1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-ellis-a5b716122/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-he-grew-up-in-a-mcdonalds-dynasty-then-swapped-big-macs-for-lash-extensions-heres-how-hes-bringing-the-mcdonalds-framework-to-the-16-billion-lash-industry-2724297" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jonathan Ellis</a>, founder and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/honestlash/info">Honest Lash</a>, the Texas-based lash extension franchise, wasn’t always the boss. Growing up, he worked every job available in a McDonald’s restaurant, fixing air conditioners, sweeping the dining room, working in the kitchen and managing the team. The Ellis family was one of McDonald’s first franchisees in Texas and came to spend 50 years in the system, so he had plenty of opportunities to learn."I worked in restaurants as a kid, and my dad would put me up on the roofs to fix air conditioners in the summers," Ellis told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/one-entrepreneurs-journey-from-golden-arches-to-lash/463162?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-he-grew-up-in-a-mcdonalds-dynasty-then-swapped-big-macs-for-lash-extensions-heres-how-hes-bringing-the-mcdonalds-framework-to-the-16-billion-lash-industry-2724297" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Entrepreneur</a>. “When I got older, I started working in kitchens and throughout high school and college, started getting some management training.”In 2017, as Ellis’ grandfather was aging and McDonald’s was rolling out a major remodeling effort, the family made the decision to sell. With this, Ellis was able to break into an entirely different industry — education.Ellis opened multiple Sylvan Learning* centers between 2019 and 2020, then the pandemic hit, and mandatory shutdowns put the businesses in a precarious position."My monthly overhead was outrageous, and I just bought these franchises, so there [was] a significant amount of debt," explained Ellis. He was ultimately able to sell 12 of his 15 Sylvan locations, and he began brainstorming what he could do with the three remaining centers to make the most of the real estate he had just invested in."My wife and I came up with a lash concept, a liquor store concept and a pet wash concept," said Ellis. “What was intriguing about lashes was it seemed very niche, but I know once beauty finds its lane, it creates its own industry.”Valued at $1.6 billion in 2021, the lash industry was a strong investment option, and Ellis saw an opportunity to quickly rebrand and launch the business as soon as possible."On Friday, it was a tutoring center, and by Monday, it was a lash studio," he said. “We pulled up all the tables and chairs and the education stuff and moved in a bunch of massage-type chairs and hung some chandeliers.”This process began in 2020 during the week of Thanksgiving. Since then, Ellis has grown from three newly converted locations to four corporate locations and two recently sold franchises. As he continues to expand, Ellis is drawing on the framework he grew to love in the McDonald’s system — and rejecting the less favorable standards — to support his franchisees while maintaining a family business feel.“As we speak, I've got four or five in the pipeline," added Ellis. “We're going hard and heavy in Texas, and we're going to build out this market.”Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/one-entrepreneurs-journey-from-golden-arches-to-lash/463162?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=entrepreneur-he-grew-up-in-a-mcdonalds-dynasty-then-swapped-big-macs-for-lash-extensions-heres-how-hes-bringing-the-mcdonalds-framework-to-the-16-billion-lash-industry-2724297" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit<a href="https://1851franchise.com/honestlash"> https://1851franchise.com/honestlash</a>

Entrepreneur: He Grew Up in a McDonald’s Dynasty Then Swapped Big Macs for Lash Extensions. Here’s How He’s Bringing the ‘McDonald’s Framework’ to the $1.6 Billion Lash Industry

1851 Franchise

Jonathan Ellis grew alongside his father and grandfather in the McDonald’s system, learning what he did and didn’t like. Now, he’s applying this knowledge to lashes.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

entrepreneur-he-grew-up-in-a-mcdonalds-dynasty-then-swapped-big-macs-for-lash-extensions-heres-how-hes-bringing-the-mcdonalds-framework-to-the-16-billion-lash-industry

Lawn Doctor

Happinest-Lawn-Doctor-Franchisee-Ralph-Valle-Profile-Jacksonville-FL-June-2025

From Near-Quit to 7 Figures: Success With Lawn Doctor in Jacksonville, Florida

lawn-doctor-franchise-success-jacksonville

Atomic Wings

Atomic Wings Debuts in Metro East With Fairview Heights Grand Opening

atomic-wings-debuts-in-metro-east-with-fairview-heights-grand-opening

Pet Wants

Pet Wants Shares Expert Tips on Cleaning Pet Gear Safely in the Dishwasher

pet-wants-shares-expert-tips-on-cleaning-pet-gear-safely-in-the-dishwasher

Griswold

Griswold in Andover, Minnesota, Connects Students and Seniors Through Pen Pal Program

griswold-in-andover-minnesota-connects-students-and-seniors-through-pen-pal-program

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Photo of HomeTeam Inspection Service franchisee Max Moarefdoust

Corporate Employee Turned Owner Illustrates the Power of the HomeTeam Model

max-moarefdoust-hometeam-success

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

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

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

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

Entrepreneur: He Grew Up in a McDonald’s Dynasty Then Swapped Big Macs for Lash Extensions. Here’s How He’s Bringing the ‘McDonald’s Framework’ to the $1.6 Billion Lash Industry

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS