Why Opportunity Knocks More Than Once in Franchising

Franchising is widely recognized as a helpful pathway to becoming an entrepreneur. For many people, however, the franchise space represents so much more than a single opportunity to step into business ownership. In many cases, people describe their introduction to franchising as “unexpected” or “life-changing,” and once they’re connected to it, they fall in love with it.

The thing about franchising is that once you’re in, it’s pretty easy to stay in. Opportunity often knocks more than once, and there are endless roles you can play in the system apart from launching your own franchise, including franchise consulting or even working with franchisors. 

“My franchise journey began as a multi-unit franchisee. I purchased an existing franchise business as well as expansion territory,” said Alicia Miller, founder and managing director of Emergent Growth Advisors. “As I continued to build my business, I studied everything I could about franchising best practices, including earning my CFE (Certified Franchise Executive). This opened my eyes to all the many opportunities for brands to improve — and when I sold my business years later, I embarked on a new career as a management consultant with a focus on franchising.”

A common thread in franchising — one that tends to keep people attached to the space — is the connection and support that are available. The space is incredibly collaborative, and the entire industry has been built by providing people with opportunities; it only makes sense that those opportunities continue to arise as franchise professionals move through their careers.

“There are so many different roles, and you can find what aligns with what you like to do and what you value at a job,” said Chelsea Grzegorczyk, human resources project manager at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK*. “You can find your friends and find your future.”

Grzegorczyk explained that, when she entered the TWO MEN AND A TRUCK system in an administrative role with just two years of experience, she didn’t expect to grow with the company over the span of nearly a decade and find a role that is both fulfilling and stable.

“I grew up in a family that wasn’t super well-off, and for me to be able to pay my bills every month and to have a career that I enjoy going to every day — it just gives me a huge sense of purpose to be able to do that,” she said. “And I know so many people in our system have similar experiences.”

Many franchise systems are expansive and include robust support, meaning there are many people with different responsibilities required to keep the entire system afloat. Sometimes, franchise opportunity carries an administrative employee up the ladder into a more senior role, like the path Grzegorczyk followed; other times, opportunity may knock first with a chance to join the corporate team and again later with a chance to become a business owner — or vice versa. 

Regardless of how it comes to you, opportunity is abundant in the franchise space. In an industry built by entrepreneurs and thoughtful leaders working to achieve their dreams, there is always room for growth, and opportunity just keeps on knocking.

Read more about what franchising could mean for you:

• Why I Franchised My Business
• Franchisor Success Story: How I Franchised My Business
• How to Start the Process of Buying a Franchise: A Comprehensive Guide
• The Future of the Job Market: Why Franchising and Recruitment Are the Silver Linings of 2023
• Why You Don’t Have to Give Up Your Day Job to Run a Franchise