Fran X | Founder Syndrome is Highly Contagious, Avoid at All Costs

The Next McDonalds (Big Idea)

Building a Legacy through Multi-Unit Franchise Ownership

Multi-unit franchise ownership creates growth and legacy building opportunities for franchisors and franchisees. Franchisees benefit from the business and income building opportunities created by multi-unit ownership and franchisors benefit from better performing business oriented franchisees focused on growth and committed to building organizations.

Of course, these benefits all depend on execution, selecting the right franchisor and selecting the right franchisees. There are many variables to getting this right, and below are some that we know can help franchisors and franchisees create legacy building multi-unit franchise opportunities:

• Build Your Bench - For good reason franchisors are focused on attracting the current generation of proven multi-unit franchisee winners or, at least, an older generation of well capitalized corporate refugees with aspirations of multi-unit ownership. That’s great, but don’t overlook the next generation of 35 and under franchisee candidates that may be starting off small but that can be coached into high performing franchisees and the future stars of your system.
• Don’t Hunt for Whales - If you are an emerging brand, attending multi-unit conferences and spending money chasing and attempting to attract established multi-unit franchisees is not the best use of your time and capital. Focus on building your bench.
• Build a Science Around your Economics - Starting with your Item 19 financial performance representation, multi-unit franchisees and smart farm system bench building franchisees need to see a proven science of your franchise economics. Start-up costs, positive ROI, and unit level economics that demonstrate profitability, and potential business and organization building opportunities around multi-unit ownership.
• Coach Your Franchisees - Every franchisee should be on-boarded with an expectation of beginning with the end in mind. What success can look like in years 1, 2, 3, and 4, and how to achieve multi-unit ownership that requires a commitment to building capital reserves to fuel long-term growth.

Most multi-unit development agreements never achieve their development goals. Think of the lost opportunity. It doesn't have to be this way!

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Killer Brands

Deer Solution Some deer facts:

1. Deer have been around for over 15 million years
2. Deer can run up to 30 miles an hour
3. Deer love to eat vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and even trees
4. Bobcats, coyotes, and mountain lions prey on deer

Unless you live in an area populated with bobcats and other predators, chances are that the deer we all love to see in the woods surrounding our neighborhoods are wreaking havoc on our gardens and landscaping.

What follows next is OPPORTUNITY. Like all great service based brands, the Deer Solution team took a fragmented, unfocused, and underrecognized industry and created a winning brand. Low start-up costs, multi-territory opportunities, repeat customer business model, and a management team focused on coaching, mentorship, and delivering a business building opportunity.

Franchisees Kicking Ass: The Franchisee is King

The Great Franchisee: Kate Kelleher, BeBalanced Hormone Weight Loss Centers*, Pittsburgh

Kelleher climbed Mt. Everest without losing a pound. BeBalanced helped her realize why. Now, she’s a multi-unit franchisee with the fast-growing weight loss concept.

In 2016, Kate Kelleher trekked more than 150 miles to Mt. Everest’s base camp, and she did so without shedding a pound. That’s when she first realized that her weight was not tied exclusively to her diet and exercise habits. When she discovered BeBalanced* Hormone Weight Loss Centers, she learned why. The 25-unit health and wellness franchise offers an innovative and effective approach to weight loss and overall health that targets and rectifies hormone imbalances through an all-natural and non-medical approach.

Kelleher’s experience with the brand was so successful, she decided to invest. Now, Kelleher is a multi-unit franchisee with BeBalanced, operating three locations in the Greater Pittsburgh area.

Yo Broker, Sell My Franchise

6 Entertainment Franchises We Love

As consumers get back into the swing of things after more than a year of COVID quarantine protocols, many of them are looking for a little fun, which could translate to big business for entertainment franchises.

For entrepreneurs interested in getting a piece of the action, here are six of our favorite entertainment franchises.

810 Billiards & Bowling**

In the six years since its founding, 810 Billiards & Bowling has established itself as one of the most innovative and exciting new entertainment brands in franchising. The full-service dining and gaming concept, which bills itself as an “eatertainment” franchise, currently has six units in markets across the U.S., three of which were opened just last year.

Urban Air Adventure Park

Launching its franchise opportunity in 2014, Urban Air Adventure Park offers more than just trampolines. The adventure park offers bumper cars, zip lines and more. The brand has rebounded nicely from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Franchise Times, since reopening their facilities in March of 2021, Urban Air Adventure Parks “have been in the top 10 in revenue across the 150 active parks in the Urban Air franchise system”.

Wall of Books

This bookstore franchise offers avid readers an extensive variety of literature and even a localized education on the communities they serve. Not only can Wall of Books customers buy new novels, they can also sell and trade used books, offering a special community experience for consumers.

Ninja Nation

Inspired by the game "American Ninja Warrior", the Ninja Nation business launched in 2017 and began franchising in 2019. Earlier this year, Franchise Times reported the entertainment franchise signed a 10-unit development deal in Texas. With just five units open, the deal is poised to triple Ninja Nation's footprint.

LOL Kids Club

This children’s entertainment brand has only been franchising since 2021 and are actively seeking new franchises throughout the U.S. and worldwide. The fledgling franchise has only three units so far, located in Las Vegas and Ontario, Canada. LOL Kids Club offers families and entertainment and event center with a premier indoor playground.

Pinot’s Palette

Now that we have covered the kids, this entertainment franchise is best suited for parents looking for a night out or adults looking to catch up with old friends. Pinot’s Palette claims to be the “paint and sip franchise industry leader”. Since the company started franchising in 2010, the brand now has over 100 units. Pinot’s Palette offers anyone 21 and older to bring their own drinks for the in-studio paint classes and private parties.

The Bottom Thoughts

Short term mindset? Buckle up and be boutique FOREVER.

So many founders have this special business disease called Founders Syndrome – a very contagious disease that prevents growth because it's all about saving money versus thinking long term.

This awful disease causes leaders to keep their wallets tight, not spend, take short cuts on people and processes, and ultimately have big dreams that find a very sad graveyard.

Unfortunately, many founders have this disease. They get stuck in lifestyles or false expectations. The amazing thing is that they spend tons of money over the course of time, but keep the bursts so small that they never gain momentum. They are constantly disappointed and sacrifice winning in exchange for savings and short term gain. They claim to be all about culture, growth, and people – yet the actions tell a much different story. They are 100 percent entrepreneurs, but they are not business-minded. They constantly think they are the smartest person in the room, but oftentimes, the smartest person in the room (likely in ops) simply brushes them off as irreverent.

Know someone who has this disease? Know someone who has these side effects? You can coach them, guide them, and lead them toward a pathway of larger riches and bigger picture thinking – but, you better buckle up for a large fight, because the founder always knows best. Until, wait for it, they hit the bottom.

And oftentimes, at the bottom, they see a glimpse of what could be. They have this entrepreneurial guardian angel visit and say, “yo, invest now – make riches later”. And then, a small fraction of founders turn things around and make big moves. And those big moves gain them the exits or investments they desire.

It’s not hard to grow a business, it is hard to nail the fundamentals.