Franchise Application
As a former franchise restaurant chain owner explains the do and don’ts of filling out franchise applications, and having helped many eager franchise buyers, buy good profitable franchises. He’s witnessed quite a lot of things with regards to filling out franchise applications. Many people attempt to cheat on their resumes, but in the world of franchises, well… that the biggest mistake one can make.
For example if you lie on a franchise application form and then sign it, you might have a major issue on your hand, if the franchisor in a future legal dispute can hold that against you and state that had you told the truth they may have not sold you the franchise to begin with, which results in, giving them the upper hand in court case. As well that issue, it is really setting a bad example to lie on a franchise application at the commencement of the franchise relationship.
Keep in mind, that franchisor is bound to find out anyway. It would be the equal crime like if you lied to your future husband or wife before you married them, and franchising has been likened to a matrimony of sorts by just about everyone in the industry at one time or another. So, do yourself a act of kindness, yes put your best foot forward and do what it takes to make yourself look like the best applicant of choice, start with telling the truth and only the truth.
No matter what you do, do not lie about your ability to finance the franchise or pay for it, because you will need working capital and cash flow in the beginning to live on, falsifying information about that could cause you to fail and lose everything. Additionally, you need to realize that the franchisor is looking for a team player, a hard charger, and someone that will proudly symbolize the brand to the best of their ability.
Furthermore, if you are unsure of how the whole franchise application process works, it’s better to consult a specialist in the field, such as a lawyer or an organization that deals in these matters. As mentioned above, it would be unwise for you to sign on information that you are unsure of, or know that is not true. You need to see it from the franchiser point of view as well; would you trust someone who has been dishonest with you?