What really happens at discovery day

Discovery day is when you visit the franchisor, meet the leadership team, and they decide whether to award you a franchise. It is also, quietly, a very good sales event.

You should enjoy it. You should also arrive with a plan.

Before you go

Finish validation calls first. You will ask much better questions after talking to ten owners than after reading a brochure.

While you are there

Meet the people who will support you after you sign, not just the people who sell. Ask the operations lead how many owners each field consultant supports. Ask what happened to the last three locations that closed.

Watch how they answer hard questions. A good franchisor is comfortable with them.

After

Do not sign on the drive home. Sleep on it, talk to your family, and talk to us. If it is the right brand, it will still be the right brand next week.

In my years as an owner and executive, the best franchisors I worked with wanted buyers who asked tough questions. Those buyers stayed.