A Disciplined Path to the Right Franchise

Our Process

Our 18 Step Process, broken into 4 phases, will ensure you know if you're ready to be a business owner, you are matching to great franchises, you do thorough research, and you make a decision with confidence.

Phase 1: Education

- Decide if franchising is right for you

- Learn the basics

- Prepare for the rest of the process

- One to three weeks

Step 1: Learn the Basics of Franchising with courses, webinars, or other resources.

Step 2: Intro Call with a Franchise Broker - get your initial questions answered.

Phase 2: Matching

- Matches based on your goals and experience

- 3-5 vetted franchises to research further

- One week

Step 3: Take the 80+ question franchise matching quiz, proprietary to Tracer Franchising, and get interviewed by a franchise broker to find your strengths, weaknesses, preferences, goals, and more.

Step 4: Franchise Presentation: Narrowing Down Your Top Picks

Phase 3: Research

- Validated financials

- Unbiased Insights

- Deep understanding of every franchise

- Reality from owners

- 1-2 Months

Step 5: Initial Calls with Franchisors (Meet Your Matches)

Step 6: Initial Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) Research

Step 7: Non-FDD Focused Calls - Understanding marketing, support, training, labor, and more.

Step 8: Start Funding Discussions - Understand your options and get pre-qualified.

Step 9: Financial Modeling - Build a realistic startup budget.

Step 10: Validation - Speaking with 10+ franchisees to fully understand every aspect of the business.

Step 11: FDD Deep Dive - Read and understand every detail.

Step 12: FDD Review call with the franchisor.

Step 13: Outside Research - Mystery shop potential competitors.

Step 14: Finalize Your Financial Model.

Phase 4: Decision

- Meet the franchisor in person

- Checklist for confident decisions

- Zero pressure

Step 15: Final Validation - Get any final questions answered.
Step 16: Attorney and Accountant Review.

Step 17: Meet The Team Day / Discovery Day.

Step 18: Make Your Final Decision - Sign the contract, apply for the loan, pay the franchise fee.

Why Processes Matter

Most brokers show you a few “hot” brands and call it a day. That’s not a process, that’s gambling.

Franchise ownership is one of the biggest financial and personal decisions you’ll ever make. You don’t need hype. You need structure.

Tracer’s 18-step framework is designed to take you from zero to ownership with clarity, precision, and confidence.

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What This Means for You

This process is not quick. It’s not easy. But it works.

No shortcuts → Every step protects you from costly mistakes.

No surprises → Franchisees and financials tell the full story.

No hype → If it doesn’t pass the checklist, you walk away.

By the end, you’ll either have total conviction that a franchise is right — or the clarity to say no and wait. Both outcomes are wins.

From Where You Are Now to Ownership

Learn More About the Steps

Click on any step to learn more.

Education

1. Free webinars
Free educational 1 on 1 calls
Free and paid courses
This phase covers:
- What franchising is
- What industries there are
- All funding options
- Personal financial readiness
- Spousal preparedness
- Personal evaluation