Franchise vs Existing Business: Which Is Safer?

Are you debating buying a franchise vs an existing business? Most investors assume acquiring an established company is the safer bet, but in this workshop, I reveal the hidden risks of acquisition and help you decide which path is actually safer for your capital.

⭐ INTERESTED IN FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP? Schedule a call with Alan today at https://athletetoowner.com/ready

🎙️ Episode 18 - In this workshop episode of The Franchise Champion Show, Alan breaks down the critical differences between buying an existing business versus investing in a franchise. Drawing from his 14 years as a top-performing franchisee and his experience helping clients navigate both paths, Alan exposes the hidden pitfalls of business acquisition that cause most deals to fall apart during due diligence.

Learn why "you don't know what you don't know" is the biggest danger in buying an existing business, how seller discretionary earnings (SDE) determines business valuation, what actually happens during the 4-12 month acquisition process and why most deals collapse, the critical questions to ask during franchise validation calls with existing owners, and why franchise coaching costs you nothing (and how the compensation model actually works).

Whether you're a corporate professional exploring your exit strategy or an entrepreneur weighing your options, this workshop delivers the framework you need to make an informed decision about your next business move.

⏱️ Video Chapters
0:00 - The Isolation Trap: Why "Going Solo" Backfires
0:46 - From Corporate Exit to $4M Semi-Absentee Empire
3:25 - What $900K Actually Buys You (It's Not Just Revenue)
5:15 - The SDE Formula: How Investors Value Any Business
7:40 - The 4-12 Month Timeline Where Most Deals Die
10:30 - Red Flags That Destroy Deals During Due Diligence
16:45 - The Franchise Model: Buying Proven Systems Instead of Risk
22:15 - Inside the FDD: 23 Items That Protect Your Capital
28:20 - Validation Calls: How to Extract Real Numbers from Owners
33:50 - Why Elite Franchise Coaches Work for Free
36:15 - The Full Due Diligence Roadmap (Without Getting Burned)
38:24 - Decision Framework: Which Path Protects Your Investment?

🔗 Resources & Mentions
▸ Athlete to Owner Franchise Coaching: https://athletetoowner.com
▸ Schedule a free consultation: https://athletetoowner.com/ready
▸ Download "The Franchise Fit Playbook" for free: https://athletetoowner.com/playbook
▸ Subscribe to The Franchise Champion Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform
▸ Leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review if you enjoyed the episode—we appreciate your support!

Connect on Social Media:
▸ Website: https://athletetoowner.com
▸ LinkedIn:   / alanregala  
▸ YouTube:    / @athletetoowner  
▸ Facebook:   / athletetoowner  
▸ Instagram:   / athleteowner  
▸ Email: [email protected]

⭐ READY TO EXPLORE FRANCHISE OWNERSHIP? Alan helps successful professionals find the perfect franchise match and prepare for championship-level success. As a franchise coach, he works one-on-one with qualified candidates to navigate the entire franchise selection process—completely free of charge. Visit https://athletetoowner.com to get started on your path to greater autonomy, wealth, and purpose through business ownership.

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