Oh no! I think franchises could, potentially, be a good opportunity (the right franchise, the right person, the right timing) - but this doesn't sound like a good idea at all.

If they're "beta testing" franchising, that sounds like they don't actually have a franchise set up yet. So, you're not likely to benefit from the things that franchisees usually do, like being associated with a well-known brand. And, they're not likely to have worked out all the kinks yet in how to support their franchisees.

While, this could all be on the up-and-up, it also *could* be just an easy way for them to get franchise fees from people. You have no way to check how good they are at supporting their franchisees, since it's in "beta" (compared to a more mature company with a lot of franchisees, where you could research and contact current franchisees to find out how they're treated).

Then, there's the fact that they are advertising deceptively on Craigs List to lure in people looking for a job!

I wouldn't do it if I were you. Building up your own brand is slow... but then it's all yours! All of the profit, all of the responsibility, everything. No worries about HQ getting caught in some scandal that tanks your business, or changing the rules and doubling their fees or anything like that.

Good luck to you!