1851

Historically, franchising and professional athletes have made&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/5-athletes-who-became-franchisees-2718067">a winning team</a>. The franchised business model offers former pros the chance to invest their impressive earnings in a long-term, reliable and oftentimes passive investment. NBA star&nbsp;<a href="https://shaq.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shaquille O’Neal</a> is one of the most famous examples of this match-up. With a reported net worth of some $400 million, much of which is tied up in franchising, O’Neal said he officially makes more annually from his business investments than he did from his $30 million-a-year basketball paycheck.&nbsp;“The franchise is a simple model,” O’Neal told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBYryUG_Sq0&amp%3Bab_channel=InternationalFranchiseAssociation&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CNBC</a>. “If it works, you follow the rules, and it will continue to work. If you stick to the values you’ve learned, you can’t go wrong.”&nbsp;But it's not strictly business for O’Neal. In a 2021 interview in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/video/shaquille-oneal-discusses-investing-franchising-and-donuts/8063A172-ABFF-496B-8700-4D51A6234054.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Wall Street Journal</a>, O’Neal said: “Whenever I do business, it’s not about the money. I heard Jeff Bezos say one time when he was talking – he says he makes his investment based on if it’s going to change people’s lives for the better. And once I started doing the strategy, I think I probably quadrupled what I’m worth now.”So, the million-dollar question: which franchise concepts have been Shaq-approved? Here is a dive into his past and present portfolio.<a href="https://development.focusbrands.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Auntie Anne’s</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1674782507_1851 auntie anne's.png"></figure>Auntie Anne’s is a snack franchise known for its fresh, hot-out-of-the-oven soft pretzels, pretzel dogs, pretzel bites and beverages. In 1988, the brand was started when Auntie Anne Beiler and Jonas Beiler started selling pretzels and lemonade at farmers’ markets in Pennsylvania. The next year, the pair began franchising the idea. Today, Auntie Anne’s has 1,930 units and while O’Neal previously owned 17 of those locations — nine in Michigan and eight in Buffalo, N.Y — he just recently sold them. When it comes to his reasoning, he gave&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XByJpQzl2DY&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Earn Your Leisure podcast</a> a hilariously honest answer: “I sold my Auntie Anne’s. Because Black people don’t like pretzels that much. So I had to switch it up.”As a business model, Auntie Anne’s stands out by offering franchisees multiple venue options, whether it be opening at an urban street site, a college or university, a shopping mall, an outlet center, an airport, a train station, a travel plaza, entertainment center, food truck, pop-up store, or commissary location. The brand has also worked to diversify the menu and offer catering to provide varying income streams for owners.The cost to open an Auntie Anne’s is between $146,050 to $523,500, including a franchise fee of $30,000. The liquid capital required is around $120,000, and the net worth requirement is $300,000. As of 2022, the average revenue per Enclosed Mall location was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisechatter.com/2022/09/11/fdd-talk-auntie-annes-franchise-costs-fees-average-revenues-and-or-profits-2022-review/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$636,952</a>.<a href="https://www.franchisehelp.com/franchises/krispy-kreme/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Krispy Kreme</a><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1674782811_1851 krispy kreme.jpeg">Krispy Kreme is an 83-year-old donut franchise with 363 units across the country. Known for its fresh, hot and melt-in-your-mouth donuts, the brand has a uniquely beloved reputation and was recently ranked the No. 1 most intimate fast food brand in&nbsp;<a href="https://mblm.com/lab/brandintimacy-study/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">MBLM’s Brand Intimacy 2022 Study</a>, the largest study of brands based on emotions.&nbsp;O’Neal only currently owns one location in Atlanta but says he would like to own many more and told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/video/shaquille-oneal-discusses-investing-franchising-and-donuts/8063A172-ABFF-496B-8700-4D51A6234054.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Wall Street Journal</a> that Krispy Kreme is his favorite business endeavor. “I like doughnuts, and Charles Barkley loves doughnuts,” he said. “And he’s my biggest customer. I wanna be a large part of that business.”The estimated total investment necessary to begin the operation of a Krispy Kreme franchise ranges from $440,500 to $3,410,000, depending on the type of location. Krispy Kreme requires you to have a net worth of at least 2 million dollars and a liquid capital of at least $300,000. The average Krispy Kreme franchise made<a href="https://investors.krispykreme.com/news-releases/news-release-details/krispy-kreme-reports-strong-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2021?