Brian Schnell Shares Recommendations for First-Time Franchisees With Star Tribune

In “Want to become a franchisee of a national brand? Here are the steps for Minnesotans,” corporate partner Brian Schnell spoke to Star Tribune about what first-time franchisees should know when deciding whether to pursue owning a franchise.

Schnell explained that the franchising business is not a democracy; rather, it is understood that the franchiser can dictate how things are done throughout the system. He added that the goal is to find a situation where both sides work together and have dialogue. “A good franchisee doesn’t want a vote; they want a voice,” Schnell said. “A franchise system that has franchisees with voices, that listen, that’s collaboration.”

Further, Schnell discussed studying the agreement known as a franchise disclosure document (FDD). He recommended lining up two or more FDDs side by side to get a good grasp of the differences between franchisers. Schnell also suggested talking with existing franchisees to hear about their experiences.

The full article is available for Star Tribune subscribers.