Franchise

Our Expertise

Outperform the competition

What’s your strategy for profitability, growth, and sustainability? Do you have a plan to stand out from the competition?

Our national practice — serving more than 180 franchise clients — is dedicated to the unique nature of franchise operations. From food and beverage, health and beauty, and retail, to business services, education, or restaurants and lodging, we’ve seen it all. We help franchise clients like you improve financial performance, optimize profits, and enhance operations. Whether you’re a growing franchisee or mature franchisor, we advise on the best financial practices for your businesses. One of our assets? Partners who’ve achieved the highest standards of quality training and education available — the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation.

We belong to the International Franchise Association, Franchise Business Networks, National Restaurant Association, Capital Roundtable Association, Association of Capital Growth, and the Small Business Investor Alliance. Furthermore, we’ve been recognized by Entrepreneur magazine as one of the top suppliers for franchises. We’ll leverage our hands-on industry experience into recommendations and insights that will help you soar past the competition. Start transforming your organization today.

Experts in franchise operations

As one of only a few audit, tax, and consulting firms with a dedicated franchise industry practice, we understand the distinct nature of franchise operations. Let us help you achieve your strategic objectives.

We can help with:

Audit

Are you prepared for the new revenue recognition and lease accounting standards? Adherence will impact franchisors significantly in the coming years. We’ll advise you of the impact and provide guidance and tools to ease the burden of complying with the new standards.

Data strategy

Are you collecting user data but not finding the information your business needs for strategic decision-making? With an effective data strategy, you can find new ways to interact with customers, improve your collection and analysis of data, and react quickly to expand your reach. We’ll help you leverage your data to gain new insights into operations and profitability, improve your cost system, and reach your business goals.

Exit planning and transaction services

Is your exit strategy designed to give you the strongest ROI? We’ll help you develop a plan to increase the sale price and ensure an efficient transaction process. We’ll make sure you’re well-positioned to exit when the time is right.

IT consulting

Do you know how costly PCI DSS noncompliance can be in terms of data breaches and fines? Our experts will help you avoid those costs with a readiness assessment, penetration testing, and compliance reporting.

Outsourced accounting services

Are daily accounting tasks burdening or distracting you from your business strategy? From providing daily accounting functions to CFO-level expertise, our "one-stop" accounting solutions will help you make more informed decisions and customize the support you need to continue your successful business.

Private equity

Do you have the right partner to grow your investment? More than 900 private equity firms and portfolio companies look to us for help with the stages of their investment life cycle. From assessing investments to growing value, we have experience performing due diligence, closing transactions, and increasing profitability.

Risk management

Do you have a proactive risk management plan? We’ll help you prepare for and respond to risks that impact your organization every day. Whether you need help assessing your internal controls or improving your reporting model, we can help. Our services cover everything from risk consulting, to process design and implementation to help you achieve operational excellence.

Strategy

Are you maximizing your Item 19 Financial Performance Representation (FPR)? This can be an important factor in attracting franchisees; making accurate calculations is critical in communicating financial performance. We also have expertise with gift card programs, advertising funds, and reward programs.

Tax

Are you worried you’re paying too much in taxes? Our tax specialists — armed with a thorough understanding of federal and state and local tax (SALT) codes and regulations — will provide ideas to capitalize on opportunities to reduce your tax burden and maximize your cash flow.

Outlook on tax rates and policy changes

Learn more

Risk management strategies for growth and innovation

More Strategies

March 22, 2023

The dozen accounting controls all organizations need

Accounting controls are necessary for organizations to operate efficiently and above board. The controls adopted vary depending on business type and need, but there are some that all organizations should consider. Here are our top 12.

Article / 4 min read

Group of coworkers in a business meeting.

March 21, 2023

Where are your biggest opportunities for strategic growth? Find out with our opportunity and risk scorecard.

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Insights

MORE INSIGHTS

May 30, 2023

Form 5500 filing requirements and instructions updated for 2023 plan years

The DOL, IRS, and PBGC released two rulemaking documents that make changes to Forms 5500 and 5500-SF, which go into effect for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023. Here’s what you need to know.

Article / 7 min read

Group of business professionals looking over graphs and documents about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).

May 08, 2023

Don't overlook the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Article / 3 min read

View of an outdoor eating area for a restaurant.

May 05, 2023

FICA tip credit helps businesses that pay employment taxes on employee tips

Article / 5 min read

Two business professionals sitting down and discussing covenant loan compliance.

April 25, 2023

Concerned about your organization's loan covenant compliance? Your bank is

Article / 4 min read

Case Studies

SEE ALL CASE STUDIES

Photo of two business people working laptop together.

July 01, 2021

Midwest manufacturer uses data analytics to gain customer insights

A manufacturer with both consumer and professional customer segments, served through a direct sales model.

Case Study / 1 min read

April 23, 2017

PCI DSS compliance and testing

PCI DSS compliance helps company retain millions of dollars in business and attract new customers.

Case Study / 1 min read

Client Experience

We speak your language

We offer you a dynamic team that’s at the forefront of legal and regulatory issues, reporting requirements, and compliance. And, because we serve more than 150 franchise and multi-unit clients, we have the breadth of expertise to analyze trends, forecast industry developments, and provide insights that will transform your operations.

This philosophy is the cornerstone of our future-focused lens. Lisa Plonka, consumer goods and services practice leader says, “I love when we bring a new client on, and we get to experience our team through their eyes. They see quickly that we not only understand and offer recommendations for their pressing day-to-day challenges, but we also offer our vision for how they can thrive 10, 20, and 30 years down the road.”

Our clients say

Since we began working with Plante Moran in 2019 our business has grown three times larger, and our team at Plante Moran has scaled with us through it all. We enjoy working with our team — they’ve been committed, reliable, and communicative. Their franchise industry expertise has been a great benefit to us; they understand the nuances of our business model and the industry. Since working with Plante Moran, they’ve been a one-stop shop for multiple service needs including tax, audit, and buy-side due diligence.

Nathan Jensen

CFO, Radiance Holdings

Beginning in 2014, Plante Moran differentiated themselves from other firms as a source of top-level expertise in many areas of our business including tax, audit, and franchising. Our experience with Plante Moran has been nothing but positive – they are great at listening and understanding our needs and providing the appropriate resources to go above and beyond. Not only is Plante Moran excellent at communicating with us to solve complex problems, but they also never fail to provide a personal touch that is needed in today’s industry. We have recommended Plante Moran in the past and intend to continue to in the future to all organizations with multifaceted franchising business needs.

Moe Shrikian

Vice President & General Counsel, Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs, Inc.