We have written a book for a novice investor and entrepreneur with no experience in acquiring a business or franchise. The market for the purchase and sale of small and medium-sized businesses in Russia is a difficult and opaque environment, 6 out of 10 business sellers in one way or another abuse the confidence of the buyer, the agency problem and the interest of intermediaries in the transaction only aggravates the problem. As for franchises, the lack of criteria for choosing a successful franchise, an abundance of low-quality offers in the market, a lack of understanding of legal and financial risks provokes a negative plume in an extremely fast-growing market. Who sells a trustworthy business? What key risks are waiting for the buyer? How to buy them and minimize them? Where to look for business objects and how to check them? How to choose a professional intermediary in the market? How to choose a niche and franchise, which will bring you joy and income? The secret of successful negotiations with the franchise owner . What operational, financial and legal risks will you face when buying a franchise and how to level them? Ways of capitalization and exits from the franchise network . We have prepared answers to these and many other questions on ready-made business and franchises. Let this book be the starting point in market research, tell you in which direction to dig.