Essential Questions to Ask Existing Franchisees Before You Invest

Speaking with current franchisees is one of the most important steps in the franchise due-diligence process. These conversations give you real, unfiltered insight into daily operations, support systems, profitability, and long-term satisfaction. Franchisees will tell you exactly what it’s like to run the business, what challenges to expect, and whether the franchisor delivers on their promises. To help you get the most value from these discussions, here is a comprehensive guide to the key questions every prospective franchise owner should ask.

How Long Have You Been a Franchisee?

Start by understanding how much experience the franchisee has within the system. Someone who has been operating for several years can provide deeper insight into long-term performance and the franchisor’s ability to adapt, support, and grow.

What Was Your Business Background Before Joining?

This helps you understand whether the franchise system works well for people with similar experience. Many successful franchisees come from unrelated fields, while others rely heavily on prior industry knowledge.

What Do You Feel Is Your Main Function as a Franchise Owner?

Every franchise system has expectations for the role of its owners. Some require hands-on involvement, while others focus on management, sales, or operations oversight. Understanding this helps you determine whether the role aligns with your strengths and lifestyle goals.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like?

Hearing about daily routines gives you a realistic picture of the pace, workload, and key responsibilities. This insight is essential for determining whether the lifestyle and operational demands fit your expectations.

How Active Are You in the Business, and How Many Hours Do You Work?

Time commitment varies widely by franchise model. Ask how involved the franchisee is, how many hours they work each week, and whether they rely on staff or managers. Their response helps you evaluate whether the business supports your desired involvement level.

How Would You Rate the Initial Training?

A strong franchise system invests heavily in onboarding. Ask the franchisee to rate the training on a scale of one to ten and explain what worked well and what could have been improved. This reveals whether the franchisor prepares new owners effectively.

How Would You Rate the Ongoing Training?

Franchises must evolve and adapt. Ongoing training helps owners stay updated with new systems, products, and operational standards. Understanding the quality of ongoing training shows how committed the franchisor is to long-term franchisee success.

How Would You Rate the Ongoing Support?

Support after launch is often more important than the initial training. Ask whether the franchisor provides responsive assistance, regular check-ins, operational guidance, and marketing support. Strong support is a major predictor of overall franchise satisfaction.

How Effective Are the Marketing and Advertising Programs?

Marketing can directly impact revenue. Ask franchisees how they rate the franchisor’s marketing efforts, promotional strategies, national campaigns, and local support. This helps you understand whether marketing investments deliver real results.

How Involved Was the Franchisor in Site Selection?

For location-based franchises, site selection is critical. Ask whether the franchisor provided strong guidance, data analysis, real estate support, or approval oversight. A franchisor with a structured site-selection process increases your chances of launching in a successful market.

How Difficult Is It to Recruit, Train, and Retain Employees?

Labor challenges vary by industry. Understanding hiring difficulties helps you plan staffing strategies, budgeting, training needs, and long-term employee management. This also gives you insight into turnover and workforce expectations.

Did You See Consistent Business Growth?

Ask whether their franchise has shown steady, stable year-over-year growth. Consistency indicates a strong system, healthy demand, and a scalable business model.

If You Had to Do It Again, Would You Still Join This Franchise?

This is one of the most telling questions you can ask. A franchisee’s willingness to reinvest says everything about their satisfaction.

Do You Own Additional Units or Want to Open More?

Multi-unit ownership is a strong signal of confidence in the brand. If many franchisees choose to expand, it shows they believe the system supports long-term success.

Is There Anything Else You Think I Should Know?

Always end with an open-ended question. Franchisees often share valuable insight that doesn’t appear on any checklist. This final conversation can reveal hidden strengths, challenges, or helpful tips about joining the system.

Why These Franchisee Conversations Matter

Speaking with existing franchisees gives you firsthand perspectives that no brochure or presentation can offer. These conversations help you verify the franchisor’s claims, uncover operational realities, and determine whether the franchise is truly right for you. The more honest, deep, and informative these discussions are, the more confident you’ll be when making your investment decision.