Words of Wisdom from Franchise Leaders
From franchisors and franchisees to suppliers and consultants, everybody in franchising has a story to tell. Many have put pen to paper to share their successes, failures and advice through franchise books.
Looking for some inspiration to begin your franchise journey or make the leap to entrepreneurship? Below is a compilation of franchise books that entrepreneurs can read and enjoy regardless of the stage of business ownership. The following franchise books run the gamut of how-to guides for beginners to success stories from billionaire franchisors.
If you know of a great franchise book that should be added to this list, please contact us here.
Author: Christy Wilson Delk
Summary: While franchising can seem daunting, Wilson Delk simplifies franchise success into four pillars: loyalty, strategic leadership, money metrics, and method management.
Author: Robert Rosenberg
Summary: The former Dunkin’ CEO details his experience growing the donut franchise into an international powerhouse.
Author: Alicia Miller
Summary: With the ubiquity of private equity (PE) in franchising, franchise thought leader, board advisor, franchise investor, and PE consultant Alicia Miller explains how founders and franchisees alike can effectively leverage private capital to grow their businesses.
Author: Jeff Dudan
Summary: Dudan gives entrepreneurs the tools they need to refine their discernment and become the best leaders they can be.
Author: The Association of Small Business Development Centers
Summary: New to franchising? This guide covers topics from choosing the right franchise, handling taxes and banks, and keeping records.
Author: Andrew Sherman
Summary: The experienced corporate and transaction lawyer offers insight on franchising a business. The book covers the legal and technical aspects of business franchising with an emphasis on leveraging intellectual capital. Topics include raising financial capital, structuring agreements, complying with regulatory requirements, and more.
Author: Rick Grossmann with Michael J. Katz Esq.
Summary: Franchise expert Rick Grossmann and franchise attorney Michael J. Katz use their decades of experience to offer advice on what it takes to be successful in franchising.
Authors: Dave Thomas and Michael Seid
Summary: Want to own a business but don’t know where to start? The late Dave Thomas, the founder of Wendy’s, makes it seem less daunting in this fun how-to guide for new entrepreneurs.
Author: Pam Bartlett
Summary: Bartlett, a CFC and former franchise owner, offers tips and tricks for buying a franchise.
Authors: Ed Teixeira and Richard Chan
Summary: Looking to franchise your business? This book makes a case for franchising a business through studies, data, and more.
Author: Eddie Flores, Jr.
Summary: This book is an essential resource for anyone considering franchising their business, purchasing a franchise or simply seeking inspiration from a true American success story built on hard work, innovation and the spirit of aloha.
Author: Trish Benedik
Summary: Like any new venture, franchising comes with risk and fear. But Benedik makes buying a franchise as easy as following a blueprint.
Author: Mark Siebert
Summary: With decades of franchising experience, Siebert compiled a how-to guide for entrepreneurs looking to grow their brands using the business model.
Author: Hao Lam
Summary: Lam tells his inspiring story of audacity and perseverance, hardship and personal growth as he voyages from war-torn Vietnam to a new life in North America as a successful businessman.
Author: Jolita Brilliant Sakmanaite
Summary: Sakmanaite details how she grew the Brilliant Massage & Skin franchise from a one-room massage studio to a multi-location spa empire.
Author: Teri O’Donnell
Summary: The seasoned Franchise Consultant discusses her transition from the Marine Corps and the career path that led to franchising. She compares starting an independent business versus investing in a franchise and lays out the typical path of due diligence and validation entrepreneurs should take before becoming business owners.
Author: Ray Kroc
Summary: The legendary franchisor tells the story behind the Golden Arches in his own words.
Author: Steven Olson
Summary: Looking to turn your independent business into a franchise system? Olson outlines how to do it.
Author: Pete Gilfillan
Summary: Gilfillan helps first-time business owners decide if franchising is right for them and lays the groundwork for finding a workable model.
Author: Doug Downer
Summary: The book is a resource for all aspiring franchisees and details what they should expect from franchisors.
Author: Jon Ostenson
Summary: Franchise consultant Jon Ostenson makes the case that franchising isn’t just about food. He explores a variety of sectors that are worth investing in outside of food. Drawing on his own experience as an Inc. 500 franchisor and a multi-brand franchise owner, he covers topics like why real estate investors are so active in franchising and how candidates can strategically select the best opportunity.
Authors: Howard Schultz and Joanne Gordon
Summary: The former Starbucks CEO documents how he matured as a businessman and how the coffee business grew as a brand.
Author: Rafael Alvarez
Summary: Entrepreneur Rafael Alvarez documents his journey to growing ATAX, the first Latino-based tax preparation franchise.
Author: Toni Harris Taylor
Summary: The networking pro details 25 short stories proving that networking works to foster the growth of franchise businesses.
Author: Simon Sinek
Summary: Sinek explains how leaders who have had the greatest influence in the world all think, act and communicate the same way — and it all starts with ‘why.’
Author: Pat Hyland
Summary: Hyland offers readers practical exercises to help them define their dreams, goals, needs, and quality of life requirements before jumping into entrepreneurship.
Author: Scott Greenberg
Summary: Greenberg delves into how hourly workers need to be managed differently than those on a salary. The book includes tips and strategies for employers to entice workers to their businesses.
Author: Joe Mathews, Don DeBolt, and Deb Percival
Summary: The experienced entrepreneurs reveal the personality types most likely to succeed at franchising and traits that may increase the risk of failure. The research and investigation of a franchise are also detailed in-depth.
Author: Fibrenew
Summary: This updated booklet is for anyone thinking about investing in a franchise or just wanting to understand the franchise business model.
Author: Robert Edwards
Summary: While franchising is a great avenue for success, Edwards details how to avoid making a bad investment in a franchise brand.
Authors: Rick Bisio and Mike Kohler
Summary: This book overviews franchising and is particularly beneficial for beginners. The book’s three parts (self-assessment, foundational knowledge, and evaluating opportunities) act as a guide for candidates starting their franchising journey.
Author: Aicha Bascaro
Summary: With an emphasis on the fact that there is no guaranteed success in fast-food franchising, Bascaro explains how to excel in the industry.
Author: Laura Darrell
Summary: Darrell delves into the driving forces behind this pandemic-induced phenomenon and offers five proven retention strategies for business leaders seeking to enhance their workplace culture.
Author: Mark Siebert
Summary: Geared towards beginners, Siebert covers how to go about finding the right franchise.
Author: Carl Reader
Summary: Reader offers real-life examples of what franchising is like for both franchisors and franchisees.
Author: Adam Goldman
Summary: Looking to become your own boss and leave corporate life? Goldman makes a compelling case of why franchising could be your next step.
The Franchise MBA: Mastering the 4 Essential Steps to Owning a Franchise
Authors: Nick Neonakis, Sagar Rambhia, and Aditya Rengaswamy
Summary: The three authors detail four ways to find the perfect franchise: the introspective self; the franchisor; the franchisees; and the legal and financial aspects.
Authors: Joe Malmuth and Tiffanie Knapp
Summary: This is a playbook for founders who want to scale their franchise businesses.
Author: Ray Titus
Summary: The book explores the rise of entrepreneurship in modern America, where side hustles, freelancing and small business ventures are reshaping the workforce. It challenges the traditional notion of employment, arguing that the future belongs to those who take control of their financial destiny.
Author: Laura Darrell
Summary: Darrell outlines ways for franchisees to build collaborative relationships with franchisors and understand the levels of trust and transparency in communication.
Author: Faizun Kamal
Summary: The renowned Franchise Consultant guides entrepreneurs on their journeys to becoming business owners.
Author: Linda Ballesteros
Summary: In this franchising guide, 20 franchisors, franchisee and franchising experts share their stories, strategies and insights for finding the right franchise.
Author: Taylor A. Welch
Summary: Welch outlines over a dozen models for scaling 7 and 8-figure consulting businesses.
Author: Scott Greenberg
Summary: Greenberg offers his firsthand experience as an award-winning franchisee, speaker, and Franchise Consultant to show readers how to maximize profits and customer and employee relationships.
Author: Linda Ballesteros
Summary: Franchise experts detail how to pick the right franchise, avoid common mistakes, and maximize profits. Franchisors and franchisees also tell their success stories and tips.
Author: Brian Scudamore
Summary: The O2E Brands founder and CEO knows firsthand that entrepreneurship has its ups and downs. In this book, he provides readers with the wisdom and knowledge to overcome the fear of failure.