What to expect throughout the franchise process: with more than 1,500 companies offering franchises, it's no wonder that the process of selecting the ideal franchise can sometimes be daunting. That's why it's essential to begin with the end in mind and systematize your search.(Special section: minorities in franchising)

Step One: Self Evaluation

Before you contact a franchisor, be prepared to answer the following questions:

1 What do you want from this venture? Will you personally own and operate the franchise, or will you be a passive investor? Some franchisors only want "hands-on" operators.

2 If you will have partners, do they share your passion for this venture?

3 Do you have sufficient capital? Can you arrange financing? Unfortunately, many entrepreneurial dreams come to a screeching halt due to insufficient capital.

What do you want from this venture?

Because so many prospective franchisees fail to scope out their financial fitness, most franchisors make financial qualification the first step in their process--even before engaging in dialogue about their concepts. Understanding this will enable you to work through the process more efficiently.

Do you have sufficient capital?

Step Two: The Research Begins

Today, the Internet affords the opportunity to browse dozens of Web-based franchising …