If you’re dealing with underperformance in your system right now, don’t wait and hope it fixes itself.

Book your free Franchise Growth Strategy Call at guycoffey.com.

We’ll assess what’s really happening, build a support and accountability plan, and decide the smartest next move to protect your brand and your energy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Every franchisor will face this moment: a franchisee who isn’t performing. Sales stall. Morale drops. Other franchisees start watching closely to see what you’ll do next.

In this solo, tactical episode, I walk through the exact 7-step playbook I use to diagnose underperformance, support franchisees the right way, and protect the brand when tough decisions need to be made. Underperformance is inevitable. What matters is how fast and how intentionally you respond.

Key Takeaways

• Why every franchise system has a bottom 10–20% of performers
• How ignoring underperformance can poison your entire brand
• The 3 E’s framework: effort, execution, or economics
• How to structure a performance improvement plan that actually works
• Why expectations must be objective, time-bound, and documented
• How to balance empathy with brand standards
• When exits, transfers, or closures are the healthiest option
  
  

Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction: The Franchisee Performance Dilemma

00:36 Understanding Underperformance

00:53 The Franchise Scaleup Show: Your Guide to Success

01:24 Episode Overview: Tackling Underperformance

01:56 Reality Check: Accepting Underperformance

02:12 Diagnosis: Identifying the Root Cause

02:42 Support Plan: Building a Path to Improvement

03:28 Setting Clear Expectations

04:00 Accountability with Heart

04:31 Knowing When to Exit

04:54 Mindset Reset: Embracing Tough Decisions

05:11 Tactical Takeaways and Conclusion

Connect with Guy Coffey:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/guycoffey
Website: www.guycoffey.com
Instagram: @guycoffey
YouTube: @guycoffey

Franchising is a completely different business model — and if you don’t make the mental shift, you don’t scale. In this solo episode, I walk through the five mindset changes every emerging franchisor has to go through to stop drowning in day-to-day operations and start leading a franchise system that can grow to 100 units and beyond.

The hard truth is this: if you’re still solving customer issues, running payroll, or living in the weeds, you don’t have a franchise system — you’ve just got an expensive FDD. This episode is about ripping that band-aid off and stepping into the real role of a franchisor.

Key Takeaways

• Why franchising requires a different identity than operating
• The difference between operator thinking vs. owner thinking
• How to shift from being a doer into a builder of systems
• Why franchisees require mentorship, not management
• How culture replaces control when you scale nationwide
• The long-term mindset behind royalties, scale, and exit readiness

Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction to Franchising

00:31 Welcome to the Franchise Scaleup Show

01:03 Mindset Shifts for Emerging Franchisors

02:52 Owner Thinking vs. Operator Thinking

03:29 Building Systems for Franchise Success

04:09 Mentorship Over Management

06:37 Influencing Through Culture

07:56 Long-Term Vision and Solutions

09:10 Tactical Takeaways

09:48 Conclusion and Next Steps

If you’re serious about franchising your concept, you have to stop being the bottleneck. These mindset shifts are the foundation for scaling without burning out or losing control.

If you want help making that transition and building a franchise system that is actually scalable, book your free Franchise Growth Strategy Call at guycoffey.com.

I only work with founders committed to scaling with integrity and control. If that’s you, let’s talk.

Connect with Guy Coffey:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/guycoffey
Website: www.guycoffey.com
Instagram: @guycoffey
YouTube: @guycoffey

In this solo episode, I walk you through a 10-point franchise evaluation checklist you can use whether you’re a prospective franchisee deciding what to buy, or an emerging franchisor trying to pressure-test your own system.

Most brands don’t stall between 10 and 100 units because the concept is weak. They stall because the founder is drowning in chaos and the systems aren’t built yet. This checklist helps you cut through hype, get clarity fast, and make smarter decisions before time and money are on the line.

Key Takeaways

• Why your personal motivation matters more than the concept itself
• How to assess whether a model scales through systems and people, not hustle
• What to look for in market demand, industry outlook, and competitive landscape
• The real way to evaluate franchisor leadership and whether they have skin in the game
• How to validate startup support, ongoing infrastructure, and franchisee satisfaction
• Why transparency in discovery and FDD access is a non-negotiable trust signal
• How emerging brand founders can use this same list to identify weaknesses early
  
  

Time Stamps

• 00:00 Introduction: Defining Your Goals
• 00:12 The Franchise Scaleup Show: What to Expect
• 00:56 Franchise Evaluation Checklist
• 01:20 Motivation and Business Model
• 01:56 Market Demand and Company History
• 03:09 Leadership and Support
• 05:14 Franchise Fit and Validation
• 06:37 Reputation and Feedback
• 08:10 Advice for Emerging Brands
• 10:05 Conclusion and Next Steps

If this checklist helped you, don’t keep it to yourself.

Share this episode with one founder or franchise buyer who needs clarity. You might save them months of pain.

And if you’re ready to go deeper — whether that’s building support infrastructure, accelerating territory sales, or preparing for private equity — book your free Franchise Growth Strategy Call at guycoffey.com.

I only partner with founders who are committed to scaling without losing control. If that’s you, I’d love to connect.

Connect with Guy Coffey:
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/guycoffey
Website: www.guycoffey.com
Instagram: @guycoffey
YouTube: @guycoffey