FAQs

1. Can I be an absentee owner of my CMIT franchise? 

No. Your position as a CMIT owner is primarily as a business advisor–this means you are an expert and resource for your clients and community. While you will hire technicians to support your clients, it is important to actively participate in your business as CMIT Solutions is a full-time business endeavor.  

2. Can I have a partner and can my partner come to training? 

Yes! Both you and your partner can come to training. As the franchisee, you are required to attend the initial training. You can have a business partner who is also encouraged to attend training. CMIT encourages a collaborative environment and welcomes all stakeholders who want to be trained. 

3. How do I get a copy of CMIT’s Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)? 

The FDD outlines in detail the partnership between the franchisor and the franchisees, and you will receive the CMIT Solutions FDD during our Discovery Process. First, our Franchise Development Managers will discuss the business opportunity and collect preliminary information to determine whether you qualify for the franchise investment.

4. How does marketing work? How does the franchisor support franchisees with marketing? 

CMIT provides a robust marketing system that is built on a multi-touch, multi-channel approach. Our system, which we have coined our ‘Marketing Playbook,’ provides you with campaign assets for you to execute in your local markets to drive lead generation for your business. 

Our Marketing Playbook provides a digestible outline of executable marketing efforts that move the needle for your business. Our system breaks it down–week by week–to help you easily manage your efforts and stay on track! The Marketing Playbook also provides direction on budget spend in each channel, how-tos, best practices, and much more.  

5. How many employees will I need? 

Within the first 90 days of launch, you will need to have a technical resource (contractor, full-time hire, or third-party support). As you grow, you will also hire additional technical support staff. 

6. How much are royalties? 

CMIT franchisees pay 6% of their gross revenue in royalties. This royalty supports brand and infrastructure building to help the CMIT network grow as a whole.  

7. What are the primary responsibilities of a CMIT franchisee? 

CMIT owners focus on managing the business. They are primarily responsible for acquiring and developing clients and building a team to deliver premium IT support. These responsibilities are streamlined by CMIT’s world-class sales, service delivery training, and marketing programs. CMIT owners manage all financial and operational aspects of the business. 

8. What is the timeline to open? 

Upon completion of the CMIT Discovery Process and signing of the Franchise Agreement, the franchise will be awarded. After completing a pre-training franchise opener program that lasts between one to five weeks, participants move on to a two- to three-week training program that may or may not be consecutive. The last day of launch training is the official launch of your own CMIT franchise. 

9. What makes CMIT different from other IT businesses? 

CMIT Solutions is the largest and strongest network of independently owned and operated managed service providers (MSPs) in the nation. This network, along with the corporate office, helps new businesses flourish. 

10. What type of assistance is provided after opening my franchise? 

After attending launch training, each newly launched franchise will receive additional coaching and support from corporate trainers and coaches for up to two years. Our trainers and coaches are experts in all capacities of the CMIT business, with most having successfully launched and operated a franchise. The corporate office also collaborates with each franchise location. CMIT offers a learning management and social collaboration platform (CMIT CONNECT) for all owners and team members as well. 

11. What type of franchise candidate is CMIT looking for? 

CMIT franchisees come from a variety of backgrounds. Sales, technical, project management, marketing, and finance experience is helpful when starting up; however, a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial vision are what truly make the difference. CMIT offers extensive training in all functional areas to help owners from all backgrounds succeed in creating a successful business. 

12. What type of training does CMIT provide? 

CMIT provides a 14- to 18-week training program consisting of pre-training, initial training, and six to eight weeks of post-launch training. During this time you will learn everything you need to launch your business. The functional areas include Operations, Solution Lines, Service Delivery, Sales, and Marketing. After the initial training, each new graduate will receive additional coaching and support for the first two years of launch. 

13. What will it cost to open a CMIT franchise? 

The franchise fee ranges from $49,950 to $60,450. The total investment range, including the franchise fee and six months of working capital, is from $102,570 to $168,200. 

14. Does CMIT provide financing options or discounts? 

CMIT does not offer in-house financing, but we can provide contacts for external financing. We offer a 20% discount on the franchise fee to all U.S. veterans.