Checklist: Preparing Financials Before You Attend a Franchise Expo

Attending The Great American Franchise Expo is an exciting opportunity to explore business ownership, compare franchise brands, and speak directly with industry leaders. But while many attendees focus on which booths to visit or which seminars to attend, one of the most important preparations happens before you ever step onto the expo floor: getting your finances in order.

Franchisors at The Great American Franchise Expo are looking for qualified, serious candidates. Being financially prepared doesn’t just help you evaluate opportunities — it signals that you’re ready to move forward if the right brand presents itself.

This guide walks you through a practical financial checklist so you can attend your next franchise expo informed, organized, and confident.

Why Financial Preparation Matters Before the Expo

A franchise expo is fast-paced. You’ll have limited time to speak with each brand. If you don’t understand your own financial position, it’s difficult to determine:

• Whether you qualify for certain investment levels
• What funding options are realistic
• How much risk you’re comfortable taking
• Which brands truly fit your budget

Being financially prepared allows you to ask smarter questions, eliminate mismatches quickly, and focus only on opportunities that align with your goals.

Preparation turns browsing into strategic exploration.

Step 1: Determine Your Net Worth and Liquid Capital

Most franchisors evaluate candidates using two primary financial benchmarks:

• Net worth
• Liquid capital

Before attending The Great American Franchise Expo, calculate both.

Net worth is the total value of your assets minus liabilities. Assets may include savings, retirement accounts, investments, home equity, and other property. Liabilities include mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit card debt, and personal loans.

Liquid capital refers to cash or assets that can quickly be converted to cash without significant penalties. This typically includes:

• Savings accounts
• Checking accounts
• Non-retirement investment accounts

Many franchises require a minimum level of liquid capital, often ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 or more depending on the brand.

Knowing these numbers helps you immediately determine which booths to prioritize at the expo.

Step 2: Understand Your Investment Comfort Zone

Just because you qualify for a $500,000 investment doesn’t mean you should pursue one.

Before the expo, ask yourself:

• How much am I willing to invest?
• How much debt am I comfortable taking on?
• How long can I sustain personal expenses without income?
• What level of financial risk feels manageable?

Franchise investments vary widely — from lower-cost service-based businesses to brick-and-mortar brands requiring significant build-out.

Having a clear financial comfort zone prevents you from being swayed by excitement alone.

Step 3: Review Your Credit Profile

Financing plays a major role in franchise ownership. Whether you plan to pursue an SBA loan, traditional bank financing, or alternative lending, your credit score matters.

Before attending The Great American Franchise Expo:

• Check your personal credit score
• Review your credit report for errors
• Pay down high-interest revolving debt if possible
• Avoid opening new lines of credit

Strong credit increases your financing options and improves loan terms.

If your credit needs improvement, knowing that ahead of time helps you plan accordingly.

Step 4: Gather Key Financial Documents

If you have serious conversations with franchisors at the expo, they may ask about your financial readiness. Having documentation organized shows professionalism and speeds up the qualification process.

Prepare access to:

• Personal financial statement
• Two to three years of tax returns
• Bank statements
• Investment account summaries
• Resume highlighting professional background

You don’t necessarily need to bring physical copies to The Great American Franchise Expo, but having them ready at home allows you to follow up quickly.

Being responsive can move you ahead of other candidates.

Step 5: Estimate Working Capital Needs

One of the most overlooked financial considerations is working capital — the money needed to operate your business before it becomes profitable.

When reviewing franchise investment ranges, remember they typically include:

• Franchise fee
• Equipment
• Build-out
• Initial inventory
• Marketing launch expenses

But working capital covers:

• Payroll
• Rent
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Ongoing marketing
• Unexpected expenses

Before the expo, calculate how many months of personal and business expenses you could cover without revenue. Many advisors recommend planning for at least six months of operating cushion.

This protects you from unnecessary stress during the ramp-up period.

Step 6: Explore Funding Options in Advance

Walking into The Great American Franchise Expo with a basic understanding of funding options puts you at an advantage.

Common funding sources include:

• SBA loans
• Conventional bank loans
• 401(k) rollovers (ROBS programs)
• Home equity loans
• Personal savings
• Investor partnerships

Research these options before the event so you can ask franchisors targeted questions like:

• Do you have preferred lenders?
• What percentage of franchisees use SBA financing?
• How long does funding approval typically take?

Being funding-aware makes your conversations more strategic.

Step 7: Account for Ongoing Fees and Royalties

Initial investment is only part of the equation.

Before attending a franchise expo, understand that most franchise systems include:

• Ongoing royalty fees (often a percentage of gross revenue)
• Marketing or brand fund contributions
• Technology fees
• Renewal fees

As you prepare your financial framework, consider how these recurring costs will impact profitability.

At The Great American Franchise Expo, you’ll likely hear attractive revenue projections. But your follow-up questions should always include expense structure.

Preparation keeps expectations realistic.

Step 8: Separate Personal and Business Financial Planning

Owning a franchise will impact your personal financial life.

Before attending the expo, evaluate:

• Your current household expenses
• Emergency savings
• Spouse or partner income stability
• Insurance coverage
• Retirement contributions

If your franchise takes 12 months to become profitable, how will you cover personal living costs?

Many first-time franchisees underestimate this gap.

Clear separation between business investment and personal stability reduces pressure and improves decision-making.

Step 9: Clarify Your Income Expectations

Be honest about why you’re pursuing franchise ownership.

Are you seeking:

• Career independence?
• Wealth-building?
• Replacement income?
• Semi-absentee investment?

Your financial expectations shape which brands make sense.

Before attending The Great American Franchise Expo, determine:

• Your desired annual income target
• How quickly you need to reach it
• Whether you’re prepared for gradual scaling

Franchise ownership is rarely instant profit. Align your expectations with financial reality.

Step 10: Prepare Smart Financial Questions for the Expo

When you arrive at the expo financially prepared, you can ask meaningful questions instead of surface-level ones.

Consider asking:

• What does the average first-year revenue look like?
• What are the typical operating margins?
• What percentage of franchisees meet or exceed projections?
• How long does it take top performers to scale?
• What financial mistakes do new franchisees make?

Preparation makes you stand out as a serious candidate — not just a curious attendee.

What Not to Do Before Attending

Financial readiness also means avoiding common mistakes.

Do not:

• Overestimate your borrowing capacity
• Assume all brands will negotiate fees
• Ignore working capital requirements
• Focus only on revenue without analyzing expenses
• Make emotional decisions based on brand popularity

The Great American Franchise Expo brings together many exciting opportunities. Your job is to filter them through financial clarity.

Turning Preparation Into Confidence

When you walk into The Great American Franchise Expo with:

• A clear understanding of your net worth
• Defined investment limits
• Organized financial documents
• Explored funding strategies
• Realistic income expectations

You’re no longer just exploring — you’re evaluating.

That shift changes your posture, your questions, and your outcomes.

Franchisors notice prepared candidates. Conversations become more detailed. Follow-up moves faster. Opportunities feel clearer.

Financial preparation isn’t about having unlimited resources. It’s about understanding exactly where you stand.

After the Expo: Next Financial Steps

Once the expo concludes, your preparation makes post-event follow-up more effective.

You’ll be able to:

• Compare brands against your financial framework
• Request FDDs confidently
• Schedule calls with lenders
• Review projections critically
• Make informed decisions

The Great American Franchise Expo provides access to opportunity. Financial preparation determines how effectively you evaluate it.

Final Thoughts

Attending The Great American Franchise Expo is a powerful step toward business ownership. But the most successful attendees don’t just show up — they show up prepared.

By organizing your financial picture before the event, you transform the experience from overwhelming to strategic. You’ll know which opportunities align with your budget, which funding paths make sense, and which brands deserve serious consideration.

Franchise ownership is both an emotional and financial decision. Preparation ensures your financial foundation supports your ambition.

If you’re planning to attend The Great American Franchise Expo this year, use this checklist to get your numbers in order first. The clarity you gain may be the most valuable takeaway of all.