Opening a franchise for the first time is an unforgettable milestone. After months of preparation, planning, and learning the ropes, you finally welcome your first customers and see your vision come to life. It’s a moment filled with energy, pride, and a sense of ownership.
As our co-founder Dave Straub reflects on his own experience as a franchisee for Brewsters Ice Cream, “It’s like getting a new puppy or the anticipation of Christmas Day. You go through all these stresses, finding real estate, hiring, ordering supplies, and then that first day comes. For us, it was spectacular.”
That initial excitement is something every franchise owner remembers. But the first year brings its own rhythm, a time to find balance, refine routines, and start understanding the true return on investment.
Finding Your Rhythm
The early months are all about establishing consistency. Learning when your location is busiest, managing your team, and understanding supply needs helps create a steady workflow. “You want to get into a cadence,” Straub says. “You still carry that nervousness. When you work for someone else, there’s a paycheck every two weeks. When you own your own business, you don’t have that safety net.”
Challenges are part of the reward. Every decision matters, and every small success reinforces the independence that comes with being a business owner. “At the end of the day, you go to bed knowing this is yours,” Straub adds. “Nobody else is responsible for your destiny today.”
Support That Makes a Difference
Even though franchise owners take the lead on daily operations, support systems play a key role. Franchisors provide training, guidelines, and resources, but the best advice often comes from peers. “We probably called other franchisees as much or more than the franchisor,” Straub recalls. “They’ve been in your shoes. Calling someone who’s been open a year is a tremendous advantage.”
Being part of a franchise network means access to experienced owners who can offer practical insights, helping new franchisees navigate challenges, and make confident decisions.
Beyond Financial ROI
While financial performance is important, many franchise owners find the real value in the independence and fulfillment that come with ownership. “There are plenty of good, productive people losing their jobs because AI has displaced them,” Straub explains. “But if you own your own business, you get to keep your job. You have the responsibility to pivot so your business survives. That’s tremendously satisfying and gratifying.”
The first year of any franchise is just as much about growth, learning, and confidence as it is about profit. By leaning on support networks, finding your operational rhythm, and taking pride in what you’ve built, franchise ownership can offer both professional and personal rewards that last for years.