Are you thinking about turning your business into a how to franchise? Get ready, because you’re about to take your brand on a new adventure that will require a lot of imagination, structure, and patience. Some business owners think that franchising is like making cookies: you make a great batch, copy it, and give out the recipe. What really happened? Think more about how to make sourdough. It has a life of its own, needs constant care, and has wild changes. But if you do it well, franchising can help your dream spread to hundreds more towns.

First things first: is your business ready to go? If you keep having to clarify your idea over and over, stop. A business that is ready to franchise functions smoothly. When customers walk through your door, they know exactly what they’re getting: cool brew, quick haircuts, or special dog treats. You need a brand that people want to have in their city, as well as demonstrated sales and operational stability.

The most energy is used up front for documentation. You need to keep track of everything, from how you mop at the end of the day to how you train your personnel. Think of someone who knows nothing about your field reading your guidebook. That’s your standard. Don’t leave anything up to chance, and don’t only write down the “big stuff.” Even small rituals are important. Is it necessary for the store’s playlist to only feature jazz? Take note of it. The guidebook is like the Bible for your franchise.

Choosing the appropriate franchisees is more like finding a partner than employing someone. You want operators who care about your standards, but you also want someone who is excited about the brand, not a robot. Talk to them like you’re choosing someone to take care of your beloved tarantula. Will they worry about the little things? Stay true to the culture? Believe in your gut.

The law will drive you crazy. Rules, disclosure paperwork, maps of the area, and fees—none of these things are fun, and most of them are required. Don’t be cheap; hire a lawyer who knows everything there is to know about franchising. You can’t just “wing it” and hope the feds don’t notice. Different countries, and often even different regions, have different rules for approvals, filings, and disclosures.

Next, let’s talk about fees. These are the most important parts of the procedure, so make sure you set them up right. There is the Franchise Fee, which is a large one up front. Then you get continuous royalties, which are usually a proportion of sales. Both should seem fair. It’s too high, which scares away smart people. If you go too low, your business will starve. Find a number that works for both parties.

There is a lot of help with marketing. Franchisees want you to spread the word, especially when you first open. Get them excited. Give them tools like national campaigns, local events, and social media templates. But don’t forget that you can’t just toss a slogan at them and leave. To really support someone, you have to be available, check in, and care about their wins and problems.

Opening your first shop with a franchisee will keep you busy. Things will go wrong. What works in one community might not work at all in another. Sometimes you find out the hard way that your “foolproof” processes need some work. Listen quickly and fix what’s broken even faster. Don’t let your ego get in the way of early feedback; it’s worth its weight in gold.

Growth doesn’t happen all at once; it happens in bursts. Be ready for quiet times and busy times. Five trades some years. Some, maybe just one. Take care of your first franchisees. Their stories will bring in more business, so treat them like business partners, not simply people who work for you. A negative encounter can scare people away.

Franchising is not a way to get rich quickly. It’s for brand builders and operators who are patient and know when to let go. With the correct preparation and attitude, you can turn what you’ve established into something far bigger, maybe even a legacy. If you stay alert and have your heart in the game, one crazy notion can turn into hundreds of places.