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Why I changed my mind about franchising
Turns out, time DOES give you perspective.
Michael Girdley
February 22, 2025
Howdy Girdleyworld!
Today’s topic is the type I get to write because I’m getting older and (theoretically) benefiting from experience.
Why I changed my mind about franchising.
Confession time: as an entrepreneur who builds and runs companies, I used to look down on franchising.
Owning a McDonald’s or an Orange Theory wasn’t “true entrepreneurship.”
But over my years doing business, I’ve changed my mind.
It comes down to two major reasons.
1. Good business isn’t about the idea
In my early days, I thought entrepreneurship was about finding brilliant, groundbreaking ideas and growing them into businesses. I loved the brainstorming, the experiments, and the thrill of seeing the niche nobody else had seen.
Franchises, by comparison, felt boring.
Where was the innovation? Where was the creativity? Where was the scale?
But as I built and ran more businesses over the years, I realized how tiny a role the “idea” plays in finding success.
Real success comes from the operational stuff. And it’s about:
Mental toughness
Determination
Focus
Guess what? These things are hard no matter what business you run — whether it’s an AI startup, a law firm, or a Wendy’s.
I finally saw that franchising isn’t an “easy mode” at all.
2. A proven concept is worth a LOT
The second thing that changed my mind about franchising: frustration.
I’ve spent years experimenting with and testing innovative ideas and some didn’t shake out.
My team and I tested five or six different business ideas in 2024 alone, but none of the experiments succeeded.
So, I’m seeing the appeal of a business idea with proven demand.
You see famous people like Shaquille O’Neal investing heavily in franchise systems… and the older I get,, the wiser that seems.
If you have the capital and operational expertise, you can invest in a well-developed business concept.
Then you can spend your time and effort on operating it well.
—
I have friends who ask me, “Hey, I want to invest in a business — what should I do?”
Sometimes they want to operate it, sometimes they want third-party management.
These days I’m telling them: franchising might be good for you.
Not everybody has the appetite for all the swashbuckling and growth hacking and pirate stuff that innovative entrepreneurs do.
Some people just want to execute, grind it out, and make a lot of money.
And based on the number of McDonald’s owners I’ve seen roll up in $150,000 Range Rovers — it looks like a pretty good option.
All work is honest work.
It’s just as valid a way to feed your family, give your employees a living, and create value for the world.
That’s where my head’s at these days.
—
If any of this interests you, check out Connor Groce’s newsletter.
He’s our go-to franchise guy on the Acquisitions Anonymous podcast, and helps entrepreneurs and investors find, evaluate, and fund the best franchise for them.
He breaks down franchising concepts, and helps people figure out if franchising is a good fit for them.
Here’s his pitch:
TOGETHER WITH CONNOR GROCE
Connor Groce here! How long have you been searching for a business to buy?
I hear stories all the time of people spending months or years, and still not finding the right deal for them.
But there’s another path.
When you buy a franchise, the whole process — from search to discovery to close — takes an average of about 2-3 months.
It’s a question of priorities: Do you want to wait for the perfect match, or roll up your sleeves and start growing a business?
Ready to get started? Let’s talk.
Not sure yet? Subscribe to my newsletter and get my free guide to the 5 Keys to Finding the Right Franchise (Without Making a Costly Mistake).
That’s it for today.
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Have a great week!
Michael
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