1851

For the past decade, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-cummings-3b8601199/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-cory-cummings-footprints-floors-birmingham-2716121" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Cory Cummings</a> was the owner and operator of five Firehouse Subs franchises in Denver. When his wife decided to pursue a job opportunity that would relocate their family to Birmingham, Cummings began searching for a new franchise opportunity that would allow him to quickly find the success he’d built with Firehouse Subs. When his broker introduced him to <a href="https://footprintsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=the-great-franchisee-cory-cummings-footprints-floors-birmingham-2716121" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Footprints Floors*</a>, a 50-plus-unit flooring franchise that had not yet broken into the Birmingham market, Cummings says he knew he’d found the right opportunity.&nbsp;We spoke to Cummings to learn more about his journey to franchise ownership with <a href="https://1851franchise.com/footprintsfloors/info">Footprints Floors</a>.<h4>1851 Franchise: Tell us your story – what did you do before franchising?</h4>Cory Cummings: For the last 10 years, I ran a few Firehouse Subs franchises in Denver. I started with one but ended up operating five locations.<h4>1851: How did you initially find out about franchising?&nbsp;</h4>Cummings: I found out about franchising when I got involved with Firehouse. People would always ask if I was a foodie since I was in the restaurant business, but I’m not. I’m skilled at operations management and knew I could build the operation, put the right people in the right roles and build my teams.&nbsp;When I found out about Footprints Floors, my wife had a job opportunity that would relocate us to Birmingham, where she’s from. I was in the process of selling my Firehouse franchises and wasn’t really looking into purchasing another franchise quite yet. I was talking with my broker and he told me about Footprints Floors. With the brand being based in Denver and not having any capacity for me to grow there, the opportunity came at the perfect time as I had the chance to purchase two territories in Birmingham. After I sold my Firehouse franchises, I dove into researching more about Footprints Floors and was really impressed with the brand.<h4>1851: Why did you choose franchising over starting your own business?</h4>Cummings: Since I’m not a foodie, coming up with my own menu would’ve been challenging. When I got into franchising with Firehouse, I went with a brand that had a proven system and all the logistics figured out. Same thing with Footprints, I bought the franchise for the system so I would be able to scale it. With the model already in place, it’s much easier to follow and replicate success than starting a business from the ground up.&nbsp;<h4>1851: Why did you choose Footprints Floors? What excited you most about the potential?</h4>Cummings: I am definitely a DIY kind of guy and love tackling home improvement projects, so the brand itself is right up my alley. I haven’t even fully started yet and I can already tell the sense of community and communication is present at Footprints. There’s a private group chat for franchisees to discuss and ask questions, which I really appreciate.&nbsp;One of the major disadvantages of working in the restaurant industry is that you have to work all day every day; there was no work-life balance and that was especially challenging as my wife and I started growing our family. With Footprints, I talked with the existing franchisees and there is more flexibility with work schedules. I liked that I’d be able to have more control on when I needed time off. I also wanted to get away from having to manage a lot of employees, and with Footprints, I can have around four to six which is much more manageable.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What are your dreams with the business? What does the future look like?</h4>Cummings: If I’ve learned anything from Firehouse, it’s that I spread myself a bit too thin by opening my locations rather quickly. For now, I’m content with my two territories and don’t have active plans to continue expanding, but if the opportunity presents itself and it makes sense for me, I’d be open to it.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What value do you see your business providing to Birmingham?</h4>Cummings: Footprints Floors will bring a level of professionalism and quality service to the Birmingham community.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What advice would you have for others looking at buying a franchise?</h4>Cummings: I’d tell others to be content with their success and don’t spread themselves too thin. Grow your business so that it’s manageable, not unrealistic.&nbsp;<h4>1851: What do you do in your personal time?</h4>Cummings: I love spending time with my wife and two kids. Lately, I’ve been dirt bike riding with my son. My daughter has also come along for a few rides with her Power Wheels four-wheeler.&nbsp;ABOUT FOOTPRINTS FLOORS:Upon his return to Littleton, Colorado after serving in the U.S. Air Force, Bryan Park noticed that Denver’s flooring industry lacked a higher level of customer service and sophistication. So, in 2008, he founded Footprints Floors, which today specializes in installing hardwood floors, carpet, tile floors, backsplashes and laminates. With more than 50 current locations, Footprints Floors offers franchisees a robust support system including a call center, flexible hours for work-life balance and a low cost of entry with outstanding economics.

The Great Franchisee: Cory Cummings, Footprints Floors, Birmingham

1851 Franchise

The former Firehouse Subs owner introduced the fast-growing flooring franchise to homeowners in Alabama.

the-great-franchisee-cory-cummings-footprints-floors-birmingham

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing

image of a benjamin franklin plumber employee franchise

Top 5 Reasons To Invest in Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Right Now

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-franchise-5-reasons-to-buy

Mister Sparky Electric

image of mister sparky cars franchise authority brands

Wired for Success: 5 Powerful Reasons To Invest in a Mister Sparky Franchise Now

mister-sparky-franchise-5-reasons-to-invest

image of Mister sparky electric employee working with customer

On-Time, Every Time: How Mister Sparky Delivers the Electrical Service Homeowners Can Count On

mister-sparky-electric-service-franchise

image of mister sparky electric on time elctricians from franchise mister sparky

The Electrician You Can Count On: How Mister Sparky Delivers Power, Punctuality and Profitability

mister-sparky-franchise-power-punctuality-profitiability

image of a benjamin franklin plumber employee helping a customer

The Punctual Plumber That Wins: How Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Redefines Home-Service Reliability

benjamin-franklin-plumbing-home-service-reliability

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

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K to Support Texas Flood Relief - 1851 Franchise

Planet Fitness Franchisees Donate $100K To Support Texas Flood Relief

planet-fitness-texas-flood-relief

McDonald’s Is the Latest Franchise To Bet Big on Beverages with 500-Store Premium Drink Test

mcdonalds-is-the-latest-franchise-to-bet-big-on-beverages-with-500-store-premium-drink-test

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Subway - John Fitzpatrick Named CEO - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Subway Names Jonathan Fitzpatrick as New CEO, Effective July 28

jonathan-fitzpatrick-subway-ceo-leadership-change

AI Is Reshaping Franchising: $100 Billion Valuations and Hyper-Localized Advertising

ai-is-reshaping-franchising-100-billion-valuations-and-hyper-localized-advertising

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Open Caring Transitions in Texas

Navy Veteran and Professional Artist Couple Set Out to Build a Purpose-Driven Business With Caring Transitions in Texas

navy-veteran-and-professional-artist-couple-set-out-to-build-a-purpose-driven-business-with-caring-transitions-in-texas

Why This Real Estate Broker Decided To Bring Caring Transitions to Central Texas

caring-transitions-san-marcos-kyle-chad-hardin

graphic image of a franchisee spotlight jeff kinkade of trublue home service ally

After Building One Home Services Business, Jeff Kinkade Is Doing It Again — This Time With His Son

jeff-kinkade-trublue-north-johnson-county

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Great Franchisee: Cory Cummings, Footprints Floors, Birmingham

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS