Better education for prospective franchisees - Online and Free

Written on the 2 July 2010

The program, announced last month and funded by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), commences today/this week with more than 270 participants already registered.

Delivered online, the pre-entry franchise education program is being developed by Griffith University’s Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence, and funded by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence Director Professor Lorelle Frazer said with the ACCC funding the franchise education program could be offered at no cost.

“With funding from the ACCC we can offer the pre-entry franchise education program free, and combined with its online delivery, will maximise its accessibility and reach,” Professor Frazer said.

“The program is in line with our research which suggests improved pre-entry education can reduce conflict in the franchise sector, as well as with Federal and State Franchise Inquiry recommendations, and the Government’s aim to create a sector where people enter franchising with more realistic expectations.”

ACCC Deputy Chairman Dr Michael Schaper said the Expert Report on the Franchising Code identified early education of potential franchisees as a critical factor for their business success and Code compliance.

“The pre-entry education program will provide potential franchisees with a better understanding of their rights and obligations under the Franchising Code, and some of the practical issues they could face as a franchisee,” Dr Schaper said.

“Anyone thinking about buying a franchise should enrol in the program.”

The pre-entry franchise education program will be delivered as five modules, one a day direct to a participant’s inbox.

Each module will take about 45 minutes to complete and consists of video, audio and text documents, as well as additional resources and a self-assessment quiz, including a Certificate of Completion.

Topics covered in the pre-entry franchise education program include:

• An overview of franchising;
• Franchise disclosure, agreements, royalties and finance;
• Franchise support services, site and territory selection, retail leasing and franchise marketing funds;
• Franchising Intellectual Property, the operations manual, franchisor-franchisee relationships and dispute resolution; and
•  Questions to ask franchisors and existing and former franchisees, additional due diligence, useful business skills and assessing suitability to become a franchisee.

The program is due to commence in July this year.

To register your interest in the program and receive updates please click here