Roadmap Series 4

What Do Franchises Cost?

One of the most common misconceptions in franchising is that it takes a million dollars to get started. In this video, Terry and Ray break down the real investment ranges across the three ownership models, from owner/operator businesses starting around $75,000 to $100,000 all-in, to executive manage-the-manager models in the $125,000 to $450,000 range, up to investor-level franchises at $500,000 and beyond. The point isn't to make it sound easy or hard. It's to make it real, so you can evaluate options with accurate expectations from the start.

The Four Quadrants of Franchising

When people ask Terry and Ray to give them examples of franchise types, they use a simple framework: a box divided into four quadrants. Upper left is simple retail. Upper right is sophisticated retail. Lower left is B2C service businesses. Lower right is B2B service businesses, a category most people don't even know exists in franchising. This video walks through each quadrant with real examples, giving candidates a practical mental map of the franchise landscape before diving into any specific options.

Understanding Your “Total Project Cost”

The franchise fee is not what it costs to buy a franchise. In this video, Terry and Ray break down the full picture of what they call total project cost: the three elements every candidate needs to account for, which are the initial franchise fee, the hard capital required to start the business, and working capital for labor, marketing, and inventory. They also cover what candidates need to bring to the table: a minimum of $100,000 in liquidity, $250,000 in net worth, and a credit score of 650 or above. Going in undercapitalized is one of the most common reasons franchisees struggle, and this video exists to make sure that doesn't happen to you.

Finding Funds To Start A Business

Most people think of funding as something you figure out after you've chosen a business. Terry and Ray argue the opposite: financing and business selection should happen in parallel, not in sequence. In this video, they explain why running these tracks simultaneously yields better results and introduce the specialized funding and financing companies they've worked with for years who can help candidates pre-qualify and identify the best financing path for their situation. The goal is an informed decision not just about the business, but about how you capitalize it.

How Do People Fund Franchises?

In the final video of the series, Terry and Ray walk through the full range of funding options available to franchise candidates. These include ROBS using retirement funds without early withdrawal penalties, home equity lines of credit, securities-backed lines of credit, conventional bank loans, equipment leasing, SBA loans, and even family investment. Each option has its own structure and fit, which is why working with a specialist matters. They close the series by inviting viewers to book a Q&A call to get their specific questions answered.

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Funding Your Franchise Investment