franchise consultant fees and commission
Franchise consultant fees to the buyer are typically zero. Commission is paid by the franchisor when the buyer signs. This page ships no dollar and no commission percentage. Look for broker or referral payments in FDD Item 5 and Item 7. Receive the FDD at least 14 days before you sign or pay.
Last updated: August 25, 2026
Fee vs commission
| Word | Who usually pays | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer fee | Usually nobody — buyer is not invoiced | Ask for a written engagement if someone asks you to pay |
| Commission / referral payment | Franchisor on close | FDD Item 5 and Item 7 for that brand |
| Invented industry rate | Not used on this site | No percentage shipped |
Related: franchise consultant cost, how do franchise consultants get paid.
Rule: 16 CFR Part 436. Waiting period: 14 days.
SOURCE-PRINT
Counts and rule cites on this page are substrings that printed on the cited FTC URL on 25 Aug 2026. This site ships no consultant dollar and no commission percentage.
| Claim | URL | Printed substring |
|---|---|---|
| FDD at least 14 days before sign or pay | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumers-guide-buying-franchise | at least 14 days before you are asked to sign |
| FTC Franchise Rule is 16 CFR Part 436 | ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/franchise-rule | 16 CFR Part 436 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical franchise consultant fees?
Fees to the buyer are typically zero. This page ships no dollar and no commission percentage.
Who pays the commission?
The franchisor, when the buyer signs, on the common model. Ask the consultant who pays them.
Where do I find the commission in writing?
Look in that brand's FDD Item 5 and Item 7. Not every filing prints a rate.
Are commission rates standardized?
No industry-wide rate is printed on the FTC pages cited here. Do not treat a verbal percentage as a rule.