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> $3.6 million in sales in 2021</a>.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.papajohns.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Papa John’s</a><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1674782912_papa johns.png">Founded in 1985, Papa John’s is one of the largest pizza delivery companies in the world with more than 5,000 stores around the globe. O’Neal owns nine Papa John’s pizza franchise locations, which equals holdings worth in the neighborhood of $7 million. In addition to franchising with the concept, O'Neal also acts as a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/can-shaq-really-save-the-still-struggling-papa-johns-2710673">celebrity endorser</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/papa-johns-announces-its-newest-board-member-shaq-2709489">a board member</a> — he just recently resigned an endorsement deal worth $5.63 million.&nbsp;The Papa John’s brand spent the past few years in hot water after its very&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/papa-john-s-john-schnatter-is-harming-company-2707712">public fallout</a> with its founder John Schattner. While it's hard to say if Shaq has fully revitalized the franchise’s image, the company has seen a nearly 8% increase in franchise units over the past three years.&nbsp;The initial investment to join a Papa John’s franchise comes in at $200,000 to $789,000, including an initial franchise fee of $25,000. The net worth requirement is $750,000, and the liquid capital requirement is $250,000. According to the brand’s 2022 FDD, the 2,219 franchised restaurants saw average unit sales of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisechatter.com/2022/12/03/fdd-talk-papa-johns-franchise-costs-fees-average-revenues-and-or-profits-2022-review/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$1,120,496</a>.<a href="https://www.fiveguys.com/contact-us/franchisee-form?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Five Guys</a><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1674783015_five guys.jpeg">Five Guys, the fast-casual burger chain with 1,600 units worldwide, was founded in 1986 and started franchising in 2002. The company is known for its special burgers that are made-to-order and are always different, with a quarter of a million possible ways to enjoy a burger in the restaurant.At one point, O’Neal&nbsp;really loved Five Guys and owned a whopping 155 locations, which represented 10% of the total company at the time. Today, he has divested his Five Guys stake and sold his franchises, which were probably worth upwards of $100 million.&nbsp;The initial investment required for a Five Guys franchise ranges from $306,200 to $716,250 and includes an initial franchise fee of $25,000. Net-worth requirements come in at $500,000, and liquid cash requirements at $250,000. The company does not make financial performance representations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bigchicken.com/franchise-information?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns-2720902" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Big Chicken</a><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1674783135_big chicken.png">Big Chicken is an up-and-coming chicken franchise concept started in 2018 by O’Neal himself. The brand specializes in mega-sized chicken sandwiches generously bulked up with items such as coleslaw and macaroni and cheese. O’Neal partnered with Authentic Brands, which is a brand development and entertainment group, and JRS Hospitality, a catering and events company, to kick off the venture.O’Neal is a majority owner of the restaurant brand and has been involved in all aspects of building out the Big Chicken franchise, from naming the chicken sandwiches after people he admires, like the “Charles Barkley” to the sourcing of the supply chain. The Las Vegas-based chain can be found on two Carnival Mardi Gras cruise ships (a company in which O’Neal serves as the Chief Fun officer) and arenas in Seattle and New York, as well as in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Overall, Big Chicken has already sold over 200 units since franchising last year.&nbsp;The initial investment for the Big Chicken franchise ranges from $450,000 to $1.4 million. That includes the franchise fee, which comes in at $40,000.&nbsp;Related articles:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/shaq-owned-big-chicken-debuts-first-franchise-location-2719343">Shaq-Owned Big Chicken Debuts First Franchise Location</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/papa-johns-announces-its-newest-board-member-shaq-2709489">Papa John's Announces its Newest Board Member: Shaq</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/former-nba-star-shaquille-oneals-journey-from-athlete-to-franchise-owner-and-papa-johns-board-member-2712075#stories">Former NBA Star Shaquille O’Neal’s Journey From Athlete to Franchise Owner and Papa John’s Board Member</a> &nbsp;</li></ul>

