award a prospective franchisor the necessary capital to proceed with the next step towards franchising their business and the likelihood and time frame for such capital to be repaid.

a group of colleagues creating a business plan

As a “roadmap” to a franchise business’ future structure, operations, organisational team, marketing strategy , financial projections and more, the importance of a business plan cannot be overstated.

There are several crucial reasons that you should consider when it comes to the question: why write a business plan in the first place?

Here are some of them:

  • Clarify and evaluate your franchise business idea from multiple angles for more certainty and higher chances of success.
  • Helps with goal setting and expansion/growth plans including sales, marketing and business operations.
  • Enables you to identify potential problems that could arise and how you can circumvent them.
  • It acts as a way of tracking your progress.
  • Gives you more clarity about your financial needs and the projected financial returns you can expect.
  • Assists with strategic planning over the short, medium and long term as it involves detailed research into a wide number of stakeholders.
  • Communicates your vision to prospective employees and investors, giving them more confidence in your franchise venture.
  • Attract funding from investors, banks and lenders.

When a franchisee expresses interest in a franchise opportunity , franchisors may require that these franchisees prepare a business plan.

This business plan is presented to lenders to enable them to assess whether the prospective franchisee is as thoroughly prepared for the business journey ahead to make it as successful as possible.

The primary purpose of determining this is through a detailed business plan that sets out the franchisee’s organisational structure, operations, market research, marketing plans, financial projections and more.

Whereas a franchisor can often offer help to a franchisee in developing their business plan, financial projections are typically not included by the franchisor because this could have important legal ramifications.

A further reason why a franchisor requires a business plan from their franchisees is to determine whether the franchisee is able to handle and abide by the franchise business model whilst serving the franchisor’s customers in a manner that ensures consistency across the brand.

Your franchise business plan should contain several important elements. Although these may differ from one franchisor to the next, some of the sections are standard and uniform across the board.

These may include:

  • An executive summary: this is the first page of the franchise business plan and contains a concise summary of everything that is contained in the remainder of the document. As such, it is usually written last. It can be divided into three sections: a business summary, business aims and a financial summary.
  • Company description: the company description contains information about the type of business in question, who it is led by, the background, education and previous experience of the owner and what value they bring to the business.
  • Mission and vision statement : the mission statement is generally expressed as a sentiment that is about one sentence long. It indicates what purpose the business seeks to achieve. The vision statement on the other hand is what the business’ meaning and purpose is for each of your stakeholders.
  • Business structure : since your focus is on creating a franchise business, the business structure to be clarified here is a franchise business.
  • Products and services : other aspects that need to be clarified are what products and/or services your business will be providing to its customers. If you are offering a variety of these, consider grouping similar ones together and describing them briefly. If you are only going to offer one product/service or a handful, you can spend more time describing each one in detail.
  • Industry analysis : studying the industry in which your franchise business will operate is also important to show lenders that your business idea is viable and replicable. Industry analysis will start with what other companies (i.e. your competitors) are offering the market, what prices they are asking for their products/services, where they are located and how you plan to strategically position your franchise business so that you outperform them.
  • Market analysis : as part of the market analysis, you will need to conduct customer segmentation. This will necessarily involve identifying your target market and their needs as well as determining strategies of reaching them and winning them over to your franchise product or service offering.
  • Logistics and operations: logistics and operations refer to the actual production or service delivery activities that you will be carrying out, how you will do so, at what cost, where and when, as well as how frequently these logistical aspects will need to be employed.
  • Marketing plan: a detailed marketing plan is created after conducting market research and analysis. The plan will contain the strategy through which customers will be marketed to in terms of new promotions/discounts, special offers, company news, raising brand awareness, boosting sales, measuring key performance indicators (KPIs), refining the strategy and measuring its success.
  • Franchise Marketing Plan Download
  • Business management and organisational structure: this section will contain details of the leadership and management of your franchise business as well as a brief outline of what skills, knowledge and experience each person brings to the table.
  • Financing projections/financial plan: this is possibly the hardest but most important section to prepare because it will undertake number crunching, forecasting and analysis.
  • Appendix: use the appendix to attach any relevant documents to support any preceding section of your franchise business plan.

Knowing more about the various elements that go into a franchise business plan, you can now proceed. Below are some steps to follow in the process of how to write a business plan for a franchise.

Step 1: Present your business and your business idea

Since you already have a successful business behind you and you are seeking to branch out into franchising, you need to indicate why your idea can be replicated successfully in different territories.

Talk about the history of the business, the ownership structure, when it started trading and its progress to date.

Discuss your products and/or services mentioning what sets them apart and what benefits they offer. Are you planning on introducing an entirely new concept to the industry? Are there any disadvantages that you foresee and how will you deal with these?

Step 2: Highlight the key features of the industry

Mention any industry regulations that must be abided by, what types of companies dominate the industry and who the major players are, what key features of the industry need to be known, etc.

Step 3: Specify your target market and competitors

Your target market and competitors should be clearly identified as should the market in which you will be operating.

Target markets and ideal customer personas should be identified including their key demographic information and what influences their purchasing decisions.

Clarify what size of market share you aim to acquire and the steps for doing so.

Outline your primary competitors. Pay special attention to emphasising what their advantages and disadvantages are compared to your franchise business offering.

It’s important to never openly criticise your competition. Instead, approach any references to them with due respect.

Step 4: Outline your marketing and sales strategy

What price will you charge for your products or services – low, mid-range or high? What is the unique selling point that you will seek to emphasise? Do your products or services have unique features and how will these be set apart from competitors? Which marketing channels or combinations thereof will you use? What are your monthly, quarterly and annual sales KPIs and how will your marketing strategy help you reach these?

What will your marketing budget be? What measures will you put in place to test, refine and measure the success of your marketing and sales efforts? How will sales be conducted – online, over the phone, or over the counter at a retail outlet? What is your anticipated cost per acquisition? How will you seek to reduce this? How will you differentiate between marketing for franchisees and marketing for your customers?

Step 5: Note your organisational structure and staffing needs

Who will sit on your management team and what skill set do they bring to the table? Who will be responsible for what department in your franchise business?

How many staff members will you start out with? What will their key roles and responsibilities be? How much will it cost you to retain your staff on a monthly basis?

Also important is the recruitment of franchisees. Will you have a dedicated team to train and support these and what kind of support will you offer? What will be the defining characteristics of your franchise offering and unique selling points?

Step 6: Clarify the intricacies of your business operations

Where will the franchise business headquarters be located? In which territories will future franchisees operate? How will the division of territories be undertaken (if any)?

Do you make use of production facilities? If so, how will you streamline your logistics processes to ensure that your franchisees benefit from these operations?

Will you need to make new investments in equipment? How is your existing infrastructure able to support future growth and further expansion?

What are the relationships with your suppliers like and who are they? What sort of pricing structure can they offer your future franchisees to enable them to optimise their investment?

Step 7: Prepare your financial forecasts

Start out by presenting your sales, income, turnover, profit and other historical figures to provide proof of your current business’ success before you turn to franchising. Going back between three to five years should be sufficient.

What is the gross margin on each product? How does capital flow in your business in terms of stock, debtors, creditors, etc.

What major financial investments have you made and what have been the results of these? Offer an updated balance sheet including a profit and loss account. Provide comparisons with industry norms.

Once the historical aspect has been taken care of, it’s also advisable to create forecasts for the next few years. If you make any assumptions for any of your forecasts, each of these should be explained and supported in full.

How realistic are your forecasts? Never try to inflate projected income, sales, profit, turnover or other amounts. Be as realistic as possible. Factor into account that payment delays may occur. How do you plan on dealing with these?

Specify the type and amount of financing you are looking for. Is it a medium- or long-term loan or an increased overdraft facility? What interest rates and instalment amounts can you afford to pay over the loan period?

Franchising your business will require a franchise business plan to put your goals into perspective and to help lenders back your business idea. And although it can be quite a detailed process, there are several key steps you can take to prepare a thorough and detailed business plan to convince lenders to support your franchise business.

In the beginning of the journey to franchising, many franchisors struggle to implement effective strategies and plans to set them up for success. But there is help at hand. Join our How to Grow Your Franchise Sustainably Without Costing Your Personal Life masterclass to find out about how the 5Fs Franchising Model has been implemented successfully across multiple global franchises and how you can achieve a greater work-life balance by prioritising better and making the most of your existing infrastructure and network.

Stay in touch

" * " indicates required fields

Share on with your network

Book icon

Fill your details in order to get our free resource

Note: Please provide a valid email address where we can send you the Free PDF resource.

Featured Opportunity

Fantastic Services Logo

Fantastic Services Franchise

Founded in 2009, Fantastic Services has grown from humble beginnings to become a highly regarded global enterprise with over 500 franchisees.

£5,000 +VAT

Our Top 5 Franchisors of the Week

1800-plumber-air-logo

1-800-Plumber + Air

Honest_Abe_R_Logo

Honest Abe Roofing

Focal Point Logo

Focal Point Coaching

wow-1-day-painting-logo

Wow 1 Day Painting

franchise business plan overview

Facial Mania Med Spa

Top 5 industries of the month, cleaning franchises, courier franchises, fast food franchises, coffee franchises, gym & fitness franchises, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don’t miss out our top articles of the month

Franchising - main terms you must know.

Confused by the very specific terminology that’s used with regard to franchising? Don’t worry, we’re here to help you! Below, you’ll find the answers to frequently asked questions such as “what does franchising mean?”, and so many others.

Is my Business Suitable for Franchising?

