Franchise Consultant
Paul Schlanger
Insider guidance for franchise buyers—based on firsthand experience building,
scaling, and supporting franchise systems.
Franchise Consultant & Former Franchisor
Insider Guidance for Buying the Right Franchise
Buying a franchise looks straightforward—until you’re on the inside.
As a franchise consultant and former franchisor, I help serious buyers understand what’s really happening behind the sales process, the financial disclosures, and the growth projections.
I don’t just know how franchises are sold.
I know how they’re built, scaled, supported, and sometimes broken.
That perspective allows me to help buyers avoid costly mistakes and choose franchises that are designed for long-term success.
Why Working With a Former Franchisor Matters
Most franchise consultants have never sat on the franchisor side of the table, I have.
As a former franchisor, I understand:
How franchise fees and royalties are structured
What strong franchisee support actually looks like
Where franchisors tend to overpromise
Which KPIs matter most to the home office
How Item 19 earnings can be framed—or misinterpreted
This insider knowledge gives you a major advantage during your evaluation.
What I Do as Your Franchise Consultant.
I act as your advisor and advocate throughout the entire franchise buying process, helping you:
Clarify your financial and lifestyle goals
Identify franchises aligned with your risk tolerance
Analyze Item 19 Financial Performance Representations
Compare multiple franchise opportunities objectively
Spot red flags before you invest
Make confident, data-driven decisions
My role is not to sell you a franchise—it’s to help you choose the right one.
Who I Work With
I work with individuals who want clarity and realism, including:
First-time franchise buyers
Executives transitioning from corporate roles
Investors exploring scalable franchise models
Buyers overwhelmed by conflicting franchise pitches
Entrepreneurs comparing franchises vs. starting a business
If you value transparency and strategic thinking, this process is designed for you.
My Franchise Consulting Process
1. Discovery & Alignment.
We start with your:
Investment range
Income and growth expectations
Time commitment
Lifestyle priorities
Risk tolerance
This prevents wasted time and misaligned opportunities.
2. Franchise Research & Shortlisting
I evaluate franchises based on:
Unit-level economics
Franchisee success patterns
Market demand and saturation
Support systems and infrastructure
Franchisor incentives and alignment
You only review opportunities that pass an initial reality check.
3. Item 19 & Financial Reality Check
I help you:
Interpret Item 19 earnings accurately
Understand margins and breakeven points
Separate marketing projections from financial reality
Compare franchises on equal footing
This step is where most bad decisions are avoided.
4. Decision Support (Without Pressure)
I don’t rush timelines or push brands.
Instead, I:
Pressure-test your final options
Highlight trade-offs
Ensure you’re comfortable before signing
The decision is always yours.
What Makes My Franchise Guidance Unique
My approach is different:
No generic recommendations
No rushing to discovery days
No skipping financial analysis
No pressure to choose a brand
I’m focused on outcomes, not placements.
Request a Consultation
Most franchises are SBA pre-approved for financing. However, each brand requires a minimum level of liquid capital to qualify for ownership.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Franchise Advisors are well-versed in the franchising landscape, offering insights into various brands and sectors.
Franchise advisors provide you with expert advice to help you find and select the right franchise opportunities that match your skills, interests, and financial capabilities.
Access to Opportunities: Franchise advisors have extensive networks and access to a large amount of franchise opportunities. This allows potential franchisees to explore franchise ownership opportunities they might not have discovered on their own. We work with hundreds of brands across multiple industries, significantly widening choices for clients.
Impartial Guidance: Unlike franchise development managers that are focused on their own brand, franchise advisors provide unbiased guidance, aiming to match our clients with the best-fit franchise for them. This objectivity is important to get an honest perspective on what different franchises and business ownership opportunities can offer.
Navigational Help with Financial Complexities: Franchising involves substantial financial commitments. A franchise advisor guides prospective franchisees in obtaining financing.