A Deep Dive Into the Food Franchises Shaq Owns

1851 Franchise

Want to be like Shaq but can’t dunk a basketball? Follow in the all-star’s entrepreneurial footsteps by investing in one of the many franchise opportunities he has been involved with over the years. 

a-deep-dive-into-the-food-franchises-shaq-owns

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Women Leading the Way: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Building Businesses, Empowering Teams and Serving Their Communities

women-leading-the-way-how-trublue-franchisees-are-building-businesses-empowering-teams-and-serving-their-communities

DRYmedic Restoration

Building Something Bigger: How These Sisters Are Redefining Restoration Through DRYmedic

building-something-bigger-how-these-sisters-are-redefining-restoration-through-drymedic

Beansquad

BeanSquad - Franchisee Profile - Steve Bjorkman - The UPS Store - 1851 Franchise

Franchisee Spotlight: How One Boise UPS Store Owner Keeps a Growing Operation Financially Organized

franchise-bookkeeping-services-mco

Photo of two DRYmedic team members standing in front of branded vehicle

DRYmedic Restoration Caps Banner Year With 25 Territories Awarded, Sets Sights on Strategic Growth in 2026

drymedic-restoration-caps-banner-year-with-25-territories-awarded-sets-sights-on-strategic-growth-in-2026

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

This Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Franchisee Built a Family Business that is Opening Doors for Women Across the Trades

franchisee-women-plumbing-trade

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

The Top 10 Low-Cost Franchises With High ROI 

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Jersey Mike's Takes First Steps Towards Initial Public Offering

jersey-mikes-makes-first-steps-towards-ipo

Prince St. Pizza Partners With Dave’s Hot Chicken Franchisee for National Growth

prince-st-pizza-partners-with-daves-hot-chicken-franchisee-for-national-growth

FTC Settlement Puts New Focus on Franchise Disclosure Standards - 1851 Franchise

FTC Settlement Puts New Focus on Franchise Disclosure Standards

franchise-disclosure-violations-xponential-fitness-lawsuit-ftc

Applebee’s Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy as Dine Brands Moves to Acquire 53 Units - 1851 Franchise

Applebee’s Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy as Dine Brands Moves to Acquire 53 Units

applebees-franchisee-bankruptcy-neighborhood-restaurant-partners

Why Skilled Trades Are Emerging as the Economy’s Most AI-Resilient Careers

ai-skilled-trades-authority-brands

At&nbsp;<a href="https://hellomainland.com/">Mainland</a>, everything starts with real people. The team focuses on who a brand is trying to reach and builds content around what matters to them. That carries into The Buzz Factory, which is designed to turn interest into real conversations with potential franchisees.Instead of pushing out generic messaging, brands are able to connect with the right audience from the start. The result is stronger engagement and more relevant conversations with prospective franchisees.<h2>What Traditional Blanket Franchise Marketing Gets Wrong</h2>Traditional franchise marketing often begins without a clear picture of who the brand is trying to reach. Campaigns are designed to appeal to everyone, which usually means they don’t connect with anyone in a meaningful way. Without a strong SEO or GEO strategy, brands also miss key moments when potential franchisees are actively searching.National campaigns aren’t always effective for individual locations. Franchisees still need a way to connect with customers in their own markets. Without focusing on the people behind the brand, marketing doesn’t resonate enough.&nbsp;<h2>How Mainland’s Approach Is Different</h2>Mainland takes a different path by building its strategy around people first, not just brand messaging. Instead of generic campaigns, the focus is on real stories, highlighting the operators, career changers and entrepreneurs behind each brand. That mindset is backed by a “nothing is impossible” approach, where creativity and persistence drive how opportunities are uncovered and amplified.“A lot of times, the franchisees we’re working with will come on the call and say, ‘I don't know why you want to talk to me. My story is not that interesting.’ There's a level of fulfillment and satisfaction in being able to see them see themselves in someone else's eyes and realizing what their story can mean and can do. It’s really fun,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-wood1">Morgan Wood</a>, content manager at Mainland. “Everyone has a story. We just have to get to it.”That storytelling is combined with a strong digital and media engine that makes sure the content reaches the right people at the right time. Every effort is tied to measurable results, from readership and engagement to lead quality and conversion.<h2>The Five Pillars of the Buzz Factory Process</h2>The repeatable process is designed to move prospects into action. Here are the five pillars that Mainland uses to reach people:<h4>Pillar 1: We Find the Right People in the Right Market</h4>At the top of the funnel, Mainland operates as a true media engine, using industry-wide editorial to consistently attract qualified readers who are already interested in franchising. Mainland co-founder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/powills/">Nick Powills</a> saw that modern growth requires more than PR and ads. Brands need a media engine that works constantly to educate and attract the right audience. That thinking led to the creation of<a href="https://1851franchise.com/">&nbsp;1851 Franchise</a> and its sister platforms<a href="https://estatenvy.com/">&nbsp;Estatenvy</a>,<a href="https://stachecow.com/">&nbsp;StacheCow</a> and<a href="https://room1903.com/">&nbsp;Room 1903</a>, built as ecosystems designed to drive franchise growth.“These platforms are what we call growth media engines,” Powills said. “They’re not traditional publications and they’re not marketing channels. They sit in the middle. Each platform is designed to help an industry control its narrative, educate its market and create a consistent drumbeat of credibility around the brands that are growing within it.”Traffic is consistent, with more than 34,000 visits each week and about 125 readers every 30 minutes. Instead of chasing leads, the focus is on creating content that draws in the right audience over time.<h4>Pillar 2: We Introduce Them to Franchising</h4>Mainland brings prospects into franchising through story-driven content that feels relatable and real. Instead of leading with a sales pitch, the focus is on narratives like career changes, life transitions and personal motivations that reflect where potential franchisees are in their own journey.“Being able to see the kind of person that's doing it, and, no matter who you are, there's someone who has a similar background or that you can relate to in some way, that has done it,” Wood said. “I think putting that out there makes people curious. And then you click in, and it's their life story and their experiences. The reader likely doesn’t know this person, specifically, but it’s possible they have very similar experiences.”This approach builds an emotional connection first, making the idea of franchising feel both accessible and attainable before any direct selling begins.<h4>Pillar 3: We Introduce Them to Your Brand</h4>Once interest in franchising is established, Mainland introduces prospects to specific brands through lists, awards and rankings that position them within the broader industry. From there, dedicated brand pages give readers a deeper look, offering the context and information they need to stay engaged. This step moves prospects from general curiosity into active consideration.“When brands partner with Mainland and our platforms, they’re essentially building a living archive of their growth story, leadership insights, franchisee success stories, expansion announcements and industry expertise,” Powills said. “When a candidate starts researching the opportunity, they don’t find one article. They find a narrative. And in franchising, the brands with the strongest narrative usually win.”