At some point in their career, every worker has probably thought: I wish I were the boss.
In franchising, people often achieve that dream. They might start as a cashier, manager, or in some role at the corporate office, and then rise up to buy a unit of a brand themselves.
This is no accident. Franchises are always looking for qualified franchisee candidates who appreciate their brand and are dedicated to its success, and many of them encourage their best employees to pursue that path. It’s part of the DNA of franchising. Some brands even have apprenticeship or financing programs to help their team members achieve the dream of business ownership.
So, what’s it like to go from employee to boss? And what’s required to make the leap? On the following pages, eight people share the biggest lesson they learned—and what enabled them to finally say what so many others want to say: “I’m the boss!”
