In Today’s Newsletter:

• 🍟 The Deal Buying Big Recognizable Franchises - Does Brand Recognition Matter?

• 🏢 Sola Salons Franchise Breakdown

• 🦸🏼‍♂️ Franchise Sidekick’s Top 10 Franchises for January

What’s the Deal…

With Big-Name Franchises?

Big recognizable brand names in franchising aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. Not to say that it doesn’t help…but it’s not as big of a deal as most people think it is.

Sure, a big brand name is incredibly helpful in certain industries like food. But can you name the McDonald’s of the insulation industry? Probably not.

Still, often times my clients will ask me on our introductory meeting if I can offer any big-name brands they might know.

I understand why they ask that.

When I first got into the franchise industry 5-ish years ago as a franchise advisor (before my time at Franchise Sidekick), my first question when looking through the inventory of franchises I had to offer clients was…

“What the heck?! I don’t know any of these franchises! Ok, maybe like 10 of them…but are these just small-time, fly-by-night opportunities?”

So I get the question. I do.

But the reality is…it doesn’t matter as much as people think.

I always pose this question when clients ask that:

“What came first? The McDonald’s logo & beautiful golden arches…or its system?”

Chicken or the Egg.

The answer is that the systems are what created the brand success.

Franchises are more than just a cute logo.

There was an era of McDonald’s BEFORE the famous golden arches. In the early years, nobody recognized the McDonald’s logo or had heard of the brand.

Why did the business grow so rapidly then? Why did so many people flock to become a franchisee?

Because, for the consumer, the standard operating procedures (SOP’s) gave the customer a speedy, consistent, predictable fast-food experience.

Systems, systems, systems.

“Wow, I can’t believe they got me my order that quickly.”

“Insane. No matter which location I visit, the food tastes the same, the quality is the same, and the speed is the same. Very predictable.”

And for the franchisees? The predictability allowed for scalability. Same standards, same procedures, same ingredients, same manual = SCALE.

So don’t write off an opportunity just because you haven’t heard of it before.

They might have the systems in place that could allow them to become the next McDonald’s in their category.

But the next truth is…you don’t need your franchise to become the next McDonald’s to build immense wealth through franchising.

Don’t be the person that walks away from a potentially life-changing opportunity just because you aren’t familiar with it. Unfortunately, I see it happen every day.

Your Franchise Advisor,

Christian Dadulak

Franchise “Deal” of the Week - Sola Salons

Sola Salons is the #1 salon suite franchise concept in the nation.

Sola has changed the game for beauty professionals, offering private, fully equipped salon suites where hairstylists, estheticians, nail techs, and more can run their own businesses—on their own terms.

With over 730 locations across the U.S. and Canada, Sola provides a supportive environment that helps independent professionals thrive.

For franchise owners, the real estate rental model is simple to manage, requiring minimal staff while maintaining strong occupancy and retention rates.

With 20 years of experience in the salon suite space, Sola continues to be a leader in this growing industry.

Competitive Advantages:

• #1 in category (According to Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 List)

• Proven concept with 730 open locations

• 20,000 beauty professionals use Sola Salon Suites

• Predictable, recurring revenue - this is a property management & real estate play

• High occupancy and retention rates

• Minimal staff required and no inventory needed

• 20+ years of expertise

• Market analysis and site selection assistance

• Exclusive training for owners and general managers

• Sharing of best practices between a nationwide system of accomplished operators

• High-quality group of franchisees like these people:

  • Founding CEO of a national healthcare company

  • Founding CEO of Finish Line Sports

  • EVP & COO of national energy company

  • Former CEO/Chairman Burger King

  • Multi-unit restaurant franchisees (Hardees, Sonic, Carl’s Junior, etc.)

  • Head of Operations, Lands’ End

  • Former owner of 70 national hair salons

  • Eight Master Franchisees (Liberty Tax, Massage Envy)

  • Major League Baseball team owner

  • Two partners of regional CPA firms

  • Managing/Navigating Partners (Comfort Keepers, Smashburger and several other national brands)

Sola Salons Breakdown:

By the Numbers:

Minimum Financial Requirements…

(You need to meet these requirements at a minimum to be considered for this franchise)

Net Worth - $1,500,000+

Liquidity - $500,000+

Item 7 - Estimated Initial Investment Range

This range typically contains everything to get the business up and running, including the franchise fee and 3 months of working capital

Investment: $924,021 - $1,957,824

Approximate Down Payment w/ SBA Loan: $184,804 - $391,565 (assuming 20% down)

Item 19 - Financial Performance Representations:

Fees:

• Royalty: 5.5% Gross Sales

• Brand Fund: Up to 2% Gross Sales

• Franchise Fee: $55,000

Total Locations Open: 730+

Number of Franchisees: 165+

Real Estate Requirements: 4,200 to 9,000 sq ft., divided into salon suites rented to independent beauty professionals

Employees Needed to Start:

• Franchisee or 1 Manager

Territory: 75,000 Population

Franchise Sidekick’s Top 10 Franchises for January

For those that don’t know, I’m a franchise advisor at Franchise Sidekick, the leading franchise advisory firm in the industry.

Every month, we track the franchises that most of our clients, future franchise owners, find exciting.

This month’s Top 10 Franchise Brands show exactly where franchise buyers are looking right now.

Here are some highlights of our Top Three for January:

⛳️ The Back Nine Golf – golf simulator franchise with 120+ locations in the process of opening; technology allows for a relatively hands-off model for people looking to bring a fun brand to their industry

🍦 Alsies – mobile, on-demand ice cream truck franchise - the Uber of Ice Cream; their massive investment into their technology platform allows them to disrupt an old, stale industry

🧊 Degree Wellness – one-stop shop recovery and wellness clinic with infrared saunas, cold plunges, red light therapy, cryotherapy, and more; tremendous franchise backing through FranWorth

These are the franchise brands that Sidekick clients are looking at.

Reply to this newsletter or schedule a meeting with me via the link below…all at no cost to you, ever. All of my help is 100% complimentary - I get paid a referral fee by the franchises if you buy into their brand.