<h4>Pillar 4: We Amplify Your Story to Reach Similar Prospects</h4>Mainland expands a brand’s reach through paid media and its proprietary digital ad service, AMPD, targeting the audiences most likely to be a fit. AMPD blends social and pay-per-click advertising to place content in front of the right people, supported by placements across key platforms and media coverage ranging from TV segments to local publications. Retargeting also helps keep the brand visible to people who have already shown interest as they continue evaluating their options.One example is Mainland’s<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mainland/two-men-and-a-truck-mainland-pr-strategy-2025-2731775#featured">&nbsp;long-running work with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®</a>. Since 2013, the partnership has grown into a steady stream of national and local coverage, including 176 media placements in 2025.Mainland has helped share franchisee stories with a wider audience, with coverage on outlets like FOX Business and CNBC. It has also supported local efforts to build awareness in each market.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/mainland/laynes-chicken-fingers-mainland-franchise-assessment-growth-2731520#stories">Layne’s Chicken Fingers</a> is another great example. Through a combination of earned media and targeted visibility, Mainland helped position the brand in both national outlets like QSR Magazine and local TV markets ahead of new openings."I’m not an expert in getting leads or PR. But I know how to sell and I believe in our brand," said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/samir-wattar-0a4187a/">Samir Wattar</a>, Layne’s chief operating officer. "I rely on Mainland to come up with the ideas. ‘How am I going to achieve my goal?’"Layne’s saw steady development as awareness grew, including a 110% increase in its footprint in 2025 and several multi-unit deals.<h4>Pillar 5: We Analyze the Data to Inform Strategy</h4>Each step is guided by data, using tools like Google Analytics and campaign results to see what is and isn’t working. Those insights are reviewed in monthly calls with account managers.For example,&nbsp;<a href="http://linkedin.com/in/juliemaw1">Julie Maw,</a> vice president of account management for Mainland, has used performance data from webinar registrations to help identify the best time of year to host a campaign, improving return on investment. Instead of relying on assumptions, each next step is guided by real-time insights and proven results.<h2>What the Process Looks Like in Practice</h2>Here is how the Buzz Factory Process comes to life, step by step, turning strategy into execution.<h4>Custom Landing Page</h4>On the front end of the magazine, we focus on bringing qualified, focused readers into the funnel. We do this through unpaid editorial that covers the complete industry. Then, we guide them to your brand.<h4>Custom Content</h4>We then start to build your “why you/why now” through content, video, research and aggregated media coverage. An active newsroom will give your brand's audience news and information designed to motivate them as they become comfortable with the idea of working with your brand.<h4>Aggregated Content</h4>A branded newsroom would not be complete without other stories created by journalists. That’s why Mainland aggregates important news from other media sources. This is valuable for a few reasons. First, we can link directly to your site, so when we amplify the story, we can guide the user directly to the next step: inquiry. Second, this extends your credibility. Third, we can add to existing press coverage by including a quote, video or update. We can also take articles you wish you had been included in, and add you to the story.<h4>AMPD (Paid Media)</h4>AMPD is how Mainland puts content in front of the right audience. Once the target personas and markets are defined, campaigns are built across platforms like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and retargeting channels to reach people who are most likely to be a fit.Instead of pushing broad ads, the focus is on placing the right content in front of the right people and staying in front of them as they continue to explore the opportunity.<h4>CRM Integration</h4>Then, Mainland integrates into your sales process. This could be drip campaigns, counter content, marketing collateral or something as simple as your own internal magazine.<h4>Social Distribution</h4>Now, Mainland taps into your brand’s distribution sources to increase the readership of your content. This could be shared on your Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or even on your website through our news widget tool.<h4>Real-Time Analytics</h4>This step includes arguably the most important feature, which is data. Through measurement and data, Mainland can get a sense of which content has the highest engagement, which demographics are engaging with it, where they are, which days they read your content and more.We also give you AMPD data through our API integration with Google, LinkedIn and Facebook for real-time data on your ad campaigns, in addition to the monthly reporting feature.<h4>Strategic Account Manager</h4>Most tech platforms stop there. We didn’t. We integrated humans back into the process. Why? Business development is tough, and we want to make sure you have someone to help you identify your goals and create action plans to solve them. From here, we build momentum by sharing your story across the web so the right people can find your “why you/why now,” learn about your brand and take action.<h2>The Buzz Factory Is a System, Not a Campaign</h2>The Buzz Factory Process isn’t a one-time campaign. It’s a system designed to consistently attract, engage and convert the right audience over time. By combining content, amplification and data, Mainland creates a repeatable way to grow. Brands that follow this approach generate more than just leads; they build momentum.To learn more about working with Mainland, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://hellomainland.com/.">https://hellomainland.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Mainland’s five-step process replaces outdated blanket marketing with a targeted, data-driven system that attracts, educates and converts the right franchise candidates.

