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Item-by-item breakdown of all 23 FDD sections, what to look for, red flags, and how to calculate franchisee churn from Item 20 data.
Investment, risk, support, control, scalability — a full side-by-side comparison with a decision framework for which path fits your goals.
Investment tiers, full cost breakdowns, what lenders require, and how to finance the gap — including working capital most buyers forget to budget.
What makes a franchise truly semi-absentee, which industries work, how to evaluate FDD data for owner-hours, and how to hire a GM that sticks.
SBA 7(a) vs 504, the SBA Franchise Registry, minimum requirements, the full application process, and what to do if SBA doesn't work for you.
Treaty country list, minimum investment thresholds, qualifying franchise criteria, E-2 vs EB-5 comparison, and the full application timeline.
The "95% success rate" myth debunked. How to calculate real failure rates from FDD Item 20, which factors predict success, and what warning signs to heed.
Royalty ranges by industry, the full fee stack beyond royalties, how to evaluate total fee burden against Item 19 revenue data, and when royalties are negotiable.
The complete validation call playbook — financial, operational, support, and red-flag questions organized into categories you can work through systematically.
When to open unit 2, area development agreements, the infrastructure you need, capital requirements, and the EBITDA multiples that make multi-unit the real exit play.
15 food franchises compared side-by-side: investment ranges, average unit volumes, royalty rates, and unit growth. Chick-fil-A $8.4M AUV, Wingstop 12.5% growth, Jersey Mike's 11% expansion.
15 franchises ranked by verified unit growth rate. Crumbl Cookies 40%, Restore Hyper Wellness 35%, Wingstop 12.5%. Plus which brands are shrinking and why.
12 fitness and wellness franchises compared: Planet Fitness $2.5M AUV, Club Pilates 14% growth, StretchLab 35% growth. Boutique wellness vs. traditional gyms — the data tells a clear story.
11 home services franchises: College HUNKS $108K investment, $1.4M revenue. Two Maids 12% growth. Most are home-based — no storefront required. The most accessible franchise category.
9 automotive franchises: Christian Brothers $2.2M AUV at 14% growth. Take 5 Oil Change 15% growth at $200K minimum. Plus EV impact analysis for each brand.
6 senior care franchises: BrightStar Care $2.4M AUV on $132K investment. Visiting Angels 3.5% royalty. The demographic tailwind: US seniors doubling by 2060. All FDD-verified data.
7 education franchises: Kumon 26,000 units, Mathnasium 4% growth, Code Ninjas 8% growth, Primrose Schools $3.5M AUV. Tutoring vs. childcare centers — the data and investment analysis.
Royalty rates from 86 franchises across 8 industries. Industry averages, highest and lowest payers, and why a lower royalty doesn't always mean a better deal. Essential reading before you sign.
Every major franchise brand ranked by royalty rate — from RE/MAX's 0% flat-fee model to Visiting Angels' 3.5% and McDonald's 4%. Includes total fee load analysis. FDD-verified.
8 franchise opportunities with total investment under $50,000. Travel agencies, commercial cleaning, and consulting franchises — with FDD-verified investment ranges, royalties, and average revenue.
10 franchises under $100K including senior home care (Home Helpers $590K AUV, Visiting Angels $520K AUV) and healthy vending. Senior care dominates this tier on unit economics.
12 franchises under $200K. Kona Ice 18% unit growth. Brightway Insurance $685K average revenue. 9Round fitness at $122K max investment. Opens fitness, education, and outdoor services.
13 franchises under $500K. Great Clips 4,200 units. The UPS Store $580K average revenue. Sport Clips $590K AUV. Budget Blinds $680K average revenue on $260K max investment.
14 franchises under $1M including Wingstop ($1.8M AUV, 12.5% growth), Jersey Mike's (11% growth), Five Guys ($1.5M AUV), and Crumbl Cookies (40% growth). Plus Subway — and why to avoid it.
The comprehensive guide from self-assessment through grand opening. The most-read resource on FranchiseStack.
All 23 FDD items explained with what to look for and red flags that signal problems before you invest.
Complete guide for treaty country nationals using franchise investment to qualify for E-2 visa status.