Independent franchise intelligence · Built by operators who have signed the agreement.
Franchise Research

Know what to look for
before you invest.

Guides on FDDs, earnings claims, franchisee due diligence, and how to evaluate franchise opportunities like an experienced investor.

FDD Basics

The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Explained: A Buyer's Complete Guide

Before you write a check for a franchise, there's one document you need to understand inside and out. Here's how to read it like a pro.

12 min readRead →
Due Diligence

9 Red Flags in a Franchise Disclosure Document That Experienced Investors Take Seriously

The FDD is designed to disclose, not to sell. Here's what to look for when the numbers and the narrative don't quite add up.

11 min readRead →
Earnings & Financials

What Franchise Earnings Claims Actually Mean (And What They Don't)

Item 19 is the most important section of the FDD for your investment decision. It's also the most misread. Here's how to interpret it correctly.

10 min readRead →
Due Diligence

The Best Due Diligence Tool in the FDD Nobody Uses

Item 20 of every Franchise Disclosure Document contains the names and phone numbers of every franchisee in the system. Most buyers never call them. Here's why you should — and exactly how to do it.

10 min readRead →
Research Strategy

7 Things the FDD Won't Tell You (And How to Find Them)

The Franchise Disclosure Document is the most important document in franchise due diligence. It's also an incomplete picture. Here's what's missing — and how to fill in the gaps.

9 min readRead →
Research Strategy

How to Compare Two Franchise Opportunities Side by Side

Most people evaluate franchises one at a time, which makes it almost impossible to know if what you're seeing is good, bad, or average. Here's a framework for making an apples-to-apples comparison.

10 min readRead →
Due Diligence

The Franchisee Interview: 20 Questions to Ask Before You Buy

The people already operating the franchise you're considering will tell you things no FDD, no broker, and no discovery day ever will. Here's exactly what to ask — and how to listen to the answers.

11 min readRead →
Free Resource

The FDD Due Diligence Checklist.

A step-by-step checklist for evaluating every item in a Franchise Disclosure Document.

Get the Free Checklist →