The Buzz Factory Blueprint: How Mainland Amplifies Brand Narratives By Leaving Traditional Blanket Marketing Behind

buzz-factory-process-mainland-franchise-growth

image of woofies brand page deep dive image from 1851 franchise

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A mobile pet care franchise offering mobile pet grooming, dog walking and pet sitting, plus Bed & Biscuit overnight care and optional vet telehealth referrals.

Woofie's Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

woofies-franchise-costs-fees-profit-data

Most franchise brands are still treating artificial intelligence like a side topic, which is a mistake. AI is already shaping how franchise candidates discover and evaluate brands. Whether franchisors are actively participating or not, AI is beginning to shape the narrative around them. That means brands that fail to create the right content and signals now risk being left out of the conversation entirely.The good news is that this is still an early window. Brands do not need to outspend everyone else. They need a better plan.“AI is creating your narrative now, whether you are contributing or entering the room or the arena or not,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/powills/">Nick Powills</a>, chief strategy officer at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodsparkfranchise.com/">GoodSpark Franchise Growth Accelerator</a>, said in a recent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioHyPcKWkLo">podcast</a>. “So you need to understand what it’s saying about you.”<h2>Start by Seeing What AI Already Says About Your Brand</h2>Before creating anything new, franchisors need to understand their current position. Ask AI the same kinds of questions a candidate would ask. That means prompts such as:<ul><li>Is this the right franchise for me?</li><li>What are the pros and cons of owning this brand?</li><li>What are the risks?</li><li>What are the blind spots?</li><li>How does this brand compare to others in the category?</li></ul>This gives franchisors a starting point. It shows what story is already being told, where the gaps are and how difficult it may be to reshape that perception.“You’re not gonna be able to change it overnight,” Powills said. “But now you guys are building a game plan to enter the arena in the narrative.”<h2>Fix the Foundational Elements on Your Website First</h2>Many brands jump straight to more content without fixing the basics. But the first priority should be simple, foundational website updates that help AI understand the brand. That starts with an AI-ready anchor statement in the footer and on key pages.&nbsp;“If you're just getting started, what is the one foundational page you're going to create on your website that AI is going to use as authoritative and feed that story?” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-internicola/">Charles Internicola</a>, CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/goodspark/info">GoodSpark</a>. “So if I were a franchisor and I'm just getting started, let's create that AI-driven narrative page: what the brand is, when it was founded, who it serves, what makes it unique, why it's a compelling opportunity and then facts all related to the franchise.”&nbsp;Some franchise brands may have a decent sales pitch, but they have not framed their opportunity in a way that helps AI compare them to other concepts, which is very different from how a human evaluates. A human buyer may respond to brand purpose, emotion and transformation, but AI reads that story differently.“AI is going to be very linear. It’s going to look at category, intent, buyer, fit and outcome signals,” Internicola said.&nbsp;In practice, that means franchisors need content that answers questions such as:<ul><li>What category does this brand fit into?</li><li>Who is the ideal franchisee?</li><li>What problems does the business solve?</li><li>What are the alternatives?</li><li>Why is this opportunity stronger than other franchise paths a buyer may be considering?</li></ul>If the brand does not provide those answers, AI will fill in the blanks from whatever it can find.<h2>Stop Relying on Generic AI Content</h2>According to Internicola, there’s a sharp line between strategic AI use and lazy AI use.&nbsp;“What I’m seeing right now is that AI is giving brands immense tools to deploy if they use it the right way,” he said. “The wrong way is creating generic AI content, being lazy and flooding websites and web pages with AI content. I think that's sort of like a killing field. We're going to group everyone in this bucket of AI, and from a visibility standpoint and a marketing standpoint, they're going to get hurt there.”&nbsp;That kind of content may create volume, but it does not create authority. And over time, it can make a brand less credible, not more. Content needs to be thoughtful, specific and tied to real buyer questions.That means brands should publish thoughtful material around subjects candidates are actually trying to understand, including category education, alternative business models, growth challenges and signs of success.“What does success look like for home service franchisees or for restaurant franchisees or QSR franchisees? Because now that's not an article that's specific to your brand. That's industrywide,” Internicola said. “If someone's seeking another brand or evaluating whether it's profitable to own a restaurant, if you're giving that industry information, your brand's going to come into the story.”&nbsp;<h2>Use Video, But Do Not Stop at Video</h2>Video still matters, especially when it captures genuine, unscripted language. But video works better when it is paired with text, structured context and clear distribution. AI picks up genuine remarks made in conversation and uses them to understand the brand.“That's why brand story at the foundational level — who you are, why you, why now, how you help franchisees — that all needs to be there and genuine, and then you build the story around it, and then you optimize it for AI,” Internicola said.&nbsp;<h2>Put Your Content to Work After You Publish It</h2>Publishing alone is not enough without distribution across LinkedIn, YouTube, drip campaigns and internal sharing.“Now I need to make sure it's not trees falling in the woods,” Powills said. “You take a piece of content, you put it to work. It's not necessarily about where you tell [your story]. It's about how you tell it. Is it in-depth? Is it exciting? And then secondly, how do you distribute it and create some noise around it?”<h2>Focus on Consistency, Depth and Credibility</h2>Volume alone will not win, but neither will one or two isolated thought pieces. Brands need consistency, depth and repetition around the right topics.“And then also validation through third-party sources, where AI sees repetition of what's being put out there,” Internicola said. “I think the biggest problem is brands and businesses that put it on autopilot. They're mass generating content. They're not going to get the results because they're not correlating the brand messaging the right way.”AI may still be changing in real time, but it’s already clear that brands that are not shaping their own story are leaving that job to everyone else. And in franchise development, that is a dangerous place to be.Watch the full podcast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioHyPcKWkLo">here</a>.For more information on GoodSpark and its services for developing franchises, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goodsparkfranchise.com/.">https://www.goodsparkfranchise.com/.</a>&nbsp;

