What should I check before buying a mattress franchise resale?

A general franchise resale checklist is a good start, but a mattress store has its own loose ends. Display beds age, customers hold open claims, and the supplier decides what the store may sell. A buyer who knows where those loose ends sit can ask for the right records early, before negotiating anything else.

Floor models and supplier lines

Ask for a list of every display bed with its age and condition. Worn models can hurt sales and may need replacing soon after you take over. Then ask which supplier lines the store carries and whether those supply terms continue for a new owner. Some arrangements depend on the franchisor, so request the paperwork and read what happens on a change of ownership.

Open claims and customer promises

Ask about warranty claims or exchange promises that may run for a long time. Ask for a list of open claims, how each is being handled and who pays for it after the sale. Your lawyer can tell you how the purchase agreement should allocate them. Also ask about deposits taken for beds not yet delivered, since the new owner will usually be expected to deliver them.

Delivery, bookings and the franchisor

Check how delivery works and whether the carrier’s arrangement carries over. Ask for the booking and lead history across a full year so you can see how steady the store’s pipeline is. Finally, ask the franchisor what it must approve, what training it expects of you and what happens to the territory. Get those answers in writing before you rely on them.

• Display bed list with age and condition.
• Supplier agreements and any change-of-ownership terms.
• Open warranty, exchange and deposit records.
• Delivery arrangements and any carrier contract.
• A year of booking and lead records.