Pros
Reasonable cost of getting into the franchise industry
Cons
They make it sound so easy, but you still do all the work. They have an outdated business plan they want you to follow and if you deviate from that plan they do not support you. The corporation is "in" business to sell franchises.......period. They will support you to a degree, but they make it sound like you have no risk. When I bought in I asked about whether I could get out in it did not work out. They said they would buy back my franchise for a prorated cost. Well....this is not the case. I built up a territory that had no Fast-Teks at all to a territory with about 90 lifetime members and 50 or 60 other non-lifetime customers. They said it had no value so no buy back. They said they would put my territory up for sale, but it was going to cost me thousands more.
They also make it sound like you will have no problem hiring technicians. Just find some that want part-time work only and you will be fine. This was my biggest problem. I found techs....but they did not want part-time. I would have them a few months and they would leave after they found full-time work. I was constantly down techs and could never build clients fast enough. Also, after about 1 year corporate wont run your "Looking for Technicians Ads", thhat is reserved for only new franchises. So, something that was presented as a benefit of being a Fast-Teks Franchise owner is not put on you. This was not the only thing you will be told is something they will handle for you that you will end up paying for.
One department with Fast-Teks corporate I had no trouble with was the Advertising department. They had some good ads and brochures that you don't have to make. You will pay for the printing...but at least you don't have to design.