A bit different but DH looked into a Jims Fencing franchise a few years ago, went to meetings and got all the info, then decided that going it alone was going to be better. Yes the outlay for business cards, registration, insurance, advertising was expensive but it wasn't anywhere near the amount for buying a franchise(Probably around $5-6K from memory as opposed to 30k - yes the work wasn't guaranteed but he wasn't out of work for one day from when he started advertising) . Word of mouth goes a long way and business and work began the minute the advertising did. I would look into both options, having a point of difference to other locals and then weighing it all up. Good luck! Sounds exciting!! Could he get a leave of absence with no pay from his work for say 6mths as security?? If he has been with them for a long time they might allow him some time???