Understand the candidate
Learn what they want from business ownership, what they can invest, and what kind of life they are trying to build.
FOR EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS WHO WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN
How to Become a Franchise Consultant
Most professionals never hear about franchise consulting until they are already deep into a career they do not want forever. This page shows you what franchise consultants actually do, why this path appeals to experienced professionals, and how to tell whether it may fit the life you want to build.
In about five minutes, you'll get a clear look at the role, the industry behind it, the skills that carry over, and the next step if you want to explore it seriously.
No pressure. No hard sell. Just a clearer look at whether this path makes sense for you.
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?
You Probably Did Not Plan to Search for Franchise Consulting
Most people who become interested in franchise consulting did not start out looking for it. They arrive here after years in sales, leadership, recruiting, consulting, operations, or relationship-driven work — then realize they want more ownership over what comes next.
If any of this sounds familiar, keep reading.
01
You want more control over your time and your calendar.
02
You want to build something of your own, not keep climbing someone else's ladder.
03
You are good at helping people make important decisions — and want to do more of that work.
04
You have years of professional experience and do not want to start over from zero.
05
You want a path with structure, training, and community, not a blind leap.
FROM THE FOUNDER
I Built the Path I Wish I Had
When I first told people I was building a business around franchise consulting, some of them did not understand it at all. A few were polite about it. A few were not. Most had never heard of this work as a real career path.
A year later, some of those same people were asking how it worked. Not because of hype — because they could see that I had built a business around guidance, relationships, and experience I already had, in an industry many professionals know as a business model, but not as a career.
That is what I want more people to understand. Franchise consultants help people explore franchise ownership by learning their goals, background, and budget, then guiding them through a structured decision process. Done well, this work is not about pushing someone into a deal — it is about helping them make a better decision.
I built FTI because I wanted professionals to have a clearer, more ethical way to learn this path than I did. If this possibility has your attention, you do not need to figure it out alone.
Sabrina WallCEO — FRANCHISE BROKERS ASSOCIATION
A franchise consultant helps people evaluate franchise ownership and identify opportunities that fit their goals, experience, financial situation, and preferred lifestyle. In practice, that means asking better questions, narrowing options, and guiding candidates through a decision process that is more informed and less overwhelming.
Most people hear “franchise consultant” and assume the work is mainly sales. The strongest consultants do use consultative sales skills — but the real work is listening well, understanding fit, and helping people avoid the wrong opportunity as much as helping them find the right one.
Match them with aligned options
Introduce franchise opportunities that fit their goals, budget, and background.
Guide the discovery process
Help them research, compare, ask better questions, and move forward only when the fit is right.
At its core, franchise consulting is guidance, judgment, and trust. For the right professional, it can be a way to build a business around helping other people make an important decision with more clarity.
Franchise Consulting Sits Inside a Large, Active Industry
Franchising remains a major part of the U.S. economy, and current 2026 projections show continued growth in establishments, jobs, and output. That does not guarantee that every consultant will succeed, but it does show this is a real industry with real scale behind it.
845K
ESTABLISHMENTS
Projected franchise establishments in 2026.
8.9M
JOBS
Nearly 8.9 million projected franchise jobs in 2026.
$921B
OUTPUT
About $921.4 billion in projected franchise output in 2026.
Source: 2026 Franchising Economic Outlook, IFA / FRANdata.
Many experienced professionals may be well-suited for this kind of work — but most never hear about it as a career option. That is part of why this path catches people by surprise when they finally discover it.
You May Already Have Many of the Skills This Role Requires
You do not need to come from franchising to explore franchise consulting. Many of the core skills are the ones experienced professionals already use every day: listening, asking good questions, building trust, evaluating fit, and guiding people through decisions that matter.
Consultative communication
You know how to listen first and guide a conversation with purpose.
Business judgment
You can evaluate goals, tradeoffs, and what makes a fit realistic.
Relationship-building
You are comfortable earning trust over time.
Professional network
Your experience often comes with relationships and credibility you can build on.
Coaching mindset
You like helping people think clearly, not just move quickly.
Self-direction
You want more ownership over your calendar, pipeline, and next chapter.
IT MAY ALREADY BE IN YOUR TOOLKIT
How FTI Helps You Explore the Path
Franchise Training Institute was built to help professionals understand franchise consulting more clearly and explore the role in a structured way. The goal is to help you understand the industry, the role, and what it would actually take to begin.
Through FTI, you can learn how to:
01
Understand how the franchise industry works.
02
Explain the consultant role clearly and professionally.
03
Have stronger candidate conversations.
04
Evaluate fit between a candidate and a franchise opportunity.
05
Approach the work ethically and with confidence.
Training
Guided learning to help you understand the role and the process.
Portfolio
Support in understanding franchise concepts and categories, so you are not making sense of the market alone.
Community
Exposure to professionals who know the industry and can share perspective.
Technology
Systems that support the process and reduce friction in day-to-day work.
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
What Others Are Saying
The best way to understand this path is to hear from people who have already walked it. These are real professionals who explored franchise consulting and chose it as their next chapter.
The FBA’s training is unsurpassed, with continuous learning and support that truly sets them apart for anyone looking to become a successful franchise broker.
Keith Liscio
We can see that the FBA is extremely committed in providing to the new brokers as much information as possible, and to prepare us in the best way to be a broker.
Christian De Berail
The team at FBA is incredibly supportive, warm, and welcoming, truly committed to helping us succeed and match clients with the right franchises.
Anne Nguyen
FBA, it is a good group of people. They're ethical. They're doing the right things and the support is amazing. Anytime you change industries, you have to have support.
FRANCHISE CONSULTANT
Kirk Loard
THE NEXT STEP
Find Out Whether Franchise Consulting Fits You
Tell us a little about your background and what you are looking for. We will review your information, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether this path appears to fit your goals and experience.
If it looks like a strong fit, we will explain the next step. If it does not, we will tell you that too.
Request Your Free Franchise Consultant Fit Check
Get the complete program brochure delivered under 60 seconds, flat-rate — just the details you need.
Becoming a Franchise Consultant
What is a franchise consultant?
A franchise consultant helps people evaluate franchise ownership and identify opportunities that fit their goals, experience, and budget through a structured, consultative process.
What does a franchise consultant do day to day?
Day to day work includes candidate conversations, evaluating fit, introducing aligned franchise options, and guiding people through research and decision-making.
Do I need franchise experience to become a franchise consultant?
No. Many successful consultants come from sales, leadership, recruiting, consulting, and other relationship-driven professional backgrounds.
Who tends to be a good fit for franchise consulting?
Professionals who are strong communicators, comfortable building trust, and motivated to help others make important decisions often fit well.
How do I know whether franchise consulting is right for me?
A fit-check conversation can help you understand the role, the work involved, and whether it aligns with the life and business you want to build.
Why is franchise consulting getting more attention?
More experienced professionals are looking for paths with structure, training, and ownership — and franchise consulting offers a way to build on skills they already have.