Can you become a franchise consultant without paying any money?

Technically speaking, yes you can become a franchise consultant for free. ( Sort of ). The question is whether or not that is a better route than making the small investment to join a successful and reputable franchise consultant network.

Realistically you can you start calling on franchisors and ask if they will pay you a referral fee if you send them a new franchisee. Some will actually say Yes. Not as many as will say yes to most of the consultant groups but sure some will. Now that being said in most cases it is highly unlikely they will pay you as high of a referral fee as they pay to most franchise broker networks but some will pay you.

In addition there are a small handful of franchise consulting groups that do not charge an initial fee. For example, Success Franchise Advisors does not charge their members any upfront fees, just retains a commission split on all placements made. Unlike the pay to play franchise consultant groups that will accept anyone as long as they will pay the fees, groups like Success Franchise Advisors are extremely picky on who they invite into their group.