When you think about jumping into franchising, it can look like a straightforward way to own a business without the guesswork. But as I talked to Greg Mohr, an author and franchise consultant, I realized it’s anything but a “plug-and-play” experience. Greg’s got this calm confidence that comes from years of guiding folks into franchises, but he’s also very upfront about the realities. He’s been there—he’s tried different paths before hitting his stride in franchising. And trust me, his journey wasn’t exactly smooth.
For him, the structure of franchising wasn’t some shortcut to success—it was a way to control his path without constantly reinventing the wheel. As we talked, one thing stood out: franchising isn’t for everyone, but if you’re the right kind of person, it can be a solid way to build something for yourself. As Greg said, “You have to be coachable and willing to follow a system, but there’s room for creativity once you know the rules.”
Freedom Inside a Framework: Why Structure Doesn’t Mean Sacrifice
Greg’s journey into franchising began at Taco Bell. Back in high school, he took a job there, thinking it’d be a short gig. Turns out, he was working for a master franchiser who taught him about running and building up restaurants. Later, he spent years as an engineer and then dove into real estate and other businesses. Nothing quite scratched that itch for freedom until he found his way back to franchising. For him, the structure was a relief, not a restriction.
In franchising, Greg saw a model where you’re free—but within limits that help you succeed. “You don’t have to build the rocket,” he said. “You just have to launch it.” He’d been down the road of solo businesses, learning everything from scratch, and came to appreciate the simplicity of a franchise model. It allowed him to focus on growth instead of getting bogged down in every little detail.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Franchising isn’t a “get-rich-quick” scheme. It’s about following a proven model and building something over time.
- Being coachable is a non-negotiable. The system works if you let it work. Get too creative too soon, and you might just derail your own success.
- Franchising is structured freedom. The framework doesn’t restrict you—it keeps you from making avoidable mistakes.
Patience & Persistence: Not Every Franchisee Succeeds—and That’s Okay
Greg isn’t shy about sharing stories of franchisees who struggled. He talked about a former client, a hospitality executive who bought into a tutoring franchise and thought she could redefine the business model. She was eager to target hotels and motels as clients—a move the franchise had never tried before. Greg tried to reel her in, telling her to stick to the script, but she was set on doing things her way. It flopped. Eventually, she went back to the original model and started seeing success.
“Franchising isn’t for everyone,” Greg explained, “especially if you can’t rein in that urge to do things completely your own way.” He’s not saying creativity is bad, but in franchising, it’s about knowing when to trust the system and when to add your own touch.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Stick to the basics before trying to innovate. There’s a reason successful franchises follow a model.
- A franchise isn’t a blank slate. You’re buying into a tested system, not starting from scratch. There’s freedom, but it’s not a free-for-all.
- Results take time. Greg sees a lot of rookies who hit it big, but they usually follow the model closely before adding their own flair.
Reflections from the Interview
Franchising might look “safer” from the outside, but Greg was quick to remind me that it still takes grit and commitment. Sure, you’ve got a model to follow, but it’s on you to put in the hours, make the calls, and manage the day-to-day. Franchising doesn’t let you coast; it gives you guardrails so you don’t drive off the cliff.
Greg’s stories about clients who succeeded and those who struggled highlighted something simple but powerful: success in franchising isn’t about brilliance or luck—it’s about showing up, following the system, and knowing when to tweak and when to hold steady. “People come in thinking it’ll be smooth sailing, but if you don’t have the patience, it’ll feel like another job you bought.”
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- Trust the process. Before you reinvent the wheel, make sure you know how it rolls.
- Be realistic about your role. You’re the boss, but you’re also accountable to a system designed to help you succeed.
- Save the creativity for later. Innovation is great, but only once you’ve got a handle on the basics.
- Talk to other franchisees. They’re living it and can tell you what works and what doesn’t.
- Patience is key. You’re building something real here—it won’t happen overnight.
Final Thoughts
Talking with Greg left me thinking hard about the kind of freedom franchising really offers. It’s not the freedom to do whatever you want whenever you want—it’s the freedom to build something within a proven structure with some guardrails that keep you from costly mistakes. And for a lot of folks, that’s exactly what they need. If you’re thinking about starting a business, franchising can be a strong path, but you have to be ready to commit to a model and be patient with the results.
Greg’s story, his shift from the corporate grind to owning franchises, shows the power of adaptability and knowing when to let go of control. If you’re looking for a way to step into business ownership without the wild risks, maybe franchising is the place to start.
Catch the full episode with Greg for more of his practical wisdom on franchising and how to make it work: Quick Tips for First-Time Franchise Owners with Gregory Mohr
CONNECT WITH GREGORY MOHR:
Website:https://www.franchisemaven.com/