How to franchise your business: franchise consulting for U.S. business owners
Merlo Solutions helps owners of successful businesses turn them into franchises. We handle strategy, operations manuals, brand and franchise sales, and we work with franchise attorneys on the legal side. We work with business owners across the United States, starting in Florida, and bring more than 16 years in marketing and technology.
Find out if your business can franchise (3 min) · Book a call
Which one sounds like you?
What does it mean to franchise a business?
Franchising lets other investors open your business under your brand and your system. They fund and run the location; you earn an initial franchise fee and ongoing royalties.
You keep ownership of the brand. A franchisee buys the right to use it in a set territory for a set term, and agrees to follow your standards.
In return, you give them what they need to succeed: manuals, training, marketing support and ongoing guidance. The relationship is defined in a franchise agreement and the FDD, both prepared by a franchise attorney.
Franchising isn't selling your business. It's turning what already works into a system other people can repeat under your name.
Why franchise your business?
Because it lets you expand into new markets with other owners' capital and effort, instead of funding every location yourself.
- Grow with other people's capital: Each franchisee funds their own location.
- Grow faster: Several units can open at the same time.
- Recurring revenue: Monthly royalties come in from every location.
- Owner-operators: The person running each unit has their own money on the line.
- A more valuable brand: A franchise system is worth more than a single business.
| Who invests | Brand control | Growth speed | Revenue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchising | The franchisee | High, through the agreement and manuals | Fast | Franchise fee + royalties |
| Company-owned | You | Full | Slow, limited by your capital | All location profit |
| Licensing | The licensee | Low, brand use only | Varies | License fees |
Is my business ready to franchise?
A business is ready to franchise when it's profitable, repeatable, and runs without the owner there every day.
If most of these sound like you, it's worth a serious look:
- Profitable for 2+ years
- Margins that can support royalties
- Processes that are documented, or easy to document
- New hires are trained in under 8 weeks
- A unique brand name you can trademark
- Demand in other cities
- Strong customer reviews
- An owner who wants to teach others
How do I franchise my business, step by step?
There are four stages: assess whether the business is ready, build the franchise system, launch franchise sales, and grow the network.
Our method: Assess → Build → Launch → Grow
Assess
A franchise readiness audit with a 0–100 score. We review your numbers, processes, brand and market, and tell you honestly whether it makes sense to move forward.
Build
Strategy, financial model, operations manual, training program and franchise brand. The FDD and franchise agreement are prepared by a partner franchise attorney.
Launch
A bilingual franchise sales site, CRM, ads and Discovery Days to meet candidates and choose the right franchisees.
Grow
Ongoing franchise sales and technology for your network, with Revo CRM and Voice AI, so every location wins and serves more customers.
How much does it cost to franchise a business?
In the U.S., franchising a business typically costs $30,000 to more than $100,000 all-in, depending on the size of the project, including consulting, legal and marketing.
| Item | Approximate range |
|---|---|
| Franchise development consulting | $30,000 – $65,000+ (large firms charge $100,000+) |
| Franchise attorney (FDD and agreement) | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Audited financial statements | $2,000 – $10,000 |
| Trademark registration | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| State registrations | $250 – $1,865 per state (Florida: $100 annual notice) |
| Franchise sales marketing | $8,000 – $12,000 per franchise sold |
These are general market ranges. Your actual cost depends on your business. We give you an exact quote after the audit.
Franchise readiness audit from $2,500 (credited if you continue with us).
How long does it take to franchise a business?
Usually 4 to 8 months from the audit to being ready to sell your first franchise.
The audit takes a few weeks. Building the system (strategy, manuals, training, brand and legal) is the longest stage.
Timing depends on how organized your business is today. If your processes are documented and your books are current, things move faster.
What is an FDD, and why do I need one?
The FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) is the legal disclosure that federal law (the FTC Franchise Rule) requires you to give a buyer before selling them a franchise. It's prepared by a franchise attorney.
The FDD covers who you are, what the franchise costs, each side's obligations, and other facts a buyer needs to make a decision.
Merlo coordinates the process and gives the attorney all the business information, so the document accurately reflects how your model works.
How do franchisors make money?
Franchisors earn an initial fee for each franchise sold plus ongoing royalties, often 4% to 8% of sales in many systems, plus a brand marketing fund. We don't share earnings figures because every business is different.
The initial fee covers training and getting the franchisee open. Royalties fund the ongoing support you give the network.
What a franchisor actually earns depends on the number of units, how they perform and the cost of supporting them.
Why work with Merlo Solutions?
Because we stay with you the whole way, in English or Spanish, from the audit to selling franchises.
- Fully bilingual (English and Spanish)
- Marketing and franchise sales included, not just paperwork
- Our own technology (Revo CRM and Voice AI)
- Partner franchise attorneys for the legal work
- Experience with Hispanic-owned businesses and insurance agencies
- We're honest: if your business isn't ready, we'll tell you
Do you help businesses from outside the U.S. enter the American market?
Yes. If your business operates outside the United States and you want to grow here through franchising, we help you adapt your model to the U.S. market, coordinate the legal work with U.S. franchise attorneys, and help you find franchisees here.
Franchising FAQ
What kinds of businesses can be franchised?
Profitable businesses with teachable processes and a brand customers recognize: food, services, health, beauty, education and more. The audit tells you if yours is ready.
Do I need multiple locations to franchise?
Not always. Many franchise systems start with one or two strong locations. What matters is that the model is profitable and repeatable.
How much does it cost to franchise my business?
In the U.S. it typically runs $30,000 to $100,000+ all-in, including consulting, legal and marketing. Our audit starts at $2,500 and is credited if you continue with us. We give you an exact quote after the audit.
How long does it take?
Usually 4 to 8 months from the audit to being ready to sell your first franchise. It depends on how prepared your business is.
Do you handle the legal side?
No. The FDD and franchise agreement are prepared by a partner franchise attorney. Merlo coordinates the process and provides all the business information.
What is the FDD?
It's the disclosure document the FTC Franchise Rule requires you to give a buyer before selling a franchise. A franchise attorney prepares it.
Do I need to register my franchise in Florida?
Florida requires an annual exemption notice with a $100 fee. Other states have different rules. Your franchise attorney confirms what applies to you.
What if my business isn't ready?
We'll tell you honestly. You get a clear plan to get ready, and we can help you carry it out if you'd like.
Do you help sell franchises?
Yes. We build your bilingual franchise sales site, ads and CRM, and run Discovery Days to find the right franchisees.
Do you help businesses from outside the U.S. enter the American market?
Yes. We help you adapt your model to the U.S. market and coordinate the legal work with U.S. franchise attorneys. Then we help you find franchisees here.
Do you work in Spanish?
Yes. The whole process can be in English, Spanish or both. You can also email us at franchise@merlosolutions.com.
Could your business be the next one to franchise?
Take the 3-minute quiz or tell us about your business below.
Find out if your business can franchise (3 min)
Prefer email? franchise@merlosolutions.com · (786) 722-0696
Merlo Solutions does not provide legal advice. Franchise legal documents are prepared by licensed franchise attorneys. This page is for information only and is not an offer to sell a franchise. Costs shown are approximate market ranges.