Veterans in Franchising: Todd Crabtree

Franchising and life in the military have many similarities. While in the military, there are specific systems and protocols one must follow to be successful, and it’s the same in franchising. Additionally, a franchise brand’s system mirrors the support that’s seen in tight-knit military groups. Due to this, many successful franchisees within the industry have military backgrounds. In fact, some franchises cater themselves to veterans because of the mindset the military instilled within them.

Todd Crabtree is an extremely successful franchisee within the Sylvan Learning* system. Crabtree owns multiple locations within the Los Angeles and southern California area. In an interview with 1851 Magazine, Crabtree provided insight on his military background and the learned skills he has implemented within the franchising world.

1851: Why did you decide to join the military?

Crabtree: I decided to join the Marine Corps right out of High School because I loved the history of the Marines and wanted to serve my country. I was excited about the opportunities the Marines offered for leadership and to get a college degree. I came from a working-class family with little opportunity, so the Marines seemed like a great place to start my life.

1851: What was the most valuable thing your military experience taught you?

Crabtree: The most valuable thing I received from the Marines was self-confidence and accomplishment. I got to experience so many things in my first tour of duty – I trained to be a warrior, I was selected for diplomatic security and I got to live and experience places like Hong Kong, St. Petersburg, Russia, and Geneva, Switzerland. When I left the Marines for college, I was completely prepared for what college had to offer me.

1851: How did your military service prepare you for franchising?

Crabtree: My military service prepared me for franchising by giving me the necessary leadership skills and confidence to start an enterprise from scratch. The Marine saying, “Lead, follow, or get out of the way,” really comes to mind because you must lead, make decisions and constantly solve problems as a business leader. Military service develops a capacity to develop plans, train a team, then go out into a chaotic world and adapt those plans while keeping your eye on an objective. It’s a constant, fast-moving decision-cycle, and the more you do it the better you get at it. That process leads to self-confidence and the ability to tolerate, assess and manage risk.

1851: What is it about Sylvan Learning that attracted you to the brand?

Crabtree: I was attracted to Sylvan for the same reason I was attracted to the Marines – because it was the best. I worked for a competitor before I purchased my first Sylvan, and Sylvan was always the front-runner and our main competitor. When I looked at franchising for myself, I just knew I was going to be a Sylvan franchisee the same way I knew I was going to be a Marine. It wasn’t just a feeling either; Sylvan really does have the widest selection of programs to offer families and can work with every segment of the market. Sylvan has a tremendous arsenal of programs to serve every kind of student, young and old.

1851: What advice would you give to veterans who are looking to get into franchising?

Crabtree: My advice to veterans, especially those who made it as an officer or staff non-commissioned officer, is to do it. I left the USMCR after 12-years as a Gunnery Sergeant, and I was ready to manage any situation I found myself in. Franchising, for me, was the vehicle to write my own ticket, and it has transformed my life. I have more freedom and independence then I could have imagined working for someone else. There are pros and cons to everything, but never let it enter your mind that you “can’t do it.”

1851: What does franchising mean to you?

Crabtree: For me, franchising meant achieving some very specific personal goals – the awesome responsibility of being the chief executive, the freedom to manage my own time, the freedom to see all my kid’s games as well as to coach and participate in my child’s life, the ability to grow my income based upon my own ingenuity and results and the ability to surround myself with people I like and care about.

1851: What would you like to achieve in franchising within the next 5 years? In 10?

Crabtree: What I would like to achieve in franchising over the next 5-10 years is to continue to develop a few more profitable stores and to develop a right-hand person to run the day-to-day operation. My goal is to expand into legacy activities. I love teaching and mentoring new franchisees, and I would love to share with others what I know