Considerations to keep in mind when buying a franchise

According to a recent report by the Census Bureau, one out of every 10 businesses in the U.S. is a franchise. In 2007, the sector accounted for $7.7 trillion in total sales, while also paying $153.7 billion in salaries.It is not difficult to argue that franchises comprise a huge segment of the retail economy. But to many investors, entrepreneurs and potential franchisees, the prospect of buying a franchise can seem overwhelming.
Luckily, because they rely on prospective investors, franchises do not hesitate to provide interested operators with relevant location information, sales data and other scouting resources.

However, says Wayne Humphrey, vice president of franchising for Noodles & Company, "At the end of the day, the franchisee is responsible for selecting his or her own site," he told Inc. magazine. "And we have a very stringent approval process. They have to make a presentation to us with data on not just the demographics, but also the real estate picture - construction costs and co-tenants - and really sell it to us."
Franchisees also need to find the right staff to grow their business. Ultimately, a franchise endeavor is a risk and, if it is not properly managed, it can hurt a business owner's chances of ever finding a similar opportunity again.

http://www.bizilla.com/blog/2010/12/considerations-to-keep-in-mind-when-buying-a-franchise/