1851

In the world of franchising, just like in all of business, it takes money to make money. While costs vary significantly depending on the concept, opening a restaurant as a franchisee, for example, can easily cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million. Additionally, most franchise concepts have high minimum net worth requirements and require prospective owners to prove strong credit and invest a lot of cash. As a result, some experts have argued franchising is an industry exclusively for those who already have significant wealth. Now, as the business world grows more and more socially conscious, there are some franchisors looking to change the system.&nbsp;<figure class="media"><oembed url="https://youtu.be/5woUkvCyVlI"></oembed></figure><h4>How Everytable Came Up With a Plan To Disrupt the Franchising World</h4><a href="https://www.everytable.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Everytable</a> is a “social enterprise” based out of Los Angeles that looks to make healthy food more affordable by cutting down on food production costs and selling meals at prices based on the income of the neighborhood in which the store is located.Like many businesses, when the company decided to expand across the country, they began looking into franchising, according to an <a href="https://bigthink.com/technology-innovation/social-enterprise-franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">article</a> on Big Think. But <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/polksam?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CEO Sam Polk</a> was immediately confronted with the fact that expensive franchising costs could undermine the accessibility-focused mission of Everytable.&nbsp;“Franchising, like so many industries in America, is for people who come from privilege and have had the chance to accumulate wealth,” Polk said in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5woUkvCyVlI&amp%3Bt=156s&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a video</a> with Freethink. “And we looked at the reality of the situation — talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not.”So, the company came up with an idea: Instead of targeting millionaires or investment groups, the brand’s “<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_news/everytable-kicks-off-social-equity-franchise-program/article_b893319a-5762-11eb-8686-439330cf4496.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Social Equity Franchise Program</a>” would help Everytable employees from marginalized communities open their own franchise locations through free training and low interest loans. Everytable employees must work as store managers for at least six months to enter the program, but from there, becoming a franchisee requires no upfront capital.“The average cost of an Everytable location is $250,000,” <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-fluellen-8307468?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bryce Fluellen</a>, executive director of Everytable’s franchise program, told <a href="https://www.blackenterprise.com/a-pioneering-social-equity-restaurant-franchise-aims-to-fix-industrys-discriminatory-practices/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Black Enterprise</a>. “However, the loan repayment doesn’t begin until the store starts to make a profit. Additionally, because most entrepreneurs of color often don’t have a cushion to fall back on, Everytable franchisees are guaranteed an annual salary of $40,000 in their first three years in business.”Once the loans are paid off, ideally, all restaurant profits would go directly into the owner’s pocket, Fluellen told Freethink.<h4>Where Everytable Gets the Money</h4>Perhaps the most notably innovative aspect of Everytable’s program is that the critical capital for all these low interest loans comes from charitable foundations, such as the <a href="https://www.wkkf.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">W.K. Kellogg Foundation</a>, <a href="https://annenberg.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the Annenberg Foundation</a> and <a href="https://www.calwellness.org/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the California Wellness Foundation</a>. Every year, foundations like these are required to give away a small portion of their massive, billion-dollar endowments — around 5% — to causes aligned with their missions.&nbsp;Traditionally, the other 95% of that endowment money would be reinvested in the stock market, according to the Freethink video. But some organizations, such as those working with Everytable, are trying to come up with creative ways to put their investment into people as opposed to Wall Street.&nbsp;“We are expecting that we will get a return on investment on those dollars, that we can then plow back into providing additional loans through programs like Everytable,” said Cal Wellness CEO <a href="https://www.calwellness.org/staff-and-board/judy-belk/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Judy Belk</a>. “Why not use that capital to invest in the communities that we're supposed to serve?”As the Freethink video points out, if more of these foundations invested just 1% of their annual endowments to similar entrepreneurial programs for underprivileged communities, they could fund 80,000 of these Everytable loans.<h4>How Everytable Could Set a Valuable Precedent Moving Forward</h4>Now, if Everytable’s long-term plan of opening thousands of franchise locations across the country is successful, its socially-conscious approach to franchising could significantly impact the trajectory of the industry at large. Whether it be retail, foodservice or fitness concepts, franchisors could implement this type of program and create new pathways for disadvantaged Americans to secure generational wealth.Everytable isn’t the only franchisor recognizing the need for change in the franchising industry. <a href="https://www.theupsstorefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">UPS</a>, for example, recently <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2021/07/10/ups-offering-financial-incentive-to-minority-franchisees/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">announced</a> a diversity ownership program that allows minority and LGBTQ+ franchisees to open a company store for $15,000 — half the standard $30,000 price.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorcia-white-brake-41541224/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever-2716408" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dorcia White-Brake</a>, a tenured Everytable employee and the brand’s first franchisee, is a single mother with three kids. Prior to getting a job at Everytable in L.A., Brake told Freethink she went through a divorce, lost her home and had to work several jobs while attending school on nights and weekends. Now, after working her way up to store manager and brand ambassador, Everytable’s innovative franchising model is giving her a rare path to entrepreneurship.&nbsp;“I’ve worked very hard to get to this point in my life,” Blake told Freethink. “I believe poor people just need some extra help. I never ask for handouts. I don’t want free this or free that. I just want to be able to have the same opportunities given to me and my children.”

