Can I be forced to personally guarantee my buyer's compliance with the franchise agreement after I sell?

A franchisor can't force this on you outright, but they can make it a practical precondition of approving the transfer, similar to how a landlord can condition consent to a lease assignment on continuing security from the departing tenant — if your franchise agreement's transfer clause gives the franchisor broad discretion over approval conditions, requesting your continued personal guarantee for the buyer's performance is one form that discretion can take, however unwelcome it is as someone trying to exit.

This is a materially different position from simply selling and walking away: agreeing means your personal exposure doesn't end at closing, but potentially continues for as long as your buyer operates under the franchise agreement, including through any renewal your guarantee is drafted to cover.

If a franchisor is pushing for this, treat it as a major negotiating point that should affect your price or deal terms, not something to accept reflexively just to get the transfer approved. A Treadstone business lawyer can push back on the scope and duration of any guarantee demanded.