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Checklist 8 of 10
Discovery Day Preparation & Evaluation
Go to evaluate — not to be recruited.
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Before Discovery Day
Full FDD review and attorney preliminary notes completed BEFORE attending
Franchisee validation calls completed BEFORE attending
Written list of unresolved questions prepared and printed
Reviewed all litigation, Item 20 data, and Item 19 financials in advance
Confirmed Discovery Day is NOT a commitment — I can still walk away
Confirmed the 14-day rule — I cannot sign anything until 14 days after FDD receipt
Briefed my attorney on outstanding questions to raise during the visit
Prepared specific questions for people beyond the sales team
Mentally prepared for a high-energy, calibrated, professional sales experience
During Discovery Day — key people to meet
Met with the CEO or President — assessed candor and leadership quality
Met with the Head of Franchisee Support — got specific answers on support delivery
Met with the Training Director — understood the exact first-90-day experience
Met with the Technology Team — understood upcoming platform changes and costs
Spent time with operations/field support staff — not only the development team
During Discovery Day — questions to ask
'What is the hardest thing about running this franchise system right now?'
'What does a franchisee have to do to struggle in this system?'
'How have franchisee relationships changed over the past five years?'
'What does my first year of support from your team actually look like, specifically?'
'What is the most common mistake new franchisees make in the first 6 months?'
'Walk me through what my first 90 days look like from signing to opening day.'
'What technology transitions are coming in the next 2–3 years, and what will they cost me?'
Asked about litigation and Item 20 data directly — assessed response quality
Spoke privately with other prospective franchisees attending — compared notes
During Discovery Day — what to observe
How corporate team members treat each other and talk about current franchisees
Whether the facility matches the brand standards I would be held to
Whether evasion, pivots, or vague reassurances are common responses
Whether pressure to commit before leaving is present — this is a red flag
Whether other candidates are asking the same concerns I have
Resisted any urgency or pressure to commit before leaving
After Discovery Day
Sorted what I learned into NEW information vs. atmosphere and confirmation
Made follow-up calls to franchisees based on new information from Discovery Day
Gave myself 48–72 hours before making any decisions
Discussed the day honestly with spouse/partner
Reviewed attorney's pending notes on the agreement
Go / no-go assessment
Leadership team inspires genuine confidence
Support infrastructure matches what franchisees described
Culture of the organization is one I can work within
No new red flags emerged during Discovery Day
My honest gut reaction after reflection confirms the decision
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Pre-Opening Preparation