Practically every franchise out there advertises themselves as the most profitable franchise for you. What amongst all these can and should you choose? There are many factors that you should consider while considering a franchise to buy.

There are websites and magazines that offer lists on profitable franchises. You can go over them to narrow your list down.

Brand name, reputation, target markets, and company profile will help you decide, initially whether you really want to get into this market with this company or not. Just because a fast food chain may make lots of money, doesn't mean that you have to get into that. You should love what you sell and know about the products and services you are offering.

Rights, royalty fees and startup costs are obviously other big factors that you need to negotiate. It is not uncommon to be spending much from you revenue in the first few years just paying off debts. However, this shouldn't be the goal of your franchise. Make sure that you are capable of paying off all your debts for the franchise soon enough, otherwise you would sink deeper and deeper into an abyss.

Location: Owning a car franchise in an Amish town will not really be profitable. A book-store franchise in a university town could be though. Location is a big factor in deciding where the franchise could be successful to the max.

As with any business, make sure that you know what you are doing. All the documentation has to be properly scrutinized, and all the hidden costs and strings have to be confirmed and taken into account thoroughly. If you can, hire or consult an attorney or expert in these fields to help you go over the documents.

The franchisors and the company should assist its franchisees through the course of the company. Make sure that the franchise that you want to invest in will help you and not isolate you.

Always consult other franchisees. Those who have just started, those who are n the know; perspectives from both of these sets of people will help you decide how much you may have to struggle initially, and the rewards you can avail later on if you put hard work into your franchise.

Remember to keep a diary to jot down notes and opinions about the different places and companies you go to. Keeping a notebook is an invaluable management tool for anyone, of all ages, but it is also one of the most overlooked.

If you are just beginning, it is easy to get caught up in the initial enthusiasm and hype, and overlook some important factors. Remember to stay cautious at all times.

Best of luck!