“Can I franchise my business?’ is an important question that many business owners ask themselves when they experience success with their current enterprise. Franchising your business can be an excellent way of expanding your operations and building onto your existing success as you seek new locations across the country to develop and grow. Wondering why … Continued

Should You Use a Franchise Consultant

An Introduction to Franchise Consulting Services It doesn’t matter whether you’re a new or established franchisor or even a prospective franchisee – you can make use of professional franchise consulting services. But what does a franchise consultant do? Table of contents: How You’ll Benefit If You’re a Franchisor How You’ll Benefit If You’re a Franchisee … Continued

Understanding the Role of a Franchise Consultant vs. Franchise Broker

Choosing the route to franchise ownership can be both an exciting and challenging experience for many aspiring business owners. If you are someone who has just embarked on the process of understanding the industry better, you will quickly learn that there are many different terms used in the industry, which may be confusing. Two of … Continued

Brand Compliance and Strategies for Implementing It Across All Creative Processes

The very nature of franchise marketing is that it involves numerous simultaneously moving parts. Whether it’s social media or pay-per-click (PPC) ads, blog posts, your website’s design, or even your franchisees and their employees’ uniforms or the stationery used for formal communication, one thing is clear: brand compliance is a must. Since a franchisor has … Continued

5 Factors That Make a Franchise Successful

Franchising is an excellent way to achieve your business objectives and goals because it offers so many opportunities for growth in addition to strong returns on investment.  Joining the franchise world is an exceptional opportunity to turn your professional dreams and aspirations into reality because of the numerous franchise success factors. But these are highly … Continued

How Can AI Technologies Influence Your Marketing Strategy?

With most franchisors having internal marketing departments, you will be well aware that this task has been highly labour-intensive until now. Over the past few years, and especially the last few months, there’s been a rise in artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Siri and Alexa aside, many franchisors already use AI in their marketing efforts in … Continued

Which Industries Are Most Likely to Franchise?

IIn the UK, the franchise industry, although unregulated, is extensive and it’s expected to see continued growth over the coming years. The same is true for the US, even though the industry is regulated with various states having state-specific requirements. If you currently run a business and want to know what are the most common … Continued

Franchise Training: The Most Common Questions Answered

Franchisors who sell their franchise opportunities to prospective franchisees often offer a range of benefits that come with the package. There is usually a mix of training and support, marketing and advertising, business development, location build and outfitting, recruitment, financing and payroll and a whole lot more. When you are evaluating different franchise opportunities, you … Continued

Complete Email Marketing Guide for Franchises

Franchisors have a dual job when it comes to marketing. On the one hand, they market to their customers. On the other hand, they market to prospective franchisees. One of the best ways to achieve this dual objective is through email marketing. The reason behind this is simple: it’s a highly effective way of building … Continued

The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Franchising

Cultural diversity and inclusion are not just fluff words to be used to conveniently tick corporate boxes. Instead, they are important pillars of societal, community and business growth and development. But what role does cultural diversity and inclusion play in franchising and what do these terms mean in the first place? Read on to find … Continued

How to Franchise Your Service Business

If you currently run a service-based business and it has performed well over time with a proven business model, you may now be thinking about business expansion. One option you have is franchising. But with this comes the question of how to franchise a service business. Especially since service franchising, and franchising in general, are … Continued

franchise business plan overview

Privacy Overview

🎧 Real entrepreneurs. Real stories.

Subscribe to The Hurdle podcast today!

How to Write a Franchise Business Plan + Template

A collage of burgers, fries, soda, and coffee cups laid out in multiple rows.

Elon Glucklich

8 min. read

Updated August 1, 2024

Download Now: Free Business Plan Template →

Free Download:  Sample Franchise Sandwich Shop Business Plan Template

Owning a franchise is an excellent way for business owners to gain instant brand recognition. 

By paying a franchise fee, you can own a fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s, Subway, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, a 7-Eleven convenience store, a gym chain, or even a hotel like a Marriott or Hilton. 

For franchises with fees between $25,000 and $100,000, recent research indicates that the 5-year business failure rate is about 5 percent , just one-tenth of the overall business failure rate. Put simply, you have a much higher chance of success opening a franchise than a traditional business.

But getting a proven brand name doesn’t guarantee success. You’ll need to ensure you understand the franchise’s business model and expectations. 

Plus, you need to determine if there’s a big enough market for your business to be successful, what potential customers expect from businesses like yours, and how many competitors you’ll face.

Fortunately, answering these questions are all part of writing a comprehensive business plan . Here are the steps to writing a franchise business plan that shows your business’s unique value—while answering critical financial and operational questions your franchisor or lender will want to know.

Ready to write your plan? Check out our selection of franchise business plan examples to inspire your own.

  • Why you need a business plan for your franchise business

Writing a detailed business plan is crucial for two reasons. 

First , it demonstrates to the franchisor that you understand how their business operates. 

Since the company sets your prices , controls your product inventory, and will likely tell you what marketing tactics you can use—the business plan puts in writing that you understand how their rules and guidelines affect your business.

