Exit Factor: Guiding Entrepreneurs to Profitable Business Exits

Exit Factor is a business consulting franchise that helps entrepreneurs increase the value of their companies before selling or transitioning ownership. Founded in 2021 by business brokerage expert Jessica Fialkovich, Exit Factor is based in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The company began franchising in 2023 and is part of the United Franchise Group’s Starpoint Brands division. The franchise delivers professional coaching services that focus on profitability, operational efficiency, and overall business valuation.

Franchisees, known as Value Advisors, guide clients through customized strategies that strengthen their businesses and prepare them for a successful exit. On average, businesses using Exit Factor’s systems have reported a 25% profit increase and a 56.7% rise in business value.

What makes Exit Factor unique is its exclusive focus on exit planning. Unlike many consultants that prioritize growth alone, Exit Factor offers a full suite of services designed specifically to prepare businesses for ownership transition.

Training

Exit Factor provides franchisees with a structured and multi-phase training program designed to ensure operational consistency and quality across all its franchise locations. The training offerings include:

1. Initial Training: The franchisor offers an initial training program for the franchisee or their initial manager at Exit Factor’s Training Center in Florida, with an option for remote delivery. The initial franchise fee covers the training cost for one person, including travel and basic accommodation. Additional trainees may attend for a fee of $495 per person.
2. Virtual Launch Program: Within 90 days after completing initial training, franchisees receive a 6-hour virtual session focused on launching the business, including guidance on marketing and operations.
3. Five-Day Staff Training: Each new employee or consultant must attend a five-day training session at the Training Center within 60 days of hire. Online training is also available for the same fee, and it supplements rather than replaces the in-person session.
4. Ongoing Training and Refresher Courses: Franchisees and their staff can participate in ongoing training sessions, including optional refresher programs offered six times a year. These sessions include materials from the Operating Manual, PowerPoint presentations, and handouts, all available for a $495 training fee per person.
5. Mandatory Continued Education: The franchisor may mandate further training during the agreement term, particularly when new techniques are introduced. While there’s no fee for these sessions, the franchisee bears the associated travel and accommodation costs.

Territory Protection

Exit Factor offers franchisees a form of territory protection through the assignment of an exclusive "Designated Marketing Area." This geographic territory is defined and named by the franchisor and must contain at least 8,000 registered businesses.

While franchisees are expected to confine their business activities, including marketing and promotional efforts, within this area, they may accept unsolicited clients from outside the territory.

The protection granted by Exit Factor is contingent on performance. Specifically, the franchisee must acquire at least one client within their Designated Marketing Area during each 12-month period after the first year of operation.