Conference—Symposium 1

 The A to Z's of Buying a Franchise
Inside Information From A 30-Year Franchise Veteran
If you're looking for no-nonsense, cut-to-the-quick, show me how to evaluate franchises so that I can buy one that's right for me information . . . this is the symposium you need. And it's the only one you'll need! It's taught by John P. Hayes, PhD, a 30-year franchise veteran who has been both a franchisee and a franchisor. Dr. Hayes has worked with 100 different franchise systems as a consultant and he has written extensively about the topic. He has been teaching this seminar for nearly 20 years to thousands of individuals, many of whom have successfully purchased franchises. If you hope to become a successful franchisee, get started with confidence by participating in this symposium.

You will learn the basic information about franchising but glean an in-depth knowledge through the experiences of Dr. Hayes. He will help you understand how to interpret and use the Franchise Disclosure Document to discover reliable information about the performance and viability of any franchise, how to evaluate the franchisor's operating system and determine if you and your intended market are compatible with the system, the pros and cons of franchising, the fees required by franchisors, the facts about territorial and product restrictions, how to raise money to invest in a franchise, and much, much more.

This is the perfect symposium for people who are just getting started with their research as well as those who are close to making a decision to buy a franchise. Questions will be answered throughout the symposium.

All course materials are in English only. All symposium attendees receive free admission to the exhibits on all three days.

Dates
Saturday, January 16, 2010, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Rates
Advance: $95 includes exhibit hall admission and seminars
On-Site: $145 includes exhibit hall admission and seminars

Who Should Attend
Anyone who's thinking about buying a franchise will find this symposium to be invaluable. Where else will you have the opportunity to spend 4 hours with a seasoned professional who provides honest, accurate, timely information about franchising? Don't worry, this symposium isn't intended to sell you a franchise, it's intended to educate you about the pros and cons of buying a franchise, and to help you understand why you should or should not buy a franchise. The subject matter is intended for people who want to buy a franchise in the United States, although the seminar also attracts many international candidates as well as prospective franchisors. Attend only if you want to be better educated about buying a franchise!

Here’s What You Receive
In addition to the comprehensive information covered in the symposium, you will receive a binder of all the information presented. You will utilize a self-evaluation tool to test your compatibility with franchising. The profile, valued at $125, will help you determine the type of franchise that makes sense for you to buy. Also, you will receive a copy of the Franchise Pre-Investment Checklist, a 65-page booklet that steps you through the process of evaluating and buying a franchise. The booklet is a $24.95 value. You also get Dr. Hayes's exclusive list of 92 Questions To Ask Before You Buy A Franchise! –he's done much of your homework for you! Finally, you get email access to Dr. Hayes for his lifetime—got a question after the symposium? You can get answers to your questions at no additional charge. Value: Priceless!

This Symposium Will Look At
  1. Introduction To Franchising

  2. • What is franchising?
    • Pros & Cons of franchising
    • Franchising vs. Independent Start Ups
    • Is franchising for you? Self-Evaluation
    • More than 70 different industries in franchising
    • Selecting a franchise that's right for you personally & financially
    • How to research franchise opportunities
    • Franchise financing - where to borrow money

  3. How To Investigate The “Ideal” Franchise System

  4. • What to expect from a franchisor
    • What a franchisor expects from franchisees
    • Evaluating the franchisor's operating system
    • Understanding the fees involved in franchising
    • Key questions to ask both franchisor and franchisees
    • Sources of information that can help you evaluate opportunities
    • Seeking out the right legal and accounting advice

  5. Understanding the FDD and Franchise Agreement

  6. • What is the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
    • How to read the items in the FDD
    • How to use the FDD to your advantage
    • Major topics covered by the FDD
    • Evaluating the franchisor's performance using the FDD
    • Exploring options for negotiating the FDD with a franchisor
    • Understanding the Franchise Agreement


Presented by: John P. Hayes, Ph.D.

Dr. John Hayes is the author of the Franchise Pre-Investment Checklist and Franchising: The Inside Story plus countless articles about franchising that have appeared in publications internationally, including Reader's Digest, Inc. Magazine, Wall Street Journal, International Herald Tribune, etc. Dr. Hayes serves as an advisor to franchisors and franchisees.