What to Expect During Franchise Due Diligence

Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan walk you through one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of the franchise journey: the investigation process. If you're wondering what to expect as you evaluate a franchise, this episode breaks it all down: from mindset to meetings, documents to discovery, and everything in between. In this episode, Dave and Pete discuss: Setting the Right Mindset for Due Diligence You don’t know what you don’t know. Come in with curiosity, not preconceived notions. Values Over Vanity Why aligning with the brand's values matters more than industry familiarity—and how Pete went from autos to junk, and Dave from cars to salons. The Step-by-Step Process From intro calls to franchise disclosure documents to validation, Dave and Pete explain what each stage entails and how to make the most of it. Leadership Starts in the Process Your behavior in due diligence mirrors how you’ll show up as a business owner. Be on time, come prepared, and show respect—it matters. Community, Culture, and Customers Beyond profits, the best franchisees lead with purpose: building community, serving customers, and empowering employees. Key Takeaways: Open-minded investigation leads to better matches. Values alignment is just as important as financials. Lead by example during due diligence—it reflects who you’ll be as an owner. Franchising isn’t just about making money—it’s about making an impact. The due diligence process is your opportunity to get the facts, clear your doubts, and move forward with confidence. “You’re not just investing in a business—you’re investing in your values, your community, and the kind of leader you want to be.” — David Greenberg CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/ CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/ CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/ CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/