Hi,
I can only offer limited advice on franchising. But I can tell you my husband was self employed for 5 years before getting a job with British Gas in February.
It was a very difficult and stressful time and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone. You don't get paid holidays, paid sick days, you can never come home on an evening and switch off and not think about or do work. There is always ways to improve a business and a successful business needs a lot of hours and effort. You can always be more successful and be able to make more money so it's a never ending cycle of work. The only good points was that he could have time off when he wanted - but he wouldn't be paid for it.
When my husband would start work at 7am, come home for about 4.30pm, then after tea he would spend another few hours on the internet, speaking to customers, sorting out equipment, doing paperwork etc.
Hw always turned over a profit, but it was hard work. Now he comes home at 5.30 - 6pm in the evening and doesn't have to think about work until the next day. Paid holidays + benefits etc.
Franchises are not guaranteed income - just a brand. It is not a get rich quick route or they wouldn't be franchises - the company would be opening up the franchise themselves and taking all the profit. There is no bad point to selling a franchise - they make money for the seller with no work. My advice would certainly research fully the franchise, the competition , the area and the costs involved - realistically.
I know one person who sold a franchise and promised the earth to the buyer, but in real terms he was flogging a dead horse.
I know it sounds all doom and gloom, but unfortunately that is my experience of it. What is the franchise?