1851

After 8 NFL seasons as a player and 4 as an NFL coach, Justin Griffith built his career on helping his team size up the competition on the gridiron. &nbsp;Now, he&rsquo;s learning to size up the Xs and Os of the franchise game as a <a href="http://www.famoustoastery.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sizing-up-the-opportunity-how-to-tackle-your-first-franchise-business-2705138" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Famous Toastery</a> franchise owner.

&ldquo;The thing I really liked about franchising is that the hard work is already done. People have already tested out everything and most of the franchises have a system. They can tell you how to run it and what areas you need to be in. It&rsquo;s similar to playing &ndash; when you bring college players in on a team, you are taught a system. You&rsquo;re taught how to run offense and complete plays. Franchises give you a playbook and if you follow the playbook you have a chance to be successful.&rdquo;

As he works towards a 2018 opening of his uptown Charlotte, North Carolina location, he knows he needs to rely on more than a playbook to build and sustain a successful franchise business.

Rely and trust on your team

As in sports, teammates are crucial to executing a game plan. Franchising is no different. Griffith relies heavily on the advice of his parents and in-laws who have extensive small business experience.

&ldquo;My dad started a tire company in Mississippi behind his house and now owns a store downtown. I talked to him about the ins and outs of business. What to expect in slow months vs. better months&hellip;. My in-laws started 3 day-care centers in Charlotte.&rdquo;

Griffith&rsquo;s parents-in-law knowledge and network in the Charlotte area has proven invaluable for Griffith. They helped introduce him to the city&rsquo;s Chamber of Commerce who will happen to be his neighbors at his upcoming uptown location.

Griffith also relies heavily on fellow Famous Toastery franchise owners, rookies and veterans alike, to ensure personal success and success for the larger brand.

&ldquo;Now you can group text and email with the existing franchisees. &nbsp;We ask questions and get answers back. We&rsquo;re all trying to grow the brand together. We want to keep each other accountable.&rdquo;

Listen to your coaches 

<a href="https://mosquitojoefranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sizing-up-the-opportunity-how-to-tackle-your-first-franchise-business-2705138" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mosquito Joe</a> Chief Operating Officer of Mosquito, Lou Schager, advocates that when choosing a franchisor partner it is important to choose &ldquo;a brand that best fits your long-term goals, financial position, compatibility and the expectation for support.&nbsp; An inexperienced franchisee can excel and succeed in any size brand, as long as they conduct their due diligence and identify a brand that fits them well.&rdquo;

Once the right franchisor partner is found, don&rsquo;t hesitate to rely on them and ask them (a lot of) questions during the buying process and during the setup of the location. A good partner will be there for you every step of the way.

&ldquo;I got to know Robert (Maynard) and the team for months before I ended up partnering with Famous Toastery&hellip;. They are always working for you. They have your back,&rdquo; said Griffith.

Buying and setting up a successful franchise business is hard work. Schager refers to the &ldquo;drinking from a fire hose&rdquo; analogy a lot with franchisees he works with.

&ldquo;Therefore, be a sponge in learning all aspects of the business and strive to become &lsquo;brilliant at the basics&rsquo; by remaining engaged with the franchisor, fellow franchisees and of course, your customers &ndash; all who can provide invaluable feedback to grow your business.&nbsp; Lastly and most importantly, be resilient and prepare to learn from your mistakes as everyone experiences ups and downs, especially in their first year.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Sizing Up The Opportunity: How To Tackle Your First Franchise Business

1851 Franchise

Starting your first successful franchise business can all hinge on properly sizing up the opportunity and recognizing there is power in numbers.

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

sizing-up-the-opportunity-how-to-tackle-your-first-franchise-business

Pool Scouts

Pool Scouts Franchise - 2025 Annual Convention - Dallas TX - 1851 Franchise

Pool Scouts' 2025 Conference Sets the Stage for the Brand's Next Phase of Growth

pool-scouts-2025-conference-recap

Home Halo

image of a home halo franchisee elder care business owner franchisee

Why Home Halo Franchise Owners Don’t Just Run a Senior Home Care Business — They Lead a Local Care Company

why-home-halo-franchise-owners-become-local-care-leaders

image of usa veteran franchising and franchisee owner for home halo elder care franchise

Why Home Care Franchising Is the Next Big Growth Market and How Home Halo is Leading the Way

home-care-growth-market-home-halo-leads

image of home halo senior care franchisee

How Home Halo Is Helping Franchisees Thrive in the Booming Home Care Market

home-halo-franchise-vs-independent-success

home halo franchise fast-growing senior care market franchise opportunity costs

What It Costs To Open a Home Halo Franchise.       

home-halo-franchise-costs

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

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

Domino's Franchise - North Pole - Dec 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Domino’s Pizza Brings Delivery Cheer to North Pole, Alaska

dominos-pizza-franchise-north-pole-alaska

California Pizza Kitchen’s Sale Is the Latest in the Era of PE-Backed Turnarounds in Franchising

california-pizza-kitchens-sale-is-the-latest-in-the-era-of-pe-backed-turnarounds-in-franchising

Buying a fitness franchise, people exercising

Boutique vs. Big Box Gym Franchises: Which Offers Best ROI in the $7 Billion Fitness Market?

buy-fitness-franchise-boutique-big-box-comparison

Pieology Pizza Enters Chapter 11 Following Costly Bid To Save Struggling Stores

pieology-pizza-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy

CNBC: McDonald’s Will Assess if Franchisees Are Offering Value for Customers Under New Standards

mcdonalds-franchise-standards-value-metric

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

What Makes Mellow Mushroom a Strong Franchise Investment? Insights From the Panos Family’s Metro Atlanta Portfolio

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Eli Cohen, Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

C5 Restaurants Grows its Texas Footprint with 40 Layne’s Chicken Fingers Locations Planned Statewide

eli-cohen-laynes-chicken-fingers-texas

image of stephen westerman and matthew westerman, owners Fort Walton Beach Two men and a junk truck

Twin Brothers Move From Managers to Owners with New TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK Franchise on the Gulf Coast

twin-brothers-two-men-and-a-junk-truck-fort-walton-beach

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

Do You Qualify? A Look at the Chick-fil-A Franchise Requirements

do-you-qualify-a-look-at-the-chick-fil-a-franchise-requirements

The Top 15 Pet Wellness and Vet Care Franchises for 2025

top-pet-wellness-franchise-opportunities

The Top 15 Pet Supplies and Retail Franchises for 2025

the-top-15-pet-supplies-and-retail-franchises

The 15 Top Pet Grooming Franchises To Consider for 2025

Sizing Up The Opportunity: How To Tackle Your First Franchise Business

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS