Our proven path to franchise ownership.
This checkpoint process has helped award over 10,000 franchise locations and thousands of families become business owners over the past five years.
Your Sidekick Advisor will guide you through each checkpoint and handle the due diligence for you, making sure you’re prepared throughout the entire process.
The Sidekick 7 is an advisor-led path designed to bring clarity and confidence to the franchise ownership journey. Rather than pushing you toward a quick decision, our proven process helps you evaluate opportunities through a structured framework that prioritizes alignment, sustainability and long-term success. Throughout the process your Sidekick Advisor serves as both a guide and filter – translating complex information – so when it’s time to move forward, you do so with confidence.
01
The first checkpoint is simply meeting the minimum financial requirements of our brands. All franchise brands have different requirements, but the minimum is $50,000 in liquid capital and $150,000 in net worth.
02
What’s your why? Your Sidekick Advisor needs to know who you are, where you want to go, and what drives you. The foundation of this step is our proprietary software that starts with the franchise fit survey. The questions we ask in this survey will give our advisors a deep understanding of what is truly a priority for you when considering a franchise.
03
Which of our certified brands are for you? After diving deep with your Sidekick Advisor, they’ll offer you the best brand options to achieve your goals based on the information we’ve collected. After discussing with your advisor, you’ll choose which brands you want to discover more about.
04
This 4-6 week process is all about getting to know the ins and outs of your top brands. You’ll dive deep into the financials of the business, franchise disclosure review, and analysis of your territory. You’ll attend franchise validation calls where you can ask existing franchisees of the brand any items you need clarification on. After 3-4 weeks you should eliminate brands you are not interested in & focus on the best fit.
05
This 2-3 week process runs alongside the Discovery Process. Your Sidekick Advisor will help make sure you have an expert opinion protecting you. We’ll connect you with our top partners for steps like funding and legal review, and help you prepare for Confirmation Day!
06
You’ve been invited by the brand to their C Day! This is the day for you to meet the team, experience the business for yourself, and confirm your decision to become a franchisee.
07
You did it! You’ve decided on a franchise brand, and they’ve decided on you! This is the big moment you’ve been preparing for. During your Ribbon Cutting, you will sign the franchise agreement and discuss next steps for onboarding with your new franchise family!
James, Franchisee
Ted, Franchisee
Nathan, Franchisee
Have questions? We've got answers.
The Sidekick 7 is Franchise Sidekick’s proven, step-by-step path to franchise ownership. It’s a structured checkpoint process designed to remove confusion, reduce risk and help you make confident, informed decisions before investing in a franchise.
Buying a franchise is a major life and financial decision. The Sidekick 7 ensures nothing is rushed or overlooked. Each step builds clarity, alignment and confidence, so you’re choosing the right franchise, not just a franchise.
There is no cost for our clients to work with us. We're paid by the franchise brands we partner with when a franchise is awarded.
Timelines vary based on your goals, availability and decision-making pace, but most candidates complete The Sidekick 7 in a matter of months not years. The process is structured but flexible, designed to move as quickly or thoughtfully as you need.
Not. The Sidekick 7 is about making the right decision, not forcing a decision. If franchise ownership isn’t the right fit, you’ll walk away with clarity and confidence, knowing you explored the process the right way.
Unlike traditional franchise brokers, Franchise Sidekick prioritizes education, alignment and due diligence before any recommendations are made. The Sidekick 7 removes pressure, replaces guesswork with structure and gives you expert guidance every step of the way.
The Sidekick 7 is built for aspiring business owners at any stage, whether you’re exploring franchising for the first time or narrowing down final options. If you want clarity, confidence and support before investing, this process was built for you.