Understanding your franchisor’s criteria for assessing potential locations is the beginning of the process – now, it’s time to go out and find that great location.

Should a franchisee always have a protected area around their location where no intra-brand competition is allowed? Does the franchisee’s sale of goods or services include every imaginable or yet unimagined method of distribution, or just the method of distribution licensed to them?

In franchising, what a radius generally means is that a franchisor cannot establish either a company-owned or franchised location within a certain distance from another location measured in miles in all directions.

When you begin to look for that perfect location, you need to first understand what types of locations will work for your business and which ones won’t.

Before you enter into negotiations with your landlord, it makes sense to check with your franchisor and determine what assistance and guidance they can provide you.

To evaluate the potential impact of new locations on existing locations, franchisors today are using increasingly sophisticated retail modeling techniques.

An Impact Policy establishes guidelines and procedures by which franchisors can create a safe harbor whereby franchisees are given an opportunity to address their concerns about a new location prior to its development.

The emerging markets can be the next great gold rush for business. Companies are beginning to realize that improving diversity is not only important to their brand, but also essential to their competitive base and bottom line.