You are sitting there and thinking, “You know, maybe it is time to franchise your business. You have something that works solid customers, solid profits, a little buzz, perhaps. People need to know, when can I find you in my city? And that’s flattering. But you want to print franchise packets and dream of that nationwide fame, so can we stop a moment. It is not only expanding franchise. It’s cloning — with attitude.

The first step? Systems. In case, you rely on your own hustle or your instinct to succeed, then it is not franchise-ready. Franchising is concerned with imitation. All of what you do in your business, whether it is the hiring process or where you store your inventory, or even the way you respond to the customer complaints, should be in writing, and taught, and repeatable. It is the same as instructing somebody on how to make your special meal when you are not in the kitchen. You can not work in the allowance of just a pinch of this or until it feels like it. Precision keeps chaos out.

Second are the paper work storm. Disclosure of franchise documents. Agreements. Trademarks. The legal structures guarding you, as well as your future franchisees. This is no sexy part but something that cannot be negotiated. Hire actual professionals – attorneys who know all aspects of franchising. It is corner cutting in constructing a skyscraper without examining the foundations. It will do alright a little, and fall apart.

Then there is the human factor – your franchisees. Choosing the appropriate individuals is fifty percent. You do not want a person who is merely trying to make a fast buck. You want one who shares your vision that they can live it. They will put your brand on like a second skin. And if you pick the wrong one? They will make it happen even worse than a negative Yelp review. The selection of franchisees is similar to selecting godparents of your business baby. Do it with care.

The next thing you want to do is training. Good manuals, but passion conquers. Franchisees are not merely required to know how you do things, they require finding out why. When they understand your why they will take some decisions that defend your brand even in your absence. This is the area where leadership comes in. You are no longer just a business owner; you have become a coach, mentor, guide, and have skin in the game.

Marketing shifts, too. When you franchise, you are selling your product to the customers and your chance to the aspiring franchisees. It makes your tale your best marketing tool. Discuss your experience – the bad times, the success, the experiences. Realness sells better than refined excellence. Human beings invest in something they are familiar with as opposed to a fairy tale that they deem impossible to achieve.

However, this is where it becomes a tricky thing. Growth feels addictive. You set one foot upon a franchise, and the next, and then you are almost tempted to run away. Don’t. Uneven evolution is a snare. Every new place is a strain, new individuals and possible cracks in the system. Secure the base, and then add on more storeys. Visit your franchisees. Listen to their struggles. Support them. Trust forms the basis of a healthy network and not contracts alone.

And set thyself – not all will be well. Someone will break a rule. Another person will become underperforming. A couple of them can make you mad. That’s normal. Franchising is science, psychology and a lot of patience. But every lesson adds muscle. Any adversity brings focus to your leadership.

So in case you really intend to franchise your business do so with purpose. Never run fast, develop long-term consistency. Systems, people, communication That makes your holy trinity. And keep in mind, franchising is not letting go. It is the ability to explain to other people how to carry what you have created, hold it slowly, assuredly and proudly.