1851

Franchising wasn&#8217;t really on Dave Wells&#8217; radar growing up. Wells graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a bachelor&#8217;s degree in 2001 and found himself job searching smack dab in the middle of one of the toughest job markets the country has seen. &#8220;I found the industry by accident after struggling for months to find the perfect career opportunity, when I accepted a position in the Mail Boxes Etc. mailroom for $9.00 an hour,&#8221; said Wells. &#8220;But I stayed in the industry on purpose.&#8221;Wells ended up sticking with the company, which would later become The UPS Store, holding various franchise development roles over a 10-year period and ultimately was part of the development team that managed the tremendous surge of interest immediately following the rebranding and the subsequent growth that occurred. &#8220;I was in a position that gave me the opportunity to learn how rapid growth affects an organization and how to avoid pitfalls in the process,&#8221; he said.Earning his MBA in business management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2011, Wells began to think about what would be next as he was ready for new a concept and a new challenge. Shortly after completing his degree, Wells was recruited by a former colleague who had transitioned to Sport Clips and was hired as the Director of Franchise Administration in 2012.Recently promoted to Director of Franchising, Wells has a positive outlook on life, his career and his vision for the<a href="http://sportclipsfranchise.com/1851?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sport-clips-executive-appreciates-power-of-franchising-2519" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Sport Clips</a> brand:1851: You found franchising by accident, but then decided it was the industry for you, why?DW: As I worked my way up and began to immerse myself in franchising, I learned to appreciate the relationships, both internal and external, that drive the industry. I love the community that is franchising. At annual events you see the same people year after year, they might have a different logo on their shirt, but the people and the relationships that drive the business are what keep me interested.1851: Why are you passionate about the Sport Clips brand?DW: When I was introduced to <a href="http://www.sportclipsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=sport-clips-executive-appreciates-power-of-franchising-2519" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sport Clips</a>, I saw a strong brand with clear vision on the brink of something big. They were just about to hit 900 stores and I knew that it would be an exciting place to be as they pushed past 1,000 and toward 2,000. As far as passion, the business model is very strong and that makes you feel good about what you are doing. Our Team Leaders (franchisees) are successful and that leads to a lot of harmony in our network. Our Team Leaders work cooperatively with our Support Team staff and that collaboration is a big reason you see Sport Clips pushing the store sales growth we have. Our stores have averaged 8.5% annual sales growth over the last five years! That kind of performance tends to make people happy!1851: What personal experiences have you taken lessons from that you now find yourself applying to your work?DW: Outside of work, most of my time is invested in my family. I&#8217;ve got three young children, boys ages 9 and 8 and a 3-year-old girl. The challenges associated with raising kids are surprisingly similar to those of managing people. Each one is different, has different motivations, different talents and different expectations. Understanding what drives them, what they need from me, knowing when to challenge them and when to lend a hand, etc. All of those things apply equally in my role as a father as they do in my role as a business leader. 1851: What are some of the biggest challenges you&#8217;ve faced in your current role and how have you overcome them?DW: In any organization that is growing at the pace that Sport Clips is, you will find some challenges. Gordon Logan has done a great job of steering the organization and avoiding many of the pitfalls smaller franchisors tend to stumble into by projecting a strong vision and maintaining high standards. Still, as we continue to grow, we find some of our systems and processes are lagging behind and are no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the business. Thankfully, Pete Lindsey (VP of Franchising) and I work well together and tend to be system and process focused. We&#8217;ve been able to focus on areas that needed shoring up and, working with our strong executive team, make the adjustments necessary to keep the administrative side of the business ahead of the curve.1851: What do you enjoy most about your work?DW: I enjoy the opportunity to help others. Both franchisee candidates who are looking to fulfil lifelong dreams and those who report up through me. Nothing is more exciting than helping someone achieve something that improves their quality of life. Watching a new franchisee open their first store or watching a subordinate associate learn and develop new skill sets that ultimately earn them new opportunities are some of the most rewarding things I find in my position.1851: What&#8217;s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?DW: That I am a really good cook! On the weekends I love putting together an elaborate meal and feeding friends and neighbors. My mom is a great Cajun cook from Southern Louisiana and gave me a good head start in the kitchen. I love experimenting with cuisines from all over the world, but a good Cajun inspired meal or Central Texas inspired slow smoked BBQ are among my favorites.While that fateful $9.00 an hour mailroom position was a harsh slap of reality at the time for new college graduate, Wells says it was a transformative experience that ultimately set him on the path leading him to where he is today. Proud of where he&#8217;s come, but eager for what&#8217;s yet to come, Wells is prepared to work hard to do his part in continuing to move the Sport Clips brand in a positive direction.

1851 Franchise

The relationships that form franchising are important to Dave Wells 

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

Sport Clips Executive Appreciates Power of Franchising 

sport-clips-executive-appreciates-power-of-franchising

Mosquito Squad Plus

How This Marine Corps Veteran Found Freedom and Purpose With Mosquito Squad

how-this-marine-corps-veteran-found-freedom-and-purpose-with-mosquito-squad

Spadea Lignana Franchise Attorneys

How The DeFelice Brothers Turned a $10,000 Loan Into an Award-Winning Franchise With Help From Spadea Lignana

how-the-defelice-brothers-turned-a-10000-loan-into-an-award-winning-franchise-with-help-from-spadea-lignana

Caring Transitions

How This Gilbert Entrepreneur Found Purpose Helping Families Through Life’s Transitions

how-this-gilbert-entrepreneur-found-purpose-helping-families-through-lifes-transitions

USA Ninja Challenge

Where Passion Meets Purpose: USA Ninja Challenge Gives Franchisees the Power to Change Lives

where-passion-meets-purpose-usa-ninja-challenge-gives-franchisees-the-power-to-change-lives

SweatHouz

From Finance to Wellness: Natalie Siewers’ Path to Leading SweatHouz in Northern Virginia

sweathouz-franchise-northern-virginia-natalie-siewers

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

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

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

image  of Happinest franchise collection and all their brands that work together. 

The Happinest Advantage: A Marketing Partner Invested in Your Bottom Line

happinest-franchise-marketing-strategy

Ty McBride on Turning Preservan Into a Franchise: No Shortcuts, Just Persistence

ty-mcbride-on-turning-preservan-into-a-franchise-no-shortcuts-just-persistence

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

1851 Franchise Coffee & Analytics image with blue background and photo of Nick Powills

The Franchise Broker Slowdown — How Did We Get Here?

the-franchise-broker-slowdown

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Enrichment and Supplemental Education Franchises for 2025

top-enrichment-supplemental-education-franchises

Sport Clips Executive Appreciates Power of Franchising

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS