In this power-packed in-person episode of Eye on  Franchising, I sit down with Chris Connor, Founder & CEO of FMS Franchise Marketing Systems, and one of the most respected names in the franchising world. We’re live from a hotel room in Las Vegas (yes, really!), talking about entrepreneurship, global expansion, and why franchising is one of the best ways to build generational wealth.

This is a masterclass in what it really takes to franchise your business, scale it right, and identify the “it” factor behind successful franchise brands. You’ll also learn the truth about food service franchises vs. service-based businesses, and why being unsexy might just be the key to building a franchise empire.

Timestamps: 

00:00 – Intro: Why Chris Connor is a BIG deal in franchising
01:30 – How Barbados hired Chris to teach franchising (and gave him a free trip!)
04:15 – FMS: Building a one-stop franchise development agency
06:30 – The first steps to franchising your business
10:25 – How Chris helped European Wax Center, Jimmy John’s & more
12:10 – COVID, chaos, and record-breaking franchise sales
13:50 – What makes a concept truly franchisable?
17:35 – Restoration One vs. Super Restoration: David vs. Goliath
20:45 – Culture, sacrifice, and winning the long game
23:10 – Private equity magic: How franchising leads to massive exits
26:45 – Best industries to franchise in 2025
28:30 – The sexy lie of restaurant franchises (and the truth about margins)
32:40 – What makes a great franchise concept in today’s market
37:10 – The crucial role of the entrepreneur in franchise success
40:20 – Systems, tech, marketing, and ops: The behind-the-scenes checklist
43:00 – Selling your first 5-10 units: What really matters
45:45 – Franchise success story: Blooming Blinds from 0 to 160+ units
48:00 – Franchising vs. corporate life: The truth about freedom
51:00 – The Gladiator Mentality: Are YOU cut out for franchising?
54:15 – Step-by-step: How to franchise your business with FMS
58:40 – Sales systems, onboarding, and closing deals the right way
1:01:20 – Trends in franchising: Home services, boba, and niche riches
1:03:15 – Final advice: Franchising is for everyone... if you’re ready to go all in

🎙️ About My Guest: Chris Connor Founder of FMS Franchise Marketing Systems, Chris has helped launch over 600 franchise systems, including heavy hitters like European Wax Center, Restoration One, and Jimmy John’s. With clients in the US, Europe, and even the Caribbean, he’s a go-to expert for businesses ready to scale.

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https://www.zorakle.net/assessment/welcome/ionfranchising

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