Wisconsin franchise search

Here's a fun little game I've been playing lately: "Is this store a franchise? Wonder how they're doing."

While reading up on Schooley Mitchell, I discovered that franchises (at least legitimate ones) are regulated by the FTC and required to publish a detailed disclosure called the Franchise Disclosure Document ("FDD"). Some states have public databases where FDDs are searchable – I found Wisconsin first, but our robot overlords tell me that other states have this too.

Each doc follows a standard format with a set list of items. For brass tacks:

• Items 5-7 cover estimated startup costs: franchise fees, marketing, leases, ...
• Item 19 covers performance claims: how much can a franchisee expect to make
• Item 20 covers recent activity: how many franchises have opened, closed, sold, etc

The rest covers franchisee responsibilities, limitations in service, yada yada. It's not perfect, but it's a good starting point. (Quick reminder that I'm just a rando on the internet. Consult a franchise attorney if any of this is actually interesting to you financially.)

Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but FDDs are actually pretty fun reads? It feels like getting a peek behind the curtain of businesses I see walking down the street. Plus they're pretty short and easy. Even the McDonald's one is only 50-some pages for the main items. Or for the ultra lazy: upload into ChatGPT and do ask-the-pdf.

If you want to join in the fun, some starter ideas to look up:

• McDonald's / Wendy's / Burger King
• H&R Block
• Panera Bread
• Monster Tree Care