Second , the plan also organizes all of your expectations, assumptions, and research about your business into one document that serves as a roadmap for success:

  • Business objectives
  • Franchisor requirements
  • Funding needs
  • Financial goals
  • Growth strategies

Brought to you by

LivePlan Logo

Create a professional business plan

Using ai and step-by-step instructions.

Secure funding

Validate ideas

Build a strategy

How to write a business plan for your franchise 

1. understand your franchise business model.

Since the franchisor has already established the company’s business model, your business plan should focus on how you can adapt it to be successful in your chosen location .

Imagine you’re planning to open a fast food restaurant, chain hotel, or convenience store. How do these kinds of businesses operate successfully? Consider the business models of each:

Fast food restaurant: Standard menu, streamlined kitchen operations, marketing strategy leaning heavily on national advertising campaigns.

Hotel: Efficient room turnovers, maintaining cleanliness and amenities that the brand promises.

Convenience store: High foot traffic, quick inventory turnover, and flexible operating hours.

Each case presents different business dynamics – and considerations for your business plan. You should be able to show in your plan that you understand the revenue streams and direct costs of running this type of business, and what your customer acquisition costs might be.

2. Conduct a market and location analysis

Buying into a franchise gives you some marketing advantages. You have a widely recognized brand to attract customers, access to promotional materials, and maybe even some information about customer buying patterns from your franchisor.

But operating a franchise doesn’t take away the heavy lifting of market research . Each franchise has to consider local factors that could affect its profitability.

A good starting point is to conduct a SWOT analysis , documenting the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing your business. Here are some other key elements to consider:

Demographic study

  • Employment status

Understanding the demographics of the people most likely to visit your business could help you set operating hours or decide who to target with promotions.

Competitor analysis

  • Identify your competitors
  • Compare your product or service offerings with theirs
  • Compare price points
  • Compare marketing strategies
  • Define the competitive advantage of your business

Don’t just look at direct competitors that are similar to your franchise. If you’re opening a 24-hour 7-Eleven, you should also look at supermarkets, drugstores, or food delivery services in your area.

Geographic analysis

  • Neighborhood characteristics
  • Population trends

A chain restaurant in a busy downtown probably has different customers and peak times than the same restaurant in a shopping center near a residential area. So it’s essential to understand the characteristics of the neighborhood you’re operating in.

Consumer behavior patterns

  • Technology use

Understand what drives consumers interested in your business to make the choices they do. This is where you will want to do online research and, ideally, go out and talk to potential customers.

Franchise-specific research

You should also answer questions about the competitive positioning of the franchise – and franchises as a whole – in your area.

  • How do similar franchises perform in your area?
  • What is the brand perception of the franchise you intend to start?
  • Is there a large enough market in the area for your franchise?
  • What non-franchise options are available? What are the advantages or disadvantages for customers who shop there instead?

Be sure to examine what potential customers discuss on social media platforms and online message boards like Reddit to understand what they expect from businesses like yours.

3. Highlight your unique value proposition within the franchise

Even though you’re buying into a proven business model , you’ll still face competition. Your business plan gives you a chance to put on paper what gives you a competitive advantage. 

In the case of a franchise business , your franchisor may be the most important stakeholder to read your business plan. So the plan is to show them you can run a successful business under their name.

Maybe the 7-Eleven convenience store you want to open is in a location with a lot of foot traffic and no larger grocery stores nearby. Or maybe your restaurant offers late-night delivery in an area with few alternatives. 

By outlining your unique value proposition in your business plan—you can align your individual strengths and market opportunities with your franchisor’s proven business model.

Backing up your unique value proposition with any data or information about customers will be especially important if you’re operating in a crowded market with lots of competition.

4. Do your own financial projections and scenarios

The franchisor may provide some guidance, but this is your business.

That means your business plan should include the same financial details and projections as if you were starting a business from scratch. Your financial plan should include:

Start-up costs : The initial investment required to get your franchise off the ground. This should include the franchise fee, the cost of equipment, initial inventory, license fees, and any expenses related to your location.

Ongoing fees and operational costs: These are costs that recur monthly or annually. They include fixed costs like franchise royalties, lease payments, and staff salaries, and variable costs like utilities, inventory, maintenance costs, and marketing expenses.

Revenue projections : Detail how much revenue you expect to bring in monthly. Forecast revenues out into the future, and don’t be afraid to make projections several years out. 

Remember, good financial forecasts are meant to be adjusted as real numbers come in, and comparing your projections with actuals over time can help you make better business decisions.

Break-even analysis : This is where you calculate how long it will take for your franchise unit to cover its initial investment and start making a profit. Knowing your break-even point is essential not just for you but also for lenders.

5. Create an operational plan

Even though the franchise provides the business model, you must ensure it runs smoothly daily. Your business plan should provide a clear operational plan that outlines :

Staffing needs 

You should be specific about the staffing level your business needs . You’ll need cashiers, cooks, and delivery drivers if you’re running a fast-food franchise. List the skills and experience needed for each role, and outline your plans for training new hires.

