To me, there is too much contrast in font size between the words “The only guide to/you’ll ever need” and “Franchise Disclosure Documents.” If I just took a quick glance at the book, I would think it was mostly template disclosure docs. I’m not sure I’d even register that all-important word “guide.”
I would make the font sizes closer, and if you want to make “Franchise Disclosure Documents” stand out, I would try using a different color.
Of course, I could be totally off base. It might look awful with the changes I’m suggesting, but I think it’s worth playing with it to see.
Authors have been known to repackage their book in different ways to appeal to different audiences. No worries: if you don’t do it, someone else will. After this is published, JohnT might want to consider writing a version for lawyers.
I’m not an artist, but I think the cover buries the lede.
Don’t Buy A Job
The Only Guide to Franchise Disclosure Documents You Will Ever Need
Here’s another book with a four word message:
I like the Franchise Trap (and how to avoid it) though.
I was sent a revision and I like it even less than the original, so I’m going with the idea proposed by @Measure_for_Measure. Let’s see what they cook up.
@JohnT , have you researched the Chick-fil-a model? Almost all of their owner/operators are only allowed to have one store. There are only a few that have two, and none that have more than two. The buy-in is only $10,000. The corporation owns the land, building, machinery & equipment. The operator is required to work in the store.
It is definitely buying a job, but most operators clear about $250k per year. Their highest paid operator clears about $1.5 million
There are many operators who own three stores, but to your point, I’m not seeing the sort of corporate ownership of 20+ units that you find with many franchises (like KFC).
The $10k is merely the franchise fee. The initial outlay to open a store will set you back about a million - the range in 2023 was $440k to $2.3m:
CFA also charges between 4%-30% of revenue for the ‘Occupancy Charge’, which is on top of the equipment rental, location rent, and tech fees.
The median location grosses about $9.3m a year. Not going to perform a full analysis… about to board a plane… but it’s probably a fine investment. But you have to have a LOT of available assets to fund the thing, not just $10k.
IIRC, Chik-Fil-A used to have its franchisees be mall-based (I think their motto was “The taste worth shopping for”). Does their franchise model differ from others largely because of that “origin story” as it were?
Of course, they’re probably feeling pretty good about their move out of the malls and into standalone locations these days.
And now, just to harsh your buzz, a note that’s far too late to benefit you…
I don’t love the subtitle. The Only <…> You’ll Ever Need carries an I Alone Can Fix It vibe that has a better track record for selling things than for improving the lives of the buyers.
But take that as coming from a man who’s never aspired to anything significant. I wish you and your endeavors well.
But, seriously, it’s ridiculously mediocre BBQ for the price. It’s not terrible to the point I refuse to go but the only times I do are with a group from work looking for a lunch option that can handle bigger groups.
If that’s the result of a subpar franchising setup, it is not surprising.
!!