Question 1

What is FranchiseED?

Accepted Answer

FranchiseED is an independent franchise mentoring and advisory practice founded by Kerry Miles. It works with Australian business owners who are considering franchising as a growth strategy — helping them determine whether franchising is right for their business, and if it is, how to design and build a franchise model that is commercially viable, operationally sound, and sustainable for everyone involved.

FranchiseED is not a franchise broker, a legal firm, or a large consultancy. It is a focused, founder-led practice that prioritises depth of engagement and quality of advice over volume.

Question 2

Who are your services designed for?

Accepted Answer

FranchiseED works primarily with two types of business owner.

The first is a service-based business owner with an established, profitable operation — typically generating $500,000 or more in annual revenue — who is being asked about expansion and is seriously considering franchising as a pathway.

The second is a food, retail, or hospitality founder operating one or more locations with strong demand, who has a proven concept but lacks the systems and structure required for consistent replication.

The common thread is a profitable, established business with genuine scalability potential — and a founder who wants to approach franchising properly rather than quickly.

If you are unsure whether your business fits, the best place to find out is a free discovery call with Kerry.

Question 3

Where is FranchiseED located?

Accepted Answer

FranchiseED is based in Brisbane, Queensland. However, the program is delivered primarily online, which means clients across Australia can participate fully. For Brisbane-based clients, there is also the option of face-to-face sessions where appropriate.

Question 4

What industries do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Kerry works across a wide range of industries. The most common are service-based businesses — trades, allied health, professional services, personal services — and food, retail, and hospitality businesses. The deciding factor is not the industry but the business itself — whether it is profitable, proven, and genuinely replicable.

If you are unsure whether your industry is a fit, raise it during your discovery call.

Question 5

How is FranchiseED different from other franchise consultants?

Accepted Answer

There are several meaningful differences.

Most franchise consultants assume franchising is the right outcome and focus on building your system quickly. FranchiseED starts somewhere different — with the question of whether franchising should proceed at all, and what must be true for it to work commercially and ethically.

Kerry's background is also unusual. She has been a franchisor herself, spent a decade as General Manager of the Franchising Centre at Griffith University, and is an ongoing academic researcher. That combination of practitioner, educator, and researcher is rare in this space.

FranchiseED also has no referral arrangements, no commissions, and no vested interest in the outcome of your decision. The advice is independent by design.

Finally, you work directly with Kerry throughout the entire engagement — not a junior associate or a generic program.

Question 6

Do you work with international clients?

Accepted Answer

Kerry's primary focus is the Australian market, where her knowledge of the regulatory environment, the Franchising Code of Conduct, and the local franchise landscape is most directly applicable. International enquiries are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Kerry directly to discuss your situation.

Question 7

What services does FranchiseED offer?

Accepted Answer

FranchiseED offers three primary services.

The Franchise-Ready Accelerator is Kerry's flagship 90-day, one-on-one mentoring program for business owners who are seriously considering franchising. It takes you from initial assessment through franchise model design and foundation building.

Franchise mentoring and advisory is available for business owners who need structured guidance on specific aspects of their franchise journey — whether that is readiness assessment, model design, unit economics, or franchisee recruitment strategy.

FranchiseED also offers two free tools — the Franchise Start Smart GPT and the FranchiseED Advisory Board GPT — for business owners who are at an earlier stage of exploration and want to assess their readiness or access practical guidance before committing to a program.

Question 8

What is the Franchise-Ready Accelerator?

Accepted Answer

The Franchise-Ready Accelerator is a structured, 90-day one-on-one mentoring program with Kerry Miles. It is designed for business owners who are seriously considering franchising and want to approach the decision and the process properly.

The program begins with an in-depth strategy session of two to three hours, followed by approximately ten weekly one-on-one sessions of 45 to 60 minutes each. Between sessions, clients have direct access to Kerry for questions, feedback, and clarification.

The program covers franchise readiness assessment, franchise model design, unit economics and profitability modelling, franchise pricing and cost structures, franchisee profile development, and recruitment strategy foundations.

