Let’s say you want to own a business, but you’re not sure what kind. A clever idea is probably a good place to start, but believe it or not you don’t have to have your own concept or business model to own your own. 

You could own a franchise. Franchises are everywhere in the American marketplace — think of ubiquitous fast food brands like McDonalds or Jimmy Johns. It’s a $500 billion industry representing 750,000 individual franchises. 

Owning a franchise solves a number of problems for entrepreneurs — they don’t have to worry about branding or recipes or product development. Franchisees buy a license — in essence — to sell a brand on their own terms. 

Burgers might be the most common kind of franchise, but it’s not the only way to go. If you live in Acadiana, you might want to own — a boudin franchise. Boudin is big business in this market. And as Acadiana grows, so too is its appetite for boudin and specialty meats. One of the very best known brands in the business is the Best Stop, a staple in Scott, Louisiana. But thanks to a new franchise, you don’t have to go to the Boudin capital to get your fix. 

Shaina Credeur and Danee Deville are the owners of a Best Stop franchise in Carencro and own the rights for locations in Lafayette. 

Shaina grew up in Broussard. She and her husband run a jewelry store and have a portfolio of real estate investments. So investing in Boudin was a natural fit. 

Danee didn’t have to buy into the Best Stop way of life — she was born into it. She is the oldest grandchild of the Best Stop’s founder. Robert Cormier. Growing up around sausage makers gave her the envie for owning a Best Stop of her own. When franchising became an option, she brought the idea to her friend Shaina and the two found themselves in hog heaven.

Out to Lunch Acadiana is recorded live over lunch at Tsunami Sushi in downtown Lafayette. You can find photos from this by Astor Morgan at itsacadiana.com

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