The Moment Every Founder Faces
Deciding to franchise your business is one of the biggest moments in an entrepreneur’s journey. It marks the shift from operating a local success story to building a scalable franchise brand — one that others can own, operate, and grow under your name.
It’s thrilling, but it’s also intimidating. Founders inevitably ask themselves:
- Is my business ready to franchise?
- Can I teach others to replicate my success?
- What if I make a mistake early on?
Every successful franchisor has faced the same questions. The difference lies in how they respond — with clarity, preparation, and the willingness to keep learning.
Takeaway: Franchising isn’t about knowing every answer; it’s about being ready to adapt, document, and lead through uncertainty.
From Business to Brand: Thinking Like a Franchisor
Franchising doesn’t begin with the sale of your first franchise — it begins when you start running your business like a franchise.
Most founders don’t set out to franchise right away. The idea often emerges after a turning point — a big project, a mentor’s advice, or the realization that your model could empower others to succeed.
As Ty McBride, founder of Preservan, put it: “Run your business like a franchise before it is one.”
That mindset shift — treating your business as a system rather than a single operation — is the bridge between small-business success and national scalability. It forces founders to define what makes their model unique, document processes, and create frameworks that others can follow.
Takeaway: The systems you build today will either limit or enable your future growth. Start documenting and standardizing early.
Overcoming Doubt and the "Franchise Stigma"
Even confident entrepreneurs hesitate when they hear the word franchise. Some imagine complexity, expensive fees, or a loss of creative control.
But franchising done right is empowering — not limiting. It’s a way to scale your impact, create opportunity for others, and turn your business into a brand that lives beyond you. When done strategically, it becomes a model for shared success.
Every franchisor experiences moments of doubt. The goal isn’t to silence that fear but to use it as fuel to build something lasting — stronger systems, clearer strategy, and a better understanding of what you’re building.
Takeaway: Doubt is part of the process. Use it to pressure-test your model, refine your systems, and strengthen your resolve.
Lessons from Ty McBride and the Early Franchising Journey
When Preservan founder Ty McBride decided to franchise his historic wood-restoration business, he faced the same uncertainty that most founders experience.
“I was constantly asking myself, is this really what I’m supposed to do?” Ty recalls.
He launched his franchise system, worked with an attorney, and invested heavily in creating his Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) — but quickly discovered critical issues.
“You pay all this money and then realize, oh no, my territory structure is wrong or my Item 19 doesn’t communicate my business very well,” he explains. “That was a gut-punch moment. I thought, I’ve made a huge mistake.”
That experience taught him — and now teaches others — that structure is everything. The FDD isn’t just a legal document; it’s the foundation for your growth strategy. Territory definitions, Item 19 financials, and operational clarity all shape your ability to attract the right franchisees and scale successfully.
Once Ty corrected those issues, everything changed.
“When we fixed our franchise structure, everything clicked — the marketing worked, franchisees trusted the process, and our brand finally started to grow.”
Preservan has since expanded across multiple states, proving that early missteps can become the foundation for long-term success when handled with transparency and persistence.
Watch Ty’s full interview in our Building a Franchise Brand Series.
Franchising as a 'Built-Together' Business
The strongest franchise systems aren’t top-down operations — they’re collaborative ecosystems built by founders and franchisees together. Ty McBride describes this as a “built-together business.”
That mindset transforms a network of locations into a community of owners. Founders stay engaged, listen, and adapt systems with feedback from the field. Franchisees, in turn, feel a deeper emotional connection to the brand’s mission and success.
Takeaway: Growth isn’t just about scaling units; it’s about scaling trust. A strong founder-franchisee relationship drives both brand culture and profitability.
The Takeaway: Start with Purpose
If you’re thinking about franchising your business, begin with why. Don’t franchise out of pressure, trend, or convenience — do it because your model works, your systems are teachable, and your purpose is clear.
Franchising isn’t about selling as many territories as possible. It’s about creating a business model that helps others succeed — and building a culture that sustains that success.
When you franchise the right way — with structure, strategy, and purpose — you’re not just growing a business. You’re building a legacy.
Final Takeaway: Purpose drives profitability. The clearer your vision, the easier it is to attract franchisees who share it — and the stronger your brand will grow.
Franchise Readiness Checklist
Before you franchise your business, make sure you have:
- Proven profitability and a repeatable business model
- Documented systems and brand standards
- A clear growth strategy and franchise structure
- Commitment to training, support, and leadership
About Preservan
With a mission of “preserving the past,” Preservan’s wood care, repair and restoration services help homeowners and businesses protect their windows, doors, fences and decks from wood rot using innovative epoxy resin technology. Learn about franchising opportunities with Preservan here: https://gopreservan.com.
