Imagine this: You’ve made a small empire. People enjoy what you do. Friends tell you, “You should start a franchise.” then “how to franchise? “The thought is in your head, making noise like loose cash. But how do you even get started?

Let’s get one thing straight first. You need to prove your business. Copying chaos is never a good way to run a business. Is your store flowing smoothly, or is it more like trying to capture water with a sieve? Gold is consistency. Write down everything. How to greet clients, how to stack plastic cups like a pro, and even how to make recipes and follow them. Someone who owns a franchise will be grateful to you.

Your brand is like a toddler: if you let outsiders raise it, things may go wrong very quickly. Keep your logos and trademarks safe. If your logo looks like it was produced in Microsoft Paint, that’s fine, but you might want to upgrade before everyone else copies you.

There are a lot of papers involved in franchising. Prepare for Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD). There is no easy way. This huge legal document is as entertaining as putting together flat-pack furniture, but that’s the price you have to pay to get in. Get in touch with someone who knows a lot about franchise law, not simply your cousin who saw a documentary on retail once.

You will require an operations handbook. I know it sounds boring. But think of it as the best instruction book ever—the one you wish you had when you got your first smartphone. Don’t leave anything to chance. Think about the fact that your franchisee has never made a burger, prepared coffee, or tied their own shoes. Less paint and more profit than paint-by-numbers.

Next are the fees. Don’t just pick numbers at random. Look into the area. How much do other people charge for royalties and startup costs? If you charge too much, you’ll scare away good partners. If you go too low, you’ll have to eat quick noodles all the time.

Training is more than just a handshake and a speech. Go in there. When you train franchisees, pay attention to the small things, just like when you teach penguins to fly. If an owner can’t cook your magic burger, they might as well grill a shoe.

Support isn’t a recommendation; it’s like air. When a fryer catches fire or a customer proposes marriage in the dining room, your staff will phone you at 2 a.m. Laugh all you want, but being there for someone means being there for them through thick and thin, even when things become weird.

To grow your franchise, you need to do a lot of marketing. If you’re brave, use social media, flying banners, or skywriting. Franchise shows? It’s worth it. Some of the people that apply for your job may live next door, while others may reside on the other side of the world. Don’t be shocked.

There need to be guidelines for every franchise system. Make them explicit, set them in stone, and tell them why they are there. You’re not running a wild west bar; you’re keeping the brand’s heart beating.

You can’t just put up a franchise and forget about it. Keep being curious. Stop by your franchisees. Taste the cuisine. Check out the bathrooms. Flushing the toilets yourself is the best way to show you care.

Keep in mind that you’re forming a partnership. Treat your franchisees like family, or at least like that third cousin you usually invite to the barbecue. Talking things out fixes most problems.

Franchising can revolutionize your life and make you think that sleep is for people who don’t know how to work. Stick to the plan, be flexible, and remember that a good franchise system is part science, half heart, and a little bit crazy. Who knows? You may be the next huge franchise tale.