Franchisors that want to stay competitive need a clearer AI content strategy, stronger brand positioning and content that helps candidates evaluate the opportunity.

Why Franchise Brands Are Becoming Invisible in AI Search and What to Do About It

ai-franchise-marketing-playbook

image of 1851 franchise nick powills coffee and analytics webinar on multi unit conferences 

MUFC offers access to one of the most qualified rooms in franchising, but most operators are not buying today, forcing brands to rethink how they build long-term demand.

The Secret to Selling Franchises: You Spent Thousands at Multi-Unit. Now What?

multi-unit-franchising-conference-strategy-franchise-growth

How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

how-much-can-franchisees-make-a-guide-expert-tips

Big O Tires Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Big O Tires is a full-service auto care franchise offering tires, brake repair, alignments, oil changes and preventive maintenance under a nationally recognized brand.

franchise-deep-dive-big-o-tires-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


Newk’s Eatery Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

newks-eatery-franchise-costs-fees-profit

BrightStar Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: BrightStar Care is a home health care franchise that provides both medical and non-medical services.

franchise-deep-dive-brightstar-cares-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

visiting-angels-franchise-costs-fees-profit

JEI Learning Center Franchise Deep Dive 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: The low-cost supplemental education franchise leverages diagnostic testing and a unique Self-Learning Method to support students’ growth.

A Deep Dive Into the Food Franchises Shaq Owns

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS