Do you have what it takes to rise to the top? I’ve studied the best franchise owners in the game. Tomorrow, I’m breaking down the 5 habits that set them apart. Don't miss the latest ↓

I'm a multi-brand franchise entrepreneur. I’m also a franchise consultant who helps people looking to get into business ownership. Here are my 7 keys to success in franchising (bookmark this): 1. Go all in or partner with someone who will. Franchises are not mutual funds. Do not let anyone convince you that this is a passive investment. 2. “Plant your Flag” before growing. Grow intentionally. Don’t let FOMO cloud your judgement. Opportunity is infinite and will present itself when you’re ready to claim it. 3. Focus on people, both when choosing franchises and operating them. A business is only as strong as the team behind it. The team is only as strong as their leader empowers them to be. 4. Never confuse passion with opportunity. Strategically pick businesses based on the opportunity they present and how they align with your skillset. Then use all the money you make to chase your passions as hobbies. 5. “Flatten The Curve” when it comes to learning. Milk every last ounce of value out of the support you get from the franchisor and the network of other franchisees. You’re paying for it either way. 6. Replace yourself. Hire great people and built great systems to the point that you can remove yourself from the business. But have so much fun that you don’t want to. 7. Repeat. My favorite part about being a franchise entrepreneur is the scalability. There is no ceiling to what you can build. Do it again, and again, and again until or unless you don’t want to anymore.

Transitioning from a corporate career to franchise ownership is a big step. Here are 6 steps (bookmark if you're ready to leave your W2): 1. Identify your motivation. - Define your goals. - Is it freedom? - Higher earnings? - A new challenge? 2. Clarify your timeline. - Until you know you’re ready to move forward within 8 weeks, it doesn’t make sense to start talking to franchisors. - It’s like calling the Uber from your hotel before you’ve packed your bags. - That time will be better spent preparing to capitalize the venture, planning, etc. 3. Research your capital options. - How much equity are you in a position to contribute? Do you need to access retirement accounts to do so? - Are you considering utilizing debt between SBA loans and other lending options? - Are you considering bringing on a capital partner to scale more quickly? 4. Identify your skills. - Small business owners wear a lot of hats. But some businesses are going to require more of certain skillsets than others. - Clarity helps you to both pick the franchise that aligns with your skills, and hire to compliment them once you get started. 5. Build a short list of franchise brands. - It is not a good idea to just look at one. It’s also not a good idea to look at too many. - Pick the three best options that align with your financial expectations, long-term growth strategy, and culture. * I can help you with this btw. DM me. 6. Make a decision. - It’s a combination of head and heart when it comes to making a decision like this. Many people want to leave their job. Few will take the necessary actions to make the transition to business ownership. That's the reality.

Franchising isn’t a passion project. Franchises give you a blueprint, not a hobby. If you’re passionate about: - Scaling - Team-building - Building systems that work Franchising is for you. Focus on what it can become through your execution. That’s where the real magic happens. Franchise ownership has allowed me to do things early in my career that would have otherwise been highly unlikely. Now, I help others find those opportunities. DM me, let's talk.

I’ve gained quite a few new followers recently, so let me *re* introduce myself. I'm Connor Groce. I'm a franchise entrepreneur. The last few years have been pretty crazy. Here's a rundown: 2019: Bought my first franchise at age 20. 2020: Worked 60-80 hours/week. Barely broke even. Realized I picked the wrong franchise and secretly wanted to quit at times. 2021: Bottom line finally crossed 6-figures. Hired my first manager and stepped back from operations. 2022: Acquired a second franchise in a new industry. 2023: Reinvested. Bought two more locations in the same brand. 2024: Became a franchise consultant. Started building my personal brand. 2025: Big things ahead. Small wins stack fast. That’s why I keep going.

Are you stuck thinking the grass is greener elsewhere? When you see people making money with the newest trend, it's hard to stay focused! Yesterday, I shared my tips on cutting through the noise and how that leads to sustainable growth. In case you missed it ↓

One thing EVERYONE gets wrong about franchising. “Franchises cap upside.” This couldn’t be further from the truth. Franchises allow MORE options for growth through acquisitions, opening multiple units, and building multi-brand portfolios.

Most entrepreneurs get stuck on this question: Start, buy, or franchise? Let's talk through it: 1. Startups Perfect if you want to innovate and build something entirely your own. BUT they’re risky. The failure rate is high, and the trial-and-error phase can be brutal. 2. Acquisitions Give you immediate cash flow and a proven customer base. BUT if your goals aren't aligned with the current team, expect departures and headaches. And there's a chance you inherit problems you didn't expect. 3. Franchising This is the middle ground. You’re not reinventing the wheel, you’re executing a proven system. It’s about scaling wealth, not guessing your way there. The right choice? It depends on your strengths: - Are you a creator or an operator? - Do you want to build from scratch or hit the ground running? - What aligns with your long-term goals? One thing is certain: Franchising has helped me scale faster than anything else and achieve the life I dreamed of.

Turns out socialism CAN work. All you need is: 1) An infinite money glitch 2) A laughably small population 3) A superpower across the ocean footing our defense bill

You find the perfect franchise. It fits all of your goals, budget, and aspirations. What more is there to do? DIG DEEPER. Tomorrow, I'm going to share how you can take a franchise for a test drive. Don't miss it ↓

Entrepreneurship is about building systems that free you from the day-to-day grind. The goal? Create processes that work without you. Systems that: - Handle operations - Manage teams - Drive growth That’s the power of franchising. The systems are already in place. You just have to execute them.

Don’t start one. Use an SBA loan to acquire an existing one from a leader who wants to retire.

2019: Bought my first franchise in the home service industry at age 20 2020: Worked 60-80 hours/week and was barely profitable. Realized I picked the “wrong” brand. 2021: Finally broke 6-figures of profitability and hired a GM 2022: Bought an existing business in a different franchise brand 2023: Reinvested to buy 2 more 2024: Can’t wait to share what’s next Franchising can be a slow and unglamorous journey, but the compound effect is what keeps me going.

Read THIS before you make a mistake with your first franchise. Looking at 10+ options? I know you want to be thorough, but you'll become overwhelmed QUICKLY. Do this instead: 1. Define your goals. 2. Set a realistic budget. 3. Focus on the lifestyle you want. Eliminate EVERYTHING that doesn't fit your answers. Now you can evaluate your options without being overwhelmed.

Tell him no and see how he responds. If it’s respectful and positive, I’d consider slipping him a cash bonus the next time you see him. If it’s impulsive and negative, that tells you what you need to know.

Are you driven to learn? Do you execute relentlessly? These are just two habits of top-performing franchisees. Yesterday, I revealed the full list of traits that fuel their success. In case you missed it ↓

I always knew business ownership was for me. Freedom was non-negotiable from the start. Early on I knew I wasn’t cut out to be someone else’s employee. It wasn’t about laziness. It was about control over my focus and time. Owning a business gives me that freedom. It comes with more responsibility & challenges. But the rewards: - Freedom - Growth - Impact Make it all worth it. I imagine other business owners feel the same.

Do you have these expenses covered? - Initial franchise fee - Supplies & inventory - Training Great. Now what about the hidden costs? Yesterday, business owners learned the 5 hidden franchise costs I see the most. Miss the issue? Grab it here ↓

Why scaling franchises beats starting from scratch: Franchises give you a proven framework: - Established branding. - Streamlined operations. - Built in customer trust. Growth isn’t easier, but it’s faster when the foundation is already there. What’s your take... start fresh or scale a franchise?

I became a franchise consultant because I know the power of franchising to build wealth and freedom. Helping others find the right franchise fit means they can skip the trial and error and go straight to execution. Guiding others on this path is what drives me.

Owning multiple franchises allows you to plant seeds in many fields. If one slows, others keep things running. Each business builds on the last. You scale, not start over. Every new opportunity pursued with intention adds security.

Starting a franchise can feel like walking onto a championship team. You have a clear path to win BUT you can't stop working. Yesterday, 600+ franchisees learned the top 5 failures I see in franchising. PLUS how you can avoid them ↓

Are you missing out on niche franchise opportunities? Not all franchises are household names, and that’s a good thing. Niche franchises often have: - Lower competition. - Tight-knit franchisor support. - High growth potential in untapped markets. Sometimes, the big wins come from small systems. Have you explored niche franchises? What opportunities stood out to you?

Relocating back to Raleigh NC today after a couple years running my franchises in the Midwest. Grateful for the adventure but excited to be home! Who from SMB Twitter should I follow/connect with in the greater Raleigh area?

If you pulled out of a business acquisition this week because of tariffs, you made the right decision. Because nobody who lets the short-term news cycle dictate their long-term attitude should own a SMB.

The matchup you’ve all been waiting for. Register below!

Why doesn’t anyone copy McDonald’s verbatim and crush them by fixing the ice cream machine?

I usually only share this in my consultations. But I'll give you a preview for free. My "triple option" approach to franchise ownership: 1. Exit potential 2. Executive ownership 3. Acquisition pipeline I'm here to help the next generation of franchise owners. If you're interested in exploring franchising options, check out the link below.