Every engagement is tailored to the client's specific business, pace, and decisions. It is not a course, a template, or a generic process.

Question 9

What are the free GPT tools?

Accepted Answer

FranchiseED offers two free AI tools built specifically for business owners exploring franchising.

Franchise Start Smart helps small business owners assess their franchise readiness and begin exploring the process affordably. It is designed for business owners at the early curiosity stage who want to understand where they stand before committing to a program.

The FranchiseED Advisory Board GPT provides access to a virtual advisory board of experienced franchisors — offering structured, practical guidance on franchise design, recruitment, leadership, and sustainable growth.

Both tools are free to access and available via the Resources section of this website.

Question 10

Do you offer ongoing support after the program ends?

Accepted Answer

The Franchise-Ready Accelerator is a 90-day engagement. Kerry does work with some clients beyond the program where ongoing mentoring or advisory support is appropriate. This is discussed on a case-by-case basis and depends on the client's situation and where they are in their franchise journey at the conclusion of the program.

Question 11

Do you provide legal or accounting advice?

Accepted Answer

No. FranchiseED provides strategic franchise mentoring and advisory — not legal or financial advice. Clients will need to engage qualified franchise lawyers and accountants as part of their franchise development process.

However, this is where Kerry's experience and networks add practical value. Over more than two decades in the franchising industry, Kerry has developed relationships with excellent franchise lawyers and accountants who understand the sector deeply. Where appropriate, she can introduce clients to these professionals and — importantly — help brief them properly so that legal and financial work is grounded in a clear understanding of your franchise model and goals.

This means you are not walking into a lawyer's office cold, explaining franchising from scratch, and paying for the privilege. You arrive with a well-considered model, clear objectives, and the strategic groundwork already done — which makes the legal and accounting process significantly more efficient and cost-effective.

Question 12

Do you use AI in your work?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and not just superficially. Kerry has developed two custom AI tools specifically for aspiring franchisors: Franchise Start Smart, which helps business owners assess their readiness affordably, and the FranchiseED Advisory Board GPT, which provides structured guidance from a virtual board of experienced franchisors. She is also actively developing her own AI literacy to ensure the guidance she provides reflects the realities of a rapidly changing business environment. Both tools are free to access from the Resources page.

Question 13

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

The first step is a free 20-minute discovery call with Kerry. This is a straightforward conversation about your business, your goals, and whether the program is the right fit for your situation. There is no obligation and no sales pressure.

You can book directly via the button on this page or email Kerry at kerry@franchise-ed.com.au.

Question 14

What happens in the discovery call?

Accepted Answer

The discovery call is a 20-minute conversation — not a sales pitch. Kerry will ask about your business, how long you have been operating, what your current thinking is about franchising, and what you are hoping to achieve.

At the end of the call, Kerry will give you her honest initial assessment of whether the program is likely to be the right fit. If it is, she will explain how the engagement works and what the next step looks like. If it is not, she will tell you that directly and suggest what might be more appropriate.

Question 15

How many clients does Kerry work with at a time?

Accepted Answer

Kerry works with a deliberately small number of clients at any one time. This ensures every engagement receives the depth and attention it requires. If there is a waiting period, you will be informed during the discovery call stage.

If the program is the right fit, investment and timing are discussed personally with Kerry.

Question 16

How are sessions delivered?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are delivered primarily via video call, which means clients anywhere in Australia can participate fully. For Brisbane-based clients, there is also the option of face-to-face sessions where that is preferred.

All sessions are recorded and provided to the client, enabling ongoing reference and reflection throughout the program and beyond.

Question 17

How much time do I need to commit each week?

Accepted Answer

You should expect to invest three to five hours per week — one session with Kerry of 45 to 60 minutes, plus time between sessions to complete agreed actions, review materials, and think through the decisions being worked on.

The program is structured but flexible. Kerry works at a pace that reflects your business and your capacity — not a fixed formula.

Question 18

What if I decide franchising is not right for my business partway through the program?

