15 Of The Best Resources To Learn About Franchising

Franchising is a fantastic way of growing your business. In fact, some of Australia’s most successful franchises have gone on to become international operations with hundreds of locations and branding that is recognisable worldwide.

That being said, franchising is a business structure that might be challenging to get your head around if you haven’t encountered it before.

For many businesses looking to franchise, the legislation and steps involved can feel incredibly overwhelming. At Eden Exchange, we’ve worked with many franchisors at a range of stages in their franchising journey. From this experience, we have managed to gather a list of resources that we feel can best educate you on what franchising is and how to do it successfully.

Below, we’ve made a list of our top 15 recommendations for resources on learning the franchising system. Learn more now.

Books on Franchising

If you’re someone who likes to get your facts and figures from the page, then book learning is perfect for you. Below are a few books that we think give you a good grounding in the world of franchising.

#1 The Franchise MBA, Nick Neonakis written with Sagar Rambhia and Aditya Rengaswamy

The Franchise MBA appears on lists of the best books to learn about franchising countless times, and it does so for a reason. It is well-researched and comprehensive, bringing together insights from franchise leaders from across industries.

The book is broken down into the four key steps you’ll need to take to franchise your business, making it an easy guide to success.

Be aware that the book was published in 2013, so while much of the advice is sound, some legislation may have changed.

#2 Franchise Bible: How to Buy a Franchise or Franchise Your Own Business, Rick Grossman & Michael J. Katz

This easy-to-read guide comes from franchise expert Rick Grossman and Michael J. Katz, a franchising attorney, meaning it's packed to the brim with useful guidance on operating a successful franchise. 

It includes tricks of the trade, checklists, and free examples to get you ready to franchise quickly or, indeed, become a franchisee yourself.

#3 Franchise Your Business: The Guide to Employing the Greatest Growth Strategy Ever, Mark Siebert

From franchise consultant Mark Siebert comes the ultimate how-to guide for developing a growth strategy that ensures your franchising operation is successful. It includes practical advice as well as guidance from Sibert’s decades of experience.

Franchising Associations and Organisations

Being part of a franchising association can have a tonne of benefits when you become a franchisor, but before then, they can also be very helpful to expand your understanding of franchising itself.

#4 Franchise Council of Australia

The Franchise Council of Australia has a whole section dedicated to education on its website. Options for education included masterclasses with franchising experts as well as bespoke learning options for franchisors at various stages of their journey.

Education from an organisation like this is bound to be beneficial, and becoming a member will give you exclusive access to a range of events, networking opportunities, and educational content.

#5 Australian Association of Franchisees

On the other side of the coin, if you’re looking to learn more about being a franchisee (or looking for ways to improve the experience of your franchisees), then heading over to the Australian Association of Franchisees (AAF) website can give you lots of information. 

The blog section on the AAF website is full of educational articles that can help you navigate the world of franchising in Australia.

Networking Events and Franchise Expos

Once you’ve got the basics down through reading books and articles, you might decide it's time for an in-person event where you can get to know others in the community. Great in-person events to try out include Franchising Expos and dedicated networking events.

#6 Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo

The Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo is an Australia-wide exhibition that brings together franchisees, franchisors, small businesses, and other industry players in one big event. It has been running for 35 years and in that time, it has been integral in growing Australia’s franchising industry.

Attending as a visitor means getting to network with other like-minded individuals, finding opportunities for franchising in your region, and putting you in touch with people who can help you learn more about this industry.

The expo comes to all major cities in Australia, meaning you’ll be able to find an event close to home, wherever you are.

#7 National Franchise Convention

Run by the Franchise Council of Australia, this event comprises three days packed full of information. You’ll get access to 25 different workshops, see more than 70 speakers, and have a chance to connect with experts from across the franchising sector.

This annual event is an incredible place to learn more about franchising.

Franchising Websites

Another excellent way to learn more about franchising is to access websites dedicated to educational content on the franchising industry. Below are a few great options to find what you need.

#8 Eden Exchange

Eden Exchange is a one-stop shop for all things franchising. We’ve been working in the industry for a long time and have helped many franchisors find new franchisees to grow and expand their operation.

Our Newsroom includes many educational articles on a range of aspects of the franchising journey, including how to find the ideal franchisee and franchising success stories to inspire.

#9 Australian Government

The Australian Government site includes a whole section on business planning, including content on franchising businesses. They have information on the latest legislation and a space dedicated to grants and support from the government for businesses and franchises.

#10 Franchise New Zealand

Interested in learning more about franchising in New Zealand? The Franchise New Zealand website is the place to look. In addition to a free print/digital magazine, they regularly publish insights into the state of New Zealand's franchising sector, as well as provide context on how wider economic movements may affect franchising, including unpacking Westpac's latest Economic Overview.

Online Courses and Webinars

If you’re looking for a structured course to expand your knowledge, then you’re in luck. There are many options that you can try out to learn more about franchising.

#11 ACCC Franchising Course

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has a free course on franchising that acts as a great starting point for those questioning whether franchising is the right move for them.

Completing the course will help you learn how franchising compares to business ownership and employment; what you’ll find in a typical franchise agreement; and where you can get more guidance, among many other things.

#12 How to Franchise Your Business from Franchise Ed

The How to Franchise Your Business course covers all the foundational knowledge you need to understand the franchising industry. It is perfect for anyone looking to franchise or wondering whether it’s right for them.

#13 Online Courses Australia

Online Courses Australia has a whole host of franchise-related courses that you can purchase to improve your understanding of franchising or expand your knowledge once you have taken the plunge.

Hands-On Experience

Lastly, some people learn by doing so hands-on experience can be the best way to learn about franchising.

#14 Shadow a Franchisor

Before you decide to franchise your business, you could take the time to shadow another franchisor to learn more about how the operation works. You might also get to know other franchisors and pick their brains about the process of how they franchised their businesses.

#15 Take the Plunge Yourself

And, of course, you could just jump in feet first. We always recommend doing enough research to know it's the right choice for you, and you should surround yourself with people who understand the industry well, including accountants and solicitors.

Learning on the go works for some people, and provided you have a good basic understanding of legislation, you may learn more from making mistakes and rectifying them than reading books.

How Eden Exchange Can Help

Eden Exchange has been working with franchisors for a very long time and in that time, we’ve built up a good understanding of the industry. Our DealXchange platform can help you find the perfect franchisees for your franchise locations and will ensure you find only the most qualified leads.

The platform also streamlines the search and the deal itself by offering a secure place for document sharing. Our experts are on hand to support members of the Eden Exchange ecosystem, and we work with a range of partners to support you with finances and management once you take the plunge.

Final Thoughts

Franchising is an incredible way to grow your business, but getting to grips with the industry itself may require some dedicated learning. We’ve listed our favourite resources for learning all about franchising here and we’ve included a range of formats to support every learning type.

For more information on how Eden Exchange can support your franchising journey, contact the team today.

Who we are

Eden Exchange is an integrated multi-channel platform, simplifying business buying and selling. We match, refer and connect business buyers, sellers & brokers in an ecosystem that facilitates frictionless franchise, business and finance transactions. Visit www.EdenExchange.com and connect with our engaged and multidimensional transaction network today.