Frame control. The key to life. Whether it’s business, dating, or anything else. Being able to walk away at your original expectation is key.

Franchises vs. independent businesses: Which scales better? Franchises win on scalability: 1. Shared branding builds trust fast. 2. Unified systems streamline ops. 3. Predictability = fewer surprises. Do you agree franchises scale faster?

Time. This is your biggest advantage when buying a franchise over starting from scratch. Branding, systems, and training? Covered. Trial and error mistakes? Minimized. Network of peers and mentors? In your lap on day one. Franchising gives you the playbook for success.

Scaling a business is hard. If it was easy, everyone would have a $10M company. If you want fewer headaches as you grow your business, look into franchising. Franchises come with proven systems. Having established processes in place allows each new location to run smoothly. Instead of reinventing the wheel, you build on a model that works. Interested in which franchise would match with your goals? DM me.

Good morning from heaven

I was denied a $1300/month apartment lease by an agent who said my W2 income was “lower than she could get comfortable with”. She changed her tune when I offered to pay all 12 months up front.

Repeat buyers in an emerging brand might be green flag #1 in my opinion. Nothing provides more validation than current owners doubling and tripling down.

Talked with a franchisee yesterday doing ~4M EBITDA in a service brand. He’s concerned about his exit options because the franchisor does not allow institutional investment and it’s too big for an SBA loan. Is there a solution here that doesn’t involved a massive seller note?

🚩🚩🚩 There are 3 red flags that are costing you money. Not every franchise system is built to help you succeed.  1. Lack of transparency. - A vague Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) is a warning sign. 2. Resistance to innovation. - Franchises stuck in outdated methods could leave you at a disadvantage. 3. Poor franchisee relationships. - If current franchisees are leaving, it’s worth digging deeper. Avoid systems that set you up for failure.

Franchises provide a roadmap. But someone still has to drive. Execution is everything. A strong franchise system gives you: - Training - Support - Processes But the biggest determining factor in a franchise’s success still comes down to operational execution. The ones who succeed are the ones who get to work. Execute like it all depends on you.

Franchising doesn’t mean easy. Franchises give you the tools, but success is on you. Leadership, hard work, and execution still drive the results. What’s been your biggest franchise challenge?

They have a European vibe since they were all built by Europeans shortly after arriving in the US. I’ve always loved Savannah and Charleston and don’t make the connection until spending some time in Europe. The architecture looks very similar.

If you’re looking at buying a franchise and thinking “I could improve x, y, and z…” Don’t buy into that franchise. Either start that business yourself, or find a different franchise you think kicks ass. Don’t waste your money buying their system just to fiddle with it.

New Years Resolution: STOP pulling profits, START reinvesting them. Every dollar I’ve put back into my businesses has paid off with: - Bigger returns - Faster growth - More control over my outcomes Reinvesting isn’t flashy, but it compounds over time. In 2025, I’m doubling down on what’s already working.

My first franchise experience is unique. It started when I was a sophomore at @UNC. I was working for a multi-unit ownership group in a boutique fitness franchise. Two of the owners wanted to diversify their portfolio into home services. They were attracted by the scalability and cash flow potential that service franchises offered. They were also aware that these businesses can require a LOT of owner involvement, particularly as they’re getting off the ground. That’s where I came in. I invested $4900 (about 90% of my net worth at the time) into the business and became their “operating partner”. They put in most of the money and I put in most of the sweat. I juggled running the business with my classes. To be honest, it was extremely challenging. For 18 months, I handled daily operations. Everything from sales, customer service, and management of employees. I finally hired a manager and it changed everything. Today, I still own the business but I'm not involved in the day-to-day. I learned two major lessons: 1. Build systems early 2. Hire the right people If I was able to do this as an inexperienced, immature, and insecure college student, imagine what you can do now.

Crossed the 1k follower mark today. Thank you all - X is an amazing place.

Scaling isn’t: - Sexy - Overnight success - Hype-driven campaigns Scaling is: - Building systems that actually work - Staying persistent when things break - Embracing chaos as part of the process Growth looks messy at times, but it’s worth it. Execute relentlessly.

If you’re buying a franchise for the first time, don’t buy a tar pit: Where once you’re in, there’s no getting out again. Always look for long-term optionality. Here’s what to look for:

Ever hired someone and instantly regretted it? All that training - wasted. Team morale - down. Productivity - slipping. And now you have to figure out how to let them go. Early on, I hired people with impressive resumes but zero chemistry with the team. Showing up to work became a chore. That’s when I changed my approach. Now I ask myself TWO questions: 1. Would I grab a beer with this person? 2. How would they act at the company BBQ? Hire people you genuinely want to work with.

This is what I do on a daily basis: An aspiring franchise owner schedules a consultation with me. I learn their goals, vision, and investment strategy. We build a short list of franchise brands that are the best possible fits. I walk alongside them to connect with and evaluate franchises and eventually, select the one for them. I get to help others achieve their dreams through franchising while also working to achieve my own. This is a dream career!

My first year running a business pushed me to my LIMITS. The demand was overwhelming. The delivery window was razor thin. Every day felt like a race against time. But that chaos taught me everything: - Pressure builds resilience. - Customer service under stress builds loyalty. - Preparation and leadership can make or break you. Those sleepless weeks shaped the entrepreneur I am today.

“If absentee franchise ownership worked, BlackRock would have already bought them all.”

There is a widespread, pervasive narrative that “boring” businesses in durable industries are nothing but up and to the right. They are not. You can acknowledge that now, or after you’ve pledged your house as collateral to buy one. I’d recommend the former.

I’m relaunching my franchising newsletter tomorrow. Starting off with a hot take article: Don’t buy a business you care too much about.

Hiring an operator for your business only works if you’re not a control freak. They will make mistakes. You can’t swoop in to save the day every time. If you need to be in the weeds, you’re the bottleneck.

Franchising simplifies M&A like nothing else. Franchises = smoother acquisitions. - Shared systems, vendors, and processes make integrations predictable and scalable. What’s your take on franchising for M&A?

If you’re buying a business, make sure you can scale yourself out of a job. Otherwise you’re stuck working IN it and not ON it. 3 red flags of a non-scaling business:

I bought a dog in college. Was I insecure and an idiot? Probably. Do I regret it? Absolutely not.

Confidence is everything. My first client had no idea it was my first sale. I acted like I’d done it a hundred times before. It worked. She signed on, and we delivered what we promised. Clients want to trust that you know what you're doing. You won’t always feel ready. Do it anyway.

Least controversial thing you’ve ever tweeted @sweatystartup

The United States launching a Sovereign Wealth Fund is like your broke friend from high school launching a Family Office. Let’s create the surplus revenue before setting up the vehicle through which we plan to invest it.

I think I’ve determined that the chronicles of SMB ownership can be divided into 2 chapters: 1) When you’re excited to check your email. 2) When you’re afraid to check your email.

Everyone should go follow these two guys. @petercnordberg and @SMBjourney add tons of value to SMB X every day.

I created a detailed 6-step guide to help someone find a perfect franchise. If you've ever been interested in franchising, I'd like to send it to you. If you'd like the full guide: 1. Bookmark this post 2. Follow me 3. Comment "Guide" And my team will send it over.

Doing, improving, repeating. Everyone wants to innovate. Not enough people want to execute. Franchising comes with a proven system. Your job is to run that system as efficiently as possible. Don't reinvent the wheel. Just keep the wheel moving. If franchising is something that interests you, let's talk.

Some like to claim that being a franchisee “isn’t being your own boss”. If that’s the case, shout out to my boss (whoever that is) for letting me work remotely from Brazil this week.

Is your franchise a ‘hockey stick’ opportunity? Quick growth franchises can be acquisition pipelines. But growth ≠ quality. Dig into: 1. Sustainability. 2. Alignment with goals. Fast isn’t always better. How do you assess growth opportunities?

Don't read this if you have high blood pressure. There are HIDDEN costs to franchising. But don't worry, I made a list of the 5 you need to know about. Read them tomorrow ↓

I had to be pretty elite to get into franchise ownership: - no special skills or connections - no college degree (at the time) - $4,900 in savings Here’s my story 👇 connorgroce.beehiiv.com/p/my…

6 Steps to Find Your Perfect Franchise:

Raleigh / RTP

One thing people forget when buying a business: If you plan to hire a manager and still have free cash flow for yourself, your standard for profitability needs to increase. The worst solution to this problem: “I’ll just get a cheaper manager!”

You put in years of work to scale your franchise. But you were getting burnt out. So you put the right team in place to handle the day-to-day. Freedom. Now what? Here’s what I learned about freedom: 1. Free time without purpose feels empty. 2. Fulfillment comes from meaningful work. 3. Align your time with your values, not just your schedule. The goal shouldn't be to escape work, it’s to design a life where work fuels your purpose.

If I want to learn about crypto, where is a good place to start?

I’m cohosting a Q&A with @girdley on all things franchising — this Thursday! If we crack 500 people, Michael will finally buy a Chili’s. (He doesn’t know this yet.) RSVP here! lu.ma/dxjc70m0

If my brother gets 50k views, @Autograph is sending him to the Carolina Duke game tomorrow night in Cameron. Toss this a like, retweet, and comment and let’s make it happen!

