Our method
How to pay attention to what matters in franchising.
- F
Franchise First
If you are going to buy into a franchise, be all in on being a franchisee. You can't constantly be at odds with the brand. Pick the right brand, and be that brand's biggest cheerleader.
- O
Obsessed
You have to be obsessed with the success of your business. You'll hear "absentee" or "semi-absentee" thrown around — don't buy it, at least not right away. A franchise is a lot like a child: it needs a great deal of attention at birth, and more autonomy as it matures.
- C
Control the Controllables
It's easy to get hyper-focused on what the franchisor is doing instead of the local market and the guest standing right in front of you. The most successful franchisees stay dialed in on what they can control and execute relentlessly.
- U
Unreasonable
Be unreasonable about service. Be unreasonable about taking care of your people. Your staff are your guests — treat them with unreasonable respect and kindness, and they will do the same for the guest.
- S
Scared
If you aren't a little scared every day, you don't fully understand the gravity of the situation. As Jeff Gordon said, "If I'm not a little scared, I'm not driving fast enough." Healthy fear helps you protect your team, guests and vendors.
- E
Empathetic
Customers will call expecting a fight, and empathy changes their demeanor almost instantly. There will be times you want to snap at an employee, vendor or customer. Ignore that urge. Always. Before you act, lean into empathy.
- D
Dreamer
Franchising gives you a practical guide and playbook, but as the franchisee, you have to bring the dreams and aspirations. You can manifest what you believe.
Find a franchise you can stay F.O.C.U.S.E.D. on.
Buying, growing or selling — start with a straight conversation with people who have done it.