Franchise Marketing Systems

Since 2009 the firm has helped both new and established businesses. It operates as Franchise Marketing Systems (FMS), a US franchise development firm. It describes itself as a full-service franchise consulting company, built around a team of franchise consultants, franchisees and sales specializts, and it says it has worked with more than 1,500 brands on their franchise models. Its clients are chiefly small business owners looking to grow fast through franchising, including through master franchise arrangements.

Turning a brand's own business into a franchise model

Strategic planning comes first. The firm defines and structures a client's business so that the brand can open new locations through independent owner-operators, and it prepares franchise business plans for both the franchisor and the franchisee. That work includes franchise market research, market studies, financial planning for both sides and a benchmark analysis of what will scale the model. Legal setup and franchise documentation are handled within the same process.

Franchise development and ongoing management

Franchise development covers building the model itself. The firm describes itself as acting like a franchise department for the brand, taking responsibility for development work and for the ongoing sales and oversight that follow. Its involvement can extend to management, operations, store openings and communication with franchisees. The consultants are organized into teams, each covering one phase of the franchise process, so that specializt expertise is applied at every stage.

Franchise marketing and outsourced sales

Franchise marketing promotes the franchise opportunity to prospective buyers, with campaigns intended to support a complete franchise sales process. The firm also offers outsourced franchise sales, in which a dedicated professional handles sales on the client's behalf. It says franchise sales follow a repeatable process that can be applied to any qualified franchise model.

Audits for existing franchisors

Brands that already franchise can use the firm's efficiency audit. The process typically starts with an initial consultation and review, followed by a closer look at the franchise disclosure document, franchise agreement, operations manuals, marketing documents and related materials. The aim is to show how an existing franchise program can be improved.

Monthly webinars and a no obligation consultation

Clients receive a live webinar each month on topics such as franchisee qualification, search engine optimization for franchise marketing, franchise sales and leadership, with access to recordings of past sessions. For a business owner who is unsure whether franchising suits them, the firm offers a free no obligation consultation by phone or in person, which it describes as a way to get a direct view of whether the business has an opportunity to franchise. The website also offers an ROI calculator, which shows the royalty income a franchise sale can generate, and a blog covering topics such as how to choose a franchise consultant.

Franchise Marketing Systems, known as FMS, is a US franchise development firm working with new and established businesses since 2009. It helps owners structure their brand as a franchise and then plan, launch and run the growth that follows. Its team of 28 consultants is split into groups that each handle a phase of the franchising process.

Services

• Franchise strategic planning: defining and structuring a business so it can be franchised.
• Franchise development: building the model that lets independent owner-operators open new locations.
• Franchise marketing: promoting the franchise opportunity to prospective buyers.
• Outsourced franchise sales: a dedicated professional handling franchise sales on the client's behalf.
• Client webinars: a monthly live session on topics such as franchisee qualification, SEO and franchise sales, with past recordings available.

Who it serves

Franchise Marketing Systems mainly works with small businesses and their owners who want to expand quickly through franchising, including master franchise arrangements.

Key facts

• Based in: United States
• Founded: 2009
• Team: 28 franchise consultants