Accepted Answer

This is a legitimate and valuable outcome — not a failure. Identifying that franchising is not the right path early saves significant time, money, and risk.

Importantly, the work done in the program is not wasted if that conclusion is reached. Building franchise-ready systems — documenting operations, understanding unit economics, clarifying what makes your business replicable — makes any business stronger and more scalable, regardless of whether franchising proceeds.

Kerry has worked with clients who concluded franchising was not right for them at that point in time and who still describe the program as one of the most valuable investments they have made in their business.

Question 19

How do I know if my business is ready to franchise?

Accepted Answer

This is the most important question — and the honest answer is that readiness is rarely obvious without a structured assessment.

There are several indicators that suggest a business may be ready to explore franchising seriously. The business has been operating profitably for at least two years. The core concept is genuinely replicable — it does not depend entirely on the founder's personal skills or relationships. There is consistent demand and a proven customer base. The financials demonstrate that a franchisee could operate the model profitably.

However, indicators are not the same as readiness. A structured assessment is the only reliable way to understand whether the foundations are genuinely in place. That is exactly what the Franchise-Ready Accelerator is designed to do.

If you are unsure, start with the free Franchise Readiness Test on this site — it will give you an initial sense of where you stand.

Question 20

How much does it cost to franchise a business?

Accepted Answer

The total cost of franchising a business varies significantly depending on the complexity of the model, the industry, the legal requirements, and the level of support infrastructure required.

As a general guide, business owners should expect to invest in franchise legal documentation, operations manuals, training systems, recruitment materials, and ongoing franchisor infrastructure. These costs can range from $30,000 to well over $100,000 depending on the scope and ambition of the system.

This is precisely why getting the foundations right before committing to those costs is so important. The Franchise-Ready Accelerator is designed to ensure that when you do invest in formal franchise development, you do so on a sound foundation — reducing the risk of costly rework or, worse, building a system that cannot sustain franchisee success.

Question 21

How long does it take to franchise a business?

Accepted Answer

Done properly, franchising a business typically takes twelve to twenty-four months from the decision to proceed through to recruiting and onboarding the first franchisee. This includes the foundation and readiness work, legal documentation, operations manual development, training system creation, and recruitment.

Question 22

What is the Franchising Code of Conduct?

Accepted Answer

The Franchising Code of Conduct is the mandatory industry code that governs franchising in Australia. It is regulated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and sets out the legal obligations of franchisors in areas including disclosure, the franchise agreement, dispute resolution, and marketing funds.

Understanding and complying with the Code is a non-negotiable part of becoming a franchisor in Australia. Kerry can help you understand what the Code requires and what questions to ask your franchise lawyer — but legal advice on the Code itself should come from a qualified franchise solicitor.

Question 23

What is a franchise disclosure document?

Accepted Answer

A franchise disclosure document — often called an FDD or information statement — is a legally required document that franchisors must provide to prospective franchisees at least fourteen days before any agreement is signed or any payment is made.

It contains detailed information about the franchisor, the franchise system, the costs involved, the obligations of both parties, and the financial performance of the system. Getting the disclosure document right is a legal and ethical obligation — it is the primary document on which franchisees base their investment decision.

Kerry's program helps you understand what the disclosure document needs to contain and what information you need to be able to provide — before you engage lawyers to draft it.

Question 24

What is the difference between a franchise and a licence?

Accepted Answer

A franchise and a licence are both ways of allowing another party to use your business model or intellectual property — but they are legally and structurally very different.

A licence typically grants the right to use intellectual property — a brand, a system, a process — with limited ongoing obligations on either side. A franchise is a more comprehensive relationship governed by the Franchising Code of Conduct, involving significant ongoing obligations for both the franchisor and the franchisee, including support, training, disclosure, and compliance.

The distinction matters because some business owners believe they can avoid the regulatory requirements of franchising by calling their arrangement a licence. This is a significant legal risk — if the arrangement walks and talks like a franchise, it will likely be treated as one regardless of what it is called. Kerry can help you understand the distinction and ensure you are approaching expansion in the right way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Services

Company

Support