Inventory management

While a franchise agreement might take some of the pressure off of sourcing your inventory, it’s still your responsibility to develop processes for managing it. 

You’ll need to understand if there are seasonal trends in your business, how often various products are returned, how long an item can sit on your shelves, and a variety of other factors that affect how much of a product you should order and when you should order it.

Quality control

Since you’re operating under a franchise agreement, you must comply with the standards the franchisor sets out for operating their business. Detail the quality control procedures you’ll put in place to meet those standards. 

Also, take some time in the business plan to address how you’ll stay compliant with local, state, and federal laws and the franchise’s policies.

6. Review and adjust your business plan

The business plan for your franchise should not be a static document . Market conditions evolve, consumer demands change, and new competitors emerge. Additionally, Franchisors often update their business models, add new products, or change their marketing strategies.

You may also be expected to periodically share financial reports or general updates about your business with the franchisor. (LivePlan lets you create and share visually engaging, professional reports using information from your business plan.)

Either way, your plan should outline how you’ll account for market shifts or franchise changes in your operations. Just as important, you should make it a habit to review your business plan periodically – many business owners review their plans quarterly or even monthly, especially when starting out. 

That way, they can adapt the plan as their business evolves.

  • Download your free sample business plan for a franchise business

If you need help getting your franchise business started, check out one of our free sample franchise business plans . You can also download our free business plan template this document in Word form and customize it to get you started on your own business plan. 

It’s just one of 550+ sample business plans we’ve made available to download.

You can also review our step-by-step guide on how to write a business plan for a detailed look at how to write specific sections of a traditional business plan.

Content Author: Elon Glucklich

Elon is a marketing specialist at Palo Alto Software, working with consultants, accountants, business instructors and others who use LivePlan at scale. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and an MBA from the University of Oregon.

Thumb-2-3000px

Table of Contents

  • How to write a business plan for your franchise 

Related Articles

franchise business plan overview

15 Min. Read

How to Write a Business Plan for an Outpatient Medical Practice

franchise business plan overview

13 Min. Read

How to Write an Online Fitness Business Plan

Nail salon business plan

6 Min. Read

How to Write a Nail Salon Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

Real estate investment business plan

7 Min. Read

How to Write a Real Estate Investment Business Plan + Free Sample Plan PDF

The LivePlan Newsletter

Become a smarter, more strategic entrepreneur.

Your first monthly newsetter will be delivered soon..

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy .

Garrett's Bike Shop

The quickest way to turn a business idea into a business plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

No thanks, I prefer writing 40-page documents.

LivePlan pitch example

Discover the world’s #1 plan building software

franchise business plan overview

Your Franchise Fit

  • Schedule A Free 15 - Minute Call
  • 352-307-1000
  • [email protected]

default-logo

How To Create A Franchise Business Plan

franchise business plan overview

Embarking on the journey of establishing on how to create a  franchise business plan can be an exhilarating venture, full of promise and potential. Yet, in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, success is often rooted in meticulous planning and strategic foresight. A key pillar in the foundation of a flourishing franchise is the creation of a well-structured and thoughtful business plan. Whether you’re a prospective franchisee eager to chart your path or a seasoned franchisor aiming for expansion, understanding how to create a franchise business plan is the compass that can guide your success. 

In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of crafting a robust franchise business plan, exploring the vital components that transform aspirations into actionable strategies. Join us on this journey as we unravel the art and science behind creating a roadmap for franchise success.

Table of Contents

What is a franchise business plan, why do you need a franchise business plan, what are the main types of a franchise, analysis of the local market, analysis of the local, regional and national competition.

A franchise business plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the strategic roadmap for both the franchisor and franchisee, providing a detailed framework for the successful establishment and operation of a franchise. This document encompasses various crucial elements, including the franchise concept, market analysis, financial projections, and operational strategies. 

It delineates the rights and responsibilities of both parties, delineates the franchise model, and addresses key factors such as training, marketing, and ongoing support. A question on how to create a franchise business plan is crucial for both attracting potential franchisees and ensuring the successful expansion and management of the franchise network. It provides a comprehensive overview of the business opportunity, sets expectations, and serves as a reference point for all stakeholders involved in the franchising process.

The plan serves as a guiding tool, offering insights into the target market, competition, and potential risks. Additionally, it provides a structured approach to financial planning, helping stakeholders make informed decisions. Overall, a well-crafted franchise business plan serves as a foundational document, fostering clear communication, strategic alignment, and long-term success within the franchising relationship.

