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If there are two things <a href="https://www.instagram.com/adamrichman/?hl=en&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=adam-richman-on-the-franchise-brands-that-built-america-2718109" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adam Richman</a> knows, it's food and America. The veteran television personality has hosted several dining and eating-challenge programs over the years, experiencing the wide array of culinary delights (and frights) the U.S. has to offer, from reindeer sausage in Alaska and 12-egg omelets in Washington to oysters in Louisiana and stacks of pancakes in Hawaii.&nbsp;Today, Richman is the host of three shows on the HISTORY Channel — the rebooted “<a href="https://www.history.com/shows/modern-marvels?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=adam-richman-on-the-franchise-brands-that-built-america-2718109" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Modern Marvels</a>”, “<a href="https://www.history.com/shows/the-food-that-built-america?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=adam-richman-on-the-franchise-brands-that-built-america-2718109" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Food That Built America</a>” and “<a href="https://www.history.com/shows/adam-eats-the-80s?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=adam-richman-on-the-franchise-brands-that-built-america-2718109" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Adam Eats the ‘80s</a>” — all of which see him further exploring the U.S. to showcase the food, brands and products that have come to define the country.&nbsp;As a result of these adventures, Richman is getting a first-hand look at the inner workings of some of the biggest franchise brands in the world. In “The Food That Built America”, currently in its third season, Richman has explored the history of legacy franchise brands like <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-pizza-hut-2717948">Pizza Hut</a>, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/is-mcdonalds-a-low-risk-franchise-investment-2715483">McDonald’s</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/qsr-magazine-white-castle-expecting-25000-people-on-valentines-day-10037">White Castle</a>.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1646431294_1646169617_Adam-Eats-the-80s-Chuck-E-Cheese_Credit-Maggie-Shannon.jpg"><figcaption>Photo by Maggie Shannon</figcaption></figure>In “Adam Eats the ‘80s”, which premiered on February 27th, Richman hits the road on a quest to relive his favorite decade and trace back the origins of some of today’s most dominant brands. In the first episode, Richman gets to dine on a long-forgotten <a href="https://1851franchise.com/dominos-is-using-artificial-intelligence-for-pizza-quality-control-down-under-2710102">Domino's</a> delicacy from 1985 and visits the first mall location of food court staple <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-succeed-as-a-multi-unit-franchisee-luis-san-miguel-auntie-anne-s-cinnabon-and-carvel-2715882">Auntie Anne's</a> pretzels. In episode three, Richman discovers the very first location of <a href="https://1851franchise.com/smoothieking/beyond-the-mall-how-panda-express-evolved-from-fast-food-to-leading-fast-casual-restaurant-6282">Panda Express</a> and learns the secret to <a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-open-a-cinnabon-franchise-2715467">Cinnabon's</a> famous cinnamon.1851 Franchise caught up with Richman to discuss what he has learned about the franchising industry during his travels, how these brands have come to shape the American workforce and what the future holds for the restaurant industry.<h4>1851 Franchise: Can you describe how it felt to reboot “Modern Marvels”?&nbsp;</h4>Adam Richman: As a fan of the original “Modern Marvels”, I thought it was quite an honor to be asked to host a show that has such a legacy. It is a show that everyone has enjoyed in some capacity or another, and the thought that it would ever be brought back with me as a host is kind of beyond my wildest dreams.&nbsp;Also, having the opportunity to visit these companies is kind of like being Charlie with the golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory. It is all well and good to hear about how you can program this computer to cut something with a plasma knife, or how the whole room moves as a machine welds John Deere equipment, but seeing it firsthand is so special.&nbsp;And what is really cool is that when you spend so much time in these factories, you realize that <a href="https://1851franchise.com/could-robots-be-the-solution-to-the-restaurant-worker-shortage-2715949">automation</a> isn’t necessarily taking jobs away from humans — we’ve found a synergy between the two. It has been such a cool opportunity to meet salt-of-the-earth Americans with incredible engineering degrees and profound technical knowledge.&nbsp;<h4>1851: You dive deep into the history of a lot of major franchise brands, like Pizza Hut and McDonald's. What have been some of the things that surprised you most about the story behind these big restaurant franchise brands?&nbsp;</h4>Richman: For “Modern Marvels”, I got to work at a White Castle location, and I have such a renewed respect for the people who work these jobs every day. You take for granted that you pull up in this semi-circular driveway, shout your order into the abyss, and suddenly the meal you ordered is ready. So many people have to do so much and so much training has to happen before you arrive. When you see a trained staff member running the floor during a busy drive-thru at the height of the pandemic, washing dishes, maintaining the registers, preparing hundreds of sliders a minute — it's clear these are incredible, unsung heroes.&nbsp;It's the little things that go very far. It's like watching the Blue Angels fly — it's the incredible precision that could turn to chaos at any moment. Being on the other side of it and seeing how many people have to do things so well, to achieve these principles that are usually associated with fine dining. It's so impressive. These franchise brands maintain integrity across so many stores.With my new show, “Adam Eats the ‘80s”, I'm on a journey to go back in time and sample specific foods that were prominent in the ‘80s. For six months in 1985, Dominos tried a breakfast pizza initiative, where you got two breakfast pizzas, a cup of coffee and a newspaper. We went within a half-mile of their first-ever Domino’s location in Michigan and had someone from corporate come in and recreate the breakfast pizzas for us. That hasn’t been seen, made or tasted since 1985. We also went to the busiest Cinnabon in the country with the brand’s creator to see how it was founded, the first Auntie Anne’s in Pennsylvania to learn how it went from one store to this massive juggernaut and met the man who invented Orange Chicken at Panda Express. It's been the ultimate learning experience.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://1851-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/story/editor/1646431306_1646169735_Adam-Eats-the-80s-Panda-Express_Credit-Maggie-Shannon.jpg"><figcaption>Photo by Maggie Shannon</figcaption></figure><h4>1851: How do you think these franchise brands have impacted America's restaurant industry overall?&nbsp;</h4>Richman: I believe that these franchise brands give so many people their first job and make affordable food more accessible. The people who turn their nose up at these brands often have the means to go somewhere else, but they offer people something hearty for less money.&nbsp;Another thing I have noticed is ubiquitous across all of these franchise brands — a lot of the people we think of as cornerstones of the food industry all got their start at one of these brands. Duff Goldman worked at McDonald’s, for example, and so many of my friends who are big in the restaurant industry worked at <a href="https://1851franchise.com/subway-rumored-to-be-for-sale-what-franchisees-are-saying-2715477">Subways</a> and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/burger-king-slashes-value-menu-reduces-nugget-count-to-battle-inflation-2718064">Burger Kings</a>. You learn the core principles of the food industry. How to store things properly, clean, food safety, etc. That knowledge is key. Franchise brands also provide a bit of comfort for travelers who are leaving home and want something familiar.&nbsp;These shows also enlightened me on how much hard work went into building these brands. The guy who created Orange Chicken had countless versions before they got the recipe right. The family that built Panda Express took a huge leap of faith and it was a lot of hard work. Or with Miss Fields — no one would give this housewife a loan and she borrowed at a ridiculous interest rate and took the cookies around the block.&nbsp;Even if you may not be a fan of the big brands, the truth of the matter is that the big brands set an example for the little guys. I understand how the cost of real estate and <a href="https://1851franchise.com/supply-chain-issues-continue-as-fast-food-prices-soar-2717952">supply chain issues</a> can make production costs harder on the little guy, but we filmed with Jim Cooke, the guy from Sam Adams Beer, and he hand-writes every invoice and delivers every case of beer. It is important people remember how much hard work it takes to build these massive brands.<h4>1851: As someone who has seen all corners of the food industry, how would you describe the current state of the restaurant and food industry? What are some challenges the industry still has to overcome right now following the COVID-19 pandemic?</h4>Richman: The pandemic kneecapped the industry. Bars suddenly had to serve foods, restaurants that had beautiful interiors could not use them, no one was granting rent amnesty. Suddenly, restaurants that were not set up for take-out or delivery, or heating for outdoor seating, were falling behind. Now, restaurants have to try to accommodate and maintain the integrity of their food in a take-out and delivery setting, even though third-party delivery companies take a <a href="https://1851franchise.com/warning-restaurant-owners-third-party-delivery-services-are-taking-over-2710756">cut of your profits</a> and you're also dealing with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/supply-chain-crisis-should-franchise-brands-turn-to-hoarding-2717359">supply chain issues</a>. Rick Ross had to <a href="https://www.blackenterprise.com/rapper-rick-ross-launches-thighstop-to-stay-competitive-amid-chicken-wing-shortage/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=adam-richman-on-the-franchise-brands-that-built-america-2718109" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pivot</a> to chicken thighs at WingStop!&nbsp;One silver lining is that workers have more power than they have had in the past because of the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/omicrons-spread-perpetuates-restaurant-labor-shortages-supply-chain-issues-2717672">worker shortage</a>. We are seeing big brands offering educational credits and higher wages. Right now, employers are having to entice workers back instead of being laissez-faire. Now, you suddenly have management respecting the worker a bit more than they might have in the past.&nbsp;I also believe restaurants are going to become more inventive in terms of what they do to get an audience in a post-pandemic world. More and more people are also entering the food space, which means more voices are coming to the table and that is very, very special. I hope as we return to normal, we can leverage this creativity and lift the new voices to merge with an existing industry and see a brighter future.

Adam Richman on The Franchise Brands That Built America

1851 Franchise

The "Man vs. Food" and “Adam Eats The ‘80s” star on what he learned traveling the U.S. to experience the country's biggest, best and oldest franchise restaurants.

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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

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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.

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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.

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