It’s not easy to franchise my business. Think about giving your secret sauce to someone else and trusting them not to damp it down. Now imagine that happening in a lot of places. It’s like teaching someone how to ride your favorite bike without popping a tire or going down an alley. A lot of people talk about growing through franchising, but here’s the truth, warts and all.

First things first: your business needs to be able to predict what will happen. If people love your tacos at one location but hate the soggy shells next door, we have a problem. Step one is to make a plan that other people can use. Your “way we always do things” and other written materials need to go out of your head and onto paper or a cloud server.

A lot of people go right to looking for franchisees, but you should wait. Are your finances in good shape? Is your business making enough money that someone else would want to imitate it and pay fees along the way? If you’re not sure yet, you might want to slow down. You need to keep clear records and numbers that can be checked.

Let’s get into the law. You can’t just write a franchise agreement on a sticky note. Rules and laws fluctuate depending on where you are and even what state you are in. It’s really important to talk to a franchise lawyer. But don’t just let them drive; make sure you know what you’re getting into. If a potential franchisee gets scared off by the paperwork because it looks like something from the past, good luck getting them to sign on.

If you want to sell your idea to others, you need to capture the soul of your brand. What do people see, hear, smell, and taste as they walk in? What would you say in an elevator pitch that would make your granny want to get in on the action? Spoiler: “It’s good because we say so” isn’t enough. Make a short list of your selling points. Be ready to train, coach, and occasionally be a therapist for your future franchisees.

Place, place, place! If your burger joint does well on Main Street, it doesn’t mean it will do well in a quiet neighborhood or next to a salad bar heaven. Look into each place like a detective on a huge case. Demographics, foot traffic, and even adjacent competitors all have a role to play in the equation for success.

Support is really important. Franchisees want to know that you won’t just give them the keys and leave. Create ways for people to talk to each other and check in on a frequent basis. Sometimes it’s getting texts at 11 p.m. from someone who is worried about a broken freezer. It’s sometimes revising recipes or marketing materials. Your franchisees become part of your family, flaws and all.

Lastly, keep in mind that progress can be both good and bad. Yes, there is a chance to make money. There is also the risk of hurting your brand, having trouble with quality control, and getting complaints about why one store’s shake machine is always broken. Don’t make the work sound easier than it is. But with good practices, a strong network, and some luck, franchising can help your firm develop more than you ever thought possible.

Before you put up that “Franchises Available” sign, make sure your business bike is in good shape. The ride could be rocky, but the view from the top? Every penny and pothole is worth it.