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With a background in client management and business development within the entertainment industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harper-998140125?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-development-executives-of-2024-aaron-harper-ceo-rolling-suds-2727725" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Aaron Harper</a> transitioned into franchising by leveraging his skills to scale various businesses. His focus on quality franchisee selection and sustainable growth has positioned&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rollingsudsfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-development-executives-of-2024-aaron-harper-ceo-rolling-suds-2727725" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Rolling Suds</a> as a leader in the power-washing franchise space.1851 Franchise spoke with Harper to learn more about his story and to gain insights into the common mistakes he sees franchisors making in today’s industry.1851: How did you get started in the franchise industry, and what attracted you to franchise development?Aaron Harper: Originally from Southern California, I moved to Hollywood in my early twenties to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, aiming to become a talent agent. However, after spending years working long hours on set with little pay, I found myself wanting more from my professional life. Around this time, a friend who was successfully scaling franchises in traditionally "boring businesses" suggested that I had the skill set to do the same. I decided to make the switch, a decision that would change the trajectory of my career.Drawing on my experiences from Hollywood — particularly in client management and business development — I applied those skills to the franchise world. I focused on scaling and optimizing operations for various businesses, including those in industries like carpet cleaning and drywall repair. Over time, I helped grow these brands to become the largest in their fields. However, these companies often prioritized the quantity of franchisees over the quality of their systems and support, which led me to question some of the business practices I was helping to scale. That’s when I thought, “If I can do this for others, why not for myself?”I ultimately turned down a high-paying job offer to pursue my own venture, with a focus on scaling a company responsibly. After researching numerous opportunities, I discovered Rolling Suds, a family-owned power-washing business with over 30 years of history. Its potential stood out to me, and with the backing of the family, investors and mentors, I acquired the company in 2023. As CEO, I’ve grown the business from a single location to over 200 in just over a year and a half.1851: What strategies have you implemented to help grow your brand, and what has been the most impactful?Harper: One of the most impactful strategies we’ve implemented to grow our brand has been our unwavering commitment to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/chapter-8-selecting-the-right-franchisees-2722619">selecting the right franchisees</a>. Before we even began franchising Rolling Suds, I sat down with the founders of the original location to define exactly what makes a franchisee successful. We identified key personality traits, financial resources and the kind of personnel needed to thrive. Together, we built a set of core values — compassion, communication, honesty and being helpful — and crafted our mission statement: “This is a relationship.”This framework became the foundation for our franchise selection process. If a candidate doesn’t align with those values, we turn them away. We’ve turned down more people than we’ve signed up because we know that long-term success depends on the strength of our franchisees. For instance, if someone isn’t comfortable getting out into their community and actively seeking business or if they tend to blame external factors for setbacks, we won’t move forward. Likewise, if we don’t see the grit necessary to push through tough times, they’re not the right fit for us.Our ideal franchisee is hungry to build a sizable business, has the financial resources to be successful and aligns with our values. It’s my duty to protect the system from potential bad apples, ensuring that those who do join our network get the best possible return on their investment of time and capital. A franchise is as strong as its network; the higher the caliber of our franchisees, the more valuable the network becomes for everyone involved. This selective, values-driven approach has been the key to sustainable growth and the continued success of our brand.1851: How do you navigate the challenges in today’s franchise landscape, and what trends are you watching closely?Harper:&nbsp;Navigating&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-5-biggest-trends-in-franchising-for-2024-2726807">today’s franchise landscape</a> requires balancing scalability with strong franchisee support. Our mission statement, “This is a relationship,” reinforces that our success is tied to each franchisee’s success, so we focus heavily on top-tier training and ongoing resources. One trend we’re watching closely is the rise of technology — particularly automation and digital tools that help franchisees streamline their operations. We also see the increasing importance of community engagement, as customers want to support local businesses that invest in their areas. Additionally, essential services like power-washing will always be in demand for both residential and commercial properties, giving our franchisees a stable, recession-resistant business model.1851: What advice would you give to other franchise executives looking to grow their brands in 2024?Harper:&nbsp;For franchise executives looking to grow their brands in 2024, my advice is twofold: prioritize franchisee quality and build&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/innovative-marketing-strategies-for-franchises-in-the-digital-age-2725563">a strong digital presence</a>. First, be selective about who you bring into your system. The success of your brand hinges on the success of each franchisee, so look for individuals who align with your core values and have the drive to succeed. It's better to turn down more candidates than to rush the process.Second, invest heavily in your digital presence. In today’s world, a brand that doesn’t have a strong online footprint is missing out. Create consistent, high-quality educational content on social media that showcases your expertise, supports your franchisees and attracts the right candidates. By providing valuable insights and positioning yourself as a leader in your industry, you’ll not only build trust but also create a pipeline of potential franchisees who are already invested in your vision.1851: What are your future goals and vision for the brands you work with?Harper:&nbsp;My vision is focused on sustainable growth, innovation and franchisee success while fulfilling my mission to educate people on the power of franchising as a wealth-building tool. I want to continue expanding our reach by bringing in high-quality franchisees who align with our core values, ensuring that as we scale, we maintain the integrity of our brand.Additionally, I’m passionate about educating others on how franchising is a great way to start a business with built-in support. Through social media, podcasts and speaking engagements, I plan to create even more educational content that inspires future franchisees and highlights how franchising can be a powerful path to financial freedom, fulfillment and success.Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=top-franchise-development-executives-of-2024-aaron-harper-ceo-rolling-suds-2727725" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Aaron Harper: From Hollywood to Franchise Industry Leader

1851 Franchise

Harper spoke with 1851 Franchise to discuss his experience in franchise development, especially with Rolling Suds, which he has taken from one location to over 200 since acquiring it in January 2023.