A franchise business plan is a fundamental and essential tool for various reasons, serving both the franchisor (the business owner granting the franchise) and potential franchisees. Here are several key reasons why having a franchise business plan is crucial:

  • For Franchisors: It provides a strategic roadmap for the expansion of the business through franchising. A well-thought-out plan outlines the goals, objectives, and steps needed to grow the franchise network successfully.
  • For Franchisees: It offers a clear understanding of the franchisor’s vision, mission, and strategic direction. Franchisees can align their goals with the overall business strategy outlined in the plan.
  • For Franchisors: It promotes transparency with potential franchisees. The business plan outlines the franchise opportunity, the business model, and the franchisor’s expectations, fostering trust and credibility.
  • For Franchisees: It provides clarity on what is expected from them, including initial investment, ongoing fees, and operational requirements. This transparency helps potential franchisees make informed decisions.
  • For Franchisors: A comprehensive business plan is often required when seeking financing or investors to support the expansion of the franchise. It demonstrates a well-thought-out strategy and financial viability.
  • For Franchisees: Some franchisees may seek financing to launch their businesses. A solid business plan can be instrumental in securing loans or attracting investors.
  • For Franchisors: It helps ensure legal compliance with franchise regulations. The business plan includes details about the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and the franchise agreement, addressing legal considerations and requirements.
  • For Franchisees: Understanding the legal aspects of the franchise is crucial. The business plan provides insights into the legal framework within which the franchise operates.
  • For Franchisors: It aids in financial planning for the franchisor’s expansion strategy. The business plan includes financial projections, helping to assess the feasibility and profitability of franchising.
  • For Franchisees: It allows potential franchisees to understand the financial requirements, including initial investment, ongoing fees, and potential returns. This information is crucial for making informed financial decisions.
  • For Franchisors: It outlines the operational guidelines and support provided to franchisees. This ensures consistency across the franchise network and helps maintain the brand’s integrity.
  • For Franchisees: It serves as a guide on how to operate the franchise successfully. The operational plan provides insights into the day-to-day requirements and standards expected by the franchisor.
  • For Franchisors: It outlines the marketing and sales strategy for attracting potential franchisees. A well-structured plan helps in promoting the franchise opportunity effectively.
  • For Franchisees: It provides information on how the franchisor plans to market and promote the overall brand, which contributes to the franchisee’s success.

franchise business plan overview

Source: Photo by iStockphoto

A franchise business plan is essential for both prospective franchisees and franchisors. It serves as a roadmap for the business and helps outline key elements that contribute to its success. Here are the key components that should be included in a franchise business plan:

Executive Summary :

The executive summary is a concise overview of the entire business plan, providing a snapshot of the franchise’s key elements. It should encapsulate the franchise’s mission, goals, and a brief summary of each section of the plan, offering potential investors and stakeholders a quick understanding of the business’s direction and value proposition.

Business Description :

In this section, provide a detailed overview of the franchise concept, highlighting its uniqueness and value proposition in the market. Discuss the franchise’s history, background, and development, including any notable milestones or achievements. This narrative should convey the brand’s story and its journey to its current position, establishing a compelling narrative for investors and franchisees.

Franchise Model :

Clearly define the franchise model, specifying the type of franchise (e.g., retail, service, manufacturing) and its operational structure. Detail the rights and responsibilities of both the franchisor and the franchisee, outlining the contractual agreements, support systems, and operational guidelines that govern the franchising relationship. Clarity in the franchise model ensures alignment and understanding between all parties involved.

Market Analysis :

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the target market, delving into demographic trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape. Identify the target audience and their preferences, as well as competitors operating within the same market space. Analyze market trends and potential demand drivers to assess the market’s viability and growth prospects, informing strategic decisions and marketing initiatives.

SWOT Analysis :

Perform a SWOT analysis to assess the franchise’s internal strengths and weaknesses, as well as external opportunities and threats. Identify areas of competitive advantage, such as proprietary technology or strong brand recognition, as well as areas needing improvement, such as operational inefficiencies or market saturation. Use this analysis to develop strategies for leveraging strengths, addressing weaknesses, capitalizing on opportunities, and mitigating threats, enhancing the franchise’s competitive position.

Franchisee Requirements :

Outline the qualifications and characteristics of an ideal franchisee, including skills, experience, and financial capabilities. Specify the financial requirements for prospective franchisees, detailing initial investment costs, ongoing fees, and potential revenue streams. Clear communication of franchisee requirements ensures alignment between franchisors and potential investors, reducing the risk of misunderstandings or mismatches.

Training and Support :

Describe the training programs provided to franchisees, covering topics such as product knowledge, operational procedures, and customer service standards. Detail ongoing support mechanisms, including marketing assistance, operational guidance, and technology support, designed to empower franchisees and facilitate their success. Robust training and support systems are essential for maintaining consistency and quality across the franchise network.

Marketing and Sales Strategy :

Outline the marketing plan for the franchise, encompassing both corporate-level and franchisee-level initiatives. Define the target market segments, positioning strategies, and promotional tactics aimed at attracting customers and driving sales. Develop sales strategies and targets, setting clear objectives and performance metrics to measure success. A cohesive marketing and sales strategy ensures brand visibility, customer engagement, and revenue growth for the franchise.

Financial Projections :

Provide detailed financial forecasts, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow projections, for both the franchisor and potential franchisees. Include assumptions used in creating the financial projections, such as sales forecasts, pricing strategies, and cost structures. Financial projections provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the franchise’s revenue potential, profitability, and return on investment, guiding investment decisions and business planning.

Legal Structure and Agreements :

Clearly define the legal structure of the franchise, including entity formation, ownership arrangements, and regulatory compliance. Include details of the franchise agreement, disclosure documents, and any other legal agreements governing the franchising relationship. Addressing legal considerations upfront ensures transparency, accountability, and adherence to legal requirements, mitigating legal risks and liabilities.

Risk Analysis :

Identify potential risks and challenges associated with the franchise, assessing their likelihood and potential impact on the business. Common risks may include market volatility, regulatory changes, operational disruptions, or competitive threats. Develop strategies for risk mitigation, such as diversification, contingency planning, or insurance coverage, to protect the franchise’s interests and ensure business continuity.

Operational Plan :

Outline the day-to-day operations of the franchise, detailing key processes, workflows, and performance standards. Discuss the supply chain management, production processes, and quality control measures implemented to maintain operational efficiency and product/service excellence. An operational plan provides a roadmap for executing the franchise’s business model effectively, ensuring consistency and reliability across the franchise network.

Exit Strategy :

Provide a plan for the potential sale or exit from the franchise, considering factors such as succession planning, transfer of ownership, or business dissolution. Evaluate various exit options and develop contingency plans to mitigate potential risks and maximize value for stakeholders. A well-defined exit strategy provides clarity and direction for navigating transitions in ownership or market conditions, safeguarding the franchise’s long-term viability.

Include any additional documents or supporting materials that supplement the business plan, such as resumes of key personnel, market research data, legal documents, or financial statements. The appendix serves as a repository for relevant information that provides additional context and credibility to the business plan, enhancing its comprehensiveness and persuasiveness.

Remember that the specific details included on how to create a franchise business plan may vary depending on the nature of the franchise concept, industry dynamics, and target market characteristics. It’s important to customize the business plan to align with the unique needs, goals, and circumstances of the franchise, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness as a strategic tool for business growth and success.

franchise business plan overview

Franchises come in various forms, catering to different industries and business models. The main types of franchises are:

  • This type involves the distribution of a franchisor’s products through a network of independent retailers. Franchisees benefit from the established brand and product line, focusing primarily on sales and distribution. Examples include beverage distributors, automotive parts suppliers, and consumer goods distributors.
  • Widely prevalent, business format franchises provide a comprehensive system encompassing not only products but also services, trademarks, and operational support. Franchisees gain access to a proven business model, standardized processes, and ongoing assistance. Popular examples include fast-food chains, retail outlets, and service-oriented businesses.
  • In a management franchise, the franchisor offers support in various aspects of business management, including marketing strategies, employee training, and operational guidance. Franchisees take on the role of managing the day-to-day operations while leveraging the expertise and support provided by the franchisor. This model is common in industries like hospitality and business services.
  • Single-unit franchises involve the ownership and operation of a single location. In contrast, multi-unit franchises empower entrepreneurs to own and manage multiple units within a specified territory. Multi-unit franchising offers economies of scale and broader market coverage, allowing for increased profitability.
  • Master franchisees hold the rights to operate and sell franchises within a designated territory. They act as intermediaries between the franchisor and sub-franchisees, facilitating expansion and providing localized support. Master franchises are often found in international expansion strategies.
  • Existing businesses can opt for a conversion franchise model, where they transition into a franchise system. This approach allows established businesses to benefit from a proven brand, operational framework, and expanded market reach while maintaining some degree of autonomy.
  • Similar to master franchising, area development franchises involve a commitment to opening a specific number of units within a predefined area. Area developers typically have exclusive rights to that territory, overseeing both the development and support of sub-franchisees.
  • Co-branding franchises bring together two or more complementary brands or services in a single location. This strategy leverages shared customer bases and resources, providing consumers with a diverse range of products or services. Examples include coffee shops within bookstores or automotive service centers with convenience stores.
  • Home-based franchises allow entrepreneurs to operate businesses from the comfort of their homes, minimizing the need for physical office space. This model is common in industries such as consulting, tutoring, or digital marketing services.

Understanding the nuances of these franchise types is crucial for prospective franchisees and franchisors, as it influences the structure, operations, and scalability of the business. Choosing the right franchise model depends on factors such as industry, market dynamics, and individual preferences.

An essential component of the franchise business plan is the analysis of the local market. This involves a detailed examination of the specific geographic area where the franchise will operate. Factors such as demographic trends, consumer behavior, and local economic conditions must be considered. Understanding the unique characteristics of the local market allows franchisors and franchisees to tailor their strategies to meet the specific needs and preferences of the target audience. 

This analysis should cover aspects such as consumer purchasing power, cultural influences, and any local regulations that may impact the business. A well-informed understanding of the local market is crucial for developing effective marketing campaigns, setting appropriate pricing strategies, and ensuring the overall success of the franchise within its specific community.

In addition to local market analysis, evaluating the competition at the local, regional, and national levels is vital. Identify existing businesses offering similar products or services and assess their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning. Understanding the competitive landscape helps in formulating strategies to differentiate the franchise and capitalize on unique selling propositions. 

Regional and national competition analysis provides insights into broader market trends and potential challenges that may arise. By conducting a thorough examination of competitors, franchisors and franchisees can refine their value propositions, pricing strategies, and marketing tactics to gain a competitive edge. This analysis is integral to making informed decisions and adapting strategies based on the dynamics of the broader market.Top of Form

In conclusion, a question on how to create a franchise business plan is a meticulous process that involves careful consideration of various factors. From defining the franchise concept to analyzing local and broader market dynamics, the plan serves as a comprehensive guide for all stakeholders involved in the franchising process. It not only outlines the strategic roadmap for expansion but also enhances transparency, attracts investors, and ensures legal compliance. 

On how to create a franchise business plan, Your Franchise Fit is committed to providing guidance and support at every step of the way. Whether you are exploring franchise opportunities, seeking assistance in crafting a business plan, or require insights into the intricate world of franchising, our expertise is here to assist you.

Contact us today or more information and personalized details tailored to your unique aspirations and business goals. Your Franchise Fit is dedicated to helping you embark on a successful and fulfilling journey in the world of franchising.

Barry Adler

View all posts

IMAGES

  1. How to make a Franchise Business Plan

    franchise business plan overview

  2. Franchise Business Plan

    franchise business plan overview

  3. Franchise Business Plan

    franchise business plan overview

  4. 3 Successful Franchise Business Plan Examples for Inspiration

    franchise business plan overview

  5. One Pager KFC Franchise Business Plan Presentation Report Infographic

    franchise business plan overview

  6. How To Make Franchise Business Plan

    franchise business plan overview

VIDEO

  1. PERFECT Business Plan On Herbalife Nutrition By Charanjit Singh

  2. How to Start a Franchise Business

  3. Sample Business Plan Overview

  4. How to Start a KFC Franchise Business

  5. Franchise Business Success: Here's Why!

  6. Fundraising Toolkit

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write a Business Plan for Your Franchise

    A franchise business plan, at the minimum, should include the following sections: Executive Summary: This section provides a brief overview of your business, your mission statement, goals and ...

  2. Business Plan Guide and Template

    Here's a comprehensive template to help you create an effective business plan for your franchise: Business Plan Template. I. Executive Summary. Leverage the established reputation, customer loyalty, and comprehensive support (training, marketing, operational assistance) provided by the franchisor. ... Franchise Opportunity Overview. Provide ...

  3. Franchise Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

    How to Create a Franchise Business Plan. Below are links to the key elements of a successful franchise business plan: Executive Summary - The Executive Summary provides an overview of your franchise business plan including an introduction to your company, a description of your products or services, and a summary of your financial projections.; Company Overview - The Company Overview should ...

  4. Franchise Business Plan

    How To Write a Franchise Business Plan & Sample. Below is an example for each of the key elements of franchise business plan that you can use to create your own well-crafted business plan: Executive Summary Business Overview. Helping Heroes Home Care Franchise is a national franchise that is headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona.

  5. Writing A Franchise Business Plan: Ten Key Elements To Consider

    Writing a franchise business plan. getty "Without a plan, even the most brilliant business can get lost. You need to have goals, create milestones and have a strategy in place to set yourself up ...

  6. How to Write a Franchise Business Plan

    A franchise business plan is a document that is prepared by the entrepreneur in question when they wish to franchise a business. This document is extensive and plays an essential role in the business' future development. ... An executive summary: this is the first page of the franchise business plan and contains a concise summary of ...

  7. Creating a Franchise Business Plan

    The franchise business plan builds this view with its executive summary, financial projections, and the strategic inclusion of Items 5 & 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). It provides a robust foundation for assessing the franchise's viability, offering a balanced blend of vision, strategy, and financial integrity.

  8. How to Write a Franchise Business Plan + Template

    Owning a franchise is an excellent way for business owners to gain instant brand recognition.. By paying a franchise fee, you can own a fast-food restaurant like McDonald's, Subway, or Kentucky Fried Chicken, a 7-Eleven convenience store, a gym chain, or even a hotel like a Marriott or Hilton.

  9. How To Create A Franchise Business Plan

    The executive summary is a concise overview of the entire business plan, providing a snapshot of the franchise's key elements. It should encapsulate the franchise's mission, goals, and a brief summary of each section of the plan, offering potential investors and stakeholders a quick understanding of the business's direction and value ...

  10. Franchise Business Plan

    Executive Summary. This is a description of the business model. For a franchisee, this is where you can incorporate information about the proven business process you're buying into. ... Source: this template was developed and adapted from the DECA Franchise Business Plan exercise. How Do I Write a Business Plan for a Franchise? Writing a ...