Franchising for the Disenfranchised: How This Socially-Minded Franchise Model Could Change the Industry Forever

1851 Franchise

With the goal of providing entrepreneurial opportunities to those who need it most, a health food concept out of Los Angeles came up with a plan to fund franchisees through charitable foundations.

franchising-for-the-disenfranchised-how-this-socially-minded-franchise-model-could-change-the-industry-forever

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Photo of two people sitting together, holding mugs, smiling at each other

Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Expands to St. George, UT

seniors-helping-seniors-in-home-care-services-expands-to-st-george-ut

Mosquito Hunters

Design with Mosquito Hunters, Pest Hunters, and Humbug Holiday Lighting branded vehicle

Scaling the Rockies: Brad Goins’ Remote Success With Pest Hunters-Mosquito Hunters-Humbug Holiday Lighting in Colorado

remote-franchise-ownership-success-pest-hunters-mosquito-hunters-humbug-lighting

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® and TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK® Celebrate Franchise Success at Annual Conference

two-men-and-a-truck-and-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-celebrate-franchise-success-at-annual-conference

USA Ninja Challenge

How Dale Grant Used Three Decades of Gymnastics Expertise to Build USA Ninja Challenge

how-dale-grant-used-three-decades-of-gymnastics-expertise-to-build-usa-ninja-challenge

Preservan

Preservan Celebrates First-Ever BrightPath Gathering: Lighting the Way for Community and Sustainability

preservan-celebrates-first-ever-brightpath-gathering-lighting-the-way-for-community-and-sustainability

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 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

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Hooters Bankruptcy - Chapter 11 - April 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Files for Bankruptcy, Sells Restaurants to Franchisee Group

hooters-bankruptcy-chapter-11-april-2025

Fly Dance Fitness Expands With First Franchise Location in Georgia

fly-dance-fitness-franchise-expansion

&pizza - Fast-Casual Pizza Chain Begins Franchising - 1851 Franchise

&pizza Embraces Franchising To Fuel Bold New Growth Strategy

andpizza-franchising-ceo-mike-burns

CFOs See Recession as Likely in ’25; Why Now Is the Time To Water the Franchise Buyer Seeds

cfos-see-recession-as-likely-in-25-why-now-is-the-time-to-water-the-franchise-buyer-seeds

Franchise Deep Dive: Studio Pilates Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

franchise-deep-dive-studio-pilates-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchise Deep Dive: The UPS Store Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit, and Data

franchise-deep-dive-the-ups-store-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Lindora’s New President Discusses Franchise Growth and the Future of Health and Wellness

lindoras-new-president-discusses-franchise-growth-and-the-future-of-health-and-wellness

SoBol’s President and COO Shares Growth Journey and Franchise Vision

sobols-president-and-coo-shares-growth-journey-and-franchise-vision

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Paris Baguette Ranks Among Top Franchises on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500® for 2025

paris-baguette-ranks-among-top-franchises-on-entrepreneurs-franchise-500-for-2025

Florida Franchisee Reflects on Success and Growth with Sylvan Learning

florida-franchisee-reflects-on-success-and-growth-with-sylvan-learning

The Top Quick Service Restaurant Franchises for 2025

the-top-quick-service-restaurant-franchises

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Top 25 Emerging Restaurant Concepts to Consider in 2025

top-emerging-restaurant-concepts-to-consider

Military Veteran and Craft Beer Enthusiast to Bring Voodoo Brewing Co. to Toledo, Ohio

military-veteran-and-craft-beer-enthusiast-to-bring-voodoo-brewing-co-to-toledo-ohio

Franchising for the Disenfranchised: How This Socially-Minded Franchise Model Could Change the Industry Forever

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS