Franchise Buyers Desk
Most buyers pay nothing for a franchise consultant. FranNet says "Zero. Working with FranNet is absolutely free." KLC says "100% free for investors." Glover says it "provides free franchise consulting services." The FTC says "Ask who pays the broker and how the payment is calculated," then receive the FDD "at least 14 days before you are asked to sign."
Last updated: September 9, 2026
| Path | |
|---|---|
| franchise consultant cost | /franchise-consultant-cost/ |
| how to choose a franchise consultant | /how-to-choose-a-franchise-consultant/ |
| franchise FDD explainer | /franchise-fdd-explainer/ |
| do I need a franchise consultant | /do-i-need-a-franchise-consultant/ |
| how do franchise consultants get paid | /how-do-franchise-consultants-get-paid/ |
| best franchise consultants near me | /best-franchise-consultants-near-me/ |
| what does a franchise broker do | /what-does-a-franchise-broker-do/ |
| franchise consultant vs franchise broker | /franchise-consultant-vs-franchise-broker/ |
| are franchise consultants worth it | /are-franchise-consultants-worth-it/ |
| franchise consultant fees and commission | /franchise-consultant-fees-and-commission/ |
| how franchise consultants help buyers | /how-franchise-consultants-help-buyers/ |
| top franchise consulting firms | /top-franchise-consulting-firms/ |
What to verify in the FDD
| Item | Why buyers open it |
|---|---|
| FDD Items 5-7 | The FTC Consumer's Guide labels these Initial and Ongoing Costs (FDD Items 5-7) — deposits or franchise fees that may be non-refundable, initial inventory, signs, equipment, leases, royalties, and advertising fees. |
| Item 19 | Financial Performance Representations (FDD Item 19), if the franchisor chose to include them |
| Item 20 | The FTC says Item 20 provides charts showing growth and owner turnover — use contacts for validation calls with current and former franchisees |
How is the broker paid? Some brokers earn a flat fee regardless of the price of the franchise they sell. Others earn a commission based on the cost of the franchise. These brokers may steer you toward a more costly franchise to increase their commission. Ask who pays the broker and how the payment is calculated. FTC Consumer's Guide
Rule cite: FTC Franchise Rule (16 CFR Part 436). Waiting period: FTC Consumer's Guide to Buying a Franchise.
| Claim | Listed | URL |
|---|---|---|
| FDD at least 14 days before sign or pay | at least 14 days before you are asked to sign | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| Ask who pays the broker | Ask who pays the broker and how the payment is calculated | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| Brokers paid only if a sale is made | paid only if a sale is made | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| Read each of the 23 numbered Items | Read each of the 23 numbered | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| FDD Items 5-7 initial and ongoing costs | Initial and Ongoing Costs (FDD Items 5-7) | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| Item 19 financial performance representations | Financial Performance Representations (FDD Item 19) | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| Item 20 growth and owner turnover charts | Item 20 provides charts showing growth and owner turnover | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| Call current and former franchisees | current and former franchisees | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise |
| FTC Franchise Rule is 16 CFR Part 436 | 16 CFR Part 436 | ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/franchise-rule |
| FranNet consulting cost is zero / absolutely free | Zero. Working with FranNet is absolutely free. | frannet.com/faq/ |
| FranNet broker fee from the franchise | broker fee directly from the franchise | frannet.com/faq/ |
| FranNet introduces many different franchisors | introduce you to many different franchisors | frannet.com/franchise-consultants/ |
| FranNet at no cost and no obligation | at no cost and no obligation to you | frannet.com/franchise-consultants/ |
| KLC consulting 100% free for investors | 100% free for investors | klcfranchise.com/ |
| KLC compensated by the brands | compensated by the brands | klcfranchise.com/ |
| KLC adds no cost to you | adds no cost to you | klcfranchise.com/ |
| KLC is a nationwide consulting firm | a nationwide consulting firm | klcfranchise.com/ |
| Entrepreneur: consultant/broker free of charge | free of charge | entrepreneur.com/.../431754 |
| Entrepreneur compensated by franchisors on sale | compensated by franchisors upon the close of a sale | entrepreneur.com/.../431754 |
| Glover provides free franchise consulting | provides free franchise consulting services | gloverfranchising.com/ |
| Broker/consultant same role under different name (CT Acquisitions) | same role under a different name | ctacquisitions.com/franchise-consultants-how-to-vet/ |
Sources (fetched 9 Sep 2026): FTC Consumer's Guide; FTC Franchise Rule; FranNet FAQ; FranNet franchise consultants; KLC Franchise; Entrepreneur — free of charge; Glover Franchising; Glover broker disclosure; CT Acquisitions — how to vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do franchise consultants get paid?
Most franchise consultants get paid by the franchisor, not by you. FranNet says it receives its "broker fee directly from the franchise" and is "absolutely free." KLC says it is "compensated by the brands" and "100% free for investors." The FTC says brokers are "paid only if a sale is made"—ask who pays.
Do I need a franchise consultant?
No. Entrepreneur says you can "go it alone." FranNet says it can "introduce you to many different franchisors" "at no cost and no obligation to you." You still read the FDD yourself. The FTC says receive it "at least 14 days before you are asked to sign" and call "current and former franchisees."
What is a Franchise Disclosure Document?
The FDD is the disclosure franchisors must give before you sign or pay. The FTC Consumer's Guide says you must receive it "at least 14 days before you are asked to sign," and to "Read each of the 23 numbered" Items. Open Items 5–7, Item 19, and Item 20 first.