If this is your first time applying for a franchise location, it’s natural to feel somewhat intimidated. There are many steps involved from preparation to launch day. However, with the right financing partner, you have nothing to be worried about. Having access to capital of different kinds can help out immensely when it comes to purchasing equipment, buying real estate, stocking inventory, and hiring staff. Before you know it, you’ll be the talk of the town with a phenomenal franchise location. Follow this helpful guide to franchise success.

1. Choose an Experienced Franchise

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, you may feel tempted to focus on a smaller franchise. This sometimes seems like discovering a “dark horse” company with potential to grow. However, in franchising, going with the little guy rarely produces good results. That’s because the entire role of the franchising company is to make your life easier. Small franchises with limited real-world business experience aren’t really equipped to guide you successfully in your local surroundings, and they may not offer much in the way of support either. That can come back to bite you later on with things such as marketing disagreements or competing businesses.

2. Select Something You’re Passionate About

While it’s good to analyze things such as market interest and financial projections, they shouldn’t be the only factors you consider. A big part of keeping your business going strong during 10 years or more is having a product you really believe in. Take the time to think about your personality, interests, business strengths and management experience when choosing the best fit. For example, if you have an outgoing, people-friendly personality, then something such as a bakery, donut shop or coffee shop may be great for you.

3. Pick the Right Area

It pays to do your research on locations before signing on the dotted line. Certain franchise locations may seem like a great deal because of low signup costs, but do they offer enough customers to make the business worth your while? A restaurant in the middle of an industrial zone may provide less-than-optimal sales, while the same restaurant near a college, residential district or shopping mall may have stellar success.

4. Hire the Right Employees

Once you’ve settled on a franchise and you’ve gotten financing for the big things — real estate and equipment — don’t forget to take your time on hiring. The employees that represent the face of your company have a huge effect on customer service. If you make a stellar impression on new customers in the first few months of business, it gives you valuable word-of-mouth advertising for building a strong customer base. Every franchise depends on happy customers to survive.