Preparing for Your First 90 Days as a Franchisee

Buying a franchise can be one of the most exciting and rewarding steps of your career — but it’s also one of the most complex. Prospective franchisees face a flood of opportunities, conflicting advice, and hidden pitfalls that can derail even the best-laid plans.

The Franchisee Success Blueprint is designed to guide you through every stage of the franchise journey. This series focuses on helping you understand the landscape, evaluate opportunities, set realistic expectations, and develop the knowledge and tools you need to successfully launch and grow a franchise. By following these principles, you’ll increase your chances of finding a franchise that aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and financial reality.

Preparing for Your First 90 Days as a Franchisee

The first 90 days set the tone for your franchise’s success. Thoughtful preparation ensures you hit the ground running and avoid common mistakes during this critical launch period.

Key steps for the first 90 days:

1. Operational readiness

   • Staff hiring, training, inventory, and system setup completed before opening day.

2. Marketing launch

   • Local promotions, social media campaigns, and community engagement planned and executed.

3. Daily operations

   • Establish routines, reporting structures, and performance tracking.

4. Support utilization

   • Lean on franchisor training, mentors, and peer networks for guidance.

5. Early performance reviews

   • Track metrics and adjust processes quickly to address gaps.

Practical exercise:

• Create a 90-day checklist covering operations, marketing, staffing, and reporting.

• Schedule weekly progress reviews to monitor milestones.

• Identify potential issues early and address them proactively.

Key takeaway:
A structured, deliberate approach during the first 90 days builds confidence, operational efficiency, and early momentum. Franchisees who prepare thoroughly are better positioned to achieve long-term success.