Top Franchise Development Executives of 2024: Aaron Harper, CEO, Rolling Suds

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Design with photo of Mangesh Patel, Beef ‘O’ Brady’s

Veteran Hospitality Leader Mangesh Patel Sets Sights on Central Georgia With Major Multi-Unit Deal

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Griswold Caregiver in Hawaii Awarded National Scholarship While Pursuing Social Work Degree

Aloha State Daily: Griswold Caregiver in Hawaii Awarded National Scholarship While Pursuing Social Work Degree

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FSC Franchise Co.

With Three Brands, FSC Realizes Food Cost Savings Through Scale

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The Melt

The Melt Delivered Record-High Financial Performance in 2025, Fueling System Growth and Expansion

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Screenmobile

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Screenmobile Finishes 2025 by Entering 13 New Territories and Earning Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 Recognition for the 27th Consecutive Year

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KKR to Acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes in $2 Billion Deal -  1851 Franchise

KKR to Acquire Nothing Bundt Cakes in $2 Billion Deal

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FTC Settlement Puts New Focus on Franchise Disclosure Standards

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Applebee’s Franchisee Files for Bankruptcy as Dine Brands Moves to Acquire 53 Units

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The Penny Shortage Is Creating a New Risk for QSR Franchise Systems

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The linear sales funnel is dying. Prospective buyers are no longer filling out a form at first glance and waiting for the phone to ring. They’re doing the majority of the heavy lifting before they even make themselves known to the franchisor. For franchisors, this means one key thing: you must know exactly where candidates spend their time. No guesswork. And you have to adjust your strategy accordingly.And, in today's buyer world, the biggest buzz term is 2026's ride or die for franchise brands – Ai.&nbsp;If you are trying to sell a franchise today, you must meet candidates where they are (four walls, Ai, website, social advertising).&nbsp;Focusing on a strong digital footprint first and then lead generation will help the brand with validation and will lay the foundation for trust before the first conversation even happens. Still, franchisors must know where to find their candidates and be confident the candidates are being sent to the right place.“We consistently see the strongest lead performance from Google Search (paid and organic), social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and our franchise development website,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinlsnyder">Erin Snyder</a>, head of franchise development at&nbsp;<a href="https://handelsicecream.com/handels-franchise/">Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream</a>. “Because all awareness and advertising efforts ultimately funnel candidates to our development site, maintaining a highly optimized, mobile-first web presence is critical for conversion.”<h2>The "Hidden" Channels: Authentic Research via AiSEO</h2>While Google and major portals are often where a candidate might start a broad search, the deep research happens in the shadows. This is where candidates scroll, mindlessly or otherwise, simply observing rather than clicking “apply” immediately; or, ask Ai chatbots about the best franchises to buy, the blind spots, the why nots, and, of course, the whys.Right now, Ai plays a key role in this research stage. Buyers want the truth.&nbsp;For franchisors, this means your content strategy must pivot. It is no longer enough to post stock photos of happy business owners. You must document the journey, showing the behind-the-scenes reality that proves your concept has staying power.<h2>The Pivot From Print to Digital Interactivity</h2>While print media has been a channel for franchise development in the past, its static nature has made it less effective as the buyer’s journey has shifted to digital. Buyers are generally looking for channels that will allow them to click, read and continue the search immediately.“Traditional print media has largely become a thing of the past for franchise development,” Snyder said. “What has been encouraging, though, is seeing many of these publications successfully pivot to digital formats that offer greater interactivity, stronger analytics and far better linkability than print ever could.”This creates a more dynamic experience for the candidate. In addition to a digital article, franchisors can embed a “day in the life” video, for example, or hyperlink a deeper dive on costs and profits for instant validation.This shift also allows franchisors to track return on investment more effectively. Instead of guessing if an article or ad worked, digital publications allow you to see exactly who clicked through, allowing for retargeting and smarter budget allocation.<h2>The Conversion Hub: Your Mobile-First Website</h2>Once a candidate has discovered you on Google, watched your videos on TikTok and read about you in a digital publication, they finally arrive at the destination: your franchise development website.This is the bottom of the funnel, where you will win or lose a candidate. Because all other channels point here, your website cannot just be a digital brochure. It has to be a conversion engine. And crucially, it must work perfectly on a smartphone.The question can’t just be “Do we have a website?” Questions about the website should surround usability and readability. Is navigation easy on a smartphone? Does the site load quickly? Is it readable? If a prospect has to pinch-and-zoom to read your investment costs and financial performance, they will leave.An optimized, mobile-first presence is critical because it serves as the collection point; all other awareness efforts funnel potential franchisees to the site. The user experience here should validate the trust built on other channels. However, accessibility is only half the battle; the content itself must be unsparingly open. The website is the channel where you must prove your value proposition with hard data.“Across all channels, the messaging needs to be clear, concise and consistent,” Snyder said. “Candidates should be able to easily find transparent investment ranges and financial requirements, a clear value proposition, compelling franchisee success stories, key differentiators from competitors and straightforward next steps for how to inquire.”When you treat your website as a transparency engine rather than a gatekeeper, you change the dynamic of the eventual sales call. A candidate who has already consumed your financial data and success stories arrives at the inquiry stage educated and qualified. This allows the development team to skip the basic fact-finding and move straight to strategy and fit.“When a candidate submits an inquiry, the first conversation should build on what the candidate has already learned,” Snyder said “ensuring they understand the opportunity they are considering, clarifying details, personalizing the discussion to their goals and moving them into a structured education process rather than starting from scratch.”<h2>Allocating the Budget: The "Ideal Candidate" Approach</h2>While a presence across multiple channels — from search and social to digital publications — is key, understanding exactly how much to invest in each option is the next hurdle. There is no single, magical approach to budgeting; a brand selling multi-million-dollar franchises needs to develop a presence in different places than a low-cost, mobile franchise will.To spend effectively, you must deeply understand your ideal franchisee profile. Once you know who is investing, you can begin working on where to find them. For example, a high-net-worth investor might be on LinkedIn and reading digital trade journals, while a first-time investor or someone seeking an owner-operator model might be influenced by local Facebook ads.“Franchisors should start by understanding their ideal franchisee profile and then allocate budget toward the channels where those prospects spend the most time,” Snyder said. “The mix will naturally look different for a high-investment, multi-unit candidate than for a first-time owner-operator. Beyond that, it’s critical to consider overall brand awareness and invest in channels that consistently get both the brand and the franchise opportunity in front of qualified prospects. A balanced approach that supports both awareness and lead capture tends to produce the strongest results.”<h2>Key Takeaways and Next Steps:</h2>Make sure you have a content footprint that answers the top 25 questions asked about your brand in Ai and Google searchs.Review your mobile experience: Open your franchise development site on your phone. If it takes more than three seconds to load or if the "Apply" button is hard to find, fix it immediately.Embrace "lo-fi" video content: You don't need a production crew. Use a smartphone to record "day in the life" videos with your franchisees and post them to social to build authentic trust.Ensure transparency and continuity:&nbsp;Candidates need to be able to find the information they’re looking for, and the experience should be consistent between a social page and a franchise development site. Make sure your value proposition is clear across all channels.Embrace innovation, but don’t count out the classics:&nbsp;Look at the whole picture. Many candidates are exploring opportunities on supplemental platforms like social media or in the results of a Google search, but they’re still looking at the franchise development site, too. Don’t confine yourself to the “old reliable” methods, but don’t leave them behind, either.Budget by persona, not platform: Don't just "do Facebook ads." Define exactly who your buyer is, and spend your money only on the channels where that specific person consumes content.For more information on franchise growth channels, check out these related stories on 1851 Franchise:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-to-use-social-media-marketing-to-promote-your-franchise-2727185#stories">How To Use Social Media Marketing To Promote Your Franchise</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/building-a-franchise-website-that-converts-key-features-and-best-practices-2727363#stories">Building a Franchise Website That Converts: Key Features and Best Practices</a></li><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlfduHqGy7I">How to Sell Franchises | The Buyer Persona</a></li></ul>

