1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lehan-b533b918/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-busboy-surpassed-his-childhood-dreams-by-investing-in-a-village-inn-franchise-2723920" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Danny Lehan</a> knew what he wanted from a very young age. At only 16 years old, as he worked hard cleaning tables, he told his parents he would own a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.villageinnfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-busboy-surpassed-his-childhood-dreams-by-investing-in-a-village-inn-franchise-2723920" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Village Inn</a> one day. His love for people and his confidence in the brand kept him invested all this time, and his dream of owning his own Village Inn has been surpassed; Lehan is now the owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.villageinnfranchising.com/featured/interview-danny-lehan/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-this-busboy-surpassed-his-childhood-dreams-by-investing-in-a-village-inn-franchise-2723920" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">nine Village Inn franchise locations</a> in Florida.1851 Franchise spoke to Lehan about his franchising journey with Village Inn.PROFILE QUESTIONS1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us.&nbsp;What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?&nbsp;Lehan:&nbsp;I started out with Village Inn in August 1990 as a busboy. I worked my way up. I was a busboy for about two years. Then I became a dishwasher, then a server, then a manager. I moved away from the restaurant, and I started being a general manager of other locations. When I was 16, I told my parents I’d own it someday. On August 1, 2011, I bought a franchise and took over my current restaurant.When I joined the company, I absolutely loved it. I was the guy that had the job and the car, and I was able to drive my friends because of the work I got from Village Inn. I fell in love with the brand, food and people. I just went forward from there.1851: What was your perception of franchising prior to becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you are in it?Lehan:&nbsp;I had no perceptions, but I learned very quickly. Just be prepared that it's not always a downward slide. Success always looks like a knot. It's a challenge every day: a lot of success, a lot of ups and downs, but the ups always make up for the downs.1851:&nbsp;What made you pick this brand? What excites you most about this company?This is my first and only job. I never left. it's what I know. I’m very proficient. I understand it. I love people. I think that’s the secret of my success: my love of people and serving them. &nbsp;1851:&nbsp;What do you hope to achieve with your business? What are your plans for growth?&nbsp;We are building our ninth restaurant, which will open the second week of November hopefully. We are going to reimage with BBQ Holdings. We are changing the almost 70-year-old brand and refreshing it, making sure it’s relevant.&nbsp;We have been very blessed. Locations come to us. We take a look at any opportunities that are available.1851:&nbsp;What is the one thing about your story you want us to know?This is my first and only job. You never see that nowadays. People jump ship. It has been 33 years, and I'm still in love with the brand. The brand is something that is active in the community. It is something that you feel just besides eating and drinking. It's something that we have great passion for. Everyday people can feel and touch the brand; it’s accessible.1851:&nbsp;What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming a franchise owner?Don’t give up. If there’s a wall, we always say “build a door.” Don't give up. Keep chasing it. You’ll see a lot of doors begin to open. What continually happens in our organization specifically is that success creates more success and opportunity. It continues to compound with the growth. We moved quickly to nine stores safely, and that's because the success and opportunity presented itself. When it knocks, we always answer.About Village InnVillage Inn first opened its doors in 1958 and has become an admired comfort food staple nationwide. Now, over 60 years later, Village Inn continues to expand and improve its offerings. The store design has recently been refreshed to offer a warm, welcoming and modern atmosphere for customers to enjoy made-from-scratch pancakes and pies. Village Inn’s pie business is legendary and its boozy brunches are gaining popularity. Now, with plans for nationwide expansion, it is the perfect time to join the Village Inn family with a franchise of your own.&nbsp; About BBQ Holdings&nbsp;BBQ Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BBQ) is a national restaurant company engaged in franchising, ownership and operation of casual and fast dining restaurants. As of March 14, 2022, BBQ Holdings had multiple brands with over 100 company-owned locations and over 200 franchised locations, including ghost kitchens operating out of the kitchen of another restaurant location or shared kitchen space. While BBQ Holdings continues to diversify its ownership in the restaurant community, it was founded with the principle of combining the “art and science” of barbecue to serve up the very best of the best to barbecue lovers everywhere. Along with a wide variety of BBQ favorites served at their BBQ restaurants, BBQ Holdings also operates Granite City Food and Brewery restaurants, which offer award-winning craft beer and a made-from-scratch, chef driven menu featuring contemporary American cuisine. Village Inn and Bakers Square add a legendary family dining element to BBQ Holdings, with these concepts specializing in breakfast and pies. Tahoe Joe’s is known for their pellet-broiler cooked and smoked infused steak.

