Why most family businesses fail (but franchises thrive)


My dad was a franchisee for over 40 years.

Every summer as a teenager, I’d sweep floors, put away inventory, and help pay the bills.

I joined the business in 2010 to learn everything from the ground up.

By 2015, I had taken over running the business.

In 2016, I partnered with my brother (and the bank) to buy our franchise locations.

We re-invested every dollar the business made to acquire another in 2017, two more in 2018, and one more in 2019.

Between 2021 and 2024, we hit the gas pedal -- acquiring 27 more locations, including buying out my dad’s original locations.

Today, my holding company has diversified into other franchises: residential painting, artificial turf, senior care, B2B services, and acquired real estate that we occupy.

In 2025, we’ll do $50M in revenue with a clear path to $100M by 2030.

It's easy to say that I had an unfair advantage growing up in the business.

And it's true.

I didn’t just read about operations, hiring, or cash flow—I experienced firsthand.

The highs of breaking new records and the lows of being the first responder to a store robbery at 2AM.

This story is fairly common in franchising.

My friend James started sweeping floors in his dad's first pizza franchise when he was 14.

He started delivering pizzas when he was 17. He was managing a store by 18 and doing the books by 21.

Eventually, he took over the business and started buying his own. Today, he does over $30M per year in revenue.

In traditional businesses, knowledge lives in one place: the owner’s head.

If Dad's not a great teacher, this becomes a huge problem. He's frustrated that the kids keep messing up, and the kids are frustrated that he's not explaining everything.

That friction causes the business to fail or sell to an outsider.

On the other hand, franchises often create a thriving multi-generational family business.

Why?

1) Long-term mindset - nobody buys a franchise to get-rich-quick. They intend to operate for a long time.

2) Kids grow up in the business - many franchisees start franchises while their kids are young. Seeing your parents work hard to build a business leaves a lasting impression.

3) De-centralize knowledge - learning from multiple sources instead of one person or trying to figure everything out alone.

When I bought my first location, I learned from:

  • My dad’s 40 years of experience
  • A network of successful owners
  • Corporate training

Now I share business lessons with my young daughters daily. The wins. The losses. The drama (which they love)

While you can’t change the past, you can start building the foundation of your future.

The first franchise you buy could become a generational business or a stepping stone in building a portfolio of brands.

There is no limit to what you can build as an entrepreneur.

The hardest part is just getting started -- which I can help you with.

My team walks you through the process of finding & buying your first franchise.

We help narrow down the options and resources to give you confidence in your decision.

I host live group calls weekly, allowing you to connect with people on the same franchise journey.

Click here to book your first call

This service is 100% free to you.

Cheers!

Brian

P.S. if you already own a franchise, I’ve got 4 spots remaining for new members this month in my franchisee community. Reply "legacy" to learn more.

Brian Beers

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113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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