Franchising & Licensing: Two Powerful Ways to Grow Your Business in Any Economy 4th Edition

I read this book 10 years ago when I founded my company which I franchised five years later after the proof of concept stage. I continually refer to this book - it is as relevant today as it was back then. I have purchased it and given it to a few people over the years that were looking to franchise their own business or who were climbing the ranks of mine where they needed to understand the why and how of franchising. Highly recommended.

In the first few pages of this book, there were so many dubious statements about corporate valuation and every company's need to measure it's "intellectual capital" I was wondering what I was getting myself in for. As a consultant to small business myself I was a little put off by the author's attempt to over-intellectualize the process of business expansion, making dubious claims about company valuation and overly formalizing the process of exploring business expansion through franchising and other means.However, I was happy to have stuck with it once I got past the first few pages. The author does an excellent job in his discussion and explanation of franchising and many other means for businesses of a certain size to expand by building relationships with third parties rather than relying solely on their own capital and other resources. Any business owner or CEO who wants to find ways to accelerate his or her company's growth should read this book.

I didn’t have the patience to finish it

As an attorney who advises and represents distribution channel players, including franchisors and franchisees, I found Sherman's knowledge of this field to be encyclopedic. Practically any legal issue of importance to a potential franchisor is touched upon - from intellectual property law to employment law. But the book's true value is that it is more than just a lawyer's presentation of the law. It is, at its core, a business text rather than a legal treatise. Sherman discusses in detail the practical business of franchising - from securing the required capital, to building and maintaining relationships with franchisees, to deciding whether (and how) to expand overseas. He writes clearly and succinctly, packed with so much information that the book at times seems like a reference guide. Despite the title, the book is more about franchising than licensing. (Outside of the context of franchising, licensing is addressed only in about a tenth of the book.) In all, this is an excellent presentation of franchising invaluable to anyone currently in a franchise relationship or contemplating such a relationship.

Andrew provides an excellent framework for evaluating your business model, identifying opportunities for growth and equipping you with the pathway towards making it happen. Upon purchasing this literature, my knowledge of franchising and licensing our tangible and intangible assets was insignificant to where it is now. Furthermore, our organization was in the process of under-capitalizing on our intellectual property - the chapter on 'Protecting the Intellectual Property of the Franchise System' alone has equipped our organization with more than enough value to justify making the purchase. To add, the framework provided in the section on 'Developing The Operations and Training Program' has been an incredible resource for putting the pen to paper.I highly recommend this literature for anyone who wants to gain a tangible, applicable and deep understanding of methodologies for growing their business.

Exceptional guide. Andrew Sherman created seriously helpful book for understanding what is involved, needed and how to get your act together before contacting your lawyer. Literally can save hundreds of wasted hours and money that you didn't have to spend during the learning curve. Content is well organized, well presented, relatively easy to understand. This book is 100% applicable to defining, buying, selling, franchising a business or licensing business ideas. Reading & applying what's in this book will save you a great deal of money.

Andrew Sherman is both an experienced franchise attorney and has been involved in franchise management. This is a great, step-by-step "how to" book on everything you need to do to create a successful franchise.Having been down that road, I can tell you that you are not likely to create a successful franchise without the assistance of a great franchise consultant. This book, however, will help you ask the right questions in order to evaluate a prospective franchise consultant.The book will also help you determine if your business is potentially franchiseable.

Mostly focused on franchising (Licensing seems more like an afterthought) but a useful reference nonetheless.

Interesting book for all who are keen on learning about franchising and licensing options for growing and sustaining your business