Think of having a recipe that everyone desires. You might have made a burger so juicy that people are lining up on the sidewalk to get one. Or maybe you own a dog grooming business that people adore so much that poodles dance about in excitement every Saturday morning. You’re on the right track—maybe even a great one. But how could you show love to everyone without breaking yourself into a franchise your business?

Franchising solves that puzzle. Put your name on more windows, let other people do the hard work, and watch your empire grow. Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? Wait. It’s not only a matter of turning a sign and printing manuals.

First, look for flaws in your current business. Just because you’ve done well at one place doesn’t guarantee you’re ready for the spotlight. Think about this: Is it easy for others to imitate your idea? Are your methods really clear, or do you rely on magic and secret sauce? Write down everything, such checklists, standards, customer service scripts, and so on. If you try to wing it, everything will go wrong. Rinse-and-repeat magic is what makes legendary franchises.

Next, let’s talk about money. Franchising takes money faster than kids consume birthday cake. Legal fees, franchise disclosure forms, marketing kits, signatures, and support staff all cost a lot. Before you jump, make sure you have enough money saved up or investors lined up. Imagine having to deal with legal documents without any money. That’s difficult.

Legal hoops? Yes, they are flaming and there are a lot of them. There are a lot of federal and state rules that go in the way of this method. Lawyers will be all over your email. Don’t cut corners here. Bad paperwork can lead to disaster, lawsuits, or worse, your brand reputation being dragged through the mud. Spend the money now so you don’t have to worry about it later.

Let’s discuss about people. Not every person who shows up with a checkbook and a desire to work hard will make a great franchisee. Think about dating, not speed dating. Treat each prospect like you’re letting them into your home and trusting them with your favorite couch. Experience from the past is important. More important is personality. You need business partners who care about your business almost as much as you do.

Your secret weapon is training. You can’t just “set it and forget it” when you franchise. Manuals are helpful, but nothing beats one-on-one time and instruction. Come by often. Call. Listen to their difficulties like a therapist would to help clients have a breakthrough. Publicly celebrate great wins. Take care of problems right away, before they escalate into big fires.

Advertising. Let’s not forget about that. A well-planned campaign is like jet fuel for new places. Give franchisees the plan and the things they need. But don’t be afraid to handle the flagship’s social media or make magic happen from HQ to promote it. Customers are drawn to consistency, but confusion drives them away.

The best part is that franchising is not a way to get rich quick. Growth means problems, some of which you can see coming and some you can’t. At midnight, your phone buzzes. The fryer of someone blew up. Or a new franchisee goes off the rails and makes up new menu items. Take it as it comes. Accept that things aren’t ideal. If you stay flexible, your idea could shine from coast to coast.

Are you ready now? The jump is substantial. The prizes can be too. You might not only lead your market, but also change it, one franchise at a time, if you build the correct foundation.