When is the right time to franchise my business?+
Usually after two or three units are operating profitably without the founder being in them daily. If the model still requires founder presence to make the numbers work, you're not ready — and franchising won't fix it. See Criteria for Franchisability for the full diagnostic.
How much does it cost to franchise a business?+
It depends on the existing maturity of the business and scope of work. A typical four-stage build (feasibility → system → legal → first franchisees) is priced per phase. We share indicative ranges during a discovery call — not before, because the honest answer depends on what we find.
How long does it take from "go" to first franchisee signed?+
Six to nine months is typical. Faster if documentation is already strong; slower if feasibility surfaces gaps that need fixing first. See How to Franchise a Business.
Do I need a franchise lawyer, or can my regular commercial lawyer handle it?+
You need someone who lives inside the Franchising Code of Conduct. A good general commercial lawyer can draft a contract; a franchise specialist understands the Code's prescribed contents, the 14-day rule, marketing fund accounting, and renewal mechanics. Most general counsel get something wrong on the first try.
What if my business isn't ready to franchise — does ABC just tell me anyway?+
No. About a quarter of our feasibility studies end with a "fix this first" answer rather than a green light. That's the whole point of the diagnostic — we'd rather lose the build engagement than walk a founder into a franchise that doesn't work.
How much capital do I need before I can become a franchisee?+
Depends entirely on the brand. The brands we currently represent range from around $400k entry to $1M+ for premium concepts. Most franchisees finance a portion — banks like the predictability of a franchise model. The franchise opportunity pages list indicative ranges per brand.
What's the difference between a royalty and the marketing fund?+
The royalty is general revenue for the franchisor — it funds support, system updates, governance. The marketing fund is held on trust for network-wide marketing only, with separate accounting and annual audit required by the Code. See Royalties & Fees.
Can I franchise internationally from Australia?+
Yes, and Australia produces strong cross-border franchisors. The Asia-Pacific corridor — Singapore, Hong Kong, Greater China — is where most of our cross-border work lives. The typical structure is master franchise. See Global Expansion.
What happens if a franchisee underperforms?+
First, support — performance management, retraining, field visits. Underperformance is more often fixable than not. If it isn't, the franchise agreement governs termination — strictly controlled by the Code, requiring notice and opportunity to remedy except in serious-breach scenarios. Termination is the last resort, not the first.
What does ABC actually stand for?+
Three letters, three edges. A — Australian: two decades inside the Australian Franchising Code. B — Bowen: senior partner, deal craft, recruitment-funnel design. C — Cong: senior partner who personally owns and operates a chain brand alongside the consultancy. The unfair advantage: we don't just consult on franchising — Cong has run a network. The fourth edge is social-media-led franchisee recruitment that delivers qualified buyers, not just inquiries.