Event-based franchising runs on momentum, not routine. You’re not relying on steady daily traffic or a fixed set of regulars. You’re showing up, setting up and earning every sale in a fast-moving environment where crowds, timing and weather can change everything. For Andrew Hollander, a Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. franchisee in New Jersey, success has come from treating the business like a craft: show up prepared, stay disciplined about where you work and never let presentation slip. After more than a decade in the system, Hollander has also become a top validator for the brand, helping new candidates understand what it really takes to run the model.
Hollander’s pace was shaped long before he entered franchising. “I went to school to become a teacher, and I was struggling to find a full-time position, which led me to work at Chipotle,” he said. “I was a manager in training at Chipotle, and at the same time, I was a substitute teacher at my local schools. So I was working essentially from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, and then I would transition over to Chipotle from a 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift.”
That experience carried over directly into Wild Bill’s, where weekends are prime time and the work rewards operators who are ready to show up with energy and consistency. “It’s a busy lifestyle, but it’s been a great fit for me,” Hollander said. “You have to be committed, and weekends are a big part of it, but that’s also where the opportunity is.”
In 2011, Hollander was looking for a change of pace, and a job posting for an event manager with Wild Bill’s sealed it. “I found a position for an event manager on Craigslist,” he said. “It involved traveling, which I thought at that time was a great opportunity for me. I was single. I was young.”
The role pulled him in quickly through big events and new experiences. “Right away, I was traveling to Tennessee for an event at Jack Daniel’s. I met Guy Fieri there,” he said. “So it kind of drew me in right away because I was experiencing these things and places that I’d never been before.”
Over time, he chose to build in New Jersey because relationships and repetition became a strategic advantage. “This is home,” Hollander said. “I’ve been doing the same route of events since 2011, so I have all these relationships with the events and the people — the other vendors. It’s like I know these things like the back of my hand.”
As a validator, Hollander stresses one lesson: you don’t get many do-overs at an event. “You have one chance to make a first impression at these events because the pace is so high,” he said. “Your presentation has to be on point. You have that one opportunity to make that connection, make that sale.”
That includes energy and customer engagement, not just signage and cleanliness. “That starts with a smile on your face,” he said. “I think it sounds silly, but it leads to sales.”
Hollander credits his early growth to being selective and building repeatable wins before chasing “bigger” dates. “I think sticking with what works and then kind of sprinkling in new events,” he said. Instead of gambling on hype, he builds his calendar around what’s proven — reliable venues, strong organizers and patterns he can plan around.
Because most events are outdoors, Hollander plans with weather in mind and builds margins into every weekend. “The biggest factor is the weather,” he said, which is why he focuses on smart scheduling, tight execution and the kinds of events that still perform when conditions are less than perfect.
Staffing is just as intentional. Hollander looks for people who can handle the pace and represent the brand well, especially at the point of sale. “It’s really important to have people who you trust working that cash register,” he said. For him, the goal is simple: a small, reliable team that can deliver the same customer experience every time.
For Hollander, strong results come from running the same play every weekend: choose events with the right fit, show up prepared and deliver a sharp guest experience every time. Instead of chasing the next “big” date, he builds around repeatable wins — tight execution, a dependable team and a consistent setup that customers recognize. Over time, that discipline turns weekends into momentum and momentum into a strong year. Hollander serviced 75+ events in 2025 and looks to carry that success into 2026 and beyond.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills.
Wild Bill's Craft Beverage Company
SPONSORED
A decade of running Wild Bill’s at fairs and festivals taught Andrew Hollander to win on presentation, disciplined event selection, and tight staffing — the keys to repeatable results year after year.
Event-based franchising runs on momentum, not routine. You’re not relying on steady daily traffic or a fixed set of regulars. You’re showing up, setting up and earning every sale in a fast-moving environment where crowds, timing and weather can change everything. For Andrew Hollander, a Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. franchisee in New Jersey, success has come from treating the business like a craft: show up prepared, stay disciplined about where you work and never let presentation slip. After more than a decade in the system, Hollander has also become a top validator for the brand, helping new candidates understand what it really takes to run the model.
Hollander’s pace was shaped long before he entered franchising. “I went to school to become a teacher, and I was struggling to find a full-time position, which led me to work at Chipotle,” he said. “I was a manager in training at Chipotle, and at the same time, I was a substitute teacher at my local schools. So I was working essentially from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the school, and then I would transition over to Chipotle from a 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift.”
That experience carried over directly into Wild Bill’s, where weekends are prime time and the work rewards operators who are ready to show up with energy and consistency. “It’s a busy lifestyle, but it’s been a great fit for me,” Hollander said. “You have to be committed, and weekends are a big part of it, but that’s also where the opportunity is.”
In 2011, Hollander was looking for a change of pace, and a job posting for an event manager with Wild Bill’s sealed it. “I found a position for an event manager on Craigslist,” he said. “It involved traveling, which I thought at that time was a great opportunity for me. I was single. I was young.”
The role pulled him in quickly through big events and new experiences. “Right away, I was traveling to Tennessee for an event at Jack Daniel’s. I met Guy Fieri there,” he said. “So it kind of drew me in right away because I was experiencing these things and places that I’d never been before.”
Over time, he chose to build in New Jersey because relationships and repetition became a strategic advantage. “This is home,” Hollander said. “I’ve been doing the same route of events since 2011, so I have all these relationships with the events and the people — the other vendors. It’s like I know these things like the back of my hand.”
As a validator, Hollander stresses one lesson: you don’t get many do-overs at an event. “You have one chance to make a first impression at these events because the pace is so high,” he said. “Your presentation has to be on point. You have that one opportunity to make that connection, make that sale.”
That includes energy and customer engagement, not just signage and cleanliness. “That starts with a smile on your face,” he said. “I think it sounds silly, but it leads to sales.”
Hollander credits his early growth to being selective and building repeatable wins before chasing “bigger” dates. “I think sticking with what works and then kind of sprinkling in new events,” he said. Instead of gambling on hype, he builds his calendar around what’s proven — reliable venues, strong organizers and patterns he can plan around.
Because most events are outdoors, Hollander plans with weather in mind and builds margins into every weekend. “The biggest factor is the weather,” he said, which is why he focuses on smart scheduling, tight execution and the kinds of events that still perform when conditions are less than perfect.
Staffing is just as intentional. Hollander looks for people who can handle the pace and represent the brand well, especially at the point of sale. “It’s really important to have people who you trust working that cash register,” he said. For him, the goal is simple: a small, reliable team that can deliver the same customer experience every time.
For Hollander, strong results come from running the same play every weekend: choose events with the right fit, show up prepared and deliver a sharp guest experience every time. Instead of chasing the next “big” date, he builds around repeatable wins — tight execution, a dependable team and a consistent setup that customers recognize. Over time, that discipline turns weekends into momentum and momentum into a strong year. Hollander serviced 75+ events in 2025 and looks to carry that success into 2026 and beyond.
To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/wild-bills.
Sign up for the 1851 Franchise newsletter to get our biggest stories before everyone else
By signing up, you agree to our user agreement (including class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and acknowledge our privacy policy.
No related articles found
