What should I ask the seller during a fast food franchise handover?

The franchisor trains a new owner on the brand’s systems. It does not teach the local detail that makes this particular restaurant run: which supplier delivers when, who can be counted on, which community groups buy lunch. That knowledge sits with the seller. Ask whether the purchase agreement sets a handover period, and what it covers.

Suppliers, orders and par levels

Ask for the order days, cut-off times and usual quantities for each supplier, and the stock levels the seller keeps on hand. Ask who the sales representatives are and how problems get resolved. A new owner who guesses at ordering tends to run out of key items or throw away the surplus.

The crew and the schedule

Ask for the current schedule, each person’s strengths and the shifts that always need attention. Ask which people open and close without supervision. Introduce yourself to the shift leads during the handover so that they hear about the change from both of you.

Local promotions, apps and community ties

Ask what the seller does locally: school fundraisers, sports team arrangements, nearby workplaces that place regular orders. Get the details of any delivery-app tablets, the logins and the account contacts, and confirm in writing how the accounts will move to you. The page on what you actually own in a franchise may help.

Franchisor contacts and maintenance vendors

List the franchisor’s field consultant, support contacts and any approved vendors the seller uses for repairs, pest control and cleaning. Ask who responds quickly and who does not. Then ask your lawyer to include a handover period and the seller’s cooperation in the agreement.