Franchising Succes Stories

Franchising is a business model that has led millions to financial success. Every franchisee has a singular story - of where they've been, how they chose franchising, and of the challenges they've overcome on their pathway to personal and business success. Franchising.com brings these real-life stories to you online. Someday your story may appear here as well.

George Tinsley has been a part of Kentucky Fried Chicken/KFC for more than three decades, so long that he had the opportunity to work alongside the brand's now-legendary founder, Harland "Colonel" Sanders, for three years.
  • Kerry Pipes
  • 680    0
Charles Loflin first met Antonio Swad in 1997. Swad is the entrepreneur's entrepreneur, the founder of Wingstop and Pizza Patrón. The two men hit it off and began communicating about the possibility of Loflin opening some Wingstops in his home state of Texas.
  • Kerry Pipes
  • 2,086    12
Bob Middleton heard or read something years ago that stuck with him: Wealth is built by focusing on one thing and doing it well; wealth is preserved by diversifying.
  • Debbie Selinsky
  • 3,047    274
Veronica Jordan was determined to trade in her 9-to-5 desk job for something more creative and profitable. In 2012, after searching for 3 years, she came across a Facebook ad that inspired her to unleash her inner entrepreneur.
  • By Danielle Buenrostro
  • 24,939    0
Harry Rose, founder and chairman of The Rose Group, is a winner. In 2016, for the second year in a row, Applebee's named Rose its Franchisee of the Year.
  • By Danielle Buenrostro
  • 27,408    868
Eddie Rodriguez, one of the 10 largest Wendy's franchisees, says he has never worked a day in his life. After 43 years in franchising, Rodriguez continues his relentless dedication to growing a brand he believes in--and in expanding it beyond his company's 179 Wendy's locations in Florida, New Mexico, and Texas.
  • By Danielle Buenrostro
  • 29,521    4
Al Bhakta is proof that friends can be successful in business together. As managing director of the Dallas-based Chalak Mitra Group of Companies, Bhakta is one of seven longtime friends who have made wise business decisions together through the years.
  • By Danielle Buenrostro
  • 32,714    86
K'Zell "Zelly" Wesson took his pro basketball career global more than 17 years ago. He currently plays in Turkey as a forward for Afyonkarahisar Belediyespor, a team in the Turkish Basketball League. But the 6-foot-7-inch Wesson is also making sure he's got game as he nears the end of his playing days--by investing in and growing a chain of Workout Anytime fitness gyms in the USA.
  • By Kerry Pipes
  • 33,355    2
Dunkin' Donuts Power Team To Open 69 New Restaurants In Louisiana. Longtime multi-unit franchisee Vik Patel, Super Bowl Quarterback Drew Brees, and former New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl Bringing Rush of Donuts To The Bayou State.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 18,844    0
Mara Fortin wears many hats as a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee: taste-testing in one of her seven San Diego-area stores, meeting with local business owners, advocating before Congress on issues of concern to franchisees and small-business owners, and mentoring young women.
  • By Debbie Selinsky
  • 18,172    11
Multi-unit, multi-brand franchisee Tom Garrett makes major move taking on another 194 Burger King locations. His GPS Hospitality company now oversees 431 Burger King and Popeyes franchises in 14 states.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 20,923    4
SPONSORED
Open a Fantastic Sams Franchise
Fantastic Sams® is one of the most recognized brands in the hair care industry with nearly 1,200 full-service salons in North America and 40 years...
Robert Schermer, Jr., CEO of Meritage Hospitality Group in Grand Rapids, Mich., hails from the school of life that says, "Go big or go home."
  • By Debbie Selinsky
  • 16,343    0
Rob Branca successfully operates 88 Dunkin' Donuts franchise locations. And that's just what he plans to continue doing long into the future. He says it's imperative that industry leaders stand up and fight for the rights of franchisees as they face a continuing barrage of government overreach and regulation.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 16,300    4
After working his usual 50- 60-hour week tending to his 17 Indianapolis-area Penn Station East Coast Subs stores, Rob Chinsky and his wife Linda moved both their children into their college dorms, hours away, all in one weekend.
