Unemployable with Jeff Dudan

Episode: Why They Chose a Franchise Over Starting From Scratch (Fries with Franchisees)

Date: January 16, 2026
Host: Jeff Dudan
Guests: Matt & Alicia (Franchise Owners with Homefront Brands)
Location: Sparkman's Wharf, Tampa

Episode Overview

In this “Fries with Franchisees” segment, host Jeff Dudan sits down with Matt and Alicia, franchisees with Homefront Brands, to discuss their journey into franchising, the considerations behind their decision to buy a franchise rather than start a business from scratch, and the value of leveraging franchise resources for rapid business growth. The conversation offers candid insights for aspiring entrepreneurs looking for alternative paths to business ownership and explores the personal and generational impact of entrepreneurship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Choose a Franchise Over “From Scratch” Entrepreneurship

• Research and Fit:

  • Matt emphasizes the abundance of franchise opportunities and the importance of finding one that aligns with personal and family goals.

    • Quote:

      “Just find the one that makes the most sense for you and your family. Do your due diligence, you know, interview other franchise owners.”
      – Matt [00:56]

  • Visiting the franchisor, meeting the team, and speaking with current owners were critical steps for Matt and Alicia’s decision-making process.

    • Quote:

      “After doing all those things, we knew this opportunity with Homefront and Top Rail was the best fit for us.”
      – Matt [01:18]

2. Accelerating Success: The Leverage of a Franchise Model

• Speed to Market:

  • The duo selected franchising because they needed their business to be operational and profitable quickly, rather than spending months or years figuring things out themselves.
    • Quote:

      “We wanted to have our business, but we couldn’t take six months or a year or several years to figure it out. The franchise made a lot of sense for us because it’s kind of like they’ve done a lot of that testing and trying and knowing, like, this works. Well, this doesn’t.”
      – Matt [01:40]

• Turnkey Systems:

  • Essential business elements like websites and marketing tools were already in place.
    • Quote:

      “The main things you need to build a business, like a good website, all those things are done for you. Getting started from day one.”
      – Matt [02:11]

3. Community & Support

• Not Just a Number:

  • Alicia shares feeling welcomed and valued, with personal support from Homefront Brands’ leadership.
    • Quote:

      “We really didn’t feel like a number. We felt like it was really us coming into being a part of an organization that was truly there to help us.”
      – Alicia [02:20]

• Access to Leadership:

  • Specific mention of being able to call key contacts directly for help.
    • Quote:

      “We call them up and they’re right there to help us with anything that we need help with.”
      – Alicia [02:38]

4. Leveraging Franchise Efficiency for Local Growth

• Shared Resources Drive Efficiency:
  • Jeff describes franchising as a “leverage play,” where centralization allows franchisees to focus on the local market while benefiting from efficiencies and shared insights.
    • Quote:

      “You get those leaps in efficiency, you get those leaps in customer acquisition, you get those leaps and insights.”
      – Jeff (Host) [02:57]

5. Business Ownership as Legacy and Diversification

• Taking Control of Destiny:

  • Matt and Alicia sought the independence and control offered by business ownership, with the support and trust of a franchisor.
    • Quote:

      “We wanted something where we were in control of our own destiny…we have a partner that we can trust in Homefront and Top Rail. But ultimately we’re kind of in control of…our success.”
      – Matt [03:40]

• Diversifying Family Assets:

  • Franchising as a complementary asset to traditional investments in real estate and the stock market.
    • Quote:

      “With real estate can go up and down, stock market as well…This is a tool that we can use to diversify things.”
      – Matt [04:02]

• Involving Family, Building Generational Impact:

  • Alicia talks about legacy, involving their children in business discussions, and exposing them to entrepreneurship.
    • Quote:

      “We involve our kids in our discussions about, you know, fences in general. It’s not necessarily the funnest thing for a six-year-old to talk about, but he definitely has been a part of conversations…He’s definitely learning more, just as we are.”
      – Alicia [04:30]

6. Setting an Example & Inspiring Others

• Entrepreneurial Exposure:

  • Early life exposure to entrepreneurship can influence the likelihood of future entrepreneurial success, which Jeff highlights as a benefit for franchisee families.
    • Quote:

      “People that have an early entrepreneurial experience generally are more likely to have success as an entrepreneur later in life. So you’re giving them something, a vision of something that they could never have been exposed to otherwise.”
      – Jeff (Host) [05:08]

• Conclusion with Encouragement:

  • Jeff thanks Matt and Alicia for sharing their experience, reinforcing the educational and inspirational value of their story for others considering franchising.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On accelerated learning:

  “The franchise made a lot of sense for us because it’s kind of like they’ve done a lot of that testing and trying and knowing, like, this, this works. Well, this doesn’t.” – Matt [01:40]

• About personal support:

  “We really didn’t feel like a number. We felt like it was really us coming into being a part of an organization that was truly there to help us.” – Alicia [02:20]

• On building a family legacy:

  “It’s something that we involve our kids in our discussions about…He’s definitely learning more, just as we are.” – Alicia [04:30]

• Jeff on entrepreneurial exposure:

  “People that have an early entrepreneurial experience generally are more likely to have success as an entrepreneur later in life.” – Jeff [05:08]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:56 – Matt on the importance of due diligence in franchise selection
• 01:40 – The benefits of franchising for speed and risk reduction
• 02:17 – Alicia on support and not feeling like “just a number”
• 03:40 – Matt and Alicia on control, diversification, and building a legacy
• 04:30 – Alicia involving their child in the business journey
• 05:08 – Jeff on the generational impact of entrepreneurship

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, encouraging, and down-to-earth. It blends practical advice—delivered in an accessible, conversational style—with aspirational messages about ownership, family, and legacy. The focus is on actionable insights and honest reflections, making the episode highly relatable for aspiring franchisees and entrepreneurs alike.

For anyone contemplating franchise ownership, this episode offers first-hand stories about the advantages, early challenges, and lasting rewards of choosing a franchise over starting from scratch—all through the voices of those living the journey.