In this episode of The Infinite Franchisee Show, host April Porter sits down with Alicia Miller, founder of Emergent Growth Advisors and a former multi-unit franchisee, to explore the intersection of franchising and private equity. Alicia shares her unique perspective on scaling franchises, drawing from her experience both as a franchisee and an advisor to franchise management teams and private equity firms. Together, they dive into the importance of franchisee sentiment, profitability, and the often overlooked advantages of resales when expanding franchise ownership. Whether you’re a first-time franchisee or looking to scale into multi-unit ownership, Alicia’s insights offer practical and actionable advice for accelerating growth in the franchise world.
Key Takeaways:
Franchisee-Franchisor Relationship: Alicia and April both stress that the most valuable asset in any franchise is the relationship between the franchisee and franchisor, even though it’s not reflected on the P&L.
Private Equity Reality: Not all franchise brands aim to attract private equity. Only a small percentage of franchisors work with private equity, and not every brand is suited for it.
Multi-Unit Ownership Strategy: Alicia shares key advice on why franchisees should avoid buying multiple units right off the bat. Instead, she encourages franchisees to start with one, perfect it, and only then scale to avoid common pitfalls.
Resales Opportunity: Franchise resales are a hidden opportunity that can offer a quicker path to multi-unit ownership, often with less investment than starting from scratch, especially in brick-and-mortar businesses.
Education for Franchisees: April and Alicia highlight the need for better resources and networking opportunities for first-time franchisees, who often feel left out of organized franchise systems.
Guest Information:
Alicia Miller is the Founder and Managing Director of Emergent Growth Advisors, where she works with franchise management teams and private equity firms to navigate growth, disruption, and transformation challenges. As a former multi-unit franchisee, Alicia brings a franchisee’s perspective to every engagement, helping businesses create value and accelerate growth.
Connect with Alicia Miller:
Website: Emergent Growth Advisors > https://emergentgrowthadvisors.com/
LinkedIn: Alicia Miller on LinkedIn > https://www.linkedin.com/in/milleralicia/
Read her book "Big Money in Franchising" > https://www.amazon.com/dp/1773272373?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_YH87Z9HJGGQSZPS0H0ZE
Call to Action:
Are you ready to take your franchise business to the next level? Visit April Porter’s website for resources on becoming a successful multi-unit franchise owner. Don’t forget to connect with Alicia Miller if you’re a franchisor seeking private equity advice or a franchisee looking to scale.
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