Part of the Series Building a Franchise Brand: The Preservan Journey | Lessons in Franchising, Growth & Leadership
3 Posts
About the Series
- From founder moment to franchise model
- Your first year as a founder
- Building your team, culture, and Franchise IQ
- Growing a franchise and facing challenges
Building a Franchise Brand explores the real-world journey behind franchising — the decisions, lessons, and breakthroughs that turn independent businesses into thriving franchise systems.
In this special feature, we follow Ty McBride, founder and CEO of Preservan, as he shares the pivotal steps, challenges, and mindset shifts that shaped his brand’s growth — from franchising his first unit to leading a national network.
Each article delivers actionable lessons for founders navigating their own franchise path — blending candid founder insights with frameworks you can apply to your business.
Franchising Your Business: The Decision to Franchise
From Founder Moment to Franchise Model
Every franchise story starts with a decision. In this episode, Ty McBride shares how he turned a local wood restoration business into a scalable franchise model — and the gut-check moments that came with it. Learn what “franchise-ready” really means, how to structure your FDD for growth, and why purpose and documentation matter more than speed.
Key Takeaways:
- Franchise readiness is about documentation, not excitement.
- Structure your FDD around your real business model.
- Growth begins with purpose — not just sales.
Franchise Sales: Expectations vs. Reality
Your First Year as a Franchisor — What Actually Happens
The launch is exciting — but reality rarely matches expectations. This episode breaks down what the first 12–18 months of franchise sales truly look like, from validation and early franchisee relationships to the “founder-led sales” mindset that every successful brand embraces. Ty McBride reveals how Preservan’s first deals came from trust, not ads — and what founders should expect from early lead channels, brokers, and budgets.
Key Takeaways:
- The first year is about validation, not volume.
- Founder-led sales build trust faster than any ad spend.
- Fix your foundation before investing in growth channels.
The Shift from Founder to Franchisor
Building Your Team, Culture & Franchise IQ
As franchise systems grow, founders face a new challenge: evolving from do-it-all entrepreneurs to leaders of systems and people. This guide explores how Ty McBride built Preservan’s first core team, developed the brand’s Franchise IQ, and created the communication rhythm that keeps culture and performance aligned.
Key Takeaways:
- Hire for gaps, not titles — build around your weaknesses.
- Establish systems for communication, cadence, and accountability.
- Stay founder-led longer than you think.
🚀 Unlock Your Brand’s Growth Potential
Learn more about our services and how we can help franchise and grow your business.