To succeed in the shifting landscape, franchisors must understand the buyer’s journey, identify the ideal franchisee profile, and build a digital presence that meets candidates where they are.

How To Sell Franchises in 2026 — Top Channels Franchise Buyers Use Before They Inquire

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Selling franchises isn’t just about sharing profit potential anymore. It’s about earning trust. Franchisors need to gain the trust of their candidates, providing fact-based solutions and dismantling the fear associated with a major business investment.Whether they are first-time owner-operators or experienced investors, candidates are operating in an era of heightened economic scrutiny, looking to make the most of each dollar. To win them over, development teams must pivot from a mindset of "selling the dream" to one of "proving the reality."Focusing on the reality over the dream often means proving a reality of stability. Candidates are looking for safety, predictability and partnership. To convert high-quality leads, franchisors must deploy specific trust signals that validate the investment before the contract is even signed.Here is how to leverage transparency, operational data and human connection to sell franchises in the current market.<h2>Lead With Consistency and Resilience</h2>Think about the mindset of a buyer reading a Franchise Disclosure Document for the first time. They’re often looking for holes in the boat, not just doing a casual review.Information about how much it will cost to get started and how much they’ll pay on an ongoing basis is key, but investors also want to know if the concept can survive turbulence. The strongest trust signal you can offer is historical consistency, particularly through economic downturns.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aworsham02">Adam Worsham</a>, chief franchising officer at&nbsp;<a href="https://viocfranchise.com/">Valvoline Instant Oil Change</a>, says that buyers today prioritize confidence that the business can deliver returns without unnecessary risk.“The first thing we highlight is consistency,” he said. “Valvoline Instant Oil Change has 19 years of same-store sales growth, including growth through the pandemic. That kind of performance gives entrepreneurs, family offices and private equity firms a clear signal that the model is resilient.”In most cases, this will come through in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeuHzzXoEQI">Item 19</a>, with historical financial data and the Item 20,&nbsp; if a franchisor can demonstrate steady unit growth and provide contact information for successful, tenured owners.The Strategy: Do not bury your resilience data. If your brand grew during the pandemic or performed well during high-inflation periods, this should be a headline, not a footnote.<h2>Demystify the Operations</h2>If a candidate looks at your model and feels like they need an advanced degree to run day-to-day operations, it’s likely they’ll walk. Franchises that don’t require this level of experience must prove that the operating system is built for scale. For brands that do require a specific level of education or experience, it’s crucial to communicate exactly what kind of knowledge is needed and why.&nbsp;No matter the level, being transparent about exactly what will be required creates clarity for prospective owners, and clarity empowers an educated decision. The feeling of knowing exactly what they’re getting into can significantly reduce perceived risk for entrepreneurs.For example, Valvoline highlights key operational data to paint a clearer picture for candidates.“Most centers run with about eleven employees and generate roughly $1.7 million in average unit volume,” Worsham said. “Those fundamentals help reduce uncertainty and build trust quickly.”The Strategy:&nbsp;Translate your experience requirements and unit-level economics into operational reality. Don't just show the initial investment and profit potential. Show what it takes and how existing franchisees make it happen.<h2>Humanize Success Data</h2>Whether it’s an average unit volume, low-to-no closure count or strong renewal rate, strong statistics can come off as too good to be true for some candidates. Even the best data, when presented incorrectly, can make a skeptical candidate suspicious. For franchisors, the key is to translate abstract information into a more digestible narrative about day-to-day operations and long-term franchisee success.Valvoline, for example, boasts a 100% renewal rate. But highlighting that 100% doesn’t always mean something to a potential owner. According to Worsham, this isn’t just a stat. It’s a number that alludes to a deeper, more powerful pattern.“The 100% renewal rate is impressive, but what matters more is&nbsp;why&nbsp;it happens,” he said. “Franchisees know we’re in their corner, and they feel confident about the future they’re building with us.”Highlighting the “why” behind the “what,” even when the “what” is impressive, can bridge the gap and start building trust with entrepreneurs investigating a franchise opportunity.<h2>Front-Load the Relationship</h2>In a digital-first world, where candidates do deep research before they ever inquire, the human element is the ultimate differentiator. Candidates want to know who will answer the phone when things go wrong.Building a relationship early minimizes the perception of risk. If all other variables are equal —investment cost, return, territory — the candidate will choose the team they feel safest with.“When someone gets to know our team early on, they see how we operate: collaborative, responsive and invested in their long-term success,” Worsham said. “That relationship becomes proof of what it will feel like to be part of the system.”<h2>Address the "Ugly" Head-On</h2>No franchise system is perfect. Franchisors may worry that addressing concerns directly may hurt the sale, but the opposite is true. Attempts to hide or talk around closed units, litigation or disgruntled owners will degrade trust.While franchisors shouldn’t dwell on the negative, confronting it head-on with the facts and a calm, logical approach can actually build trust with the candidate. Not only can they tell that their potential franchise partner doesn’t hide from the tough spots, but they can also get a look at how problems are solved when they arise.When you explain why a unit failed or how you handled a dispute, you control the narrative. You demonstrate that you are a problem solver — a trait that most candidates will celebrate in their future partners.“We don’t hide the hard stuff,” Worsham said. “We address it, learn from it and use it to build an even stronger system for every operator. When something doesn’t go as planned, we explain the context, what we learned and how we strengthened the system because of it.”<h2>Key Takeaways and Next Steps</h2>Contextualize economic risks to silence fear: Don’t wait for the candidate to ask about the economy or the future of your segment. Proactively discuss the future of your industry and how your model performs in a range of economic landscapes.Build trust through radical transparency: Encourage candidates to visit physical locations to observe the culture and pace firsthand. Letting candidates see the real business removes the fear of the unknown.Use franchisees to combat skepticism: Encourage unfiltered conversations between candidates and operators. Hearing directly from current franchisees about the support they receive reduces the risk of "sales talk" and provides social proof that the system works as advertised.Prove systemic safety: It's not just about today's sales, but tomorrow's viability. Demonstrate that you have the infrastructure, like advanced supply chain forecasting or data analytics, to handle future threats.Establish a partnership dynamic immediately: Trust comes from being treated as a partner, not a lead. Have conversations around the candidate’s goals to signal an investment in their success rather than just a commitment to closing the deal.For more information on building trust with franchise buyers, check out these related stories on 1851 Franchise:<ul><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-franchisors-can-build-a-marketable-item-19-2727750#stories">How To Build a Marketable Item 19</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/happy-franchisees-more-leads-why-positive-validation-is-key-for-organic-growth-2719171#stories">Happy Franchisees, More Leads: Why Positive Validation is Key for Organic Growth</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/trust-in-franchising-2726050#stories">Trust is the Foundation of the Franchisee-Franchisor Relationship</a></li></ul>

From demystifying operations to focusing on trust early on, here is how top franchisors are reducing perceived risk to win over candidates and sell more franchises in 2026.

