Straight Talk About Franchising

Course Curriculum

Chapter 1: Welcome to Straight Talk About Franchising

Lecture 1: Introduction

Lecture 2: Applying this course to any small business.

Lecture 3: What is Franchising?

Chapter 2: An Overview of Franchising

Lecture 1: Terminology Used

Lecture 2: How to Make a Choice

Lecture 3: Doing Your Research

Lecture 4: The Difference Between Public and Private Companies

Lecture 5: Purchasing Power of Franchises

Lecture 6: Buying Equipment for Your Business

Lecture 7: Independent Association of Franchises

Lecture 8: The Franchise Disclosure Document or UFOC

Lecture 9: Inspections and Legal Representation

Lecture 10: The Meaning of Numbers and the Balance of Power

Lecture 11: Types of Franchises

Lecture 12: Will You Get Rich?

Lecture 13: Why Should You Buy a Franchise?

Lecture 14: Reasons NOT to Buy a Franchise

Lecture 15: What Makes a GOOD Franchise?

Chapter 3: Do You/They have What It Takes for Success?

Lecture 1: Thinking Ahead

Lecture 2: Losing a Manager Can Hurt

Lecture 3: Other Considerations

Lecture 4: Tale of a Franchise Consultant Experience

Lecture 5: Risk and the Life Cycle of a Business

Lecture 6: Franchisor Provided Training

Lecture 7: Product Testing

Lecture 8: Communication and Choosing and Architect

Lecture 9: When a Buildout Goes Wrong

Lecture 10: The Corporate Culture of the Franchisor

Lecture 11: A Bad Apple

Lecture 12: Distribution Considerations

Lecture 13: You Can't Control Distribution Company Changes

Lecture 14: Product Specifications and Other Considerations

Lecture 15: Can the Franchisor Understand Who You Are?

Lecture 16: My Lesson About Getting It In Writing

Lecture 17: Your Franchising Contract

Lecture 18: Looking at Your Future Under Franchising

Lecture 19: It's True – Location is Everything

Lecture 20: Dealing With a Landlord, Resale, Royalties and Fees

Chapter 4: Human Resources – What You Need to Know

Lecture 1: Good Practices and HIring Employees

Lecture 2: Disabilities and the Law

Lecture 3: Felonies, Payroll Taxes and Worker's Compensation

Lecture 4: Using a Payroll Company or Leasing an Employee

Lecture 5: The Employee Handbook

Lecture 6: Exempt Employees and Benefits

Lecture 7: Drug Testing, Sexual Harrassment and Recruiting Your Managers

Lecture 8: Dealing With An Emotional Employee

Lecture 9: Holding Managers Accountable

Lecture 10: Things That Go Wrong

Lecture 11: Dealing With Employees

Lecture 12: Protecting Teenagers You Employ

Lecture 13: Taking Breaks, The IRS and Ownership, Giving Reviews

Lecture 14: Probationary Periods and Training

Lecture 15: Setting Expectations, Rewards and Warnings

Lecture 16: Firing and Employee and Handling Grievances

Chapter 5: Safety and Security for Your Business

Lecture 1: Security for Everything

Lecture 2: Protecting Credit Cards

Lecture 3: Handling Cash and Lots of It

Lecture 4: Handling Cash Part 2

Lecture 5: Quick Scam Artists

Lecture 6: Keeping Information and Employees Safe

Lecture 7: Vendors Entering Your Business, the Threat of Robbery

Lecture 8: Extra Safety Concerns for Teens

Lecture 9: Severe Weather and the Critical Computer Backup

Lecture 10: Security Systems, Silent Alarms, Cameras

Lecture 11: When an Employee Steals

Lecture 12: Caution, Safekeeping Employee and Customer Records

Chapter 6: Your Legal Requirements

Lecture 1: Licenses and Permits, Zoning, Building Inspectors

Lecture 2: My Lesson on Building Inspectors

Lecture 3: Fire Marshals, Health Inspectors, Paying Sales Tax

Lecture 4: Doing Business As (DBA)

Lecture 5: Filing Documents with the Government, Health Permits, Closing

Chapter 7: How to Operate Your Business

Lecture 1: The Success Formula

Lecture 2: Getting Ready to Open and Forecasting

Lecture 3: The Business Plan

Lecture 4: Insurance

Lecture 5: The Unplanned Happens

Lecture 6: The Business Consultant, Labor Cost and Scheduling, How to Train

Lecture 7: Motivation

Lecture 8: Having Fun and Motivating Too

Lecture 9: Good Communication

Lecture 10: Good Communication Part 2

Lecture 11: Using a Manager Log

Lecture 12: Marketing

Lecture 13: Commerical Equipment is Costly

Lecture 14: Preventative Maintenance, Contingencies, and Using Systems

Lecture 15: Audit Trails and Product Costs

Lecture 16: When the Franchisor Gets the Product Cost Wrong

Lecture 17: Placing Orders with Vendors and Checking Them In

Lecture 18: Your Liability

Lecture 19: My Lesson About Liability

Lecture 20: Accounting Practices

Lecture 21: Choosing An Accountant

Lecture 22: Cash Flow and Documentation for Your Taxes