The Brian Beers Show — Episode 279

Title: “Franchising is for losers…”
Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Brian Beers

Episode Overview

In this candid solo episode, Brian Beers challenges the stigma that franchising is a lesser path for entrepreneurs. Leveraging his own journey from early embarrassment to building an 8-figure, 30+ location franchise portfolio, Brian dissects why franchising "creates millionaires" by offering simplicity, focus, and scalability. He offers a practical roadmap for aspiring franchisees, exposes the common traps, and emphasizes the difference between "simple" and "easy" in business.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Challenging the Franchise Stigma

• Brian opens by confronting the common perception:
  • "Franchising is for losers. It's elementary. It's a starter business with training wheels. Real entrepreneurs build businesses from scratch." (00:00)
• He admits he once believed this too, but points to his own success as evidence to the contrary:
  • “But today my loser franchise will do $50 million in sales this year with strong margins.” (00:17)

2. How Franchising Simplifies Entrepreneurship

• Brian reflects on his early career choices and initial embarrassment about franchising versus high-status careers in finance and tech. (01:00)
• He outlines the multitude of tasks an independent entrepreneur must solve — from branding and supply chain to HR and accounting.
• The advantage of franchising is distilled simply:
  • “A franchise is a partnership where you split responsibilities... the franchisor should be handling about 90% of this stuff, leaving you as the franchisee to focus 90% of your energy on this stuff, which is operations.” (03:05)
• The result: more focus, better results.

3. The Power of Focus & Setting Big Goals

• Drawing from Ben Hardy’s book 10x is Easier than 2x, Brian champions setting ambitious goals. (04:30)
• Key insight:
  • Small goals lead to scattered, incremental tactics; big goals force clarity and focus.
• Memorable quote:
  • “If we wanted to grow by 5 to 10%, there are a bunch of things… Now, if we said we want to double sales in 12 months... we would focus our efforts on opening and acquiring new locations... then there becomes clarity.” (05:15)
• In franchising, this clarity allows entrepreneurs to focus on the most high-leverage activities.

4. Scaling: The Path from Owner-Operator to Empire Builder

• Stage 1: One location — do everything yourself, learn the business in and out. (08:00)
• Stage 2: Two locations — must shift from “do” to “manage,” otherwise you’ll get stuck and simply “buy yourself a job”.
  • “This is where a lot of franchisees get stuck ... because they can’t grow out of this location model.” (10:01)
• Stage 3: Multiple locations (3–6) — graduate to a “district manager” role, gain more freedom and flexibility. (11:30)
• Stage 4: Replicate — add more district managers, build toward true autonomy and scale.
  • “This is how franchisees scale from 10 to 50 to 100 to a thousand locations because they’re purely focused on operations.” (13:30)

5. Lessons from Brian’s Franchise Journey

• Brian shares his acquisition timeline and path to scale:
  • “Bought my first franchise in 2016. I bought another one in 17, two in 18, another in 19... we have 33 locations... five more lined up for 2026... path to $100 million a year business...” (14:55)
• His personal values shine:
  • “I don’t care that my name’s not on the building. I don’t care that I’ll never be featured in Entrepreneur magazine. What I care about is building a strong, cash flowing business, providing well paying jobs for over 200 families and making a real difference in our community.” (16:05)

6. The Realities & Cautions of Franchising

• Brian gives a balanced critique:
  • Acknowledges bad franchises exist, some owners get “stuck” or buy themselves jobs, and some start with unrealistic expectations. (17:15)
  • “But the truth is every business, franchise or not, takes a lot of work to get off the ground.”
• Key caution:
  • “It’s simple. But simple is not the same as easy... launching a franchise you are probably to work three times as hard and make three times as less than your previous job.” (18:40)
• Ultimately, franchising is powerful for those who want to “just show me how to make money and I’m gonna do it.” (20:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On outgrowing embarrassment:
  • “Those weaknesses that everyone talks about are exactly why franchising creates millionaires.” (00:23)
• On focus:
  • “By focusing on less things, you’re able to obsess over it, putting much more time, effort, and energy into it, which should lead to better results.” (03:41)
• On progress vs. perfection:
  • “The only way you can get out of it is if you value progress. Progress over perfection.” (11:10)
• On meaning and fulfillment:
  • “What I care about is building a strong, cash flowing business, providing well paying jobs for over 200 families and making a real difference in our community.” (16:05)
• On reality versus perception:
  • “It’s simple. But simple is not the same as easy.” (18:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 — Challenging franchise stereotypes
• 03:05 — What franchising handles for you vs. independent business
• 04:30–08:00 — The power of focus and goal-setting
• 08:00–13:30 — Stages of franchisee growth: from one unit to true scale
• 14:55 — Brian’s acquisition timeline and growth story
• 16:05 — Motivation beyond ego and public recognition
• 17:15 — Discussion of franchise failures and misconceptions
• 18:40 — Difference between simple and easy in franchising

Conclusion

Brian Beers dismantles the myth that franchising is a loser’s route, painting a realistic picture of the hard work, mindset shifts, and strategic focus required to turn franchises into significant wealth and impact. His journey exemplifies how letting go of ego, embracing simplicity, and focusing relentlessly on operations and team-building enable massive scale and true entrepreneurial freedom.

Franchising is not for those seeking overnight success—but for disciplined, ambitious operators, it presents a proven, repeatable vehicle to wealth and purpose.