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<p>The advantage to becoming a franchisee is a simple premise: follow a proven model and success will follow.</p><div>But for many business-minded entrepreneurs, the path to becoming one&#8217;s own boss varies from person to person. Below you will find five restauranteurs you should know.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Melinda Evans</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Melinda Evans grew up in Troy, Michigan, watching her father run his own business. It seems the apple doesn&#8217;t fall far from the tree.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The attorney-turned-entrepreneur decided to try her hand at franchising, beginning with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen about nine years ago. Now, Evans is the owner of two Popeyes, a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.whichwich.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=five-franchisees-to-know-2800#!/franchise" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Which Which Superior Sandwiches</a> and Swirl&#8217;n Dipity, a frozen yogurt shop.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Evans said she has no intentions of slowing down: she plans to open an additional five to six Which Which locations throughout the region in the coming years.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Dave McMahon</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Dave McMahon is approaching a milestone: the Houston native will soon be celebrating 20 years as a <a href="http://www.smoothiekingfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=five-franchisees-to-know-2800" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Smoothie King</a> franchisee. With 25 locations in operation, McMahon plans to have more than 30 units open by the end of 2016.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>As the healthy-eating category continues to put a chokehold on the restaurant industry, McMahon recognizes the advantages of continued development with Smoothie King.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;They have a great product and as an active person I just loved the whole concept: that a smoothie had function and you could get the protein and electrolytes your body needs,&#8221; he said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Keith Kaminskas</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>A veteran of franchising, Keith Kaminskas got his first taste of the industry when he was a 14-year-old Dunkin&#8217; Donuts employee.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>In his early 20s, Kaminskas entered the franchising world when he and a business partner purchased a <a href="http://www.ownaritas.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=five-franchisees-to-know-2800" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rita&#8217;s Italian Ice</a> location. Now, at 42, he also owns and manages a number of Dunkin&#8217; Donuts locations throughout Bergen County in New Jersey, and he recently opened a <a href="http://www.mooyahfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=five-franchisees-to-know-2800" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MOOYAH Burgers, Fries and Shakes</a> in Old Tappan, New Jersey.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Kaminskas said he believes if you serve good food in a clean environment, you can&#8217;t go wrong.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>Jon and Jon Crowe</strong></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Father and son franchisees Jon and Jon Crowe found a new way to bond. As owners of <a href="http://www.toppersfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=five-franchisees-to-know-2800" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toppers Pizza</a> in Lincoln, Nebraska, the duo discovered the brand online and decided to take a road trip to experience the concept for themselves. Impressed by the variety offered by the brand, they were unable to control their appetite, and their first order totaled nearly $100.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>&#8220;It came so fast and was really good, so we were immediately impressed with the quality, the people and their attitude. I really liked their number one core value was integrity. Everybody there has integrity, and their aspect of customer service is incredible,&#8221; the youngest Crowe said.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Now, the father/son combo is preparing to expand throughout Nebraska with intentions of opening more Lincoln locations, as well as establishing a presence in Omaha.</div>

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