AFPA vs Traditional Franchise Networks

Traditional broker networks charge $20K–$60K just to start. AFPA gives you certification, live coaching, and free exclusive leads every month — starting at $199.

Franchise consulting is a proven, professional career path — but until now, it’s been heavily gatekept. Traditional broker networks charge tens of thousands upfront, pile on monthly fees, and leave advisors to figure out lead generation and marketing on their own.

AFPA was built to change that. We make franchise advising accessible, transparent, and affordable — with certification, live training, and real leads included.

See How It Works

AFPA - Basic

AFPA - Pro

Traditional Network #1

Traditional Network #2

Traditional Network #3

Startup Cost

$199

$649

$20,000

$27,500

$60,000

Monthly Fee

$25

$100

$750

$250

$300

Leads

Included (25/month)

Included (50/month)

None

Lead Cost

$0 (25/month included - enough for 3 placements/year)

$0 (50/month included - enough for 6 placements/year)

$15,000 *

Other Overhead (marketing, site, tools, etc.)

$0 (included/simplified)

~$5,000–$7,000

Commission Split

30% ($27,000)

50% ($90,000)

100% ($90,000)

Total Cost - Year 1

$474

$1,749

~$50,000

$51,500

$84,600

Net Profit - Year 1

~$26,500

~$88,251

~$40,000

~$38,500

~$5,400

Total Cost - Year 2

$300

$1,200

~$30,000

~$24,000

~$24,600

Net Profit - Year 2

~$26,700

~$88,800

~$60,000

~$66,000

~$65,400

This assumes a 1% placement rate as is accepted as industry standard - numbers are calculated assuming that 100 leads need to be purchased to make 1 placement and that placement fee is the industry average of $30,000/placement.

* AFPA Pro calculated at 6-placements/year based on receiving 50 leads/month and a 1% placement rate.

AFPA vs Traditional Franchise Networks

Traditional broker networks charge $20K–$60K just to start. AFPA gives you certification, live coaching, and free exclusive leads every month — starting at $199.

Franchise consulting is a proven, professional career path — but until now, it’s been heavily gatekept. Traditional broker networks charge tens of thousands upfront, pile on monthly fees, and leave advisors to figure out lead generation and marketing on their own.

AFPA was built to change that. We make franchise advising accessible, transparent, and affordable — with certification, live training, and real leads included.

See How It Works

* This assumes a 1% placement rate as is accepted as industry standard - numbers are calculated assuming that 100 leads need to be purchased to make 1 placement and that placement fee is the industry average of $30,000/placement. All network calculations are based on 3 placements/year.

** Note: CFA Pro calculations assume 6 placements/year based on 50 leads/month and assuming a 1% placement rate

Prefer to Talk?

Call us directly at 888-442-1988.

Or, if you’d like us to reach out to you, just fill out the form and we’ll connect.

Connect With Us

Ask a Question

Book Your Discovery Call

Or call us directly at 888-442-1988

30 minutes to explore the CFA path, ask questions, and see if it’s a fit.

The Hidden Costs of Traditional Networks

Start, Grow, & Scale in the Franchise Industry – Your Partner in Franchise Success

When you join a traditional broker network, the buy-in and monthly fees are only the beginning. Because you’re essentially running an independent consulting business, you’re also responsible for all the overhead that AFPA already includes or simplifies.

Here are the real extras most advisors face outside of their initial investment:

Social Media Growth & Management

To look credible, consultants often pay for branded content, scheduling tools, and social media managers.

$300–$1,000+/month

Lead Generation Campaigns

Paid ads (Google, Meta, LinkedIn) to find clients, since networks don’t provide leads.

At $50/lead with a 1% close rate, this is already $15K/year for just 3 placements. Scaling up is even more expensive.

Marketing Collateral

Website build & hosting (~$2,000 upfront, $500–$1,000/year ongoing).

Business cards, brochures, digital branding kits.

$1,000–$3,000/year

Business Expenses

LLC setup, bookkeeping, liability insurance, and tax prep.

$1,000–$3,000/year depending on state and services.

CRM & Software Tools

Client management, email automation, and calendar scheduling platforms.

$50–$200/month

Continuing Education / Training

Many networks charge separately for refreshers or advanced training modules.

$500–$2,000/year

Putting It Together

When you factor in startup, monthly fees, and hidden overhead, a traditional network consultant can easily face:

Year 1: $50K–$85K+ out of pocket

Year 2+: $25K–$35K+ annually just to stay in the game

And that’s before you even place a client.

With AFPA, nearly all of this is already baked into your membership:

Leads included.

Certification and ongoing training included.

Community and coaching included.

Entry point as low as $199 one time + $25/month.