You didn't buy a franchise to work more. You're ready for freedom. Can the business function without you? Tomorrow, I'll share my steps to freedom by going from operator to owner. Subscribe for free:

Stoked for @HoldCoConf 2025! Consider joining if you can

Nine magic words for success in franchising: Go all in or partner with someone who will.

I’d assume the former, as we all are. The difference is that some businesses drive more revenue by adding more value to customers, while others gloat about charging more fees when adding no incremental value. We can let time tell which approach is more successful.

Futurepedia is the best resource I’ve found. Essentially a directory for AI tools sorted by use cases. It’s updated daily as new tools are rolled out.

Set it and forget it. Sorry but that doesn't work in franchising. You have to put in the WORK to get the freedom you want. Tomorrow, I'm sharing the top 5 failures that I see franchisees make AND how you can avoid them. Get the issue here:

What questions do you have about franchising that @girdley and I should discuss?

The first franchise was called Shine and it does window cleaning, pressure washing, and holiday lighting. Regarding the path to profitability, the first year was pretty chaotic and unprofitable. Three main factors that turned things around the following year were - Staff retention (allowed me to focus more time on growth and less on recruiting/training) - Optimizing marketing and focusing on fewer lead sources - Discontinuing ancillary service offerings (they weren’t as profitable and were a distraction to the core business In retrospect, I should have chosen a different franchise and probably would have realized a better financial outcome. But it was enough to get me started and I learned a TON.

All of our managers have full P&L visibility. I love the transparency and alignment this has created. I mentioned this to someone yesterday and they thought it was crazy. Am I crazy? Thoughts on P&L visibility more broadly?

You own the business. But are you acting like it? Business owners often get trapped being an operator rather than an owner. If you want your freedom back, check out yesterday's Planting Flags newsletter. My 5-step guide to becoming a true owner:

“I get to charge my customers extra _________” is exactly the mentality of the waste industry that has brought the disruption you’re crying about. Capitalism is a beautiful thing.

1 - Not important at all 2 - Sounds like I might be in the minority here, but I’m not a hard no on this either. I have no problem with someone with a DWI but is an excellent plumber coming to my home. Would I hire them as a driver? Obviously not. But if they’re riding with someone else, maybe.

This is important to consider when buying a franchise. “Downside scenarios” are not limited to burning cash, selling for less than your basis, or shutting down. Sometimes the greater risk is getting sucked into a full-time job at significantly below your earning potential.

If your passion is AI, start an AI business. If your passion is frogs, become a frogologist. If your passion is business, but you’re niche-agnostic, you might be an incredible franchise owner.

Are you asking the right questions before investing your money into a franchise? - What do you wish you knew before signing? - What's the day-to-day like? These are just a few of the questions you NEED to be asking. Yesterday, I shared the top 10 questions franchisees want you to ask. Did you miss it? ↓

What makes franchises ideal for acquisitions? - Shared systems - Aligned vendors - Proven processes  These make franchise acquisitions smoother then independent businesses. Scale faster, stress less. What’s your biggest acquisition challenge?

Why do we glorify taking money from business owners who generate profit to give to those who don’t?

I used to walk around calling myself a “visionary” or “ideas guy”. Eventually I realized that was my own insecurity trying to justify neglecting areas of my business that needed me. Ideation is not an excuse for laziness and inaction.

"Close the deal, no matter what." Do you know who you're working with? Some franchise consultants are salespeople. But the great ones? They’re different. They’re advocates. Let me show you how to spot the difference:

There are 3 good outcomes to buying a franchise: - Exit - Executive ownership - Empire But the best buys leave you the triple option — where once you’re in, you can do any of the above.

Building a business isn’t about YOU. It’s about your team. I scaled my franchises by focusing on this leadership principle: Hire the right people, and get out of their way.

Rapid growth in franchising isn’t always a green light. McDonald’s sells the most burgers, but are they the best? Growth shows promise, but it’s not the whole story. For those looking to scale, fast-growing franchises can create pipeline. But only if you do your homework. Due diligence is everything.

Always carry your lessons with you. Here are the lessons from my first franchise: • Learn on the fly • Build a strong team • Choose the right fit • Maximize resourcefulness No matter how successful you become, the lessons you learned from the start are often the most important.

(He/Him) is probably confused as to why he’s getting so many LinkedIn profile views

Completely agree, although I’d give most of the credit to the Wisconsin crowd for setting the tone I love Bama but I’ve been to some games in Tuscaloosa that have been less than welcoming