---
title: "The Real Power of Franchise Validation Video"
description: "Watch this franchise validation video to learn how franchisee conversations reveal the real story before you invest. Protect your investment with honest…"
url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/learn/academy/franchise-risk/franchise-validation-power"
canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/learn/academy/franchise-risk/franchise-validation-power"
markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/learn/academy/franchise-risk/franchise-validation-power.md"
type: "Video"
topic: "Franchise Risk & Due Diligence"
duration: "2:44"
published: "2026-03-05"
watch_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/learn/academy/franchise-risk/franchise-validation-power"
video_url: "https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EiYQAFQFWSY"
---

# The Real Power of Franchise Validation Video

## Video details

- **Runtime:** 2:44
- **Presented by:** Franchise Grade Research Team
- **Video:** https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/EiYQAFQFWSY
- **Watch page:** https://www.franchisegrade.com/learn/academy/franchise-risk/franchise-validation-power

## Key takeaways

- Validation calls are the only unfiltered account of what owning the unit is like.
- Item 20 lists current and former franchisees precisely so you can choose who to call.
- Former franchisees usually explain more than current ones.
- Ask every owner the same questions so the answers can be compared.
- A pattern across five to ten calls outweighs any single enthusiastic conversation.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is franchise validation?

Validation is the process of speaking directly with current and former franchisees to test what the franchisor has told you. Item 20 of the Franchise Disclosure Document supplies contact details for both groups. It is the only step that gives you an account of the business from people with no incentive to sell it to you.

### What should I ask on a validation call?

Ask what the first twelve months looked like financially, whether the unit performs above or below the Item 19 figure, which costs were larger than expected, how responsive franchisor support actually is, and whether they would buy the franchise again. Ask every owner the same questions so the answers compare.

### Why should I call former franchisees?

Owners who left explain the difference between the projection and the outcome more candidly than those still in the system. Item 20 requires the franchisor to list franchisees who exited in the past three years for exactly this reason. A refusal or inability to supply that list is itself a finding.

### How many franchisees should I speak to?

Five to ten, spread across different tenures and markets, including at least one former franchisee. Fewer leaves you relying on whoever happened to answer. Speaking only to the names the franchisor suggests gives you a curated sample rather than a representative one.

---

*Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.*
*Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/learn/academy/franchise-risk/franchise-validation-power*
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