I’m exploring franchising as one of several ETA pathways and would love to learn from those who’ve actually gone through it. If you’ve purchased a franchise—recently or years ago—I’d appreciate hearing about your experience: - How did you approach the search and evaluation process? - What surprised you (good or bad) once you dug into the FDD? - How you structured funding or leveraged veteran programs? - What you wish you had known before signing? - Whether the franchisor support matched the pitch? - How the economics played out vs. expectations? I’m not looking for a sales pitch - just real-world perspective from fellow veterans who’ve walked this path. Your insights will help me make a more informed decision as I evaluate whether franchising aligns with my long-term operator and portfolio goals. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to share.