Independent research on franchise ownership.

Why this site exists

Most of what an aspiring franchisee reads online is written by parties with a direct financial interest in their decision: franchisor sales teams, franchise brokers paid by the brands they represent, lead-generation networks compensated for inquiries, and affiliate sites ranking brands by the commission they earn. Independent, unsponsored research is hard to find.

We built Franchise Businesses to fill that gap. We are an independent editorial publisher, not a sales channel. Our research is sourced from publicly filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDDs), state registration records, and buyer-submitted reviews — never from the franchisors whose brands we cover.

What we publish

• FDD explanations. The FTC's Franchise Disclosure Document has 23 numbered items. We translate Items 5, 6, 7, 19, and 20 — fees, royalties, initial investment, earnings claims, and outlet counts — into plain English so readers can read them faster.
• Industry coverage. Editorial coverage across food and beverage, retail, home services, health and wellness, business services, and education — organized so readers can see how fee structures and disclosure norms differ by category.
• Methodology notes. How we source data, what we publish and what we don't, and how we handle corrections when information changes.

Who this site is for

This site is for prospective franchisees doing their own due diligence — people at the research stage, before they sign anything. It is not for existing franchisees looking for operational guidance, and it is not for franchisors looking for marketing distribution. If you are in either of those groups, this site is not built for you, and other resources will serve you better.

How we're funded

Our revenue comes from two clearly disclosed sources: reader-supported programs (such as our research newsletter and any paid research subscriptions we may add) and affiliate partnerships with general business-service providers — things like legal-document services, business-incorporation platforms, and business-banking tools.

We do not accept payment from franchisors in connection with any specific brand coverage. We do not sell leads to franchisors. We do not earn a commission on the sale of any franchise opportunity. If that ever changes, the change will be disclosed prominently on the affected page and on our full Disclosures & Disclaimers.