Checklist for Churches looking at taking on a Franchise

What are the key questions a potential franchisee needs to answer as they consider meeting a local community need through a franchise?

A number of entities are in play here:

• The potential clients in the community
• The Franchisor
• The church(es) and their members
• Local agencies
• Funding sources

In effect the church is trying to balance the need in the community with skills and resources in the local church(es). Allied to this is access to local agencies and potential funders. Then there is the compatibility with the potential franchisor.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of questions. Additional questions could be provided by a Franchisor.

1. Community

What are the needs within the community?
What evidence do you have?
What ‘secular’ services are there and how do they get funding, etc?
How would we get clients?
How would we publicise?

2. The Franchisor

How does this franchise address the needs we see?
How does this allow us to keep our Christian distinctives?
Are there alternatives to look at?
Is there a look/see day we can attend?
What training is available?
What time/effort is required for set up?
What time/effort is required for day to day running?
What are skills needed?
What are costs of set up?
What are the annual running costs?
What premises are needed?
What agencies/organisations do we need to link with?
What oversight and support is provided?
What materials are provided?
What funding is provided?
Where is a centre we can go and see?
What is the plan from deciding to go ahead and launch? How long is that time?

3. Church(es)

Are there any churches already providing this help?If so, should we help them?
Is the Church leadership fully behind the proposed social ministry?
Is there a person who feels called to lead this ministry?
Have they good management and relevant skills?
Have we the necessary volunteers?
If the lead person was absent who would be the successor?
What team do we need to put round them to support them e.g. prayer, elder oversight, admin?
Are our premises and location OK or do we need another building?
Can we finance or do we need to get other churches on board or fundraise?
Are there other churches who are likely to be interested? How can we confirm?
Would they be willing to contribute financially and/or provide volunteers?

4. Local agencies

Who are the key agencies we need to develop relationships with? Who are the contacts?
What are our relationships with them now?
Who are they dealing with now?
Are they willing to support us with clients and/or financially?

5. Funding sources

What is the funding we need to raise/supply?
What can the church give?
What are our fundraising skills like?
Who are individuals who would contribute?
Who are local authorities who would contribute?
Who are local businesses who would contribute?
Who are other churches in the area who would contribute?
Who are other churches outside the area who would contribute?
Who are the trusts who would contribute?
Are there income generating opportunities e.g. payment on outcomes?
What fundraising events could we run?
Who will develop and pursue applications?
Who will report back to funders on outcomes?