Jon Taffer's Complete Guide to Franchising

Jon Taffer, host of the hit TV show "Bar Rescue", has sat on both sides of the franchising table. He's been a franchisee, including one franchise you'd never guess. Now, as founder of Taffer's Tavern, he runs his own franchise system. And even with 40-plus years in business, he's shopping for his next franchise right now. That perspective means he knows exactly what to ask before buying in. The question he says matters most is one most would-be franchisees never think to ask. Timestamps: 00:00 Jon Taffer's surprising next business move 00:30 Why franchising made Jason nervous 03:10 Jon's franchise résumé: from Hooters franchisee to Taffer's Tavern 04:22 Turnkey vs. brand: what you're really buying 07:02 Why so many corporate pros are jumping into franchising 08:08 The biggest perk: you can sit in it before you buy it 09:53 Beyond burgers: franchises in every industry 11:12 Jon's doggy daycare hunt and Jason's franchise near-miss 14:39 The FDD: the document you can't skim 16:58 The #1 red flag Jon won't touch with a 10-foot pole 20:49 The questions that reveal a franchisor's sales muscle 22:57 Jon's six-step vetting process 25:18 What the franchisor does vs. what's on you 28:13 Who Jon wants running a Taffer's Tavern 30:31 Cutting through the noise: Doritos Locos Tacos and the five-word mission 35:52 Local store marketing: own four or five blocks 39:05 What's new in franchising: smaller footprints, fewer days 40:37 The marketing opportunity hiding in every box 43:42 What World Cup fans revealed about franchise brands 44:49 How to take your first step Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices