A franchise is a licence, not a business. You are buying a brand, a system and a territory for a term, and you are taking on obligations: an initial fee, ongoing royalties, a marketing levy, a mandated fit-out and usually a supply agreement that fixes where you buy.

Indonesian franchising is regulated. A franchisor must hold a registration certificate (STPW) and must provide a prospectus before you sign, and the agreement must be registered. Ask for both documents by name — a franchisor who cannot produce them is selling something other than a franchise.

Model the real cost of entry: the fee, the fit-out to brand standard, the equipment package, initial stock, the deposit on the unit and working capital until the site trades. The headline franchise fee is routinely the smallest number in that list.