"A Seamless Franchising Experience with FMS:Highly Recommend! "

Working with Chris and the team at Franchising Marketing Systems (FMS) has been an absolute game-changer! From start to finish, they were professional, responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the franchising process. Their timely execution and seamless approach made obtaining our FDD stress-free and straightforward.

If you're serious about scaling your brand nationally, we highly recommend FMS. To all our fellow business besties looking to take their brand to the next level—this is the team you want by your side!

"FMS has been an incredible partner for…"

FMS has been an incredible partner for us since day one, and their support continues to be invaluable. Chris and his team are always responsive, whether it’s answering emails, taking phone calls, or providing the necessary documents to keep our franchise journey moving forward. Their professionalism and dedication have made the process seamless. I highly recommend FMS to anyone looking to start in the franchise world — their expertise and reliability are unmatched!

"FMS was thorough and efficient…"

FMS was thorough and efficient launching our franchise, they made it incredibly easy for us , we would never had been able to tackle the job alone , they continue to support us as we grow, they are informed, organized and always available to help! We highly recommend

"Chris and his team where great"

Chris and his team where great, always available to get things done

"Great experience"

We used FMS to franchise our brand and couldn't be happier with the experience. FMS helped us take our company to the next level. Thank you.

"Warning- READ this before you hire them"

Warning: Our Costly Experience with FMS Marketing Systems
We engaged with FMS Marketing Systems in January 2022, hoping they would help us franchise our business. Now, in February 2025, after spending well over $30,000, we have little to show for it. I’m sharing this review to warn other small business owners considering their services.

1. Misleading Promises & No Results

FMS’s sales team assured us we were a great fit for franchising, reviewing our financials and tax documents before we signed up. They made it seem like selling franchises would be straightforward. However, despite our investment, we have not sold a single franchise, and no progress made.

2. Expensive, Low-Quality Documents

We were charged nearly $4,000 per “stage” for materials like a business plan, Proforma, FDD and marketing plan etc. These documents appeared to be auto-generated templates, riddled with errors—including our business name being incorrect. We were told this wasn’t a big deal.

3. Broken Commitments & Poor Communication

We were promised an in-person meeting to discuss our business strategy, but it never happened. While Chris was always friendly on calls, conversations often felt like sales tactics to keep us onboard rather than actual solutions.

4. Payment Structure & No Tangible Progress

When we briefly paused services due to other financial obligations, FMS later offered to deduct our final payment (~$4,000) from our first franchise sale. This seemed fair at the time since we had no tangible results. However, YEARS later, we still had no franchise sales, no updates, and nothing to show for our investment.

5. Trademark & Legal Issues

We already had a trademarked logo, yet we were still charged for trademark services. FMS also initially assured us we could trademark our business name, only to later tell us it was too broad and suggest changing it—something we had already warned them about early on.

6. Delayed & Incomplete Work

Basic steps, like filing our LLC, weren’t completed until May 2024—two years after we started. These delays contradicted their claims of efficiency and expertise.

7. Mishandled Leads & No Franchise Sales

One of FMS’s biggest selling points was their franchise sales support—they were to take a 25% commission on each sale in exchange for handling the process. However, after providing them with multiple qualified leads, every deal fell through due to their poor follow-up. They later claimed our business needed higher income to attract buyers, despite previously telling us we were a great fit. I think this is the part that bothers us the most. They could have been honest in the discussion stage, and we would have went another direction.

Final Verdict: A Costly Lesson
FMS’s sales team, made big promises but failed to deliver. If our business wasn’t ready for franchising, they should have told us upfront instead of convincing us to move forward. Instead, we lost over well $30,000 with nothing in return.

If you’re considering franchising your business, do extensive research before choosing a firm. We do not recommend Franchise Marketing Systems. Let our very costly mistake be your warning.

"I started my franchising journey…"

I started my franchising journey without much knowledge of the process. FMS helped me every step of the way. They’re knowledgeable, responsive, enthusiastic and trustworthy. Excellent people, excellent service. This is the company for you.

"Chris and his team are responsive and…"

Chris and his team are responsive and get the job done. We have worked with them for years and really appreciate the friendly professional service.

"Franchising a home-based childcare or preschool?!?!?!"

Who the heck ever heard of franchising a home-based child care or preschool, that just about any family in the world with a strong work ethic, love for children and passion for the environment can execute, with a minimal investment?!?!?!? Little Tree Huggers Preschool had just won the US Department of Education's Green Ribbon School Award, along with Loudoun County Virginia's first ever Sustainable Business Award, and the team at FMS were right there to say "this is an opportunity" for hundreds if not thousands of families nationwide. Chris, Alan, Laura and the entire FMS Franchise team were there to guide and encourage us, with an expertise second to none. They were not high pressure, nor manipulative and they allowed us to proceed at our own pace. However, when we decided this was an opportunity that needed to be shared more broadly, they were with us every step of the way. They are extremely attentive, highly responsive, and have built a team characterized by extraordinary attention detail; the consummate professionals. Just as a point of reference, we went from signing with them in June 2024, to having our franchise registration approved in Virginia in October 2024 and our first franchise sold by November 2024. And, if that doesn't say it all, they continue being with us every step of the way! We are so thankful for the important service they provide and know we will remain partners for many years to come.

"Chris and his team did an excellent job…"

Chris and his team did an excellent job helping one of my clients. Very professional and got things done rapidly.