How To Sell Franchises in 2026 — Trust Signals That Reduce Perceived Risk for Buyers

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Walk the floor at any franchise conference and you’ll see the same playbook: glossy booths, bold growth claims and sales teams hoping to catch a multi-unit operator in a good mood. The problem isn’t effort. It’s targeting. Most serious multi-unit operators aren’t wandering the expo hall hoping to be surprised by a new concept. They’re watching from a distance, looking for signals that a brand is already producing repeatable outcomes.If you want to understand how brands create those signals, join me at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYoYh1wSeGsT6GH4f7iR6GWMvRI8Pd2J3">Coffee &amp; Analytics</a> at 11 a.m. CST, Friday, March 20 (<a href="https://streamyard.com/watch/9GKZu2ft4ihs">REGISTER HERE</a>).&nbsp;Because the brands that win with multi-unit operators don’t chase them down — they give them a reason to lean in, and it all comes down to one thing: momentum.Not marketing. Not lead generation. Not a franchise portal listing.Momentum.When you have momentum, what happens next? Here’s how multi-unit franchisees actually think.I’ve sat across from some of the most sophisticated franchise operators in the country. The questions they ask are simple — and brutal:<ul><li>Is leadership credible?</li><li>Is there a vision?&nbsp;</li><li>Is this brand meaningfully different?</li><li>Does the investment produce real wealth?</li><li>Is the growth strategy intentional?</li><li>Are existing franchisees reinvesting?</li></ul>Notice what’s missing from that list. They’re not asking how many leads you generate, how pretty your franchise deck looks or how big your booth is.They’re evaluating whether your brand deserves their capital. Your website, your PR, your content and your industry presence should answer those questions before you ever meet them. Most brands fail here.<h2>The ROI Truth Nobody Says Publicly</h2>Serious franchisees are capital allocators. If they extract all available cash flow, they want to recover their investment in about three years.If it takes longer, they categorize the brand as lifestyle, not scalable.Many franchisors struggle to attract multi-unit buyers because they designed a franchise, but not an investment vehicle. Multi-unit operators don’t buy concepts; they buy compounding opportunities.<h2>You Are Not Selling Franchises</h2>This is the mindset shift that separates breakout brands from stalled ones. You are not selling franchises. You are building a machine that opens profitable units repeatedly.Franchise fees don’t create enterprise value. Open locations do. Healthy unit economics do. Operators expanding inside your system do.Brands that go from 20 units to 200 understand one thing: One great franchisee is worth millions in lifetime system value.The goal is not more deals. The goal is better operators who keep building.<h2>The Broker Conversation Franchisors Avoid</h2>Brokers have a role,&nbsp; but you need to understand the math. Most broker models favor large territories and multipacks because commissions scale.Here’s the unintended consequence: You accidentally drain the franchisee’s growth capital before they ever open location two. Then development slows, validation weakens and future multi-unit buyers walk away.You didn’t fail at sales. You weakened your future pipeline.Smart franchisors protect franchisee capitalization like investors protect cash reserves.<h2>So, Should You Go to the Multi-Unit Conference?</h2>Yes, but not for the reason you think. You are not there to sell. You are there to signal legitimacy.If I ran your booth, I’d do five things:<ol><li>Book relationship meetings before the show starts.&nbsp;Do not rely on walk-up selling.</li><li>Ask operators for advice.&nbsp;Nothing builds credibility faster.</li><li>Lead with your unfair advantage.&nbsp;If someone walks past your booth, could they explain your brand in five seconds?</li><li>Engineer follow-up momentum.&nbsp;Webinars, content and visibility should be planned before you arrive.</li><li>Bring franchisees, not executives.&nbsp;Operators close operators.</li></ol><h2>The Hard Truth Most Brands Need to Hear</h2>If multi-unit franchisees are not engaging your brand today, it is rarely an economics problem first. It is usually a signal problem.You haven’t yet shown the market predictable success, scalable economics, leadership clarity or industry momentum.Multi-unit buyers don’t gamble. They invest where confidence already exists.Winning brands understand a simple reality: You don’t chase multi-unit franchisees. You build a system they start researching before you ever meet them.That happens when three things align:<ul><li>Business Model: a clear path to wealth creation</li><li>Drumbeat:&nbsp;constant industry visibility</li><li>Expectations:&nbsp;transparent outcomes</li></ul>When those align, something interesting happens. You stop pitching, and sophisticated operators start calling you.If you’re reading this and thinking, “We’re not there yet,” good. That’s the moment real franchise growth begins.Join me at Coffee &amp; Analytics at 11 a.m. CST (<a href="https://streamyard.com/watch/9GKZu2ft4ihs">REGISTER HERE</a>).We’re going to talk about how franchise brands move from selling franchises to becoming platform brands multi-unit operators compete to join. Because the next generation of franchise winners won’t be the loudest brands. They’ll be the brands that built momentum before everyone else realized what was happening.

image of coffee and analytics with nick powills explaining multi-unit franchisees

1851 Franchise Publisher Nick Powills explains why your $20,000 conference booth is failing and the "signals" you actually need to attract sophisticated capital.

Stop Chasing Multi-Unit Operators. They Aren’t Looking for You

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For more than 15 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://hellomainland.com/">Mainland</a> has secured coverage for brands on FOX, NBC, CBS and ABC, as well as placements in local outlets such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.noozhawk.com/">Noozhawk</a> in Santa Maria, California, or&nbsp;<a href="https://tbbwmag.com/">Tampa Bay Business &amp; Wealth</a>. With hundreds of PR placements each year, there must be some secret sauce to their stories — a possible angle that is irresistible to a producer who doesn’t seem interested in anything you have to offer. A secret phrase that unlocks doors and turns on TVs in your target market.&nbsp;What if we told you the answer was simple?<h3>Let’s Do an Experiment</h3>Imagine a franchise brand is opening its doors in your city, and you see this headline on Facebook:&nbsp; National Fitness Franchise Announces Expansion Into Downtown With Three New Territories Signed.If you were a news producer, that headline might not inspire much beyond construction and, maybe, a grand opening months down the line. By the time the scissors are ready to cut, you’ve moved on.&nbsp;Now try this:&nbsp; After a Career-Ending Injury, Former Ohio Track Athlete Is Bringing National Fitness Franchise to Combat the City’s Post-Pandemic Health Crisis.See the difference? Maybe images of a former athlete jumping a hurdle spring to mind, or an in-studio demonstration. Suddenly, there’s an opportunity to highlight statistics around an important, timely health issue that the brand is working to address.&nbsp;Framing matters. People matter — more than brands think. This isn’t just a happy accident of copywriting. It’s a calculated editorial strategy that is heavily implemented at Mainland to land placements and media buys.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-wood1/">Morgan Wood</a>, content manager at Mainland, has personally published more than 2,000 articles for&nbsp;<a href="http://1851franchise.com">1851Franchise.com</a>. She is the exclusive writer for record-breaking brands like&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/layneschickenfingers">Layne's Soon To Be Famous™ Chicken Fingers</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/parisbaguette">Paris Baguette</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;To understand how to consistently find the "human hero" in brand stories and start winning at PR, 1851 Franchise sat down with Wood to get some recommendations.1851 Franchise:&nbsp;How do you approach writing and telling someone's story?Morgan Wood: I've always been a “why person.” You know those little kids that ask a question, and you answer, and they say, “But why? But why? But why?” That was always me as a kid. I think I have a natural curiosity for everything, and I really think that everybody has an interesting story. It's just a matter of getting to it.A lot of times, the franchisees we’re working with will come on the call and say, "I don't know why you want to talk to me. My story is not that interesting.”&nbsp;There's a level of fulfillment and satisfaction in being able to see them see themselves in someone else's eyes and realizing what their story can mean and can do. It’s really fun.1851:&nbsp;What do you think about Mainland’s “Brands don’t sell brands, people do” method?Wood:&nbsp;When I'm browsing, I'm going to click on stuff that I feel like I relate to or something that is a human interest story.In franchising, people often think, “I'd love to do that, but I don't know if I can,” or “Somebody else can do it, but I just can't.”&nbsp;Being able to see the kind of person that's doing it, and, no matter who you are, there's someone who has a similar background or that you can relate to in some way, that has done it. I think putting that out there makes people curious. And then you click in, and it's their life story and their experiences. The reader likely doesn’t know this person, specifically, but it’s possible they have very similar experiences.I think that can draw people in more effectively than “This restaurant is growing!” or “This business is opening!” ever could.1851: How do you tell your writers to find the human hero in the story?Wood:&nbsp;We have talked a lot about continuing to ask the questions. Again, everyone has a story. We just have to get to it. I've said countless times, “Just keep asking. There has to be something. Think outside the box. Get curious on these calls with the franchisee, and really think about what is special about this person.”&nbsp;One of our questions for franchisee feature interviews is “What do you want me to know about you?” That opens it up. Regardless of your business or what you did before you bought a franchise, what do you want me to know about you?Being able to do that and dig deeper, even when there may not be an immediate connection between this story and their franchise journey, is really valuable. There have been times when it “clicks” later, and the writer realizes, “Oh, that's why they're the hero!”1851: Headlines and images are the first two things that people see. Are there any tricks in your bag when it comes to headlines and imagery to get picked up?Wood: Specifically in headlines, we want to talk about the human hero, but we don't necessarily want to say their name. We want to say who they are.&nbsp;More people are going to search for things like “veteran franchisee” or “moms in franchising”&nbsp; rather than a name that they’ve never heard before.It also has to be interesting, but you can't give everything away in the headline.&nbsp;And then with the image, just as much as possible, get a picture of a real person. It’s as simple as having something that people care about, and something that will catch a reader’s eye. If we’re talking about a person, we don’t want a stock image that someone will scroll right past.1851: Do you have any advice that you would give brands looking to get started right away?Wood: I think many in the franchise space have heard of the franchise horror stories: “I pay my franchise fee and the franchisor disappears,” or “I'm just a store number to them, I'm not a person.”One of our clients often says that, to be a franchisor, you need to understand what the franchisee is going through. When someone at the franchisor gets home from work, their family will ask, “How was work?” When a franchisee gets home, their family is asking, “How were sales today?” or “How was traffic?” These are franchise units, but they often represent the investment of someone’s life savings and a manifestation of so many hopes and dreams for the future. We can’t lose sight of that.&nbsp;No matter how big the brand gets or how fast they're growing, franchisors need to remember that these are real people with real backgrounds. Many have real families that this is supporting, and they've invested so much into this business. They’re building something in their communities and trying to make the most of the opportunity.They can’t just be viewed as “the person that's going to help me get a PR win.” They're still people. When you start from a place of humanity, the rest comes more naturally.Growing and selling franchises is difficult. Want to learn more about how Mainland helps franchisors grow their franchises with confidence? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://hellomainland.com/">https://hellomainland.com/</a>&nbsp;and see what we can do for you.

