As an entrepreneur, you never stop learning. The constant search for knowledge is your superpower. Learning different ideas and viewpoints for running a successful business helps you stay afloat and allows you to thrive.
One of the best ways to expand your expertise is reading books written by experts. Franchise books serve as guides and references for individuals wanting to take their small business and turn it into a widely recognized brand. These texts cover various areas such as finding the right location, hiring, marketing, and operating your site successfully.
The purpose of franchise ownership books is to help business owners who are looking to start or join franchises or expand their business. There are hundreds of books written on the topic, and it can be challenging to choose a text that answers your questions.
Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work by narrowing 17 franchising books. This list features books for:
- Learning the basics of franchising
- Applying franchise management
- Understanding logistics/legality of franchising
- Growing your small business into a franchise
Not to mention, the books on this list are an excellent source for all types of franchise opportunities—including gyms.
Here are 17 books to help you expand your business and grow your revenue.
1. Franchise MBA: Mastering the 4 Essential Steps to Owning a Franchise by Nick Neonakis, Sagar Rambhia, and Aditya Rengaswamy
If you’re just starting out building a franchise, The Franchise MBA is a great tool to get you off the ground. In this book, you’ll learn to master the four pillars of franchise owning: The Introspective Self, The Franchisor, The Franchisee, and The Legal and Financial elements. And don’t worry, the information isn’t presented in a pretentious way.
This book was written in a conversational and straight-forward tone. The authors of Franchise MBA take a here-are-the-fact approach and walk you through everything you need to know about owning and running a franchise—from advantages to pitfalls to look for. Additionally, this book outlines what a new business owner needs to work with staff and what skills are needed to succeed.
2. Franchise Bible: How to Buy a Franchise or Franchise Your Own Business by Rick Grossman and Michael J. Katz Esq.
No one likes to tackle mountains of legal paperwork, but it’s one of the caveats of being a franchise owner. So if you find yourself overwhelmed with logistics, reach for the Franchise Bible.
Attorney Michael J. Katz and franchise expert Rick Grossman walk you through ways you can master documents and stay organized. This book also includes sample franchise paperwork, checklists, and tips. You’ll also learn crucial tidbits that every franchisee should know.
3. Brick and Mortar Franchise Success: Know the Costs or Pay the Price by Carolyn Miller
Fast food franchise veteran Carolynn Miller shares all she knows in Brick and Mortar Franchise Success. In this book, she helps future franchisees avoid common (and expensive) mistakes.
You’ll also find out everything you need to do before, during, and after opening a new business location. This book also talks about the overlooked parts of franchising, like assembling a construction team and launching the pre-opening.
4. Educated Franchisee: Find the Right Franchise for You by Rick Bisio and Mike Kohler
Already have a physical location up but looking for ways to sustain long-term profitability? Educated Franchisee lays out the keys to maintaining success. Rick Bisio and Mike Kohler deliver their wealth of knowledge clearly and concisely, and they provide practical advice you can easily apply.
The Educated Franchisee is also a great option for people dipping their toes in franchising. For example, the first few chapters help you decide if franchising is an ideal option. Part two of the book outlines foundational elements, like basic industry terms. Part three shows you how to evaluate growth opportunities.
Overall, The Educated Franchisee is an awesome book if you hit a rough patch in your franchising journey.
Source: Amazon
5. Franchising Demystified: The Definitive Franchise Handbook by Wayne Maillet
Franchising Demystified is a gem. Wayne Maillet puts his 25 years of experience into this book. Whether you already own multiple locations or just starting out, Franchising Demystified outlines ways to grow your business and maximize profitability.
Maillet also sprinkles in real examples to help drive home his lessons and thoughts. You’ll also find his cut-to-the-chase approach helpful too.
6. Smarter, Faster, Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity by Charles Duhigg
A New York Times Best Seller, “Smarter, Better, Faster,” offers eight key principles ranging from goal setting to helpful mental hacks to decision making. While it doesn’t discuss franchising, it’s a valuable tool for business owners because it gives you tips on how to stay focused and productive.
Charles Duhigg also includes lessons that’ll help business owners reach their goals with less stress (who doesn’t want that?). So for the days you feel overwhelmed, this book will get you through. It’ll help foster a healthier mindset and take the weight off your shoulders.
7. Franchise Your Business: The Guide to Employing the Greatest Growth Strategy Ever by Mark Siebert
Mark Siebert is an expert in franchising, and he shares his expertise in Franchise Your Business. In this book, he provides a step by step guide to structure your business and scale growth. Siebert also emphasizes the importance of leadership choices—which differs from other entrepreneurship books.
If you need a comprehensive guide for building a franchise business, pick up Franchise Your Business. It’s a valuable resource for both newbies and those with a few locations under their belt.
8. Around the Corner to Around the World: A Dozen Lessons I Learned Running Dunkin Donuts by Robert Rosenberg
Around the Corner to Around the World is a memoir that recounts how Dunkin Donuts CEO Robert Rosenberg turned a small donut chain into a global brand.
In this book, Rosenberg recounts the lessons he learned, mistakes he made, and challenges he faced. He also gives you a behind the scene look at building a franchise. Although Around the Corner focuses on restaurant franchising, you can use it as a tool to expand your fitness business.
9. The Right Franchise for You: Escape the 9 to 5, Generate Wealth, and Live Life on Your Terms by Faizun Kamal
Renowned franchise coach Faizun Kamal guides you through her proven six-step process of researching and purchasing a franchise. This work serves as a roadmap that outlines how to make the jump from employee to franchise owner.
With this book, aspiring entrepreneurs will learn how to uncover pitfalls and avoid costly mistakes, fund a franchise, and create a work/life balance.
It’s an essential read for those who need the extra push to start a new career path and embark on their franchising journey.
10. Best of the Best: Secrets to Becoming a Top Revenue Producing Franchise Operations Manager by Ron Pagliarulo
Franchising comes with an array of complexities and challenges. And regardless of your experience level, you’re bound to run into some unique issues.
Ron Pagilarulo shares tips and advice to help you navigate sticky situations and become a top performer. This text serves as your guide to simplifying franchise ownership.
Source: Amazon
11. The Wealthy Franchisee: Game-Changing Steps to Becoming a Thriving Franchise Superstar by Scott Greenberg
In The Wealthy Franchisee Scott Greenberg gives first-hand experience to help you maximize profits and foster strong customer and employee relationships. What makes this text unique from the others on this list is that it incorporates science-backed mental habits that’ll help optimize your franchise business.
This work encourages you to evaluate your own mental responses and become self aware—which is an underrated part of business ownership. The Wealthy Franchisee also gives you ways to keep your team happy and motivated.
By the end of this book, you’ll know everything you need to apply the skills needed to maintain a top-performing (and profitable) franchise.
12. Hire Yourself: Control Your Own Destiny Through Franchise Ownership by Pete Gilfillan
Hire Yourself is ideal for aspiring franchise owners and established professionals. This book lays out the framework for finding an effective business model. A few concepts this text goes over include financial considerations and best management practices—things essential for running a successful franchise.
Pete Gilfillan also gives you insight into common pitfalls franchise owners face. He also gives you tips on how to adopt the mindset needed to manage a profitable business. Hire Yourself is an actionable manual for franchise owners.
13. Franchising and Licensing: Two Powerful Ways to Grow Your Business in Any Economy by Andrew Sherman
Franchising and Licensing is another helpful resource all franchise owners should have in their arsenal. Written by Andrew Sherman, this text message covers business franchises’ legal and technical elements. In addition, the text goes over topics such as collecting financial capital, drafting agreements, and complying with regulatory standards.
This book also provides agreement samples and stories that help you better grasp the concepts and how you can apply them.
If you’re a little hazy about the legalities of expanding your franchise business, pick up Franchise Licensing.
14. Adventures in Franchise Ownership: 4 Pillars to Strengthen, Protect and Grow Your Business by Christy Wilson Delk
Adventures in Franchise Ownership breaks down franchise ownership into four principles: loyalty, strategic leadership, money management, and method execution.
Christy Wilson Delk goes into each concept in detail and touches on common issues new franchise owners face, like lapses in motivation and time frustration. By the end of the book you’ll know insider tips for building a loyal customer base, simplifying your budget, and how to handle unexpected crises.
The text also includes anecdotes and first-hand experiences that help illustrate key concepts. Not to mention, Christy takes a conversational and humorous approach—making this an insightful and fun read.
15. The Franchisee Handbook: Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Franchise by Mark Siebert
Mark Siebert delivers another helpful book for all levels of entrepreneurs. Whether you’re thinking about expanding your business or already juggling a few locations, this book offers something for you.
The book starts out by giving you the fundamentals of franchising, like finding a location, negotiating a lease, and training your team. It also includes a step-by-step guide to launching and operating your franchise.
Source: Amazon
16. Grow to Greatness: How to Build a World-Class Franchise System Faster by Steven Olson
Grow to Greatness is another valuable book on franchise ownership. This guide establishes a foundation for transforming small businesses into well-known establishments. Each chapter gives comprehensive advice on creating leadership teams, crafting a franchisee program, and fostering sales.
You’ll also get a guide to growing your business to massive levels while staying true to your brand’s values.
17. Mastering the Rockefeller Habits 2.0 by Verne Harnish
Mastering the Rockefeller Habits 2.0 was written for everyone—from the front-line employee to senior executive. This book offers practical tips that will put you in a growth mindset. It focuses on four key decision making areas every business owner should master: people, strategy, execution, and cash.
And as a bonus, you’ll get a one-page strategic plan and the Rockefeller Habits Checklist—which 40,000 companies around the world have used to scale their business.
Explore the Possibilities of Franchise Ownership
The fitness industry marketing is booming, and it offers opportunities for franchising. There are an array of already established gyms that you can choose to franchise.
However, getting started and managing your locations can be complicated.
Franchise owners need to be hands-on in supervising operations and quick to respond to crises—all while complying with standards. Yes, it’s a ton of work. But thankfully there are resources that help you tackle whatever franchising throws at you. The books we’ve highlighted today cover what you need to know about franchising—they also help transform you into a stronger leader and entrepreneur.