  • By Debbie Selinsky
  • 15,780    3
Mara Fortin was the very first franchisee for Nothing Bundt Cakes. She has served as chair of the brand's Franchise Advisory Council and has received the Outstanding Franchisee (Circle of Honor) award. She also loves to serve as a mentor - especially for other women. She has learned quite a few things about hiring and retaining employees during her decade in franchising.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 23,901    10
Rob Branca and his extended family of in-laws, siblings, children, and cousins own and operate more than 1,200 Dunkin' Donuts locations throughout New England and a few expansion markets.
  • By Kerry Pipes
  • 14,243    0
Pedro Giorgana loves being a home-based franchisee of A Buyer's Choice Home Inspections and iHandyMan. He has time for his family and personal life and still gets to work with and assist his customers daily. It's been a rewarding and successful blend for him.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 28,328    4
Today, at 38, Garrard still works out every day, but he's not just pumping iron in his post-NFL career—he's pumping profits from his two Retro Fitness gyms.
  • By Kerry Pipes
  • 31,271    0
Rob Chinsky has been franchising since he was just 23 years old. Today he has 17 Indianapolis-area Penn Station East Coast Subs stores and will open his 18th location next year. He knows how to run a successful business and has been recognized with the brand's Franchisee of the Year award and served 10 years as president of the brand's Franchise Advisory Committee.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 13,752    2
Dave Goebel has crammed several lifetimes into his 66 years.
  • By Debbie Selinsky
  • 15,349    0
Popeyes mega franchisee group, Parikh Network, purchases 18 formerly corporate-owned Arby's locations and signs deal to open another 50 Arby's units over the next 8 years.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 22,837    0
SPONSORED
Open a LemonShark Poke Franchise
We're not a stuffy, corporate franchise brand. Our brand culture emphasizes the idea of just being you, and have some fun building equity in your business portfolio.
Whether working to build up their business or improve the lives of children in their community, Papa Murphy's franchisee Todd Mulvahill and his wife Kelly love serving with a cause.
  • By Helen Bond
  • 32,050    0
Longtime Wienerschnitzel franchisee signs on for an additional 10 units to open in California and Texas.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 11,941    2
When a competitor set up shop too close to Michael Geiger's Moe's Southwest Grill, he and his partner John Iaquinta fired back with a volley of cheese dip.
  • By Helen Bond
  • 29,848    0
As chair of Arby's largest franchisee, Jeff Davis has led his family-owned business to new heights. Davis is quick to say the restaurant business is in his DNA...
  • By Helen Bond
  • 27,513    0
If you want to see the positive influence of Hardee's franchisee Dan Ponder at work, look no farther than his hometown of Donalsonville, population 3,000.
  • By Helen Bond
  • 29,824    859
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen multi-unit franchisee Ali Shahid Butt learned long ago that success in business depends on other people.
  • By Helen Bond
  • 18,669    20
For Sunny Ghai, the key to multi-brand franchisee success is creativity. The founder of family-owned Ghai Management Services operates 7 brands, including 60 Burger Kings in 4 states.
  • By Helen Bond
  • 20,775    232
One of the strategies multi-unit franchisees Brooke and Les Wilson practice to keep both their marriage and their business on track is to keep each in its proper place.
  • By Helen Bond
  • 19,677    38
Jesse and Charles Keyser are two brothers who operate franchise units for three brands--Little Caesars, Sport Clips, and Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning. They've built their business by leveraging Jesse's salesmanship and drive, Charles' operational skills and passion for food, and a dedicated approach to their business philosophy.
  • Multi-Unit Franchisee
  • 13,793    20

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Issue II, 2017
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2017 Multi-Unit Buyers Guide

Special Edition

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