So You’re Thinking About Franchising Your Business?
Read This First.
Franchising is often painted as the ultimate way to scale. And while it can be a powerful growth model—it’s not a shortcut, and it’s definitely not passive income.
If you’re a founder considering turning your business into a franchise, here are four things I wish more people knew before they jumped in:
1. Understand the ‘Why’ Before the ‘How’
Don’t franchise because someone told you to, or because it “seems like the next step.” Ask yourself: Why do I want to franchise? Is it to grow your impact? Expand your reach? Multiply your revenue? Or are you just overwhelmed and hoping franchising will solve your operational headaches?
Your “why” will become your anchor—because once you franchise, you’re not just running a business anymore. You’re leading a brand through other people. That’s a whole different game.
2. You’re Not Scaling a Business—You’re Scaling a System
This is where a lot of founders get it wrong. Franchising doesn’t mean duplicating your hustle. It means building a repeatable system that someone else can follow—without your day-to-day involvement.
If your business relies on your intuition, personality, or you being in 10 places at once—it’s not ready. You need structure, documentation, guardrails, and a blueprint that works in someone else’s hands.
It’s a heavy lift upfront. But if you do it right, it can scale far beyond what you could ever do alone.
3. Be Honest About the Financial Strain
You don’t really make money in franchising until the stores are open—and performing.
That means you’re fronting the cost of infrastructure long before you see the return. Think corporate hires. Systems and tech. Legal fees. Manuals. Support teams. And salaries. You need a significant financial cushion—and the patience to delay your payoff.
Too many founders underestimate what it takes financially to become a franchisor. Don’t be one of them.
4. Culture Is Your Real Intellectual Property
Your systems can be copied. Your branding can be mimicked. But your culture—how your brand makes people feel, how your team operates, how decisions are made—that’s the magic.
Before you franchise, ask yourself: Can I transfer this culture? Can someone in a completely different market understand what we stand for—and live it?
Culture isn’t fluff. It’s what makes a franchise thrive—or crumble. Build it with intention. Protect it relentlessly.
Franchising isn’t the easy way—it’s just a different way. But when done with strategy, purpose, and the right partners, it can create something much bigger than you.
Build the foundation. Know your “why.” And never forget: you’re not just building locations—you’re building leaders.