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Looking for the real playbook behind franchise growth in a high-rate, AI-shaken market? We sat down with Aaron Harper—architect of Rolling Suds’ explosive rise—to unpack why niche, recurring service businesses are beating capital-heavy food brands and how honest expectations turn into better outcomes. From the Patch Boys turnaround during COVID to building the largest power washing brand by units nationwide, Aaron shares the decisions that mattered: targeting a service with commercial recurrence, claiming a category before an 800-pound gorilla forms, and funding support so franchisees can actually scale.

We get practical fast. Want to buy into an emerging brand? Ask about capitalization, headcount plans, field support ratios, and how much of your franchise fee funds support versus sales. 

Hear why “hire a GM and keep your day job” is usually fantasy, how W-2 versus 1099 labor shapes resale value, and why private equity favors operators with predictable, commercial contracts. 

We dig into fencing, roofing, and commercial cleaning as compelling categories, contrast execution advantage with first-mover advantage, and reveal the KPI mindset owners need to build real enterprise value.

There’s also a bridge for ETA searchers who’ve spent 12–18 months chasing unicorn acquisitions. High-quality franchises deliver speed to cash flow, proven systems, and full ownership without surrendering equity to a fund. The throughline is simple and strong: pick a focused niche, commit to active ownership early, and build recurring revenue that compounds. If you’re ready to stop hunting for “absentee” myths and start constructing a business worth buying—and one day, worth selling—this conversation lays out the path.

Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s exploring franchises, and leave a quick review so more builders can find this show.

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From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.