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Content Manager at Mainland, Morgan Wood, shares the vital theory behind achieving PR success for franchise brands and beyond.

How To Craft PR Stories That Connect: How Mainland Focuses On The Human Hero Of A Story

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How much can franchisees make? It’s a question many prospective owners ask before investing in a franchise. While earnings tend to be driven by variables such as industry, location and general management skills, a proper understanding of the key factors driving profitability can help franchise owners develop expectations that are realistic.&nbsp;Multi-unit franchisee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mangesh-patel-9368569/">Mangesh Patel</a>, who’s readying the launch of six&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beefobradysfranchise.com/">Beef ‘O’ Brady’s</a> restaurant locations in the Macon, Georgia area, shares insights from his franchising experience.<h2>Understanding Franchise Income</h2>Keeping operational costs in check can have a major impact on overall earnings. Taking a proactive approach to expenses such as food and labor, as well as payroll and scheduling, can help align actual franchise income with general expectations for the business.“I just had a meeting with a couple of people, and they said, ‘You talked about a 25% profit margin, but I’m only doing 12%.’ So, I looked at the figures they sent me,” Patel said. “Their&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/calculate-restaurant-franchise-profit-2730476">restaurant</a> food cost was running at 37%, which should be around 30%. The national average is about 32%. If I do things correctly, my average food cost needs to be at or below 30%. And payroll should run around 18%. But many people run 25 to 28%.”So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/unraveling-franchise-earnings-how-much-can-you-really-make-2723935">how much can franchisees make</a>? Here are five areas to consider.<h2>Practical Tips for Prospective Franchisees</h2><ol><li>Control Costs From Day One:&nbsp;It’s important to monitor payroll, food and supply costs closely. Overstaffing and inefficiencies can quickly reduce profits.</li><li>Plan For The Opening Surge:&nbsp;Traffic within the first few months of opening is likely to be higher. It’s important to adjust staffing and inventory accordingly, and pay close attention to how those levels change as time goes on.</li><li>Invest In Training:&nbsp;Properly trained workers can help reduce waste and improve overall service, which has a direct effect on net income.</li><li>Understand Your Market:&nbsp;Each market is unique and revenue potential will vary depending upon location, demographics and competition.</li><li>Track Metrics Regularly:&nbsp;Food cost percentages, labor ratios and weekly sales data act as key indicators operations may need to be adjusted.</li></ol><h2>What Profitability Really Comes Down To</h2>Patel notes that if franchise owners manage labor and costs properly, it’s not impossible to achieve strong cash flow even in the first year, bucking some franchising trends.So,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/how-much-can-you-make-as-a-franchise-owner-2724761">how much can franchisees make</a>? While results tend to vary, careful planning, disciplined operations and a proactive approach to assessing initial costs are essential. But by grasping and guiding the elements that drive franchise profitability, franchise owners can maximize overall business earnings, scaling a business that’s sustainable financially over the long term.Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.

How much can franchisees make? This guide explains what drives franchise earnings and how to manage costs, with expert tips from multi-unit owner Mangesh Patel on maximizing your franchise income.

How Much Can Franchisees Make? A Guide for Prospective Franchise Owners

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Sparkle Dog Care Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Sparkle Dog Care is a membership-based pet grooming franchise that blends wellness-focused hygiene services with small-box retail and community engagement.

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Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: A fast-casual restaurant brand serving made-from-scratch sandwiches, salads, soups and pizzas rooted in Southern hospitality.


Newk’s Eatery Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

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Franchising has long proven an attractive prospect for independent-minded entrepreneurs seeking ownership. Delivering a proven system – one properly-marketed and tweaked over time – has long been one of the single most powerful franchising hallmarks. But diving into the deep end before learning to swim is risky.&nbsp;Choosing the right option takes preparation and work. So, what is the best franchise to buy for beginners?“There's so much to consider,” says franchise attorney&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mario-l-herman-b9258112a/">Mario Herman</a>. “A big part of my practice is reviewing FDDs and franchise agreements for prospective franchisees. I look for 50 separate things, including inconsistencies between disclosure documents and franchise agreements. And there's a lot of work involved. So, I’d say hire competent counsel with franchise experience.”<h2>Due Diligence</h2>For over three decades as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchise-law.com/mario-l-herman-esq.shtml#">franchise attorney</a>, Mario Herman has represented clients from more than 150 franchise systems, further testifying as an expert witness, and stresses the importance of the due diligence process when pondering the question of what’s the best franchise to buy into for beginners.Before diving in, there’s a number of questions to ponder. What kind of capital, or access to it, do you realistically have? Perhaps a low initial investment is crucial. How involved do you want to be in the daily operation of the franchise – hands-on or semi-absentee? Do you want to build an office or retail setting? Maybe a remote opportunity is best.&nbsp;Performing strong due diligence can go a long way toward ensuring prospective franchisees select the right opportunity.&nbsp;“Yeah, I mean, that's franchising for beginners. There have been books, podcasts and all kinds of stuff written about that,” Herman said. “From issues involving future royalties to the liquidity and capitalization of the franchise – how long they've been in business and how many franchises in the past have terminated or gone out of business. When doing due diligence, contact those who are still in the system and those who are no longer part of it. There are multiple parties, and due diligence with all of them is important. The process typically takes three to six months or more for bigger deals.”<h2>Where To Look</h2>So what is the best franchise to buy for beginners? It’s a big question. Luckily, there’s answers.<h3>Health &amp; Wellness</h3>If it’s the idea of aligned values that makes franchising an attractive opportunity, there are opportunities in the health and wellness sector that play out in a number of settings, ranging from traditional brick and mortar to remote or mobile opportunities, allowing the potential franchisee to deliver a valuable service at the local level. Recovery studios offer the idea of escape in a private, stress-free setting while fitness franchises continue to grow following the pandemic.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-10-gym-and-fitness-franchises-the-best-investment-opportunities-for-2025-2729614#stories">Pure Fitness</a> offers a high-value, low-price model in a 24/7 setting which helps build a diverse clientele while delivering health benefits within the community.<h3>Home &amp; Maintenance Services</h3>Touting a recession-resistant nature, home and maintenance services continue to flourish due to aging infrastructure and technological advancements that can protect valuable home investments.With a lower overhead and a more flexible, scalable business model, home and maintenance service franchises offer potential franchise owners a greater work-life balance, boasting home-based options. And unlike other industries,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/the-top-10-home-service-franchises-to-consider-2727601#stories">home services</a> draw consistent demand, allowing for stability while reducing startup costs.&nbsp;The unique combination of stability, lower investment risk and the ability to scale fast can offer a more accessible path to franchise ownership. Access Garage Doors maintains a specialized model, focusing on the installation and repair of garage doors with a low initial investment of about $50,000.<h3>Sustainable, Eco-Friendly</h3>Aligned values have driven many a beginner toward the idea of sustainable, eco-friendly franchise options.In the cleaning sphere, residential and commercial cleaning/janitorial services offer largely remote-based opportunities with lower overhead that provide a valuable, largely recurring revenue stream that’s safe and dependable.Solar energy franchises often require an initial investment starting under six figures, a drastic departure from the nationally-marketed brands that tend to define the idea of franchising for the beginner. Focused on the installation of solar panels for homes and businesses, this rapidly growing realm helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels, encouraging sustainability.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/ecomaids">Ecomaids</a> features professional, non-toxic and eco-friendly home and commercial cleaning services in a primarily mobile setting which lowers overall costs.<h3>Tech-Driven Food &amp; Retail</h3>The quick onset of tech like AI, robotics and automation has begun to upend the restaurant industry experience, increasing efficiency while delivering crucial data to the astute franchise owner – as well as franchisees looking to assess the best franchises to buy in 2026.Some restaurants have experimented with concepts like AI drive-thrus while other franchised chains, especially in the pizza sector, have toyed with the concept of fully automated kitchens, lowering overhead while addressing the tricky idea of staff retention.Domino’s Pizza has utilized robotics to drive consistent production of pizza while enlisting automation as a significant part of the delivery process. Elsewhere, Donato’s has experimented with fully automated kitchens.&nbsp;POS systems simplify while delivering data and in the retail setting while AI can assist with real time inventory and supply chain management, improving logistics while reining in costs.<a href="https://1851franchise.com/batteries-plus-bulbs-community-driven-approach-and-proprietary-products-continue-to-bring-in-returning-customers-2712298">Batteries Plus</a> uses tech to manage an extensive product selection while many chains use it to encourage ideas like ordering online or curbside delivery.<h2>The Takeaway</h2>So, what is the best franchise to buy for beginners? The answer to that question requires a proactive look within, honestly assessing ideas like available funds, desired work-life balance, and preferred location.&nbsp;Proper due diligence can help the prospective franchisee accurately assess opportunities in franchising realms ranging anywhere from health and wellness to eco-friendly cleaning or even the restaurant industry.But as the old adage goes, buyer beware. Teaming with qualified counsel to take a deep dive into any opportunity can go a long way toward properly assessing the best franchises to buy in 2026.“There’s an old saying in franchising: ‘If you can fog a mirror, you can buy a franchise,’” Herman said. “Many people think buying a franchise is like a cookie-cutter system where everything will be done for them – including marketing, basic P&amp;L skills and operations. But you have to maintain costs, labor and compliance with rules and regulations. You really have to be careful.”Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.1851growthclub.com">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

What is the best franchise to buy for beginners?

What is the best franchise to buy for beginners? Franchise attorney Mario Herman shares expert tips on due diligence, top sectors and avoiding common mistakes.

What Is The Best Franchise To Buy For Beginners? A Guide

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Pause Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Tech-forward wellness studios offering science-backed recovery services such as contrast therapy, infrared sauna, float, IV drips, cryotherapy, and more. 

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Visiting Angels Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026

Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Visiting Angels is a senior home care franchise focused on in-home support for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Top Franchise Development Executives of 2024: Aaron Harper, CEO, Rolling Suds

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