How This Busboy Surpassed His Childhood Dreams by Investing in a Village Inn Franchise 

1851 Franchise

Danny Lehan started his employment with Village Inn at 16. Now, 33 years later, he is just as passionate about the brand and is a proud franchise owner.

how-this-busboy-surpassed-his-childhood-dreams-by-investing-in-a-village-inn-franchise

Griswold

Griswold Closes Out 2024 with 21 New Franchises Awarded Across the U.S.

griswold-closes-out-2024-with-21-new-franchises-awarded-across-the-us

Harri

Quincy Valencia, Harri’s SVP of Innovation, on Empowering Frontline Workers Through Technology and Engagement

quincy-valencia-harris-svp-of-innovation-on-empowering-frontline-workers-through-technology-and-engagement

United Water Restoration Group

United Water Restoration Group Wraps up 2024 With Strong Growth and Innovative New Initiatives

united-water-restoration-group-wraps-up-2024-with-strong-growth-and-innovative-new-initiatives

Caring Transitions

Why Franchisees Should Choose Caring Transitions Over In-Home Senior Care Franchises

why-franchisees-should-choose-caring-transitions-over-in-home-senior-care-franchises

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette: The Category Winner Outshining Both Bakery and Eatery Concepts

paris-baguette-the-category-winner-outshining-both-bakery-and-eatery-concepts

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

Login

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Jersey Mike’s Hits 3,000 Locations Amid Unprecedented Growth

jersey-mikes-hits-3000-locations-amid-unprecedented-growth

Fast Company: KFC Introduces Spin Off Restaurant, Saucy

fast-company-kfc-introduces-spin-off-restaurant-saucy

Subway Seals the Deal: PepsiCo Beverages Coming to U.S. Locations in 2025

subway-seals-the-deal-pepsico-beverages-coming-to-us-locations-in-2025

Malaysian Franchise Association (MFA) - AFC and FIM 2025 - 1851 Franchise News

Malaysia Focuses on Franchise Growth Through AFC and FIM 2025

malaysia-focuses-on-franchise-growth-through-afc-and-fim-2025

Hilton and Grubhub Expand Mobile Delivery Services to Over 2,600 Hotels

hilton-and-grubhub-expand-mobile-delivery-services-to-over-2600-hotels

How Diego Ruiz and Mauricio Blanco Are Growing Pollo Campero

From Family Business to Franchise Success: How Diego Ruiz and Mauricio Blanco Are Growing Pollo Campero

from-family-business-to-franchise-success-how-diego-ruiz-and-mauricio-blanco-are-growing-pollo-campero

Serial Entrepreneur Launches Kona Ice in Downtown Las Vegas, Bringing Refreshing Fun to the Community

serial-entrepreneur-launches-kona-ice-in-downtown-las-vegas-bringing-refreshing-fun-to-the-community

Award-Winning Allstate Agency Owners to Bring Compassionate Care to Cupertino, California, with New Griswold Franchise

award-winning-allstate-agency-owners-to-bring-compassionate-care-to-cupertino-california-with-new-griswold-franchise

"We Belong To The Community": Melting Pot Fort Collins Celebrates 20 Years

we-belong-to-the-community-melting-pot-fort-collins-celebrates-20-years

The Top 10 Dessert Franchises Santa Would Love

the-top-10-dessert-franchises-santa-would-love

100% Chiropractic's Mission to Transform Health Care Through Education and Wellness

100-chiropractics-mission-to-transform-health-care-through-education-and-wellness

How to Leverage Franchisee Validation To Grow Your Franchise

How This Busboy Surpassed His Childhood Dreams by Investing in a Village Inn Franchise

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS